Tags

||||

ZIKU HK-X9 – Review

ZIKU HK-X9

 ZIKU HK-X9

| Music Player | Amplificator | 2.4” | OTG |

Exclusive Coupon for ThePhonograph readers

ZIKU HK-X9 music player

$44, Instead of $55

ONLY WITH COUPON
Get Deal
ThePhonograph ZIK9

ZIKU HK-X9 music player

$44, Instead of $55

ONLY WITH COUPON
Get Deal
ThePhonograph ZIK9

VERY IMPORTANT – How to use ThePhonograph Exclusive Coupons at Aliexpress: 

  1. Press the “BUY NOW” button
  2. Select the correct model
  3. Press “Continue”
  4. At Payment Methods press “Change”
  5. Select “Other Payoments” or “Use another payment method”
  6. Write the exclusive Coupon Code at: “Optional message here:”
  7. Press the “PLACE ORDER” button
  8. DO NOT PAY FOR THE ORDER YET. Press the back arrow and cancel the payment.
  9. Press “Yes” on “Cancel the payment?” pop up message
  10. On the mobile app press back or “cancel payment”
  11. Seller will manually set the discounted price of the coupon for you within some hours or a couple days at most.

? ZIKU HK-X9, a budget-friendly music player with advanced specs.

First of all, we should point out that according to the writings on the back of the unit the ZIKU HK-X9 seems to be truly named ZIKU HD-X9 (notice the HD-X9 naming instead of HK-X9) but there does not seem to be any source referring to them with their supposed true name.

The ZIKU HK-X9 features a CS4398 DAC, MAX97220A amp, ALPS digital encoder and DSD128.

You can buy the ZIKU HK-X9 in:

FIND ALL: Earphones Scores Compared

MORE: In-Ear Headphones Reviews

SEE ALSO: Headphones Technical Specifications

ZIKU HK-X9 Review

Tests & Scores

AF

Advanced Features

The ZIKU HK-X9 features include advanced options such as:

  • Micro SD card reader
  • OTG functions
  • eBook reader
D

Design

Size and design of the ZIKU HK-X9 is a classic small smartphone-like, think of it closer to the Nintaus X10 or Xduoo X20 than to the Shanling M0, HIDIZ AP60, Shanling M1 or COWON Plenue D.

gramophone-256604.75/5

OC

Operation & Control

The ZIKU HK-X9 has 5 dedicated buttons: play-pause, next, previous, back-menu, power on/lock. Additionally, it has a 360 degree spinning wheel used for navigation of menus and options.

  • Play button: Used to play/pause and enter each menu/confirm
  • Next and Previous button: Skip to next track, previous track and can be used for navigation.
  • Top Wheel: When reproducing audio, controls volume levels. When not reproducing music it is used as a navigation wheel.
  • Press and hold “Back/Menu” button: Enters extra options available in each screen

The lock function with a dedicated button is much more handy than it seems. When locking the device you can navigate the menus and songs but no settings will be accidentally changed.

gramophone-256604/5

ZIKU HK-X9 Buttons
ZIKU HK-X9 Buttons
ZIKU HK-X9 Buttons
ZIKU HK-X9 Buttons
ZIKU HK-X9
ZIKU HK-X9
W

Weight

ZIKU HK-X9 weight in Ounces and ZIKU HK-X9 weight in grams.

MORE: In-Ear Headphones Weight Comparison

SEE ALSO: Earphones Size Comparison

A

Accessories & Packaging

The ZIKU HK-X9 unboxing results in a semi-hard carrying case. Our unit came without any official packaging but we are unsure if there is any.

gramophone-256603/5

B

Battery Life

The ZIKU HK-X9 grants 30 hours of battery life with it’s 1900mAh internal battery.

Charging: To charge the ZIKU you have to plug it through it’s micro USB connector to a charger that outputs 5V 1A.

gramophone-256604.5/5

MORE: Earphones Amplification Power Comparison

MORE: Best Basshead Earphones

SEE ALSO: Best Fun Sounding Earphones Chart

CB

Construction & Build

The ZIKU HK-X9 is built in metal which makes them robust but the brand did not exaggerate in the amount of material used; this results in a durable yet fairly light weighted device, for it’s size. The top wheel has also a durable metal construction and has a subtly-toned clicky feedback.

