Another tiny earphones by KZ - the KZ HDS2 - are a great improvement over KZ HDS1 in the bass department, but a step back in clarity and brightness. The loudness is still insufficient. An instant word of advice: Get rid of the included tips and pick any other single-flange wide-bore tips instead.
KZ HDS2
ø6mm Dynamic Driver
Pros
- The sound is an improvement over the previous earphones in the series, in my opinion, especially in the low-end.
- The design and build quality of the housings is pretty awesome.
Cons
- The sub-bass still can't get too deep, even though I'd consider these earphones as bassy.
- The 4 included pairs of double-flange tips are useless, they provide no seal and no hold.
- These earphones have extremely wide nozzles, which makes picking other tips for them much trickier.
- The same gut-like cable KZ uses for their products.
- The splitter is way lower than chest-level and makes the cable wiggly and hard to control.
Package & Accessories
Plastic
XS+S+M+L, black, ø6mm bores
Build & Materials
Metal, extra-small, ø7mm nozzles (ø6mm bores), soft strain reliefs
TPE, no strain reliefs
Silicone (grippy), 118cm, soft, straight
TPE, 90° angled, short, soft strain relief
Comfort & Fit
A word of advice, take the included double-flange tips and toss them into the trash can. Get yourself some decent single-flange wide-bore tips instead, only then you will get a proper seal and the earphones' sound will shine.
Lows / Bass
There's a very mininal amount of sub-bass, which is understandable, since the drivers are pretty tiny. However, the mid-bass and lower-mids are present, warm and quick. KZ HDS2 definitely beat the KZ HDS1 in the bass category.
Mids / Vocals
The mids are muffled and dark, definitely not as good as some of the larger variants offered by KZ.
Highs / Treble
The highs are comfortable to listen to. However, they are not crisp and not detailed at all. Tonally, they are dark and as quiet and muffled as the mids.