KZ X HBB DQ6S Hot Take

[@denisbasshead7787]

Dq6s Remind me little bit the sound of Kz ESX

[@MR.ROBOTVOLTRON]

Spot on review. You spotted a gem. You recognize that with a better driver this thing is absolutely a flagship IEM. With a single DD configuration. This thing rocks and has much potential with a even better driver.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yep, even with all the drama, that signature is a nice one and very similar to the previous DQ6 mods.

[@EdgyEmoLoliconBoy]

best kz so far in your opinion anyone

[@denisbasshead7787]

The best Kz iem for me and i have almost all

[@JosephFlemming]

wonder how the CCA Trio that everyone's raving about compare to these?

[@PaulWasabii]

DQ6S were built with older drivers and a harder to be consistent design. The new Trio is a safer bet unless you can find a DQ6S very cheap. There are some older KZ sets that are just a lot of fun, big V sets. Trio is not that kinda fun but its a nice set.

[@Naecell]

Hey, i read somewhere that this earbuds do

[@r0n4ru]

DQ6 - DQ6S 10:40 Freq

[@kittikorn6674]

Sad that 8k isn't resonance

[@manhealme]

as paul said that it isn't noticeable most of time, occasionally appears and a lot less than the CRN which to me have really severe timbre issues there have to use the recommended EQ that Crin suggests (from what i've heard driver limitations was the problem)

[@kittikorn6674]

@@manhealme I think the problem with zex pro is it has 13k mariana trench and 16k burj khalifa Which is confusing cuz zex pro have ba

[@manhealme]

@@kittikorn6674 hence why that the EQ crin recommends bumped up the 12k-13k dip by 10db, also KZ used their infamous 30095 BA driver in the ZEX Pro

[@PaulWasabii]

Trying to figure that out

[@devicharan286]

@@PaulWasabii dq6s has a 10k treble peak, so the 8k resonance peak will show up even more. Your minor complaints about the 8k area is probably due to that 10k elevation.

[@simplyalif]

Wait those aren't the stock cable.... What cable is that

[@PaulWasabii]

Don't have the link handy but posted it twice to other folks here.

[@EdgyEmoLoliconBoy]

Best KZ so far in your opinion... Anyone?

[@Luca-xr7bs]

dq6

[@DibIrken]

Yo, that's a sexy cable. Pairs well with the copper face plate of the KZ.

[@PaulWasabii]

This one with custom hardware: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002037557491.html

[@DibIrken]

@@PaulWasabii nice! Thanks, man.

[@mizikacibalik]

I bought the kz zax, but it didn't arrive in 75 days unfortunately, so I am going to get my money back. There's been lot of new iems in the price range of 1-80. So I am in the look for a new choice rather than zax. Something detailed and tad bit bassy not bass head levels but i appreciate a good rumble and slam. This set, "t3+ (above the budget :( )" and zex caught my interest for now and looking forward to bggar's olina tho it seems like going to be sub 100 one. Love to hear your suggestions. 🥺

[@PaulWasabii]

Olina has the most potential, detailed and a bit bassy, but do look at those Oxygen levels of bass. T3+/Titan S/Aria are all in the same ballpark. Titan S may be the most detailed with the lowest bass level. T3+ or Aria, not sure as I never heard Aria. When looking at T3+, keep an eye out for how people describe the resolution. Either you are fine with average resolution or want something more detailed.

[@khandave143]

Did you order from aliexpress? If yes, what's their refund policy?

[@mizikacibalik]

@@khandave143 I got a refund thats all

[@johnhayes8476]

Awesome paul as always! What cable is that? 😍

[@PaulWasabii]

Thank you

[@wemustgo]

It is a new KZ cable I think. It is quite affordable

[@jeffrose61]

I wonder how this is vs CRA, graphs somewhat similar but a bit better on the DQ6S. I like my CRA technicalities in the bass a lot better than my normal DQ6

[@PaulWasabii]

As I said, without a closer a/b, the DQ6 drivers are the same as DQ6S. Just my personal opinion, that is where KZ needs to go next, start phasing out XUN which is better at levels than technicalities. It was always fun, but not the sharpest stick.

[@jeffrose61]

@@PaulWasabii oh yeah, i suppose that did answer it. thanks

[@wemustgo]

CRA bass speed is excellent

[@yapmingyang1622]

This might be exactly what im looking for - compared to the OG ZEX, is this set more relaxed in the treble? Thank you for the amazingly quick review

[@PaulWasabii]

That is tough, the drivers on DQ6 are different and both DQ6 models had more of a low end emphasis which is different than ZEX. Plus the ZEX had a stage setup that was not my favorite. I am not sure I would outright say the treble is more relaxed than ZEX but it may sound more pleasing to me. Generally I prefer the tonality from 2020 models and DQ6S is in the same basket as the older models. But KZ doesn't do relaxed treble often and usually the bigger factor is where the peaks are placed relative to your sensitivities. For me DQ6S works but CRA did not. There isn't an easy way to know that without trying a few KZ sets.

