CZ-10 Stereo Headphones

This is a review of the "Enhanced" version, with upgrades as listed below.

Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced ($1000): An update on the “budget” model.

CZ-10

Intro: Crosszone is not known by many of those outside of the Far East market, and then seemingly in smaller circles. There is another review out regarding the “Enhanced” version, which to my knowledge is the only other dedicated review. Others are sure to follow.


*History from the site, and the same as the CZ-8A review.


Crosszone was started by Robert Lai of Asia Optical (English translation), which focuses on 3D LIDAR tech, along with other optics. From this, “CROSSZONE was established in Japan in 2016 by Asia Optical, which has extensive experience in developing and manufacturing optical products, like the ones mentioned. CZ-1 is the pioneer product of CROSSZONE and has received very good evaluations from reviewers and customers since. We hope to carry forward the concept of CZ-1 and are committed to continue developing high-quality music equipment,” quoted from their site with my interpretations thrown in as well.

The CZ-1 was well respected in the top-tier market with its unique (or so it seems) technology. The CZ-10 is the “affordable” model, while the previously reviewed CZ-8A seemingly splits the difference. After some critique, the “Enhanced” versions of the two latter models came about. With finer-tuned bass response, the pair retail for the same price as their previous models. Consider this an evolution, instead of a replacement of the models.

The review samples were sent to me (with @Wiljen to follow) for review purposes. Both models are ours to keep, but may be asked back for at any time. We agree to provide an unbiased review, noting all for good or ill. Also included was the company’s 4.4mm bal cable for comparative purposes.

I reference my Headfonics reviews below for comparative purposes only, but this particular review is not associated with Headfonics and is known as such. This is for my independent blog, along with @Headpie & @wiljen’s site, and here on Head-Fi at the independent request of Crosszone.

If the initial listening is anything to be an entry into the review, I note that I prefer the CZ-10 from the initial listen. That may change and could be due to my listening preference(s).



Specs:



In The Box:

CZ-10 Enhanced
3.5mm se 1.5m long cable
6.35mm se 3.5m long cable
Owner’s manual
Warranty card
Display case
4.4mm bal cable



Gear used/compared:

MacBook Pro/iFi Diablo2
MacBook Pro/EarMen Angel
MacBook Pro/DA-Art Aquila III
MacBook Pro/FiiO K9 Pro ESS
Shanling M6 Pro
Cayin N6ii mk2

Campfire Audio Cascade ($899)
ZMF Eikon ($1400)
Kennerton Magni V2 ($690)
Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced ($1700)

Music used:

Tidal: Jazz, Daily Discovery (which varies)
Qobuz: Jazz, Pop, Rock


Unboxing:

The Crosszone comes in a box, much like ZMF presents their wares, without a case. The black outer glossy enclosed paperboard exclosure includes a picture of the model on the front and included items on the back. Understated, and I appreciate that the box does not become lavishly burdened with undue information.

Inside, the softer materialled clamshell-lidded box has a nice feel to it with “Crosszone” in gold gilding across the front. When opened, you are met with the instructions and warranty card in slots under the lid. Below, you find the velvet-like covered material set over a form-fitting medium-weight foam insert. The headphones lay flat inside the box, and both cables are set into another cutout above. Elegantly simple, but no case other than the display case is included.

The CZ-10 Enhanced is well protected, just like the CZ-8A Enhanced.



Technology:

Truth be told, you could insert how a three-way speaker functions and get essentially the same methodology behind the CZ models. But of course, it isn’t that simple.

While traveling, Mr. Lai noted that most conventional headphones focused on the “inside the head” experience, losing what could be a better soundstage, if one mimics the two-channel home system. Using “Acoustic Resonance Technology” (ART) and “Acoustic Delay Chambers” (ADC) to achieve this natural and spatial sound field, “External Sound Localization” gives the user an out-of-head experience, mimicking that 2-channel experience. The CZ models function using the following methodology.

Dual beryllium drivers (each with a brass ring for isolation and stabilization purposes) are used for each ear cup, with the 23mm dynamic driver focused on high frequencies; while the 40mm dynamic driver handles the low-end. Called direct channeling, this is no different from existing headphones. What adds to the technology is another 35mm beryllium cross-feed driver, which brings in the sound from the opposite ear cup, with a very slight delay.

The low-end driver for each side and the cross-driver have a small centered divot, acting like a lens. This further “delays” potential interferences, and is by design working in concert with the other technology. There are also four holes of equal size on the front curve of the driver but without the two sound wave control guides (baffles) of the CZ-8A.

This is where it gets fun, with the ADC delaying the opposite channel sounds. The designed outer cover of the headphones is used for this effect. The CZ-10 Enhanced places the ADC within that outer cover and wraps it with aluminum. The shielding effect of this cover reduces the effect of electromagnetic noise on the drivers and allows purportedly for a “clear and detailed playback of sounds.”

The shape of the ear pads in their triangular form allows those drivers to exercise their mettle, without being encumbered by the intrusiveness, which happens sometimes with pads. The CZ-10E does not carry either set of baffles, which help guide the sound waves on the CZ-8AE.

The CZ-10E lacks the smaller duct behind the two larger drivers of the CZ-8AE. There is the duct just between each side’s dual drivers (and larger than the back duct) though, which directs sound for the opposite side, giving a broader soundstage, too.



Sensitivity:

With an impedance of 75 ohms and a sensitivity of only about 99dB/mW; the CZ-10E holds the same harder-to-drive mantra of its big brother. This too, could easily fall into the vintage higher-impedance headphones such as AKG models, which demand a large shot of voltage to drive if it had an even higher impedance. The listening sources’ power aspects were adjusted accordingly to accommodate the higher impedance.


Build/Fit:

The first thing I noticed when taking the CZ-10Es out of the box was the heft, which was slightly less than the CZ-8AE (50g less). They seemed to be on par with many Audeze headphones in weight, but less than equivalent ZMF models. The feel was still quite good of the unit. Made mostly of aluminum alloy, I get why it feels hefty but wears lightly, just like its more expensive cousins.

