KZ ZSN Pro vs. KZ ZSN Pro X – Which IEM Suits Your Preferences?

The KZ ZSN has had many updates since its release, and the Pro and Pro X are good examples of that model lineup. 

While donning the same name, the Pro and Pro X versions surprisingly have very different sounds, which I found surprising. With this in mind, we’ll compare them side by side while closely looking at their similarities and differences. This will help you decide which IEM suits you best.

Let’s get to it!

KZ ZSN Pro vs. KZ ZSN Pro X: Sound Signature

Upon testing the KZ ZSN Pro, I noticed that it features a V-shaped sound signature, which is a safe yet classic choice for creators. It has an entertaining and colored sound, which greatly complements genres like rock, metal, K-pop, and hip-hop. 

Surprisingly, this IEM also performed well on R&B and indie tracks, proving that it’s versatile enough to work well with any genre.

The KZ ZSN Pro is for you if:

• You like a colorful-sounding IEM.
• You like a sound that highlights the treble and low frequencies.
• You like an immersive, lush, and fun sound to keep you vibing for more.

Unlike the other models of the KZ ZSN series, the Pro X veers away from the usual V-shaped sound and instead, it has a bright sound signature. The boost on the high and upper-mid frequencies gives tracks a sharp and detailed presentation, making it an excellent choice for mixing and mastering tracks.

The KZ ZSN Pro X is for you if:

• You like a sound signature that features a great level of clarity.
• You like a sound signature that allows you to distinguish imperfections in a mix to correct and adjust them.
• You like a thin, sharp, and detailed sound.

KZ ZSN Pro vs. KZ ZSN Pro X: Sound Signature

With the KZ ZSN Pro, the first thing you’d notice about it is its elevated bass that doesn’t overwhelm the mix. Instead, it intimately wraps around the tune, complementing the other frequencies. 

Though it’s not as punchy as other bass-head IEMs on the market, the bass is still very boomy and it works well with fast drum beats. The bass has incredible clarity, a strong and fast response with great frequencies that perform well on tracks with deep bass sounds. 

Another plus is that there’s no muddiness to the sound due to the upgraded dynamic drivers. The KZ ZSN Pro also had a very immersive sound that surrounded the listener well but the sound separation could’ve been improved more.

Moving on to the mids, they also sounded great, with adequate clarity. However, the low-mid bass would get crowded with mid-bass bleed at times. Overall the mids could mostly present instruments and vocals smoothly and naturally.

Unfortunately, I experienced treble peaks at specific treble ranges while using the KZ ZSN Pro, especially on sibilance-prone tracks. It was an unpleasant experience as the treble was tuned too sharply for my liking. However, this problem could easily be fixed with a few tweaks on the EQ.

The KZ ZSN PRO is for you if:

• You like a sound that immerses you in your listening experience.
• You like a bass with excellent clarity and a strong response.
• You like a sound that allows vocals to stand out when combined with the immersive soundstage.

Unlike other IEMs, the KZ ZSN series, the KZ ZSN Pro X isn’t as versatile. While it performed well enough for pop and R&B, its sound quality and features aren’t fit for some genres such as metal, rock, and hip-hop.

One of the reasons behind its lack of versatility is the tuning of the bass. The bass presentation of the KZ ZSN Pro X is more subtle and less prominent compared to its predecessors. The sub-bass also has a very shallow extension, causing a more subtle rumble. 

The mid-bass isn’t bad on its own as it remains punchy and tight. However, once mixed with other frequencies, it can easily be overpowered.

Meanwhile, the mids sound thin and spiky. It got to the point where the vocals sounded dry due to thinness and lack of body. The resolution of the mids was also compromised when listening to tracks with distorted guitars because the upper mids had a grainy texture.

The treble of the KZ ZSN Pro X was its redeeming factor as it has excellent detail retrieval. It added the right amount of air and sparkle to the tracks. However, it isn’t perfect either as it can be sibilant on certain tracks. 

Because of the thin tuning, treble peaks also weren’t avoidable. The treble has a metallic timbre, which sounds unnatural and can be fatiguing to listen to with prolonged use.

The KZ ZSN Pro X is for you if:

• You like a treble that features excellent detail retrieval.
• You like a sound that has the right amount of sparkle and airiness.
• You like a sound that has subtle bass and rumble.

KZ ZSN Pro vs. KZ ZSN Pro X: Caveats

Even though it’s a great IEM at its price point, the KZ ZSN Pro still has some flaws that can be improved and hopefully fixed in future releases. 

One example is the treble peaking at certain listening situations which can cause fatigue and discomfort to listeners, especially those who are sensitive to high frequencies. In some situations, the mids can also suffer from a mid-bass bleed. Lastly, there are times when the bass can be overwhelming for some users.

Exploring outside one’s comfort zone is always a good thing but the KZ ZSN Pro X is simply outdated and has a long way to go if it wants to be on par with its predecessors and competitors in the market. 

Its tuning is extremely thin, which makes it more prone to sibilance and treble peaking. The metallic timbre causes more harm than good as it can be very fatiguing to listen to. In addition, the thin-sounding mids compromise their resolution, causing the vocals and instruments to sound extremely dry and grainy. 

Lastly, the bass can be easily overpowered by the other frequencies because of its very shallow extension, presence, and body. Its presence is so subtle and small that even an extensive power source like a DAC dongle couldn’t bring it forward.

Conclusion

The KZ ZSN Pro and the KZ ZSN Pro X are excellent in their rights. It was surprising that they have very different sound signatures as I expected that the Pro X would just be a refined version of the Pro. 

The ZSN Pro is suitable for those who like a colored and bassy sound presentation while the ZSN Pro X is for those who want more clarity and balance in their sound.

This post was last updated on 2024-11-14 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.