The KZ EDA Balanced Edition and the CCA Lyra are two of the more underrated IEMs in the budget space.
Even though they’ve been overshadowed by more popular sets such as the 7Hz Salnotes Zero, I’d consider both of them to be hidden gems for their price.
These IEMs have their fair share of greatness and since I’ve already written in-depth reviews for both of them, it’s time to compare them with each other and see which pair is better suited to your needs and preferences.
KZ EDA Balanced Edition vs. CCA Lyra: Sound Signature
The KZ EDA Balanced Edition has a more controlled V-shaped sound signature, which means that the bass isn’t overly boomy even though it has a nice sub-bass rumble that’s very present in the mix.
The treble is a lot tamer and doesn’t display sharpness or harsh frequencies. The midrange is recessed but still has a good amount of clarity and definition to compensate.
The KZ EDA Balanced Edition is for you if:
- You like a colored V-shaped sound presentation.
- You like a versatile IEM that suits most genres.
- You like a more toned-down treble.
The CCA Lyra has a more balanced and neutral sound signature emphasizing the mids and highs. Although it has a soft attack and decay on the bass, it still produces a nice texture in its presentation.
Besides that, the Lyra has decent clarity and definition and doesn’t show any muddiness or muffling to its sound.
The CCA Lyra is for you if:
- You like a more mid-treble-focused IEM.
- You like a balanced sound signature.
- You like an accurate-sounding IEM.
KZ EDA Balanced Edition vs. CCA Lyra: Sound Quality
The lows on the KZ EDA have a noticeable lift due to its V-shaped tuning. The sub-bass rumble is very present in a mix and has a well-controlled depth.
Conversely, the mid-bass is a lot tamer than most V-shaped IEMs, and when you combine all that, you get a decent note weight to your bass frequencies.
The mids are slightly recessed although it retains clarity and a decent resolution. The highs are also tamer and I like how the treble is tuned so that it doesn’t get too bright or hissy.
Overall, the KZ EDA Balanced Edition tuning is perfect for those looking for a colored yet warm sound – perfect for those who are treble-sensitive.
The KZ EDA Balanced Edition is for you if:
- You like a sound with recessed mids and focus on the highs and lows.
- You like a good, present, and rumbly bass.
- You like a sound that retains vocal details even at high frequencies.
The lows on the CCA Lyra aren’t as rumbly as it focuses more on its mid-bass.
Although there’s not much rumble on its bass region, the mid-bass compensates for this and produces a thumpy sound which can be noticed when listening to some tracks.
The mids, however, don’t sound recessed, unlike the EDA. This is because the Lyra follows the Harman neutral curve. This results in a more forward vocal presentation.
The treble is brighter and more present in a mix. It has a decent treble extension, giving off a lot more detail and sparkle.
The CCA Lyra is for you if:
- You like a natural-sounding treble.
- You like more emphasis on your mids and treble.
- You like a neutral-sounding IEM.
KZ EDA Balanced Edition vs. CCA Lyra: Caveats
The KZ EDA Balanced Edition is more my cup of tea.
I like how it manages to produce an energetic and aggressive presentation without getting muddy or producing any sibilance on the tracks.
However, if I’m to be nitpicky, I wish the mids were more refined. Also, the mid-bass bleed can be a pain when listening to busy tracks as vocals tend to sound muffled at times and instruments can sound unnatural.
A fatal flaw for the CCA Lyra is its lack of sub-bass extension in its low end, making the track dull and flat-sounding for some.
Because of this, bass heads may find a hard time enjoying it as it doesn’t meet the typical standard to be an enjoyable IEM for bass heads.
However, those who enjoy similar genres like soul, R&B, jazz, and classical may find the Lyra a bit more interesting to listen to, mainly because it performs very well in highlighting vocals and instruments that are present in the mids and treble frequencies.
Conclusion
The KZ EDA Balanced Edition and the CCA Lyra are great budget picks but in my opinion, the former came out on top because it’s more colored and versatile.
Compared to the EDA Balanced Edition, the Lyra just seems dull.
However, this doesn’t mean that the Lyra is a bad choice – it still has some characteristics that make it worth buying, like its clarity and resolution. Plus, its performance is comparable to the 7Hz Salnotes Zero which is a very great pair.
Ultimately, it all boils down to preference.
If you want something enjoyable and versatile to listen to, you should opt for the KZ EDA Balanced Edition.
If laidback, vocal-focused, and acoustic tracks are more your speed, then the CCA Lyra would be perfect for you.
A man of many interests, Querho is passionate about discovering new things that stimulate the mind. When he is not writing about the things he is passionate about, Querho can be found making music at his home studio.
This post was last updated on 2025-03-20 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.