This is now the second headphone, which contains a hinge such as this for adjusting. I fully understand why the design is this way, with the spring-loaded design meant to put pressure in the right place. The clamping pressure is identical to the slightly heavier CZ-8AE.

The headphone strap allows for further adjusting, but the leather padded band under the headband never felt out of place. As George noted in his video review (again, regurgitating), this system affords the user the ability to wear the headphones higher or lower as needed, simply by adjusting the band.

The aluminum also carries “speckles” in the texture like the CZ-8AE, which allows for a better grasp of the unit. The gold-colored bar runs like a laser set across the outside of the cup. Missing are the 4 unequal length vent slots, replaced by two longer ones oriented towards the back while wearing.

The build quality is top-tier and warrants its place in this ever-crowded price sector. I liken this to Volkswagen several years ago making all of their interiors from the bottom Golf to the top Passat luxurious, because every driver deserves it. The same holds for these headphones.

Fit ended up being quite good, with little weight felt on top of my head in long 5–6-hour sessions, even while wearing a hat. Many manufacturers (I’m looking at you Sennheiser) could benefit from a design study of the Crosszone models.



Cable(s):

All three cables come as twisted OFC Litz wiring, with a see-thru mesh tube protecting the dual strands. You can get custom cables for differing 4.4 bal approaches, as well as XLR or different lengths. I will note that I was a bit skeptical of the feel until I attached each. There is absolutely no microphonics, which is wonderful. I cannot count the number of times while reviewing headphones at this price when the house cable had microphonics, even a bit.

I am unsure of the wind or strand count per side, but the cabler seems to be on the average size.



Sound:

All listening was done after 75+ hours of burn-in time (just like the CZ-8AE). I occasionally checked, and will note up front that the sound seemed to open up after time. I prefaced each check by listening to the Shanling MG100 this time instead of the LETSHUOER so that I had the same baseline of listening. I can confidently add that there was a difference.

Listening was done using my MBP tethered to the excellent EarMen Angel, YULONG DA-ART Aquila III, FiiO K9 Pro ESS, and the Shanling M6 Pro along with the Cayin N6ii mk2.



Summary:

OOTB, I found the sound to have a bit more mainstream tuning than the CZ-8AE but it still mimicked a small venue with speakers (not vintage this time). After burning the unit in I found the CZ-10E opened its soundstage as advertised.

While enhanced bass was still a focal point of this version, the lows came across as authoritative but controlled, and more engaging. The midrange lifted the soundstage but not as much as the CZ-8AE, while the treble area filled in the gaps; with a bit sharper tonality. The small venue speakers’ sound came across as more engaging with each hour.

The CZ-10E to me is the more fun sounding headphone of the two Crosszone’s in for review. Where the CZ-8AE focuses on detail retrieval, the CZ-10E focuses on engagement.

moar:

One of the main emphases of the Enhanced versions is getting the bass under control, without losing quantity. The bass hits fairly deep (source-dependent), with a good punch into the sub-bass level, with more authority; helping make that engaging sound. This is OK since reference headphones such as the Eikon have excellent control of the bass but without the grunt that the bass-cannon Cascade can provide. It is impactful, and detailed, with a slight bleed into the mids; which helps with the engaging signature. Taken singularly, the bass is good, with a decent reach and a respectable impactful, punchy amount; countering the CZ-8AE’s better “quality.”

The midrange carries the slighter uplift in sound signature, without becoming too shouty or overshadowing. There is a more piercing aspect to it than the finer-tuned CZ-8AE, but comes with an added layer of holography, which the more expensive cousin doesn’t carry.



The tone stays organic but is also prone to a peak around the 2.5 kHz mark, with coloring, that impacts female voices. I agree with George’s assessment (again) that the mids carry forward. A bit too much for me (more than the CZ-8AE), but with that organic feeling; they do not impede my satisfaction too much. Well-defined note weight gives the midrange an authoritative sound, but without becoming too impactful; instead presenting the tonality through that weight as natural with a touch of “vibrant warmth.” Source-dependent, they can become a bit shouty, which means you only need to turn the volume down; or pair it with a warmer source.

The treble still tends to be musical. It does have less control though. Compared to the Kennerton Rögnir, which sounds fabulous, but becomes tedious in the upper range on some songs, the CZ-10E does not warrant that as much. It is more similar to the Magni V2 than the Rögnir. The musical, fun tonality carried a mostly smooth sound across the treble range.

Sometimes tying the ends to the middle can be cumbersome, but unlike the CZ-8AE the CZ-10E does not mix the ends as well. I find I can raise the volume on some songs while on other combinations I cannot. Due to my treble intolerance, I had to match the source more closely than the CZ-8AE.



Soundstage:

There is much ado about exactly what the Crosszone headphones do to the soundstage. Especially since they are marketed to replicate your two-channel system, and essentially the point of their methodology.

Meant to replicate your home system, with an all-encompassing soundstage; the angle and placement of the drivers and associated support mechanisms do a very good job of this. I found the width to be beyond my head, but not excessively. Too much width and you lose note definition, placement, and weight to me. The CZ-10E carried instruments further away from the center to me, adding not only to the holography I heard but expansion of the soundstage. This can be construed as engaging but without completely enveloping you.

Height is flat-out excellent. Again, too much, and the layers become so stretched that notes become elongated vertically while maintaining their width. This can lead to excessively thin notes, even falsely. The CZ-10E presents a naturalness to the height, which allows the notes to breathe organically, but with a good vibrant character; defining the space commendably. This is especially true when added to the width I mentioned above. More so than the CZ-8AE.

The depth carries the goodies too, with very good depth, but without becoming cavernous or removing the listener too far from the stage of the music. This affords placement of the instruments to be accurately located, and given the necessary space to breathe. Add in the holographic effect and you “mimic” the cavernous nature of a well-tuned concert hall.

