KZ EDA: Trio With Different Flavours

Oi! Welcome to my another IEM review and what we have here is from the most popular Chi-fi brand of all time, Knowledge Zenith a.k.a. KZ. We already know KZ on how very influential they are in the current audio market space either you hate them or like them.

 As we all know, most of us who started in this audio hobby in the mid 2010s were probably at least owning a set from KZ as our starter pack on our audio enthusiast journey. To think that KZ is now a decade-old company and how they are already  well-entrenched in the audio market  and established itself as the preeminent leader of the budget IEM market for a long time until to this day. 

KZ introduces their latest product, The KZ EDA. KZ EDA is very different compares to all of KZ's previous products as it has included three (3) pairs of shells with different tuning as they probably want their customers to let them experience a different tuning modes on one single package. This actually commendable to them that they approach differently on this one, good job!

The packaging box is quite very minimalist and bare-bones as usual just like their budget segment.  It has a small white box with a sleeve with illustration of KZ EDA at the front and basic specification and company address infos at the back. 

The contents of the packaging box are the following:

• a pair of EDA "Heavy Bass" IEM (in gold colour with opaque faceplate)

• a pair of EDA "Balanced" IEM (in silver colour with clear faceplate)

• a pair of EDA "Hi-Res" IEM  (in silver colour with cyan faceplate.)

• a white, rounded flat stock cable in 3.5mm termination plug

• Extra pair of eartips in different standard sizes.

• Instruction manual.

The shells of KZ EDA are decently good for its price. They are made of polycarbonate plastic with a recently newly developed dynamic driver that were implemented to some of their previous models ( and CCA's too). This new generation of  dynamic driver promises a lower distortion rate, a improve on transient performance and better output for its diaphragm attenuation.

The size of the EDA's are of a small scale that it easily fit through my lug holes and it does a decent sealing from external noise sources. The build quality is decent that it you can assure its durability for daily use. Like most of KZ's product, they still uses a QDC-type 2 pin connector for firm and stable connection.

When it comes to pairing on sources, KZ EDAs are definitely easy to drive devices. s

Smartphone, tablets and other multimedia devices are sufficient enough to deliver an output to EDA to sound it fuller and good  dynamics.

The tonality of KZ EDAs are all V-shape sounding with a slight deviation on some part of the its audio frequency range spectrum of each pair on it.

I'll pointing all the sound characteristics of KZ EDAs based on my perceived observation for a past few days.

This review will be slightly different when its comes to my typical pattern format as I will separate it on each kind of EDAs.

LOWS/BASS:

EDA "Heavy Bass"

To all the EDAs, this is the most bassy one among the trio. It has a solid, good impact and depth that bass heads really want on the low frequency quality, a boomy bass.  For its sub bass performance, it has a good depth that I discerningly  hear the grumbling especially on bassy and electronic bass elements from some tracks in synthpop, hip-hop and some current modern pop genre. Mid bass is definitely is well-texture as it gives a more growl on a bass guitar, a thunderous sound of a bass kick and a deeper pitch vocals of a bass baritones. Despite of these good quality on its bass, there is a caveat on this one, that apparent bass bleeds that sometimes smudge over the mids that will affect the vocals and some instruments.

EDA  "Balanced"

Bass quality on EDA  "balanced"  has an ample texture, has a fair punchiness and very precise. It is more of a sub bass focus one, as it has more define resounding quality in overall bass region while mid bass has acceptable texture to give a thudding sound of bass kick, a more somber sound on bass guitars and decent deepness of a bass baritone voice. This is actually my preferred bass quality of all three EDAs as it is well-balanced, lessens its mid bass smearing to other frequency range spectrum and cleaner response.

EDA " Hi-Res"

This kind of bass will please reference-neutral lovers, it is tight, clean and precise. Both sub-bass and mid-bass are equally on a leaner texture in general sound signature of this IEM. It is similar to EDA " balanced" in a sub bass quality but the mid bass is a bit  too transparent in my liking as it gives a hollow sound on bass kicks, a dull sounding bass guitar ( Au revoir growl and rasping licks, slaps and frets) and a more shallow vocal quality  bass baritone. To all the EDAs, EDA "Hi-res" is absolutely the cleanest bass reproduction to all of them.

