KZ D-Fi - Come for the Switches, Stay for the Tuning

[@matusjurcik6974]

Nice review Paul, well prepared as usual!

[@PaulWasabii]

Thank you..trying to catch up on your other questions

[@tonedeafmonk]

Great Video Paul thanks. Makes me excited for mine incoming.

[@geneharry]

Very informative earphone review!

[@MechFrankaTLieu]

Might be you should try the " No tuning switch " version of this model, said to be specifically tuned for balanced frequency response

[@PaulWasabii]

I don't think I will buy it, but Practiphile just mentioned it yesterday so he may review it. Maybe Akros also.

[@joejunior4700]

My budget benchmark and sound signature I would want to get in the future for a higher end IEM is the T3+, where does DFI sit compared to it? Also is there a planar or DD IEM that is very close to T3+ but better on detail retrieval/micro details about $200?

[@PaulWasabii]

Just my opinion, the original Zetian Wu is about as close as a planar gets to T3+, but there are still differences. Generally with T3+, I tell people to stick with it. If it sounds great to you, then other sets are going to sound different. I will admit it is a weird set that I don't understand, but I also know lots of people like it and lots of people moved away from it. I can't explain it, but I'd stick it with and not go chasing rainbows.

[@joejunior4700]

@@PaulWasabii thank you for the advice and recommendation

[@taipan75]

Thanks Paul - great review as always. Was curious with the switches and so ordered a set. Waiting for mine to ship next week (linsoul out of stock) KZ on the up and up!!! Wonder how close this is to the Joyaudio set, I heard they were linked to KZ ?? Always a risk with them that a tweaked version is only a couple of weeks away. Thanks again. 👍

[@PaulWasabii]

Not that close to Shine and I think you will see more people talking about D-Fi than Shine. This is a pieces and parts problem, Shine had the switches but the design was not Zobel and the DD was something else. I think that was closer to HM20 in design. D-Fi is the progression of the legendary driver from CXS, the Zobel from ZVX, and shell/switches from Shine. But each step has been a progression and what happens in a few weeks? Not sure but I think they are going to continue down this path.

[@roviccastillo9087]

Will you do a review on the KZ PR 2?

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, it is in the mail so soon. Blon Z300 first.

[@francohic]

Is it better than the CCA Cra (original)? I have the CRA and the treble is too bright and fatiguing for me...

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, KZ does the occasional bright set, but D-Fi is basically a similar sound to lots of other sets. Or look at EDC Pro, newer, cheaper set to get an idea of where KZ is today

[@colddish]

Nice review Paul. Will changing to a cable with 4.4mm terminal help with bringing out the soundstage since you mentioned that these iems need volume to be cranked up?

[@PaulWasabii]

Sort of, some sets have a binary minimum volume. They sound in your head until you turn it past some point and then you notice the projection. So 4,4 just gets you a smaller twist of the dial, but on these switched Zobel sets, more power is better anyway.

[@Ratchet98]

I heard you mention that the bass doesn’t quite have the slam for EDM. Do you think the bass impact here would be good enough for rock and alternative music though?

[@PaulWasabii]

Just my opinion, rock is ok since it needs more presence than slam. I actually listened to rock on D-Fi quite a bit and its good, as I said, mostly nitpicking it as far as the midbass. Just a hair more would add that weight that sounds just a bit better for rock. You can put micropore on the front vent if you want a bit more bass too.

[@matusjurcik6974]

Hi, for around 30 bucks what do you recommend more, Hz mirror/ mirror zero with vent mod or this KZ? In therms of sound and technicalities.

[@PaulWasabii]

I never heard the HM or HM Zero, but I am not sure D-fi has the treble extension to match that one and maybe extension is the wrong term. If you really want more upper treble presence, then HM. The HM bass shelf is still flatter than the lowest D-Fi. HM always struck me as more of a niche technical set which is why I never bought it, D-fi is closer to the Harman pack, generally appealing.

[@JonesBrown-hy8cs]

thank you so much for continuing to broaden our iem horizons

[@BloomerVicky]

Wilson Jennifer Thompson Deborah Martinez Donald

[@duongat362]

How do you compare this with the Moondrop SSP? Should I get this over since it's $7 cheaper.

[@PaulWasabii]

Sorry, never heard the SSP

[@KelvinKamsg]

Good point about how quick KZ pumps out new models.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yeah, I am not sure what is next for them, but I doubt they would abandon a solid configuration right now.

[@KelvinKamsg]

@@PaulWasabii thanks for the reply, I've recently purchased this IEM, would've been nice for 1 switch for sub bass, 1 for mid bass, 1 for upper-mids and above. Anyway it's quite a departure from typical KZ sound, in a really good way.