When taken together, layering and separation allow all involved instruments and notes to carry the spaciousness wrought by that holographic effect.





Pairings:

CZ-10E Enhanced & MBP/iFi Diablo 2 ($1299):

The Diablo2 is a beast. Not like the OG Black Label, but a tamer beast that provides plenty of power and connections. iFi chose to smooth the signature a bit from the OG Diablo while keeping the brighter aspects. What I heard was that the pairing allowed the mids to still stay prominent but without the shoutiness from some of the other pairings here. Slightly deeper in reach (but flatter), along with a slight improvement in reach up top afforded a more open setting for the notes to breathe.

Running the pairing on medium gain, I was able to attain quite a respectable volume level just at the ½-way mark. This allowed the CZ-10E to shine, but felt a bit compressed, without losing too much of the note weight. When called upon, I could raise the volume without straining my ears (unlike the Aquila III). I found this agreeable, and an easy desktop setup.

This is the kind of pairing that I feel the CZ-10E aches for. Power, but without being shouty or in your face. Yes, the signature of the headphones is engaging, and fun; but pairing two loud siblings is not a good take. I talked about “appropriate pairings” and the Diablo 2 would be one of those, without a second thought.



CZ-10 Enhanced & MBP/FiiO K9 Pro ESS ($799):

The FiiO comes across as vibrant and technically savvy, what with the new ESS chip implementation. Compared to the warmer, richer signature of the K9 AKM, the ESS version promotes a vibrant tendency without losing detail retrieval. This additional level of clarity (between the FiiO models) played together well with the CZ-8A, losing a bit down low in the process. Running in high gain, I was comfortable between 1000-1300 volume-wise, song-dependent.

I can say that the FiiO added more clarity, but did so in a manner that became a bit more engaging and also a bit more upper-end intolerant. Smooth sax notes on Coleman Hawkins Nighthawk came across as natural and sumptuous but with an adding too much to the tonality. This was another positive pairing. Conversely, Norah Jones Don’t Know Why sounded fantastic, but when she reached for notes, I reached for the volume knob. Less so than on the CZ-8AE. Mind you, the organic synergy of her voice through the combination made me play the song over and over to “ensure” I had heard that correctly.


CZ-10 Enhanced & YULONG DA-ART Aquila III ($999):

When I reviewed the Aquila III, I noted the added refinement from V2 but also added that the older model was still excellent. The Aquila III is a brilliant desktop DAC/Amp, providing gobs of power and clarity to back up the price.

The pairing did not add quite the appeal as the CZ-8AE did. While I appreciated the added detail coming out of the Aquila III, it almost became too much. I preferred a warmer option to the excellent detail coming out of the Aquila III.

I found that even on the “Slow” filter, the added note quality up top was not handled as well as the more expensive cousin. On Chick Corea & Bela Fleck’s excellent Remembrance, the added detail was excellent but came across as not as engaging as the FiiO. This may seem odd since both are tuned for clarity. But this goes to show that the YULONG carries that extra level of detail the FiiO cannot match.

Even though the FiiO may not be on par detail-wise as the Aquila III, I preferred that pairing.



CZ-10 Enhanced & EarMen Angel ($799):

I am a fan of EarMen products. The Sparrow and TR-AMP still see regular use in reviews and for personal listening. But the first one I reach for would be this, the Angel. It reminds me of my OG iFi micro–Black Label in its sheer power but with a better-refined character. Where Diablo 2 goes for vibrancy, the Angel goes for character-building authority. But with a bit added below, too. Running on high gain, I never had to go beyond the lower end of yellow on the volume wheel (equates to less than 50%).

The Diablo 2 paired with the CZ-8A has a more open sound, but the Angel focuses your attention more on the details of the song. This allows the magic of the Crosszone to work without bother, where the others add their own merits (which isn’t bad). A bit of soundstage is lost with this focus, but the sound was so sweet, I did not mind. Where the Diablo and FiiO provide additive bits and pieces, the Aquila III & Angel allow for the character of the CZ-8A to show through, with minimal additions.

To me, this was the closest pairing to the Aquila III, and my favorite “portable” pairing.


Courtesy of EarMen website

CZ-10 Enhanced & Shanling M6 Pro ($759):

I will openly admit I am a Shanling fan. I own or have owned several, and still consider the M6 Pro a vital (vibrant?) part of my review repertoire. Not the most detailed, or newest, but I like it, and that is what matters.

The Shanling mimics the warmth of Diablo 2, but with a smoother texture to the notes. Running the Dual DAC, on “Turbo,” I found there was not a lack of power. I did have to run the volume, north of 50% to get the listening levels, where I thought the CZ-8A deserved to be. Going this route, the battery was the only impedance, dropping accordingly. But that was not the point.

What was the point, is that the pairing provided probably the smoothest character of any tested here. Yes, the Shanling lacks in micro-detail refinement, but I did not care, for the sweetness of sound emanating forth was very pleasant. And complimentary to the powerful Angel above.

As a true portable setup, this would do nicely, if you do not mind the lack of micro-details or clarity that a more refined setup can bring. I certainly didn’t.



CZ-10 Enhanced & Cayin N6ii mk2 ($1199):

I also keep this “relic” (four years old...) around because I have the A01, T01, and E01 motherboards. For pure sound, I use the E01; but for this purpose, I installed the A01 because it had a 4.4mm bal jack. The level of detail between the two is noticeable, making the A01 quite complimentary to the Crosszone, where the E01 would provide warmth (Shanling-like, but more detailed).

This was the most detailed of my true portable setups, and the only thing lacking was the true power needed to properly drive the CZ-8A. I find that regardless of the headphones being reviewed. What was present though, was micro-detail to almost make the Aquila III jealous. Providing detail in the gaps of the CZ-8A’s tuning made the pairing a good listen. I appreciated how the Cayin handled the top end, adding a bit of clarity without becoming strident. This made for a very complimentary pairing to a desktop (or even other DAP) setup, allowing the notes to reach their proper weight, and adding a bit of clarity as well.


