KZ ZAX Review - 7BA 1DD Hybrid

[@PaulWasabii]

I love the look, black on smoke transparent. I like the CA16, but those would be the areas I wanted a bit more, the upper mids and a bit sharper. I think I said I wish it was just a little bit more like the ZSX in that respect. Sounds like this one is going to be good for me. Find out next week when mine arrives, hopefully in black. Great video as usual.

[@VortexReviews1]

Thanks and I think you will like this one if you like the ZSX but I prefer the smoother CA16 but need to do a fresh listen.

[@iynch1938]

They will release the 18 driver version in next year maybe it will be better that ca16

[@VortexReviews1]

@@iynch1938 We never can tell with KZ and CCA what they will do :)

[@iynch1938]

@@VortexReviews1 maybe or even use 20 driver with 2 dd and 8 ba

[@PaulWasabii]

@@iynch1938 Sometimes I wish they would get 16 right before moving on to 18.

[@raikenninja4843]

Have you seen the KZ ASF, interestingly KZ didn't increase the driver count this time around, instead decrease it while keeping the same price point. Their tuning has been better than Trn for the last couple of months, so I'm interested to see where they are going.

[@VortexReviews1]

I have seen the ASF and it looks nice. Hopefully I will get that along with the ASX

[@ZeoNeXus]

The CA16 is still better then. I'm gonna pass on these. Thanks for the review 👍

[@VortexReviews1]

Thanks and I do prefer the CA16 as well.

[@sonichedgehog36]

Better is purely subjective. It is clear Vortex prefers warmer IEMs. Traditionally, IEMs lean warmer in sound signature than headphones or speakers. These are surprisingly not brighter than many reference and high-end headphones I have owned or used over the years. Vortex is absolutely right for his preferences. From my own Head-Fi profile: "Agree to disagree. One person might like a piping hot Grado and the other a warm smooth Sennheiser, and both are right." Even so, there is an objective standard and the ZAX's are not treble cannons by any stretch.

[@VortexReviews1]

Thanks for the feedback and we all do prefer different signatures and that is a good thing.

[@ziathatkingyt4306]

I am a person who is buying an iem for the first time... would you recommend these to me... and are there any better kz headphones than these?

[@VortexReviews1]

Probably not at this time but the KZ AS10 and KZ BA10 are good options.

[@TheGothiczen]

For open back iem you need a good replacement tips like comply and spinfit. Im using these zax and I have no problems with them, the best KZ to date. If your ears are too sensitive to treble then this is not for you. Bear in mind Its dynamic driver needs burning time so the bass will greatly improve by time.

[@VortexReviews1]

I am glad you like them and thanks for your feedback.

[@ElAudioReal]

Hi, I have the ZSX and what I don't like about them is that their sound is backward, I like the sound much more present, the ZAX are better in this sense? Thank you...

[@VortexReviews1]

I don't quite follow you? The ZAX has more upper mids and is a little brighter sounding from memory

[@overdadeirojervoso]

@@VortexReviews1 He might mean the sound of the ZSX is laid back to him, and he likes a more energetic "in your face" sound.

[@VortexReviews1]

@@overdadeirojervoso The ZAX is more in your face and the sound is more "airy"

[@paulosilva8200]

You right. I have all of then. And this is the worst so far. The 10 Pro are the best

[@paulosilva8200]

@@overdadeirojervoso energetic, when the treble sounds like a crashing glass.

[@Rodness28]

From Head Fi posts of one user, i understand the harshness in the upper frequencies is caused by the silver cable. Maybe change to a copper cable and see if they sound better?

[@VortexReviews1]

I have tried multiple cables and doesn't really make much of a difference.

[@Rodness28]

@@VortexReviews1 even better! More money saved lol

[@Rodness28]

But i do wonder why some head fi users are losing their minds over these

[@VortexReviews1]

@@Rodness28 True but the 8 core cables for example are built better and are more supple so it's up to you if you want one.

[@VortexReviews1]

@@Rodness28 No idea and I don't review on there.

[@braiizen4112]

What's better ZAX or ZSX?

[@VortexReviews1]

ZAX

[@braiizen4112]

@@VortexReviews1 vs cca ca16?

[@VortexReviews1]

@@braiizen4112 I have done a video of the CA16 vs the ZAX.

[@sorcerermax5111]

Are these a substantial upgrade to KZ ZSN pro? with less peaky highs and smoother?

[@VortexReviews1]

They are an improvement and probably the best KZ I have tried but they are still a bit bright for some people.

[@sorcerermax5111]

@@VortexReviews1 I ordered CCA CKX today so hopefully they are a good upgrade to ZSN pro

[@VortexReviews1]

@@sorcerermax5111 They are much better than the ZSN Pro.

[@furaidochikin9181]

Im into rock but which one will you recommend,cca ca16 or kz zax?

[@VortexReviews1]

Depends but if you want a brighter sound with a little less bass then pick the ZAX.

[@qbeam]

I just bought the ZAX. Just added a MILD EQ to them and they sound perfect to me. Using a FiiO M7 and these IEM's. Couldn't be happier!!!

[@yo3429]

Yes, the zax are not this bad and can be tuned by EQ to a good level. But the cable is a shame.

[@VortexReviews1]

ZAX are not that bad but a bit "peaky" for some.

[@MrShriniketpatil]

Given the small size of the shell and all those cramped up drivers, the vented design seems to make absolute sense.

[@VortexReviews1]

You are probably right.

[@Justacapybara9000]

I just hope to see this company maybe push more open backed earbuds into a new line or as a way to improve current products

[@VortexReviews1]

@@Justacapybara9000 We will see what happens.

