[Redcarmoose]

 

[Nabillion_786]

I really like the R6 2020 and Zen combo, it's a very dynamic duo the clearer sounding R6 2020 (compared to DX300 and M8) works well there. R6 2020 also brings a lot of bass slam (not as much as Shanling M8 but still very very nice) and opens up the stage with a lot of air and the extension is pretty impressive the R6 2020 is deceptively resolving competing with much pricier DAPs by the way. The linear mids work well with the Zen and benefits instrument separation. It makes Zen less relaxed but still smooth and I like what I am hearing.

You have heard both the fd5 and zen. I actually thought the fd5 were great value for money but the midrange tuning is extremely important for me aswell. It doesn't matter how detailed or technical an iem sounds as I need a slightly more forward midrange then the fd5 for my preferences. I'm used to a blon 03, oxygen, kpe and fdx1 type of midrange so would like to ask is the zens midrange positioned similar to them? The fd5 vocals sounded slightly scooped for me (deal breaker) but that is probably because I'm used to more forward sets.

If anyone could graph both it would be great aswell.

 

[Dsnuts]

Impressions in the first hour.



Allegaeon
Roundabout cover

ZEN Sony 1A J region MrWalkman's DMP-Z1 emulation MK2 in direct mode.

Stock cable 4.4mm and Blue L DUNU tips from SA6.


FLAC not YouTube


.07 seconds: Here harmonics and acoustic guitar, not too forward though maybe missing just the smallest extra guitar treble timbre (in comparison to maybe the best IEMs) though harmonics spacious and real, flowing reverberations. Not a big deal here as the slight set back of the guitar tone is simply the ZEN showing it's way. Maybe a trait that will be super easy to get used to? Amazing detail as you can hear the strings slightly get pulled by the fingers making a small slide sound.


.31 seconds to .32 seconds: Pan reverb, super nice sent-off guitar delay/pan and going separated from center. Kind of a ZEN charm that will be going on more with other small elements and sweeping pans on the outside.

.45 seconds: Probably the most important test in the song. Showing the arrival of the ever so forward and upfront bass. The star of this section of the song and a make it or not moment. Totally lovely centering timbre and placement staging in the mix, spot on. Amazing.

.50 seconds: So here is where the guitar makes itself be known. This style of guitar timbre is critical and something BAs can make off tone or approaching nasal. Yet the ZEN totally encapsulates and separates in relief the absolute correct tone, but way more important, the texture here. Nailed the guitar texture at ten seconds under a minute.

3.16 minute/seconds: The huge bass drop. The do it or go home moment in the song. Again 10/10 and separation and additional complications with growl vocal all staged exactly right. Passed in flying colors.

5.23 minute/seconds: Somebody was asking about male vocals having weight and realism and yep! Yes they do 100%. 10/10

So there you have it, right out of the box today summery. This was one IEM where I read a bunch of opinions before listening. Soundstage is nice and actually fairly bigger than I guessed. Love the positioning and imaging. I get what the talk is about the upper midrange bump and slightly pushed closeness in positioning going on.

Amazing and far better than the price would have you guess. Spent earlier with OST music, like “Furnace” off Blade Runner 2049 and it was flagship level!


But, my God! This is a rock or metal IEM. It’s right at home with metal and has a sway and swagger groove that’s intoxicating!

If someone just needed a metal IEM, this would be end-game.

I would give them a good burn in period to open up. I thought they sounded a bit reserved especially in the trebles on open listen. That goes away with some burn in.

The Speedy Zen
Speedy drivers lead to more accurate sound, a clear correlation to a quicker transient response and a tighter sound. Here we got one of the speediest drivers around and you're gonna hear that for your speediest tracks. With no such thing as congestion for any track you throw at the Zens. Zens spacious balanced tuning will reveal every part of your most complicated speediest tracks. Again showing the superior speed of the drivers here. I can’t think of too many earphones that use dynamics that can match the speed of the Zens. To my ears these are an ideal solution for Metal fans. I have a very eclectic collection of music I listen to but I grew up going to Slayer, Pantara and Sepultura concerts. So just know these do metal justice in fact I will say they are the ultimate solution for metal. Aggressive when called for and heavenly when not.

 

[Redcarmoose]

I would give them a good burn in period to open up. I thought they sounded a bit reserved especially in the trebles on open listen. That goes away with some burn in.

