Current testing methodology is v1.2
February 23, 2023
Price not available
KZ Ling Long
2.89 oz
3.15 x 3.15 x 1.18 in
The KZ Ling Long was released in the first quarter of 2023, featuring a bullet-style design and a 6mm micro-dynamic driver.
It has a distinct warm V-shaped sound signature and an overall balanced presentation. You can get it for around $14 to $20, depending on where you shop.
With several options available for budget-friendly bullet-style IEMs, how did the KZ Ling Long perform? Can it top the others? Let’s find out in this review!
KZ Ling Long
A comfortable and versatile pair with a sleek design.
TL:DR;
In my continuous search for a great-sounding pair of bullet-style IEMs, I stumbled upon KZ’s Ling Long, which is a bullet-style IEM with a warm V-shape sound signature.
It exceeded my expectations, and you can always go right with this one since it has a versatile presentation. It also comes with decent accessories.
Overall, the KZ Ling Long is a great versatile pair. I’d even say that it’s the best out of the bullet-style IEMs I currently have.
The Specs
- Drive: 6mm Micro Dynamic Driver
- Cable: 3.5mm plug
- Frequency: 20-40,000Hz
- Impedance: 25Ω
- Sensitivity: 103db
- Weight: 18g+5g (earpiece+cable)
What’s in the Box?
- KZ Ling Long earphones
- 3 x pairs of silicone ear tips
- Carrying case
- Instruction Manual
Stuff I like
- Comfortable design
- Warm presentation
- Ample amount of bass
- Smooth treble presentation
Stuff I like less
- Non-detachable cable
- Flat sounding at times
Where to get it
Comparable products to consider
The Tanchjim Zero offers a balanced neutral sound signature that’s perfect for those looking for an accurate sound presentation.
The Moondrop Quarks is a popular bullet-style IEM that used to be the creme de la creme of bullet-style IEMs. It has a neutral sound signature with an excellent definition for an affordable price.
Review Metrics
First Impressions
The KZ Ling Long comes in a different packaging than most products from KZ and other budget brands.
It comes in a brown box that definitely shies away from the typical KZ packaging and even though it’s not made of a higher-quality material, the box is definitely a step up in terms of presentation.
Upon opening the box, you’ll find a very eye-catching case made of plastic with a velvety material inside. This case houses the earphones and the included accessories.
The KZ Ling Long looks very aesthetically pleasing, featuring a bullet-style design with silver housing, white ear tips, and a silver-plated cable.
Although there were few accessories besides the included case and ear tips, I was still delighted with the overall presentation and unboxing experience.
Build Quality
Unsurprisingly, the build quality of the KZ Ling Long is excellent since the brand is known to make great quality products for affordable prices.
The zinc alloy shell feels rigid and although the cable is non-detachable, it still looks sturdy and can probably withstand heavy use.
I like how it has become an industry standard to include silver-plated cables, even with budget earphones.
The ear tips were pretty standard, but they get the job done and I have no complaints about them.
Lastly, the included carrying case is well-made, and it’s astonishing to see earphones at this price range with an included case that’s as well-built as the one here.
Fit and Comfort
In terms of overall fit and comfort, the KZ Ling Long is one hell of a comfortable pair of bullet-style IEMs.
Since the pre-installed ear tips provided a good seal and were snug enough for my ears, I didn’t have to swap them out, although this may not be the case for others.
The fit can still vary depending on the ear size and shape but overall, the Ling Long is comfortable to use even for long periods.
Sound Quality
Upon initial testing, the mids and bass presentation of the KZ Ling Long stuck with me the most.
The bass has a deep but well-balanced rumble while the mids have a significant amount of body, making instruments sound thicker in presentation.
Bass
The bass of the KZ Ling Long features a deep and smooth sound and I like how it responds to specific tracks. Plus the depth it adds certainly improves the listening experience.
Although the bass frequencies were less punchy and not as present compared to more bass-head IEMs, it still has excellent clarity and versatile sound.
Overall, the bass best complements the mix rather than being the highlight.
Mids
On the other hand, the mids of the KZ Ling Long have a good amount of body. They’re more forward in a mix, making instruments sound fuller and more defined.
The tuning on the mids contributed a lot to the smooth presentation of vocals and instruments in this frequency. It also presented a good amount of warmth, making it great for more laid-back tunes.
Treble
The treble of the KZ Ling Long is well-balanced in presentation and free from any kind of peaking or harsh frequencies.
No sibilance was also experienced, which is crucial for any IEM because sibilance response dictates if an IEM will be fatiguing to listen to or not.
Although it’s warm and balanced in presentation, the Ling Long can still feature a good amount of airiness without too much sharpness.
Test Tracks
I’ve tested the KZ Ling Long on different genres of music to get a proper understanding of how they sound and here are my findings.
- Metal / Rock – Guitars sounded great on the KZ Ling Long as they were nicely blended into the mix. The way it complimented other instruments instead of overpowering them was such a treat. Vocals didn’t get drowned out even on heavier tracks and instruments on lower frequencies, such as the bass and the drums, had enough punch to be manageable in the mix. Tracks used: Brain Stew (Green Day), Reverie (Polyphia), Ignorance (Paramore)
- Pop – In this genre, where vocals are most commonly the highlight, KZ Ling Long was able to keep up with the layers of vocals present on the test tracks. It had a good amount of sound separation, which immensely helped when distinguishing between sounds. Tracks used: Bad Boy (Red Velvet), OMG (NewJeans), Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears)
- Hip-hop – The bass did an excellent job presenting the lower frequencies that are prominent in the hip-hop genre. However, I wouldn’t consider this IEM a bass head IEM but rather a fun-listening, versatile pair. Tracks used: Search & Rescue (Drake), Cash In Cash Out (Pharell Williams ft 21 Savage & Tyler the Creator)
- Indie – THe KZ Ling Long presented a good amount of sound separation even though the soundstage presentation was quite average. It still did a great job of providing an enjoyable listening experience. Tracks used: Show Me How (Men I Trust), Space Song (Beach House), Get Free (Lana Del Rey)
- R&B / Soul – The warm V-shape sound signature worked wonders for this genre. It was a great listening experience. The instruments were smoothly presented and showcased reasonable amounts of clarity and detail. Tracks used: Devil in the Details (Mac Ayres), Get You (Daniel Ceasar), Melting (Kali Uchis)
Conclusion
The KZ Ling Long is a great budget option for those looking for a versatile pair with a warm V-shaped sound signature. It works great for laid-back tracks but it can perform well on any tracks you throw.
KZ is definitely stepping up their game with the Ling Long, as you get so much for the price you’re paying.
You get a decent-sounding and versatile pair of IEMs with excellent fit and comfort.
If you’re looking for an affordable yet excellent pair of bullet-style IEMs, I recommend you give the KZ Ling Long a try – you might be surprised.
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 2024-10-31 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.