KZ ZES – Bigger Better?

Introduction

It seems that our budget friendly brand Knowledge Zenith (KZ) had yet again released another IEM for the sub 50 USD category. What we have here today is the KZ ZES, a dual driver IEM that have the similar price level as the ZEX Pro (KZ x Crinacle CRN) and the KZ x HBB DQ6S. What is interesting is KZ is using a larger 12mm dynamic driver, which is not commonly used in IEM, especially in an IEM with multiple drivers. The question is how will the ZES performs against the other 2 similar priced IEM? Before we get into it, big thanks to KZ for sending us their ZES and allow us to have a review on it.

Functions and Specifications

• Frequency：20-40000Hz

• Sensitivity：113dB

• Impedance：32Ω

• Plug type：3.5mm

• Pin type：0.75mm

• Cable type：Custom silver-plated wire

• Cable length：120±5mm

• Driver: 1x 12mm Dynamic, 1x 6.8mm Magnetostat

Retail Price and Where to Get

Get your own KZ ZES from KZ Acoustics’ official store

Official store: https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-zes

Shopee : https://invol.co/cl9nlow

Packaging and Accessories

Like other similar priced KZ product range, the ZES came in a simple white box with the IEM design in front and the specification at the back. Unlike the ZEX Pro and DQ6S where the IEM is held by a cardboard with foam, the IEM house in a thin plastic holder.

The ZES comes with only the essential accessories that you will ever need. Apart from the IEM unit itself, it also comes with 3 pairs of different sized ear tips and an 8-wire braided cable. (Oooooooh… Fancy…)

Design

The ZES is probably one of the most interesting designed IEM among the KZ product line up. The whole IEM seems to made from 2 surfaces, a green translucent plastic, then a metallic silver overlay on the green translucent plastic. The metallic silver looks and feels like a real metal, but judging from the molding lines on the IEM inner body, it probably is a metallic overlayed plastic or I could be wrong where it might be an actual metal alloy outer shell. There are some edges where the silver outer shell is not well aligned with the inner green shell, but it will not affect the comfortability of wearing the IEM.

The ZES features a 2 pin 0.75mm connector. What’s nice is KZ is kind enough to include an 8-wire braided cable, yep you saw that right, it is properly braided. Although it is braided, the cable still retains soft flexibility plus it is still light to bring it on the go due to the thinner wires, microphonics on this cable is not irritating, it is close to not noticeable while music is playing thanks to the soft insulator of the cable. Downside? The braiding gap may trap some dust as time goes.

Like other KZ models at this price range, it has a metal nozzle. Usually, the metal nozzle is in gold plated finish, but with this model it is finished with silver mirror-like polished metal to match its body color.

Gears Used for Comparisons

• Ifi Zen DAC

• ddHifi TC35i (2019)

• Fiio uBTR

• Fiio KA3

• KZ ZEX Pro

• KZ x HBB DQ6S

Songs List

Tone and Presentation

The ZES has a U-shaped sound signature. Despite being tuned as U-shaped, the musical details are presented averagely for this price point, there are some details being mashed up between instruments when the there are many instruments playing at the same time at fast pace but this is still within acceptable range for a product at this price point. But overall, due to its sound signature, it does give a very fun listening experience.

Soundstage

Overall, slightly above average. There are some spaces in terms of width but for depth and height, not so much. For orchestra tracks, instrument placement is presented somewhat accurate as well just that some lower frequencies instrument such as the double bass tends to be somewhat more forward placement.

Separation and Timbre

Separation between instruments on the ZES are done presented above average as well. Layers between instrument are easily identifiable for slow paced tracks. However, the separation gets a bit fuzzy when it comes to fast paced tracks with multiple different instruments are playing together. Timbre is average at best, most of the instrument presentation are quite accurate but there are some coloration on the lower mids causing the same notes hard to distinguish between a bass guitar and electrical guitar.

Drivability

The ZES is perfectly fine to be used on its own, using the ddHiFi TC35i lightning adapter I am able to listen comfortably with 25-35% volume. Using it with the ifi Zen DAC with Power Match off can still be listen comfortably at around 8-10% volume.

Bass

Bass are elevated on the bass region giving the ZES quite a lush bass which makes modern pop quite enjoyable to listen. With bassy tracks like Imagine Dragons’ “Follow You” and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”, rumbles can be quite upfront but quite in controlled I must say, they are not muddy, slightly boomy maybe with a bit of bleed to the mids.

Mids

Mids may not be the strongest point for the ZES, it is slightly recessed but it still retains quite decent clarity. Male vocals have a nice lush warmth presentation, at times it may struggle on the lower mids with the bass instruments. Female vocals are quite forward sounding, lower female tones have the same warmth to it, higher tone may have a slight sibilance but it is mostly forgivable. The slight elevation on upper mids does gives vocals a more energetic and emotional presentation, but there is not much harshness to it, which is great.

Highs

There are some minor sibilances from the ZES, but it is not too piercing in my opinion and it is quite enjoyable to listen with instead. With Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”, there are a good amount of sparkles and airiness from the drum cymbals which adds more excitement to the listening experience. With long hours of listening, I personally do not feel any fatiguing with the highs.

Comparisons

KZ x Crinacle KEX Pro

The ZES has more bass in compared to the KEX Pro. However, the KEX Pro bass is much tighter than the ZES, male vocals are presented much forward on the KEX pro, but female vocals on the KEX pro is much more grainier and highs tends to be shoutier. The ZES on the other hand gives a much smoother presentation on the highs. The KEX Pro has a wider and deeper soundstage and separation of the musical instruments are well presented.

KZ x HBB DQ6S

The ZES has a tighter bass and faster bass decay in compare to the DQ6S, bass bleed on the DQ6S is much more obvious. Female vocals on the ZES are presented much more forward as well, the elevated bass on the ZES does not push the female vocals back like the DQ6S did. However, the DQ6S offers a much more smoother listening experience across all frequencies. Soundstage wise the ZES seems to be wider but depth wise is almost the same as the DQ6S, instrument placement is much more natural on the ZES as well.

Synergy

Although the ZES is fine using by its own. Different sources could potentially give ZES some flavors. Pairing the ZES with the Fiio will tighten up the bass region giving a better punch. However, the highs get elevated even more as well, causing the sibilance become more obvious. Pairing it with the ifi Zen though, micro details seem to presented much more effortlessly plus it does widen up the soundstage and gives it a deeper depth as well. But as usual for IEM at this price point, I don’t think is a good idea to spend extra on source just to get a small marginal improvement on the ZES.

Who Is It For?

If you are someone enjoys modern pop and instrumental jazz or someone that appreciates a U-shaped signature, I personally think that the ZES would be something that you may want to try it out. For those who are new to this hobby and would like to spend slightly more, this might be something to be considered. But for those who already have an existing KZ, I personally not too sure if this would be a big upgrade.

While writing up this review, I felt that The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s “Time Out” album does matches really well with ZES sound signature. The tracks in this album only consists of 4 instruments so there are not much congestion going on, drums cymbal sparkles like the shiniest star in the dark night but it doesn’t make you feel fatiguing at all. The Saxophone is place upmost forward to the listener and it has a lush warmth to it. Bass is not too overwhelming in this album as well.

Final Words

Overall, the ZES does sound quite similar to other KZ line up in many ways (except for the ZEX Pro). But in terms of upper mids and the highs, personally I felt on the ZES is doing a better job presenting in many genres as long you are not someone who really nitpicks on every single detail. All in all, based on its audible presentation, it does meet the expectation for the price paid. However, do you really need a 12mm driver and a magnetostatic driver to deliver such performance? I certainly do not think so.