KZ EDX Ultra

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Disclaimer:

• KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will try its best to devoid from any bias/es.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
• BaseUs USB DAC
• Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
• Cyberdrive Feather DAC
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM and configuration: Stock medium eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain.

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Sound signature:

• V-shaped warm sound signature. Basshead level lows, recessed but not cra-level recessed type of mids, extended highs..

Lows:

• The lows are definitely elevated and give its full punch whenever the song needed. Despite it being a basshead IEM, its bass isn’t sloppy or boomy for its asking price. It is punchier and quicker in decay when compared to the EDX and EDX Pro while keeping the details of the bass as it never sounded “one-note-bass” to me. Midbass is slightly dominant over the subbass. As a result, the lows on the EDX Ultra will cater and deliver fun, elevated bass when needed.

Mids:

• The mids are recessed on the EDX Ultra but not as recessed as the CCA CRA when compared. Lower mids suffer a slight midbass bleed but only has enough amount to keep the lower mids warm and lively. Upper mids exhibit above average, air and clarity but also suffers some slight peaks whenever listened with very sibilant tracks. These peaks are mostly noticeable during the hours used straight out of the box and eventually lessens the more you use it. These peaks are also lessened effectively when paired with the right eartips (more into that later). Overall, the mids still sounds “clean” to my taste and is an improvement vs the EDX Pro because it is much more open and has less bleed.

Highs:

• The highs on the EDX Ultra are elevated and bright, but not as elevated compared to its lows. It is also well-extended and has some decent air and sparkle to it. There are some tracks that it may sound “thin”, but it is mostly noticeable on poorly-mastered tracks throughout my tests. Detail retrieval is very good for its price point as I can hear the microdetails or nuances fairly easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The soundstage of the EDX Ultra is wide with average levels of expansion. It is wider than deep with a good amount of height. Separation is noticeably better than the EDX and EDX Pro and only suffers slight congestion when very busy tracks are listened to such as Let Me Hear and Asphyxia as some of the examples. Imaging is a tad bit better than its older siblings as its vocal and instrument positions are portrayed clearly.

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Pros:

• A much more “correct-sounding” EDX Pro in a nutshell.
• Basshead IEM that will satisfy bassheads on a budget.
• Punchy, elevated bass.
• Clearer and more open mids compared to the EDX and EDX Pro.
• Extended, airy treble.
• Improved technicalities compared to the EDX and EDX Pro, particularly on the separation.
• Softer, less prone-to-tangle cable.
• Decent isolation.

Cons:

• Some peaks are present but only on very sibilant prone tracks, almost as the same level as the CCA CRA+ has.
• Treble may sound thin on some tracks. It is mostly noticeable during the first hours of using it out of the box.
• Slight midbass bleed are present on some tracks but are far from muddying up the sound.
• A cable winder would be a very good treat for everyone (my nitpick)
• Eartips included do not give justice to the sound.

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It was quite a surprise when I heard that there is an existing KZ EDX Ultra. At first I thought it was only a visual update since their prices are not that too far with each other. It turns out that I was wrong as there are some noticeable differences when compared to its brother, the EDX Pro even if it is not a “night-and-day” difference. KZ and CCA are really stepping up their game recently after the fiasco by tuning their 1DD IEMs better-even better than their multi-driver IEMs from the past. The KZ EDX Ultra mixed the KZ ZS7 and EDX Pro’s DNA to make the EDX Ultra’s sound reaching basshead levels while keeping the decent technicalities for its asking price.



Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: This IEM is very easy to be driven with, a phone will do. However, a warm-sounding dongle or a DAP will lessen its peaks and will thicken its mids by a bit.
• KBEar 07 eartips would be my top recommendation for this one to lessen the peaks while improving the width of the stage. Any wide-bore eartips will also make the lows more controlled and firmer, the mids will also forward a bit, and the soundstage will also sound wider when used.
• As for the cable, I do not have any specific cable that I can recommend but I do suggest changing it if needed because the ear guides on the stock cable makes it hard for me to fit it properly. Besides, this also deserve a cable upgrade because it looks cool in my opinion.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos:

DISCLAIMER:
Reviewing isn’t really my job. I write my reviews to transcribe how I feel when listening to sets. If for some reason you find the way I write to be flowery, well it is deliberate because that is how good I probably felt during writing. There are many people who write objective reviews for more accurate impressions. This time, I will be a bit subjective with this one. If you are not fine with that, you can skip this..
I want to thank KZ Official Store and Tyvan Lam for sending me a pair. So yeah, lets get it started.