Comparisons:

Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced ($1000) v Campfire Audio Cascade ($899):

The Cascade is one of my all-time favorite closed-back headphones. The first headphone from Campfire Audio, the tune was most definitely oriented toward those who prefer bass cannons. And it does not fail in that regard.

Foldable for portability, the possibility of adding aftermarket cables made it quite the choice some years ago. And to me it still is. Not the most detailed, but ever so engaging in presentation you had no choice but to pay attention to the music emanating from within.

If this were down to levels of detail, the Crosszone would win in spades. But if we delve deeper into the engaging aspect of why we listen, it becomes less clear. Some find the Cascade middling in performance, whereas I find it thoroughly engaging and worthy of a fine cigar and a bourbon at the end of an especially trying day.

Where the CZ-10E provides an engaging, accurate sound to help you focus, the Cascade helps you forget. Raising the volume comes easier on the Cascade, too. I find when using the Cascade, I listen to a harder-edged music genre as easily as smooth jazz or blues. The Cascade can help you disassociate from reality for a while either with emotive force or a laidback style. The Crosszone helps you focus more on the tasks at hand. Both are excellent at what they do.



Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced ($1000) v ZMF Eikon ($1400):

I foolishly sold my previous pair of Eikon. I now have another pair back. While not quite as visceral in bass as the Atrium, I preferred the better control of the sound signature here. And that should not fool you, there is plenty down low with which to agree.

This is probably the closest competition for the likes of the Crosszone in my opinion. When aiming for a marker such as the ZMF, you had better consider its merits. The signature is detailed, with a push slightly up and forward to the mids, which highlights instrumental-based music. And does so quite well. Whereas the CZ-10E comes across with slightly better detail and clarity, it loses in note weight. The Eikon just hits right.

The Crosszone is more midcentric, with an even pull up top and down low, making for a more holographic effect to the signature. The level of detail wrought from Latin music makes for an almost unfair comparison, except when you take emotion into play. While the Crosszone comes across as accurate and holographic, the Eikon presents a more emotive aspect, like the Cascade. Mind you, this is my preference, and should not dissuade you from the absolutely glorious sound coming forth from the mids in the CZ-10E.

The Eikon wears heavier and makes for the choice of ear pads paramount in your listening decision (and ZMF provides many). The Crosszone is more plug and play, but neither should be discounted for a lack of merits here.


Courtesy of ZMF website

Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced ($1000) v Kennerton Magni V2 ($690):

I will admit I was a bit bothered when I purchased the Magni when I found out it was not the newest iteration. No matter, I have grown to appreciate and love its signature. Brighter than the CZ-10E, but with almost as much bass down low, and better control; the Magni is a very good closed-back headphone.

While it may not have the detailed retrieval of the CZ-10E, it carries the elevated midrange, but with more verve. And herein lies its Achilles heel to me; the midrange is overemphasized to me. This means I cannot turn the volume knob up as easily as the Cascade or CZ-10E, limiting my true enjoyment. Where it does shine is in succinct, accuracy when coupled with a source, which can come across with detail and clarity. It also works well with a warmer source, providing a richness to it, that the CZ-10E almost carries naturally.

You have to be pickier with choosing the right source with the Magni, making it more specific in use than the cross-platform CZ-10E. While I still really like the Magni V2, the Crosszone’s versatility cannot be discounted as a major benefit. When I am in the mood for something specific, the Magni V2 appears in my rotation. But for a more versatile listening pleasure, the CZ-10E presents itself more readily.


Courtesy of Kennerton website

Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced ($1000) v Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced ($1700):

With much of the same technology, except for the baffle on the lower driver, the tuning is similar but different. Where the CZ-8A goes for two-channel levels of detail while allowing the signature to breathe, the CZ-10 leans more towards the Eikon’s emotive responses. I find the bass reaches almost as low as the Eikon, but with less authority. This plays well into the tuning since it does not hinder the midrange.

The CZ-8A is tuned more towards the accuracy of the overall signature, whereas the CZ-10 is tuned for what I will call an immersive “fun” sound. For a $1k headphone, the sound is very, very good and in my upcoming review will make further judgments about it.

Suffice to say, the two provide a complementary approach for the company. Where the CZ-8A goes for accuracy of placement and making sure the listener gets the absolute most out of the soundstage, the CZ-10 Enhanced goes for a more engaging signature, with a bit of flair.

This is not a slight on either signature either, just a way the company goes about tuning to different levels of their models.



finale:

I said earlier that I had a preference as to which of the Crosszone headphones I liked. I still do, but I also think it isn’t that easy. One is their “entry-level” headphone in the model reviewed here, the CZ-10 Enhanced. The other is the bridge between this model and the TOTL CZ-1, raising the bar so to speak; the CZ-8A Enhanced.

Each does their job well in their respective category. If you want the purer model, then the CZ-8A Enhanced would be the easy choice. But it isn’t easy for me, for when emotion comes into play (like with the Cascade & Magni V2 above), that factor tips the scales for me allowing the CZ-10 Enhanced to come out ahead. For an immersive listen I preferred the CZ-10 Enhanced. For visceral accuracy, the CZ-8A Enhanced is amongst the best I have heard of late. But this may be about emotions and engagement, and this is where the CZ-10 Enhanced can compete in the market alongside the Cascade and others at the point such as the LCD-2 or something comparable.

And therein lies the dilemma...do you go for the better clarity-driven sound, which clearly moves ahead in detail retrieval, or for the more viscerally engaging (yes, I used visceral in two different thought patterns) sound signature which comes across as potentially more appealing?

I won’t make that decision for you but know that either model serves its purpose well, with sound to back the comfort up for long sessions, no matter the choice.

As for my choice? I’m not going to tell you. Enjoy and make your own decision.

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Crosszone CZ-10

The Crosszone CZ-10 have been sent to me by Pickupsound, the Spanish distributor for the the brand, for me to try them out and to share my opinions in this review.

