QKZ ZXN Earphones Review – Is It the Best Bass IEM on a Budget?

QKZ ZXN

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Current testing methodology is v1.2

The QKZ ZXN is an earphone with a magnetic dynamic driver.

Recently, I noticed something sketchy with the recent IEMs that the QKZ is releasing. The ZXT, ZAX2, ZX2, ZX3, and ZXD have the same driver and measures as the ZXN.

They all have different faceplates but even the shells look the same and they’re all released in the same week.

For this review, let’s take a closer look at the ZXN and how it performs.

Editor’s Pick

QKZ ZXN

Budget IEMs with powerful bass.

3.5/5
Price Range: $
Brand: QKZ
QKZ ZXN inside the packaging

TL:DR;

The QKZ ZXN is a 10mm Magnetic Dynamic Driver from the well-known Chi-Fi brand QKZ.

It has a good build quality and it’s quite comfortable to wear.

Overall, I think the QKZ ZXN is a good choice if you’re looking for a fun-sounding IEM with an elevated bass for only under $10.

The Specs

  • Driver:  10mm Magnetic Dynamic Driver
  • Cable:  3.5mm Line Type
  • Frequency:  20 – 20,000Hz
  • Impedance:  32Ω
  • Sensitivity:  109db

What’s in the Box?

  • QKZ ZXN Earphones
  • 3 x pairs of silicone ear tips in black (S, M, L)
  • 3 x pairs of silicone ear tips in white (S, M, L)
  • 2-pin detachable cable

Stuff I like

  • Punchy bass
  • Nice and comfortable fit
  • Soft ear tips
  • Decent build quality

Stuff I like less

  • Mid-bass bleeding
  • Extended treble
  • Recessed vocals
  • Sibilance

Comparable products to consider

KZ ZSN Pro
KZ ZSN Pro

The KZ ZSN Pro is a budget hybrid IEM that offers a balanced armature driver and a single dynamic magnetic driver setup for an affordable price of around $20.

KZ EDX
KZ EDX

The KZ EDX offers a V-shaped sound signature with punchy bass for around $10.

First Impressions

The QKZ ZXN comes with a colorful side-loading box with misprints on some text. 

On the other hand, QKZ did a great job showcasing the IEMs with the included Sintra board dock.

I didn’t like how they hid the L and R labels in the transparent ear hooks. It’s nearly unreadable and I had a hard time looking for the left and right sides of the IEMs.

Despite the QKZ ZXN’s price, the packaging and the inclusions don’t feel cheap. However, I’m still wondering why QKZ did not include any instruction manual.

QKZ ZXN without cables
Stunning metal face cover with a gold accent | Make Life Click

Build Quality

I like the brushed aluminum finish of the faceplates of the QKZ ZXN – it looks decent and I think it’s a well-thought-out design even though it shares similarities with the KZ ZSN Pro on the faceplate grooves.

The different angle of the ear stem helps with the fitting of the IEMs, and the plastic shell looks durable enough in the long run.

On the other hand, the cable looks like the typical cable you’d get from chi-fi brands. It’s braided and has a braided look and a plastic splitter.

Fit and Comfort

It took me ages to find the perfect ear tips for my ears because I thought that the six pairs of included ear tips come in different sizes, only to find out that technically there are just three sizes (S, M, L) and the other three are just in a different color. 

Good thing I found the perfect size of ear tips for my ears. The fit still generally depends on the user’s ear shape and size.

I like how comfortable the QKZ ZXN is. I didn’t feel any “ick” or discomfort in my ears, even though the hooks are a little bit tight.

Sound Quality 

After using the QKZ ZXN for days, I noticed the dominance of the bass.

Its power is what makes these IEMs feel big. I had no issue with details, clarity, and resolution. They’re not bad, but they’re not that good – I think it serves its price. 

QKZ ZXN
Featuring a 2-pin detachable cable | Make Life Click

The soundstage is somewhat small though. As for the 3D sound, I believe the QKZ ZXN’s width is wonderful and it feels spacious. The depth isn’t that bad and lastly, the height isn’t that immense but it’s there.

Overall, I think the QKZ ZXN will impress bass heads out there.