[@spideymen1544]

Yow paul, how do you compare this to cca cra? What's better for you and who's the sibilant

[@PaulWasabii]

So that is going to be a very personal/ear geometry thing. I am better with DQ6S simply because of the 4-5k area on CRA as well as some upper peak too. But its really just my personal experience as tons of people don't have that issue on CRA. And it is not just CRA, recently I listened to the Dunu SA6 which hits the same area for me, yet tons of people love that set.

[@JC_88_88]

its also depend on your songs library. if your library consist of vocals that very sibilant, peak at 5k or 8k just make it more sharp & fatiguing

[@LISTEDGames]

hmmm interesting when you compare og dq6 and the new one in BGGAR graph, the 8k is much less than the OG Dq6

[@PaulWasabii]

Yeah just different setup or some difference. Ultimately that is the problem when looking at different repos or even looking at my own over time. I tend to re-measure older sets when a new one is related or I might talk about it. I am also a bit of a hoarder and have nearly all of my sets with me to allow that.

[@JC_88_88]

hey paul, great review. too bad this DQ6S doesnt resolve the CCA CRA problem, the 8k peak. already check your graph comparing DQ6S with CRA, DQ6S 8k peak higher 4-5db from CRA. that is practically make sibilance prone songs, the 'sshhh', more sharp & fatiguing compared to CRA.

[@nyan4x]

8k peak isnt just the coupler resonance present in all measurements?

[@JC_88_88]

in this set that peak still quite high with the stock tips

[@wemustgo]

Change the stock tip and treble issues are solved

[@JC_88_88]

@@wemustgo i would say it reduce the issue, not completely solved. well depends also on your library, and the level of sibilance in particular songs.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yep, tips and EQ can reduce the problem. As I said, just with new tips, I still hear it occasionally. For me, the CRA hits more sensitive spots which is more fatiguing for me. But that is me, certainly lots of people love CRA.

[@eduardobatista329]

Did you know the lz a7 was 2020 iem of the year on headfi, and they put it against the mest and monarch, the only thing no one can beat is that special holographic scene the mest gives you, but the mest is not mid foward, lz a7 is, and the mest has great bass but lacks quantity, and the treble because of all that info it can get fatiguing after 30 minutes, the lz a7 doesnt, great for long sessions, I'm pulling the trigger and it's my duty to tell everyone that at 300 it competes with iems at the 1500 dollars

[@TouHunp]

which is your most favourite iem under 35$ ?

[@PaulWasabii]

DQ6S is one as it replaces the DQ6, Tanchjim Tanya if you have a dac/amp, and something more relaxed like Blon BL03/KBEAR Robin/KBEAR KS1. KZ EDS has been on my desk lately, solid cheap budget pick that is in KZ house style.

[@mandaf2630]

The bass decay is speed, slow or average? Speed tempo instrument like pop punk, metal, and j-rock can accommodated In DQ6S? Can I get the fun sounding and shake my head? My Mele with Jelly Cable can do that. Punchy instrument with lively feel but keep the very natural and engaging vocal and harmony with drumset

[@PaulWasabii]

It is not slow like old KZ models but I am also convinced it needs a bit more power to sound punchy. The difference with Mele is that tuning is not boosted KZ style. I will admit that Mele's bass is done very well. I am sure if HBB could have swapped the main DD, the bass would sound closer to Mele. I would take Mele's bass and mids/treble from DQ6S.

[@tadokorovsky9746]

That graph looks very different from his own measurement though, especially the treble

[@PaulWasabii]

Yep, but I do think its just measurement setup after looking at it this morning.

[@zahequi10]

@@PaulWasabii i think the same, it's different the treble.

[@LISTEDGames]

@@zahequi10 and more bass

[@devicharan286]

resonance peak draw energy from its neighboring frequencies, so iems with decent 10k elevation will show more 8k in measurements, humans experience peak around 6khz, what you are hearing is that extra energy till 10khz region, which is why it is not as intrusive as the graph would suggest.

[@PaulWasabii]

I have not heard that before but will look out for that. Thank you

[@claytonkg8110]

I have the NRAs and I love the mids on that Iem. However I found the mid-bass to lack in some aspects. Looking at DQ6s from a perspective of someone who is a casual listener, who prefers clear vocals, instruments with decent amount of bass and not a lot of treble.. how will it turn out? Will it be a good buy? And does these compare to the blon bl03? because I love those iems..