There have been no requests or comments made by Pickupsound and I will, as always, be as unbiased in my review as possible.

You can find a link to the Crosszone CZ-10 via Pickupsound by visiting the vesion of this review published on my blog (www.achoreviews.com).

As always, this is a non-affiliate link, meaning I receive nothing in exchange for any click or purchases made via the link.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews



Intro…

I first came across Crosszone a couple of years ago at High End Munich (if they were there last year, I missed them). They had a small little stand hidden away in one of the speaker sections, quite a distance from other brands (except for Hifiman, who was also in the same section for some reason).

I remember they had 3 models on show, at least I think it was three, and the stand was deserted. I briefly tried the models and thought they sounded rather good (for show conditions in a speaker section). They had some basic information about them being a Japanese brand and how they used a special technology and chambers to achieve a more spacial presentation.

Again, I thought they were both interesting and sounded rather good, so I picked up a business card and proceeded to forget about them completely.

Then, a month or so ago, I received an email from Pickupsound asking if I would be interested in trying out and reviewing the CZ-10. I was pleasantly surprised, first, because I suddenly remembered Crosszone and my curiosity for them, and second, because I had no idea who Pickupsound were.

I was of course interested in trying out the headphones, so I said yes, and then proceeded to check out the website pickupsound.es. From surfing around their site, I found that they seem to be a small team of people with a passion for music and quite a nice selection of things that you don’t usually find in a lot of places. Their selection of speakers and headphones may not be huge but they are definitely interesting. I was also surprised to find out they are located in Jerez, somewhere that I am close to on many occasions, due to a lot of projects (for my real job) happening in Cadiz. If I had known this in the past, I would probably have made a couple of trips there.

Anyway, I digress, back to the reason of this review, Crosszone, a brand of headphones that you may not have come across but is certainly worth checking out, so let me tell you why I think they are interesting…



Presentation…

I really can’t go too deep into the presentation and packaging of these headphones as I have received a demo set and am not the first person to open them.

The headphones are in a silk lined black box that simply states Crosszone in gold across the top. This box comes inside a black cardboard sleeve that shows an image of the headphones on the front, along with make and model, with some very basic, and I mean very, on the back. One of the things that struck me is that Crosszone is located in Hong Kong yet the headphones are made in Japan, I am much more used to seeing that the other way around.

As far as accessories, all I received was the cable and a small owners manual. I have no idea if that is what is included with the purchase or not but it is certainly enough to make the headphones play music.

One thing to note is that the cable is a 3.5mm TRS to dual 3.5mm TRRS connectors and it also uses a specific pinout, which means that it doesn’t matter which side the cables are plugged in but due to the way the sound is fed to both cups (more on that in a moment), it does mean that it will be more difficult to find aftermarket cables, if that is something you are interested in.



Build and aesthetics…

The aesthetics of the CZ-10 shout 80’s and 90’s Japan at me. I don’t know why but I am sure that if they were on a table with a bunch of other headphones, these would be the ones I guessed as being Japanese.

By this I mean that they are a very simple “function over form” design, that are in plain black except for a gold bar that runs across the outside of the cup and a few other gold highlights such as the letters.

The build also shouts “Japan”, in a way that they seem to be the sort of headphone that you could use daily for many many years and never have to worry about anything other than swapping the pads at some point.

They adjust in just about any direction you can think of, yet not really in an expected way. The metal band slides out of the headband sort of horizontally, rather than from the bottom, making you think it would make them wider, but it doesn’t, it adjusts them in a way that just feels totally natural on your head (or on mine at least). The cups swivel, fold in slightly and also extend out on a spring loaded mechanism that has just the right amount of clamp force to guarantee a solid seal but never feel cramped.

The pads are a slight triangular shape, in perforated fabric, that surround my ears well and result in, together with the general build, one of the most comfortable over ear headphones to wear for me personally.



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

As I mentioned in the intro, Crosszone use a specific design and placement of the drivers to create what they refer to as “External Sound Localisation” effect. They state that “the CZ-10 uses Acoustic Resonance Technology (ART) and “Acoustic Delay Chambers (ADC) to achieve this natural and spatial sound field. It simulates the experience and sound pathway listening with stereo speakers”.

And I have to say that it works. And it works well. I think that the CZ-10 offers the most spacious soundstage that I have heard from any closed back headphone. They use a 3 driver set up, where 1 driver is used for low frequencies, a second driver is used for high frequencies and the third driver is used to bring in sound from the other channel (so right channel in the left ear cup and vice versa), using cross feed to imitate that of speakers. They also use a secondary route to feed in the sound from the back of the high frequency driver.

All of this sounds confusing, and I am sure it is much more than that from a design point of view, but the outcome is a very open and spacious soundstage and presentation that has no right to be coming from a closed back set of headphones.

As far as the general sound of the CZ-10, they are more focused on being an enjoyable and musical listen than something that focuses on minute details. By that I don’t mean that they are not detailed, nor that they are overly warm (which is often tied to “fun”), but they are not something that make you sit up and take notes, they are something that make you sit back and enjoy.

Now, getting into the actual sound signature and starting with my obligatory “Chameleon” test in the subbass, there is not a huge amount of rumble in these lower ranges. By this I don’t mean that subbass is totally absent, but there is no boost in these ranges. There is a nice extension down into the lower ranges but these are balanced in a way that makes them existent but not prominent. For those who are looking for a boosted low range, then the CZ-10 does not provide that kind of response.

If we focus on the midbass range, we do find a similar story, although I would say that there is more of a clean bump in the lower midbass that make things sound a little tighter, more punchy than rumbly in the low end. An example of this would be “No Sanctuary Here”, where the midbass is more of a focus than those lower subbass rumbles. “Sun Is Shining”, to pick another electronic track that places more focus on the midbass, shows a nice and punchy beat but it is not the center of attention. Adding a little boost (for example with the XBass on iFi) does make this take a step forwards and benefits the CZ-10 for things like EDM.

