Xenith Knowledge, better known as KZ, is becoming increasingly popular due to its incredible value for money. In recent years, their KZ-ZS line has attracted the attention of many due to its extremely low prices but high passenger numbers. Their latest model, the KZ ZS-10, takes the KZ ideals further with a total of 10 drivers or 4 balanced armatures and one driver per earcup. But how do they sound? I'll spare you the suspense and just tell you that this sounds ridiculously good for the price. Let's get down to the details. Fit/Insulation: Fit and insulation is something to consider when purchasing clothing. Luckily for everyone, the KZ ZS-10 has a very natural shape and tends to sit snugly in the ear. The included ear tips allow for placement in any number of ear canals, and isolation is well above average due to the faceplates wrapped around the inside of the ear. In that regard I think KZ made a good and conscious decision to remove any edges (e.g. from their KZ-ZS5/6 line) or complicated generic ear shapes and just settle for a simple generic design . Accessories: Accessories included with KZ ZS10. With this time comes a little surprise. The star spade lugs that most KZ come with are also present here, but IEM comes with a nice upgraded braided copper cable. This is a nice addition and really shows why the KZ ZS-10 is the current flagship of the KZ line. Sound: Finally, let's talk about the sound of the KZ ZS-10. In general, iem has a quieter and darker sound signature. In a word, they do not tire and are generally very pleasant to listen to. They tend to smooth out bad shots, unlike some other IEMs that really bring out imperfections in low-quality shots. However, as is usual for KZ, the KZ ZS-10 shows plenty of technical prowess and really is a value proposition to be reckoned with. The high numbers are the most notable change and departure from the KZ-ZS5 and 6. One of the biggest complaints many had about the ZS-5/6 was that they were "triple guns". If you listen for a long time, people may get tired, or if you are sensitive to high frequencies, they may not be for you. However, when developing the ZS-10, KZ clearly listened to consumer feedback. High frequencies have been significantly smoothed out and no longer sting or hiss. The mids of the ZS-10 are clean and balanced. Not too far forward, but not too low either. For vocal performances, the ZS-10 is great. They will bring emotion and clarity, but the voices won't sting you in the face. This is because the KZ ZS-10 have a pretty good soundstage, which is arguably the largest in their entire lineup. The bass is here with the ZS-10 and here in the peaks. While not as loud as some of the other dynamic offerings, it has serious presence while still being controlled. The bass has great tone and boom so you feel the music, unlike some balanced fixtures that make the bass sound flat and dull. and all in all a very coherent package. The quiet sonic signature will appeal to many, and the new cable that comes with the ZS-10 offers an attractive and reliable solution that really shows KZ is upping its game. Comparison: Well, I was talking about how competent KZ is. The ZS-10 is on its own for now, but how does it compare to other in-ear monitors in the same price range? ZS-10 vs. ZSR: One of the most popular KZ offerings is the KZ ZSR. Although ZSRs are very affordable, they always offer amazing value for money. However, I prefer the ZS10 over them. While the ZSR's high frequencies are brighter, they're still a bit fatiguing. ZS10 is music I can listen to endlessly. The ZSRs are also much more loaded with soundstage, while the ZS10s have a wider and more airy presentation. Finally, while the ZSR's bass is very powerful and boomy, it's less controlled than that of the ZS10. Overall, ZSRs are still a great option if you can't afford the more expensive ZS-10s. ZS-10 vs. 1More Triple: One of the hallmarks of entry-level hi-fi, the 1more Triple was one of the first units to be widely adopted as a statement. that any headphone in audiophile quality can afford. The three-rider hybrid engine really cemented it as the standout car in the $100 price bracket. Compared to the ZS-10, however, they can only win in terms of build quality. In terms of sound, the ZS-10 is technically and balanced on a completely different level. The 1more triplet has dirtier bass, is more clipped and confusing in production, and just generally offers a lower level of technical capability (micro and macro detail). The 1More Triple is still a very decent pair of headphones, but the ZS-10 just does a lot better than them, costing over $40 less. Conclusion/TL;DR: So are these headphones worth buying? If you have $60, no problem. You'll have to pay 10x more to find anything to consider upgrading for. They truly deserve to be audiophile headphones, and together with their attractive sound signature and micro/macro detail, they really shouldn't cost less than $60. This is for those who just want to listen to music. (music from video by Bensound)
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