LZ-A4 Impressions and Discussion Thread

[Indigo Bob]

I like the REDb/GRAYf filter combo, which is fun and energetic, but I can't get enough of the BLACKb/BLACKf and it's open soundstage.

 

[1TrickPony]

Let me say first that i am so glad to meet a person that really appreciates the sound of Dn2k and add that i was puzzled before geting those.
Puzzled  between those and the updated version of the 2000j.
Having read numerous of reviews and reports between those two and not thinking at all of the 30-50$ for the dn2000j additional cost ( being described that time as DUNUs flagship IEM) I descided to go for the Dn2k and i am glad i did so...as a better allrounder and more cohesive sounding Dunu IEM...
Most users describe 2000j as thinner and more holow sounding in the mids (kind of Fidue A83 triple hybrid) with quite piercing highs transparent of course but as you may know Dn2k are well aknowlegded and widely appreciated for the "wow" factor they generously offer at first listening.The impact of the soundstage at first listening is trumendous...The emotional and transparent vocals were nothing  i had ever heard before.....Have you sold yours bro?How come you dont own those any more?

the cable gave up Hopefully I should be getting them back from Dunu HQ.

I've butted heads with some of the outspoken head fi seniors because of their preference for brighter signatures. I'm a musician that LOVES warmth and realistic timbre.You need a bit of warmth. Dn2000 is the superior hybrid when it comes to presenting drums more so than the resolving J version. sure the cymbal crashes on the j are sweetly vivid but lacked that presence and weight of the kick drums when compared to the dn2k. Anyhow, they are both superb hybrids. I'm just amazed at what the LZ-A4 can do for it's lower price tag.

I don't think it can compete with Dunu in some technical aspects, but they bring the goods.If you look at what folks have said here about the A4, we'd be in denial if they weren't true (aside extreme/absolute subjective preferences). anyhow got to go, feel free to share your take on it,as to help others who are on the fence

 

[SeeSax]

  I was going to get the Fiio cable on Amazon for $30, but the reviews said that it had horrible microphonics.  It shouldn't have dissuaded me as I always wear mine cable up.  I got the Fidue cable off Penon for $60.  More than I wanted to spend, but it's doing its job nicely.  I also wanted a dark colored cable to match the black A4.

 
 
I returned that FiiO cable within ten minutes of receiving it. Not only are the microphonics the worst I have ever encountered, but the firm plastic material of the cable made it so springy. Not a good choice in my opinion. And if you can wait like two weeks, there are tons of high quality cables on AliExpress for around the same price that are a lot better choices. But I think you made the right choice with the Fidue cable - that's an awesome one. 
 

  I ordered a balanced cable from Impact Audio Cables. [ https://www.etsy.com/shop/ImpactAudioCables ], to use with my Onkyo DP-X1.
It cost less than $90, and is a 4-ft, 2-strand Type 6 Copper Litz cable, with an Eidolic E-2.5GC at one end, an Eidolic E-SX3 Splitter, and the Eidolic EM-CXP (MMCX) connectors for the earphones.
 
I believe your Opus #1 uses a 3.5mm Balanced connector, so check with Lindsay on a price for your specific requirements.

 
I heard great things about Impact Audio cables, I hope you'll let us know how it is when you receive it. I personally went with BTG Audio (Starlight cable) and also ordered from PlusSound as well (been on a cable binge lately), but Impact is next on my list and he was a super nice guy. 
 

the cable gave up

Hopefully I should be getting them back from Dunu HQ.

I've butted heads with some of the outspoken head fi seniors because of their preference for brighter signatures. I'm a musician that LOVES warmth and realistic timbre.You need a bit of warmth. Dn2000 is the superior hybrid when it comes to presenting drums more so than the resolving J version. sure the cymbal crashes on the j are sweetly vivid but lacked that presence and weight of the kick drums when compared to the dn2k. Anyhow, they are both superb hybrids. I'm just amazed at what the LZ-A4 can do for it's lower price tag.

