QKZ X2 – ACCUSTOMED V

QKZ INTRODUCTION:

Audiophiles in the budget arena recognize QKZ, based out of China, as a well-known brand. Competition tight enough outdated their infamous product, VK4, in the days. Today we got the QKZ X2 in our hands and we’ll check out in detail about it in this review.

QKZ X2 SPECIFICATIONS:

Driver: 11.6mm Magnetic Dynamic Driver

Resistance: 16Ω±15%

Frequency: 20Hz-20kHz

Sensitivity: 96dB±3dB@1000Hz

Termination Plug: 3.5mm

DISCLAIMER:

This unit is provided to me by CONCEPTKART for review purposes and this whole view is based on my observations with this product and this view might vary from person to person based on their source and pairings.

Go ahead and purchase this product in India via this unaffiliated link if you are interested : HERE!

QKZ X2 OVERVIEW:

The QKZ X2 adopts a single Dynamic Driver of size 11.6mm and comes with a sensitivity of 96dB which feels easy enough to drive but with the volume slider pushed to near max. This adopts a V shape signature that comes with a bigger bass response, recessed mid range section and an extended treble region.

When it comes to the technical aspects, they don’t boast much since they adopt an intimate staging and a weird layering. The tonal aspect appears cooler making the presentation appear pretty dark and lacks the luster.

QKZ X2 SOUND ANALYSIS:

BASS:

1. The X2 has a bigger bass in terms of quantity but when it comes to quality it places itself in a mediocre range. 
2. The sub bass has good reach and provides those subtle rumbles and the mid bass has thicker body and enough warmth but there’s no clear distinction between the two frequencies making them sound congested and feels less separated.
3. The snare drums and the bass guitars don’t show the distinct separation making them feel bloated.
4. Overall, the quantity appears to be on the higher side which will please the bass heads but the technicality in the bass region is pretty mediocre.

MID RANGE:

1. The presentation places the whole scenario backward and accompanies it with a recessed mid section.
2. The vocals sound slightly upfront compared to the instrumentals with a cooler tone.
3. The instrumentals take the back seat with poor attention to the details which makes the mid section lackluster.
4. The timbre of the instruments appears natural with a cooler tone which makes them appear hollow.

TREBLE:

1. The treble section feels extended due to its V shaped signature and does have adequate brightness.
2. Though the brightness is good, the detail retrieval is pretty mediocre. The treble section struggles to separate the complex tracks when the X2 replays them.
3. Prolonging the decay of the cymbal crashes makes the sound more artificial and causes slight distortion
4. The lack of upper end emphasis does not bring out the shimmer and brilliance.

TECHNICALITIES:

STAGING AND IMAGING: The stage width seems to be wide enough representing a good sense of space in between each note but the layering suffers due to its poor track separation.

The imaging also takes the back seat because of the recessed midsection which made the placement of the instruments to be vague due to the hindrance of notes in mid section.

QKZ X2 VERDICT:

X2, the latest offering from the house of QKZ is a ultra budget IEM that adopts a 11.6mm Single Dynamic Driver and delivers an average sound. The package that comes looks fancier with detachable 0.75mm QDC connector cable with 3.5mm termination.

The X2 emits a Warm V shaped profile with a darker background and a shallow sound. The bass delivered by the X2 is in quantity but lacks the quality making the presentation look less separated. The mid range feels recessed hence the instrument notes don’t get the proper attention. Though the treble section has decent elevation, the detail retrieval is mediocre making the presentation lackluster.

The tone appears dark and cold which paved the way for representing a hollow presentation. The technical aspects are average with stage width being superior. 

Overall, the X2 for 5-7 USD can be your beater pair of IEM in your collection as a backup option since it adopts the usual ACCUSTOMED V signature and cannot be one’s mainline pair of earphones.

POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES:

Pros:

1. Quantity rich Low End
2. Stage Width

Cons:

1. Darker Background
2. Recessed Mid Section
3. Technical Aspects