KZ - Saga Balanced

KZ Saga Balanced are one of the best musical IEM's with solid bass performance in the price range. The BL-03 II is very similar to the BL-03, its a little crisper, and more detailed than the OG. But its OK to sacrifice some of the OG's note weight for more detail and texture. I also think the new BL-03 II is built a little better, has a nice cable, and fits better in the ear. I would suggest Spinfit Omni's or Dunu Candy tips for it though. The stock tips are...meh. Though it is a more gaming oriented IEM, the 7Hrz G1 is also very nice and V shaped in its tuning.

I dont own any expensive iems but I really love my kz saga balanced

My current favourite IEMs are Artti T10, Tanchjim Origin, KZ Saga Balanced, and Delci AE. Overall it seems like I may have preference for a slightly stronger bass presence, although the Origin doesn't have quite as much sub bass as the rest. I have tried the Tanchjim Zero and Ola, and I was not really a fan.

Lately for me it’s been Apple Music, ibasso dc elite, and kz saga balanced. I would not really recommend that as a setup, but I don’t overthink anything with it. More music that I could possibly listen to, a top tier dac, and iems that sound good and can be replaced cheaply when I inevitably break them. I’ve auditioned a number of the multi kilobuck iems and ultimately decided I can live without.

No those look really bad. Are you open to buying from AliExpress? If so try the KZ ZVX PRO. If only amazon then KZ Saga Balanced or Moondrop Chu 2.

The Zenith is the best one by a large margin for me, the Gale would be my second choice (EDX Pro 2 has the same tuning and about 2-3dB more bass, I prefer the balance of the Gale though, both are an incredible value for the price (+/-$8-9)). I have or had at some point the Hydro, PRX, Saga (both), Castor (both), Libra (hi-res and balanced), ZVX, ZVX Pro, Vader Balanced/Trio, ZS12 Pro X, EDC Pro, D-Fi and Polaris, of this sets I like the Saga Balanced the most.

The original EDX Pro is really more on the V-shaped bright tuning, and many don't like its bright tuning. If you really like bass, Castor Harman is not your IEM. I would either suggest going to like Saga Bass or Castor Bass, or Dawn. Castor Harman (1100 switches), Gale, EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga Balanced is more leaning towards balanced-ish tuning. Castor Harman (0000 switches) is more leaning to mild-V shaped bright, (0011 switches) neutral bright tuning Terms of improvement or any differences, if you want versatility and easy to adjust to almost any tuning, go for the Castor Harman (tuning switches and EQ) If you want to not fiddle with switches and/or EQ, go for the EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga series.

EDX Pro 2 and Saga Bass would definitely be a slightly more warmer set than EDC Pro. EDC Pro would be similar-ish in bass and mids with the EDX Pro 2, but a brighter treble, abit closer to balanced than warm or bright. But the EDC Pro was original reference tuning for many newer KZ IEMs, like the EDX Pro 2 and Saga Bass. They just refined the sound overtime, Zenith was the pinnacle of that tuning, especially alot of people really preferred the warmer sound. Even other KZs have been tuned to a tamer treble than classic KZ sets. Though recent new new releases have been using the Castor and Castor Pro Bass tuning with refinements on treble, and bass for the bass versions of the new KZ IEMs. https://preview.redd.it/rwodxqaqc3yf1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=cef5c06819544d7d3340234c1640b7dc24e72474

