TLDR - Just buy it. Buy one of each, the KZ SAGA Balanced and the KZ SAGA Bass Enhanced version. They cost less than $15 each. KZ is on a mission, and with these, they have arrived. I own a few other of their products, but this is on a whole new level, hard to believe what I am hearing.
Only way one can explain it - is - you get one for yourself, they are about the least expensive well designed IEM's ever. And form your own impressions. They are well worth the investment, even if you have other IEMs you may still prefer, as they represent a whole new attainment by the KZ stable.
Now to the full blown tale.
Hello - I just received my SAGA Balanced yesterday, and I am still forming impressions. After a few hours, here are my thoughts.
I normally do not care about cosmetics. But I have to say something about this. It is best looking KZ/CCA IEM I own. Looks really sleek, shiny reflective painted metal. Really Really nice looking.
Fit : I find them relatively small shells, that insert into the ear canal very well, one of the best fits ever, and are not heavy in the ear, and for me I could wear them all day with ease. Then the usual fear of metal shells, cold, does not happen with these, I think cos of the coating with which the metal is painted - The surface is so reflective, so it is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, but that is unavoidable. The shape provides a solid "handle" for inserting into the ear, very easy to remove and put back in.
Sound fitting : I find that for me, none of the tips fit, my canal is larger than most, and this is a constant issue with ALL KZ/CCA IEM's - the black eartips supplied - even the largest of them does not provide a good enough seal for me. So this has a massive impact on the bass, making them sound tinny. This happens with all KZ/CCA IEMs, with the black tips.
So I had to do some tip rolling, The best so far has been the TRI Clarion Large, which provide a pretty good fit, without being tight, I do wish there was a size larger than the TRI Clarion Large - just a bit larger, for a slightly tighter fit/isolation. But with the TRI Clarion's, I get some bass back and the treble does not feel so excessive.
Huge lesson, any impression anyone gives about an IEM, is massively affected by the fit. I can imagine that those who do not know much about eartips, who have larger ear canals, will complain about the sound of many KZ/CCA IEMs. In my experience, they are always improved by using better fitting eartips.
Over the ownership of the SAGA, I will continue to examine the potential for improvements in the fit. This is an ongoing process, one has to do in the IEM world, if one has larger canals, than the majority of the population, which are not well served by the stock IEMs. Eartips can totally change the frequency response of an IEM, in one's ears. The TRI Clarions, boost the bass to make them more audible, but not boomy, and attenuate the high frequencies, almost like having a tilt EQ, or EQ that simulates a "room curve". Those who do speaker/room correction will be familiar with this.
Now to the sound of the SAGA.
Once I got a good enough fit, I have not heard anything like this, ever. It is very hard to describe. How can an IEM be all of the following :
1. Crystal clear
2. Snappy
3. Full Frequency, from the highest highest highs, to the deepest lows. For the price - Less than $20, more like about $13 or $14 when on sale, I think everyone needs to buy this, and be introduced to something they have never heard. No area of the frequencies, step on any other. You hear everything, and I mean everything, clearly. The usual skew towards high frequencies, that you find on some IEM's, such as the Libra X, that seemingly make things clearer, is not here. In comparison, the high frequencies are well managed.
It is a bright IEM, It is a forward IEM, but it begs the question, what are you listening to. This IEM, was showing me how bright some of the music I listen to, actually is. If you listen to music which is better produced, gone are the apparent harshness and brightness. At the end of the day, I concluded, this IEM has been the best, to tell me and show me exactly what was in the music. I could hear the texture of each element in the music, so much better, not just hear the element, but also hear the processing that was applied to each element. I'm an audio/music mixing engineer. I could so easily hear elements such as compression and distortion, and reverb, and stereo placement and virtual depth, in the mix.
This device, portrayed a good attribute of distinguishing tracks from each other, and elements in the track. Yet not separating them out into a disconnected mess. Everything still hangs together. I use crossfeed, so I can adjust my stereo width to taste.
4. Revealing - it will take a while for the ears to get used to this new reality, Now I listen at even lower volumes, and this is me, who already listens quietly, but now I have to lower my listening volume even more, cos I can hear so so clearly even at the lowest volumes. This is an extremely revealing IEM, phenomenally revealing.
5. Vocals - Just one word - Stunning, Absolutely stunning, unbelievably stunning, you hear vocals front and center, with the utmost of ease. If the vocal was well mixed, you hear it with way too much ease, without it being sibilant, or jarring to the ear. Super clear vocals. Spoken voice on adverts, e.g on Spotify, sound extremely natural, and very very clear, without being harsh in any way.
6. Transient Response - Super tight, from every hit of a drum, to high hats, very tight. Guitar strums, lead guitars, vocals, keys, it is a fantastic result, this is the best IEM I have heard. This has dethroned the ARTTI T10, with ease. In comparison, the ARTTI T10 now sounds muffled, and imprecise. The pianos on the SAGA, are pin sharp. Piano is one of the most difficult instruments to reproduce accurately, cos it has a huge frequency span.
