KZ PR3 Review

Intro

The KZ PR3 is the set that I am reviewing today. The PR3 comes from the people of KZ Acoustics, and I’m very excited to hear what they have cookin’ on this latest budget planar iem. Of course, I thank you for checking out this review and do hope it helps you out folks. I also thank KZ for providing the PR3 in exchange for a full review at Mobileaudiophile.com. I write these “intros” prior to doing any listening (most of the time) so I’m really curious as to how KZ will build upon the previous generation KZ X-HBB PR2 (PR2 Review). I’m curious as to what the tuning is going to be as most of the previous planars from KZ have been a bit more analytically inclined and more speedy-bright with slightly emphasized lows. We shall see. One thing is for sure, I’m happy to report back what I hear and always thrilled to be able to spend time with my music. 

KZ is one of those brands that does a lot for a little and is constantly pushing the boundaries for what your money is able to buy. Always under the pretense that KZ can make it better for cheaper. Now, not everyone is a fan and there is some controversy surrounding KZ, but I am not interested in this stuff friends. I review what is in front of me and tell you people if it’s bad or good and for whom the device I’m reviewing should be for. I try to always answer if the set I’m reviewing is worth the asking price and I try my best to help the reader get a feel for the sound. So no, I’m not interested in the other stuff. I’m not interested in controversy and speculation. 

Many KZ/CCA sets reviewed… 

The KZ PR3 is only the latest in a long line of planar magnetic earphones from KZ. I have been highly partial to a few. For one, I was one of the earliest reviewers for the KZ X-HBB PR2 (PR2 Review) which did have the black filter mesh and I gotta tell you folks, that set is very good. I’ve also reviewed the KZ PR1 Hifi (PR1 Hifi Review) as well. On top of those I’ve reviewed many iems from KZ/CCA and to be honest they are all good earphones. None of them are not worthy of the price tag and all of them replay music well for at least some people’s preferences. Here is a list of some of the KZ/CCA sets and audio devices I’ve reviewed over the last couple years. Please feel free to check them out if you are curious. 

–AS16 Pro

–VXS

–CRA+

–PR1 Hifi

–EDCX

–Linglong

–ZVX 

–D-Fi

–X-HBB PR2 

–Duo

–EDXS

–AS24

–Krila

–AZ20

–ZAT 

–Rhapsody 

As you can see I have at least some experiences with this brand and for the most part I usually come away enjoying my time with them. I know many of you are curious about this latest planar set and I do hope I can provide at least some understanding as to what you will be getting. The PR3 comes in with a sales price of $48 at the moment. I think I’m about ready to get into this review folks, the KZ PR3….

PR3 Pros

-Built very well for the price

-Look is awesome in my opinion

-Great for fans of dry and analytical sound

-Rapid transient response

-Crisp and agile bass

-Very energetic 

-Treble will fit most treble heads

-Separation

-Imaging

-Detail Retrieval (great micro-details) 

-Great extension up top

PR3 Cons

-Accessories 

-Bass is moderate at best, simply not enough mid-bass

-Not the most musical sound

-Sharp pinna rise 

-Needs a lot of power to shine

-Treble is too boosted, possibly too bright

-Best at lower volumes due to brightness

-Simply not for me, just doesn’t fit my own personal preference 

Gear used for testing 

–Ifi Go Blu 

–Moondrop Dawn 4.4 

–Hidizs S9 Pro Plus 

–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2 

–Shanling M6 Ultra 

Packaging / Accessories 

Unboxing 

Let’s start with the unboxing. Well, there isn’t much to speak on actually. Of course, KZ typically will always provide a slightly underwhelming unboxing experience. However, they usually also put the money into the earphones rather than provide some luxurious unboxing experience. Anyways, the box that the PR3 comes in is a very small white box with a picture of the PR3 in the front. Open the box and the PR3 will be staring back at you. Under the earphones you’ll see the cable as well as the tips and a manual. That’s it, not much to report. 

Eartips

KZ added in a total of four sets of tips in the packaging. They provided three sets (S, M, L) of some very useful eartips in the KZ Starline tips. Most of you understand and know these tips by now. They also added in one pair of medium sized foam tips. The foamies are of decent quality and have a good slow-rise seal. I like that you can pinch the foam and it doesn’t rebound in a split second. It’ll give ya some time to get them in your ears. It’s the little things folks. Anyways, I feel that I needed to use the foam tips with this set. The KZ Starlines are great but there’s a hint of treble sheen up top which the foamies did a nice job of attenuation. To a degree anyways. They helped though they were not able to completely block out the bright and sharp pierce up top. You may adore the brighter replay but for me I needed the foams. I also used some hybrid silicone/foam tips which were pretty good and Final E-tips seemed to work okay as well.