My midbass fatigue test with the low end reverb of the guitar in “Crazy” shows that these headphones do a much better job with acoustic and instrument based tracks than electronic productions. Here I found the low end to be nicely balanced, with that low end reverb being pretty noticeable but not overpowering.

“Whole Lotta Love” is another example of how the low end works well for things that don’t need a lot of rumble and presence while not being anemic. As the bass guitar kicks in during the intro, there is plenty of weight and body to it, yet it is neither overpowering nor lost in the mix as other instruments kick in.

If we turn towards vocals and my preferred genres of simple acoustic and vocal presentations, this is where I find the CZ-10 to excel. “Dreamin’” has a wonderfully smooth presence to the vocals of Raelee Nicole while the instruments surround her. “Gimme Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman has the same smooth and balanced presence, with a very nice sense of space around her voice.

Swapping over to male vocals, the smoothness is still a major factor in things like “These Bones”, where the vocals may not reach quite as deep as on other sets, or rather don’t give the impression of reaching as deep, yet they balance nicely between the different voices. Leonard Cohen in “Happens to the Heart” brings me to the same conclusion, where his voice does not seem to be as deep yet has a smoothness and spaciousness to it that works pretty well. What I did find was that the breathing that is heard on this track seems to be focused more on the right channel than on other sets, maybe due to the cross feed that is implemented.

I have to say that I found that, while I find male vocals pleasant, female vocals are what really draw me in to these headphones. I found myself listening to a lot of my favourite acoustic tracks and always feeling that female vocals excelled over male vocals in similar compositions. Obviously it is going to depend on the actual singer but in general, that is the feeling that I get from the CZ-10.

As we move into the upper mids, there is a bit of extra presence that moves vocals forwards, along with things like pianos etc. This can become a bit harsh with certain tracks that are already on the harsh side in their recording, such as “Don’t YouWorry Child” by Beth. In this case the vocals are on the harsh side, as is the piano on occasions, but that is the nature of this recording and I wouldn’t say that the CZ-10 make it overly aggressive in comparison to so many other sets.

Sibilance is kept in check rather well in “Code Cool”, maybe around a -2 in my non scientific scale of -12 to +12, but this is aided by the fact that the treble of the CZ-10 does roll of rather early, making for quite a smooth top end. It is actually quite an experience as there really isnt’t any airyness to the treble, yet the spacial presentation of the headphones in general avoid things sounding dull and closed in.

Another strange thing I found with the CZ-10 is that they are not really suited to binaural recordings. It is not that they sound bad, it is just that things seem to lose the clear space that is there on tracks like “La Luna” on traditional designs. I again think that it is the cross feed and other technology in the CZ-10 that make normal stereo tracks sound open and with plenty of space, that detracts from the placement of specific sources in binaural recordings, which I guess is to be expected.

Measurements…

Ok, so you may (or may not) have noticed that I didn’t do my usual procedure of dropping in the graph of the headphones before talking about sound. I normally post the graph first and then move on to my subjective opinions, which may or may not align with the graph but they are usually in the same ball park.

In this case, I didn’t do that because, when I measured the CZ-10, I thought I was doing something wrong and spent quite a bit of time playing around with measurements because they really don’t reflect what I am hearing, or at least not to the extent that the measurements show.

Here are some graphs to show you what I mean and then I will explain.

First, here is the CZ-10 feeding just the right channel while measuring the right channel:



Ok, now here is the CZ-10 feeding the left channel while measuring the right channel (in comparison to the right channel being fed):



And here is the CZ-10 with both left and right channels being fed while measuring the right channel:



To put all of it into perspective, I have included the HD6XX as a known reference.

Ok, so, if we just look at the graphs of the CZ-10, I would say that there is a disconnect between the subbass and midbass, with a bump in the lower midbass, then a bit of an uneven midrange, leading to quite a boosted 2.5kHz peak and a large lack of treble.

To some extent, all of that is true but not to the extent that I would guess seeing it on paper. My guess at a response, just by looking at graphs, would be a a rather harsh sound which is lacking in treble. Yet, when listening to these headphones, I find things to be much smoother and balanced than I would expect.

I am not going to repeat myself, as I already gave my subjective opinions above, but to my ears, there is quite a gap between what I see on paper and what I experience during listening. I do not find them to be harsh overall (with some tracks yes, but those tracks are harsh in the recordings), I do not find them to be disconnected between subbass and midbass, yes there is more of a presence in midbass than subbass but not really a disconnect. I do find the treble to roll off but I don’t find them overly dark.

Basically what I am saying is that, although I am not arguing with the graph, a measurement I a measurement (which can be more or less accurate based on the rig of course), but I think that that the crossover and ways of routing sound that Crosszone are using in these headphones make the ear, or rather the brain, interpret the sound in a different way than just a normal stereo set of headphones.



Conclusion…

The Crosszone CZ-10 have some things going on that make them an amazing set of headphones, depending on what you are looking for. I can’t say they are my pick for electronically produced music, or things that have a focus on the subbass and I also don’t find that they do binaural recordings justice.

However, for smooth acoustic recordings, especially those with female vocals, I find them to be a very very pleasurable experience. There is a spaciousness and smoothness to the vocals and acoustic stringed instruments that make them a set of headphones that I can sit back and listen to for hours, without feeling tired at all.

The presentation really does remind me of sitting in front of a set of nicely placed HiFi speakers and just relaxing. In fact, I think that would be a good way of explaining the CZ-10, they are not a set of studio monitors, they are not a 2.1 with a thumping sub, they are not a live line array, they are nice set of HiFi speakers that are set up just right to give you that enjoyable imaging and space, with a slight emphasis on the vocals. Something that I truly enjoy.

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As with all my reviews, this is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

Crosszone CZ-10 Headphones - Soundstage Excelsior

CZ-10 is a breath of fresh air, as I've only reviewed open-back headphones for most of this year, so having something closed back, or at least semi open is refreshing. This is a proper Japanese headphone, high-end with all the bells and whistles, priced at 900 USD, and has a magnesium alloy frame, two drivers per each cup, and they will be compared to Underwood HIFI LSA HP-1 (1400 USD), HIFIMAN He6SE (1800 USD), Crosszone CZ-1 (2000 USD), and Spirit Torino Super Leggera (2000 USD).