[@Bikefreak1991]

Are the Zero Red are a upgrade or you would keep D-Fi ?

[@PaulWasabii]

Be honest with yourself, Red has a lower amount of bass and not much midbass at all. That is a very popular style, but won't work for people who like more bass. Don't buy the thing that everyone says is great if the great part of it doesn't fit your preferences.

[@xrypro4080]

So, i ordered D-fi for no reason because i found it on sale for just ~$11 (7.7 sale, non-tunable ver). How would D-fi fare againts other infamous $20 iems in the market?

[@PaulWasabii]

D-Fi has a decent following, it is unique with the switches so it actually addresses a larger group of potential listeners. If you like D-Fi, I wouldn't buy other $20 sets, or similar sets that are slightly more expensive until there is another jump. They are all quite similar.

[@dhikapratama8312]

This is a very comprehensible review, good job sir :D I dont know much about the technical term about DB and such, but from my user experience, this KZ have similiar type of sound that my main iem moondrop blessing 1 produce, if i'm being really generous about this. Of course, the technicality are thrown out the window if compared to blessing 1, but at least d-fi have more bass body. Kudos for KZ for this excelent chifi.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, chifi moves very quickly and KZ is one of the fastest brands, always moving forward. That is the weak part of D-Fi, technicals, but they are currently refining their BAs so shouldn't be long to have a more technical D-Fi

[@chetbrunsteen8613]

Great review Paul! How do these compare to other budget sets like the Tangzu Wan'er, Simgot EW100P, 7hz Zero etc.? Based on measurements these could sould just like the Kiwi Ears Cadenza

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, they are all super close. People like D-Fi for the switches as you can take down the bass to your neutral and there is no weird peak in the treble. Its done quite well but I wouldn't buy too many in that group, there are slight differences but you are sidegrading among similar performing 1DD sets.

[@amanieux]

would you pick dfi over z300 ? do you have a iem ranking list ? thanks for the great work

[@PaulWasabii]

I said something like this on Facebook..I like a well executed Harman style like D-Fi. Maybe its safe, maybe its boring, but it fits a ton of listening styles and that is why they are so popular, generally appealing. Z300 takes a step towards the fun so if I my playlist was bassier, more pop music, I'd go Z300. If you have a very varied playlist, a Harman like D-fi is still solid. Ironically, KZ has done a few fun Harman style sets and D-Fi was their closest set to everyone else. Z300 vs D-Fi is odd to me as KZ has occupied the Z300 spot for so long. D-Fi still has the ability to go very neutral bass which seems to be a very popular tuning setting which is quite far from the fun of Z300.

[@oN_eXcuses]

The KZ D-fi tuned are huge! If you have medium to small ears I wouldn't recommend. In fact, I wouldn't recommend if you have large ears either. These are way too big and bucky for my taste.

[@PaulWasabii]

Thanks for the warning as I can guarantee it will help someone over the next few months

[@barbal777]

Comparing cheap IEM-s (let's say

[@PaulWasabii]

Of course, the diminishing return was always there, but the gap between the two ranges has been continuously shrinking. KZ's market is normal people, the 95%, not the 5% audiophiles and reviewers. The 95% are more than fine with budget sets to simply enjoy music at their desk or on the weekends. The people who want the latest, the most details will always pay for that privilege.

[@dayronruiz5232]

Hi! I am new in the iems world i Will buy the cca cxs but these new kz d-fi caught My attention, which is better? (Sorry for My English)

[@PaulWasabii]

There are 3 similar models, CCA CXS, KZ ZVX, and D-FI. I like the shell on CXS but it is a bit bright for an everyday set, ZVX is very nice, but essentially replaced by the D-Fi. If you just want a fun set, DQS is a nice recent one. D-Fi is more of a serious sound, DQS is more of a fun, high energy sound. Better is what you are looking for more than anything.

[@gproject-5783]

it so hard to get this iem in Indonesian market but I got my unit and i like it, but i more prefer use final audio type E eartips with only switch no.3 + 4 up.

[@PaulWasabii]

Final E are great, a smaller bore than I use so I bet that combination works well. Enjoy your set.

[@berndkilian7774]

Hello Paul, thanks for the review of of the D-Fl. I got curious about to find out that 2 version of this inear exists. Did you only get access to the version with switches or also the *standard* version without them? If you got both could you say which switch setting corresponds to the *standard*. A friend of mine ordered the version with the switches and I think he would get it in about 2 to 3 weeks so I could test them myself and decide if and if yes witch version to order, because it is the cheapest inear that meets harman curve.