Bass

I was impressed with the bass of the QKZ ZXN as it’s deep, big, and thick. 

However, it’s not the quickest one, and it crosses the midrange a bit. It has a mid-bass bleed but I’m glad it retains the definition.

I also noticed that the bass response is good despite having an elevated mid-bass, and it’s not muddy to listen to.

I think the bass is the selling point here. It’s in the front and center, although this may be too much bass for other users. However, considering its very affordable price, it’s a nice feature of the QKZ ZXN.

Mids

The tuning of the QKZ ZXN feels V-shaped with its recessed vocals, but the separation is also worth noticing so that you can pinpoint which is which.

The vocals sit at the back, but I’m surprised it still sounds neat and detailed. And I think that’s a plus.

I couldn’t say anything more about the midrange and I think it’s a typical tuning for many Chi-Fi brands.

Treble

The treble section of the QKZ ZXN is airy and open. It also feels extended. 

The guitars sound good and feel alive because of the airy frequencies. For people who have sensitive hearing, they need to be cautious cause they might find the treble a bit too harsh.

Test Tracks

I tested the QKZ ZXN with these different tracks below to fully understand how they work and what genre they would fit best. Here are my findings.

QKZ ZXN Casing
Tuned with a 10mm composite moving coil for HiFi sound resolution | Make Life Click
  • September by Earth, Wind & Fire (Funk) – I had already listened to this song a hundred times but when I used the QKZ ZXN, I immediately noticed the syncopated bass line in the intro. I’ve never heard it before with other earphones. A lot is happening in this song and sometimes it’s hard to distinguish the instruments used. The separation was also remarkable, and you’d genuinely appreciate Maurice White’s falsettos while feeling the funkiness of the trumpets and the funky guitar strumming. The dominance of the bass also showcased the groovy bass lines.
  • OMG by NewJeans (Alternative/Rock) – The vocals were a bit recessed and still performed well despite the V-shaped sound. There’s an excellent separation between the voice and the instrumentals in the background, and we all know that the vocals are the essential elements of a K-Pop song. The trap beats in this song also stood out while also giving some space to the vocals and not competing with each other. I listened at 50% volume, and you can still hear clarity and definition.
  • Music for a Sushi Restaurant by Harry Styles (Pop) – The bass drum in the intro was boomy, and I liked it. Harry’s vocals in this song were presented neatly while the synth and drum tracks were still doing their thing. The backup vocals also sounded good. Some treble spikes caused discomfort in my ears, making me turn the volume down. The bass is still remarkable, and I can’t complain about it.
  • Always Love by Nada Surf (Indie) – The QKZ ZXN gave this song a different listening experience. I loved how it balanced the instrumentals while providing clarity to the instruments. The vocals were somewhat sitting at the back, but I think it’s in the song’s mastering. I also heard echoes in the vocals, which I didn’t hear before. The bass is also balanced in this track – it’s not that boomy or overpowering.

Gaming Impression

I used the QKZ ZXN while playing NBA 2K23 and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and tested them for hours.

I find the ZXN performing nicely, especially when playing stealth games, as you can hear the footsteps quite well. The sound imaging is also good, while the sound separation isn’t that bad but also not that good.

Overall, the ZXN can perform well enough with gaming but don’t expect too much.

QKZ ZXN Cables
Twister cables with 3.5mm jack | Make Life Click

Conclusion

The QKZ ZXN really served its price and I think it can compete with other IEMs out there in the bass category. 

The ZXN is fun to listen to. It has a safe sound signature and a punchy bass, which many people would enjoy. It’s suitable for most genres but it works well with more upbeat genres like K-pop and EDM.

The QKZ ZXN’s bass is what makes it distinct. It’s what makes this IEM impactful and I think that without its powerful bass, the ZXN won’t have much to offer.

QKZ ZXN Design
QKZ ZXN
Sound Quality
Build Quality
Comfort and fit
Value for money
4.2

Shaik, a college student, part-time musician, and proud fur parent. Currently pursuing his degree in architecture.

As a part-time musician, Shaik enjoys expressing his self creatively through music. Whether it's writing original songs or performing covers, music is a significant part of Shaik's life

This post was last updated on 2025-02-05 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.


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