KZ EDC PRO: KZ's New Take For Budget Hi-Fi Set
Oi! mates, we have another review article for month and we have here is a latest product from KZ .
KNOWLEDGE ZENITH, also known as KZ, is still one of the most influential audio companies from Mainland China and they already leave an indelible mark in the audio community whether we love them or hate them. But we should be aware of their major contribution on delivering an affordable set for the masses to hear a hi-fi experience without breaking your bank.
I did some reviews on their ED series before and now, they released their latest entry-level budget IEM earphone, The KZ EDC PRO. This model seems to follow the EDC lineage which usually has a single driver set-up and non-detachable cable.
As I mentioned a while ago that this set has single driver configuration, it utilises the latest generation of XUN dynamic driver which is a 10mm dual structure design to improve its responsive, less distortion and dynamic range performance for better bass quality, clear and vivid midrange and better clarity and definition on its treble response.
Then the driver was encased in a clear polycarbonate shell chassis in a modified UIEM-type shape profile. It has a rather minimalist yet classy look on its overall design that makes it an eye-pleasing one. This one of the rare KZ sets since the KZ ZSN that uses a NX7-type 2-pin connector which is also previously used on older KZ sets prior to the KZ ZSN.
As usual, this set still uses the typical KZ stock cable and it is composed of OFC strands on its parallel and insulated pattern cable wiring on its cable with an elbow 3.5mm single-ended termination plug. Additionally, for its fitting and comfort, the EDC PRO rest well into my lugholes and and it gives a good seal for better passive noise isolation from outside surroundings.
The product packaging of this one is already expected as KZ is already known for its simplicity in its presentation on its packaging box with its sparse and basic contents.
These are the following contents inside of its packaging box:
- Pair of KZ EDC PRO IEM transducers
- Stock cable
- KZ Starline ear tips (small and large)
- Warranty/ Q.C. Card
This set is quite sensitive that it can be driven by devices with a usual standard normal gain-level power output. With an optimal power output, this set will deliver a sufficient audio quality which is a very dynamic and a full-range sounding one.
As for its tuning profile, it has a V-shaped sound signature with more noticeable emphasis on low and high frequencies. It seems it's tonality aligned towards more on balanced to bright tonality.
LOWS/BASS:
The bass response of this set is relatively well-balanced on how it presents both the sub bass and mid bass parts on this set. Therefore, this set delivers a punchy, rumbly and tactual bass response that will be enough for bass-driven tracks.
It has a clear reverberating and rumbling sub bass presence from instruments like low tuned bass guitars and double basses, synthesisers and drum machines. Mid bass have an adequate texture that benefits the note density of some instruments and male vocals. Treble-clef instruments like bass guitars, double bass and bass kick drums have these sombre, resonant and thudding sound respectively while male vocal types like bass and bass-baritones have a deep resonance on their vocals but it has a less darker timbre.
MIDRANGE:
The midrange presentation of this one is noticeable in a notched presentation on its overall frequency range but it doesn't sound lean and hollow as it has an ample warmth into it for better depth and volume for some male vocals and a natural and rich sound on instruments. It is also noted to have some energy and sheen on its midrange profile which is more conducive for some female vocals and instruments particularly on strings and woodwinds.
On male vocals, baritones have smooth sound while tenors have its brassy nature on their vocals, and countertenors have expressive vocal quality on their unusual vocal characteristics. And then on female vocals, a rich and smoky sound of contraltos, a velvety yet fiery sound on mezzo-sopranos and then, a creamy and bright sound on sopranos. But there are some cases in which I felt that some track vocals that I've tested on this set appear to be less articulate, less coherent and less defined notes for vocalisations.
As for instruments, strings like guitars, cellos and violins have these buttery, solemn and lively sounds respectively. On woodwind instruments, piccolos have a whistling sound, concert flutes have silvery sound, clarinets have menacing sound and saxophones have a reedy and lively characteristic. The brass instruments like trumpets, trombones and horns, correspondingly in order, sound rounded, eruptive and ponderous. Then on percussives, a resonant sound on tom-toms, hard and bright sounding snare drums, and a resonant and rumbling sound on ketteldrums. Apparently the pianos have balanced to bright sounds as they sound pleasant and warm but there's a hint of metallic sound and like my observation on some vocal tracks, it also has less articulate sound.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The tuning of this one is on the brighter side tuning as it has a shimmering and gleaming treble response due to accentuated upper-mids up to the presence part of the treble region. On some instances, if you try to crank up the volume level, there's a hint of sibilance, shrillness and piercing sound but on the low listening level, those characteristics were kept under control.