[@manbuino2369]

How are they compared to blon bl-05s?

[@VortexReviews1]

These are more detailed and more V shaped. Bl-05s sound more refined from memory.

[@tecno4u31]

On february of 2021 which is the most complete iem do you have tested at lower price?

[@VortexReviews1]

What is the max price?

[@tecno4u31]

@@VortexReviews1 Based on the fact that I already have several iems I wouldn't want to spend more than 150€. It would be appreciated if there were any sub 100. Thanks

[@VortexReviews1]

@@tecno4u31 It depends on the sound signature but the Senfer MT300 is technically very good but can be a bit bright but there are many but it depends on the sound signature to be honest.

[@tecno4u31]

@@VortexReviews1 I like that it has a realistic tone. I don't mind if it's bright or warmer. As a preference I value the image and the scene very much. But as I say I prefer to know what is for you the most complete or best iem you have tried for the lowest cost.

[@VortexReviews1]

@@tecno4u31 Probably a single DD set as I like the overall tonality and more natural sound you get from them. Blon, Tripowin TC-01 the AQ0. Hybrids I would say the BQEYZ K2, CCA CA16, CCA CKX then a little brighter would be the KZ ZAX. I don't have a "complete" one.

[@rohitpatil3848]

What happens if you attach 2 different iems to the same cable?

[@DanRC69]

I've done that a few times to hear the differences between them, it's a MUCH better way of comparing the sound quality, as compared to constantly swapping between different pairs of IEMS.

[@VortexReviews1]

@@DanRC69 Indeed and it depends on the sensitivity of them as well.

[@paulosilva8200]

You get sound. Lol

[@shahadihassan9392]

Between Tin t2 plus and kz zax, which one is better?

[@VortexReviews1]

They both perform well but the T2 Plus is more natural tone while the ZAX has better instrument separation. It depends if you want a single DD or hybrid?

[@RIJINPK]

How is it compared to hybrid zs 10 pro?

[@VortexReviews1]

The Pro sounds more "metallic"

[@koylrust6482]

TRN VX or KZ ZAX?

[@VortexReviews1]

ZAX.

[@DanRC69]

I 'was' tempted to buy these, until you mentioned and shown that they're vented. So many IEM's are ruined with vents as while using outdoors - too much external sound spoils your listening enjoyment AND wind noise is EXTREMELY snnoying, so these are a MAJOR *NO* for me.

[@VortexReviews1]

I agree and they did not think of the negatives that a lot of venting would bring. Also KZ announced 3 new models today lol

[@DanRC69]

@@VortexReviews1 Wow, do they REALLY need to release even MORE? Though i must admit the new KZ ASF looks very interesting.

[@VortexReviews1]

@@DanRC69 Indeed and that 10 ba model which is a crazy amount of drivers and I hope I can try both of them.

[@sonichedgehog36]

Peaky? Oh boy. This is a common misunderstanding of neutrality I notice among IEM users who have grown accustomed to the notorious "IEM veil" or rolled off sound of IEMs in comparison to headphones and speakers. So when they are faced with actual neutral treble response that extends into the upper frequency extremes, they dismiss it as peakiness. If you think this is peaky, you would hate many flagship and high-end headphones. Live sound is bright, and poorly mixed music will have peakiness. If you want to mask the warts and rosy up the sound, by all means, go right ahead. That is your preference. But something like the Sennheiser HD 800 would be annoying as all get-out, and a Beyerdynamic T90 would be literal heck on Earth. By the sounds of it, a Sennheiser HD 650 would be your preferred sound signature in full-sized headphones.

[@VortexReviews1]

Thanks again for your feedback. I have never tried those headphones you have mentioned but I do know of the sound signatures and you could be right.

[@raikenninja4843]

Majority of the IEM user love the Blon 03, and that's a fairly rolled of IEM. I think people tend to be more sensitive in IEM than Full sized headphone or speaker. I personally like a well done bright IEM like the Tanchjim Hana or Blessing 2 although Blessing 2 in my opinion is just slightly boosted.

[@ОлегОрион]

Listening review in KZ ZAX

[@VortexReviews1]

Thanks.

[@MustangDesudiroz]

have you tried zsn pro.. what has better clarity, sounstage and mids ? zax or zsn pro?

[@VortexReviews1]

@@MustangDesudiroz I have tried the ZSN Pro and reviewed it a while back. ZAX is better.

[@branislavcrljenica2584]

👍

[@ruiborges1635]

KZ ZS10 pro stil the King

[@VortexReviews1]

They were decent when they were released but not any more.

[@ruiborges1635]

@@VortexReviews1 Why? Are they diferent?

[@VortexReviews1]

@@ruiborges1635 This is better than the ZS10 Pro in a few ways like the non metallic sound it has, instrument separation and overall sound.

[@paulosilva8200]

I guess by now I have all.mofels from kz. And this one,,,mmmmmm to bright for my taste or a real sound . I had to reduce 3k 6k 8k and 16k to provide a better balance. Dont understand who calibrate this iem. Makes no sense. Goof for rappers that don't understand about sound quality for sure

[@VortexReviews1]

Thanks for your feedback and they are not my favourite either but what is?

[@paulosilva8200]

@@VortexReviews1 yep.

[@VortexReviews1]

@@paulosilva8200 What is your favourite?

[@paulosilva8200]

@@VortexReviews1 from kz? Or other brands. From kz the most natural for menis the kz zs10 pro. More natural. Better balance. The kz zax the one with 8 drivers per year. Was so terrible that I gave to my girlfriend. I have to lower the eq on the highs to get a decent balance .

[@VortexReviews1]

@@paulosilva8200 I surprised you said the ZS10 Pro as that is bright to me.