TKZK WAVE: A Wavy Welcome
Hello mates and welcome to my another IEM in this blog. As multitude of audio companies currently popping up in China as it they are currently one of the hottest commodity for adventurous audio enthusiasts that were looking for specific tuning for they spend a dosh for it ( just like a sweepstakes, gambling on sea of IEMs in the audio market), some of them found their sound preference while the others keep trying to purchase some of the products even from obscure and less-known audio companies.
TKZK is one of the new companies that coming out lately. And somehow they are a sub brand of a well-known company, Tin Audio. TKZK is aiming on more on budget range segment as this is threshold pricing ramge of most budgeting audio enthusiasts.TKZK send me a package of their new product, the TKZK Wave just to know my feedback and opinion about their latest offering.
TKZK Wave is a hybrid set-up IEM consist of one (1) dynamic driver and one (1) custom Balanced Armature (either it is Bellsing, cheaper Knowles or just another cheap BA usually found on budget ones.) Its shell is made of good quality acrylic resin and very sturdy enough to withstand wear and tear usage for long a period. They will available in three (3) different colours which is a good optional choice on colour aesthetics. The size of the shell can be categorize in medium to large scale but it is comfy and snugly fit into my lug holes as I can wear them for a long time without any ear stress and soreness. The faceplate is laminated and it has that swiveling pattern reminds me of a FiiO IEM, There is a vent hole in the base part of the shell as an outlet of air pressure coming out from dynamic drivers. It uses a QDC-type 2-pin connector and make the cable swapping much easier but for durability wise, it is questionable and actually have a qualms about it.
The packaging box has simple small box design that you usually found in budget segment. Its contents are consist of the pair of IEMs, a four (4) core SPC white colour cable with 3.5mm termination jack, typical three (3) pairs of silicone tips of different sizes, a sky blue velvet IEM pouch and some paper works like warranty card and instruction manuals.
TKZK Wave will be price around $39/£28. And it will be available for purchase in most e-commerce retail stores.
TKZK Wave is an easy to drive IEM that even decent sources from smartphones and tablets scales them on to sound even more fuller with plenty of dynamics.
The tonality of the TKZK Wave is more on U-shaped sound signature as it has boosted bass with linear lower mids then elevated uppermids/lower treble.
Here are the sound characteristics on each part of its audio spectrum:
LOWS/BASS
It has a good quality bass, it is punchy, fast transient speed and impactful. The sub bass does really dig deep upon its lowest point as I hear clearly those rumbling and grumbling sound especially played on bass-laden tracks like Hip-hop, synthpop and electronica. Mid bass has an average texture as it add more decent volume on a note as it benefited on an authoritative and pounding bass kicks yet the bass guitar is in more on somber side of tuning that I want to hear which lacks some kind of growl and rasping sound on frets but slapping is somehow acceptable. Bassheads will somehow easily accepting this kind of bass tuning.
MIDS:
The quality of mids has slightly recessed presentation yet it is still delivers a transparent, open and clean sounding with satisfying amount of details.
The vocals quality of both gender has a good texture and vivaciousness especially on high range female vocals as it is more forward in the mix, vivid and quite in flary trait while the male vocals has more smoother due to a lesser weight note as it sound leaner.
The percussions, rhythm instruments and woodwinds has a good presence of details, natural and articulateness on its timber. The plucking of guitars are lively and resonating especially on acoustic and lead guitars. The sound of a piano has that clear and tangible brightness on its harmonic keys.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble of TKZK Wave is a bright, well-defined clarity with a decent amount of airiness on brilliance part of treble region. I hear some hint of sibilance and tinniness in some tracks which might be perceive to some treble sensitives it as unnatural timbre and fatiguing in long listening session due to that peaky part on the upper mids that percepiently felt on it. The crashing sound of cymbals strikes has shimmer and glistening attribute as how my hearing perceive a gradual decay of sparkle.
SOUNDSTAGE AND IMAGING:
The width of soundstage is above average, with a decent depth and height, It has an adequate spacing and separation of each instruments along with the vocals. The imaging and layering performs a smashing one as you pinpoint its spatial cues on panning of each instruments' and vocalist's placement and positioning points without any sense of overlapping.
As I conclude this review, while I was using this IEM, It really ponders me some deep thoughts on how this product will fare in a current, very competitive market especially on its price segment where you can also find some IEMs from other competitors which also some decent tuning too. Will this one still stay relevant? Will its garner some users too and somehow gain some fans of its tuning? It will be big question but probably it will definitely gain some followings from starting audio enthusiasts due to its aesthetics, build quality and its association with Tin Hifi which is a popular in the eyes and ears of portable audio afficionados.
PROS:
- Decent-looking solid IEM shell.
- Fun, balanced-sounding one.
- Sufficiently quality and quantity bass
- Good resolution on mids and treble
- Satisfactory technicalities aspect
- Affordable pricing for its performance.
CONS:
- 2-pin QDC-type connector (Subjective, The least-like type of 2-pin connector due to some issues that I've encounter on some previous sets with the same implemented connector)
- Bare-bones included accesories in the box.
- Occasionally, a hint of grittiness and raspiness that are presented on some tracks. A hint of sibilance is occasionally occur in some tracks.
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: TKZK Wave
IMPEDANCE: 22Ω
SENSITIVITY: 110dB +/- 3dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz-40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: MMCX CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNITS: 1 + 1 Hybrid (1 Dynamic Driver and 1 Balanced Armature)
Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss- A Living Prayer *
Debbie Gibson- Foolish Beat *'*
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks *'*
Santana - Europa *
Europe - Final Countdown *
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Barry White - Never, Never Ever Give You Up
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Agent Steel - Bleed for the Godz*
Metallica- Fade to Black **
Camouflage - The Great Commandment *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean *
Bad Manners - Just a Feeling *
Riot- Warrior *
Mariah Carey- Love Takes Time *
Layla Kaylif - Shakespeare in Love *
Stone Temple Pilots - Plush *
David Bowie - Heroes **
Prince - When the Doves Cry *
Exodus - Metal Command *
Marduk - Blond Beast *
P. Diddy - Last Night *
P.S.
I am not affliated to TKZK nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to thank TKZK for providing this review unit.
Here is the link of their FB page:
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