QKZ X HBB: HAPTIC BOMBASTIC BASS SET

Oi! And welcome to my another IEM review, this time is a product collaboration between HBB and QKZ. We all know who HBB (Hawaiian Bad Boy) was in the audio community,  So no need for further introduction about him. We are also aware of his preferred sound signature as it also happens that I've tested his previous collaboration with another IEM brand (Checkout my KZ DQ6S HERE) that's why I already have some ideas on what this earphone will sound like.

I'm also familiar with the QKZ brand as I have some old budget-level products from them that I usually give away as a gift to my mates. Their products are actually decent and very affordable, QKZ VK1 was one of my first IEMs in my collection along with CK1s which I usually give them as a gift . And here is another information, they are not a sub brand nor related to KZ (Knowledge Zenith) which most people tend to believe in the audio community. As I remember, QKZ gained some substantial momentum from their VK4 which is quite very popular to most budget-conscious audio enthusiasts due to its balanced sounding and price-to-ratio performance.

Here is the QKZ X HBB, it's a single dynamic driver IEM with a titanium coated diaphragm on its 10mm dynamic driver which gives a more coherent and lesser distortion performance. Its shell is made of polycarbonate plastic and it aesthetics design reminds me of some CCA and KZ products (namely CCA CA10 and KZ ZEX Pro). The looks of its faceplate is quite cool in my opinion as it has an black marble finish with respective logos of HBB and QKZ are on both sides. It has a QDC-type 2-pin connector which I have some mixed opinions about it.

It has a white stock SPC cable which is similar to budget-segment IEMs from KZ and CCA with a L-shaped 3.5mm termination plug for easy analogue connection on mobile devices to lessened bending issues that might cause stress on wires. The shells are in medium size proportion and yet they fits well to my lug holes without any issues and also offers a decent sound isolation from external noise.

Like almost ultra budget-level sets, QKZ X HBB  product packaging is very basic and barebones when it comes to inclusions. The contents inside consists of the IEMs itself, the white stock cable, some extra silicone ear tips of different sizes and a simple instruction manual.

With an impedance of 22 Ohms, QKZ X HBB are easy to drive sets that even a smartphone with decent power output can already amplify this set to its peak performance to sound more dynamic and good audible volume level in our lug holes.

Regarding its tonality, QKZ X HBB is typically a V-shaped sound signature with warmer tuning which will be good for classic rock and old hip-hop on which HBB prefers based on his library track . It has a very dominant bass, recessed mids and some emphasis on treble.

Here are some of my observations on its sound characteristics to its overall frequency range spectrum.

LOWS/BASS:

The bass of this set is very tactile, with a good slam and thumpy that will give a clout in the overall frequency range sound. Perhaps QKZ X HBB is a good recommendation for basshead listeners who want a very impactful low end on their tracks. Sub bass is definitely present on this one as a discerningly feels its rumble and reverberation. Sub bass instruments like low register bass guitar, electric bass drum and synthesisers from synth-pop and old school hip-hop are clearly detailed.

Mid bass has even more body and that gives more authoritative sounds on bass kicks, bass guitars and bass-baritone vocals. Bass kicks has a fuller sound and thunderous one, a weighty and sustaining sound of a bass guitar and lastly, the bass baritone vocals has this guttural and a deep sound.

This is not indeed a clean bass response as there are some obvious bass bleeds that smear on the midrange that gives a more warmer sound and at the same time a sense of bloatedness.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange of this set is definitely recessed on this one but due to its added warmth it does give a dense and weight especially on male vocals. It is evident that male vocals of different voices types do really benefit on this one as it gives more strength and gruff on tenor or even falsetto. Female vocals have a very luscious and sweet but you will hear that it has that lack of energy on it.

As for instruments, it gives more emphasis on percussive and some brass instruments, it gives snare drums more impact, penetrating and harder sound. Field drums also have harder and full sounding. Brass like trumpets has power and sonorous sounding, tubas seem to have this weighty and more resonant sound. Saxophone which is really not a brass instrument as it is more of a woodwind, has a very robust and warm sound. Strings like guitars and violins have rather less crisp sound as guitar sounds a bit more buttery and violin sounds rounded and lustrous. Pianos have a more lush sound due to a richer tone with more warmth into it to make it more velvety and vibrant.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

Despite of the emphasis in the treble range. It is quite a bit veiled and distant in my liking due to that possible scooped upper mids to presence region that gives less sparkle and detail but there's a silver lining into it especially to treble sensitives, it gives a non-fatiguing listening experience without troubling on sibilance and grating sound.