The brilliance section of the treble region has an intense sparkle but its treble extension is rather modest. Cymbals strikes have a metallic sound, hi-hats have a short buzzing sound, glockenspiels have glistening and piercing sound, and celestas have a shimmering sound.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
The perceived sound/speaker stage dimension is quiet on the average size as it has a median lateral span, decent height reach and good depth on it. On its stereo imaging, it presents a rather linear two-dimensional stereo presentation in less defined layered soundscape where I was able to panned out some placements of instruments and vocals but not in the most accurate manner.
Coherency of its driver performance is excellent on these XUN dynamic drivers are known for its fast transient response, less distorted and dynamic capabilities. On resolution capability, it is seemingly that it has solid macro-dynamics but on its micro-dynamics, its micro-detail wasn't that sharp on definition to extract more details that I rate it a merely average on its performance.
PEER COMPARISONS:
KZ MERGA
- A bit pricey compared to EDC PRO
- It has a dual dynamic driver configuration.
- Still uses a QDC-type 2-pin connector.
- It has a more V-shaped sound profile.
- Compared to EDC PRO, it's more of a sub bass-focused with hollowed bass response, a recessed, leaner and more energetic midrange, and a brighter and more sibilant-prone and shrilly treble response although it has more air.
- On technical capabilities, this one has a tad wider sound/speaker stage and somehow more resolving.
7Hz AERO
- It has a more compact design.
- It also uses the latest generation of dynamic drivers.
- Non-detachable cable
- More choices of ear tips to choose from.
- It has a U-shaped sound signature with warmish-balanced tonality into it.
- It has more tactile bass response, warm and richer midrange and smooth, balanced and inoffensive treble response compared to EDC PRO.
- This one also has similar technical performance with the EDC PRO from sound/speaker stage size up to the resolution capabilities.
KZ once again proved themselves as the king of budget entry-level sets as they are able to deliver a cheaply priced product yet it has some good acceptable tuning quality with solid build quality that will put some smiling faces on some listeners who are in the transitioning phase from casual type to the aspiring audio enthusiast. The EDC PRO has a pleasing and agreeable sound profile will be a good starting recommendation if someone is looking for a versatile sound profile for their listening session.
KZ EDC PRO is now available to all e-commerce platforms and I will provide an non-affiliated link below.
LINK:
https://kz-audio.com/kz-edc-pro.html
For more KZ product reviews, just click the product links down.
[ATTACH=full]4802600[/ATTACH]
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: KZ EDC PRO
IMPEDANCE: 23.5Ω
SENSITIVITY: 108dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: KZ TYPE-B/NX7-TYPE 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.75MM)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER
PROS:
● A very affordable option for budget-conscious audio enthusiasts.
● Fairly solid build plastic shell chassis.
● Finally, KZ ditches the QDC-type 2-pin connector on this one for a more reliable Type-B/NX7-type 2-pin connector.
● Can be amplified by devices with a usual normal gain output rating.
● Fun and engaging tuning.
● Punchy and slamming bass response.
● Smooth, warm and rich midrange presentation.
● Lustrous and gleaming treble response.
● Good for some major popular music genres like pop, rock and r&b.
CONS:
● Too coloured sounding for neutral heads.
● Listening for a long session at a loud volume level isn't highly recommended for this set as we will encounter some sibilance, slight harshness and piercing sound.
● Less articulate and a bit veiled vocal quality.
● Not the most resolving one in terms of resolution capability for a budget entry-level set.
● Technical performance of this one is rather insignificant but this is a budget set so this is rather my personal nitpicking.
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*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to 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 send my gratitude to TYVAN LAM of KZ/CCA for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate his generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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