KZ Sonata - 14BA and More Mids

[@gokuljosh1186]

Been waiting for your video. I started with kz, would love to see them in prime form.

[@PaulWasabii]

Well the next set is days away so we'll see

[@thomasdanny7717]

KZ has made great strides. At least that's evident from the packaging and accessories.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, they have dabbled in both ends, very low cost, less waste and some upscale packaging like this one.

[@TheBarryMandelaEffect]

Talking about the eartips for these. I have the AS16 pro, with a similar large body. The only eartips I can use on those, which give a good seal, are Large Silicone tips. I simply can't find a foam tip that equaled the seal quality. I have now moved to silicone tips for ALL my earphones. Excellent video, as per usual. Many thanks

[@PaulWasabii]

I used both. The issue was pressure, I got a good seal on both, maybe too good on the silicone. I have used silicone on the previous sets with the same shell.

[@TheBarryMandelaEffect]

@@PaulWasabii It's strange, because every IEM I've switched to silicone's now sound far superior to me. It's as if it's the first time I've listened to them. Horses for courses, me thinks. I'll continue to experiment with both.

[@marcingarstecki7326]

Thanks 👍 Paul for comprehensive comparison. Now I know that as far as KZ is involved I'm staying with my KZ AS24 on Foams with upgraded cable.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yep, if you are happy with AS24, stick with it.

[@MZRTMusic254]

Been waiting for this

[@AronAddams7]

This must be the nicesr looking KZ I have seen.

[@PaulWasabii]

Its not far from some others as they share the shell shape, different faceplates.

[@TheVeganVicar]

Nice review, Mr. Wasabii!

[@tacticalsavage]

i dont care for packaging, luxury or not; more luxury it is, you waste money for packaging cartoons which you wil dispose to dustbin, but carrying pouch should be helping time to time. Most i was curious about is Sonata vs Hydro, thanks for helping @PaulWasabi, i dont like flat or balanced iems; comparing Sonata, probably by sacrificing details a bit, i will go for Hydro soon since i am basshead. One thing still tingles me is i also still wanna experience a KZ full BA set or a approved by folks KZ planar set after CCA Hydro.

[@raineheartily4580]

this is still rather "simple" by chifi standard. iem, decent cable, 2 set of eartips, and case i saw one with brush, metal eartip holder, the brand metal pin, waifu stands, waifu papercraft diagram, and more.

[@PaulWasabii]

That is always the thing, it is hard to find full BA sets at reasonable prices and Sonata is a bit more specialized than previous models. About a year ago, that was the KZ policy on packaging. They were going towards reducing waste and using minimal packaging. We'll see how long this lasts but KZ Zenith is same full color box. KZ AST was the close to the basshead BA set if you see it cheap.

[@raineheartily4580]

@@PaulWasabii I think KZ is wise to have slightly better packaging for their $100+ iem. say what you will with "not wasteful", if my $120 iem came with in the same box that a $9 iem did, along with the same shit cable and unusable eartips, i'm gonna f*cking riots. I'm not asking luxurious unboxing, just a bit better stuff that reflect its upper budget - near-midfi status.

[@dogmanxxx4218]

First timebseeing this cable on kz.

[@Qimchiy]

Usually optional on the higher priced KZs. Like the Hydro.

[@PaulWasabii]

The cable itself has been around a long time, paired with sets, only recently. You can find it sold separately as I bought it many years ago.

[@hungnguyentuan8188]

Great review. How does this compare to the full ba iem like Orchestra lite. I’m now using the Orchestra lite so should i grab this Sonata, will it a hit or miss.

[@PaulWasabii]

I think what Orchestra Lite does is really nice and I would hesitate to grab Sonata simply because you already have a fine set. I think one area that is a bit different, the edges, perhaps you can get a bit more extension. I kinda like the way Orchestra Lite did it though. I think you end up with a different flavor rather than an upgrade or downgrade, your set is very nice.

[@dennisalarcon9175]

Hey Paul hope youve been well. Have you had the opportunity to hear the castor pro? I feel like everyone on reddit is saying good things, and some say its better than the og. I feel like fewer people are reviewing them than the og for some reason

[@PaulWasabii]

Nope, I have Zenith in my ears but I had asked to circle back to Castor pro, ZVX Pro, ZSX Pro when they appear on kztws.com. Those are exclusive to another distributor. I can't guarantee it, but I said the same thing, these sets seem to be doing well, I would like to get my hands on them. Maybe later when the exclusive period is over.

[@estebanmorales3699]

Will an impidance adapter change the bass response?