[@PaulWasabii]

So I love the BL03 and my general advice is if you love that set, KZ is too boosted, not just DQ6S, but most of their sets. They really do V shaped sets well which is not the BL03. The sad truth is that there isn't really an improved BL03, there are sets that changed parts of it, but nothing is the same but better. KBEAR Aurora is the closest set I have listened to that I said that, but too expensive.

[@claytonkg8110]

@@PaulWasabii I understand. but in the past I also had CCA C12, I loved those. If I ask the same question with CCA C12 in comparison rather than the Bl03, what would you say?

[@mainevent9252]

Hi, thanks for the review. Can I have some information for the cable in this video?

[@PaulWasabii]

XINHS copper alloy with a different hardware set: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002037557491.html

[@mainevent9252]

@@PaulWasabii thanks a lot!

[@Zig08]

Is it stil a little bit sibilant ? this is the only problem dq6 has for me

[@PaulWasabii]

It still is a bit, I notice the occasional Sss. I also found myself searching for it more than just hearing it everywhere. I think foam or tips will also take you a step further away from hearing it

[@zeissiez]

How’s the coherency compared to a single DD design?

[@PaulWasabii]

That was the surprise on the original DQ6. And somewhat why it became a slow rolling popular set over 2021. Prior to CRA, KZ was missing a higher resolution 1DD with more controlled bass. KZ does hybrids in that style but still tend to have looser bass. So DQ6 hit those two points (resolution and bass control) and still has the coherency. The issue was the upper range peaks/levels so that is why the re-tune was highly anticipated, fix that nagging issue which had been addressed by mods like RikudouGoku's or just throwing foam tips on there.

[@zeissiez]

@@PaulWasabii Great info, thanks Paul. After all this years in the hobby, I have come to appreciate coherency more than along with other qualities such as details, extension, imaging, control etc, and increasing I like single DD iems. A drum hit, from the initial low frequency portion to the later dispersing of higher frequency portion of that hit, there’s no choppiness and no different timbre, and also the sound disperses in a complete and none-choppy soundstage. It’s good to hear that multiple DD designs could have that coherency.

[@zeissiez]

@@PaulWasabii By the way, which do you prefer, the DQ6S or the T3+ ?

[@paulosilva8200]

Is that the same driver models from the previous models or its a new one ?

[@PaulWasabii]

I have yet to see any indication the drivers have changed at all, the main still seems to the XUN and two smaller 6mm.

[@barbal777]

I'm happy with my modded DQ6. Also I like silver version more than this rose gold.

[@denisbasshead7787]

Dq6 is very nice sound with mod at nozzle but those are more tasty more fuller thick sound

[@DominikPhilipp1]

Which cable are you using on the dq6s?

[@PaulWasabii]

Technically it is custom copper alloy from XINHS. The FAAEAL hibiscus will get you the same look for cheaper price. The copper alloy is a special one sold by Yinyoo

[@DominikPhilipp1]

@@PaulWasabii thank you :)

[@PHER3412]

How do you find the comfort? I like the CRA fit. I heard another reviewer say that the 6qs wasn’t that comfortable.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yeah, its the wing on the backside. It doesn't bother me and in the cases where it would, I use longer tips. There is no easy answer on that though, depends on your ear shape.

[@nephtaliealius7647]

For a person who loves bass but is a casual listener, do you recommend these or CCA CRA?

[@PaulWasabii]

I love bass, but the question is treble more so than bass. Both have quite a bit of good bass, but CRA has a lot of treble which I find fatiguing. If you are a casual listener who listens in short sessions, either will work. Longer sessions, I would stick with DQ6S

[@nephtaliealius7647]

@@PaulWasabii thank you so much

[@jonathanraecrisanto5912]

DQ6S or CRN (ZEX Pro)?

[@PaulWasabii]

Two different styles. DQ6S is more traditional KZ sound with refinements by HBB. CRN is more in Crinacle's style. Just as he described, a taste of a more expensive set like B2D. I enjoy CRN as I don't have Blessing2 and wanted to hear that style but DQ6S is closer to what I would normally look for in a KZ set.

[@EngrRomero]

Hi, Noticed you are not using the stock cable. Would you please tell us what cable you used. Seems it is a copper cable that tends to smoother out the higher frequencies. Thanks.

[@PaulWasabii]

This one with different hardware: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002037557491.html

[@EngrRomero]

@@PaulWasabii Thanks lot.

[@BrenttttttMCMXC]

is this advisable for casual listener? i think most who bought kz products dont like that treble and sibilance

[@PaulWasabii]

I usually think of something less boosted for casual listening, more like a BL03. The S is closer as he addressed the treble but this is still very similar to a KZ house tuning. KZ likes their boost.

[@harpokrates]

Regarding stage: yes 😂

[@PaulWasabii]

I will say the stage does get bigger with better sources. Really hard to predict how people are going to perceive it with the changes to the treble.

