KZ Dawn - Most Affordable Basshead Set?

[@snailjob09]

C'mon Paul..when will we see the xWasabii..you deserve your own collab.. considering you're rather large contribution to the hobby and unwavering tenacity at bringing content

[@PaulWasabii]

I know, but my suspicion is KZ hired a new tuner or two. If you look at some recent sets, they are tuned by someone who knows what they are doing.

[@TheRebelLion13]

@@PaulWasabii I agree Paul, I too am wondering when "____ x Wasabii" will be released? Hehehe... And I also agree, in fact that's what i've been thinking as well. It seems they have this one tuner who they might be assigning to do certain sets with both KZ and CCA. I don't think the recent improvements in their tuning is just the result of years and years of trial and error(of which mostly are errors). Maybe KZ has finally decided to invest in acquiring the services of a well experienced tuner or sound engineer or something who really knows how to do iem tuning.

[@dave91863]

​It' was still the same company that burned us with DQ6 regardless of tuner. ​@@PaulWasabii

[@MZRTMusic254]

​@@dave91863 Yes, yes. Very sad indeed. Anyway... (whips out credit card)

[@BRANDONLEE4444]

I would for sure buy a xWasabii Collab! Please make this happen, as you're such a great help to us non professional enthusiasts of this insane IEM world! 😁

[@philipm.4738]

Just a great take on KZ as a whole,Paul. Interesting take on the D-FI. I have the non switchable version and l actually really like it. But l am loving the new Saga too l find the vocals on them surprisingly good for all its bass! And I'm enjoying the EDC PRO as well. KZ are releasing a lot of fun budget sets these days.

[@PaulWasabii]

D-Fi is a nice set, it is the parent of most of what you see today in how they are tuning. But it has been refined over many sets at this point. But yeah, that set planted the flag and they used that same tuning a few times, now it has smoothed out along with newer drivers.

[@SpacedOutDoonie]

Damn how big is this KZ warehouse??? They got a new IEM every 4 days.

[@RKZX2]

I don't know, but with my vast warehouse/logistics/forklift experience, I wish I was working there.

[@PaulWasabii]

Infinite. 2 more sets about to appear so no rest for the wicked

[@ranfodar8888]

@@PaulWasabii Goodness... ZSX Pro has appeared and the other one I reckon is Libra-X?

[@valentin3186]

Kz are working hard lately. As you said maybe hired new people to tune their sets. When it comes to DD, they been on a great run. The wide acceptance of Castor, Trio made me think they changed their trajectory

[@PaulWasabii]

They changed something, hired some people or both

[@MR.ROBOTVOLTRON]

Yeah. Bring the bass. My thoughts to KZ? Take all those years of refining basshead sets. Put that in a single DD basshead set with the bass shelf of Frat Freq Scarlet mini or something. Or maybe one BA one DD set of that ilk.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yep, I don't know if KZ will continue bass sets or they are done for now.

[@Geek-n2m]

Which has better technicalities dawn or edc pro

[@decoyxz]

i broke my kz edx lite cables and when i check the price of cables its almost similar to the kz edx lite. I just want a normal iem for playing valorant and jst casual listening to music and mixing my covers. Do you reckon I should buy these as my second pair of iems?

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes but these have more bass

[@decoyxz]

It sounds great right?

[@Geek-n2m]

​@@PaulWasabiiWhich has better technicalities dawn or edc pro

[@SpacedOutDoonie]

If KZ is listening, make an IEM with 2DD or 3DD with the tuning of Kiwi Ears KE4.

[@roadtonever]

Why when KE4 was received so lukewarmly?

[@cguralol]

With dusk tuning maybe. I tunned the Castor Harman the closest I could to my dusk just as a test of what eq can do and honestly, they could do it. Just 1 DSP cable and we're good to go

[@PaulWasabii]

I am not sure that is on their radar yet. I had the same thought after hearing KE4 and it is exactly what I said in this review, KZ needs their slant on that style. Not replicating KE4 or Meta, but make it fun and on a platform like Hydro.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

@@PaulWasabii Or just make it Meta and call it the KZ Meta, cash in on the trend..😂

[@JohnClarkW]

That tuning also reminds me of the QKZxHBB, which is a great set at $20, and tends to be my bargain pick. I still need to try the EDC Pro.

[@PaulWasabii]

Dawn is crazy cheap and their black version with more bass might be a nice companion to HBB's for those who want cheap bass.

[@carloscruz-wc4kb]

Kz saga or kz carol? Which have the best quality sound?

[@philipm.4738]

I'm not an audiophile at all but I have both and the Carol is a ton of fun for TWS listening but because the Saga is an IEM it has much more detail in the high end. Both are lots of fun for me. Both have great bass and a fun sound profile.

