KZ - ZEX Pro / CRN
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Jan 3, 2026 Scoring
Liked most:
8
2
"None of the cheap Chinese IEMs hold a candle to Etymotic."
"very value for money at 14usd"
"am impressed with the bump in sound quality."
2
3
"the zex kinda focuses on audience who like EDM or bassy music ... even i personally listen to bassy music ... Choose zex if you listen to bass heavy hip hop/EDM."
"I have used kz zex and I still own now ... I was looking for some better tuned iem for bassy music"
1
2
"Things feel and sound right, finally."
1
2
"occasionally valorant (FPS shooter)"
3
3
"I love it. ... Sound so much better than the cheap TWS earbuds I had."
"am impressed with the bump in sound quality."
"amazing sound"
Disliked most:
92
42
"I don't feel any difference in bass"
"However, the sub-bass isn ’t particularly strong and can feel a bit sluggish when stacked against higher-end models, as the layering and separation in the low-end just aren ’t there, which can lead to a muddled presentation when a lot of instrument is going on in the mix."
"Unusable without hefty EQ (-10dB @ 185Hz). ... That spike at ~180Hz is real and ruins low-mid end completely. ... Any sound in (or passing trough) ~180Hz region has some strange tin can high pitched hollowness/echo. ... Bass guitars sound strange, drums sound strange, low vocals sound strange... Any background hum in music/movies/games sounds strange. ... It is also very hard to EQ out - spike is very high and in very narrow range. So you need good EQ software to apply a lot of negative EQ in very narrow range (used EQ APO+PEACE). ... Once EQ is applied these sound quite nice. Good low end, clean mids and nice highs. Without EQ they just sound wrong."
3
7
"the fit are just terrible. Esp with valhalla , you are not going to have it for 30mins, let alone 3hrs"
"Same experience, just sold my Valhalla due to fit. ... though still not 100% comfortable to me over longer stretches."
"Further they have a strange fit and a nozzle that is very uncomfortable especially in my left ear channel."
0
6
"they are useless to me when using NYC public transit or on a plane."
"the hype 4 just can't block enough sound I hear the train sometimes as if I had nothing, and if I have music I can still hear plenty like 80% on foam tips."
"I don’t personally like the front facing vent as I need isolation."
4
11
"they got wet and died ... which sucks for 200$ ear buds"
"the right earbud just stopped working after one day I stepped away while wearing it still connected to my laptop. ... Tried resetting and everything else, but it just won't connect or work properly, this is tiresome."
"Bought redmi 6 buds play in June, and in September, its battery started to drain. Even after leaving the buds in the case for the whole day, it was charged only 50%."
0
2
"I have used kz zex and I still own now ... I was looking for some better tuned iem for bassy music and slightly less treble zex has enormous treble that sharpness is not what I look for"
"The treble also felt kind of lifeless ... I really had to mess with some EQ to get a good sound from it."
I have 10-ish different models in the 10€ to 150€ range, mostly for PUBG and about 3000 hours in the game. Here are my top picks: - Tripowin Vivace 35€ - Simgot EM6L 120€ - Truthear Crinacle Zero blue 60€ (need AMP&DAC) - QKZ x HBB 20€ In that order. For other games, the Simgot and Crinacle Zero jump higher. The next ones can do, but not competitive: - Moondrop Quarks DSP 15€ - 7Hz Salnotes Zero 25€ - Apple earpods 3.5mm 20€ - KZ Zex Pro Crn 40€ Can't recommend for PUBG: - Moondrop Chu 25€ - Brainwavz Omega 15€ I recommend checking Fresh Reviews on Youtube, he checked many pricier models...
r/PUBATTLEGROUNDS • IEM suggestions for PUBG ->I find mines very comfortable. I could wear them for +2 hours without much discomfort compared to other iems I got ([ZSN-PRO](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002438769452.html) & [KZ ZEX Pro](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003589418259.html)) They're also a bit smaller so that might be why.
r/bapcsalescanada • [IEM] Moondrop Chu 2 In Ear Monitor ($25.59) [Amazon] ->Ah! My bad for getting rude.. I have used kz zex and I still own now I was looking for some better tuned iem for bassy music and slightly less treble zex has enormous treble that sharpness is not what I look for My primary need is EDM listening, sometimes melody ( very rare ), and occasionally valorant (FPS shooter) I was considering castor pro with D07 dac as it is tuned for good bass and that V shaped sound signature alongwith better KZ's signature high treble. Heard a lot about warner but it is not good in gaming so neglecting that truthear zero red reviews also mentioned that lack of gaming they are more sort of music iems So finally stumbled on this. Also considering blon bl03 gen 2. FYI I trust only some reviewers like Trakin Tech English's Ershaad, Hardware Mana's Sunny and some reddit browsing for different perspectives. let me know what you think!
