Today I’m diving into a sound showdown of budget-friendly earbuds. I recently got my hands on two popular IEMs (in-ear monitors) from KZ – the ZS3 and ZS5 – after seeing rave reviews online, especially considering their incredibly low price points. To put them to the test, I’m also bringing in a familiar contender: the standard Apple earbuds that came with my iPhone 6s. Let’s see how these stack up when we Compare Earbuds across different categories.
Unboxing Experience
First impressions matter, and KZ definitely understands this. Both the ZS3 and ZS5 arrived in identical, sleek packaging that punches above their weight class. It’s a small box, but the presentation gives you the feeling you’re getting more than you paid for. Inside each box, you find:
- The IEMs themselves, with medium-sized silicone ear tips already attached.
- A basic user manual with run-in tips (suggesting 5 minutes of medium volume play to start) and safety guidelines.
- Two additional pairs of silicone ear tips in small and large sizes to ensure a good fit.
- A standard rubber cable that feels, well, budget-friendly. My ZS3 version also included an inline microphone and remote – a feature the ZS5 lacked when I purchased it, and honestly, one I could have done without.
Before any serious listening, I gave each pair of KZ IEMs about 30 minutes of “burn-in” time with random music at a moderate volume, as suggested in the manual. Then, it was time to compare earbuds and see how they performed against the Apple benchmark.
Sound Check Setup
To keep things consistent, I used my 4th generation iPod as the source. All tracks were in 320kbps mp3 format, with equalization and volume limits turned off (flat settings). I set the volume between 75-85% for most of the listening, adjusting as needed for each earbud to achieve a comparable listening level.
Music Playlist for Earbud Comparison
To really put these earbuds through their paces and compare earbuds across different genres, I curated a playlist featuring a range of musical styles and complexities:
- Classical: Chopin Nocturnes (for dynamics and detail)
- Folk/Indie: Sandy Denny – Late November, Nick Drake – Pink Moon (for vocals and acoustic instruments)
- Rock/Alternative: John Frusciante – “Curtains”, Radiohead – Reckoner, Interpol – Obstacle 1 (for mids, highs, and instrument separation)
- Post-Rock: Explosions in the Sky – It’s Natural to Be Afraid, Godspeed You! Black Emperor – The Dead Flag Blues (for soundstage and layering)
- Jazz Vocals: Billie Holiday – I’m a Fool to Love You, Chet Baker – Almost Blue (for vocal clarity and timbre)
Direct Earbud Comparison: KZ ZS3 vs. ZS5 vs. Apple Earbuds
The first thing that jumped out immediately was the stark difference in isolation. Comparing in-ear monitors like the KZs to open earbuds like the Apple ones is almost unfair in this regard. The KZs create a seal that blocks out a significant amount of external noise, fundamentally changing the listening experience compared to the Apple earbuds, which offer virtually no isolation.
KZ ZS3: The Punchy Bass King for Budget Earbud Enthusiasts
From the moment I put them in, the KZ ZS3 earbuds impressed with their comfort. They fit snugly and securely. Sonically, the ZS3 is clearly tuned for a bass-heavy sound signature. The low-mids are very prominent, sometimes even overwhelmingly so. Interestingly, the build quality feels more robust than the ZS5, perhaps due to the plastic used, which seems less refined on the ZS5.
These are the most punchy of the three in this earbud comparison. The bass hits with real impact, and at the same iPod volume setting, the ZS3s are noticeably louder and seem more responsive to dynamic shifts in the music. This was particularly noticeable in the classical Chopin pieces and the instrumental tracks from Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
However, the strong bass presence can be a double-edged sword. Often, the low frequencies become intrusive and somewhat uncontrolled, muddying the overall sound and sacrificing clarity. The soundstage feels quite narrow and intimate. Despite the forward bass, vocals and solo instruments still manage to position themselves relatively forward in the mix (think Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, and John Frusciante tracks).
I suspect that with some careful equalization, the KZ ZS3 could become a genuinely enjoyable and versatile pair of budget earbuds. They have a fun, energetic sound profile that will appeal to bass lovers.
KZ ZS5: The Hi-Fi Hopeful in the Budget Earbud Arena
The KZ ZS5 earbuds were slightly less immediately comfortable for me compared to the ZS3, but still perfectly comfortable for extended listening. They present themselves as the more “Hi-Fi” option of the two KZs, aiming for a more neutral sound profile. Mids are well-represented, and the bass is more balanced than on the ZS3.
However, I encountered some inconsistencies in the high frequencies. On several occasions, sharper sounds – like Frusciante’s voice in “Your Warning,” Paul Banks’ vocals in “The New,” or the more piercing notes of Chet Baker’s trumpet – exhibited a noticeable distortion or harshness.
The ZS5 is also less loud than the ZS3 at the same volume setting. It’s possible that with a more powerful audio player than my iPod, the ZS5 could perform significantly better and reveal more detail. Overall, I found the ZS5 to sound a bit restrained and somewhat flat, lacking excitement. They are less dynamically engaging than the ZS3, meaning subtle changes in volume and intensity within songs are less pronounced.
The soundstage is wider on the ZS5 than the ZS3, likely due to the greater emphasis on mids and highs. I need to spend more time with the ZS5, but my initial impression is that the ZS3 is more immediately engaging and exciting to listen to, despite the ZS3’s less refined bass response.
Apple Earbuds (iPhone 6s): The Open-Air Baseline for Earbud Comparison
Comparing the Apple earbuds (the standard, non-in-ear type) directly to the KZs is challenging. The listening volume that was great for the ZS3 and very good for the ZS5 often felt inadequate with the Apple earbuds to truly appreciate their qualities and detail. I had to crank the iPod volume up to 100% to get a comparable listening level.
At higher volumes, the Apple earbuds reveal themselves to be the most mid- and high-frequency focused of the three, somewhat similar to the ZS5 in overall balance but with a tendency towards being slightly nasal in comparison. The soundstage is very wide, and surprisingly, they are perhaps the most detailed and defined of the three. Instruments are well-separated and distinct, and individual notes are more easily discernible, especially in quieter passages and during crescendos.
However, the lack of isolation makes them far less practical for on-the-go listening, especially in noisy environments like trains, planes, or busy streets. They simply can’t compete with the immersive experience provided by the in-ear design of the KZ IEMs in typical everyday scenarios.
Conclusion: Top Pick in this Earbud Comparison?
Based on this initial, admittedly quick comparison using modest equipment and standard quality audio files, the KZ ZS3 emerges as the winner in this budget earbud face-off. They are not perfect IEMs, but considering their incredibly low price (less than 10 euros including shipping!), they offer exceptional value. With some EQ tweaking to tame the bass, the ZS3 could deliver a very satisfying listening experience for many users.
While the KZ ZS5 shows potential for a more balanced sound, it needs further testing with higher-quality audio players and perhaps headphone amplifiers to truly unlock its full potential. For now, the ZS3 offers a more immediately enjoyable and engaging listening experience, especially considering the price. The Apple earbuds, while surprisingly detailed in some respects, simply aren’t in the same league as the KZ IEMs for immersive listening, particularly when you factor in isolation and overall value. For anyone looking for a significant audio upgrade on a tight budget, the KZ ZS3 is a compelling option.