Cable

Like any and every earphone from KZ you will always receive the same KZ cable. The cable I’m referring to is the same opaque/white Silver-plated Copper cable with the QDC 2-pin connectors and the right angle 3.t single ended jack. Folks this is the same cable you get with the $119 KZ AS24. If you have bought any set from KZ or CCA over the course of the last few years, then you know this cable well. I actually swapped cables right away to a 16-core white Fedai SPC balanced cable for a couple reasons. One being aesthetic as I feel the Fedai cable just looks slick with the PR3. However, I also chose this cable for the sound. For whatever reason the Fedai SPC cable knocks some of the upper treble sheen down with a little warmer feel to my music. Not much but it helps. If all you have is the included cable just know that you are perfectly fine. It really isn’t a bad cable at all and is perfectly useful. 

Build / Design / Internals / Fit 

Build Quality 

The build of the KZ PR3 is similar to past KZ planar sets in that it’s made of a resin material on the shell and the faceplates are made of an alloy. The shape and style of fit is exactly the same as the PR2 and a couple others in the KZ lineup. The faceplate resembles an open-back style as it has metal grills, but I don’t think it is open at all. I’m pretty sure it’s all for aesthetics. The nozzles are of a medium length and the Shells have what I would consider an ergonomic design. Honestly the PR3 is built very well. 

Design 

One big upgrade in my opinion is the actual look of the PR3 from previous generations. I love the metal grill this go round as it just has a more premium look to it. You also have three allen-key screws which hold the faceplate on which is a dope look. I feel KZ did a great job once again. Truthfully, KZ always builds better than the price of an earphone. I think the design is fresh, industrial, and very bold looking. 

The Light Luxury Metal Housing Design Showcases Exquisite Industrial Craftsmanship
KZ PR3 utilizes advanced processing equipment and manufacturing techniques, ensuring precise dimensions and an elegant appearance of the housing. Made from lightweight alloy material, it possesses corrosion and wear resistance and exhibits a unique mirror-like effect.

KZ Promotional

Internals 

KZ outfitted the PR3 with a self-developed 13.2 mm Planar Magnetic Driver which has always been a cool thing for the company. Many planars on the market use much the same planars yet with slight tuning variations. It certainly seems as though KZ’s planars are of good enough quality and you are certainly getting the planar sound out of their sets. Not much more to say about that.

Remarkable Low-Frequency Performance
Due to its unique structure, planar drivers can achieve advantages that are sometimes hard to reach for dynamic drivers. KZ PR3 delivers a magnificent and detailed low-frequency performance, providing an unparalleled auditory experience.

Nano-Level Silver-Plated Diaphragm
– Lower Impedance, Easier to Drive
KZ PR3 employs a high-precision silver-plating manufacturing process, enhancing the diaphragm’s electrical conductivity, resulting in higher and more stable audio signal transmission efficiency. Its extremely low impedance allows KZ PR3 to be effortlessly driven by ordinary playback devices.

Self-Developed Planar Diaphragm Driver Upgraded Once Again
– Sensitivity Further Increased
The increased sensitivity also brings about improved sound quality. The impactful bass, full-bodied mids, or crisp highs all come to life with outstanding detail and dynamics. This allows you to feel the passion and power of the music, providing an immersive and lifelike experience.

KZ Promotional

Fit / Isolation 

I have always gotten a good fit from this body style and shape from KZ. The PR3 has a pretty universal shell which I’m sure should fit most people. It isn’t too large like their AS24 or ZAT but isn’t a small ear set either. It’s right in the middle and relatively ergonomic. Isolation is also decent for a casual listening iem. I really don’t know how I would quantify how well something isolates from outside noises so I will just say they are average. About the same as any iem with a good seal that doesn’t have a semi-open or open back style. 

Drivability 

Mobile Listening 

Like any planar the PR3 does best when paired with a more powerful source. That said, they can fare just fine with simple dongle dacs. With an impedance of 15 dBs and a sensitivity of 98 dBs the PR3 isn’t the easiest to drive to good fidelity. Listening with the 3.5 single ended jack on any of my devices forced me to crank it up a bit. However, that only brought me to volume. To get the most out of the PR3 I needed to go with 4.4 balanced. 4.4 on IFi Go Blu was plenty and the same can be said for the Moondrop Dawn 4.4. It’s just that last little bit of power which I feel helps. 

Daps

Using the iBasso DX240 I used the 4.4 balanced jack and kept it strictly on high gain. It could’ve been in my head (probably), but I felt that high gain simply sounds tighter and more controlled to me. Now, these two don’t mesh very well as far as synergy goes. I certainly heard more planar timbre with this setup. My favorite way of hearing the PR3 actually came from listening with the Shanling M6 Ultra. I feel you need a more velvet source, something a bit warmer. Anything to offset the brightness of the PR3. 

In the end

If you are purchasing the PR3 I would advise something with at least decent power, but also of good quality. The PR3 can run off of lesser powered sources but I don’t feel you are getting the most out of it. I think a good and strong dongle dac or dap with adequate power should suffice. Preferably something with a warmer tonality to counter the bright sound of the PR3 as well, though anyone who enjoys this bright neutral sound will not need to counter it as much I’d assume. 