SETUP
-All stock. Occasionally used spring tips
-Shanling M3X using uapp, hiby and stock player.
-Volume measured and listened at 75-78 dbs.


MY LIBRARY:
I grew up listening to 90’s music. Alternative, punk-rock, screamo, rap, Philippine OPM, Anime songs, JPOP, KPOP, metal, reggae and a lot more.
The artists I regularly listen to are:
Rock-Alternative-Metal
Incubus, 311, BMTH, Matchbox 20, The Goo Goo Dolls, Paramore, Polyphia, The Calling,, Babymetal, Metallica, Slipknot, Bon Jovi, Coheed and Cambria, Deftones, Red Hot, Green day,
OPM(Original Pinoy Music):
E-heads, Slapshock, Parokya, Urbanddub, Up Dharma Down, Bamboo, IV of spade, Kamikazee, Rivermaya
POP:
IU, Yoasobi, Yorushika, Milet, Reona, Maroon 5, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Taylor, Dua Lipa, Oliva Rodrigo, Billie Eilish
OTHERS:
Carpenters, Micheal Learns to Rock, Celine Dion, Bob Marley, Sitti, Daft Punk, Pink Floyed, Earth wind and fire, Amber rubarth, Sia, Yosi Horikawa
I listen to more, but I can’t just list them all here.haha. Just giving you an idea on what I listen.


SOUND PROFILE:


Balanced with emphasis on treble air.
Though following the same curve as CRA+ from bass to around 5k. Ultra has less perceived bass. It is tighter and cleaner in my assessment. Can sound dry depending on tracks, but this cleanliness renders vocals very airy like they have their own space beside you. I did not notice any bleeding nor congestion even on busy tracks. The bass slams enough for my preference and have a bit of rumble from subbass.

Mids aren’t that lush compared to EDA, but this gives me a different satisfaction. Vocal layering is well done and back vocals can be easily separated if you are into that. Instrument timbre isn’t that accurate but technicalities make up for it.
Treble is extended. Like yes, it is extended lol. Ie600 kind of extension yes. Check graphs. So what does this do? They sound very airy like you are listening to a live band. Instances of sibilance can be heard especially on badly mastered tracks. But for my ears, KZ have come this far in making sets that are less fatiguing.

Technicalities are good for this price. Imaging is pretty good. Soundstage is very airy and this is what I really like about the ultra. This space affects how the bass decays, how vocals are placed, and how treble decays. Since I mentioned IE600, so do they sound like a TOTL? Uhmmm.. NO. However, that is the closest representation of how an airy treble would sound like.


PROS
very realistic vocal air. Listening to female vocals like Taylor or Olivia sounds really airy and realistic in my subjective perception.

very good layering and imaging. I guess the air is helping a lot in the placements of instruments. I just hear a sense of correctness with this space.

Again with the Vocals. The vocal harmony on Olivia Rodrigo’s traitor is well separated. sometimes coming from the back

guitar overtones and harmonics on Playing God by Paramore is pleasing to listen to.

Stage is very immersive and holographic. Listening to I miss you by Incubus felt like was in a gig. The quick decay of bass, the added treble coloration and the space between the vocals and instruments all add up to this wonderful experience.

almost sibilant. So it's a pro?But hear me out. You need a bit of energy on the S and T to make them sound believable. IRL, they actually linger a bit, but this is difficult to achieve and balance when coming from transducers. Give more of it and you get sibilance from S and T. Subdue them, and you feel like the sound is coming from a speaker. Ultra, somehow managed to get it closer to realism. Not perfect, but it is there.