[@PaulWasabii]

Wired will almost always be the best quality. That is tradeoff on tws, not quite the quality, but no wires

[@philipm.4738]

@@PaulWasabii Exactly right Paul. If I'm just sitting still, IEMs. If I'm moving around TWS. The best of both worlds. 🙂 I do have one set of IEMs hooked up with a cheap KBear wireless setup and they sound really good that way too!

[@johneversonpe8137]

How does this compare to the edc pro?

[@PaulWasabii]

EDC Pro is more balanced, Dawn if you want a lot more bass.

[@backupmydude3572]

hey paul do you know anything similiar to mp143 but a hybrid sets for the same price?

[@PaulWasabii]

Ultimately you can't really get what planars do in hybrids at the same price. $130usd doesn't get you much of a hybrid other than CCA Hydro which is a super cool set. CCA Rhapsody if you want to try a low cost hybrid. KZ PRX if you want a planar but cheaper than MP143.

[@backupmydude3572]

@@PaulWasabii I like planar but I love dd timbre more so I was hoping you know, so the closet I can get hydro got it. Thanks paul

[@GODzDOG888]

Is it detachable cable or not?

[@PaulWasabii]

Not

[@woka_kawanua-hw2hj]

hi Paul, lately in most of your reviews we can see in speech and comments you prize the Polaris and the EDC Pro 😊

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, not that they are the best KZ sets, but most of the comments are should I buy some older KZ set and my answer is try EDC Pro. If that is nice, then step up to Rhapsody, Hydro, PRX, Trio, etc.

[@LuongHuy999]

what about kz dawn vs kz edx lite ?

[@PaulWasabii]

Haven't heard EDC Lite, supposed to be decent

[@mojobalaos5611]

How does this compete with the kz castor?

[@PaulWasabii]

I talked about this with KZ Saga so check out that review. The shape of the bass shelf is different, Dawn and Saga are linear from subbass thru midbass, Castor is a bump or bulge so less subbass and more midbass. If you like hiphop and deep subbass, that is Saga/Dawn. More impactful bass, closer to Castor.

[@ragnatario]

Which cable version do i choose?

[@PaulWasabii]

If you want more bass, the black.

[@ragnatario]

​@@PaulWasabiiWhich IEM does their bass resemble?

[@Geek-n2m]

​@@PaulWasabiiWhich has better technicalities dawn or edc pro

[@TWT.0]

It hard or easy To drive when pairing straight to smartphone?

[@PaulWasabii]

yes, easy to drive. Most KZ are except the planars

[@TWT.0]

@@PaulWasabii what sound signature?

[@bajarwas]

how many sets dows KZ releases in a year ?

[@PaulWasabii]

Almost a new release every 2-3 weeks.

[@bladecup]

@@PaulWasabii every 2-3 days new iem...

[@genaishivatov1737]

Saddest thing about this hobby is that the price ABSOLUTELY does not guarantee anything. For example, I have a bunch of IEMs, but I will compare two - the first is KZ ZVX for 12 euro, second is Xenns Tea 2 for 420 euro. ZVX has a sub-bass and the mid-bass is not so emphasized, due to this, the same Gotan Project is interesting to listen to, you can feel the structure of the bass without its excessive mass. Tea 2 is like a tweaked version of the first Tea (as I understand it - bassheads complained that they lacked bass - they got it with a heap). On the same Gotan Project, I hear the predominance of the mid-bass in the Tea 2, which pounds on the head like a pumped-up car camera and distracts from listening to the composition as a whole. The middle of the ZVX is slightly pushed back and comfortable, while the Tea 2 has it bloated like a marshmallow and seems to be a continuation of the accentuated mid-bass. With the distant HF, the Tea 2 is not very good, and here the ZVX wins again. But the most important thing is that it is much more interesting to listen to the ZVX from a stationar hi-fi, while the Tea 2 sounds uninteresting and just background (here I completely agree with the review on the Praised Audio channel - that the Tea 2 should have cost five times less). Briefly about myself - I have a musical education, I have been into hi-fi for over 30 years, I have had over a hundred different headphones.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, there is something to price and drivers as some cost more than others, but tuning is more of a preference than related to price. Spending more doesn't guarantee it is tuned better for you. Exactly what the Aful P5+2 is about, that will sound amazing to some people, not as much to me.

[@genaishivatov1737]

Maybe so, again for example - I consider EW200 the best for me, and Aria 2 was returned even after 200 hours (by the way, it is very similar in tonality to Tea 2). I am simply shocked - how earphones are 35 times more expensive, but I don't want to listen to them at all (it could be attributed to a defect, but this was already second pair, the first copy of Tea 2 had a problem with 2pins - after six months of investigation they agreed to take them back and send new ones, so - sound of these two pairs is absolutely identical ). In my small and poor country Tea 2 is not sold for half price, sadly 😞. And I bought KZ ZVX for fun - for TV, but now these are my most popular, working IEMs. They sound disgusting from a bare smartphone and divine from amplifiers (Sabaj A10h and xDuoo MT-602).