Overall, nothing feels flimsy nor easily breakable.

gramophone-256604.5/5

S

Screen

The ZIKU HK-X9 has a TFT screen with a diagonal size of 2.4 inches. The resolution of the screen is 320×240 and offers 11 manual brightness settings for diverse lighting situations.

By using TFT technology instead of OLED, they will present some “negativization” of colors at extreme angles.

gramophone-256603/5

M

Menu

Music menu will order audio files by their id3 tags by: artist, album, genre. Moreover, the audio navigation allows to navigate through: playlists, all songs or create a playlist.

A folder navigation option is available in the main menu under the name “Folder view” – a very welcomed feature to people that prefers organizing their files manually by folder.

Music player shows: album cover image, songs name, artist name, album name, file type-file bps-kHz. On the bottom, you have a time elapsed counter / total song duration.

The top left corner of the screen informs the volume level set, in numbers where 0 is minimum and 100 is maximum – volume levels can be set by 1 level. While the top right informs the battery charge with a 4-bar battery icon.

Something to note: when you receive it you will find it set to Chinese by default but do not fear. Going to the gear icon you will open the configuration menu from where you will find the Language option setting written in English.

FC

Formats Compatibility

The ZIKU HK-X9 is able to reproduce an wide amount of different files like:

  • FLAC
  • OGG
  • APE
  • MP3
  • DSD
  • WAV
  • DFF
  • WMA
  • AIFF
  • AAC
  • LRC lyrics
  • CUE PLAYLISTS

gramophone-25660 5/5

MORE: Best Headphones for Libraries Chart

SEE ALSO: Best Earphones for Bed

C

Connectivity

The ZIKU HK-X9 has a 3.5mm mini stereo jack to plug your headphone, a micro SD card reader that supports cards with capacity of up to 128GB and a micro USB port that can be used to charge the device or to use their OTG function.

As soon as you plug in the card, the device will search through it and index any audio files.

It’s microUSB port can be used for OTG functions by connecting it to your device and-or smartphone using the ZIKU HD-X9 as an external DAC and amplifier (an OTG cable is needed)

gramophone-256604/5

RELATED TO THIS: Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Reviews

ZIKU HD-X9 Ports
ZIKU HD-X9 Ports

 

ZIKU HD-X9 Card Reader
ZIKU HD-X9 Card Reader
S

Sound

The ZIKU HK-X9 sound is neutral without adding nor subtracting warmth, bass, mids nor highs response (with EQ off). This grants an output sound that is not spiced up nor cooled down.

Output power from the ZIKU HD-X9 is much stronger than a smartphone and can even manage higher impedance headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohm version. In theory, the ZIKU HK-X9 offers 10mW+10mW output at 32 ohm and SNR over 80dB.

gramophone-256605/5

RELATED: Best Earphones for Daily Commute

MORE: Most Comfortable In-Ear Headphones

ZIKU HK-X9
ZIKU HK-X9
ZIKU HK-X9
ZIKU HK-X9
EQ

EQ

The ZIKU HK-X9 has a range of EQ presets available that apply the sound modification on-the-fly while just navigating on top of each one.

The 7 EQ presets available are: Rock, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Classical, Techno, EQ off.

gramophone-256604/5

MORE: Editor’s Picks Earphones Chart

MORE: Best Bang for the Buck Earphones

Exclusive Coupon for ThePhonograph readers

ZIKU HK-X9 music player

$44, Instead of $55

ONLY WITH COUPON
Get Deal
ThePhonograph ZIK9

ZIKU HK-X9 music player

$44, Instead of $55

ONLY WITH COUPON
Get Deal
ThePhonograph ZIK9

VERY IMPORTANT – How to use ThePhonograph Exclusive Coupons at Aliexpress: 

