Now I am attending the least preferred earphones of my life HZ Sound – Bell Rhyme Review. Earbuds. Ironic because earbuds are our and mine starter piece many many years ago. But this earbud is something special as its coming from HZ Sound. While only seeing “HZ Sound” tag is exciting for us (producer of the legendary Heart Mirror HM), I and many of us know that earbuds can be nice backups.
Now I am beginning my point of view review. Your experience might differ. Thanks to keephifi. And I’ll be unbiased as always. Keephifi Hzsound
Pros
Forward sound with neutral timbre
Large soundstage
Hearing vary with earpads
Neutrality is showing itself
Cons
Bass quantity and quality
Insufficent layering
Treble is near to be called metallic
So so 3d imaging
Box, Contents and the cable
A black and tiny box with enough information. Nothing more to say.
Contents are enough for the price. Different types of earpads, denim storage pouch and the unit made of a metal driver
It’s cable is surprisingly strong for an earbud. This is a positive point. But it’s not replaceable. While this is normal for an earbud of this price segment, a negative point objectively.
- 1 x 15 mm composite polymer diaphragm dynamic driver.
- Impedance (Ohm): 32 Ω
- Sensitivity (dB): 116 dB/mW.
- Frequency Response (Hz): 15 Hz – 40 KHz.
- Removable Cable: N.
- Cable: OFC cable.
Sound
Well, being a non LCP (liquid crystal polimer) diagramed earbud, the sound is reminding (partially like %60) me of a regular HM while I am listening without padding. I’ll update my impressions while I am listening padded. But before we go, I must warn the possible buyer. If you are sensitive to high frequencies or treble in general, turn back 🙂
Update 1: Padded it and I am almost listening to a HM now plus the spaciousness of an earbud. Or should I say HMbud Sound is way more natural now. Transparency is crappy but ultimate satisfaction in Hans Zimmer Live in Prague..I am living the best earbud experience for my life.
Update 2: Amped it up. It can endure insanely high power input without getting distorted. The volume is quite high but not earhurting. Then I found comfort at 100mV. The nearly HM natured Bell lost its sparkle somewhat. But layering got improved one notch..Pretty debatable to use a $105 mobile amp along with it while it was already good off Samsung a21s.
Now I’ll switch to bagel shaped earpads.
Update 3: Used bagel shaped earpads. Very open / airy sound. Clarity, stage depth, tonality and other technicalities improved. The sound turned evolved into somewhat metallic and clinical yer retaining a slight warmness due to the records mix. And I suggest using a warm source to balance the outcome. Micro Details are still non existent but best with good recordings. And especially guitar strings have their own weights. Best not play dubstep – save the slight vibration when the mix allows – or be ready to be disappointed if you are used to fast and bassy iems. Though not ideal, It was a little better at dubstep. But they are still fine at say Infected Mushroom. Long story short IMO this eartips are the only way to come closer the holy grail HM.
Reference tracks: https://deezer.page.link/3CKCyhNAMNqinGxXA and https://deezer.page.link/LHrsYAG4TGXxNHrHA
HZ Sound – Bell Rhyme Review Conclusions
Let’s admit that earbuds such as this Fiio are the start of this journey for some. And occasional switch backs to these after our fancy iems remind us where were we.
This earbud named as Bell Rhyme is slightly different than many earbuds with plastic build, low res playback, muddy soundscape and bassy atmosphere. On the contratory, it is pretty open and forward. However being this isn’t guaranteeing a champion over it’s name father.
You can buy if you like from this non affiliated link. https://keephifi.com/products/hzsound-bell-rhyme
