The company LZ quickly gained popularity by releasing hybrid A-series headphones, and staked out the space under the sun, periodically updating these models, increasing the number of drivers (and at the same time increasing). Today we will talk about their best work at the moment - model A5.
The previous A4, using a more standard "one dynamo + two armature" scheme, gained considerable popularity, receiving a lot of praise. The developers decided not to relax and try a much more exotic option, adding to each ear two more radiators with a balanced anchor. Along the way, they redesigned the design, shortened a few tuning possibilities (only 4 replaceable filters, changing HF), and, of course, could not help but increase the price. The current flagship LZ A5 is sold for $ 270 (the price at the time of the release of the review), what do we get for this amount?
Specifications
- Emitter: 1 dynamic + 4 × with balanced armature
- Sensitivity: 105 ± 1 dB
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Frequency range: 8 Hz to 36 kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.2%
- Rated Power: 5mW
- Cable: 120 cm, interchangeable, with MMCX connectors
- Plug: 3.5 mm, TRS
Packing and delivery kit
In LZ we decided not to indulge customers with any delicacies, so in a box of thick cardboard approved by Henry Ford, you will find the headphones themselves, the cable to them and a simple set of accessories:
- 3 pairs of replaceable filters (the fourth is already installed in the headphones);
- very good metal container-washer for storing headphones;
- a pair of foam nozzles;
- three pairs of silicone tips of different sizes.
In general, do not fool, of course, but the jar is really good.
Design and comfortable wearing
In the appearance of the LZ headphones, they took a big step towards the mainstream, now the hulls of their hybrids look like traditional multi-driver earphones for wearing. Of course, on the one hand, this kind of form is exploited by everyone, not by laziness, but on the other hand - the A5 turned out to be very convenient and compact. Metal shells of black color with a red pattern look quite impressive, the build quality is more than decent.
The model is designed for breezing wearing, putting them with a wire down will be unreal. Due to the smooth shape and moderate size, the LZ A5 provides a smooth landing and comfortable wearing, sound insulation is slightly better than average. Filters for tuning the sound are made in the form of "spouts", they are fixed with the help of a thread and allow to slightly change the feed in the area of high frequency.
In these IEM, of course, a removable wire with MMCX connectors is used. The connectors themselves are good in quality, they provide reliable fixation. The complete cable is made in a fabric braiding, because of what it has a small microphone effect. Rigidity is average, for complete comfort I usually pull the slider over the splitter closer to the chin. The separator unit itself and the plug are reliable enough, so the cable looks trustworthy, but in general I would advise you to find a wire softer for the headphones, the benefits of various cables are now greater than the demand.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- Yulong DA9 and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Lotoo PAW Gold, theBit OPUS # 2, Astell & Kern A & ultima SP1000 and others as portable players
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 48 hours, changes in the sound it did not.
On the Internet, rumors persist that LZ released a replaceable set of filters for the A5, changing their feed, I even mentioned this in the video, but the official resellers in the face of Penon Audio have denied this claim, they said, the models that went on sale, - this is the final version.
LZ A5 - this is the case when the developers have made their problems themselves, trying to make "as better". Previous, the fourth generation of headphones offered a very good tuning, like most users. Working on the flagship, LZ decided to improve the length of the HF, and, having achieved this, immediately transferred the headphones to the category "not for HF fobs." Like most other models without a blockage above 10 kHz, the A5 is very demanding on the material and source and, in addition, sounds on the HF sharper than all the "traditionally" crushed in this range of models.
In the new model, the developers have reduced the number of options available for tuning, now we have only 4 nozzles, according to the documentation they are able to change the amount of high-frequency signals in the range from -2 to +2 dB, although in fact the difference between "minus" and "plus" is noticeable stronger than between +1 and +2 or -1 and -2. I decided for myself on option -1, as it slightly smoothes VCh, which is beneficial to their naturalness, while -2 still, in my hearing, overdoing with "cleaning".