Quick (pint sized) Sound Impressions 

Note: I want to preface the entire sound portion of this review with a few things. First, I burned this set in for around 100 hours and I did notice a slight leveling out of the brightness. Couple that with foam tips and the glare is a bit more bearable for me. For this review, I used flac or better files which are stored on my devices, and I used every gear listed at the top of this review to perform critical listening. 

This portion of the review is where I can kind of break the sound down to a peanut size for folks who don’t want to read the whole thing. I can get pretty long winded so… I did it for you, and also, I understand. Anyways, the sound of the PR3 is a slight V-shaped sound with a strong emphasis in the upper regions making the sound tilt heavy in that direction. I would call the sound neutral/bright depending on the track, the volume you listen at, the source you listen with, and the tips you use. 

Between the 20’s 

The bass is very fast, snappy, but not very deep and not super dense. The bass does have a slight punch as well but is not very authoritative. However, details are easy to hear, and the bass is far from sloppy. The midrange is recessed to a degree and comes across pretty neutral throughout. I find them to be technical at their foundation with great detail retrieval and a lean expression. The sound is energetic with a fairly sharp pinna rise which is anchored by the treble emphasis. This adds some brightness and some slight glare on the right tracks. Resolution is fantastic as well as separation and good imaging. The treble region is very strident yet also very snappy, every last detail can shine through. It has great extension but can be fatiguing for some as they come across highly energetic and bright. 

If this is all you read… 

If this is all you read just know that the PR3 is ever-so-slightly dry with some smooth undertones and equal parts crisp at the note outlines. This is not a set I’d necessarily call musical. Instead, I’d call it more analytical and energetic with its rapid-fire transient response and slightly thinner note weight. The stage is above average in width with less depth and all other technicalities are very close to class leading for me. Again, if you love quality boosted bass, then the PR3 is probably not the set for you. The PR3 lives and dies with this punctual and instant transient attack and decay which provides ample room for good separation and spot on imaging. However, the greatest strength of this set is its ability to resolve even the tiniest details, even rapid-fire details, details in pretty much any track or genre. This is a very transparent sounding iem. Analytical to its core. Despite that, this is a very bright sounding set without enough bass to counter the brightness. 

Bass Region 

The bass on the PR3 is not going to appeal to any hobbyist who enjoys a beefier low-end. Plain and simple. There is a slight emphasis down low, but it comes across as undersized against the highs on this set, at least for me. I personally like a bit more presence in this region. I realize that there are some folks that desire this type of sound, so I feel it is important that you know what you are getting. On the bright side, the bass can be very fast. Truly, the PR3 can handle any track you throw at it, with a smile. It doesn’t matter how complicated or how congested a track is… The PR3 will resolve it all. However, if you want that deep and bellowing drone or the bulbous boom, you won’t exactly get that here. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression though. The low-end isn’t entirely gone, it’s just… moderate. It’s slight, it’s nimble, it’s uncolored, it’s contoured well and isn’t one-noted. But it won’t be the type of bass to warm any other area of the mix all that much. Does this make it bad? Not necessarily. There are plenty of folks who will enjoy the bass on this set. It just isn’t my favorite. 

Sub-bass 

The sub-bass has the greatest share of low-end emphasis on the PR3, but it isn’t the most clear-cut distinction. I certainly wouldn’t consider this the most bone-rattling or jarring of sub-bass displays. I don’t want to confuse anyone though, which can easily be done in these reviews. The sub-bass isn’t non-existent. It’s definitely there but it simply won’t be so reverberant and guttural that it will satisfy the bass heads who are reading this. Now, on heavily bass driven tracks like “2040” by Lil Durk I can actually feel the boom of the bass drop and the tighter transient attack/decay helps it to sound very good. Which somewhat goes against what I was just saying. Of course, any set can vibrate on this track, but I feel it’s nice on the PR3. However, if I go to a track like “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard, I don’t get that real deep and gravelly sound. The sound doesn’t come across with that sonorous edginess that I’m used to. It’s the same as I’ve been saying, it’s moderate, it’s there, but it comes and goes very fast and without an atmospheric decay. The leading edge of the attack is pretty solid but the body to the note is not as dense. 

The sub-bass isn’t super gravely and thundering, but it is well represented for what it is. It’s a more natural sub-bass with just enough texture to give some feel to bass guitars and tactility and haptics to kick drums. Not bad at all folks. 

Mid-bass 

The mid-bass doesn’t carry a whole lot of energy and certainly won’t slam with any gusto. It’s a milder mid-bass boom. If I were to point out some good qualities, I’d say that the mid-bass has an uncanny ability to come across ultra speedy, deft, tidy, very agile, and can maneuver around most any bass passage with ease. Not even hinting at being one noted. This is a precise bass. However, the issue is that it doesn’t come across very potent and doesn’t add any real warmth to the midrange. You may or may not like this. Still, as I was playing “Stereo Colour Cloud” by Sampha I wasn’t completely dissatisfied with the level of rumble. Of course, the sub-bass does help give this track a bit more oomph. Not brain rattling but rumbly enough. However, I could’ve used a little more on the track “Edge of the Ocean” by Stick figure. There isn’t that round, convex and swollen type of mid-bass projection. It’s there but in limited quantities. Bass Bois… Keep looking. Stuff like bass guitar doesn’t have that fullness that a bigger mid-bass can provide and the initial boom and harmonics from a kick drum may not satisfy all the time. It really depends on the track but for the most part the mid-bass is not emphasized enough for a balanced sound.

