HiFi Mai Tai

The KZ Decet has somewhat gone under the radar. Surprising given is massive size. In a crowd of IEMs it would tower over almost all others and I can’t see many others volunteering to enter the ring and go for a few rounds with it (Yeah I know IEMs don’t box. But if they did…). So the KZ Decet is big but is there more to it than that? Lets find out in the Bartender’s KZ Decet Review.

KZ Decet Review – The Cocktail:

Looking at the specs it is clear why these IEMs are so large. The KZ Decet as the name suggests use 5 drivers on each side (10 in total). Whilst none of the drivers are of the standard 10 mm (They are all smaller) larger shells are needed to accommodate all the drivers. Other than this driver configuration the rest of the specifications are fairly typical.

Drivers: 8mm ultra-wideband internal magnetic dynamic driver x2 & 6mm high-performance internal magnetic dynamic driver x3
Frequency: 20 to 40,000 HZ
Impedence: 17 Ω
Sensitivity: 104 dB

KZ Decet Review – The Taste Test Setup:

For this taste test I have used my normal set up. Eartips were an interesting choice though not driven by sound. I will talk more about comfort later but it was for comfort that I ended up using the stock foam tips. I very much prefer silicon tips mostly because of their durability and the fact that they can be cleaned but in this case foams tips were neccessary. As I don’t generally own foam tips I had to use the tips provided with the IEM.

The tuning switches were set to 1011. As ever I am not convinced that the tuning switches make that much difference. Certainly I would be quite happy not to have them. So whether or not this arrangement improves the sound really comes down to convincing myself that it does.

DAC/AMP: Moondrop Dawn Pro 2
Cable: 4.4mm Tripowin Zonie
Eartips: Stock (Foam)

KZ Decet Review – The Non-Audio:

I think this time will we start with the negatives (Actually with regards to the Non-Audio its mostly negative).

The KZ Decet are not comfortable. Foam tips did improve things a little and rotating the IEMs slightly forward also made things a little better but still I struggled to wear them for more than an hour without taking a break. I have not been able to determine the exact cause of my discomfort. Certainly the weight of the KZ Decet does not help. My ears do not want to feel like they have been to the gym. But I don’t think the weight is the only problem. The nozzle angle looks slightly off. The size is unwieldy. And to top it all off the KZ Decet may have pressure/venting issues. Other users have reported pressure issues (I never wore them long enough to find out).

As ever with KZ IEMs the Accessories are sparse. Certainly not really worth talking about but I will do so anyway. The cable is bad. That’s the main thing. Okay big tick next to ‘Review Accessories’. Lets move on.

Style is… Well style is lacking. These are very inoffensive to look at. But definitely the KZ Decet are a missed opportunity. These things are big enough to feature an entire art gallery on the face plate alone.

The build feels good. But the weight definitely adds to this. I don’t think these are built any better or worse than other KZ IEMs of the same time. The tuning switches however are the mini switches and these are both fiddly and delicate feeling (They have also been known to move on their own. Creepy…).

Accessories: Drink Only (Nothing Else Worth Talking About)
Style: Well Liquor (KZ’s Fashion Department Has Yet to Discover Colour)
Build: Dishwasher Proof (Very Heavy but Nothing to Suggest they are Better than Any Other KZ IEM)
Comfort: Beer Garden in the Rain (At Times Painful. Always Uncomfortable.)

KZ Decet Review – The Audio:

Okay, I know this review has been very negative. Its mostly been me complaining they are large and uncomfortable. Yeah very negative. But when considering the sound the KZ Decet excel. This review is about to get a lot more positive.

Lets start with the bass. Its excellent. Bassheads should be satisfied by this one. There is a lot of bass. Lots and lots and lots. Its not only voluminous but it sounds great. There is a slam and there is a rumble. There is impact and reverberation. If you like bass then these may be for you.

Often the brilliance of bass heavy IEMs comes at the expense of the mids. The KZ Decet doesn’t really emphasis the mids but instead allows them to have the space needed to party. The mids are really the beneficiaries of the KZ Decets substantial sound stage. There is a lot of room in these IEMs. The shells could comfortably house a family of four and the sound has no trouble accommodating all the instruments and vocals.

The treble is also strong. In some tracks the treble effortlessly replaces the bass as the star of the show. The good detail of these IEMs really contributes to a defined treble that can sometimes get close to being harsh or sharp but for me at least never crosses that line.

I told you things would get more positive. These sound really good.

The Base Spirit (Bass) : 88.03% (A Miniature Wall of Sound)
The Modifier (Mids): 82.42% (Making Waves)
The Sweetener (Treble): 87.01% (A Sunset Happy Hour)
the Vocals: 79.91% (Plenty of Room to Breath)
The Garnish (Details): 87.51% (A Bottomless Brunch)
The Presentation (Technicals): 88.37% (A Party for the Whole Beach)

KZ Decet Review – Overall:

I was really excited to try out the KZ Decet. With great hope I handed over £29 straight to Linsoul. And after all that I ended up lost in my own bittersweet experience. On the one hand I think these sound great. I have so enjoyed listening to them and in the 3 months I have owned them I have returned again and again. Always in the hope that they have got smaller or my ears have got bigger. But unsurprisingly nothing has changed. I am left with a great sounding IEM that I can’t practically use. I will have to return to the smaller shells of the KZ Duonic, CVJ Vivian or TRN VX Pro+.

Maybe if you have big ears or a high tolerance for pain you should give these ago. But otherwise its best to give them miss. Ignorance is bliss and the bliss is not worth the pain.