HIGHS
I think the highs are parallel to mids in terms of filter choices. Again, blue is a little brighter and highs are a bit more definitive. Black is darker and extension lacks a little when compared, and red is around between them in terms of quantity. There’s good amount of extension, especially when the blue filters come into play. Blacks create a veil to highs so they go a step away from you, all depends on your preference.
Moving on from filters to actual quality, LZ-A4 continues to shine but a little less than bass again. The bass impresses so much, especially with it’s air and quality, you just can’t appreciate the other parts enough. When I think of the treble, all I can say is there’s no problem for this price. There’s no amazing extension, immense air and amazing timbre, but there’s a little for each of them. This is an all-around IEM (obviously, since you can play with filters night and day) not only in terms of quantity of the frequencies, but also the quality. You will find the LZ-A4 well above average in every aspect and highs are no exception.
Micro details and timbre exceeds this price range and make this IEM a huge competitor even in the mid-fi area. Maybe if I push myself too much to find a small dent, I can say the extension is not at the top level. But that would be not fair to this great piece.
TECHNICAL
As usual let’s talk about the technical aspects at last and close it up.
Starting with the resolution, I think LZ-A4 is very capable at this regard. When you use a good enough source with good quality files it shows the potential. Stellar performance. You can even dare to compare it with the products that are twice or triple the price. I cannot find a flaw about this area.
The highlight of LZ-A4 is the sound stage and ambiance. I think Lao Zhung intented to create a monitor which gives a stereo system feeling. Of course you can never actually get that in any headphone or IEM, but I mean the “feeling”. It just feels so wide and tall. You understand that when you try to close the back filters with your hands. The sound immediately becomes the traditional closed IEM sound. Great job by LZ to come up with this kind of sound with such a low cost. I think no other IEM can give this feeling at this price, and even the expensive ones maybe.
Separation is not at the top of course, and that’s hard to achieve in any monitor, especially at this range. But I’m going to repeat, LZ-A4 has every kind of quality to some extent that can make you completely satisfied. You simply cannot regret it. With blue filters,the vocals have a good seperation from other sections of the sound so consider that. The separation and layering of the bass is simply fantastic, maybe except it has a focus on subbass and midbass being behind. Yet, that would be just nitpicking.
There’s no sibilance that I’ve encountered. That’s another plus to LZ-A4. Whatever filters you choose, the sound is never harsh or aggressive.
And lastly, it’s very easy to drive it.
What more can one ask?
SUMMARY
Simply put, LZ-A4 is the BOMB. The sound is kind of out of your head thanks to the great sound stage and speaker feeling, with a non-aggressive smooth sound with a tremendous bass. The mids and highs are maybe not quite as impressive as the bass, but still very coherent and high level for the cost. It combines these with nearly unlimited options for altering the sound, a good build quality and accessory package. And this was the first time that I liked a IEM with filtering options.
This is the Landing Zone for the people who want a great sound stage, smooth sound and great bass coming with a low cost.
Until next time.
Kristian Lindecrantz
Great read and well executed review! I love these reviews of more affordable stuff, stuff you can actually try out without an extra mortgage. I’m all about ch-fi these days so please keep these reviews coming!
Berkhan
Thank you Kristian. We’re open to every kind of stuff. It’s interesting to see the developments from China and we will continue if we can get in touch with people.
Baha
Great review! Loved it. Do the sound of these improve if you use them with a portable dac/amp? Like the oppo ha2?
I’m not into IEMs but I’ll give these a try in the future!
Berkhan
Thanks Baha. I didn’t try them with a DAC/AMP so I don’t if these excel with some amp poweri but I can tell they’re driven easily. You can check Head-Fi thread for that.
tony
It is a very good review. http://www.lzhifiaudio.com
Berkhan
Thanks for the link Tony. Cheers.
wasaki
nice iem but Audeze isine 20 is the best value right now .
dale thorn
Do you hear a difference because of the iSine’s planar technology? It sure costs a lot more.
Dave
Great review. It is great to see really good things happening at a price people might actually be able to afford.
Berkhan
Thanks Dave. It sure is.
Bhargav Desai
Great review!
Would anyone know how these fare against Trinity Audio Delta/Delta II
Berkhan
Thanks!
I can’t comment on that but I hope someone will.
Juan
Hi, I would like to ask you about the A4’s amplifier neccesities. Are they easy to attack, let’s say with a Galaxy S6 or Lg V10 or do they need a special or dedicated amplifier? I have been an audiophile for decades and it is my first time with IEMs. I am used to listen to only loudspeakers, ATC SCM 50 nowadays. I also owned time ago a Stax SR 507 earspeakers, which I liked for their speed to music, although not comparable to the ATC in that respect nor in holography and musical scale. As I told you, I’d never tried noteworthy IEMs so your review left me intrigued. I need a pair for listening music at bed, mainly because I have discovered to love this new habit. So the question is if with a Galaxy S6 is enough to get a decent sound, not audiophile quality. Thank you very much for your review and enthusiasm.
Berkhan
Hello Juan.
Yes, a smartphone would be goo enough to power these. No amp necessary. If you hook up a portable DAC/AMP to your phone than you can have better sound quality. Even so, you will get a decent sound from your Galaxy or LG.
Juan
Thank you very much for your quick answer. Then I am going to the next step: buying a pair of LZ A4. Hope to write you again to comment my impressions on the “real thing”. Thank you again for taking my attention on your very informative review.
Maggie
I listen to metal music, I need something loud and powerful that even my Samsung note 8 can drive. I need a lot of bass that doesn’t destroy the mids and sound quality. Can you recommend these ones for me?
Berkhan
Yes
max
can you tell how i can contact with manufacturer? my lz a4 has broken mmcx connector..
Berkhan
Try contacting Frank through this e-mail address: [email protected]
Hawkeye
Did you get it fixed? How is the warranty process
Dkljaj.1
When will review for the new LZ-A5 come out?
Berkhan
I already have the review sample, but it’ll take a while. Stay tuned!
Eray Altıntaş
Bununla birlikte 500-1000 TL bandında ne tarz daplar uyumlu olur acaba. Colorfly c10 or others ?
Ali Bora
Hello. What would be your replacement IEM for Lz A4 with similar sound signature. Mine mmcx connector is dead sadly. Thanks
Berkhan
Look out for dynamic driver IEMs, such as Acoustune.
Pier
How do you rate the LZ A4 vs. 1more Quad vs. Campfire Comet from a sound quality perspective only?