Further thoughts about the bass

All in all, the bass has a natural sound to it and decent extension into the lowest of lows. Tip-rolling does help and I’m sure if you got a bit froggy and wanted to do some mods then you could switch things up a bit. You could also EQ as the PR3 does take to equalization pretty well. I will say that the overall technical ability of the drivers is great, and it seems the drivers are of good quality and didn’t detect any undue distortion at all, even at higher volumes. Take it for what it is folks, but I’m fairly confident that half of you already know if this set is for you or not. 

Downsides to the Bass Region 

The downsides are pretty obvious here. Even for non bass heads who simply like some meat to their bass region will likely not be impressed. The biggest drawback is the lack of mid-bass emphasis. The sub-bass does carry pretty nicely and many of my tracks which reach lower in register sound passable. However, for the most part this is an undersized low-end. For instance, the deeper bass guitar feels fairly nice about 17 seconds in on the track “Undoer” by Geese. Still, it doesn’t sound guttural and rich in its texture as it isn’t a “complete bass” sound. I’d say it is somewhat hollow and without that cornerstone substance we all like in the mid-bass. Now, the bass does have some redeeming qualities. Granted, they won’t redeem my joy, but I know there are plenty of folks who do enjoy this type of tame yet zippy bass region. This is a detailed bass and is fast when needed. It does lack some texture and body though. Some folks may say that this cancels the PR3 from any consideration. However, no set is made to fit everyone’s preferences. I know too many friends who despise big bass. I get it too. Coincidentally, I don’t review only to my preferences. 

Midrange 

With the KZ PR3 in my ears, I’m not getting that warm and full sounding midrange, but instead it is a leaner, more precise and an almost dry sound that’s quite technical in its approach. This isn’t the type of sound that exudes musicality and it’s not an emotionally charged sound. Of late we’ve seen KZ/CCA come out with some seriously lush sounding iems with rich textures. Sets like the CCA Rhapsody (Rhapsody Review) for instance. The PR3 is not that. I do hear some smoothness in this region and there is a very subtle warmth which feathers into the mids from the bass, but it’s very little. For the most part, the midrange is a neutral affair with a very energetic and lean sound. Certainly, brighter as we move into the upper midrange, but better for male vocals in my opinion. 

Lower-midrange 

The lower midrange is a bit more recessed than the rest of the mids, but I find the presence of stuff like vocals and instruments to be adequate, heck even good. I do feel the lower mids are a hint more dialed back in energy from the upper-mids but everything still comes across coherently in the mix. I think males sound pretty nice for the tuning style. Yes, they are a hair lean, but the note definition is very good and there is this clean and precise type of density in the lower-mids which helps an otherwise thin sound to have a little substance to it. Especially with the foam tips, hybrid silicone/foam tips, or Final E-tips. 

Low-mids cont…

In “Pain, Sweet, Pain” by Zach Bryan, his voice is pretty far forward (how it’s recorded), and his voice almost has some pep or vivacity to it. The inflections in his voice have a slightly coarse crispness to them with a nice timbre in the lower half of the midrange. Not completely natural but not artificial sounding either. Males generally won’t always have that masculine heft and that authoritative constitution to their voices all the time on this set, but somehow it works. To get a feel for this set you have to think energetic, clean, brighter and crisper, even knife edged at times. Think “decent body” but not full in structure like some beefier and warmer sets. Now that I’ve said that I should also say…this doesn’t mean it sounds “bad”. I want to get this across. The PR3 just represents another way for males to be heard by the listener. In truth, I much prefer a fuller male voice with smooth undertones and a static free and crystalline note outline. I like a “warm vibrance” and a chiseled but full presence. You want a man’s voice to sound like a man, basically. The PR3 captures this with just enough warmth against the brighter umbrella of sound on most of my tracks. It’s just a different way to hear my music and it isn’t bad at all. 

Upper-Midrange 

Females on the other hand are generally more forward and have quite a bit more shimmer and sparkles. The lift in the treble region certainly adds a sense of luster or radiance. Madison Beer sings “Reckless” and on this track her voice isn’t usually as vibrant as she sounds on the PR3. Her voice is very clinical and clean yet with the most subtle bit of planar timbre or a metallic glaze at the crest of notes. She doesn’t sound perfectly natural or organic. She sounds lean and with a touch of brilliance to her voice. You have to understand that the PR3 has about a 12 dB pinna rise against a much smaller bass shelf which doesn’t really gain any amplitude until you reach sub-bass levels. There just isn’t that warmth to counter the gain in the upper-mids. Also, at lower volumes Madison doesn’t sound nearly as sharp.