EDIT, Please ignore some of this, after much recent listening, I am fairly certain that there is likely to be a hearing imbalance between my left and right ears, and they do not hear frequencies in exactly the same manner. One leans towards more sensitivity in high frequencies, and the other towards bass frequencies, so this is not just a volume imbalance, but more. So I have to revise my opinions. Definitely the ZVX and the two copies of SAGA Balanced, which I own, in spite of my own hearing situation, their imbalance was beyond what I can attribute to my own hearing. I'll revisit the PRX, cos it could be my own ears !! Initial Post below : I own PRX, Polaris, 2 of the SAGA Balanced, ZVX, EDC Pro, Castor Pro Harman, Libra X, CCA CRA, EDX Pro X. The bad. ZVX paint started peeling within 48 hours of use, and within 4 months, one earpiece of the pair, had a drastically reduced volume. Both SAGA balanced pairs are no longer usable cos of imbalances between left and right in the pair - maybe I'll see if I can salvage a working pair from the earpieces in both pairs ! By and large one main issue with KZ/CCA is the possibility of level imbalances between left and right earpieces, it seems to be a bit more pronounced, compared to IEM's from other manufacturers. My other IEMs are the 7Hz Zero 2 and the ARTTI T10. The EDX Pro X, I bought 3, sorry this product is abominable, and has no redeeming qualities. Not sure who this is for. Poor quality at a low price, not worth the false economy of a cheap product. The acceptable. CCA CRA was my 1st IEM, and I loved the improvement over my AKG K702's. ZVZ was OK, improved high frequencies and clarity, but the channel imbalance and eventual unreliability, as well as the inadequate bass, makes this a buyer beware product ! Libra X was too bright. Way too bright, all the EQ in the world could not address this flaw. Only for treble heads EDC Pro is excellent - best of the sub $10 KZ's. Polaris is OK, but I would not call it one with clarity, a bit harsh. SAGA Balanced - great balanced sound, but unfortunately the product has manufacturing flaws, which I experienced on 2 examples. I loved it so much I ordered a 2nd one, but sadly there is an issue with the product reliability, and consistency. And that includes different frequency response between left and right, on my 1st pair. The excellent With a few caveats, the PRX is a superb product, but the stock ear tips, in my opinion, do not pair well with the IEMs. So with 3rd party ear tips, and some EQ to reduce the excessive high frequencies, it's a decent product, with lots of clarity, and a very respectable audio reproduction. At this time I am interested in one or more of these, to complement the PRX, which I am relatively happy with (once EQ's and using better ear tips) : KZ AM16 KZ ZA12 KZ Decet Not easy deciding between them. In the same way that PRX introduced me to a commendable budget planar, which would need me to spend a lot more, to get any better, these other three seem to be the best bang for the buck, as an introduction to All Balanced Armature, Hybrid, and Multiple Dynamic Driver configurations. My preference is for neutral, maybe with a little bass emphasis. Analytical is high on my priority list, Clarity is ultra important, and above all if I spend money on a product, it MUST be reliable.

Indeed, I will keep a lookout, and on that note, I think, for the harsh top end on some of these KZ's seems I have found a solution. I received what I think is the solution, about an hour ago. A proper fitting set of foam ear tips from [Sonicfoam.com](http://Sonicfoam.com), ordered via Amazon.co.uk. The supposed harshness in the upper frequencies of the PRX, which I had with ill fitting smaller foam ear tips, and somewhat with many silicone ear tips, of what I realise now were a poorer quality, is gone. Now I can tilt the EQ curve the completely opposite way, cut the bass a bit and boost the highs, if I want to. But really no more need for EQ. The voices and instruments and effects are so life like. I forgot to mention what made me move away from the SAGA Balanced. I had one pair which had a frequency balance difference, and a volume balance, between the left and right ear pieces. I loved the product so much I ordered a 2nd set. After another few months, the 2nd set has also lost the balance between the earpieces, and in both cases, the difference is rather significant, so I must now find a use for these as decorative items !!. This happened to me with the KZ ZVX also, fault level balance after a few months. In fairness, with the Castor Pro Harman, I detect no such level or frequency imbalance. And with the ARTTI T10, any perception of an imbalance between the ear pieces, is negligible, I just checked. None. Why do I mention this. For a while, I thought my hearing was bad, cos of this imbalance noted on some IEM's. Not saying that my hearing balance is perfect, but for some reason, either due to failure of drivers, or manufacturing inconsistency, or possibly combined with a difference in my hearing, I developed a listening chain, where I store presets of stereo balance correction, as well as frequency (EQ), for each IEM. Actually a couple of presets, and typically check that mono signals are properly centered, each time I put on any IEM, cos I became quite sensitive to these things. With the PRX, I still have a bit of a difference in level between left and right, but this is a consistent difference, that has not changed over time, so I can address this via a stereo balance correction, something which thankfully is also possible on a smartphone. So pretty happy actually really really happy. PRX, now without EQ, via the new set of foam ear tips, sounds great on a good DAC, with sufficient power. No longer fatiguing in any way whatsoever. Crisp, smooth, lovely, precise, and very clear. All that is needed now, is my controlling the volume, adjust volume to fit my mood, and the level of the music/audio. The entire audio is now seamlessly well blended from left to right, back to front., even got a bit of height. Now I'm beginning to sound like an traditional audiophile, the kind who pen articles for Stereophile or similar journals !!! :) Hate taking off the foam ear tips, cos of minor variations in positioning, when I put them back in, which alters the stereo balance, and I have to recheck, and adjust or remove any deliberate stereo panning, that I had introduced. Well, nice problem to have, guess it comes with the territory, our ears are not exactly made of stone, neither are the foam ear tips, so its reasonable to expect that each insertion, could vary a bit. It does make me ask the question now, when I read a review, or listen to one on Youtube - what tips were they listening through, cos it certainly makes quite a difference. Your comments as usual have been a huge help. Thank you.