Cons
Upper mids to treble can be intense. Since it shares the same brittleness of treble from the CRA, some people might find this overbearing.

not really pleasing to listen and very unforgiving in cymbal heavy tracks. It takes a bit of time to getting used to it, but I can understand if there are people who are sensitive in those higher frequencies, so this is worth mentioning.

Since perceived bass is not really the same as CRA+, it might not suit some bassheads. I did try some bass heavy tracks like djents and some EDM. They have some rumble and some slam, but not as textured as the KZ EDAs and CRA+. But personally, this is just enough change from the original CRA and my preference.

average detail retrieval. Since they aren’t really full sounding, perceived resolution is on the drier side.

light note weight. Since transients are quick, almost like a BA, people might not like the attack and decay on this one.


COMPARISON


EDA
EDAs are fuller sounding and more textured than EDX ULTRA. The tonality of EDAs are also entering mainstream. The EDAs are smoother overall and technically very capable. The highest value would probably be the EDAs because you can get 3 pairs at 30 bucks at some stores.
EDX Ultra however, is colored sounding. But because of this coloration, it gives me a different experience in my playlist. They are very airy and so I perceive very realistic spacing and decay. Like for example how long cymbals sound IRL. Well, cymbals aren’t supposed to be clear because frequencies bounce around walls. But I get a feeling of correctness from ultra. Don’t take my word from it, that’s just me. You might not like the airiness it has. That’s the caveat.


CHU
As I mentioned in my initial impression, ULTRA is a chu contender, in a way that it presents the same airiness in vocals with a little more oomph in the lower frequencies. The vocals are more forward on the CHU tho, this is relative to the bass quantity. But the ULTRA is not far behind. Also, the cymbals on ULTRA is crisper, compared to CHU which can linger too long and can sometimes have unnatural decays.


CRA+
You can check my review on CRA+. I like ULTRA better. You might like CRA+ more. So, I am playing safe with this one..
SHOULD YOU BUY ULTRA?
Well, The EDA is the best value for the money really. I mentioned that on my video and I stand by it. However, if you like the timbral characteristics of the OG CRA and you want changes, like a better midbass and a finer treble presentation. Then yes, the EDX Ultra is worth the replacement.


SUMMARY:

What I like about the ULTRA is that, compared to CRA+, there is a dip at 8k instead of a peak. Or it is moved for that matter. It does not sound like a KZ to my ears. I personally like dips in presence and low treble. That’s just me.
Yes I know it is not “correct” sounding, even when looking at graphs, they have boosted upper frequencies. But If you compare Ultra’s graph with IE600 and even annihilator, there seems to be a pleasing effect with those colored treble. The treble extension just makes everything sound cleaner.
I view IEMs as venues where I listen to music. Be it at a studio, a small room, a concert hall, etc. I like IEMS that stand out in a good way, like you know, choosing a set because it gave you a good impression and you want to experience something. That is how I feel about ULTRA.
ULTRA ticks all the changes I would make on the OG CRA. That added midbass, a more bodied mids, and a more refined treble extension for my preference. For me, this is the real CRA+ relative to performance and pricing. The real wolf in an EDX clothing.


WHERE TO BUY:non-affiliate
Aliexpress:
CCA Official Store
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqHFLxA
Lazada:
Shop online with CCA headphone shop now! Visit CCA headphone shop on Lazada. | https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.ViOPq
Shopee:
https://shopee.ph/gkearphones.ph?smtt=0.0.9
website：https://www.kztws.com

Disclaimer: I received this review unit for free from KZ, thank you very much.

Price: 16 usd

Specifications:

Impedance: 26ohm

Sensitivity: 112db+-1db

Frequency: 20-40000Hz


Accessories:

S/M/L Clear Starline Tips


Cable: 2-core SPC cable, no chin-slider, plastic divider, and connector. A decent cable.




Build: Plastic build, a bit on the smaller side like most KZs, does not have a wing. Nozzle has a lip.

Fit: Great, the smaller side is a great fit for my ears and like most other KZs.

Comfort: Small size and no wings = great comfort.

Isolation: Average.

Setup: Schiit Asgard 3 (low-gain, volume around 8 o´clock),

Lows: A bit more mid-bass focused than sub-bass, but both are elevated. Speed is pretty good and is a bit on the tighter side. The texture is a bit over average at this price range.

