KZ ZS4 Review – A Lot of IEM For A Few Shekels

Accessories/packaging are minimal; however KZ has really upped its game with the aesthetics of the headshells–these have a much nicer, more premium feel that the zsr/ed16 etc. and actually remind me superficially of the it01, with decent build and quality acrylics. likewise, this is the first usable memory cable i’ve seen from KZ; tangly but free from microphonics. like the zs3, the zs4 fit and isolate extremely well and are excellent for the gym or firing range.

Soundwise, v-shaped and “consumer tuned,” with alot of extension at both ends and notably more treble detail and emphasis than the zs3. Source sensitive; these can sound somewhat veiled and hollow but opened up considerably through my lg v30, with mids moving forward and drums sounding more realistic. This is a bright phone and with most silicon tips treble can get very splashy at the extremes; foams will tame the treble but slightly deaden the rest of the spectrum. i hear the stage as fairly low and narrow, altho (like almost all KZs) imaging is vg. note texture isn’t quite as rich as the zsr/zs5 though bass is better controlled than either–upright bass in particular is well-reproduced. these lack the refinement of the trn v80 and the physicality of the multidriver KZ hybrids, but driver coherence may be better on the zs4 (probably because it’s design is less ambitious).

Overall, I’d rate them a notch below the more expensive ZSR, ED16 and ZS5 on the KZ pantheon, although they certainly have their virtues and may improve with further tip rolling.

MEASUREMENTS