Best 'Bang for your buck' IEM - Poll

[muza_1]

I like EDC Pro a lot. If Saga balanced is better or not remains to be seen IMO. Less bass and slightly less treble sounds good on one hand. On the other hand the U-shaped mids that work well with EDC Pros elevated bass might come off as colored when the bass levels are more moderate. Also the shell is different and this may cause some fitment-related FR differences not reflected by the graph.

After listening to the Saga outdoors and in a more noisy environment for a time I noticed that I was listening a bit louder than usual, I think you are right it could do with a couple more dBs of bass, I just ordered the Bass Enhanced version for outdoors and lower volume use, the Balanced is fine for indoors and quiet environments.

Also this is one of the few IEM in which the sound doesn't feel enclosed in my head is not that the sound is huge but is bigger than what I'm used to and it feels open and not as flat as it usually does I think the design favors my HRTF/ear canal shape or it might be something to do with the semi open design (Edit. isolation suffers for it).

 

[USER]

KZ Saga Balanced and FiiO JD10 measurements

There was some confusion but it seems that I was sent the correct IEMs.

Unfortunately I was sent the KZ Saga Bass Improved version. There is nothing in the packaging that distinguishes the version so there will be some mix-ups with these. I'll have to try again.

Here's a comparison to Paul Wasabii's results. Based on other measurements at the point of this update it seems that PW's are the balanced version as well.

For whatever its worth I see some channel imbalance on other results and here are some additional comparisons.


Here are my unofficial distortion measurements. Left and right channels. I do have confidence in the resonances being there, which is why I post these.

I haven't done extensive listening, but they sound like the EDC Pros, which sound good to me, though with a bit too much bass for my taste. I am eager to try out the balanced version as they seem really well tuned to me. The metal body is really nice and while not narrow they don't stick out of my ears as some other KZ/CCA do. I am personally not a fan of those KZ tips and I'll measure these with Moondrop Spring Tips later on. I'd say that the build quality is excellent, but that resonance prevents me from committing to that statement as it is clear there is room for improvement of the internals. But at the price point it is hard to complain as I don't think I can hear the issue. That said, I do like the looks of the ECD Pros as well even though they are plastic and so the extra $5 or so may or may not be worth it to you if you are looking at the bass version. I am hoping the balanced version ends up being comparable to how I use the CCA Trios (adjusted with EQ), which I consider excellent sounding.

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FiiO JD10 (Black version). They are not repackaged KZ EDC Pros.

Edit: There is a version of these IEMs that comes with a USB/DAC cable and EQ app and the yellow is the "Harman" (2007 v1? v2?) response. The EQ setting appears to flatten out the V-shape, which is an improvement for sure.

Similar resonances. I'm going to call it the KZ resonance as I am sure they manufactured the IEMs.

I really don't like these. The best way I can describe them is strangely hollow and bloated. I think it is a combination of modestly diminished highs in the most audible region and the sharp V-shaped curve at the midband creating a sense of suck-out between 500-1000Hz. They sound off-balanced and it is very noticeable. I do like the tips though!!

 

[muza_1]

Unfortunately I was sent the KZ Saga Bass Improved version. There is nothing in the packaging that distinguishes the version so there will be some mix-ups with these. I'll have to try again.

Still waiting on my Bass version I hope I don't end with two balanced sets. I think in the package the ones marked as "silver cable" are the bass edition and the ones marked as "copper cable" are the Balanced (just going by price of cable and IEM).

 

[USER]

Still waiting on my Bass version I hope I don't end with two balanced sets. I think in the package the ones marked as "silver cable" are the bass edition and the ones marked as "copper cable" are the Balanced (just going by price of cable and IEM).

Unfortunately google translate doesn't show anything helpful.

 

[muza_1]

View attachment 401353

Unfortunately google translate doesn't show anything helpful.

Mine look the same but when comparing them with the EDC Pro the Saga has less bass, the Bass versions (from another vendor) is arriving today I'll check the box markings and sound and report back, it would be a shame if they are sending it or worse marking the boxes at random.

 

[USER]

Mine look the same but when comparing them with the EDC Pro the Saga has less bass, the Bass versions (from another vendor) is arriving today I'll check the box markings and sound and report back, it would be a shame if they are sending it or worse marking the boxes at random.

I just saw this as I was throwing away the wrapper. Yikes. Something seems to have gone wrong at the factory. I'm going to try ordering the Balanced Version with Mic in case these were wrongly packaged.

 

[muza_1]

I just saw this as I was throwing away the wrapper. Yikes.

Not a good sing, unfortunately I threw the wrapper without checking, I guess I'm finding out in a few hours.

The JD10 measurements don't look promising, I think like you I'm not going to like it.

