KZ ZS12 Pro X - Metal Shell, More Detail

[@dalarcoin6851]

The ZS10 pro 2 was already really bright for me. Even brighter is kinda nuts. I'm gonna wait until KZ wises up and puts the Castor Bass tuner guy back in charge haha.

[@mayonotes9849]

Castor Bass really is unironically one of their best tuned IEMs. They really should bring back the way the switches affect the FR on the CB to their new releases.

[@denisbasshead7787]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@denisbasshead7787]

Try the Hidizs MS2 🤟🤝🤟

[@dalarcoin6851]

@@mayonotes9849 I would say that the castor bass is one of the best tuned V-shapes in general. I tried a couple of of the v-shapes from Meze at Canjam NYC that were better, but honestly, for Iems only the variations were potentially better, but even then not necessarily, and it highly depends on preference. Plus, I don't feel like ANY of the iems I heard really got more detailed than the hexas, so I honestly feel like many could have stopped at the old castor....at least before they got silent revised.

[@JohnClarkW]

Castor bass and Vader balanced are the only good budget sets they have done, and the CCA Hydro gets lots of praise.

[@DEFKNIGHT]

The Castor is where it's at. Just flip all the pins to on. Awesome IEM

[@dvdarshan]

One user from Reddit said that the KZ silently downgraded one of the Castor's drivers Is it true? If yes, that makes all the reviews irrelevant now 🙂

[@DEFKNIGHT]

@@dvdarshan What do you mean silently downgraded. You mean a different driver used? I bought mine early on, so I wouldn't know anyways. But if true, that would be a mistake unless it somehow improved the sound.

[@jamesbb4]

​@@dvdarshan People on reddit are a bunch of pearl clutching KZ haters. Most of them shitting on kz have never had one. They just repeat a bunch of stuff others have said. Fake outrage about some things that they really don't care about.

[@DEFKNIGHT]

@@dvdarshan Your right if it's actually TRUE! BUT! It's hard to believe anything now because, way too many people are speculating without actual proof. I'll believe it when I see it. They have been pressed to earn our trust again for a minute now. If they are doing us wrong on purpose again, I get it. But it can't be biased speculation anymore! It's gotta be legit!

[@MarkPlier-id9ni]

​@DEFKNIGHT If you don't have the white wires and got foam tips, you got the first revision.

[@Thee.Mighty]

ordered zs12 pro waiting for it, I have zs10 pro x

[@riskes__]

which one should i buy among the two

[@iyervenki]

your pick between the KZZS12 Pro X & the CCA Rhapsody (My favorite budget hybrid) ? Thanks for yet another great video.

[@PaulWasabii]

Rhapsody unless you do like a brighter treble. Rhapsody is still the one of the best budget hybrids and will be hard to topple.

[@demondjackson2875]

KZ won’t stop

[@PaulWasabii]

Can't stop, won't stop

[@someoneusa]

Their making plenty of stops at the bank $$$ 😂

[@Bovineicide]

I guess KZ don't feel obligated to do transparent shells anymore lol

[@PaulWasabii]

They drop a unique shell rarely. Mostly they re-use as they continue more 3d printing

[@pukhrajkumar7255]

If we take KZ PR2 as reference then how would you define the level of treble of these 2 in the video with the PR2?

[@PaulWasabii]

There isn't a PR2 reference which is the problem with that set. The early models has a treble level very close to ZS12/ZS10. Later there were PR2 models with more treble, then later less I believe Generally, PR2 should be about the same but as I said, there was a lot of variation on PR2

[@pukhrajkumar7255]

I get it. So, if you take the latest iteration of PR 2, how is the treble level of ZS10 pro 2 and ZS12 Pro X?

[@marcswinnen9100]

Maybe without the switches hits the nail it happened before😊

[@PaulWasabii]

This wouldn't surprise me

[@m_yy_m]

Thanks! I've been waiting a while for this review. ZS12 Pro X vs CCA Hydro? Is it worth spending the extra money on Hydro? Is Hydro as or more detailed with less shrillness? There's a new version of the TRN VX Pro with plastic shells. Is the ZS12 Pro X as bright/piercing as VX Pro. I'm interested in a set that has very good layering without being too fatiguing.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

Hydro

[@PaulWasabii]

Hydro will live another day as the flagship. The AS24 Pro is going to get you closer and some just want an all BA

[@wahid-lg1kk]

@@m_yy_m you might like trn ba16

[@someoneusa]

12 on sale rn for $30-ish. I must have slept through ZS12 and ZS12 Pro 😂🤓 Working at KZ must be... Interesting 🤔🙃

[@someoneusa]

