KZ ZS2

| 8 mm Driver | 6.8 mm Driver |

? KZ has a huge collection of earphones (and still growing) the ZS models have a couple of generations already on the market, the ZS2 is the 2nd generation of this line. Not much has changed from the 1st generation regarding technical specifications, the ZS1 and the ZS2 hold inside a 8mm dynamic driver that takes care of bass response and a 6.8mm responsible of reproducing mid and high frequencies.

the ZS2 hold inside a 8mm dynamic driver that takes care of bass response and a 6.8mm responsible of reproducing mid and high frequencies

The cable is supposed to be used above and around the ears like many custom or sport earphones, they are memory cables (meaning that they hold the shape) but not exceptionally. The next generation of the ZS line, the KZ ZS3 , has much more improved the memory wire quality and holds much better the shape in place.

The cable is rubberized and like a very dark coloured version of the KZ ATE, KZ ED9, KZ EDR2, KZ HDS3 cable.

As with most of KZ earphones you can always choose a version with an inline microphone and one-button control or one without neither of them. It is nice to have this option as not everybody wants a microphone/button hanging from the cable and/or gives also the option to save some cash as the non microphone/button versions always cost a little bit less. KZ sells the KZ ZS2 model only in blue if you prefer a classic black colour you have to get either the ZS1 or the ZN1 models.

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KZ ZS2 - Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

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Accessories & Packaging

Inside the box you get just 2 extra eartips. Packaging is way too simple, a small dark cardboard box that barely fits the earphones with the extra eartips.

^6_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The KZ ZS2 have a dual dynamic driver configuration, being the 8mm dynamic driver the responsible of reproducing bass and sub-bass. Bass and sub-bass impact is good with the ZS2; bass is punchy, strong and gets deep making electronic and pop music fun to listen to. Despite producing sub-bass with good depth the KZ ZST has much more sub-bass depth in comparison.

Bass and sub-bass impact is good with the ZS2; bass is punchy, strong and gets deep

So far bass response seems to be perfect with the KZ ZS2 but they do have a problem that sometimes bassy earphones suffer from… bass bleeding. Bass bleeds into the mid frequencies and kills them. Sub-bass impact gets really serious if you are into equalizing and amplifying. When playing around with an equalizer and an amplifier you will be amazed with what this budget earphone can produce. Increase the dB on the frequencies below 60Hz and crank up the power of the amplifier and you get a great performing basshead iem with sub-bass impact above the Elecom EHP-CA3580 and the Xiaomi Mi Quantie Pro Hybrid. It is essential to get a tight fit to get proper bass and sub-bass response and impact with the KZ ZS2, so be sure to place them strongly inside the ears.

The ZS2 was able to manage 48% of the maximum power of a Fiio E12 amplifier with its bass boost ON and set to high gain. Maximum handling power seems to hold a certain consistency within many of the KZ earphones, see the KZ ATE, KZ ZS3, KZ ED12, KZ ED9, KZ EDR2, KZ ATR and KZ ZST reviews for examples.

^8.5_/10

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Mids & Vocals

Mids are excessively recessed, mids and vocals are too distant and laid back. It may seem that the KZ ZS2 just can’t reproduce mids but actually is the result of the mid-bass bleeding all over the mids/vocal frequencies and stepping over them. Mids become much more present and clean when bass frequencies get eqed down. Instead if you try to eq up the mids you will get a boxy sound coming from the ZS2.

^5.25_/10

Highs & Treble

The KZ ZS2 suffers from roll off at high frequencies and too much recession of them. High frequency detail is almost non-existent. The positive part of it is that you will be 100% safe of getting any sibilance or piercing treble. Detail can be brought up equalizing.

^4.5_/10

Sound Leak

The quantity of sound leaked from the ZS2 is good, not the best contender but still fairly respectable. Leakage is average, people surrounding you will not here much noise coming from them on a normally noise environment but in libraries sound leakage levels might be and issue.

^7.5_/10

Sound Isolation

This is one of the strongest points of the KZ ZS2. Sound isolation is superb just remember to push them a little bit stronger inside the ears or sound isolation will not be very effective.

^8.75_/10

Comfort

Despite holding 2 dynamic drivers inside the housing the ZS2 are very light and not as big as you may think. The oval shape may also make you think that fit and comfort must be terrible but instead they are not, they fit quite well and hold their place in the ears, they also are very comfortable and do not generate any soreness.

^7.75_/10

Response to Equalization

The KZ ZS2 has many strong flaws with mids and highs but they can be vastly improved thanks to the great response this iem have to equalization. Dialing up frequencies above 7kHz brings up definition to the highs. De-emphasizing bass frequencies pulls back the bass bleed into the mids and allows the mids/vocals to come forward, but you have to consider that you will loose the strong bass impact that this have. If you want outstanding bass impact, the equalization of bass and sub-bass frequencies exponentially increases the already clear bass that these offer.

^8_/10

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Scores

• Accessories - 6/10
  6/10
• Design - 9.5/10
  9.5/10
• Bass - 8.5/10
  8.5/10
• Mids - 5.25/10
  5.3/10
• Highs - 4.5/10
  4.5/10
• Sound Leak - 7.5/10
  7.5/10
• Sound Isolation - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Comfort - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Response to EQ - 8/10
  8/10
• Value for Money - 7.5/10
  7.5/10

Summary

AWARDS

Pros

• Bass and sub-bass are punchy and very fun to listen
• Very respectable basshead impact can be achieved with good equalization and amplification
• Very good equalization response

Cons

• Bass bleeds into mid frequencies and kills them off
• Highs are heavily recessed

Conclusion

The KZ ZS2 have gained a position in our Best Basshead Earphones Chart and the Top Fun Sounding Earphones Chart.
The KZ ZS2 are an outstanding bassy iem easily recommended for bassheads on a budget or anybody who enjoys punchy music and does not care to sacrifice mids and highs.

7.3/10

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KZ ZS2 Frequency Response

KZ ZS2

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Photos

KZ ZS2

7.3

SCORE

7.3/10