Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
KZ overwhelm
- Thread starter J.Wolf
- Start date
I would hardly call the ZS10 Pro’s “average”, there are a lot here on TB that use them. As you say though to get something tangibly better is going to come at quite an outlay.
For the money for a 10 driver IEM system they punch well above their weight.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,077
- 9,798
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Ok, but I'm still looking for a better solution. I am far from convinced that buds 10 times the price are 10 times as good...and that KS are 'good' value, but that's it.
They are a cheap outlay to get something functional. Maybe the same mechanics in customs..for something like a $300 package would be ok..
They are a cheap outlay to get something functional. Maybe the same mechanics in customs..for something like a $300 package would be ok..
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,077
- 9,798
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I would love to hear some $500 IEM's that are 5x as good as the ZS10 Pros. I'd pay $750 for those 
Hey J.Wolf! did you get the ZS12's? Any thoughts on em? I'm thinking about ordering a set now. They look like they have some kind of mesh; I can't tell if that's just a design but I was a little worried that they might be open-back and let in sound. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!
I'm using Ultimate Ears UE7 IEMs since about 2008 -or smthng- and as a spare one ('coz they're about to die soon) I bought a KZ AS10 last year.
I got the exact same opinion about the KZ AS10s. They are too boomy and I never wanted to hear that much low end from my bass on stage. I want to hear a neutral and fairly flat sound out of my IEMs. Like in my UE7's. (Yes I know about the huge price difference but still...)
I have been eyeing the Truthear X Crinancle Zero Red too but I need opinions before buying it. Will them ever make a difference after my KZ AS10s?
Did you buy or maybe try them?
Given that these have been fairly broadly well received and reviewed, I'm curious as to why you feel that way and what kind of additional opinion (there are hundreds of them a mouse click away) someone could give you that would cause you to buy them or not buy them? Especially when one person's opinion (or even ten people's opinions) can be the polar opposite of the next and they can be different from yours. Subjectivity is involved to such a high degree that ultimately no one can tell you whether they will make a difference to you. The only thing that'll really do that is spending the 50 bucks to try them for yourself.
Sometimes it seems like there's something special about IEMs that makes it especially easy to get so wrapped up in minute details and differences and especially thinking that everyone hears them the same.
You could be right but (yes we have a good "but" in here):
1/ Seems like the user that I replied has the exact opinion with me, saying that "All IEMs that are mentioned here, are kinda boomy, I need a flat one" [not very common]
2/ Yes we got tons of opinions a mouse click away but they are %99 just listeners, commenting w/ some clichés like "Warm bass, balanced mids, crispy highs" etc... I'm a professional musician for 25 years now and I needed a musicians (a bass player preferred) opinion. [not very common either]
3/ Spending that $50 and try the IEM is the easiest way, u're right (and seems like that's what I'm going to do) but that one gonna be the 5th spare IEM attempt for me (KZs (2 of them), Sennheiser and Sure. That's not about economizing, I just need a comment like "Stay away pal, they are boomy too..." or "I tried them; not that much low oriented like KZs".
I know, it's subjective; depends on ears and experience, depends on anatomy, depends on the taste, depends on everything. Not going to be a significant or determinant one but still...
Thanks for your answer. Hope I got my point across.
Peace.
If you want flat response try some Moondrop iem's. After trying a few different KZ's I bought a set of Moondrop Blessing 2's just to see how much difference flatter, pricier in ears would make. Paid I think $329 for them. Used them for several months and numerous gigs and rehearsals, ended up going back to the ZX-10's and selling the Moondrops to a band mate who loves them. Our lead singer/BL has some Moondrop S-8's (over $800) and loves them. I just personally thought they sounded dull. Guess it depends on what you're looking for and how much you're willing to invest.
Setting aside getting points across...
Probably beyond what you consider a frivolous "buy and try" budget ($200), but you might check out the newish Ultimate Ears UE 150. Whatever works is what works, so I recognize that it's more of a personal sensibility than anything else, but I take as a positive where the sole design intent is for musicians and music production (although the chi-fi makers have clearly realized the potential and have been specifically marketing models toward musicians). Anyway, the sound goal for the 150 is touted as natural, balanced and neutral which seems in line with what you're looking for. And it's a brand you already know and I take it you like. So already a tangent...something that seems to me to get somewhat lost with IEM sound profiles is that they are without EQ. So, with bass for example, a flatter inherent curve doesn't mean that a given IEM is incapable of producing strong bass, it means that given the same source material and EQ, IEMs with an inherently more bass heavy profile will have more bass, relatively, and vice versa (which seems beyond obvious). How well a given IEM takes EQ and having sufficient headroom, if we're talking about particularly loud stages, could be more important.
Something that's become a sometimes pastime is trying different IEMs that grab my interest for one reason or another. I learn songs and practice with them and usually try them out on a gig to see what's what. For my ear, up to this point, the KZ PR1 is the only that I've ended up taking out somewhat regularly for smaller, more quiet ampless gigs and rehearsals, actually finding that a bit less isolation than my custom molds (which are not ported) can be nice in certain environments.
It's not the usual $50 buy and try, but I was intrigued enough by the Ultimate Ears claims of superior fit and comfort and even though I intellectually understand that's not really a promise they can deliver on for everyone, I let myself get sucked into thinking they might be magically special in terms of fit and comfort and couldn't resist.