MIDRANGE:

EDA "Heavy Bass"

Among the EDAs of being V-shape sounding, it has the steepest one as mids are definitely recessed, it has a warmth on it and also a way too linear in my liking that it really affects the quality on vocals especially on female, its too lean, less engaging and subdued. As for instruments, they are less details as violins and guitars has a lack of crisp and detail, Pianos are too rounded and warm sounding and trumpets sounds a bit too dark that its loses it brilliance. I'm a midcentric guy and i find it inadequate both in quantity and quality.

EDA "Balanced"

Despite that I still classify it as V-shape sounding, it has acceptable quality of vocals and instruments. For sure that it has recessed mids but delivers a smooth,  cleaner quality and has an ample texture on both male and female vocals. Male vocal has a firmness and authoritative character while female vocals has a mellow and a sense of openness but it has edginess on it. For quality of instruments, percussives like snares has a precise and penetrating sound, strings like violin and guitars, as it gives a sensuous and acceptable lustrous on violin, a crisp and vibrant sound of a guitar and lastly, more lively and bright sound of a piano. This is actually one of the most balanced sounding midrange in a V-shape sounding IEM at under US$30/£25 price range.

EDA "Hi-Res"

Mids on this one definitely leaner, brighter and "glassy". Certainly,  it gives a vocal quality on females voices to sound more detail, transparent and more spacious sounding compared to EDA  "balanced" but at the expense of a tad grating, scratchy and shrilly that might be overbearing to some treble sensitives. On instruments, it gives a rattling and metallic sounding on snare drums, a more crisp and crystalline sound on guitars,a  shrilly and brighter sound on a violin and lastly, a lively and more edgy sound on a piano. Overall, EDA "Hi-res" gives a more gleam on the midrange compared to other EDAs.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

EDA "Heavy Bass"

Due to the steepest V-shape sounding among the three, treble is also prominent sound spectrum in the EDA "Heavy Bass" variant. Upper mid peaks are perceptible on this one as I notice some occurrences of sibilance and jarring especially when I played some sibilant-laden tracks. As for sound on cymbals, it has sufficient shimmer and hi hats "chicky" sounds is natural and accurate but treble airiness is tad average when it comes to extension across the brilliance spectrum.

EDA "Balanced"

It is certainly the smoothest of EDA variants, peaks upper mids is still noticeable but it has least sibilance and a tone down a bit on being strident. Cymbals' sound still has a sufficient shimmer and an organic presentation on hi hats but like its "heavy bass" counterpart treble extension is a bit underwhelming in my hearing perception.

EDA "Hi-Res"

A Hi-res rating  is also identified with an overwhelming  reach on treble range (reaching over 40KHz is a standard to rate on such a device as a "Hi-Res" according to JAS). A boosting on upper mids and presence treble give some sense of clarity and bright and that's what KZ was doing on tuning of the EDA "Hi-Res" but there are some cautionary concerns. Sibilance is even observable and even more discordant compare to the " balanced" and "heavy bass" variants of EDA. It gives a more gleam and shimmer on cymbals to sound less natural along with the sound quality on hi-hats. Despite on the added boost upper mids to presence treble, it only gives a miniscule improvement of the treble extension. Overall, the treble presentation on EDA "Hi-res" is bright, sharp and cacophonous that treble-sensitives will have an assured aversion on this kind of tuning but it will give a smile on a face of some treble lovers as it gives more a definition and more clarity on their liking.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

When it regards on the spatiality aspect, it has a decent proportion. It has an average to above average soundstage width, a good height ceiling and an enough depth to give a more immersive experience. Imaging is just average as the presentation of perceived placement of instrumentalist and singer doesn't define well and bit blurry to pinpoint them out. Separation and layering  is just a mere average to some instances of a congested and constricted feeling if I listen to more complex tracks with more instrumental elements.

As for resolution capability its has good detail  retrieval and clarity especially on a "Hi-res" variant of EDA albeit at the expense of causing an ear fatigue due to a sharper definition and too much transparency.

Coherency-wise, due to its newer generation of dynamic drivers. It is performing very cohesive and resolving due to a faster transients (maybe thin diaphragm on this DD really works on that manner).

PEER COMPARISONS:

BLON 03 

(Note: I'll compare it with the "Heavy Bass" variant of EDA*)

• Bass quality is bit bloated and tends to smears more on BLON 03 over EDA*, EDA* has better bass response as it faster transients and a decent bass bleed control.

• Both have a typical v-shaped sound signature. But midrange on EDA* has a tad better resolution and less recess over BLON 03's subpar clarity on vocals and instrument.

