Kz ZSX wired earbuds review
The Kz ZSX Terminator are midrange wired earbuds from KZ. Kz is known for excellent sound quality that surprises even audiophiles. We gave these wired earbuds a full test, and we were surprised too. Was that a good thing? Find out in this review!
In this article
Pros and cons
Here are the pros and cons of the Kz ZSX.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔️Unmatched sound ✔️Very good mic ✔️Comfortable fit ✔️Sturdy design |
❌Wired earbuds |
Kz ZSX specifications
- Price: €60
- Bluetooth: no
(optional with a Bluetooth upgrade cable) - Cable: audio jack
(optional Lightning cable for iPhone or USB-C) - Frequency: 7-40000Hz
- Resistance: 24Ω
- Sensitivity: 111dB
- Connectors: 3.5mm
- Microphone: 2 versions available: with and without a mic
Kz ZSX sound quality
The Kz ZSX Terminator sound stunning. Rich, full tones without losing detail. A guitar chord sounds like it's being played right next to your ear.
Take this song on Spotify at the 5-second mark. The Romani musician playing that chord sounds like he's standing to my right. His guitar seems about a meter and a half away as he runs his fingers across the strings.
We rarely hear this level of detail and depth. Sound like this is worth a lot. More than the roughly €60 we paid for these earbuds.
The quality is also a clear step up from the Kz ZSN PRO we tested earlier.
Sound quality score: 8
For comparison, we tested €139 Sennheiser earbuds. In all honesty, these earbuds match the Sennheisers for sound quality. Impressive.
Microphone: are the Kz ZSX good for calls?
Keep in mind that Kz earbuds usually come without a microphone. They treat a built-in microphone as an optional extra. We always want to test the version with a microphone and, if it performs well, sell it too.
At Eardopes, we always test the microphone on earbuds. What's the best way to let you hear the microphone quality for yourself? By recording an audio sample, of course.
Microphone score: 8
As you can hear, the microphones on the ZSX Terminator earbuds are very good. There's a tiny bit of hiss, but it's negligible. All in all, these earbuds work well for online meetings or answering a call.
Fit: how comfortable are the Kz ZSX?
The steel outer shell might make you think these earbuds would feel uncomfortable. A rugged, sturdy design often comes at the expense of fit. But not here.
The sturdy metal parts on the outside of the earbuds don't touch your ears, so they don't get in the way.
Once they're in your ears, they're actually surprisingly comfortable. The earbuds sit deep in your ears. The included ear tips conform reasonably well to your ears, though not as well as foam ear tips for the Kz ZSX.
It's also nice that the cable doesn't hang straight down from the earbuds, as it does on other wired models. You can imagine how that puts all the weight on the earbuds, making them uncomfortable to wear.
The cable runs over your ear and down behind it. That means the earbuds don't have to support the cable's weight, making them very comfortable to use.
Earbud controls
As with many wired earbuds, the controls are limited. All you can do is press play or pause. We don't really expect much more from wired earbuds. Controls matter much more on wireless earbuds. Nothing special here, then, and that shows in the controls score.
You can also use that button to answer and end calls, which is certainly handy.
Controls: 6
Go wireless with the Kz Bluetooth upgrade
The Kz HD Bluetooth Upgrade Cable lets you turn these into wireless earbuds. Just clip the Bluetooth band into the earbuds where you'd normally connect the cable. Then you can easily connect them to your phone or laptop. You get both the great sound of these Kz earbuds and the freedom of wireless earbuds. A nice upgrade.
Conclusion: are the Kz ZSX any good?
The Kz ZSX Terminator are wired powerhouses. Any audiophile would agree that they offer a lot of quality for every euro you spend. The sound is excellent. The microphone is very good, and the fit is better than expected. The protective steel plate on each earbud doesn't compromise comfort. The controls are nothing to write home about. Pause, play, answer and end calls. That's it. The basics. And that's all you need.
| Score | |
| Sound | 8 |
| Microphone | 8 |
| Fit | 8 |
| Controls | 6 |
Alternatives
Which earbuds would you like us to compare these with? Let us know, and we'll get to work.
Others also viewed:
- Browse all our articles about wireless earbuds
- These are the best earbuds under €50
- These are the earbuds with the best microphone
- Explore our in-depth article about QCY earbuds
- Also check out our article about AirPods alternatives
- Check out the 3 best earbuds for running
- Also check out our hands-on review of the Eardopes B6 pro.