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Introduction





Crosszone Headphones are some of the best there are, especially when you want the widest, most impressive soundstage you can get, and out of a closed back headphone, the company being from Japan rather than China, and having served many headphones to music lovers over the years. I even know people who ended up purchasing the CZ-10 Headphones in Romania, after reading my review and testing my pair, so I can say with confidence that Crosszone is popular, and easy to trust. They offer Japanese standards of work and reliable builds for their headphones, with unique technologies and principles for all their headphones.





It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Crosszone, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Crosszone for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Crosszone CZ-10 find their next music companion.











Product Link


Official Link: https://crosszone-audio.com/products/headphone_cz-10/











Packaging





First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The package includes the headphones, and two cables. One of them is the cable for the headphones ends in a 3.5mm and the other one is ended in a 6.3mm connector. Since CZ-10 are hard to drive, having both is really welcome.

There's nothing else much in the package, but the package itself is really nice, standing true for high-end headphones, with a nice material protecting the headphones. A carrying case would've been welcome, but there wasn't one included with the larger CZ-1 either so I digress.











Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort





We should start by saying that the headphones are really well made, from magnesium so they are both light and resistant, which I find really good. CZ-1 continues the fashion of CZ-10, and are quite hard to drive, with an impedance of about 75 OHMs, and a SPL of 100 dB. This means that you will need to knee and power to make them kick, and I wouldn't recommend you to settle for less.

Given their sound, I had best results with smoother, more lush and more natural sounding source above brighter and analytical sounding ones. This means that anything like Pablab M1Mini, Chord Mojo, iBasso DX300, Lotoo Paw 6000, and Astell&kern SE180 would work really well with CZ-10.

I love the fact that you can use CZ-10 and have some passive noise isolation, and that goes to about 20 dB for most frequencies. This means that you never have to worry too much about outside noise, and for a headphone advertised for soundstage, this is a blessing. The overall comfort is heavenly with CZ-10, and despite the fact they are smaller than the original CZ-1, the cups are spacious, and have enough space for my elephantine ears.

Overall, the headphones are made quite well, and the adjusting mechanism is indeed as promised, and puts absolutely no unnecessary pressure on your ears / head. In fact, the comfort is so good, those headphones are in the top 10 most comfy headphones I ever tested, so kudos to Crosszone for putting two headphones there, while Sennheiser was unable to do the same.

The cable is probably the only thing that is a bit disappointing, but it has the same solid quality as CZ-1 had. The reason I think it is a bit disappointing is that CZ-10 has the same proprietary design and needs their own cables for the most part, and it is not easy to get a replacement. The headphones are also not as widely available as most models, being made in Japan and sold / marketed for the inner Japanese market.











Youtube Video

















Sound Quality





The sound of CZ-10 is deep, with excellent bass reach / depth, but not a huge quantity if you're a basshead. Since they're closed back headphones, I would have expected a really warm and bassy headphone, and I want to insist that all impressions taken for this review, while writing it, have been taken using Astell&Kern SE180 rather than my other typical DAPs. This is because CZ-10 is a bit lighter as a sound, and they like a warmer, bassier source more than anything else. I allowed CZ-10 10 minutes of listening before taking my impressions, or about 3-4 songs, as they have a somewhat colored sound with the more forward mids, and that takes some getting used to. Regardless of the volume pushed into them, there was never any distortion, even above 120dB, and even in the bass, which used to be a bit deficitary on Crosszone headphones, so I would rate the technical ability of CZ-10 extremely high.

The overall signature is extremely detailed, light, wide, holographic, fun, musical and smooth in the textures. They are far deeper and more corpulent if amped properly, and I noticed far more variation with sources than most headphones and IEMs out there. For this reason I recommend trying to have a mid to high end source for CZ-10, like iBasso DX300, Lotto Paw 6000, Pablab M-1 Mini, and a few others. I also recommend going with something that can deal a serious blow in the lows, and don't be afraid to use some EQ, CZ-10 can totally take some if you know what you're doing.





The bass is deep, natural in speed, slightly fast, and really big if the song calls for it. This means that for lighter and snappier songs, the sound will be neutral and exactly as the band / master intended for it to be in the process. With Rap, Metal and Dubstep music, CZ-10 can vibrate on my head, while with classical and pop, they stay exactly where the music was supposed to hit. The bass is also quite nuanced and not a simple boom or a simple rumble, but everything in between and everything the bass should cover. Once again, this depends heavily on the source and how much power the source has, and with a lighter source you will never get to the maximum potential that CZ-10 has to offer. The bass is not overly textured, and its texture is slightly smoother, so it is never annoying or fatiguing, even when songs are quite aggressive or bass boosted.

The midrange is the most colored part of CZ-10 and it has a more forward midrange that brings the voices closer to the listener. This is most probably a response to CZ-1 having been perceived as a headphone with slightly recessed midrange, thanks to their large and wide soundstage, and CrossZone went for a specific peak between 1kHz and 2kHz, or rather a mild bump, so that CZ-10 is never too recessed, and given their wide and holographic sound, and the passion most people have for vocals, it is understandable that they'd do this. I also think that the sound is one of the most detailed sounds you could have around this price point, with excellent render of both details and micro-detail, but with absolutely zero fatigue and a slightly more smooth presentation of textures. Even with artists like Apashe who uses a lot of hard bass and wide-sounding midrange interpretations, music is clean, clear and fun. In fact, CZ-10 is a very musical sounding headphone, and I enjoy it greatly, even with Rock, Metal and aggressive music. While it is not as fluid as RAD-0, it is still quite musical and fluid.





