QKZ X3
| 10 mm Dynamic Driver |
? The QKZ X3 review is up and ready. QKZ is a brand that sells ultra budget-friendly earphones with, usually, solid construction and exceptional bang for buck relation.
The QKZ X3 features a single dynamic driver configuration with a diameter of 10 mm and (supposedly) titanium diaphragms. Every piece of the QKZ X3 is constructed in metal (housings and cable bifurcation), the earpieces have a bullet-style design and a black and silver color. On the side of the housings you will see the “Q” logo of QKZ and on the back part you will find a grill design that could suggest an open-back design.
This QKZ model has round cables that are very rubberized and have the same color pattern and finish that usually KZ uses in earphones such as the: KZ ATE
, KZ EDR2, KZ ZSR, KZ ZST
(and KZ ZST Pro
), KZ ES3, KZ ED4, KZ ED7 and KZ ATEs
.
If you buy the version with the inline mic you will get a 1-button remote/mic that will allow you to play/pause songs and answer/reject calls. The 3.5mm stereo mini plug has a 45 degree angle, something that many users appreciate.
We find important to denote that QKZ
and KZ
are two different brands despite their very similar name, we have mentioned it several times through out our previous QKZ Earphones Reviews but we think that it is always fundamental to clear up this fact that could lead to confusing both brands.
The QKZ X3 price will be lower for the QKZ X3 mic-less version, the mic/remote is compatible with Android and Apple devices.
You can buy the QKZ X3 in one color option, black.
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QKZ X3 - Review
Tests & Scores
WWeight
QKZ X3 weight in Ounces and QKZ X3 weight in grams.
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A
Accessories & Packaging
The QKZ X3 unboxing results in 3 pair of eartips, a cable clip (sometimes not included) and an useful hard plastic carrying/storage case that looks almost identical to the one of the JVC HA-FX1X
.
9/10
B
Bass & Sub Bass
The QKZ X3 bass is very fun with punchy mid-bass and very deep sub-bass. Their lower frequencies response is energetic and will cover all bass-intensive genres without a single problem. Despite their powerful bass, their sound is not excessively muddy nor dark.
Applying an EQ, their bass gets noticeably enhanced with a strong sub-bass depth increment.
During our extreme bass tests the QKZ X3 were able to handle 52% of the maximum power of a Fiio E12 amplifier
while being set to high gain and with bass boost turned on; a custom basshead EQ was used. This extreme amplification and equalization made the QKZ X3 achieve such a massive increment of mid-bass punch and sub-bass depth that they were able to reach a basshead level of impact and rumble above the KZ ATE, Xiaomi Mi Pro HD
but yet not as strong as the Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro, Pioneer SE-CX9
, Pioneer SE-CX8
or the Sony MDR-EX650
and Sony MDR-EX800ST
. While not being able to enter the Top Basshead Chart, their rumble is still not far from them.
8.25/10
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M
Mids & Vocals
The QKZ X3 mids are warm and exhibit some mid-bass bleed that extends over some part of their lower mids range. This bass-bleeding competes with lower mids such as lower vocals and could make this frequencies somewhat congested or lacking clarity in their sound. Higher mids sound sufficiently crisp but not harsh.
With an EQ lower vocals become more energetic and clear; mid-bass bleed is noticeably less present. Higher mids can risk to become forward and exhibit frequent harsh peaks.
6/10
H
Highs & Treble
The QKZ X3 highs have good-enough brightness and are able to resolve a mild amount of detail. Piercing highs do not show up but some intermediate sibilance could arise at times. Do not expect muddy-dark highs from them but neither forward and fatiguing highs.
An EQ makes their highs much more open, clear and brighter with also some additional detail resolved; some empowering of their sibilance will happen.
7.75/10
SL
Sound Leak
The leakage level of these QKZ Earphones
is a bit stronger than on many average earphones but this does not mean that they are unusable, they will be slightly more perceivable by nearby people if you listen to music at a very high volume.
6.75/10
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SI
Sound Isolation
If you want to get a partial perception of your environment while listening to music at a moderate volume, the QKZ X3 could be good choice. Instead, if you want an absolute disconnection from surrounding noises they may not provide as strong isolation as some other earphones that you can find in our Scores Comparison Page.
6/10
QKZ X3C
Comfort
The QKZ X3 have a bullet form factor, shape that almost every time has proved to offer a very comfortable fit. In fact, the X3 provide a secure and pain-free fit inside the ears for long lasting listening sessions without worries.
8.5/10
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EQ
Response to Equalization
The response to our different custom EQs applied was very, providing few cons and a strong makeover of some audio frequencies such as sub-bass (which gained a crazy level of depth), lower mids (becoming much more clear and removing most of the mid-bass bleeding and congestion) and highs (overall turning into bright and open)
8/10
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Scores- Accessories - 9/109/10
- Design - 8/108/10
- Bass - 8.25/108.3/10
- Mids - 6/106/10
- Highs - 7.75/107.8/10
- Sound Leak - 6.75/106.8/10
- Sound Isolation - 6/106/10
- Comfort - 8.5/108.5/10
- Response to EQ - 8/108/10
- Value for Money - 9.5/109.5/10
Summary
- ✅ Deep sub-bass
✅ Punchy mid-bass
✅ Clear and bright enough highs
✅ Strong basshead impact and rumble (If amplified and correctly handled) at a super low price
✅ Very comfortable fit
✅ Metal housings
✅ Super affordable
- ❌ Not the strongest sound isolation
❌ Congested lower vocals
- The QKZ X3 are another very affordable model from the brand with solid construction quality and overall good sound. Moreover, if you are looking for a basshead experience and want to spend less than $10 you can get the QKZ X3 and test out your amplifying and custom EQ skills, due to their basshead rumble/impact achieved and elevated extreme power handling.
If you set your expectations right and do not pretend an audiophile earphone from them you could enjoy a super fun sound with strong bass, bright-enough highs and worthy basshead potential (when highly amplified with a powerful amplifier and custom EQed)
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QKZ X3 Frequency Response
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QKZ X3
| Type | Dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver Unit | 10mm |
| Sensitivity | 100dB/mW |
| Power Capacity | 3mW |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 8-22,000Hz |
| Diaphragm | Titanium (?) |
| Magnet | N/A |
| Cord | Y-type, round cord |
| Cord Length | 1.2m |
| Plug | Stereo mini plug |
| Weight | Approx. 20g |
| Supplied Accessories | 3x Earphone tips; hard carrying case; 1 cable clip |
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QKZ X3
