Balance at a budget
NOTES
The Knowledge Zenith ZEX is yet another release by the very well known brand but with an unusual twist. At the reasonable asking price of $25-$30CAD the ZEX sports a hybrid design with a single Dynamic Driver paired with a low voltage Electret driver to mange the upper registers. At this price points this is an accomplishment as the majority of competitors opt for a single DD or a hybrid design using a Balanced Armature. To see how this mix of tech manages read on.
The ZEX produces a fairly balanced sound signature with moderately elevated mid-bass and a more intimate than overly recessed midrange. In fact the overall tuning is notable for it's more "Mature" leaning as opposed to the majority of competitors in and around the asking price. It is a very competent iem with little to no harshness, good clarity and decidedly very easy to listen to characteristics. The KZ ZEX is also easy to drive and will sound good on lower powered sources such as budget dongles or cellphones without the need for high power or more costly sources.
Initially I found that the upper mids had a "cupped & closed in" sound, but with 30h of burn in and changing from stock tips and cable, this disappeared.
SPECS
Resistance: 25ohms
Sensitivity: 103db
Frequency Response: 20hz-20khz
Connecter: 0.75mm 2pin
Cable: Silver Plated
EQUIPMENT
Topping a50s Headphone Amplifier
Xduoo MT-602 Hybrid Tube Headphone Amplifier (Sylvania 5654 Tubes)
SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK2 DAC
TempoTec E44 , Apogee Groove & Shanling UA2 Dongles
Eartips: Final Audio E (2020 Version)
Cable: Stock Cable 3.5mm SE, Lunashops SPC, NiceHCK LitzPS Silver
Sources: Flac Files From my Personal Collection / Apple Music
BUILD, QUALITY & FIT
The KZ ZEX is well built with a very attractive resin shell which is also available in a number of colours. Haptics are good and the earphone feels good and solid in the hands. Fit is also very good with no issues noted there at all. The ZEX is medium sized and should fit most users without much issues.
The included cable is a step above in what has been included stock with lower priced KZ's in the recent past, but is also easily replaceable if the owner decides to do that. The included tips are not my favorite as I find them to have a side wall that is too soft. Still some may feel they are just right.
Overall the retail presentation is typical KZ with a few upgrades but nothing to get really excited about.
:SOUND:
BASS:
The Knowledge Zenith ZEX has a surprisingly mature bass presentation when considering its cost. While there is a mid-bass emphasis, the sub-bass is present with a slight roll-off noted at the lowest frequencies. The bass is very well balanced with the rest of the frequency spectrum and serves not to overpower a track, but to serve as a pretty enjoyable foundation. Bass attack and decay is notable with the attack portion slightly outshining the decay, which can occasionally linger just a tad too long.
The deepest bass is present and the ZEX has a nice amount of control in this region as well. Impact is well done though not the top its peers. Detail and texture presentation are also good but not class leading with respect to those metrics.
"Angel" & "Protection" by Massive Attack have bass laden beginnings with a definite texture and sound which the ZEX portrayed quite well with the tightness being somewhat hampered by the lack of speedy decay. Still these are tracks that can give me headaches with "bass control challenged" earphones and the ZEX is NOT one of those. "Circumstance" by jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale sounded very good with just a moderate loss of detail and control making the bass line sound a bit thicker than usual.
MIDRANGE
The midrange is obviously tuned for balance and clarity. There is an amount or warmth present but not enough to become a distraction. Detail retrieval is good but not stellar yet the ZEX actually manages to offer just a little peek into what an "Organic" midrange sounds like. Smooth yet clear with enough detail and bite to convey the emotion of a song not just the notes.
The integration of the two drivers is obviously well done as there is little indication of a handoff to indicate where one driver takes over from the other. Harshness is also thankfully not present with a prevailing smoothness which makes extended listening session easy to undertake. Layering is also admirable but can suffer at loud volumes.
With respect to note weight this is where there could be some improvement as, in particular with male voices & some drum strikes, sounded at times thinner than they should be. This was apparent "Tenderhearted Lover" by John Stoddart where his incredible vocals lacked the weight I usually hear. The upper mids though are well done , and outshine the lower-mids, and aided the clarity and openness of the sonics. Upper midrange gain is comfortable and not aggressive combined with a smoothness leading up into the treble and is nicely done without drawing any undue attention.
Treble
The Electret driver is obviously well integrated in the overall tuning. The ZEX offers treble that is smooth and detailed lacking only in that last ounce of sparkle. It is not overly bright and definitely not aggressive at all. Clean and smooth with just a little roll-off noted at the very top. The ZEX is not a treble detail monster, but what it does have on tap is a soothing, very listenable treble which is very well integrated with he rest of the frequency spectrum.
IMAGING & SOUNDSTAGE
The KZ ZEX throws up a reasonably wide soundstage with moderate height and just average depth. Imaging is very stable and believable due in no small part to the ZEX's ability to expose layers as long as it isn't driven too hard.
VERSUS
- KZ EDX (Non-Pro)
If the EDX is a brash energetic kid, the ZEX is a level headed cool adult. Bass quantity goes to the EDX but I actually prefer the tuning target of the ZEX which is more about balance and musicality. Midrange is a toss up with the ZEX again being more controlled and smooth but each being close on detail. The EDX is slightly more recessed in the midrange as well. Treble is imho a win for the ZEX as this region is more controlled than the EDX which can be prone to sibilance and some harshness even though it may be a touch more extended.
- KZ DQ6
The DQ6 is an old fav of mine but has now been dethroned by the ZEX. Bass impact on the DQ6 is more prominent but other than that the ZEX just is more balanced. In a nutshell the ZEX brings a higher level of refinement from top to bottom as compared the the DQ6. In terms if image and soundstage the ZEX wins again with a decidedly wider soundstage with better height as well. The DQ6 sounded too closed in in comparison.
- Reecho SG01
The $15CAD more costly Reecho SG01 is slightly more V-shaped and source dependent as it scales much better than the ZEX. Bass output and quality are better when paired with a good source. Midrange detail retrieval is superior with the SG01 with the ZEX being just a little more organic but not enough to overcome the SG01's dominance on all other metrics. Note wight is also more satisfying with the SG01 with impact and energy being markedly superior. With respect to Treble, the SG01 has a more sparkle, air and extension as compared to the ZEX but the KZ is no slouch in this department.
CONCLUSION
The Knowledge Zenith ZEX is a welcomed addition to the sub $30CAD segment and goes a long way in raising consumers expectations as to what exactly can be accomplished in this hot market segment. Is the ZEX the be all and end all? No it isn't, but KZ does have a strong offering here. Smooth, mature tuning combined with a balanced execution make for a very compelling performance. If you are looking for an IEM in this price range that embodies a smooth and balanced yet musical sonic presentation than the Knowledge Zenith ZEX should definitely be on your short list. Recommended!
Where to Buy
KZ Official AliExpress Store:
Comments