  1. Press the “BUY NOW” button
  2. Select the correct model
  3. Press “Continue”
  4. At Payment Methods press “Change”
  5. Select “Other Payoments” or “Use another payment method”
  6. Write the exclusive Coupon Code at: “Optional message here:”
  7. Press the “PLACE ORDER” button
  8. DO NOT PAY FOR THE ORDER YET. Press the back arrow and cancel the payment.
  9. Press “Yes” on “Cancel the payment?” pop up message
  10. On the mobile app press back or “cancel payment”
  11. Seller will manually set the discounted price of the coupon for you within some hours or a couple days at most.
SEE ALSO: Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

Follow us:

    

Get the latest reviews on your favorite social network

Scores Scores

ZIKU HK-X9 Scores

Overall
4.3
  • Design
  • Operation & Control
  • Accessories
  • Battery Life
  • Construction & Build
  • Screen
  • Formats Compatibility
  • Connectivity
  • Sound
  • EQ
  • Value for Money

Summary

Pros

    • ✅ Neutral Sound

✅ 7 EQ presets with real sound modification

✅ Metal sturdy construction

✅ Good output power that can even driver headphones like the 250 ohm Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO

✅ OTG use as an external DAC and amplifier for your smartphone or any other device

✅ Easy navigation with it’s 360 rotating wheel

✅ 5 dedicated physical buttons for all main operational functions

✅ Micro SD card reader supports up to 128GB

✅ Polished looks

✅ Affordable price

Cons

    • ❌ Screen TFT negativizes colors while looking it from top extreme angles

❌ Menu can be sluggish to navigate endless songs lists

Conclusion

    The ZIKU HK-X9 is a solidly constructed device that offers a good bang for buck, extended battery life, neutral sound and several EQ presets.

FIND ALL OUR: Earphones Reviews / In-Ear Headphones Reviews

MORE: Best Earphones Charts

Buy it from:

Exclusive Coupon for ThePhonograph readers

ZIKU HK-X9 music player

$44, Instead of $55

ONLY WITH COUPON
Get Deal
ThePhonograph ZIK9

ZIKU HK-X9 music player

$44, Instead of $55

ONLY WITH COUPON
Get Deal
ThePhonograph ZIK9

VERY IMPORTANT – How to use ThePhonograph Exclusive Coupons at Aliexpress: 

  1. Press the “BUY NOW” button
  2. Select the correct model
  3. Press “Continue”
  4. At Payment Methods press “Change”
  5. Select “Other Payoments” or “Use another payment method”
  6. Write the exclusive Coupon Code at: “Optional message here:”
  7. Press the “PLACE ORDER” button
  8. DO NOT PAY FOR THE ORDER YET. Press the back arrow and cancel the payment.
  9. Press “Yes” on “Cancel the payment?” pop up message
  10. On the mobile app press back or “cancel payment”
  11. Seller will manually set the discounted price of the coupon for you within some hours or a couple days at most.
SEE ALSO: Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

Frequency Response (raw)

ZIKU HK-X9 Frequency Response Curve

ZIKU HK-X9 Frequency Response Curve – EQ Presets

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Headphones Frequency Response Curves

SEE ALSO: KZ Headphones Frequency Response Curves

Specifications

ZIKU HK-X9 Technical Specifications

TypeMusic Player / Amp
Screen size2.4 inches
Music PlayerYes
AmplificatorYes
Max Card Size128 GB
Battery30 hours
Screen resolution320×240
FormatsISO, DSF, DFF, DTS, APE, FLAC, ALAC, WMA, AAC, OGG, MP3, WAV, AIFF
Frequency Response20Hz-20KHz
PlugStereo mini plug
WeightApprox. 165g
OTGYes

YOU WILL ALSO LIKE: Amazon Coupons & Deals

MORE:  Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

SEE ALSO: Banggood Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

SEE ALSO: Aliexpress Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

MORE: Hybrid Earphones Reviews

MORE: Single Dynamic Driver Earphones Reviews

Photos

ZIKU HK-X9 Photos

Go to top
DISCLAIMER
We highly discourage anyone from trying to apply our testings to your own earphones, the risk of damaging or permanently breaking your iems is absolutely probable to happen. With our standardized equalization and amplification tests we push the limits of the earphones to the extreme. If anyway you decide to do so, we cannot be held responsible of the damage done to your equipment. Do it at your own risk.

ZIKU HK-X9

ZIKU HK-X9
8.6

SCORE

 8.6/10
BUY NOW