[@babuahmed3524]

In my country price almost 5 dollars should I purchase it or you can suggest a better one

[@pontocinza]

He said in the video... EDC Pro.

[@PaulWasabii]

Dawn, EDC Pro, or Saga Balanced..all very similar

[@babuahmed3524]

@@PaulWasabii which one is bass high

[@Geek-n2m]

​@@PaulWasabiiWhich has better technicalities dawn or edc pro

[@TheRebelLion13]

KZ should've just gone fully removable cable. The fact that the cable is non-removable might be a turn-off for some people. And yeah, on the issue of driver flex; the ZAS that I had, had some considerable driver flex going. The Saga that I have, has a bit of driver flex going as well. So far, Rhapsody is clean, no driver flex whatsoever. By the way Paul, watched this video with the PRX(mine arrived last Saturday). Sure am enjoying the heck out of it. As much as I enjoy the Rhapsody so much, second to the Legato, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to unplug the PRX from my desktop dac-amp. Oh, and this would also be my very first planar-magnetic; and at this point, i'm sure the S08s and the S12's and MP145s will sound better, but I'm good with this one. I don't know if I've reached that point, but I just don't have that urge to upgrade anymore, or even be thinking about spending more for some "law of diminishing returns"; hehehe... I do wonder though, given that KZ seems to keep working on their planar-magnetic line, if there's going to be a 5th iteration for the PR series. Maybe a full-metal build? Or how about the first dual planar-magnetic driver with tuning switches? I've yet to see anyone do a double planar-magnetic driver set. Plausible you think?

[@PaulWasabii]

Bitten by the planar bug, welcome to the club. You don't really need to upgrade. The nicer planar drivers are similar or similarly good. PRX is really nice just took them a while to get the tuning right

[@tacticalsavage]

I realized i am a basshead, i still wanna hear lively cymbals; but not only fun music, i also wish for details with bigger soundstage (who doesnt :P). I really liked Saga, listening it more than others, you say Dawn is similar with a bit more bass and with less technicals if i didnt misunderstand, so probably if i have Saga, no need for Dawn. I also use Carol just for its ANC where ANC needed. Still cant decide if KZ Saga is better or CCA Trio to my taste, i cycle listening to them when working; Castor bass is also another good taste, using it for movies and games on PC*...i am really confused in fact what to try next...* After using various Sony wired/wireless buds for years, i wanna taste them all: CCA Hydro, KZ Symphony, PRX, ZS 10 Pro 2... One thing i fear is to buy iems with almost same taste, i watch every video of yours, but i have a bad habbit as not to take notes.

[@PaulWasabii]

Technically Dawn and Saga are similar if not the same driver. But more bass will bleed a bit more so might lose some detail. But you are buying Dawn mostly for more bass. Generally KZ doesn't go too low on cymbal energy.

[@tacticalsavage]

@@PaulWasabii i am sad that there is not much dif between Saga and Dawn, since i paid double of Dawn price just for metal shell of Saga then; good news for bass head people though :)

[@Diaz.Subsistence]

​@@tacticalsavageyou can try the very underrated KZ ZAR. It has nearly the same tuning then Dawn but it's a hybrid and you can find it for around €50 atm...

[@wahid-lg1kk]

Omg, another one?

[@PaulWasabii]

What do you mean, there are another 2 releases around the corner

[@wahid-lg1kk]

@@PaulWasabii 🤯

[@Mixail747]

Wouldn't ZVX be a better option? Same driver? Better looks, detachable cable. Bit less bass, but the 3k peak is also less.

[@PaulWasabii]

As I said, Dawn is really for the more bass crowd. Lots of sets around the ZVX levels.

[@Laurcon]

In my country they sell it for 2.2 usd ☠️

[@PaulWasabii]

Lucky and worth $2usd

[@TheKb117]

Non- removable cables?!?!?! Am out!!! 😢

[@PaulWasabii]

I know, but $10usd

[@johneversonpe8137]

@@PaulWasabii In here it's just $3usd almost the same price as those 1-2 dollar knockoff earphones I always buy when I was in college.

[@lurs21]

Castor bass has a bit of driver flex for me, tried 2 pairs

[@PaulWasabii]

Driver flex is an odd thing, not everyone hears it on every set. I am sure someone will say they got Dawn and don't hear it. Or Castor. It doesn't happen often for me on KZ sets.

[@lurs21]

@@PaulWasabii i think it depends of how good seal you getting or some different aspects of pressure. My friend said he hear it a little bit, but not as severe as i do

[@noworrrnever]

It is a USD 2.4 set. Yes the most affordable set I have ever seen

[@PaulWasabii]

I go by the price on kztws.com but yeah, in some regions it will be much cheaper, like Saga.