[@backupmydude3572]

I think so

[@PaulWasabii]

Probably but also going to change some other range I bet. I'll put it on my squig tomorrow or the next day. Its rare that a hybrid doesn't change but KZ also uses their own circuit for tuning.

[@-eduarth_ab6693]

​@@PaulWasabiii now kz merga gets massive bass boost with a 75oHms impedance adapter

[@raineheartily4580]

Paul, it seems KZ ZVX Pro have some people that swears by its sound quality. and it seems it going to graph similarly with Libra-X, are you going to review and compare them?

[@PaulWasabii]

I already asked about the new sets and was told those are exclusive to some distributor/store. Some chance I will get it when the exclusivity period is over which is what I was told. I just don't know when or if it will really happen. Castor Pro, ZSX Pro, ZXV Pro are the group.

[@colddish]

If you like the OG, stock with it.

[@yidaxie5304]

@@PaulWasabii cca cra pro is the same,first dlc dd of kz

[@akros9333]

What setting where you using on your Sonata....all DOWN

[@PaulWasabii]

No, 1000 but depending on music, 0000 is fine too. Looking at the graph, 1000 was between the two and didn't dip as hard

[@m_yy_m]

Thanks for the review. 👌 Which tips worked best for you?

[@PaulWasabii]

I went back to KB07 but starline are ok too. As I said, it is a set where you need to get the depth right in your ears and KB07 are a bit flatter. I used foams for a while too as they don't build pressure, but will change the tuning a bit. As I said, a bit trickier than I expected.

[@m_yy_m]

​@@PaulWasabii 👍

[@woka_kawanua-hw2hj]

Paul, by sound wise, how it is different with the Libra X coz I've checked your squig? worth the money?

[@PaulWasabii]

Worth the money to people who want to experience a full BA set. Otherwise keep enjoying the Libra X

[@fra6802]

Chance to compare to kz ast?

[@PaulWasabii]

AST had a crazy amount of bass, very V shaped. Almost the opposite of Sonata. If you want the most BA bass, AST was about it. The rest of it wasn't that great, refined and upgraded drivers in AS24.

[@RKZX2]

Am i correct in assuming iems with BA's only are shit in the bass dept?

[@PaulWasabii]

If you are used to big DD with heavy bass shelf, they don't do that. But KZ's prior higher level BA sets can hit surprisingly hard. Kinda why I said that, some people really like a BA set with a high level. People say the same on planar but planars scale quite high in subbass without distorting.

[@gercollins1520]

Kz BA10 had awesome bass. (Still the best KZ set) KZ can do bass really well on BA sets.

[@nwananka]

None V kz? Hmmm.

[@PaulWasabii]

Right, odd but they have been using more treble control lately.

[@JosephFlemming]

Yea… not for me. I generally prefer plenty of bass. The AS24 on DUUU/DDUU which boosts only the bass and ultra-high was my favorite setting. And it still could have used more bass IMO.

[@RKZX2]

The zs10 pro 2s were a big disappointment for me. Even 1,2 up 3,4 down, no bass. I gave them away

[@PaulWasabii]

OK, you aren't the target for Sonata and why I said that line, if you prefer the older bass levels, Sonata won't be your thing. There is still some EQ potential on AS24 bass, and Sonata as well. But stick with what you have.

[@roguegorilla8981]

I will only get an all ba set that has Sonion for the bass. The ones kz use are just weak and lifeless.

[@Christopherpx]

Sonion isn't better.

[@PaulWasabii]

It is quite difficult to find the perfect match, a Sonion on bass and the tuning at the level you want. But KZ's bass drivers aren't that far and probably the cheapest sets with BA bass drivers to try before dropping more money.

[@3ildcard]

That one is moreso for the people who want to dip their toes into all BA. Your only other option around that price point are T800/CVJ Kumo with branded drivers (Knowles), 8BA's but 2019-ish stock tuning - 160$-ish on Ali with codes. The cheapest 14BA is probably the Cantor which really isn't "cheap" for 99.9% of people. 800$ for a pair of earplugs is kind of nuts. H16 and DT400 both use "custom" drivers but are rather cheap for all BA's so thats an option. The ones that fit your criteria start at around 350$ with the DM8 and that price range is already pushing the limit of most people who simply don't feel comfortable spending that money on pair of Chinese earplugs.

[@roberta.6579]

I have big ears and I use large/XL tips but that shell is sttil to large and uncomfortable to wear.

[@PaulWasabii]

I said that part for potential buyers and part for KZ to start getting that feedback.