Review on Enhanced KZ ZS10 Pro, Linsoul 4BA+1DD 5 Driver In-Ear HiFi Metal Earphones - Stainless Steel Faceplate, 2 Pin Detachable Cable (with Mic) – Sleek Dark Black by Michael Radhakrishnan

--- Updated Review. First impressions follow after the break. So the bundled KZ cables are mislabeled, at least in the unit I received and checked. Since the cables have a predetermined curvature and must be connected in a specific way in order for the headphones to fit in the ear, the incorrect labeling not only caused a right/left switch, but also a phase shift. After identifying and fixing the connection error, all I can say is wow. It's really stunning. Below I have listed some of my test routes and my impressions of these routes through these IEMs. For these tests I run them through the Schiit Magni3/Modi3 stack. All files are in FLAC format, which I copy myself using EAC for those interested. Dire Straits - Money for Nothing: The guitar sounds clear at the beginning and has a noticeable weight. On the other hand, the guitar feels smooth rather than the grainy, crunchy texture I'm looking for. There is an amazing level of clarity throughout the track. The KZ ZS10Pro captures details that many other IEMs don't have. Notably, at 5:19 there is a faint click that sounds almost like a muffled bell. Many well-known IEMs under 200 from well-known brands cannot compete with the same clarity. The lead singer sounds a little quieter than I'd like (maybe a low-mid dip?), but still clean enough. Contrary to my first impression, not deepened at all. Crooked Still - Little Sadie: The first line of this song is all voice. With good equipment, the singer's hyperdiction before the instruments are introduced can have a stunning effect. These IEMs provide this detection without blinking. Everything is crystal clear, from the "S" sound in the word "Sadie" to the singer's rapid breath. This "S" sound also highlights hissing problems very well, and I can safely say I can't make out anything in this set. Once the instruments are turned on, the massive soundstage becomes apparent. The sound and image placement issue I mentioned in my original review has been completely resolved. Accommodation is good. Not holographic or stunning, but still accurate and natural sounding. Ludwig van Beethoven / Carlos Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic - Symphony No. 5, Allegro con Brio: The placement of the tone on this track is very important. Kleiber's vision of this masterpiece is perfectly embodied in the KZ ZS10 Pro. The sound stage is also of central importance on this track. If you close your eyes, you can find yourself in the middle of a concert hall. The ZS10pro is also exceptionally manoeuvrable. Sudden changes between pianississimo (very, very soft) and fortississimo (very, very loud) are handled without noticeable hiccups. The only downside that makes this track stand out is that the ZS10 Pro doesn't have an all-black background. it's not bad by any means, but it's far from being quiet. Overall a very, very good IEM. crisp vocals, excellent instrument separation and the ability to resolve a lot of detail are some of the highlights here. Now for some awkward moments. CONCENTRATION CAMP. Please do a quality check. It was a small mistake that almost made me think that everyone who has ever praised your gear was lying. It is unforgivable to send in a unit with cables so labeled that there will be phasing issues. I checked three times to make sure I didn't make a mistake. For the asking price, these ticks are enough to make it an easy recommendation, but cable issues mean I can't say for sure that anyone who buys them will have a good experience unless they know how to cable when problems are changing phase are obvious. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ First Impression If I had to judge the build quality alone, I would give this one 7 stars. For the money this level and finish is absolutely amazing. Too bad they sound as bad as they sound. This is my first foray into over-the-budget stuff from China. Considering the solid performance we're getting in EarPods or other earbuds thrown into LG, Samsung and One Plus phone boxes, I was expecting to at least get something that could compete with them. no The ZS 10 Pro has a pretty strong base. Treble is also decent, if a little softer. But average. Did KZ try to design this IEM to remove the vocals from the tracks? Everything in the mid-region is so deep that it's very easy to mistake it for ambient noise rather than the track. There is also the problem of the terrible image. Although the soundstage is wide, the sound only seems to come from one of the three points. Dead center, extreme left or extreme right corner. The balance is also disturbed, since the right one sounds much closer than the left one. I did feel it in my music but I had to use a few simple tones to test the channel to be sure. Of course I double checked my gr07 to make sure it wasn't my hearing causing the effect. Wemonk for $5 before I recommend it. Considering the price, you can buy these to add visual interest to your collection. Just never plug them in.