Rewatched after hearing a few raving reviews, one was TDM. My preferences seem to lie between yours and his. Though kind of interesting is before that I was tinkering with my Zs10prx and now looking at the 12 graph, best guess is that I've settled on something close in tuning 1110 OR 1111. I just did a quick EQ -1 4K/ - 2 8k and TANYA filter. Do you recall if it came with a filter or metal mesh? I'm pretty sure I only have Tanya over a metal grill. I need a rig😭 I'm too addicted to mods and too much of a nerd not to want my stats. Plus I'm sick of buying sets that sound the same, would help to know where I'm landing with my tuning. I have the black s10 so it's already gonna look fairly similar but I'm down to customize the faceplate if it's worth getting. Do you think this is worth the upgrade if I like this sound profile? I know the drivers are new, there's an extra, and the shell is all metal, so it's gonna sound somewhat different. At $30, I could always mod it if the drivers are good for it.

[@someoneusa]

I eqD to 12 and added some at 2/5 to make up for what I think the Tanya is doing. Sounds very different. Soundstage got more open and the details, wow! It is bright but sounds really spacious and light while still being bassy. And that subbass is kicking!! Different than what I'm used to which is what I've been waiting for. So maybe I answered my own question. Lol. Still look forward to your thoughts but I think I'll get it!

[@PaulWasabii]

I didn't watch TDM's review, but its a solid set. I tend to find spacious without bright sets. Everyone hears it differently and listens at different volumes but bright sets tend to work for short periods for me.

[@Josephine-r7b]

ZS10 Pro X vs Pro 2? I currently use a KZ ZSN Pro 2 with bass boost & I found that diffrent tracks the treble will hurt my ears unless its a Bass emphasis track but the presence of the dynamic range isn't quite up there compared to the DCMEKA AO9 (DSP) I'm still unsure if this will suite well at comfortable high volumes but as far as I know most KZ's i've used had to have equilizer. I usually desire not using an equilizer so im hopong the switches will compensate. I am sure these will be an interesting paor regardless

[@PaulWasabii]

Right, KZ tends to use more treble than less. KZ EDC Pro might be a better choice.

[@Josephine-r7b]

@@PaulWasabii i've used the regular EDC & I found that the KZ ZSN Pro 2 worked out better but I'm hoping that it would be an upgrade

[@TheRebelLion13]

Hi there Paul! How does it compare to the CCA Rhapsody?

[@fiddlix]

Rhapsody for my ears.

[@TheRebelLion13]

@@fiddlix Yeah. After watching the video and hearing Paul's feedback, I kinda got the idea that this isn't any where near close to the Rhapsody.

[@dhruvpatil4560]

I am thinking to buy one of this but I am still a bit confused as I love to music alot and I love it in high quality but I don't like harsh treble but I like good bass, so can you please tell me which one should I go for?

[@dhruvpatil4560]

And i have tried kz pro x before and I feel it's treble was also bit harsh so can you please suggest me which one should I go for

[@PaulWasabii]

Right, the brighter sets like zs12 will sound harsher. Sometimes you need to get larger tips or get the fit right. That is why KZ does sets like EDC Pro.

[@lakshyasanodia2415]

hey i want a iem around the same price as this which should i buy ?hey which is the best iem in the same price range around these 2 ?

[@PaulWasabii]

There are no best IEMs at price points usually, whether its $40 or $400. Start with KZ EDC Pro and that will give you an idea of what you prefer in your next set.

[@titanpsytrance3723]

Paul, you did a mensurement of the Edifier GX05(2.4ghz tws) you remeber? I have not seen a review of this in your channel, i have only one question, the audio quality and technalities of GX05 can be on pair with 10-20usd wired in ear?

[@titanpsytrance3723]

Can be compared* sorry for bad english, i'm brazilian

[@PaulWasabii]

Typically not for music without some tweaking. That set was for gaming and had some boost in areas useful for that. I tend to EQ tws so they are closer to wired signatures and then you get in the ballpark, but remember that a $20usd wired set is very good at music. Might suck for calls or games, but they are tuned for music. TWS tend to general purpose signatures but they are still decent DD drivers.

[@rawkao1001]

ZS10 PRO X VS ZS12 PRO X Which one is the best?

[@faisalfirdausiinn4708]

Watch the video.

[@rawkao1001]

​@@faisalfirdausiinn4708 The video clip didn't help at all.

[@faisalfirdausiinn4708]

@@rawkao1001 i wonder how it didn't help at all. ZS10 Pro 2 is the better one over ZS10 Pro X. With that information, you should already able to decide whether to choose ZS10 Pro 2 or ZS12 Pro X.

[@PaulWasabii]

These are all flavors. ZS10 Pro X is the most fun, ZS10 Pro 2 is more refined, ZS12 is low volume, brighter for people who like that. There is no best, just the one that matches what you are looking for. If you don't know, get EDC Pro.