I don't think it can compete with Dunu in some technical aspects, but they bring the goods.If you look at what folks have said here about the A4, we'd be in denial if they weren't true (aside extreme/absolute subjective preferences). anyhow got to go, feel free to share your take on it,as to help others who are on the fence

 
I didn't much care for my 2000J and it seems the 2000 would have suited me better. I figured newer = better = upgrade, but heck I may even love the DN-1000 more than both of them? Oh well, too many IEMs at the moment (I think I just passed 20). 
 
-Collin-

 

[harry501501]

Sadly the provided cable has split on the right side and I'm getting no volume. I noticed last week it was starting to come apart at the head. Today it finally went completely. I'll get a pic later.
 
Anyone suggest a decent cable around the £30 mark? I'm not one for expensive cables... I'd sooner buy a new IEM

 

[nealh]

Sadly the provided cable has split on the right side and I'm getting no volume. I noticed last week it was starting to come apart at the head. Today it finally went completely. I'll get a pic later.

Anyone suggest a decent cable around the £30 mark? I'm not one for expensive cables... I'd sooner buy a new IEM

I'm sorry to hear that. That's the one thing I felt that the packaging lacked was a spare cable.

I could've done without all the ear tips as I think their quality were just OK and would rather of had a spare cable. That's just my opinion

 

[goldtuba]

   
 
I returned that FiiO cable within ten minutes of receiving it. Not only are the microphonics the worst I have ever encountered, but the firm plastic material of the cable made it so springy. Not a good choice in my opinion. And if you can wait like two weeks, there are tons of high quality cables on AliExpress for around the same price that are a lot better choices. But I think you made the right choice with the Fidue cable - that's an awesome one. 
 

 
I listened for a couple of hours last night.  I am really enjoying the sound using a balanced cable, but for some reason, I cannot get the cable to stay behind my ears.  The first thing that I did when I received the cable was remove the memory wire.  Maybe I just need to give it more time to get its shape.  I did order a 3.5 mm cable from **** a while back.  Its an 8 core, silver plated cable.  I got it for the looks as it was a nice braid.  I might be ordering another one soon, but with a 2 pin connector.  Hopefully, only a couple more weeks until I get Trinity Audio Hunter.

 

[Lohb]

  Sadly the provided cable has split on the right side and I'm getting no volume. I noticed last week it was starting to come apart at the head. Today it finally went completely. I'll get a pic later.
 
Anyone suggest a decent cable around the £30 mark? I'm not one for expensive cables... I'd sooner buy a new IEM

Search google with these terms to get to Ali-X
 
Pure copper OCC :-
 
Earphone Cable Upgrade Single Crystal Copper Wire Detach Cable For Shure SE215 315 425 535 **** DT2 UE
 
Almost pure silver 92.5% or so (= Sterling Grade Silver) :-
 
X3 High Quality Sterling Silver Earphone Upgrade Cable 8 Cell For Shure SE535 SE315 SE215 SE425 SE846 UE900 Free Shipping

 

[harry501501]

 
Search google with these terms to get to Ali-X
 
Pure copper OCC :-
 
Earphone Cable Upgrade Single Crystal Copper Wire Detach Cable For Shure SE215 315 425 535 **** DT2 UE
 
Almost pure silver 92.5% or so (= Sterling Grade Silver) :-
 
Easy X3 High Quality Sterling Silver Earphone Upgrade Cable 8 Cell For Shure SE535 SE315 SE215 SE425 SE846 UE900 Free Shipping

Thanks Lohb, I'll do that later. Even though I reckon 6-7 weeks of use before it split is pretty poor, I would still recommend the LZA4 in regards to sound quality.

 

[ustinj]

Would any combination of filters be able to resemble the CA Andromeda's tone/sig?

 

[Razornova]

My thoughts after using these for 2 months is that there isn't a reason to upgrade except for better ergonomics. They aren't uncomfortable at all, as the entire shell sticks out and none of it touches your ears. But God their combination of weight and shape make them feel clunky if you're on the move and hard to handle when you're in a rush.