[@PaulWasabii]

I don't know if anyone has tried the switchless version. KZ basically said it is not the same internals and that scared people from that version. So I don't really know what the cheaper switchless version sounds like or how it compares, but I'd stick with the switches.

[@june3149]

hey paul! just recently got really into your channel, love the info (specially the info up top/mostly 1-5 info before going into the sound). I only currently have the Tin c2 for an iem and it's just slightly to bright for me (track dependent), do you think that df-i would be a good sidegrade/upgrade for the c2s or do you have other recommendations? I really like the technicals/slightly analytical (IMO) nature of the c2 so I'm looking for something tuned similar but w/ slightly more bass and less bright (don't want to get into bass bleed/muddy territory though). thanks for the video! edit : the budget is around $50ish but can stretch to $100~ if the upgrade/difference is noticeable enough to warrant that price.

[@PaulWasabii]

There are two popular choices, one has been around a while and I never heard it, but the HZSound Heartmirror. Usually the go to $50 technical set. Simgot EW200 is another recent one. I am not sure it knocks off the king, but it might be more generally appealing. Slightly analytical vs more analytical of HM. D-Fi is like the others, not technical enough, that is why Krila exists. You can also wait for a revision of that in the future.

[@june3149]

@@PaulWasabii ah thanks. watching your ew200 review again, it really just sounds like the better or more refined c2 lol. not the biggest fan of the shell/design but the sound might just be too good to pass up on. also another couple of questions if you don't mind, what do you mean by "I am not sure it knocks off the king" is it the heartmirror or are you talking about another set? also, do you think it's worth getting the Krila now or just wait for a revision/update? from what I understood on your review, it sounds a little like the c2 where it needs a little more refinement to really shine.

[@kloningankumain4802]

Simgot contender?

[@PaulWasabii]

In the game, but treble is still better on EA500. Is that worth an extra $40usd? Maybe, but D-Fi is crazy for the price.

[@eloy5808]

wow... nice review Paul I deleted my comment since I was asking for the switchless version this is one set which I think fit my taste for the music that I love listening and you know, it's a cheap one haha by the way, when you said to put something on the vent for more bass did you mean to block it with a tape?

[@PaulWasabii]

Yeah some porous tape like micropore will push it a few db more in bass.

[@eloy5808]

@@PaulWasabii oh i see... thanks paul

[@KetansaCreatesArt]

Would you recommend these for sound upgrade after owning the KZ AS10?

[@PaulWasabii]

I don't think they resemble AS10 if you are looking for something similar, but D-Fi is KZ's version of the current popular tuning. If you want to know what is current and modern compared to AS10, then D-Fi.

[@KetansaCreatesArt]

@@PaulWasabii , Thank you very much Paul. Then I guess the modern or new released BA &DD hybrids also come with new tuning. Must try the D Fi for trying something new.

[@alvincaesar-jv6tu]

Great opening. Very fun!

[@RaphaelStarr]

What are DP and MP on your measurements on squig?

[@PaulWasabii]

Micropore and Durapore tape on the front vent. It takes the bass a bit too far so I didn't talk about it, but left those in case someone was in the mood to see how far they could push that driver.

[@RaphaelStarr]

@@PaulWasabii ahh gotcha

[@04cassiusphanthanhbinhjake]

Should i get one with Tuneable or not?

[@PaulWasabii]

Both are good and I like all the switches up which is basically the same as non tuneable.

[@04cassiusphanthanhbinhjake]

@@PaulWasabii i heard they sound best when all switch all up and the last one down since the bass get just enough I think I'll order a pair though the website i use don't seem to have many buyers but I'll save like 5 bucks should i pay 5 buck more? In my country that's like enough money for a day food It does offer warranty though i doubt i will use it

[@Mykeoguns]

Which is more prominent on this set macro or micro detail?

[@PaulWasabii]

If that is your major concern, stick with a set like Tinhifi C2 at this price point. There aren't many Harman style sets at this price point that are going to push detail like C2.

[@Mykeoguns]

@@PaulWasabii thanks

[@namnguyentran2285]

its only few months away since i modify the ori Olina and now i found out 20$ - ish iem that can do somewhat the same, oh my money

[@PaulWasabii]

Eh, Olina is still a better end-to-end set but KZ is moving fast and throwing adjustable bass tuning into the mix. Olina is very nice, enjoy it.

[@jogurcik13]

Do you really called these 30$ flagships?

[@PaulWasabii]

That is KZ's 1DD flagship which I think is true. It basically replaced most of their recent sets except Ling Long and maybe EDA Balance.

[@lordlopes2424]

Tbh KZ only works with budget stuff So we can say that's kinda like a flagship of budgets