Blon is the cornerstone and the starter for many into chifi world. And we occasionally featured them in MA. See. First had more than decent bass and body + meh level clarity and other technical details. (You can read all in the comparison below) Now we have Blon’s latest iem Blon Z200. Following review is done with the help of keephifi and Blon. Let’s read it complete review.
Pros__
Safe and slightly warm tuning
More than average technical aspects, all arounder
Vocals are easy to hear
Good cable for its price
Cons__
Unreplaceable cable
Lack of extremities in its sound
All arounder concept is unlike Blons
Box, Contents, Cable
Box is the usual Blon box save the length and the info at the background. It seems they are working together with a company in Germany. A welcome sight. Because this can explain the un-blon-like sound of it. Box contents are simple like any other Blons. Blon Z200 is no exemption. But the canvas carrying pouch isn’t forgotten.
Cable is unlike older Blons too. Brown in color and slightly heavier and thicker. And attention to details are worth mentioning. The only caveat so far is the lack of the cable’s removal. Though it appears as replaceable, you can’t remove it.
Z200 is using a 10mm Carbon Diaphragm with 32oHm impedance and 102 dB of sensitivity. Unit’s outer casing is metal-like plastic. Strong and good looking. It’s nozzle is helping the tip roll.
Sound
All arounder summarises what you’ll hear. But although recent budget iems raised the bar high, you are getting more than you paid. With the smooth and unspiked sound of Blon Z200, you can have comfortable and slightly thin times with $20.
You can hear a cold to neutral timbre with its S tips. Presentation is forward. You can’t live a bass issue if you have smooth jazz concerning ears. (Which is weird for a Blon. Maybe its of the tip choice. Attention to background details are lacking. And prone to be shouty. Soundstage is almost faithful to the live track. But it can get congested in a Hans Zimmer scale orchestra of 96 instruments. However it’s basses are thumpy in dubstep and a clarity like 75/100
Combined with all the above, you can hear a slightly thin and nasal but fully textured Mark Knopfler. Issues are not valid in the case of Freddie Mercury. Or The Police. As well as no sibilance yet. Everything is so fine regarding its price and infamous history of Blons and their S tips effing up the sound.
After the tip rolling to M tips, it all became as expected. Basses gained body, timbre got warmth, presentation moved away from the listener but absolutely unexpectedly, it turned into more suited with live smooth jazz because this tip rolling revealed its fast speed (3d imaging and extensions) and more controlled basses + gave instruments some space.
Gaming
While being an all rounder, it is a good iem for critical listening in gaming. Don’t expect massive slams etc. but counting footsteps and estimating the distance is it’s job. Even tough it’s not perfect, it is more than it’s price.
Comparison
With Blon Bl-03: 03 is the natural competitor of it because it is still valid and it’s the forefather of it. 03 is the darker and stronger bassed forefather of Z200. The bass beneath are more rumbling but not suited for the smooth jazz genre. In 50/100 volume 03 is pretty laid back. If it wasn’t so, I wouldn’t feel like I am listening to the concert from near the back seat. Z200 has found the courage to sit nearer to the stage than 03. Layer transparency is poor in live tracks at 03. Z200 was one or two notches better. And everything seems fused together in the scene. I couldn’t feel the excitement I lived in Playing God of Polyphia. Everything is thin and whistle like bossa nova section is empty and lifeless.
Texturing is a weak spot in 03. Bass quality, treble energy, separation of vocal and instruments at live recording soundstage and layering too.
Blon Z200 is the new born baby compared to 03 but separation and tonality and clarity and soundstage width and tonality and live/studio layering is 👍 If what you are looking for is bass quantity, 03 is your call. But if other things, z200.
Blon Z200 Review Conclusions
It’s nice to see the transformation of brand known with its good iem at the beginning but so so sound quality iems later into a solid brand with their latest model – Z200. But everything is changing into other things within their borders and Blon’s inevitable process is heartwarming.
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