r/headphonesindia • Suggest best iems under 3k!! ->People hate on kz crn but I personally love it. I bought kz crn as an upgrade from my tangzu waner first gen. CRNs needed a Lil bit of tuning but after that they sound amazing.
r/iems • What's your favorite IEM under $50-$150? ->Thanks a lot man it was very helpful. I really want to dive into EQ just planning to get a cheap but decent IEM, probably Gate and a DAC. Currently I own KZ Zex but it have lot of bass
r/iems • IEM classification based on Soundstage - Imaging ->I've only had 3 iems so far 'coz I'm broke, but out of the 3 I have, the Kinera Celest Wyvern Blacks impressed the hell out of me coming from a KZ ZEX and a KZ EDX. Currently looking at Juzear x Z Reviews Defiant next
r/iems • Which IEM impressed you the most? ->I had to switch because i broke them ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ, and tbh i will say that the zex kinda focuses on audience who like EDM or bassy music, even i personally listen to bassy music but after switching to zs12 pro x i kinda feel like yeah zex did have alot more bass than my zs12, zex pro does have some quality but if u are a guy who uses equaliser for that extra more punch like me, they kinda sound muffle. So i will give u an opinion based on my experience: Choose zs12 pro x if u listen to normal pop/acoustic music Choose zex if you listen to bass heavy hip hop/EDM. Option 3 : U can look for kz castor bass harmaan edition if ur looking for a mid of both. I experienced castor pro at my local iem store and was really confused between the castor and zs12 pro x, the bass in castor is detailed unlike zex and provide much more space for higher frequencies as well, like i said balanced between zex and zs12. Hope this helps and reduces the confusion.
r/iems • Help me pick my next IEM(s)! ->I don't know where you got this "fake" driver info from. The problem was that the driver didn't make any audible difference in some sets like the zex pro, an iem I owned and actually liked. Testing showed in many sets that the reported frequency response was still in line with their claims. Now I'm not saying they are high quality great iems but MANY MANY people will pour their heart out over a few different models kz makes.
r/headphones • Am I missing something or are IEMs supposed to be this good? ->My first IEM was the popular-in-my-circle KZ ZS10pro. I never liked it - the highs were harsh/spitty and the low end seemed lacking. A few weeks ago I took a chance on the KZ ZEX, and it’s been my go-to. Things feel and sound right, finally. Iirc, I paid $80+ for the first set, and perhaps $20 for the current set. I may buy a bunch of sets just to have them on hand…but I’ve got a set of Truthear Zero Blue 2 on the way. I may decide I’ve been wrong. Or it may verify my choice. Time will tell. I’m a 35+ year pro live sound engineer helping guide people into the world of in-ear monitoring on stage. I feel we’re in a bit of a special place right now as far as this technology goes. Don’t get hung up on price, OP: if they sound good to you, that’s enough. Good is good.
r/iems • I cant really tell the difference between 200$ IEMs and 30$ IEMs ->I must’ve bought older stock. I do very much like my ZEX. Considering a set of PRX
r/iems • I cant really tell the difference between 200$ IEMs and 30$ IEMs ->There is new kit out every year that supposedly advances the state of the art, but you should not discount older models which will tend to be more affordable, and may even outperform. I’d also caution about paying premiums for celebrity endorsements - unless you are intimately familiar with their preferences and your hearing is significantly similar to theirs, you’re just putting money in their pocket to try to influence your purchasing decisions. More often than not, that money is better spent on better sealing eartips and a better cable. I started with KZ ZS10pro ($40-50?) then upgraded the cable ($10?). Now over a year later, I’ve just bought their ZEX ($20) and recycled the cable and am impressed with the bump in sound quality. Regular memory foam eartips are what seal off the outside world so I can hear the IEM itself. Also, Amazon pricing is higher than AliExpress, so shop carefully. You have waited this long, so what’s another week for shipping?
r/iems • I'm a beginner, how can a $500/1000+ dollar IEM be better then a $70-200 one? ->Kz zex, 1dd 1 es driver amazing sound and very value for money at 14usd
r/ipod • What earbuds, IEM or headphones are you rocking with your iPod? ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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