• Technical performance wise, EDA* has better staging and somewhat separation while BLON 03 has poor technicalities due to narrow soundstage, a poor separation of instruments and slow bass response

• Shells on BLON 03 is more of a better quality as it is made of metal alloy while EDA* is made of plastic that offers enough durability but fitting issues on BLON 03 is a very problematic and annoying that it takes time just to have a proper fitting.

ND NSK

(Note: I do a comparison with EDA "balanced"**)

• Both have similar tuning but ND NSK is more of a mature one and also more natural sounding one.

• Bass quality are similar as both of them has a faster and punchiness level.

• Mids is better on ND NSK as its more lush, smoother and more textured as male and female vocal delivers a more solid presentation whereas the EDA** is a bit leaner in a presentation and leanings to being a bright midrange presentation.

• Treble wise, both ND NSK and EDA** are trading blows, while upper mids is more satiny on ND NSK as EDA** need some polish on the upper mids but treble extension is a bit better on EDA but NSK is not a slouch here.

• ND NSK stock cable is way better compare to current almost all KZ IEMs (with the exception of KZ ZES).

• Technicalities aspect-wise, ND NSK is a better one due to a wider soundstage and timber quality is more natural.

CCA CRA

(Note: I compare this one with KZ EDA "Hi-Res"***)

• They have some similarities on tonality as both of them are v-shape sounding with that treble emphasis.

• EDA*** has improved treble quality as it is more smoother and refined compared to CCA CRA.

• CRA has slightly have better treble extension than EDA***as it has bit more air.

To sum up my review here, As I concluded on this review, KZ EDA is definitely Knowledge Zenith's one of their finest creation on how they conceptualise to include 3 sets of IEMs unit with different variations of tuning in a single packaging and at very affordable price as they continue to keep pushing on their improvements in the aspect of tuning and quality of their products.

To whom I can recommend these IEMs? I'll undoubtedly recommend these sets to the starters of audio hobby as a good introduction material and at least they will be given an idea on how  a  "reference-neutral" monitor tuning will sound like as they perceive it as well-detailed, vivid clarity and a very transparent sounding. And KZ EDA (Hi-res) is a good candidate in that category.

Despite being a little nitpicky and a bit critical in my review of this one. This is an easily recommended set given to its imperfections as its price point, a more plain versatile tuning and value for product will outweigh it.

KZ EDA is now available to purchase online and currently at US$31/£25.

SPECIFICATION

MODEL: KZ EDA

IMPEDANCE: 30Ω

SENSITIVITY: 112.5dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:  10Hz – 40KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M

PIN TYPE: 2-PIN QDC-TYPE CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm 

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER

PROS:

•    Easy to drive sets

•    Not one, Not two but three pairs of IEMs inside of its packaging box

•    Versatile, V-shape tuning that are more familiar with KZ’s tuning.

•    Clean sound delivery (Balanced and Hi-res variants).

•    Haptic and pounding bass that will pleased bass-headed listeners (heavy bass variant).

•    A well-balanced dynamic sounding sets

•    Impressive detail retrieval for a DD in its price range (Hi-Res variant)

•    A decent included stock ear tips as I find it of a good quality and very comfortable to snug into my lug holes.

•    Decent built quality of its polycarbonate plastic shell. 

CONS:

•    Upper mid peaks will be a more problematic to some treble sensitives as they might find it grating and strident to their listening experience especially on “Hi-res” variant of EDA.

•    Perceptible sibilance to all sets.

•    Just a single cable included in the packaging, doing a cable-swapping on a QDC-type connector IEM will be an issue in a long run.

•    Subpar imaging and separation quality.

Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *

Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **

Mountain - Mississippi Queen *

Queen - Killer Queen **

Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*

Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'

Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'

Pearl Jam - Daughter **

Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *

Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*

Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *

New Order - Blue Monday *

The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *

The Madness- Buggy Trousers *

Metallica - Motorbreath **

Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *

Destiny's Child - Say My Name *

Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *

Mozart - Lacrimosa *

New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *

Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*

Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *

Exciter - Violence and Force *

Diana Krall - Stop This World **

Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*

Lucretia my Reflection – The Sisters of Mercy **

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

P.S.

I am not affiliated to KNOWLEDGE ZENITH(KZ) 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 to Tyvan Lam for providing this review unit, I truly appreciate on his generosity towards me and other reviewers.