[@Josephine-r7b]

​@@PaulWasabiiI found the sound on the regular EDC being less qualitative then the ZSN Pro 2 but if the Pro version is much better it would be hard to be sure especially considering my experience with the regular EDC & ZSN 2

[@anatol1204]

With the 4th switch only up what happens?

[@Thee.Mighty]

it lowers highs

[@naren.freak1c]

Is this set EQ able? With 1111 switches configuration PEQ: All peak filters Freq Value Q 120 -2.5 0.5 2100 -3.0 0.7 8500 -8.0 1.0 Anyone who owns the set please report me if this EQ sounds good or not?

[@PaulWasabii]

Not sure that sounds right, but generally don't include the 8000 peak. That is a coupler artifact but you can look at KZ's graph to see the 8k value

[@naren.freak1c]

@@PaulWasabii I used broad Q value to drop the energy around 6-12k based on the squig. So l chose 8500 as a middle point . Is this set EQable without any problems? Like distrotion or treble zing or shoutiness?

[@solastro5595]

ZS12 pro x compatible with the AZ15 wireless Bluetooth set?

[@PaulWasabii]

That is a question for KZ but I would say yes. The only issue is the connector as there are a few KZ models with a different connector. ZS12 is the right one.

[@likhith-kumar.]

Generally.... Are KZ iems reliable? I'm extremely interested in getting this as a long term rig.

[@PaulWasabii]

Generally yes as they are one of the top producers and have one of the largest ownership numbers. Some models have problems, typically the older resin style shells. I'd also say generally, most brands have the same problems.

[@likhith-kumar.]

@@PaulWasabii thank you so much sir

[@matija656]

Good thing I didn't jump on them early, since I already have zs10pro 2, this video is perfect. Thanks, this made my decision to not order it

[@PaulWasabii]

Glad to be of service. Honestly, better to not buy and wait than buy and not like it. Pro 2 is a nice set, hit a nice target.

[@fahadkhan9534]

Is zs12 pro x gives better sound quality on 100% Volume then zs10pro x ?

[@PaulWasabii]

They are slightly different flavors, neither is better. ZS12 is nice though if you are looking for metal shells.

[@fahadkhan9534]

@PaulWasabii which one is more Funn after high 🚬

[@rajbasu4801]

Which type of midrange do you like warm or open sounding.

[@PaulWasabii]

I will gravitate to open with warmth, but too much warmth needs a crazy good upper range which usually doesn't happen. If a set sounds inward or less than open, I will probably eq

[@someoneusa]

What eq settings for tr would you recommend for this?

[@SupremeVsuals]

*are these the tunable version?*

[@faisalfirdausiinn4708]

Watch the video.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yep. I didn't look closely, usually the non tunable is usually close to a switch setting but not exactly the same.

[@dvdarshan]

This vs Simgot EW200?

[@PaulWasabii]

If you like to experiment, ZS12 gives you a few bass curves up to the EW200 level.

[@AnthonyBartolome-b3j]

does it have microphone built in

[@PaulWasabii]

No, but sometimes KZ offers the microphone cable version

[@okay1904]

It takes a lot of discipline to STOP buying budget KZ IEM's costing between $10 and about $50. A lot of discipline. Very tempting prices, and very glossy product marketing. The reality is - you can only listen to one at a time, so unless one is a reviewer, I see no point in having more than one or two of these KZ's.

[@MZRTMusic254]

A lot of discipline 😂 one of the few moments I'm thankful I don't have a lot of money 😂😂

[@PaulWasabii]

Yep, this is why I tend to spend more time on some, Polaris, edc pro, hydro, Rhapsody. You can certainly buy those in between sets, but usually KZ drops some important ones, then some randos

[@Sporek]

Shut up! I want them ALL, NOW!!! 😂😂😂

[@gurukantdesai4225]

Is it close to the ZAR?

[@PaulWasabii]

ZAR has a lot more bass

[@Helmond2017]

I think KZ as a brand should focus more on their single dd offerings.

[@PaulWasabii]

KZ usually round robins thru DD, hybrids, planars, etc.

[@Helmond2017]

@@PaulWasabii Yeah, they had more success recently with DD IEMs.

[@gadgetgenerationspulkit]

I tried this unit at a friend, Bright and piercing for my taste :/ Really harsh.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, as i said, the KZ tuner who prefers bright has his hands all over this one. Not as bad as others, but it is a style they have been using on some sets. The point is to get people paired to sets that match their prefs and I am with you, but some people like the extra trebles.

[@marcswinnen9100]

They sell it cheaper without switches😊

[@faisalfirdausiinn4708]

is there no switch version?

[@marcswinnen9100]

@@faisalfirdausiinn4708 yes cheaper

[@dvdarshan]

​@@faisalfirdausiinn4708 Yes