I got a little bit frustrated with the frequency and level imbalance on the PRX, moreso that now with the better foam ear tips, the anomaly between left and right is made more prominent. Using the same ear, and attempting to insert one earpiece after another, at about the same depth. It was now quite obvious, there is a mismatch definitely one earpiece is brighter than the other. I am aware that achieving consistency is easier with dynamic drivers, cos we have so much more experience manufacturing these. Guess where the cookie crumbles - QC, and the manufacturing process. Somewhat sad, that this is my 3rd KZ IEM product, with definite difference between left and right. Previously I had the same issue with a ZVX, 2 SAGA balanced, and now the PRX. All is NOT lost, all part of the learning curve. So unfortunately it is back to the drawing board. 1. I know I prefer the sound of Planars, for the clarity and transient response, and very life like natural portrayal of the audio, with lots of detail. 2. Definitely love them even more with foam ear tips. So for now, I have gone back to the ARTTI T0's, but now with my "best" foam ear tips, from Sonicfoam, which I took delivery of today. Excellent product I think, the larger and I think also shorter nozzle of the T10 seems to make it easier to fit the ear tips, in the ear canal, and not have to achieve this with much effort, and achieve a good seal. The massive relief, no perceived channel imbalance with the T10's. That is definitely a relief, so the issue with the channel variation on the PRX is thank God, NOT my hearing. Definitely relieved about that. The search continues, but it will take a lot to convince me to invest in any more KZ's. I'll most likely give the search a break, until the new year and use this interval to, with diligence, see what is available from other manufacturers. Channel imbalance in a listening device, with all due respect, that's a critical error that should NOT happen. The T10 will be sufficient, for now., until I find an alternative, that's definitely better.

ZVX Pro and Saga Balanced. ZES is my favorite KZ for the gym.

Based on ONLY what you(OP) said about your usage, between those 2 IEMs the Castor Harmon is the better option. The 4 switches on the Castors control “Bass/Bass/Mids/Treble”. By default they are all in the Off position. Turning on both Bass switches will give you a nice and easily noticeable increase in bass response. The EDC Pro is an amazing sounding IEMs for how cheap it is, but that’s the thing, it is cheap. The materials used for the EDC Pro are of the lowest quality. This may not matter to you but just doing a simple side by side comparison of the Castors to the EDC Pro, Castors have a far better build quality. I would seriously look into getting the Saga bass version. Even the Saga Balanced version sounds “better” than the Castor Harmon versions and the Saga Bass has a noticeable boost in the low end over the saga balanced while still retaining its clarity.

Tangzu Wan'er 2 — these are the powerhouse for the money. Very engaging sound. Tuning is almost perfect. Easy on ears for long sessions. Not very detailed though. Microcontrast is lacking. Macrocontrast is very good. Easy to drive off a potato thanks to 19 Ohm impedance. These DON'T scale up with more powerful source. Overall good fit, shells are light, but nozzles are stupid short. You likely would want a deeper insertion. Tip rolling is a requirement. I didn't like Tang Sancai tips supplied in the kit with this IEM. Truthear Gate — these have lower macrocobtrast, but microcontrast is better. Extremely low distortion, clean sound, punchy bass, overall the most flat, neutral tuning among those I suggest to you. Harder to drive due to 30 Ohm impedance. These DO scale up with more powerful source. Very good technicalities. Good fit. Tip rolling is the easiest among all. Tanchjim Zero Ultima — straight fit, non-detachable cable. Very clean, crystal clear tuning, good instrument layering, fast and punchy, tactile bass, ideal for classical music. Harder to drive due to 30 Ohm impedance. These DO scale up with more powerful source. Very good technicalities. Super lightweight (only 2.3 grams per shell), very thick and long nozzles for deep insertion — with narrow ear canals might not fit properly. Tip rolling is a must, though supplied silicone tips are among the best in the biz. KZ Saga Neutral — lower microcontrast, lower macrocontrast, more of a safe tuned mild V-shaped sound. Good, but not very engaging compared to those above. Easy to drive. These DON'T scale up with more powerful source, can be run off a potato. Shells are made of metal — premium quality feeling, but the heaviest of all. With some tip combinations might not fit properly and fall from ears due to improper fit and the sheer weight. Nozzle size is normal. Weight is the problem.