LF obviously attract attention, and not by quantity, but by quality. The developers found a wonderful dynamic radiator and prepared it exactly as most users of the hybrid headphones expect. LFs are not dry and not superfast, but they have very good resolution and macrodynamics. Bass goes deep and thanks to a decent control pleases listeners with solidity and authority, while not interfering with the middle frequencies. It is the depth and naturalness of LFs, perhaps, the strongest side of these hybrids.
The lower half of the MF is very good, it is neutral, without obvious colors, it pleases with the resolution and naturalness of the filing. Voices and instruments sound very natural, with a good degree of certainty. The upper half of the midrange is tuned with filters and by default has a lift, adding to the headphones aggressiveness and spectacular pseudo-fatality. Fortunately, with the help of negative filters this accent is leveled well, and the upper middle practically becomes "in its place", playing in full harmony with the lower midrange. At headphones it is good to build an imaginary scene, of course, up to the top models they do not hold out, but in general the scene here is more average in depth and width. Good A5 work out and separation plans with positioning tools.
The HF range is clearly the area to which the additional emitter or even both came, this allowed the LZ to make the model without the traditional blockage above 10 kHz. In an attempt to achieve "rich" HF, the company's developers allowed a peak in the region of 12 kHz, which is the main stumbling block around this model. In many cases, this accent does not make itself felt at all, but on not very high-quality recorded music, rich in percussion, it makes itself felt by adding the sound of rigidity. Since the peak is in an "unusual" place, the sound seems unusual, but after the adaptation of hearing (or EQ) the problem is leveled. However, if you are sensitive to HF and / or listen to music-rich music, this model should be avoided. Otherwise, the "top" is normal, this is a typical armature with fast attacks, slightly dried damping and good separation.
Several comparisons for the completeness of the picture. I limited myself to just a couple of models of a similar price category from what I had available, I did not conduct other comparisons, the difference between LZ A5 and everything else is very obvious.
iBasso IT03. A smoother model with a less pronounced peak on the HF, while the LZ A5 is much more effective in playing LF, especially if you prefer a massive feed. SCH are similar, although the A5 has a little more emotion.
Dunu Falcon-C. Despite the lack of a low-frequency accent, the "Falcon" is one of my favorite headphones in bass feed - it's collected, tight, with a good body and mass, it's probably better than the A5, though a little less deep. On the Falcon, the Falcon is less bright (although they can not be called dark), it's better to send the corporeality to the A5's midrange.
Compatibility
Of course, listening to this model with smartphones or tablets - the idea of "below average." It is best suited players mid-level without excessive pressure on HF, the benefit now pick up any version of the sound - no problem.
Stylistically, these hybrids are universal, the main thing is to provide them with quality records, and with this many genres will clearly have tangible problems. On the criticality scale, this is 9 or even 10 points out of 10.
Traditionally, a few tracks in the role of example
Alice Merton - No Roots. A perfect demonstration of the strengths of this model: dynamic, deep percussion plus an impressive variety of accompanying instruments, conveyed very realistically and with an excellent volume.
Mahmut Orhan - 6 Days. This selection has always lacked ethnic diversity, so here's an excellent track from a Turkish DJ and producer, combining not only the driving LF part, but also very pleasant ethnic inserts, emphasizing the ability of the A5 to build a scene.
Kerber - Nebo je malo za sve. It's hard to say how many rabbits this track immediately kills. First of all, it's a Yugoslav rock scene dear to my heart. Secondly, this is an acoustic concert by Kerber himself. Well, in the third, the material is well recorded, which emphasizes all the same SCH and the scene of the heroes of our review. LF in the track is almost none, but even those without the main trump card A5 do not fold.
conclusions
LZ turned out very interesting hybrid headphones, which, however, will not be suitable for everyone. I like the fact that the company did not begin to build another sound "like everyone else", but tried something unusual. Let the result is not universal, but it's still very interesting, and there are a lot of strengths for this model.
The article is based on materials .
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