If they could lock in the black/black doing signature into a beautiful universal shell (like the IT-03), these could easily fetch $300. Nonetheless I'm still amazed at what LZ has achieved being a 1 man shop, and am eagerly looking forward to support his future creations.

 

[Indigo Bob]

My thoughts after using these for 2 months is that there isn't a reason to upgrade except for better ergonomics. They aren't uncomfortable at all, as the entire shell sticks out and none of it touches your ears. But God their combination of weight and shape make them feel clunky if you're on the move and hard to handle when you're in a rush.

If they could lock in the black/black doing signature into a beautiful universal shell (like the IT-03), these could easily fetch $300. Nonetheless I'm still amazed at what LZ has achieved being a 1 man shop, and am eagerly looking forward to support his future creations.

I agree with you.  The ergonomics were not "completed".  I view them almost as headphones because they aren't as comfortable as good fitting IEM's.
 
But well said.  I don't think I would have bought them if they were 300$ but they were better than the 300$ pairs of IEM's at Canjam lol.
 
If it didn't have that gosh darn ridge on it where the cable connects to circling around the entire diameter of the monitors, the fit would have been "complete" IMO.

 

[misteral201103]

I have mine with the Spiral Dots and I wear them down (as opposed to over the ear)
Trying to work out how to say this (I know I could post a picture, but.....) (Had to Google for terminology!!!!)
 
The A4 sits in the conch of my ear, with the back filter area gently resting against the inside edge of the tragus.
For me they are utterly comfortable, there's no undue pressure anywhere and they are secure enough that I can have a dance while wearing them. I swear I don't have overly big ears!
 
Not to say that those who find them ergonomically challenging are wrong - just to say that we all have different ears and prospective buyers should not be under the impression that they are universally uncomfortable/unwieldy!

 

[bavinck]

My thoughts after using these for 2 months is that there isn't a reason to upgrade except for better ergonomics. They aren't uncomfortable at all, as the entire shell sticks out and none of it touches your ears. But God their combination of weight and shape make them feel clunky if you're on the move and hard to handle when you're in a rush.

If they could lock in the black/black doing signature into a beautiful universal shell (like the IT-03), these could easily fetch $300. Nonetheless I'm still amazed at what LZ has achieved being a 1 man shop, and am eagerly looking forward to support his future creations.

$200 is the right price. They are a nice iem for that price, but $300 is too high now that ibasso has shown us in the it03 what they can do for $259. The a4 are a really nice iem, but for another $60 the it03 punches to nearly totl level.

 

[Jimster480]

 
True, true...  But IMO, those added features, especially for bass and treble adjustment, are significant.
 
You could listen to otherwise bright sounding IEM's with much improvement on that guy.
 
But I do hear ya...  If the Q1's sound suits you well, and you don't need the treble or bass adjustment, then the Q1 is the best deal and is a great deal if it does have the same sound as the E17K.  It would be a steal and a very comfortable improvement on the sound IMO.
 
After hearing the E17k and seeing that it could match in satisfaction with the X3ii, and I was sad to return the E17K, it did give me a lot of respect for the Q1....  I noticed one review say that Bass was too big on the Q1, but I'm sure someone who has it can clarify that...  I don't recall @Brooko mentioning anything about that TBH, and he recommended it to me as well.

The E17k and the Q1 also sound similar to the K1 which has the same DAC chip and I believe one of the same op-amps as the E17k (not 100% sure on that though).
 
I have a K1 and it sounds great with low impedance phones, obviously you have "steps" based on what you are feeding it with.
Which in my case is a windows machine so I have 100 steps of volume.

 

[Razornova]

$200 is the right price. They are a nice iem for that price, but $300 is too high now that ibasso has shown us in the it03 what they can do for $259. The a4 are a really nice iem, but for another $60 the it03 punches to nearly totl level.

You're right, maybe I was a little dramatic. But a nice shell couldn't hurt