[DBaldock9]

OK - Here's a challenge for y'all -
.
Back at the end of 2016, I bought a set of LZ A4 earphones - which I really do like.
The list price of the A4 was $195, but Penon offered a discount to $150.
.
Can you name a set of $150 - $200 earphones that are a distinct & obvious upgrade in sound quality, over the LZ A4?
.
*** What I mean by "upgrade in sound quality" - is even better low Bass, even more natural Midrange, even more clear & detailed Treble, and a big, accurately presented Sound Stage. Since my high frequency hearing does drop off beyond ~14-KHz, I'm not too concerned with response anomalies beyond that.

 

[KarmaPhala]

OK - Here's a challenge for y'all -
.
Back at the end of 2016, I bought a set of LZ A4 earphones - which I really do like.
The list price of the A4 was $195, but Penon offered a discount to $150.
.
Can you name a set of $150 - $200 earphones that are a distinct & obvious upgrade in sound quality, over the LZ A4?
.
*** What I mean by "upgrade in sound quality" - is even better low Bass, even more natural Midrange, even more clear & detailed Treble, and a big, accurately presented Sound Stage. Since my high frequency hearing does drop off beyond ~14-KHz, I'm not too concerned with response anomalies beyond that.

I have lz-a4, I auditioned isn h40 for half an hour, h40 is fat thick sound&fun, the sub bass rumbles, good hi freq extension, better mid than lz a4, easy to drive, definitely an upgrade. Cons definitely not for progressive death metal genre

 

[RikudouGoku]

Toneking Lucifer: https://www.linsoul.com/collections/all/products/toneking-lucifer

single DD 170 usd

 

[cqtek]

OK - Here's a challenge for y'all -
.
Back at the end of 2016, I bought a set of LZ A4 earphones - which I really do like.
The list price of the A4 was $195, but Penon offered a discount to $150.
.
Can you name a set of $150 - $200 earphones that are a distinct & obvious upgrade in sound quality, over the LZ A4?
.
*** What I mean by "upgrade in sound quality" - is even better low Bass, even more natural Midrange, even more clear & detailed Treble, and a big, accurately presented Sound Stage. Since my high frequency hearing does drop off beyond ~14-KHz, I'm not too concerned with response anomalies beyond that.

I don't have the lz-a4, nor have I ever been able to prove it.
I have the ISN H40 and I love it, perhaps, in its range, it has the best bass range I've ever heard.
As a bass lover, the H40s leave me very satisfied in that respect. But, in both mids and highs, I have a weakness for the NS Audio NS5 MKII Extra Bass.
I reviewed both IEMS here and on my blog. In the H40 review, I compared them directly.
It will depend on your taste about the profile of each one. But I think you can't go wrong if you buy either of them.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/isn-h40.24083/reviews#item-review-23436

Good luck with your decision.

 

[RikudouGoku]

OK - Here's a challenge for y'all -
.
Back at the end of 2016, I bought a set of LZ A4 earphones - which I really do like.
The list price of the A4 was $195, but Penon offered a discount to $150.
.
Can you name a set of $150 - $200 earphones that are a distinct & obvious upgrade in sound quality, over the LZ A4?
.
*** What I mean by "upgrade in sound quality" - is even better low Bass, even more natural Midrange, even more clear & detailed Treble, and a big, accurately presented Sound Stage. Since my high frequency hearing does drop off beyond ~14-KHz, I'm not too concerned with response anomalies beyond that.

The LZ A6 could be a great upgrade from the A4 (havent tried it) but it is just a bit over your budget (around 230 usd).

 

[DBaldock9]

The LZ A6 could be a great upgrade from the A4 (havent tried it) but it is just a bit over your budget (around 230 usd).

I did ask about a specific comparison between the H40 and the A6 (when it was on sale for ~$200) - and several people here (or in the Audio Lounge thread) recommended the H40.
.
So, my question here was general - asking about any earphone that's a significant upgrade, and still less than $200.

 

[OpiateSkittles]

I did ask about a specific comparison between the H40 and the A6 (when it was on sale for ~$200) - and several people here (or in the Audio Lounge thread) recommended the H40.
.
So, my question here was general - asking about any earphone that's a significant upgrade, and still less than $200.

It's a tad over budget, but the JVC FD01 with a simple, reversible mod is the best IEM for the money as far as I'm concerned. $225 on Drop. There's also the FDX1 which is essentially the same, but with the mod done already to two of the three nozzles. It's out of stock though, and $25 dollars more.