I also ordered the TRN MT5 for $8 and I think for the price it is a much better alternative to the Fiio and for so many others.
I think the MT5 is just an Orca without switches (and way better looking) I quite like the Orca and if the MT5 sounds the same I think is going to be difficult to beat at the price.

 

[markanini]

The intrigue never stops with KZ, hehe.

 

[mc.god]

When a company decides to produce the same model in different variants, putting some kind of identifier directly on the iems body should be mandatory.

 

[muza_1]

When a company decides to produce the same model in different variants, putting some kind of identifier directly on the iems body should be mandatory.

Yes, they also could do the same as they do with other models, different color or termination (matte vs shiny).

 

[muza_1]

Well the Saga Bass Enhanced arrived and to add to the intrigue...

...this pair came correctly marked and the bass is noticeably more so I guess the first one was indeed the Balanced one.


They look Identical.

I'm experiencing condensations problems when I use them while walking and is not humid nor hot or cold here, I'm going to try a few more times maybe with different tips (not that I think it matters) just in case if not they are relegated to indoor use, still they are a really good tuned IEM for me.

 

[mc.god]

Well the Saga Bass Enhanced arrived and to add to the intrigue...
View attachment 401571
...this pair came correctly marked and the bass is noticeably more so I guess the first one was indeed the Balanced one.

View attachment 401573
They look Identical.

I'm experiencing condensations problems when I use them while walking and is not humid nor hot or cold here, I'm going to try a few more times maybe with different tips (not that I think it matters) just in case if not they are relegated to indoor use, still they are a really good tuned IEM for me.

So lol, I'm imagining the poor packaging boy at KZ trying to sort them out to put into the boxes and then trowing them inside at random.

 

[muza_1]

I noticed that there is a difference in sensitivity, the Bass Enhanced* is more sensible, I think they make both versions by changing the impedance because the bass version also has a bit more of treble. That makes it more difficult to compare but I think the difference in bass is about 2-3dB.
Bass version is really close to the EDC Pro like @USER said.

EDIT. After a bit more time listening I think the Saga Bass have more bass than the EDC Pro and the Saga Balanced just a little bit less but it might just be the presentation the Saga Balanced bass is a bit more clear (metal shell?).

*It's the same with the both Castor, Bass enhanced is more sensible too.

 

[muza_1]

Unfortunately I was sent the KZ Saga Bass Improved version.

After a bit more time listening I think you indeed have the Balanced version because the Bass Enhanced have more bass than the EDC Pro but I cannot be completely sure, is really difficult to compare especially when all have different sensibility and the difference in bass is just a few dB.

Also the package for my Balanced was marked the same as yours and after comparing it with the Bass Enhanced the difference is noticeable in sensitivity and bass.

I mostly use and trust yours and PW measurements but this site measured all three.

 

[mc.god]

And here we are with a new super cheap iteration, now instead of tuning switches or internal impedance they tuned them via different NOT DETACHABLE cables...

KZ Dawn

Well, at least the two version should be clearly identifiable now...


Paul Wasabi tested the Silver cable version ("less" bassy):

 

[USER]

I'm even more confused now. Our EDC Pros don't match. I fully trust Paul Wasabi's measurements so the copies we have do not match. Our Sagas match. And my EDC Pro more or less matches with my Saga as shown above.

I picked out another squig.link measurement at random and my EDC Pro matches it.

So PW has a different version. What a mess.

 

[muza_1]

And here we are with a new super cheap iteration, now instead of tuning switches or internal impedance they tuned them via different NOT DETACHABLE cables...

Why they do that to themselves, call it different tunings but "cable sound" really? Why open the doors to more criticism with this nonsense?

 

[muza_1]

I'm even more confused now. Our EDC Pros don't match. I fully trust Paul Wasabi's measurements so the copies we have do not match. Our Sagas match. And my EDC Pro more or less matches with my Saga as shown above.

View attachment 401667View attachment 401668

I picked out another squig.link measurement at random and my EDC Pro matches it.

View attachment 401669

So PW has a different version. What a mess.

I've noticed that in PW graphs bass is lower than others and to me it sounds correct, I don't really know but he might compensate for the 711 coupler bass response.

 

[USER]

And here we are with a new super cheap iteration, now instead of tuning switches or internal impedance they tuned them via different NOT DETACHABLE cables...

KZ Dawn

View attachment 401660

Making people believe that the cable is making a difference is slimy and only creates FUD and confusion. I think I'm going to take a break from KZ for a while. Pretty much everyone will release a great sub $10 set within a year so there's little incentive to overlook things like this.

 

[mc.god]

Anyway EDC Pro at less than 5€ deserves to be reported here

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007474346897.html