QKZ x HBB Khan: Robust, Bloomy and Reverberations
Khan is a historic title that was bestowed upon either on a chief of a large tribe/horde or a warlord that unifies other realms under his rule. This title is prevalent on a great Eurasians steeps especially on Turkic-Altaic cultures and civilizations. Temujin or Genghis Khan was the well-known Mongolian conqueror from the Middle Age who bears this title as he subjugates a lot of kingdoms, tribes and even an empire from East Asia to the outskirts of Eastern Europe.
This is QKZ X HBB Khan, QKZ's second collaboration project with Chris Ballard a.k.a HBB (Hawaiian Bad Boy) which we all know on the portable audio community who he was and his reputation as a respectable audio reviewer. This is my second product review of a QKZ product but I have owned some QKZ products before as they are quite cheap and sound decent enough for casual listening.
You can check out my review on QKZ X HBB here.
QKZ x HBB Khan is an IEM earphone with dual dynamic driver on its internals. The said dual dynamic drivers are the 10mm driver with LCP diaphragm that handles bass to midrange region and a 7mm driver with the same material on its diaphragm that solely handles the treble part. The internals were housed in a acrylic resin shell chassis with a supporting metal grid to ensure the structural integrity of the device. The shells are actually moulded from the latest generation of DLP-3D printing to make the best possible acoustic chamber design with its exact placement of air vents. The faceplate of each shell has a logo of HBB and a stylised triangular triskelion logo of QKZ. QKZ decided that they implement a QDC-type 2-pin connector on this unit as it also became one of the standard connectors on IEMs in the ultra-budget segment.
Fitting-wise is quite impressive due to the long nozzle that inserts well to my lug holes that its fitting insertion will give a better passive noise isolation. For those listeners who have small ears, they should try to do some tip rolling on this one.
As for product packaging, QKZ Khan seems to have a significant focus on including some decent accessories. The contents are packed in a black-coloured medium-sized box with a cardboard sleeve, the sleeve is where you can check out the product photo, brand logo and product in the front while at the back, it has the FR graph, basic specifications and company address.
Here the following inclusions inside of the box:
■ QKZ x HBB Khan IEMs
■ Black 4-core OFC stock cable with 3.5mm termination plug.
■ White-coloured PVC IEM case.
■ 3 pairs of opaque, narrow-bored ear tips of different standard-sizes.
■ A small commemorative plaque coin bears HBB's logo.
QKZ Khan is quite easy to drive with an impedance rating of 10 ohms which rate this set only requires a decent power output to amplify this set. I've tested this set from my LG phones, USB DAC/Amp dongles and digital audio players and QKZ Khan delivers a considerable amplitude level.
As for tonality, QKZ Khan has a rather U to V-shaped sound signature (in most tracks that I've tested) in which it matches the preferences of the library tracks of HBB which comprises some old school hip-hop, classic rock and pop. Being warmish and fun sounding gives a more analogue-ish and organic sound on those tracks and QKZ Khan have these tonal traits.
Here are some of my observations on its overall sound quality.
LOWS/BASS:
Vigorous! That's my initial impression when I listened to this set. It has a vigorous bass that delivers a good slam, whack and authority. Like almost all HBB collaboration products, bass is the most prominent one as it gives a robust sound on bass-focus instruments.
Sub bass does have that deep reverberating and rumble sound that is quite comparable on a bassy speaker that I've listened to in the past . That delivers a striking guttural sound coming up from low toned bass guitars, synthesisers and electronic drum machines from some tracks that I listen to from my favourite music genres like classic rock, synth-pop and old school hip-hop.
Mid bass has a textured, heft and viscosity that gives a sound definition on bass-centric instruments and deep vocals. Bass guitars really growls on this one as it has this weight and resonant sound, bass drum kick seems to have this thunderous and rumbling sound and bass trumpets have full and resonant sound on either Ska music or orchestral piece. Vocals like bass-baritones appear to have darker, guttural and fuller vocals like Barry White which has that distinct sexy and irresistible one.
Seems like that Khan has a noticeable boominess that gives an apparent warm sound quality but at the same time a tad bass bleeding.
MIDRANGE:
Like all HBB's collaboration tuning, it has a notched midrange response that gives a more distant and less prominent sound on some vocals especially on females and woodwinds instruments and in the overall frequency spectrum. Despite those evident issues, it still exhibits linear, warm and yet smooth characteristics.
With its added warmth, it focuses on the texture of the male vocals rather than female ones. Baritone's vocals have a rich and fuller sound but in some cases it sounds a bit rather a tad mild in my ears similar to the vocal textures in most countertenors singers on which has warmer and soothing sound. Lyrical tenors have a sufficient strength to sound deeply emotive and "heroic" as I listen to some singers in the tenor range like Freddie Mercury (I know, I know he is a baritone…), Paul McCartney and Justin Timberlake. The robust tenor singers like Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Andrea Bocelli have a fuller, brassy and rich sound to give an authority and power in our listening experience. Meanwhile on female vocals, it gives more emphasis on contralto singers which have those obvious characteristics are smoky, hefty (for a female vocal pitch) and deep like Tracy Chapman and Toni Braxton. On mezzo-sopranos to sopranos vocal range, The Khan sounds not that enticing on this range as it has the lack of being bright, energetic and detailed as it sounds rather too velvety and musky in my liking.