[@dogmanxxx4218]

Bass boost dq6 Uh yea 👍👍👍

[@EdgyEmoLoliconBoy]

Is the aria okay? im a mid to mid high dude, and I like separation and details

[@PaulWasabii]

I never heard Aria, but that tuning has been similar to Dunu Titan S and T3+. You need to pick the style of mids for you as they are all somewhat similar.

[@Luca-xr7bs]

aria is very good. my favourite iem along dq6

[@bradyj86]

Hmm I can't measure but I think my modded DQ6 might be close enough to this I don't need to buy it but I don't know lol 😂

[@PaulWasabii]

It should be similar, waiting to see how RikudouGoku's graphs show his mods vs DQ6S.

[@devaraft]

Based on what HBB said in KZ discord the DQ6S graph is based on the modded DQ6.

[@PaulWasabii]

@@devaraft Thanks for that info

[@MR.ROBOTVOLTRON]

Does it have the exact same driver? I don't think it does even if it it's similar tuned and a single DD.

[@pedrocabral3859]

This or Zex pro?

[@wemustgo]

Why not try both? In my country both are priced about USD 23 - 25 per set. They are quite cheap.

[@pedrocabral3859]

@@wemustgo in my country, buying them both compromises 25% of a minimum wage monthly pay.

[@raikenninja4843]

How do you find the resolution and detail retrieval on the DQ6S? I remember some reviewer found the OG DQ6 to be more detailed than the CRN.

[@PaulWasabii]

DQ6 and DQ6S and going to be very close in details, same driver, slightly different tuning. More detailed than CRN in treble without EQ?

[@jackjack3874]

This seems like an attempt to "fix" both the Blon BL05 & DQ6 on HBB's side.. if you check the FRs of the three sets, it looks like it...three birds with one stone... the Mele is for sure a better BL03... (I do still love my BL03s)

[@PaulWasabii]

I know what you are saying, not quite that simple. Probably something learned along the way from Mele to Olina and then worked out on DQ6S.

[@jackjack3874]

@@PaulWasabii Not quite sure about Olina.. it seems to be almost identical to Tanchjim Oxygen FR wise... HBB will probably talk about that project in his video to come ... If you don't mind I will stick to my first comment.. thx for all the great work..

[@NewDarkKnight]

Need KZxPaulwasabii

[@MichaelBruceTaos]

FIST!

[@EdgyEmoLoliconBoy]

FOOT!

[@kalo_nord]

8k peak is too high, you wont be able to cut it with even -15 db in parametric EQ. I mean i see it about 10 db boost, but every iem i tried - edx, edx pro, cca cra - in my ears i had huge 7-7.5 and 10.5-11 k peaks (always shifted depending on insertion depth) that i couldn't cut with -15 db filter (needed more than 15)

[@PaulWasabii]

Yep, but most of it is just coupler artifact as you see on most measurements. But you are right, I am more sensitive to 4.7K and it takes just a small bump to annoy me. CRN actually bothered me more at 8K than DQ6S. CRA is too much at 4.5k for me as well as something farther out.

[@kalo_nord]

@@PaulWasabii well I dont mind any small bump (4.5-5 khz on cca cra easily reduced in any parametric EQ e.g. Poweramp Equalizer. In fact you can make almost any V shape turn into neutral in this EQ) but when peak is so high that "-15 db" is not enough...man I don''t know. Maybe I'm too sensitive or have weird ear canal? I can understand why they could drop (if they really intended it) 10-13 khz area - to avoid 10.5-11.5 shifting peaks, but why they cant drop 7-8 kHz area just a little bit so peak wont be so high? Anyway your review almost made me want to buy DQ6s

[@kalo_nord]

@@PaulWasabii Man, also I wanted to add that it's not only your measurement rig. If you look at BadGuy graph of CCA CRA, he also has small 8.5 peak.(not even 8k like you usually get) but in fact no human will get peak at 8 or 8.5 kHz - it will be rather shifting from 7 to 7.5 kHz. some might have it on 6.5-6.8, it all depends on ear canal. If you manage to insert tips so deep maybe it will get close to 8 kHz. But the problem is peak is bigger than shown on his graph (at least in my ears). Your graphs much closer to reality.

[@JC_88_88]

@@kalo_nord that 8k peak, can be harsher if you compare to CRA (already compared the graph).

[@kalo_nord]

@@JC_88_88 yes, but I still purchased it, too tempting lol. I will eq this peak anyway but interesting to know how this drop 10-14 kHz will sound in my ears. Because usually I have massive peaks on 10.5-11 KHz and 14-15 Khz and they can get added so whole area 11-14 gets elevated in my ears. So my guess in DQ6s I will have to turn up volume in 11-14 kHz but only a little bit (not 10-12 dB like on this graph).