The treble is where CZ-10 is smoother, more toned down and enjoyable for the masses. I heard a lot of headphones with a wide soundstage, like the HD800S, which relied a lot on their treble to sound wide, and lacked a healthy balance between bass midrange and the treble. If HD800S is a treble head headphone that can be bright and harsh at times, then CZ-10 is always enjoyable, and is a mid-bass centric headphone, with a smoother, lower in quantity and relaxed treble. Somehow, Crosszone managed to do what Japanese work always does, and refined a sound that's almost impossible to find. They managed to make a detailed, lively, wide and fluid sound all without making it bright and all while giving it a healthy amount of bass that is able to mess with true rap and dubstep music.











Comparisons





I think I went a bit crazy with the comparisons part of today's review, but I chose Underwood LSA HP-1, HE6SE, Crosszone CZ-1 and Spirit Torino Super Leggera to compare CZ-10 with. In fact, even though CZ-10 is nowhere near as expensive as most of the competition, it can still stand tall against such great cans, so I am excited to start writing. One interesting result that I'd like to mention is the pairing with Smyth A16, a DXP processor. Basically, you can increase the soundstage and 3D sound of CZ-10 even more using a singal processor, and A16 does some incredible things like expand the stage, to the point where CZ-10 sounds more than an open-back heaphone, it sounds like a complex 5.1 Home Theather Setup.

Crosszone CZ-10 vs HIFIMAN He6SE (900 USD vs 1800 USD) - This one is a fun one because both headphones are similarly hard to drive. I never would have imagined I would be saying this, but CZ-10 is almost as hard to drive in reality as He6SE, and it has nowhere near as hard to drive numbers on paper, but in practice they will be mostly similar. This means that Arya, Thror and others are much easier to get going. Regardless, the comfort is better on CZ-10 thanks to the earcups shape, deeper earpads and more ergonomic design with less pressure on the head / ears. The overall sound is far more analytical on HE6SE, with more treble, a more natural toned midrange, and better resolution. CZ-10 is far more punchy, with more, deeper, and smoother bass, a smoother overall sound, more overall energy in the midrange, and with a fuller sound, He6SE sounding rather thin next to it. I prefer CZ-10 for most metal, rock, EDM, Dubstep and Pop, while I like using He6SE more for mixing, mastering and doing audio work where the latest word in technical ability is the most important aspect of the experience.





Crosszone CZ-10 vs LSA HP-1 (900 USD vs 1400 USD) - If you've been following reviews on Kennerton and LSA, then you probably know that LSA has the most bass from any Kennerton headphones, and as a sub brand, it is really successful. The comfort is a bit better on CZ-10, as it is lighter, places less pressure on your head, and has a lighter more flexible cable. The overall quality of the sound is a bit better on HP-1 for technicalities and for being a less colored headphone in the midrange, being more neutral. This being said, CZ-10, if driven well, sounds wider, more holographic, with more punch and sub-bass. Being a more impactful headphone, I consider CZ-10 more fun for most music styles, including Metal, Rock, Pop, Dubstep, Rap, EDM. HP-1 being more neutral, works better if you prefer absolute honesty, and if you are into those precise sounds.





Crosszone CZ-10 vs Spirit Torino Super Leggera (900 USD vs 2000 USD) - Super Leggera and CZ-10 may seem similar when reading my description of them, but I honestly do think that they are different headphones, with Super Leggera being more of an on-ear design, and with CZ-10 surely having a more comfortable design. When it comes to hard driving, both need a high-end source to sound nice, like Astell&Kern SE180, and both sound best with a good source. The sound is lighter on Super Leggera, and it sounds detailed, but more bright, more neutral, with less bass emphasis and especially in the sub lows, CZ-10 is stronger with a more punchy presentation. Super Leggera has more treble, and more impact with cymbal crashes, while CZ-10 does not focus on the treble too much. Super Leggera makes a better partner for acoustic music, room music, Jazz and maybe Classical, while I prefer CZ-10 for EDM, Dubstep, Metal, Rock, Country, and any music that relies on bass to sound good, especially Rap.





Crosszone CZ-10 vs Crosszone CZ-1 (900 USD vs 2000 USD) - Comparing the new to the original is always a hard task, especially here where the original was more comfortable, with a better overall design, larger components, and more drivers. This being said, I am now able to get more bass, more punch and a warmer sound from CZ-10 than I ever was able to get from the original CZ-1. I may never have been able to drive the original as well as I am able to drive CZ-10 now, but Crosszone surely went for a warmer, more pleasing sound this time around, and CZ-1 sounds neutral, open, wider, more detailed, more layered and with more soundstage. By Comparison, CZ-10 sounds way smoother, with more bass, more punch, more depth, a more fun sound, and it is still wide and detailed. Having just half the price, if you don't know that you want a really neutral sound, I would recommend the CZ-10 more, especially if you want a comfortable and fun headphone.











Value and Conclusion





At the end of the day, the price of CZ-10 of about 900 USD, after conversion, is quite good. I actually think that judging from today's market, there is quite a good place for CZ-10, and they are different from the original CZ-1. I honestly like them, and do think taht if you're into soundstage, but don't want a lot of treble like HD800S and Amiron have, and if you like a fuller, stronger and better rounded bass, and if you have the sources to power a hard to drive headphone, then CZ-10 is totally worth its money.

You don't get a very convincing package, you get no carrying case, and no extra pads, but with the original apds still surviving on CZ-1, it is possible that the package is enough. At any rate, the company will be more than happy to help if you need any extras from them, and while the cable is single ended only, aftermarket cable makers always found a way to make cables for unique headphones, even those with really rare connectors, so CZ-10 will make no exception, eventually.

I will add CZ-10 to Audiophile-Heaven's Hall Of Fame for their performance. It is an amazing headphone, with tons of detail and a nice punchy sound.

At the end of today's review, if you're looking for a wide sounding headphone, with a more forward midrange, tons of detail, a nice well rounded bass, and if you have the means to drive them, Crozzone CZ-10 is an amazing option and will make their way into your heart for sure.