The sound characteristics of instruments are focused more on percussive and brass ones as they are more pronounced in the overall midrange presentation. Percussives like toms and field drums have a boomy and sonorous sound then snares drums have this palpable dry and hard sound in every hit and strike. Pianos have a rather warmer, rich and velvety sound that reminds me of some antique German pianos. Brass instruments like trombones and trumpets have this fuller, warm and dark sound which gives a more "dramatic and majestic" sound on orchestras. Horn sounds a bit rounded and muffled as it has an inadequacy of being fuller and warmer sound. As for woodwinds, flutes sound more soft, mellow and aspirating as they lack an airy and ethereal sounding while saxophones are rather earthy, plaintive and sombre yet mellow and veiled which are comparable to the sound and timbre of bass clarinets. Strings like guitars are rather on warmer and buttery sound as it doesn't give you a crisp and lingering sound that most acoustics guitars are tuned in that aspect while violins have calm and austere sound in my liking as I want a more lively and vibrant sound as it gives a more expressive sound.
To be honest this is not my preferred midrange presentation but if you have similar sound preferences with HBB then this will suit your listening experience well.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
At first impression, it seems that it is dark sounding but when I listen to it carefully, it's rather balanced treble. There is a substantial peak on the upper mids and then a gradual steep within the presence treble region according to my hearing perception that will give a laid-back and smoothness in presentation that treble sensitives will like this tuning positively. There is no hint of sibilance and jarring but it gives a less detail and sounds distant and subdued in my liking.
Cymbals sound rather lustrous and soughing that it has a lack of shimmer and sizzle which give an insufficient air and sparkle on the brilliance region. Hi-hats have shortened dry resonant and buzzing sound as it is natural timbre.
With its safe treble tuning, it has a double-edge sword. For sure that it give you a more pleasant and relaxed casual listening experience but due to its laid back nature, it will not give you that analytical listening experience due to subdued and less detailed sound.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
Definitely not the strongest asset of QKZ Khan as its technical capabilities are rather middling and average that it doesn't have a standout feature.
In Sound/Speaker stage dimensions. It has a relatively average size on wideness, a decent height reach and at least a good depth which gives me an average spatial sense within my headstage.
Imaging capability is sort of a typical 2-D stereo panning that I was able to locate the placement of instruments and vocals but not in the most accurate way. It has a decent separation as the elements have acceptable gaps and spacing. Layering aspects are rather mediocre as it does have an indistinctive order in the sonic canvas on both frequency and dynamics layering that will be more problematic on complex, multi instrumental tracks.
Coherency is quite commendable as there is a sense of cohesive performance of its dual drivers to deliver faster transients and decays.
Resolution capability is rather middling on this one. It has a solid and firm macro-dynamics but on micro-detailing are rather blunted and less sharp definition that it has difficulty on displaying the subtle and nuance elements on the overall sonic frequency spectrum. Timbre is rather on the subdued, organic side of tonality.
PEER COMPARISONS:
I only have a few IEMs with Dual DD set-up and they are older ones.
KZ DQ6S
■ This is somewhat a collaboration project of HBB with KZ but due to some unfortunate circumstances, he distances himself on this one. DQ6S has triple dynamic drivers on its internals in a polycarbonate plastic shell. It also uses a QDC-type 2-pin connector which KZ mostly implemented this kind of shell.
■ Like all HBB's tuning, DQ6S has a warm V-shaped sound signature. It also has well-bodied and authoritative bass, a warm and recessed mids and smooth laidback treble response. DQ6S has a noticeable sibilance and hiss on some sibilant-laden tracks which makes the Khan a bit better on this one.
■ DQ6S have rather average and mundane technical performances from soundstage to layering like the Khan. But it is slightly better in detail retrieval as it has a decent sharper definition to exhibit some nuances and shades on the background of the sonic spectrum.
To end my assessment about the QKZ X HBB Khan, like all HBB's collaborations in the entry-level segment. They all have these characteristics; a warm, fun and inoffensive sounding that will suit better on casual listening rather than for critical listening.
As an audio enthusiast like myself who loves a more neutral, better tonal balanced and very technical IEM, this is certainly not my ideal tuning and technical capability on how I describe its tonality and technical aspects. This set will be more suitable to bassheads and casual listeners who want some improvements from their usual preferred tuning on which I think it more logical to endorse it. If you are looking a more authoritative and impact bass response that gives a lively and vibrant sound in your life then QKZ Khan is absolutely for you.
Here are some reviews of HBB's collaboration sets, you can check them out and compare:
You can order the QKZ X HBB Khan at LINSOUL, you can check the link HERE.
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: QKZ X HBB KHAN
IMPEDANCE: 10Ω
SENSITIVITY: 117dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 39.5KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: QDC TYPE 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (2) DYNAMIC DRIVERS
PROS:
△ Its shell are quite solid and durable therefore it has a good build quality that QKZ should be proud of.
△ A plastic IEM case is a good addition especially for its pricing.
△ Has good passive noise isolation.
△ Bass for Bass God….ahemm a vigorous and visceral bass response that bassheads will love.
△ Non-offensive tuning due to smoothened upper mids to presence treble.
△ Sufficiently clean sounding midrange.
△ Warm and smooth sound profile that can be considered as a "natural" sounding which is probably closer to analogue-ish tonality. (Subjective)
CONS:
▽ Resolution quality are rather sub-par in my liking as it seems to have a blunted definition, consequently an inferior detail retrieval.
▽ Most technical capabilities of this set are mediocre and lacklustre.
▽ Not the best stock cable for its price range.
▽ Recessed midrange ( I am a mid-centric listener)
▽ Insufficient amount of treble air and sparkle.
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 *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
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 send my gratitude to LINSOUL especially to MS. KAREENA TANG for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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