Less energetic voices seem to do well but expect some added sunniness to females or a bit more brightness and shimmer. I do not consider this a very organic sounding upper midrange. Yet again, females don’t sound bad at all to me at lower volumes. Yes, they sound a bit lean, but they are also forward and the modulation and intonations of a female voice sounds very orderly and meticulously defined and I could see it working for some hobbyists. Think of any female singer and add some brightness or levity to her voice. The upper mids can get shouty at higher volumes and on tracks which are prone to some shoutiness, just something to keep in mind. 

Upper-mids cont… 

I say all of that but let me also say that the entire midrange is very open sounding with a ton of air, and separation is too notch. Also, imaging is very precise and spot-on in its ability to delineate where the instruments and vocalists are, with a nicely partitioned-off replay. I realize they’re a hint bright, but they’re also very well separated against the rest of a track. They come across controlled and glass lined. After many hours with this set in my ears I feel my brain has adjusted and I was able to figure out how to best make this set work to fit me better. That is, burn it in, foam tips, lower volumes. Is it my preference? No, it isn’t. However, I am not everyone else and I don’t want to belittle anyone else’s preferences as I’m sure those who enjoy that technical, energetic and brighter replay should also enjoy this. 

Further thoughts on the Midrange 

I realize that this all doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement of the PR3. However, the PR3 isn’t to the point of “throwing them out of my ears” or to the point of fatigue for me at lower volumes. I do have to watch what tracks I choose from my library. Warm and dark lovers will not be impressed. Personally, I can handle a bright set and I’ve almost grown accustomed to this set after many hours of listening. The beauty of the PR3 lies in its resolving abilities and how transparent and analytically “on-point” this set is. Details in this region are fantastic, some of the best in the price point. I do feel that I could use a hint more length of decay for some harmonics, but I can quite literally pick out every last little nuance in almost any track. The perceived speed of this driver is pretty great folks. Despite that though, this will not be for everyone. Once again, it’s great for those people who really enjoy that vibrant sound and love a brighter energy. 

Downsides to the Midrange 

The worst offense of the midrange (in my opinion) is the note body which is directly correlated to the warmth given to this region, which is also tied into the amount of low-end energy the PR3 is tuned with. Next, the upper mid pinna rise can be shouty, slightly sibilant and slightly metallic at times. I don’t hear that smoothness that an organic sounding iem would have. Beyond that I think the midrange is fine. Males have a nice sound to them as well as some females too. The obvious strong suit if the PR3 rests in its ability to be a detail monster though. Truly, this set can handle pretty much anything I threw at it and that’s not an exaggeration. 

Treble Region 

The highs on the KZ PR3 are bright, chimey and tinsley with a very lustrous and brilliant type of replay. The treble has a ton of energy and a lot of voluminous extension into the highest of highs. I would consider this a “Treble-Head’s Delight”. However, I want to add that I found the treble to be a bit too bright for me. Again, foam tips helped a hair but, in the end, I feel this is a set that will appeal mostly to treble heads. Still, foams will help to balance the treble with the rest of the mix a little. For fans of that bright-ish sound, the PR3 will be right up your alley. Folks, the treble is pretty intense and can be aggressive with an acute sharpness to it. Certainly, KZ was trying to create a very resolving sound in the treble region. I would also say that this is a leaner sounding region. Now, the treble does have good note structure in the sense that it isn’t just a smearing of treble tizz. There is contour to the note body and good note definition. It’s an uplifted energy, and that energy does have some substance to it, or some treble density within this bright and brilliant sound. 

Music

Listening to Billy Strings in the track “Ice Bridges” is a very calculated and rapid-fire song with a bunch of treble energy that demands an earphone which can keep up or else it’ll simply come across as a mishmash of midrange congestion and treble sheen. Understand that I’m talking about a $50 iem here, so please keep your expectations in check. The PR3 is able to keep up, which is saying something. “Bishop School” by Yusef Lateef is a track I always use for treble activity and one which will showcase how well your earphones can adapt to changes up top. The PR3 does an admirable job of creating space and giving a sense of widened air between instruments. Perhaps a bit artificial in its presentation but altogether refined in its technical approach. 

Further thoughts about the treble region 

One thing that may intrigue some treble junkies is the extension I am hearing up top. Any info past 10k seems to be very easily heard with plenty of amplitude for stuff like the secondary harmonics of a cymbal strike etc. In fact, harmonics of any instrument are going to come across pretty vivid and easily discernible. I did notice that this extension does help (in a psycho-acoustic way) the soundstage to feel pretty wide and open sounding. The rewarding points about this treble is that it will appeal to fans of a bright sound. I feel I’ve kicked that horse to death but it’s just the truth. This will be a polarizing sound for some in the hobby though, as it’s more one-sided in its tuning. But the detail retrieval is next level up top with a very quick and rapid transient attack and decay that can stop on a dime and maneuver around any track with relative ease. 

