Shozy BK Stardust

This is a fun earbud, but I agree with the other reviews that it's a little overpriced.

The signature is not dark, but what's nice is that there's very little treble peak that allows these to be enjoyed for a long listen.

However, it lacks a lot of detail, even without making the jump from iem's to earbuds. These are simply not detailed, nor is staging/position all that impressive.

The timbre is also somewhat dry.

For the price, if you are truly looking for something solidly balanced, and don't want to risk money on other earbuds which, for example, may be more detailed but lacks this balance (ie. being to bright), then these are not bad. Perhaps by them used if possible.

Cheers

Shozy, a company based in Shenzhen and Hong Kong has already appeared on this blog with their Hibiki MK2 IEM offering which was also a collaboration with Advanced AcousticsWerkes. They are making their 2nd appearance in the form of their already known earbud offering, the Shozy BK Stardust. It has already gained its own ground and has even spawned a limited edition sibling.

The Shozy BK Stardust is spec’d out with a Japan sourced 14.2mm dynamic driver, 10Hz to 20 kHz Frequency Response, 2mW Rated power, 115±3dB Sensitivity and a 16 Ohm Impedance. Shozy has also stated that all materials used in the BK Stardust are of premium quality be it the solder for the internal wirings, earbud shell, and its cable. It comes with a 1.2m 8-core single crystal copper cable and Japan’s very own Oyaide 3.5mm gold-plated TRS plug.
The Shozy BK Stardust is currently priced at $165. The sample unit was sent by Linsoul Audio in exchange for an honest review with no monetary compensation involved. You can grab the Shozy BK Stardust off the official Linsoul Audio website or off DD Audio in AliExpress which comes with a 1 year limited warranty coverage. It has been quite a while since the launch of Shozy’s BK Stardust so is getting it in 2019 still a go or a no. Let’s find out with the realview.

The Shozy BK Stardust came in a neat little matte silver cardboard box with minute green accents, on top shows a green oval shaped logo with the BK model name and the “High Fidelity Earphones” description and Shozy’s official website link, the backside of the side shows the BK Stardust’s specifications and package inclusions. Opening up the box reveals a neat and large (earbud proportions) matte leather zipper case which contains the Shozy BK Stardust earbud itself with a 3.5mm plug cap which was great and 2 pairs of black earbud foams, 1 full foams and 1 donut foams. I was expecting a tad more foams to have been included for a $165 earbud. Want to find more? No, that’s all there is for the included accessories.
I guess all the supposed cost to including more accessories was diverted into the build quality of the BK Stardust. Right off the box, the BK Stardust’s “PK” shells has a matte finish to it giving it a somewhat sturdier feeling rather than the usual glossy finished used on other PK shells. The drivers also came in a gray outer shell which contrasted well with the matte black finish of the BK Stardust’s shell finish although I eventually ended up using full foams on them which made the contrasting aesthetics to be hidden in plain sight, not that you’d be looking at earbuds too, right? The standard dual horizontal vents on PK shells was dampened by black foams as well which in turn accounted for blending well with the black full foams that Shozy has included. There’s a subtle Shozy branding on the shells neck with grayish L and R markings.
The stock cable that came with the BK Stardust was indeed premium to the feel, it should be as premium materials was used. It came out with a gun metal copper finish you’d often see on hand guns, I’m not a gun expert though. The Y-split used on the BK Stardust astounded me, was that really just a clear shrink tube? C’mon Shozy, even the gray rubber chin slider looked premium, was that the idea? The cable was not annoying when worn and doesn't have any form of excessive tension to it, it tangles a lot when stored though. Moving on the plug itself shows where some of that $165 price resides and that’s with its genuine 3.5mm gold-plated Oyaide plug, I’ve had my fair share of plugs that loses its plating and even gain significant loss of luster over a short period of time, the BK Stardust drastically slows down that process by choosing a premium plug.

The Shozy BK Stardust has an inherent balanced sound with a minor tilt towards an emphasis on the low-end frequency, it underwent the usual recommended 250 burn-in and if you may not have known, my burn-in process is plainly plugging it to any of my DAPs and just play the usual tracks that I have on it, no actual listening done. The Zishan DSD Pro and Sony A46HN as well as the Sony CAS-1 churning out 16/44 FLAC files was used for the duration of the realview which would be mentioned along as well.

I called out EM to crank up his Mockingbird and Superman track in 16/44 FLAC and the sub bass produced a well-rounded rumble with subtle extension, bass decay isn’t the fastest yet still doesn’t struggle when successive hits occurs. Mid bass performance is great and has noticeable impact and is delivered cleanly with no annoying linger. The overall low end was rendered smoothly and is in fact not boring and lacking, for me that is.

Upon hearing EM, Elton John came knocking so I gave him the chance to be featured. Pulling out Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word track in 16/44 FLAC and the lower midrange came out smooth and natural, a little less engaging though. The midrange was however on point in its timbre and doesn’t sound artificial and has great clarity to it. The upper midrange was noteworthy giving that needed air and flair that the lower midrange was depriving the overall midrange sound.

The BK Stardust has so far got it going right and while that is good, what we need is more than just satisfying but overwhelming if the BK Stardust was to stay on top over its competition. Susan Wong offered to help and she sang Close to You in 16/44 FLAC and it showed that the BK Stardust once again handled the highs well. There were no harsh peaks and sibilance wasn't to be observed. There was great extension with clarity to be noticed. I was looking for that added kick and bite on the ride and crash cymbals and it lacked, the leap to greatness was somewhat stunted.

The BK Stardust gave out the usual wide soundstage for earbuds with a touch more hold over the level of control over its imaging. There is great balance between in terms of width and depth performance for individual instruments. Vocal and instrument accuracy hits it home for the BK Stardust.

The Shozy BK Stardust has been out for almost 2 years now and while I wouldn’t automatically recommend to get the BK Stardust, it is important to know that I’ve seen its journey from being loved when it was released and overlooked once the DIY earbud scene grew. You may guess that some of these DIY guys have tested the BK Stardust and the ability it has which led to the growth of the scene. For $165, the Shozy BK Stardust sounds great with no drastic shortcomings and although better options are out there now, the premium materials used on the BK Stardust guarantees everyone in terms of the quality and value for money that it offers.

I have using it for a while, very good sound signature. Balanced version is best choice.
Despite it has a little roll off in treble but still greate. Nothing to complain in build quality, strong & light cable. Very easy to drive event with my phone.
I think it's a little above Yuin PK1.