 

[RikudouGoku]

I did ask about a specific comparison between the H40 and the A6 (when it was on sale for ~$200) - and several people here (or in the Audio Lounge thread) recommended the H40.
.
So, my question here was general - asking about any earphone that's a significant upgrade, and still less than $200.

yeah I get that, hard for me to give you any accurate recommendations since I have no idea how the LZ A4 sounds like.

Tin Hifi P1 can be a great one if you can get it to fit and with proper amping (although might be wiser to wait for the P2)
Shuoer Tape is also nice if you can use eq to remove the 3,5khz peak

 

[CesarBR]

I did ask about a specific comparison between the H40 and the A6 (when it was on sale for ~$200) - and several people here (or in the Audio Lounge thread) recommended the H40.
.
So, my question here was general - asking about any earphone that's a significant upgrade, and still less than $200.

If you are into some in your face and really detailed highs, Shuoer Tape is a nice addition. It has that subbass that digs deep as the LZA4 and has bigger treble extension and quantity.

I'm a big fan of bright sets with deep sub bass so I like tape a lot. You may have to eq it a bit though to tame the 3.5khz peak. For me it's a good candidate.

But it's really hard to recommend anything that will stomp the LZA4 in this Budget... It's a hell of a good set especially for the money.

 

[1clearhead]

OK - Here's a challenge for y'all -
.
Back at the end of 2016, I bought a set of LZ A4 earphones - which I really do like.
The list price of the A4 was $195, but Penon offered a discount to $150.
.
Can you name a set of $150 - $200 earphones that are a distinct & obvious upgrade in sound quality, over the LZ A4?
.
*** What I mean by "upgrade in sound quality" - is even better low Bass, even more natural Midrange, even more clear & detailed Treble, and a big, accurately presented Sound Stage. Since my high frequency hearing does drop off beyond ~14-KHz, I'm not too concerned with response anomalies beyond that.

Have you gave any thought on the LZ A6mini? Since your focusing on a certain price bracket these might be what you're looking for. And, you'll save money, too!

 

[jant71]

Toneking Lucifer: https://www.linsoul.com/collections/all/products/toneking-lucifer

single DD 170 usd

"Warm, thick, and smooth" and...
Tuned to be Balanced.
This model features a smooth transition between the three frequencies. With it, you can feel the surge in bass, the thickness in mids and the details in highs. Sibilance is controlled and altered to a favorable level to present enough details without too harsh

Sounds like another ISN competitor. Also, just me. or are getting more and more away from the old Chi-Fi detail and treble pushing?

The green wood is quite handsome as well.

 

[1TrickPony]

I did ask about a specific comparison between the H40 and the A6 (when it was on sale for ~$200) - and several people here (or in the Audio Lounge thread) recommended the H40.
.
So, my question here was general - asking about any earphone that's a significant upgrade, and still less than $200.

That's a high task bud. I doubt there's going to be anything that will sound similar to the LZ-A4 especially for the price range. In fact, I've made other purchases since and nothing comes close as to what it offers.

One suggestion would be the Cayin YB04 but that's like twice the price and has more of a totally neutral (read flat) bass. Smooth as a baby's butt though with some pretty good wide soundstage.

I swear, they should re-release it with 2-pin connector and it'll be over for any competition in that price bracket. Fun enjoyable signature indeed! I'd get it for the third time for sure!

 

[H T T]

It's a tad over budget, but the JVC FD01 with a simple, reversible mod is the best IEM for the money as far as I'm concerned. $225 on Drop. There's also the FDX1 which is essentially the same, but with the mod done already to two of the three nozzles. It's out of stock though, and $25 dollars more.

The FD01 is not currently available on Drop. I am waiting for the FD01 or FDX1 to drop again.

 

[DBaldock9]

Have you gave any thought on the LZ A6mini? Since your focusing on a certain price bracket these might be what you're looking for. And, you'll save money, too!

I remember reading that the LZ A6 is better than the LZ A4, at approximately $100 more.
Is the LZ A6 Mini discernibly better than the LZ A4?

 

[RikudouGoku]

I remember reading that the LZ A6 is better than the LZ A4, at approximately $100 more.
Is the LZ A6 Mini discernibly better than the LZ A4?

Hopefully, someone that actually has both the A6 mini and A4 can confirm or deny this statement here.