Sonic Compass · Mojo Review · IEM (universal) · Session Review
KZ ZSN Pro X
A tidier, clearer ZSN Pro: controlled punchy bass, forward mids and smoother treble for US$20.
A great earphone for the price: punchy, controlled bass, clear mids, smooth treble and a detachable cable, with real build quality for US$20. The reviewer expected another success story for KZ.
- Controlled, punchy bass with fast decay
- More forward, detailed mids than the original ZSN Pro
- Smoother, sweeter treble
- Detachable SPC cable
- Great build quality for US$20
Where it sits
Sonic Compass does not score gear out of ten. Gear and listeners are plotted on the same seven axes, so a review tells you where a product sits — and you can see how far that is from where you sit. A position is a description, not a grade.
- Tone ColourBalanced · 50%
- Texture DetailDetailed · 65%
- Dynamics JumpPunchy · 60%
- Space & ImagingBalanced · 50%
- Timing & FlowRhythmic · 65%
- Comfort & FatigueBalanced · 55%
- Emotional EngagementBalanced · 57%
Slightly bright and tidy: bass trimmed, mids forward, treble sweet. High = warm on this scale.
More midrange detail and clarity than the original Pro; good separation for the price.
Punchy mid-bass, smooth sub-bass rumble, fast decay.
Average size, slightly wider than deep, forward; solid imaging, moderate layering.
Faster transients than the KBEAR KS2 and a faster bass than the ZST X.
Comfortable rounded shells; treble can be a little strident on some tracks; average isolation.
Balanced and lively, with vocals less recessed than on the original.
The KZ ZSN Pro X is a US$20 hybrid IEM with one 10mm dynamic driver and one 30095 balanced armature, the follow-up to the ZSN Pro. Prime Audio Reviews tested it in October 2020 and compares it with the original Pro, the KBEAR KS2 and the KZ ZST X.
This review follows the reviewer's video and his written review on primeaudio.org. It is a 2020 review at the 2020 price.
Listening journey
Overall — A tidier, more balanced take on the ZSN Pro formula. The bass is pulled back, the mids come forward and the treble is smoother, with a clear step up in clarity over the original.
Bass — Less emphasised and more controlled than on the original Pro. Sub-bass gives a smooth rumble, mid-bass has controlled punch, and decay is fast.
Mids — More forward than the original. Vocals and instruments are less recessed, with more midrange detail and a more balanced overall sound.
Treble — Noticeably smoother and more even than earlier KZ tuning. A sweeter, wetter sound rather than a scratchy one, though some tracks can sound a little strident.
Soundstage and imaging — Average in size and slightly wider than deep, with a forward presentation. Imaging is solid, layering moderate and instrument separation good for the price.
Critical observations
Design and comfort — The transparent acrylic shells are essentially identical to the previous Pro, in black, gold and royal blue. The aluminium faceplates have a matte finish with patterned ridges. The rounded edges sit comfortably with no pressure build-up. Noise isolation is average.
Cable — A detachable 4-core silver-plated copper cable with hooded, transparent 2-pin connectors and pre-formed ear guides. Three pairs of silicone tips are included.
Against the KBEAR KS2 (US$24) — The KS2 is warmer with better bass extension. The Pro X gives more midrange clarity and faster transients.
Against the KZ ZST X (US$16) — Similar tuning with less treble emphasis on the ZST X. The Pro X bass feels a little faster.
Read this against your own profile — If you want a clear, balanced, punchy budget IEM and are not sensitive to treble, this fits. If you want warmth or bass extension, the KS2 suits better.
Honest limits — By ear plus the reviewer's own frequency-response graph. No tracks or source gear are named in the written review. Dated October 2020, so the price and availability may have moved.
- Driver Configuration
- 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 30095 balanced armature
- Impedance
- 25 ohm
- Sensitivity
- 112 dB/mW
- Cable Connectors
- Detachable 4-core SPC cable, 0.75mm 2-pin, 125cm
- Power Requirements
- Easy to drive (25 ohm, 112 dB/mW)
- Build Quality Notes
- Acrylic shells, matte aluminium faceplates. Price US$20 in Oct 2020.
A great earphone for the price: punchy, controlled bass, clear mids, smooth treble and a detachable cable, with real build quality for US$20. The reviewer expected another success story for KZ.
<p><strong>Buy it if</strong> you want a clear, balanced and fast budget hybrid with a detachable cable.</p><p><strong>Skip it if</strong> you are treble-sensitive (some tracks turn strident), or want warmer, bassier sound, which the KBEAR KS2 gives.</p>