For those on a budget, and those who can afford to spend more, just get the SAGA and if you can - get both the SAGA Balanced as well as the SAGA Bass, at the same time. When I have a bit of spare disposable cash, I will still get the SAGA Bass version, just to "see" if maybe I prefer that one. At the price these are available for, it is definitely worth spending a bit more and getting both versions of the SAGA.
I would say - whatever IEM you own, just buy at least one SAGA - Balanced or Bass Enhanced version. You cannot go wrong with this.
The big problem, is that at first it will sound strange, but after you go back and forth with your other IEM's especially the other budget IEMs you own, you realize the others have been like lying mirrors, and the SAGA is telling you the truth, at least more truth than these other IEMs.
I own the 7Hz Zero 2, and the SAGA dispatched the Zero 2, with ease, no contest. This is so much better than the Zero 2., in every way. Fits better, looks better, is less expensive, sounds better. And it also overtook my ARTTI T10,. This is a giant killer IEM. Sounding better than IEM's 5 times it's price. The ARTTI is the most expensive IEM I own, and the SAGA is easily better. Now I have to live with buyer's remorse, on my Zero 2 and ARTTI T10. That's a lot of money I have spent, down the drain. But that is this hobby, initially one has to spend some money "learning".
This is a very good IEM. I can imagine that its value continues to appreciate as I hear more audio, through it. KZ - well done. Very well done. Yes it took a while, to get here, and many of us have invested in so many other KZ IEM's but this is definitely worth - going out again and spending on this one. This is the one we have been waiting for.
Just buy one, and learn what your music and audio was supposed to sound like.
I shave off a small bit of the high end EQ, when listening, as a bit of a safety net, more psychological than needed. Just to please myself. The IEM probably does not need it, but old habits die hard.
All manner of adjectives or descriptive words come to mind - Precise, Accurate, Pin Point, Detail, Resolution, Clarity, True. I feel I can now finally rest, and just enjoy my music and audio. No more searching.
No more temptations. I've already spent enough on things like the ARTTI T10, and the Zero 2, which I will no longer use, so this hobby has a cost, each better IEM one discovers, creates more of a pile of IEMs which are no longer used. I'll keep these others, cos I can't bear to give them away, also I need them for comparison purposes. The only way to know how good an IEM is, is to compare with others. So there will be "loss", from the losers in the IEM race.
Clearly, at some point in time, when the price comes down, I am encouraged to buy the KZ Zenith.
The KZ SAGA taught me - driver technology - such as planar magnetic, or dynamic, or whatever is not the most important issue. This single dynamic driver IEM, took out my cherished, revered ARTTI T10, with ease., and dismissed the Zero 2, that I had also loved so much. So clearly it's about the implementation. A single DD, can sound amazing, if well implemented.
Furthermore, there is no relationship between IEM quality and cost.
Only way one can explain it - is - you get one for yourself, they are about the least expensive well designed IEM's ever. And form your own impressions. They are well worth the investment, even if you have other IEMs you may still prefer, as they represent a whole new attainment by the KZ stable.
Now to the full blown tale.
Hello - I just received my SAGA Balanced yesterday, and I am still forming impressions. After a few hours, here are my thoughts.
I normally do not care about cosmetics. But I have to say something about this. It is best looking KZ/CCA IEM I own. Looks really sleek, shiny reflective painted metal. Really Really nice looking.
Fit : I find them relatively small shells, that insert into the ear canal very well, one of the best fits ever, and are not heavy in the ear, and for me I could wear them all day with ease. Then the usual fear of metal shells, cold, does not happen with these, I think cos of the coating with which the metal is painted - The surface is so reflective, so it is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, but that is unavoidable. The shape provides a solid "handle" for inserting into the ear, very easy to remove and put back in.
Sound fitting : I find that for me, none of the tips fit, my canal is larger than most, and this is a constant issue with ALL KZ/CCA IEM's - the black eartips supplied - even the largest of them does not provide a good enough seal for me. So this has a massive impact on the bass, making them sound tinny. This happens with all KZ/CCA IEMs, with the black tips.
So I had to do some tip rolling, The best so far has been the TRI Clarion Large, which provide a pretty good fit, without being tight, I do wish there was a size larger than the TRI Clarion Large - just a bit larger, for a slightly tighter fit/isolation. But with the TRI Clarion's, I get some bass back and the treble does not feel so excessive.
Huge lesson, any impression anyone gives about an IEM, is massively affected by the fit. I can imagine that those who do not know much about eartips, who have larger ear canals, will complain about the sound of many KZ/CCA IEMs. In my experience, they are always improved by using better fitting eartips.
Over the ownership of the SAGA, I will continue to examine the potential for improvements in the fit. This is an ongoing process, one has to do in the IEM world, if one has larger canals, than the majority of the population, which are not well served by the stock IEMs. Eartips can totally change the frequency response of an IEM, in one's ears. The TRI Clarions, boost the bass to make them more audible, but not boomy, and attenuate the high frequencies, almost like having a tilt EQ, or EQ that simulates a "room curve". Those who do speaker/room correction will be familiar with this.
Now to the sound of the SAGA.
