[size=24.57px]INTRODUCTION[/size][size=24.57px]
This is my 2nd product from Shozy. I purchased Shozy Alien Gold Edition and loved the product so much so that I put my sincere appreciation of releasing such a great DAP to Shozy and they appreciated my feedback and asked me if I will be interested in reviewing their new IEM, ZERO. And I was more than happy to try out and review their new IEM, and I am now reviewing this IEM today.
DISCLAIMER
Shozy Zero that I’m reviewing today was provided to me gratis as a review sample and this is not retail version but sample version so the final version may slightly different to the one that I have. I do not make any financial gain from this review – it is has been written simply as my way of sharing my impression both to the Head-Fi and also Shozy themselves.
'ABOUT ME'
My preference in IEM is clear, transparent sound with wide soundstage. I am no basshead and I HATE muddy sounded earphone with over emphasized bass. I’ve used the ZERO from a variety of sources, but for main body of this review, I’ve used it primarily with my Shozy Alien Gold and Fiio X1.
This is a purely subjective review. Please note that I am not an Audiophile and I am actually a newbie who started audio enthusiast road beginning of this year. And this is my 1st review on any audio gear. Please take these all with a grain of salt - especially if it does not match your own experience. J
THE REVIEW
PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIESReview unit arrived in bubble bag. It had earphone unit and 3 pairs of tips (S, M, L). That is it. I was told that Retail version would come with a Zippered clamshell case, too.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
(From Penon)
Sensitivity(at 1Khz) :94db
Frequency response :20hz-18khz
Line Length:1.2m
Resistance:32Ω
Input connector :3.5mm/1/8 inch gold-plated stereo TRS plug
BUILD QUALITY / DESIGN
The unit itself is made of real rosewood and front tip part in black is made of aluminum (not 100% sure what kind of metal but it is very light and feel like aluminum). I really like this wooden cylinder chamber. It looks gorgeous and I was amazed how it could be made out of real wood in this small size in this finishing quality and also be able to feed all of speaker units inside without causing cracks on the wooden chamber.
I could not see any pot or vent and found isolation is good.
The L/R marking is on cable strain relief rubber part but it is very hard to see. I wish that it had different color of rubber on each side or has some sort of more visible marks on it so it can be easily distinguishable.
The cable has strain relief and look quite durable. However, the cable Y split part does not have any strain relief and looks quite fragile and not sure how long it will withstand daily abuse. I really wish that it had strain relief around Y-Split part so it could be more durable. The Y-split is also wooden cylinder shape cover on it with ZERO word engraved and look nice though.
The cable is also easy to get tangled comparing with other IEM such as Yamaha EPH-100, which I will compare shortly.
The jack is also made of wood and Shozy wording engraved on it. It is straight, 3.5mm, gold plated, and has good strain relief. The jack itself is quite narrow so it should be smart phone case friendly. I tested with my one and it was fine.
FIT / COMFORT
I tried all 3 silicone ear tips and found L size tips fits me perfect and seal very well. The ear tip is quite shallow in depth so it does not go into ear canal deep. I found that it is very comfy and could not feel the weight much at all. At once time, I listened 4 hours straight and did not have any fatigue wearing at all. I found that ZERO is one of the most comfortable IEMs that I have experienced so far.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
This IEM has only 32 ohm impedance and easy to drive. I tested with Shozy Alien, Fiio X1 and HTC M8 and did not have any trouble driving this IEM.
SOUND QUALITY
The following is what I hear from the ZERO. YMMV – and probably will – as my tastes are likely different to yours. For my testing I used mainly Shozy Alien and Fiio X1 and all of my music file format are FLAC.
I don’t own many IEMs and only have handful number of IEMs. (You can check my profile to see what IEMs I do own). After 200 hours of burn in and listening, I personally found that ZERO is very similar sound signature with Yamaha EPH-100 that I also own. It has fun and dynamic sound and it goes really well any types of music that I choose to listen.
Comparing with Yam EPH-100, ZERO is slightly darker and has definitely wider soundstage and a bit more bass. It is not bass heavy IEM but when music demands, it surprisingly delivers plenty of bass & sub-bass. Since it is a bit darker, it sounds more organic and less fatiguing. If Yam EPH-100 sounds a bit metallic or brassy, ZERO sounds a bit more analog and tad softer.
Overall Detail / Clarity / Timbre
Tracks used: String Quintet No.3 in G minor, K.516:1. Allegro by Mozart
I am very impressed how ZERO goes well with Classical music especially string instruments. The violin and cello sounds clear and I could definitely feel the timbre and hear all the details clearly. It sounds really natural and very pleasing. Comparing with EPH-100, ZERO sounds definitely better on string instrument oriented Classical music.
Sound-stage & Imaging
Tracks used: Mad Max: Fury Road – Brothers in Arms
I again very impressed when I listen Mad Max soundtrack with ZERO. This soundtrack is consist of a lot of different instruments such as drum, violins, cellos, percussions and many other digital instruments and ZERO delivers great separation among instruments with BIG sound stage and imaging. I could separate all of instruments playing while listening. Only minor complaint is that I hear slight distortion on bass when there are many drums all playing at the same time but I would not notice this if I did not listen critically.
Bass Quality and Quantity
Tracks used: Fearless – Matt Nash, Carta
I continue being impressed. This track has plenty of bass and I could hear great mid-bass thump and this is more than enough bass quantity for me. If you are not serious basshead, I am quite confident that you will be satisfied with the amount of bass & sub-bass this IEM delivers.
Female Vocals
Tracks used : Nebraska by Lucy Rose, Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy, Don’t know Why by Norah Jones,.
ZERO goes well with so many genres and Female vocal is not an exception. My personal favorite genre of music is female vocal and I spend great deal of time listening them. Some of bright sounded IEMs give harsh treble when listening high pitch female vocal and ZERO does not. Its slight darkish tone helps listening female vocal without harshness while maintaining great clarity. I really like sound signature ZERO offers.
Male Vocals
Track used: Riptide by Vance Joy, Ophelia by The Lumineers, Budapest by George Ezra
Again –Zero delivers. Folk music with men’s voice goes very well with Zero. I found that the slight dark tone makes the song slightly dark but it brings good bass & timbre to the forefront, whilst retaining richness and fullness through the vocals.
[size=24.57px]SHOZY ZERO[/size][size=24.57px] [/size][size=24.57px]– SUMMARY[/size]
First up I want to take the chance to thank (again) Shozy for giving me the chance to listen to Shozy’s new IEM.
I believe that this IEM is a fabulous choice if someone looks for all rounder IEM under $100. It is made of gorgeous real rosewood that is pleasing to Eyes and Ears. It is surprisingly light and offers good isolation.
It has fun & dynamic sound with slight darkish tone. It has good bass quantity without sacrificing clarity on mid & high and it has impressive soundstage.
It is also easy to drive and does not need separate amp. This IEM makes me wonder why I need Yamaha EPH-100 after all when I have this one now.
My only gripe is hard to see L/R marking, durability of Y-Split area and tangling cable. Other than that, I could not find any major fault. I could not think any IEM that matches sound quality with ZERO at this price and I highly recommend this IEM.
Brilliant sound, brilliant value, and – 4.5 stars.