Mid-bass: Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), bass could be cleaner despite it not being loose and pretty fast, the texture is decent but lacking some quantity. The (02:55-03:01) section with the chopper could be cleaner and more forward.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), quantity is pretty good, as well as speed and tightness. The texture is ok.

Sub-bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), has rumble but could extend lower. Punch quantity is good but texture and tightness could be better, and speed is pretty good.

Will Sparks – Sick like that (03:08-03:22), quantity is pretty good as well as tightness and speed, but the texture could be a bit better.

Mids: Recessed mids both male and female. Male vocals have pretty good tonality, but female vocals do need to be brighter. They both lack some clarity and detail. Not for vocal lovers, but not shouty at least.

Female-vocals: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), Vocal tonality could be a bit brighter, cleaner as well as more forward (it is recessed) but the timbre is pretty good. Instrument tonality and timbre are quite good but could be cleaner and more detailed.

Yuki Hayashi – MightU (01:58-02:55), vocals could be a lot more forward, as well as brighter, more detailed, and cleaner, timbre is good. Instrument tonality needs more brightness, lacks detail and clarity, and good timbre.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), vocals aren’t shouty, but the cymbals are a bit spicy (elevated).

Hiroyuki Sawano – Crescent (02:07-02:26), non-shouty vocals, but the cymbals are a bit sharp.

Male-vocals: Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (00:57-01:17), recessed vocals, tonality is decent but could be cleaner and more detailed, timbre is good. The instrument tonality is pretty good but lacks some detail and clarity, timbre is good.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocals are recessed, lacks a bit of warmth and note-weight could be thicker while also lacking clarity and detail. The instrument tonality is decent but lacks a lot of detail and clarity.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars aren’t sharp, have pretty good tonality and timbre.

Deuce – America (03:03-03:16), is chaotic due to the separation and imaging.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre, and texture are pretty good, could be cleaner and more detailed though as there is some bleed. Violin tonality could be a bit brighter, cleaner, and more detailed, but timbre and treble extension are pretty good

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), pretty good tonality and timbre, could be cleaner and more detailed though.

Soundstage: stage both in width and depth are pretty good.

Tonality: V-shaped, tonal balance is pretty good and doesn’t lean too much towards warmth due to the upper-treble elevation. Note-weight is slightly on the thicker side. Timbre is pretty good (best so far from the KZs I have heard).

Details: Macro-detail is pretty average for this price range (low-res) but micro-details are pretty good (helped by the sheer amount of upper-treble).

Instrument Separation: Separation and imaging are average for this price range, struggle with busier tracks and especially ones with bass, where it can be a bit bloated.

Songs that highlight the IEM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIaH35-MLsk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNCp3o6Ct5w https://soundcloud.com/djfusiont/djfusion-kingmalcolm-right-back-trance-rap-beats-yuri-kane-sample https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVTXPUF4Oz4

Good genres: Hip-Hop, EDM, Trance, Rock/metal

Bad genres: OST, acoustic/vocals

Comparisons:

IEM: CCA CRA (500 mesh + Sony General Foam), stock tips L, stock cable 3.5mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends a bit lower on the CRA, and a bit more rumble. Punch quantity is similar but more textured, tighter, and faster on the CRA. More tonally correct on the CRA but better timbre on the Ultra.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), a bit more quantity on the Ultra, but more textured, faster, and tighter on the CRA. More detailed and cleaner on the CRA, tonality is slightly better on the CRA, and timbre is better on the Ultra.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), more quantity on the Ultra but tighter, faster and a bit more textured on the CRA.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), similar vocal quantity, but a bit better tonality on the CRA as well as being more detailed and cleaner but the timbre is better on the Ultra. Instrument tonality and timbre are better on the Ultra but cleaner and more detailed on the CRA.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), slightly shoutier vocals on the Ultra but sharper treble on the CRA.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality and timbre are better on the Ultra, but cleaner and more detailed on the CRA.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars are a lot sharper on the CRA, more tonally correct, and better timbre on the Ultra.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre, and texture are a bit better on the Ultra, but cleaner and more detailed on the CRA. Violin tonality, treble-extension, detail, and clarity are a bit better on the CRA, with a similar timbre.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality and timbre are better on the Ultra, but cleaner and more detailed on the CRA.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), the stage is wider and airier on the CRA, but a bit deeper on the Ultra. Separation and detail are a lot better on the CRA and imaging. Timbre is better on the Ultra.

