Introduction.
Welcome everyone to my review. Don’t worry I will make this review fun to read. This will be my first style to put anime references in my reviews to my otaku or anime fans. So without further ado let’s start my review of the CCA LYRA.
Background about me and personal taste in music.
I am a student and currently a hobbyist in the world of audio. When it comes to my sound library. I am more in anime songs and jpop artists (but not all jpop artists). To all my fellow anime fans, even otaku or weeb expect me to put anime references in my reviews by using anime music.
Anime related to the pair
The pair reminds me of Date A live. The reason is that it reminds me of the encounter between Shido and Miku. Miku wants to shine and recognize her talent but the bad thing is she wants all the attention. in the audio description, the pair has that shiny high. but with too much emphasis, it can be too bad in some aspects.
Personal Sound Preference
mid-centric guy. or neutral balanced with an emphasis in the mids. The LYRA somewhat provides this aspect that I want but not all of it.
Disclaimers.
I didn’t gain any monetary reward in this review. My reviews are all mine and based on my experiences.
We have different hearing capacities so expect a different outcome from me.
I am a budget reviewer and I review based on the sources I have as of now.The unit I have is a review sample from CCA/kz. I would like to thank sir Tyvan lam for giving me an opportunity to review this pair.
Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Reasons to buy the CCA LYRA[Pros]
- The design of the pair has a vibe of an expensive set
- great fitting in my ears
- this can be fun and engaging since this has a musicality aspect
- Great Bass presentation and it has control.
- soft stock ear tips.
- average technicalities.
- great for hybrid music genre. like classical infused with electric music.
- great for classical or old music genres.
- Not bad for its price it can compete with others in this price range.
Reasons to avoid the CCA LYRA[Cons]
- even though this is great with hybrid music genres. it does have the sibilance in tracks that are prone to higher frequencies emphasis.
- Stock ear tips degrade the overall sound quality of the pair
- some instruments sound artificial. For example, the violin feels digital and not realistic. cymbals lock body and detail.
- At higher volumes, you can encounter peaks in the upper midrange.
- Case(Subjective)
Graph Presentation
The graph is from Asterhythmist and I would like to thank Asterhythmist for making the graph of CCA LYRA. Based on the graph presentation. the KZ EDA Balance version and CCA LYRA has similarity in terms of bass presentation. The only difference in the bass for both pairs is the sub-bass. KZ EDA Balance has more sub-bass. In terms of Mids, The KZ EDA Balance has more mids compared to the CCA LYRA. If you want more mids KZ EDA Balance can be your option. In terms of highs, the KZ EDA Balance and CCA LYRA are somewhat similar to each other. The only difference is the CCA LYRA is brighter and has a hint of peaks in higher volumes.
Sound Signature
As mentioned in the Graph a while ago. The pair is somewhat inheriting the style of the KZ EDA Balance. Since this review has a style of anime I will explain this in an anime way. The sound Signature of CCA LYRA reminds me of My Hero Academia and Symphogear. In My Hero Academia, there is an episode where Deku inherits the power of all might and it didn’t reflect immediately. It needs adjustments and refinement. in Symphogear first season episode 1, The part where Kanade Amou sings her last swan song to save Hibiki from the verge of death. A shard of Kanade’s symphogear combined with the heart of Hibiki.
An audio perspective. the CCA LYRA is like The KZ EDA Balanced. but The CCA LYRA is using the EDA Balance as a foundation and reference. But if you want more info it’s more in U-Shaped to balanced. But honestly, I didn’t find it to be Balanced its more like a Balanced V-Shape or in short well done Bass.
Low-End/Bass
The bass of this pair is somewhat similar to the KZ EDA Balance for me they are both good. The bass of the KZ EDA Balance is more balanced for me. while the CCA LYRA has a feel of being V-Shaped in a good way it’s controlled and bodied with great depth and clarity. For bass-head listeners, the KZ EDA Balanced and CCA LYRA can satisfy you. but it’s not that too much bass that will shake your ears and head. So, in general, they are pretty good but if you want more bass you can Choose the CCA LYRA.
Midrange
I am a mid-range type of listener and this is the part where I really see a big difference. The mids of this pair are recessed a little bit. Even the Midrange is recessed it has fun and musicality. Casual listeners will love it. since the vocals and instruments are very clean and very noticeable. I tested the pair in my gaming and my type of gaming is rhythm games. I am surprised since the vocals and instruments sound great it has great layering. If we compare the pair to the KZ EDA Balanced version, The KZ EDA Balanced Version wins. since it has more mids but the difference is somewhat close to each other. In general, If you are on a budget and want fun and musicality. This pair can be your option. but if you have a budget you can choose the KZ EDA Balance and BQEYZ KC2.
High End
I honestly like The Highs of this pair it has that matured extension. but even though it has that matured extension. it still has the hint of Old KZ in House signature. it only occurs in the stock ear tips and at higher than your usual volume. If you wondering what the Old KZ House signature is. It is more in peak and sibilance. This pair has details but for me, it’s average for its price. If I am a newcomer in the audio hobby this will amaze but if you’re like me and a musician you will feel the treble is somewhat felt artificial.
Soundstage, imaging, and separation.
The soundstage of this pair is average for me it’s wide but not big enough, Imaging is also average it needs more refinements, separation is somewhat average it still separates decently even in congested tracks.
Verdict
The CCA LYRA is really a shining angel. This amazed me and at first, iI think it will sound bad but it proves me wrong it’s really good for its price and good for newcomers to the audio hobby.
Closing
I would like to thank KZ/CCA and sir Tyvan Lam for Giving me the chance to review this pair, I appreciated it very much.
If you are interested to buy the pair.
- This is not a promotion of the shop it’s only a guide to the official shops,
Final Remarks
Bass:5/5 happy around
Mids:3.9/5 almost
Highs: 3.7/5 getting there
Test Tracks
- chikichikibanban-Queendom[Hi-Res]
- The Queen of white- Date a bullet music [CD-Quality]
- infermata-Spotlight kids[HI-Res]
- Villian Vibes-Amalee and mori calliope. [CD-Quality]
- cha la head cha la- cover by amalee[CD-Quality]
- Gimme X Gimme-Hachioji-P and Giga-P.{Cd-quality]
- Inner Urge-Sumire Uesaka[CD-Quality]
- Round and Round-Merm4id[Hi-Res]
- Life Will Change-Cover by Amalee[CD-Quality]
- Yona Yona Journey / TAKU INOUE & Mori Calliope[Hi-Res]
My Testing Audio equipment.
- Abigail by non-VE
- UAPP-USB Audio Player Pro
- Roon-Music player and streaming software
- ES-Pro 9318-sabre DAC 9318
- OPPO A95- 3.5 headphone jack.