HiFi Mai Tai

The KZ DQS has been around for a while (Late 2022). In its day it was subject to much hype but the DQ family of IEMs was at the center of controversy surrounding KZ with the DQ6S an example of ‘Fake’ drivers. This particular issue was never aimed at the DQS (it only has a single driver) but the IEM was not immune from the impact of such claims. Against a backdrop of negativity towards KZ much of the hype for the DQS was dismissed as also ‘Fake’. But its been a few years since those days so in this, the bartender’s KZ DQS Review we are taking a trip back into the past to see what this cocktail is really all about.

KZ DQS Review – The Cocktail:

I bought the KZ DQS through Amazon for £19. I suspect you wouldn’t have to look too hard to find it elsewhere cheaper.

The specifications of the KZ DQS are very typical for a single dynamic driver IEM. Details on this driver are a little sketchy and so in the interest of not being wrong I will describe it here as a 10mm Dynamic Driver (fairly confident this is true).

At this price point the range of frequencies quoted for this driver is impressive but then again the KZ DQS was released in an era where KZ were all about making their IEMs look good on paper and as such I wouldn’t read to much into any of the specifications. Really, they are probably still is this era.

The most interest aspect of this cocktails technical design is that it is semi-open back. Looking at the grill that covers most of the face plate it is not clear to what extent these IEMs are indeed open back. Certainly, they look like they could be relatively open. But looks can be deceiving.

Drivers: 10mm Dynamic Driver
Frequency: 20 to 40,000 HZ
Impedence: 14 Ω
Sensitivity: 110 dB

KZ DQS Review – The Taste Test Setup:

The taste test setup was taht which has become my normal setup. Initial listening with other sources suggests that the Moondrop Dawn Pro 2 is overkill (As it is for most budget IEMs) but I have it so I used it anyway.

I do have to confess that I am not sure exactly what ear tips I used. At some point in the past I attached white silicon ear-tips to these. I am fairly certain these are standard KZ silicon ear-tips and the bore size looked very normal (not narrow and not wide).

DAC/AMP: Moondrop Dawn Pro 2
Cable: 4.4mm Tripowin Zonie
Eartips: Mystery KZ (Silicon)

KZ DQS Review – The Non-Audio:

As ever with KZ IEMs (seemingly regardless of their cost) the accessories package was as empty as a students fridge but at this price is not really grounds for complaint.

The KZ DQS do have a style. Some people will probably think they look reasonably cool but I think they are fairly boring. They do however look more expensive than they are. Not mega expensive. Maybe they look £40 instead of £20 but still that something and not something to be overlooked.

There is a solid feel to the KZ DQS but also evidence that they might not be all that sturdy. Joins between parts of the shell including the join to face plate are very obvious and the resin of the shell feels brittle even by KZ standards.

My biggest non-audio compliant is the comfort. When I put them in I’m always like ‘these feel good’ but after a little while they begin to feel uncomfortable. Of course next time I use them I repeat the same journey and get to the same conclusion. The KZ DQS are a semi-custom shape and in trying to customize for everyone they have made an IEM for no-one. Okay that maybe a little over dramatic. I don’t know about everyone else in the world but they have made an IEM that does not fit me. This doesn’t particularly surprise me. I am not a huge fan of wings and the KZ DQS have pretty large wings. Though I did like the TRN VX Pro + and that had a little wing. And I didn’t like the KZ Decet and that doesn’t have wings. Maybe I am not that consistent. Anyway I have had worse fits than the KZ DQS but certainly also had better.

Accessories: Drink Only (Nothing Else Worth Talking About)
Style: Well Liquor (Not Style Less but Fairly Close)
Build: Hand Wash Only (Light with An Unpolished Build)
Comfort: Perched on a Bar Stool (In Trying to Fly They Have Fallen)

KZ DQS Review – The Audio:

Lets get straight to the good stuff. The Bass is really good. There is an openness to it that doesn’t leave it without impact and definition. It feels like being in a big room but then having a big speaker to match. Its fantastic.

Mid frequencies have plenty of space and good clarity but never feature any detail that makes them standout or pop. Sometimes maybe there is a little too much bass for them to have their moment to shine.

The treble is also impressive. Its got reasonable detail and is always well positioned such that it rises from the rest of the sound. Occasionally there was a slight sharpness to the treble and at times the higher notes lacked a presence but equally weren’t shimmery and airy.

Overall across the broad three regions of sound the KZ DQS is pretty good but it does have one more party piece to shout about and that is its presentation. The DQS have good clarity, with imaging impressive for the price all of which is assisted by a good size sound stage and a very spacious feel. Perhaps they really are open backed and that design is working as intended.

The Base Spirit (Bass): 81.91% (A Deep Clear Ocean with Waves)
The Modifier (Mids): 67.87% (A Predictable Package Holiday)
The Sweetener (Treble): 71.08% (A Fleeting Presence)
The Vocals: 64.51% (The Chatter of the Beach Bar)
The Garnish (Details): 71.30% (Meditating or Sleeping? Both are pleasant)
The Presentation (Technicals): 75.81% (Spacious and Uncrowded)

KZ DQS Review – Overall:

There is a lot to like about the DQS. Of the IEMs I have used most recently the Tangzu Waner Red Lion and CVJ Vivian are the most appropriate comparisons. These two cocktails are like the KZ DQS single 10mm dynamic driver designs priced around £20. Purely, on sound I would take the KZ DQS but the CVJ Vivian is far more comfortable to wear and its vocals/mids sound, in my opinion, better. Choosing between these two may just come down to whether you think the CVJ Vivian looks cool (though I think there is a plain version).

So in summary. The KZ DQS may be a granddad in the fast moving world of IEMs but at this price it can keep up with newer releases and if your on a budget, want a single dynamic driver and care about the bass above all else then this may just be the IEM for you. However, if you want a little bit more then for just a little extra cash there are a range of singe dynamic drivers and multi-driver configurations that can deliver. And of course if more money isn’t an option but you want more there is always the KZ Duonic (I have got to stop including this cocktail in every review).