Once I got a good enough fit, I have not heard anything like this, ever. It is very hard to describe. How can an IEM be all of the following :
1. Crystal clear
2. Snappy
3. Full Frequency, from the highest highest highs, to the deepest lows. For the price - Less than $20, more like about $13 or $14 when on sale, I think everyone needs to buy this, and be introduced to something they have never heard. No area of the frequencies, step on any other. You hear everything, and I mean everything, clearly. The usual skew towards high frequencies, that you find on some IEM's, such as the Libra X, that seemingly make things clearer, is not here. In comparison, the high frequencies are well managed.
It is a bright IEM, It is a forward IEM, but it begs the question, what are you listening to. This IEM, was showing me how bright some of the music I listen to, actually is. If you listen to music which is better produced, gone are the apparent harshness and brightness. At the end of the day, I concluded, this IEM has been the best, to tell me and show me exactly what was in the music. I could hear the texture of each element in the music, so much better, not just hear the element, but also hear the processing that was applied to each element. I'm an audio/music mixing engineer. I could so easily hear elements such as compression and distortion, and reverb, and stereo placement and virtual depth, in the mix.
This device, portrayed a good attribute of distinguishing tracks from each other, and elements in the track. Yet not separating them out into a disconnected mess. Everything still hangs together. I use crossfeed, so I can adjust my stereo width to taste.
4. Revealing - it will take a while for the ears to get used to this new reality, Now I listen at even lower volumes, and this is me, who already listens quietly, but now I have to lower my listening volume even more, cos I can hear so so clearly even at the lowest volumes. This is an extremely revealing IEM, phenomenally revealing.
5. Vocals - Just one word - Stunning, Absolutely stunning, unbelievably stunning, you hear vocals front and center, with the utmost of ease. If the vocal was well mixed, you hear it with way too much ease, without it being sibilant, or jarring to the ear. Super clear vocals. Spoken voice on adverts, e.g on Spotify, sound extremely natural, and very very clear, without being harsh in any way.
6. Transient Response - Super tight, from every hit of a drum, to high hats, very tight. Guitar strums, lead guitars, vocals, keys, it is a fantastic result, this is the best IEM I have heard. This has dethroned the ARTTI T10, with ease. In comparison, the ARTTI T10 now sounds muffled, and imprecise. The pianos on the SAGA, are pin sharp. Piano is one of the most difficult instruments to reproduce accurately, cos it has a huge frequency span.
For those on a budget, and those who can afford to spend more, just get the SAGA and if you can - get both the SAGA Balanced as well as the SAGA Bass, at the same time. When I have a bit of spare disposable cash, I will still get the SAGA Bass version, just to "see" if maybe I prefer that one. At the price these are available for, it is definitely worth spending a bit more and getting both versions of the SAGA.
I would say - whatever IEM you own, just buy at least one SAGA - Balanced or Bass Enhanced version. You cannot go wrong with this.
The big problem, is that at first it will sound strange, but after you go back and forth with your other IEM's especially the other budget IEMs you own, you realize the others have been like lying mirrors, and the SAGA is telling you the truth, at least more truth than these other IEMs.
I own the 7Hz Zero 2, and the SAGA dispatched the Zero 2, with ease, no contest. This is so much better than the Zero 2., in every way. Fits better, looks better, is less expensive, sounds better. And it also overtook my ARTTI T10,. This is a giant killer IEM. Sounding better than IEM's 5 times it's price. The ARTTI is the most expensive IEM I own, and the SAGA is easily better. Now I have to live with buyer's remorse, on my Zero 2 and ARTTI T10. That's a lot of money I have spent, down the drain. But that is this hobby, initially one has to spend some money "learning".
This is a very good IEM. I can imagine that its value continues to appreciate as I hear more audio, through it. KZ - well done. Very well done. Yes it took a while, to get here, and many of us have invested in so many other KZ IEM's but this is definitely worth - going out again and spending on this one. This is the one we have been waiting for.
Just buy one, and learn what your music and audio was supposed to sound like.
I shave off a small bit of the high end EQ, when listening, as a bit of a safety net, more psychological than needed. Just to please myself. The IEM probably does not need it, but old habits die hard.
All manner of adjectives or descriptive words come to mind - Precise, Accurate, Pin Point, Detail, Resolution, Clarity, True. I feel I can now finally rest, and just enjoy my music and audio. No more searching.
No more temptations. I've already spent enough on things like the ARTTI T10, and the Zero 2, which I will no longer use, so this hobby has a cost, each better IEM one discovers, creates more of a pile of IEMs which are no longer used. I'll keep these others, cos I can't bear to give them away, also I need them for comparison purposes. The only way to know how good an IEM is, is to compare with others. So there will be "loss", from the losers in the IEM race.
Clearly, at some point in time, when the price comes down, I am encouraged to buy the KZ Zenith.
The KZ SAGA taught me - driver technology - such as planar magnetic, or dynamic, or whatever is not the most important issue. This single dynamic driver IEM, took out my cherished, revered ARTTI T10, with ease., and dismissed the Zero 2, that I had also loved so much. So clearly it's about the implementation. A single DD, can sound amazing, if well implemented.
Furthermore, there is no relationship between IEM quality and cost.