It has too modest treble air that it will not give that Hi-Fi sounding due to lack of boost on air and with subdued harmonics. Cymbals strikes seem a bit stale and lack of snap on its lacking of sparkle and shimmer. Hi-hats sounds accurate on its shortened sizzled and hiss.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

The overall soundstage proportion of QKZ X HBB is rather more in average width, good reach on height and depth to make at least a more immersive sound experience. For sure that it does give at least a substantial spatial room in my headstage.

Imaging is more of a typical binaural stereo panning. I can locate the positioning of vocals and instruments decently. It has decent separation and layering seems reasonable on how it was place in the frequency on the sonic canvas but here's some of my concern when I played a more complex, instrumental track, it is tad congested and a bit chaotic that all elements are stacking one another.

Coherency of driver is quite cohesive as it performs well as it has a very nimble driver with good transients on attack and decay without any distortion and other bottlenecks the impedes the performance of the drivers.

Resolution is more focused on macro-dynamics rather on micro-detail retrieval on how it portrays it overall definition. But micro-details retrieval of this set is somehow decent but not the best out there. Timbre is more on a warmer side of tuning.

PEER COMPARISONS:

KZ EDA (Heavy Bass)

◆ Both sets are quite comparable as their shells are made of polycarbonate material. They even the same choice of connector which is QDC-type 2 pin. They are using 10mm dynamic drivers but the QKZ X HBB has a titanium-coated diaphragm while EDA has a newer generation of dynamic driver which is even more responsive and more detailed.

◆ They have similar tonality which is a warm, V-shaped sound signature. Bass on EDA is bit more boomy, a more recessed midrange, and more observable sibilances and a tad harshness unlike a more smoother and velvety sound of QKZ X HBB. Treble air of both sets are eerily identical given its lack of airy extension.

◆ As for technicalities, they are pretty much alike from soundstage presentation to resolution capabilities. So no contest on these both devices unless I insert the "Hi-Res" variant of the EDA which is pointless.

TangZu Wa'ner

◆ Wan'er has the same polycarbonate shell like the QKZ X HBB with a newer generation of dynamic driver. Overall product presentation. Tang Zu Wan'er is superior in any aspect as it has better quality inclusions from the ear tips and stock cable.

◆ As for tonality, they have stark differences as Wa'ner has sound signature which is quite a rarity on its price range, a mild-U shaped with utmost balanced-neutral sounding into it. Bass is definitely tighter and precise to give a clean sounding one, a more detail and transparent midrange and a more airy and delineated treble register.

◆ Even in technical aspects, Wa'ner is even better as it has more spacious head room and better layering and separation. It is even more detailed that it will provide better resolution.

Certainly that QKZ X HBB is aimed at such specific type of listeners, uber bassheads and a casual one who want an enjoyable listening experience that will be versatile to modern and popular music genres. If you are a fan of HBB's type of tuning with similar library tracks then this set is really for you, but if not look another way around.

As I put my conclusion in my assessment on QKZ X HBB. This set is purely for fun and enjoyable listening who doesn't want any added complexity and over-analysing on details on the tracks. This is not an "audiophile's sound" as it doesn't have that Hi-Fi feel and it focuses rather on warm sounding that will be pleasing to most casual listeners.

QKZ X HBB is currently available in LINSOUL, you can check it out HERE.

PROS:

△ Decent looking shell for its price range

△ A basshead's bass quality

△ A warm, V-shaped sound signature good for Rock, Pop and R&B genres

△ Authoritative and haptic bass response.

△ good noteweight

△ Smooth, velvety midrange

CONS:

▽ Unoriginal shell design.

▽ Definitely not for neutralheads as it is too warm.

▽ Recessed mids.

▽ Wishing for more details.

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: QKZ X HBB

IMPEDANCE: 22Ω

SENSITIVITY: 115dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:  20Hz – 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M

PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER

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 *'*

The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

Lauren Christy – Steep *

P.S.

I am not affiliated to QKZ AUDIO 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 Ms. Kareena Tang of LINSOUL for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity towards me and other reviewers.