The Speedy Zen
Speedy drivers lead to more accurate sound, a clear correlation to a quicker transient response and a tighter sound. Here we got one of the speediest drivers around and you're gonna hear that for your speediest tracks. With no such thing as congestion for any track you throw at the Zens. Zens spacious balanced tuning will reveal every part of your most complicated speediest tracks. Again showing the superior speed of the drivers here. I can’t think of too many earphones that use dynamics that can match the speed of the Zens. To my ears these are an ideal solution for Metal fans. I have a very eclectic collection of music I listen to but I grew up going to Slayer, Pantara and Sepultura concerts. So just know these do metal justice in fact I will say they are the ultimate solution for metal. Aggressive when called for and heavenly when not.

So you are thinking 100 hours would do the trick?

 

[Dsnuts]

They should open up within 50ish but I gave them 150 hours. I just played music through them this time instead of colored sound. Works great.

 

[Redcarmoose]

They should open up within 50ish but I gave them 150 hours. I just played music through them this time instead of colored sound. Works great.

The other thing is the ergonomics are so good....as they sit well, and are somehow easy to use. It's funny as I don't think I have or have seen anything like them? They are unique and different in a good way?

I did notice the speed, and it is in places you don't expect it to be?

 

[Redcarmoose]

Here's a little something-something from me too



Just a preview for now.

It's already 4:40 AM here in Toronto.

I'll be taking more photos later on. Still haven't had a proper listen besides my initial impressions for my unboxing video. Still busy with work. I wanna take more photos before I start my actual listening session. So I'll try to finish my photoshoot with these beauties.

I've got to re-shoot after seeing that calm organization going on. I'm never good at arranging like that. Maybe I'll imitate you?

 

[Dsnuts]

I have them in my ears as I am typing. Zen has really surprised me with its ability. It has to be one of the best realized dynamic earphones ever created. It don't quite reach the textured sound of the Lunas but makes up for it with an energetic speedy versatile sound that for eclectic music lovers just don't get much better.

 

[cr3ativ3]

I have them in my ears as I am typing. Zen has really surprised me with its ability. It has to be one of the best realized dynamic earphones ever created. It don't quite reach the textured sound of the Lunas but makes up for it with an energetic speedy versatile sound that for eclectic music lovers just don't get much better.

Are you fine with the upper mids peak and all metal music ? Do you listen more on lower volumes ?

 

[F700]

I have them in my ears as I am typing. Zen has really surprised me with its ability. It has to be one of the best realized dynamic earphones ever created. It don't quite reach the textured sound of the Lunas but makes up for it with an energetic speedy versatile sound that for eclectic music lovers just don't get much better.

As an eclectic music lover since more than 30 years, these are great news! On Monday I will enter into the ZEN’s circle and all the recent impressions, out of the box or fully burned-in, make me think this blind purchase was the right thing to do in early 2021.

 

[Dsnuts]

Are you fine with the upper mids peak and all metal music ? Do you listen more on lower volumes ?

I know the graph makes it look a bit aggressive in the upper mids but it isn't bad. I can listen to them all day but I know some will be more sensitive in that area but for me anyways it is large spacious sound gives room to really strut its stuff. Sound wise I don't find the upper mids bothersome. Overall tone is clean vs being bright or anything poking at your ears that sound unnatural.

 

[SaveTheMantaRays]

Do you really need some kind of good to great amp to make these worth it?

Or can you simply plug and play with a Samsung phone and be okay?

Would just using a phone, make this pointless to spend $700 on any iem?

Thanks

 

[Grimlock248]

Do you really need some kind of good to great amp to make these worth it?

Or can you simply plug and play with a Samsung phone and be okay?

Would just using a phone, make this pointless to spend $700 on any iem?

Thanks

These sound amazing even from my Galaxy s20 plus connected through a simple ddhifi 2.5 mm to usb c adapter. The word I would use to describe them is "coherent". No treble issues for me.

 

[RikudouGoku]

Do you really need some kind of good to great amp to make these worth it?

Or can you simply plug and play with a Samsung phone and be okay?

Would just using a phone, make this pointless to spend $700 on any iem?

Thanks

I mean, to me if you are using an iem at this price range on a regular phone. That would be like having a beast computer but using it with a 480p monitor lol.

 

[sebiambrus]

Hi anyone can compare the CA Andromeda to the Zen? I am recently bought an Andromeda here in headfi and i am blown away with the 3d spacious intoxicating netural sound,
wonder how they compare to Zen.