It ticks a lot of boxes for me. I think they sound great so far...no negatives on the sound for me, detailed, authoritative and I suppose neutral (in as much as anyone who's looking for neutral can actually distinguish neutral from what they simply like) but not lacking or anemic in any part or way. I'll try them at a second gig next week. The handling feel, finish and look is very high quality to me. Fantastic packaging and included items; tip assortment, case, cleaning tool and what I think is a stellar cable. The cable has great ear loops, size and feel I like that seems very tangle resistant...like it feels as if you can just ball it up an toss it in a drawer, pull it out, and it would just fall out straight (clearly an exaggeration and not something I have tried). The cinch on the cable is the nicest of any I've seen.
The negative or at least less than good things both have to do with the fit and that first, I do not find that for my ears there is anything special about the shape, nozzle angle etc that magically makes me say, "Wow!" They are fine in that regard...not at all bad, just not stunningly good or special. The other thing (completely personal) is that I'm not immediately dialing in on the best tip for my ears and it's leaving wanting to keep switching to figure it out, which simply isn't something I want to spend this much time doing. It's possible I'm just overly-focused on it because of the superior fit and comfort claim. The two middle size silicone tips and any of the included foam tips "work", just no clear, "aha, that's the one!" in the bunch. A a positive in there is that they have a smaller nozzle diameter than many (I don't see it in the specs but maybe somewhere in the 3-4 mm range?) so there will be some latitude with foam tips and maybe this is the time to try the oval Complys.
I was about to check those new Ultimate Ears UE 150 and 250 (universal fit) IEM series and I got your message.
We're on the same page. Totally!
Think like I'll still buy the Truthear Zero RED as my -hopefully- last chi-fi IEM as a 'spare of the spare' one but I'll also order an UE 150 or 250 (tagged like "mostly for drummers and bass player" by the company itself) for a total price of $350 and I'll be able to deal with my situation.
Thanks for your time. I appreciate it. Peace!
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Perplexity.ai suggests that this model would be inappropriate for electric bass. Maybe better for listening to hip hop?
Pros and Cons of Using KZ ZAS 7BA+1DD IEMs for Electric Bass in Band Performance
Pros- Powerful Bass Response
The KZ ZAS is known for its extremely strong and impactful bass, making it suitable for bass players who want to clearly hear and feel their instrument in the mix235. The dynamic driver delivers a "booster type of bass experience" that is punchy and satisfying, especially at higher volumes35. - Good Comfort and Build Quality
The IEMs are reported to have a comfortable fit and lightweight ergonomic design, suitable for long sessions typical of live performances268. The build quality is generally praised, with a metallic frame and high-purity cable268. - Noise Isolation
The design provides decent passive noise isolation, helping to block out stage noise and allowing the musician to focus on their monitor mix7. - Affordable Price Point
At around $60–$70, the KZ ZAS offers a hybrid driver configuration at a budget-friendly price, making it accessible for musicians who need multiple sets or backups28.
- Bass Bleed and Muddy Mids
The overwhelming bass can bleed into the midrange, causing muddiness and making it harder to distinguish other instruments or vocals in the mixInvalid Link Removed25. This can be a significant drawback for live band settings where clarity is crucial, especially for hearing cues from other musicians. - Lack of Detail and Texture
While the bass is powerful, it can lack detail and speed, sometimes sounding "sloppy and messy," especially with fast bass lines or complex arrangements25. This could hinder a bass player’s ability to pick out subtle nuances or articulation in their own playing. - Recessed or Obscured Mids
The mids are sometimes described as recessed or obscured by the bass, which may make it difficult to hear vocals, guitars, or keyboard parts clearly during a performanceInvalid Link Removed2. - Sound Signature May Require EQ
The stock tuning is heavily bass-focused, and many users recommend EQing the bass down to achieve a more balanced sound5. This adds complexity for live use, as not all stage monitoring systems allow for custom EQ. - Potential Quality Control Issues
Some reviews mention inconsistent sound quality or poor implementation of the balanced armature drivers, which could affect reliability and performance consistencyInvalid Link Removed.
Summary Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful, punchy bass | Bass bleed causes muddy mids |
| Comfortable fit | Lack of detail in fast passages |
| Good noise isolation | Recessed/obscured midrange |
| Affordable price | May require EQ to balance sound |
| Solid build quality | Possible quality control issues |
Conclusion
The KZ ZAS 7BA+1DD IEMs can be a good budget option for electric bass players who want strong bass presence and decent comfort during band performances. However, the excessive bass and resulting muddiness in the mids may make it difficult to hear the full band mix clearly without significant EQ adjustments. For bassists who prioritize clarity and detail, especially in a live ensemble context, these IEMs may not be the best choice unless you are prepared to tailor your monitor mix or EQ settings to compensate for their sound signatureInvalid Link Removed25.
I'm apparently no expert, however I do have a long history of using both KZ and similar CCA IEM's from 3 per side (ZS6) up to 5 and 6 per side (KZ ZX10 and 10 Pro, CCA AS10, KZ ZX12) and while I do like the ZX12's I find myself going back to the 10 driver AS10's and ZX10's more frequently as those seem (to me at least) to have the best bass guitar separation and presence. I've read several reviews and opinions that tend to agree with my personal feelings on them as well, for whatever than might be worth. I've tried the Moondrop Blessing 2's (paid $319 for them) and found them too neutral (or sterile) for my personal tastes (but that's just one opinion), sold them to a band mate at a loss and went back to the KZ/CCA's. Seems maybe more isn't always better eh?