Downsides to the Treble Region 

This is another obvious one folks. Really polarizing sets usually have pretty obvious supposed downsides for some people. For folks who don’t like a very bright sound I would certainly say that this is not the set for them. The downside here is that the treble is boosted a lot but there isn’t enough mid-bass elevation to counter it. Shoot, even with some more mid-bass boost it may not be enough. The treble can sound artificial as well and can be fatiguing for some at higher volumes. It’s simply a lot and can be intense at times and with the right tracks. I feel there is a portion of people in the hobby who will be at home with this type of sound but there are also quite a few who won’t dig it as much. It simply isn’t dynamically balanced and that’s pretty easy to hear right away. 

Technicalities 

Soundstage 

The soundstage sounds pretty wide and has decent height too. There is some subtle depth as well. So, you know, these impressions come while listening to the KZ PR3 attached to the Shanling M6 Ultra. I feel that the good extension up top does help a little bit to create a perceivably wide stage, to a degree. Let’s put it this way, for $48 this soundstage is certainly above average as far as width goes. The only thing I’d say is that we are getting a planar stage here. For whatever reason some (not all) planars seem to have a wall of sound with very little depth. I do perceive the PR3 to not be totally flat as there is some depth here. There’s also a lot of air to the sound and an open feeling to my music which is nice to hear and certainly a redeeming quality to this earphone. So, the stage is pretty wide, tall, and there is some slight depth to my music. For a $50 planar that is a nice thing to hear.

Separation / Imaging 

Separation of elements within an imaginary stage are very well defined and delineated. I hear perceivably exact placement of those elements as well. Imaging and separation are nicely done. This set is technical over musical by a mile, and it shows. Now there isn’t the best depth in the price point, but depth of the sound field is at least adequately done so there’s some layering to the sound as well. Even on pretty complicated tracks the PR3 does a nice job of parsing-out and partitioning-off instrumentation and vocalists. The only real issues that I’ve heard from the PR3 (as far as separation is concerned) is instances when a track is littered with a lot of upper-mid and treble congestion. It just gets to be a bit too much and it can come across less distinct and more like mashed treble. These are rare instances though. However, the treble emphasis will do some masking of sounds in the right situation. 

Details

The PR3 does detail retrieval very well. I think the only real issues would be in a situation as I described in the last section. A bunch of treble activity taking over the sound space will cover over some of the minutia in a track. Of course, who is trying to spot details in a situation like that. So, for the most part the detail retrieval on the PR3 is fantastic. This is one area where the tuning pays off. You have that heightened resolution and boosting of the treble, no real issues with bass masking anything, transients are very fast and precise, separation is awesome etc. It all goes into the making of a great detail set. However, you do sacrifice musicality and a more organic sound but for those who dig this type of replay… they won’t care about that. Details are very good folks. 

Comparisons 

Notes: The following comparisons were created to give the reader some sort of an idea as to what the set I’m reviewing sounds like. I do not create comparisons to crown one set over another. I’m not interested in that, and neither should you. It would only be my opinion anyways. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to establish what set is better during such a comparison. I will speak in very general terms and use very broad strokes so as to keep my word count down (trust me, I have to watch it closely). I hope there is enough info for you to gauge the sound well enough. 

KZ X-HBB PR2  ($42)

The KZ X-HBB PR2 (PR2 Review) was actually the subject of quite a bit of controversy during its inception. This set was actually a collaboration between KZ and the wildly popular YouTube personality, the Hawaiian Bad Boy from “Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews” channel. For whatever reason some of the initial sets that were sent out had an added black mesh which helped in the tuning of the PR2. I actually have the black mesh unit and I think it is a phenomenal set at its price. I gave it a very good review and still think it is a nice set. Despite that, after some time KZ began sending the PR2 supposedly “without” the filter mesh which changed up the sound pretty drastically. So be aware this comparison is between the black mesh unit and the PR3. 

Differences 

As far as build and aesthetic, there really isn’t much of a difference. In fact, besides the three screws and a slightly different grill the two of these sets are darn near identical. The accessories are identical too. The real difference between the two rests in their overall sound. The PR2 is a bit warmer to the PR3’s brighter and more neutral leaning. 

Sound Differences 

The biggest difference is an obvious one; the PR3 is quite a bit brighter than the PR2 (mesh unit). Beginning with the bass region, the PR2 has a bigger and more full bass response while the PR3 offers much less in quantity to counter the upper region highs. I find the midrange to come across thinner on the PR3 but also the PR3 has a more detailed and transparent sound. Honestly, at lower volumes I find the PR3 to cover vocals a bit better as there is less of a metallic tinge to notes in this region. Again, details are illuminated a bit better on the PR3 too. Of course, the PR2 is still very good in this regard and also much tamer and smoother as you make your way through the upper-mids to treble region. I find the soundstage of the PR3 to seem larger and more grand and overall resolution is certainly better on this newer set. I feel the newer PR3 is simply more refined in its sound overall. Folks who enjoy a more zippy and brilliant treble with better extension and a cleaner overall sound will likely enjoy the PR3 better. Fans of a more balanced tuning with a larger and more fun bass section may enjoy the PR2 (Black mesh) more. 