Overall: I do prefer the (modded) CRA over the Ultra and it is more technical. However, it is a bit less versatile than the Ultra and also needs modding. If you don’t want to mod or just want the safer tuned iem, the Ultra is the one to get.



IEM: CCA CRA+ (350 Mesh), stock tips L, stock cable 3.5mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), sub-bass rumbles a bit more on the CRA+ but extends a bit lower on the Ultra as well as being tighter, faster, and more textured on it.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), similar quantity but more textured, tighter, and a bit faster on the Ultra as well as being cleaner and more detailed.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), similar quantity and texture, but cleaner on the Ultra due to the slightly faster and tighter bass and airier treble.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality is better on the Ultra as well as being a bit more forward, cleaner, and more detailed, similar timbre though. Instrument tonality is better on the Ultra, cleaner and more detailed but similar timbre.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), slightly shoutier on the Ultra and slightly brighter and airier treble.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), better vocal and instrument tonality on the CRA+, but a bit more recessed vocal on it. Better clarity and detail on the Ultra, similar timbre.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars on the Ultra have better tonality, clarity, and detail. Although tamer on the CRA+ with similar timbre.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality is quite similar, but a bit more textured and cleaner on the Ultra with similar detail and timbre. Violin tonality, treble-extension, detail and clarity are better on the Ultra, similar timbre.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), better tonality, clarity and detail on the Ultra.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), wider on the Ultra, similar depth. Imaging and timbre are similar, but more detailed and with a bit better separation on the Ultra.

Overall: The Ultra is tuned better and more technical. Although the edge in technicalities the Ultra has over the CRA+ is most likely due to the mod dampening the CRA+, they should be more even stock vs stock, but in that scenario, the CRA+ treble is too much for me.



IEM: DQ6 (High-density Tuning Foams), Elecom EHP-CAP20 tips L, Cable A3 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), rumbles more, and extends a bit lower on the Ultra. Punch quantity is a bit higher on the Ultra, but more textured and tighter on the DQ6, similar speed. A bit better tonality on the DQ6.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), similar quantity, but more textured and tighter on the DQ6, similar speed. A bit better timbre on the Ultra but better tonality on the DQ6.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), a bit cleaner on the Ultra due to the treble air, but the bass is quite similar.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocals are a bit more forward, cleaner and more detailed as well as having a bit better tonality on the DQ6, and timbre is better on the Ultra. Instrument tonality and timbre are better on the Ultra, but more detailed on the DQ6.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), vocals are a bit shoutier on the DQ6 and sharper treble on it.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality and timbre a bit better on the Ultra, but cleaner, more detailed, and a bit more forward vocal on the DQ6.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), a bit sharper electric guitars and sharper treble on the DQ6.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, texture, detail, and clarity are better on the DQ6 and a bit better timbre on the Ultra. Violin tonality, detail, and clarity are a bit better on the DQ6, but the timbre and treble extension are better on the Ultra.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality, detail, and clarity are better on the DQ6, but better timbre on the Ultra.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), much wider and a lot deeper stage on the DQ6 as well as more holographic. Separation and imaging are a bit better on the DQ6, more macro-details on the DQ6 while micro-details are better on the Ultra.

Overall: The DQ6 is the better tuned and more technical iem, especially with its soundstage. But the Ultra has the safer treble, better timbre, and does not need any modding.



Conclusion: The EDX Ultra is currently the best non-modded KZ I have heard. So, if you want a KZ but do not want to mod, this is a great pick. It is essentially a mix between the CRA (treble) and the DQ6 (bass/mids).

Graph:

Cable source:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...zTm4ei7HEfP8AI1zxswrMw2ho/edit#gid=1801072063

Reference/test songs: