Starting out 2014 with a bang!
Happy new years fellas.. What a surprise I didn't expect my doppios to show up till next year but. What a fitting end to a fantastic year for me..2013 will be forever etched into the Dsnuts history of transition for all things that are good.. I am glad 2013 was a very positive year for me. It was a year of fantastic discoveries. The Shure SRH1540, Yamaha HPH200, The Fidelio X1, The Philips S2, X3, DX50 still are all performing strong for me..The M200 are highly regarded dual dynamic earphone that I hope they eventually do a redesign that will incorporate a more ergonomic design and perhaps some better QCing.. The bassos and tenors showed us that Zero audio out of Japan are serious about audio. Till this date I don't ever recall a manufacturer that literally nails it in SQ for every earphone they make.. Which leads me to these little guys. The Zero Audio ZH-BX700-CD AKA Dopplo..
Ever since I saw that they were working on a dual BA earphone. It caught my interest immediately. Thanks to my good brother in crime. DannyBai for taking the plunge on the single BA Zero Audio ZH-BX500..He let me audition them for a while and I was very impressed with their performance for a single BA earphone so much so I was very tempted to get a pair for myself but that was when I heard about the Doppios..I think guys wanting to try out a BA from Zero Audio the BX-500 don't get much mention as Danny is the only person that owns one in the US as far as I know. They are fantastic earphones. But these guys have upped their sound in these new Zero Audios for certain.
So without further ado so what are these like?
Clarity and quality of the sound is unbelievable on these earphones. They come packaged in their standard Zero Audio fare and not too much in the way of fancy packaging or extras you would expect for a $200 phone a simple pouch and standard small bore tips, but they clearly threw out all of their know how on tuning these earphones.. Listening to these out of my DX50 and X3. These are easily are my new standard for higher end sound in earphones.
The tuning on these earphones are exceptional. I am having a hard time trying to figure out negatives in the sound. If anything they are blowing me away with just how good they sound out of my DX50 right now.. The transparency of the sound out of these earphones are to me second to none..These have some of the best treble and mids I have heard in anything I own. The bass is tight agile accurate down to the sub bass which for BA earphones are well represented. Sure they could use some extra juice down in the lowest of notes but they make up for it with a vocal forwardness and instrument separation that none of my in ears can touch..These sound decidedly high end in every way to my ears..Like a very high end Tenor or BX-500. They are clearly tuned for a reference sound from Zero Audio and I can now understand why these cost double or triple that of their next earphone.
Staging on these earphones is wide much like the tenors perhaps a bit more so. The depth in the sound adapts to how a tune is recorded...Detail is without a doubt it's strong suit but also has a smoothness to the sound that I didn't think was possible in ear phones..Each instrument has complete and utter distinction making instrument pieces completely smile inducing enjoyable. Not only does the treble have a high end shimmer and a roundness to the notes with clear layering but so does the vocals. Vocals in these earphones is a solid tier or two above anything I own and only my full sized SRH1540 competes in vocal performance..Are these worth the money? YOU BET!
I am 100% certain Joker would rate these pretty high on his score chart. Very certain as I have yet to hear anything in my stable past and present that sounds this good. Lol..The more I am adjusting to their sound it is apparent to me that I made the correct choice in taking a chance on these. Zero Audio just can't fail. Now these have more of a neutral sound tuning but so smooth so fluid so outstandingly goose bump experiencing. I am loving the sound that are flowing out of these earphones. I am pinching myself wondering if it gets any better..
Now for the negative. I would say much like other BAs dual or otherwise. These do not have the bass end like a big dynamic but The bass is tight punchy and represents really well on these and to be honest at this point I couldn't care less as I have my bass phones for my bass needs anyhow... It does Hip hop just fine or trance for that matter but where it shines..Vocals, instruments I have never heard sounding better.. Another fantastic and high mark for Zero Audio.. The best BA earphones I have ever heard.