My thoughts

For me, I have always liked the original “HBB” black mesh tuning of the X-HBB PR2. It was tuned nicely. The problem with this comparison is that I don’t know if that is the exact set you’ll get if you were to try to purchase it. Also, I’m not really knowledgeable on the whole situation and could be wrong about it all so please take this for a grain of salt. I do feel the added warmth of the PR2 makes it a bit easier for a larger number of hobbyists to enjoy. Still, the PR3 is better at resolving the micro-details and does sound more open and airier.

Kiwi Ears Melody  ($89)

The next comparison is with one of Kiwi Ears latest sets, a planar earphone by the name of Kiwi Ears Melody. The Melody is a very nice set with a very nice tuning that features each area of the mix very well. Inside of the Melody is a 12mm planar driver and it is built with a nice feeling matte resin material. It has a cool feel to it. Very light. This may not be a fair comparison, but I feel it’s relevant. The price difference is pretty substantial, and the tuning is quite different, but they are both planars and are priced under $100. When it comes to planars I always feel they are in a class by themselves for some reason and comparing other planars just makes sense to me. 

Differences 

For starters, the PR3 is built like a tank comparatively. I definitely think the build quality is better on KZ’s set. Also, it looks better in my subjective opinion. Still, I find that the Melody is not a bad looking set at all. Just kind of boring, not bad, but boring. In the end though… Do we really care that much about that? The PR3 is a much brighter set with a leaner note weight but also much more analytical and dry which helps it to be a more technically adept iem. 

Sound Differences 

Again, these are two entirely different animals with entirely different tunings. Certainly, a preference battle type situation. One (PR3) is much snappier, more detailed, and technically savvy, while the other is much more atmospheric, timber is more accurate and musical. The PR3 has much less of an actual bass presence as the Melody has all the mid-bass boom that you’d want. The Melody simply bangs much harder and drones much deeper. The sound of the Melody is fuller and richer. The sound of the PR3 is much more lithesome, agile and has better separation. Basically, the PR3 is much better technically, though the Melody doesn’t skimp on details at all. It is simply tuned in a more balanced and musical way with almost equal parts mid-bass hump and pinna rise. I find the PR3 to be much brighter, tighter and expedient in its cadence and control. The Melody is much more smooth, graceful, non-offensive and much more melodic. The stage is larger to my ears on the PR3 with better extension up top whereas the Melody definitely has the PR3 beat for low-end extension. 

My thoughts 

Folks, these are really two completely different animals, almost across the board. Both sets have two distinctly different sound signatures and serve two completely different hobbyists. It’s a preference battle. Neither one necessarily is better nor worse as they are so much different that whatever you prefer will obviously win out. For me, I like the warmer and more rich/musical sound of the Melody but I’m sure there are those who would choose the technically proficient sound of the PR3. 

Is it worth the asking price? 

This is always the big question for anyone looking to purchase a set. I can only really answer for myself folks. I can say that for me and my auditory palate that I would not personally purchase this set. Or if I did it would simply be to have this type of signature in my collection. I say this just because the PR3 doesn’t perfectly fit my music. No issue though, we are all different, folks. Remember, this doesn’t mean it isn’t for those who enjoy this type of sound. I know four people off the top of my head that will be in love with this set, and I also think I’m sending them to those people to complete a review next, so, you may get a different perspective from a fan of a brighter and more technical sound. This is something I have to stress because I don’t want it getting lost on you folks who are looking to purchase a set like this. For what the PR3 is (treble-head’s delight), it is good for the price. It was obviously tuned to be a brighter sound, snappy, technically efficient, with tight and revealing transients and created to be a detail monster. In that regard KZ succeeded. This is not a bad set for the people who would enjoy this type of signature. It simply isn’t my favorite sound. Granted, my brain did adapt, and I enjoyed it enough when I turned the volume down and used foam tips. Still, it’s a different sound then I’m used to and also it did get fatiguing after a while for me. 

The Why

Okay, for those folks who are treble heads and love that canopy of brightness and yearn for the finest of details to be brought forth and who cannot spend a dime over $50. For those folks there are a few reasons why the PR3 would be worth every penny. First, it’s built like a champ and looks really tough. That metal grill with the screws I keep talking about… looks so cool. That industrial style with the shiny silver and transparent shell is just BOSS. Next, the sound is bright, resolving, clean as a whistle, and can take on the fastest of my tracks. The PR3 is also very well extended into the highest of highs, leaving out almost no info past 10k. The sound as a whole, in every region, is very well separated with fantastic placement of images in the sound field. Lastly the soundstage is certainly above average for a planar at this price and wider than most sets of any driver configuration. 

Ratings  (0-10)

Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the KZ PR3 ratings below, that would be $35-$55 iems of any driver configuration.  Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5-6” is roughly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $35-$55 US is a decent sized scope of iems, and so seeing a 9 should probably be pretty special. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings it will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me. 

Aesthetic 

-Build Quality:         9.3      Build Quality is something KZ does well.       

-Look:                        9.0      Industrial, classy look! 

-Accessories:              – –      Accessories don’t matter at this peice

–Overall:               9.0                                 

Sound Rating     

-Timbre:                   6.5      Not the most organic KZ has crafted.    

-Bass:                        7.3      Small in quantity but the quality is there. 

-Midrange:               6.8      Not bad at all but not for everyone. Peaky.  

-Treble:                     8.3      Fast, controlled, shimmery and extended. 

-Technicalities:        9.9      Technicalities are its strong-suit.                                                           

–Overall:                 7.8

Ratings Summary:

Okay, I almost think that these ratings explain themselves. Look at my fine print above the ratings. I said that I’m rating the KZ PR3 against any and all iems between $35 and $55 in any driver configuration. You may think the scores are low, but you have to consider just how many sets are littered in between this price point. Before I conduct these ratings, (the first thing actually) is to decide a consumer price point. From there I go through every set I’ve heard and understand very well between that price point and then I write them all down. I had a total of 26 sets before I stopped, and I got tired… Lol. Sorry. Anyways, that is a ton of iems. I do my absolute best to accurately (albeit subjectively) figure out each rating above. These ratings are garnered with a couple caveats. First, they involve foam tips, balanced listening with high gain enabled and I listened at lower volumes. That is the criteria. Also, these are MY ratings, to MY understanding and this cannot get lost on you while reading. 

Explain Yourself! 

So, the first rating which may conger some anger (because some of you actually get angry over this stuff… Lol) is the “Bass” category. Why on earth would I give the PR3 a respectable “7.3” when it lacks so much bass? The answer is that it is actually a very technical bass that is crazy nimble. No joke. If this Rating was broken down even more to a category like… “Bass technicalities” … then the PR3 would probably get in the high “9’s”. Again, no joke. Also, my opinion. To counter that, if this bass was broken down to “Bass Boom (Quantity)” then the PR3 would likely get closer to a “3.0”. Once again, no joke. Honestly, I made an executive decision to put it at a “7.3” and lean more to its “bass quality” rather than quantity. However, I would never argue if any of you gave it a lower score for your own preferences. Folks, I spend way too long on these ratings. I mean… Hours! Deliberating, sweating (jk), hoping not to get it wrong. But I have to explain myself and put context to the ridiculous task of “rating” an iem. You all know I don’t like this section. Also, I’m asking you to forgive me if you think I got it wrong. Just DM me like everyone else does… HaHa. I am far from perfect, and I know it. 

The other ratings follow this same trajectory with caveats to each score besides “Technicalities”. That is the only clear-cut rating I gave. The others are all questionable. So, I would take this particular ratings section with a grain of salt.  

Conclusion 

To conclude my full written review of the KZ PR3 I have to say a big thank you to KZ and to Tyvan Lam for providing this set. KZ has been very good to me folks. I realize this wasn’t the best review for the PR3 (from my point of view) but I have to be honest with you all. Thankfully KZ has been the type of company not scared to hear a less than stellar review. Lord knows I’ve praised their iems to the moon on many occasions. So long as they keep making great sets per their respective price point, then I will keep on praising them and giving them their flowers. 

That all said, I also didn’t give this (PR3) a “Bad” review either. This is a polarizing set folks! It is a niche tuning and is tuned for a very particular set of hobbyists and so I don’t think KZ necessarily did a bad job at all. If they hit their mark that they were going for then that’s all that matters. It’s up to you to identify if this type of sound suits you. I think they did fine, it may not be for me, but it is good for what it is. I’ll say it another way, just because I don’t like those luxury soccer mom vans doesn’t mean it’s a bad vehicle. It just means that my subjective opinion and preferences aren’t geared towards that style of vehicle…I do hope that makes sense to you. 

Other perspectives

Please, I beg you, please go and check out other thoughts about this set. I’m telling you that it will pay off to read, listen to, or watch other opinions. It (PR3) may suit another person much better and guess what… Maybe someone else does a much better job of explaining the PR3. I am not perfect. Also, I’m not the next guy, I have different gear then the next guy, different likes and dislikes and I have likely been down a completely different journey through the Audioverse. We are all so different in how we perceive our music and what we enjoy. Read other perspectives and I hope that collectively you can make a wise and informed decision. I think I’m done folks. If you have any questions, you can always comment below or send me a message and I’ll do my best to get back to you. I hope each and every person reading is well and good. Please take good care, stay as safe as you can and always… God Bless!

Disclaimer:

I recieved the PR3 from KZ in exchange for a full review. I have not received any payment or any other form of compensation for this review. This set is a sample iem. KZ has not requested to pre-read any review and doesn’t have any control over “what” or “when” anything gets published to mobileaudiophile.com. All thoughts within this review are my own though please take note that I will always have my own biases. This is impossible to get around. I try to be as objective as my subjective self can be but this is an opinion peice. Thank you to KZ and thanks for reading.