Aful Explorer VS JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Aful Explorer and JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant use 1DD+2BA and 1DD+3BA driver setups respectively. Aful Explorer costs $120 while JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant costs $99. Aful Explorer is $21 more expensive. Aful Explorer holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (7.1 vs 6.6). JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant carries a user score of 8.4. JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant has significantly better mids with a 1.2-point edge, Aful Explorer has better treble with a 0.5-point edge, Aful Explorer has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge, Aful Explorer has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge, Aful Explorer has better details with a 0.5-point edge and Aful Explorer has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Aful Explorer JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant
Bass 6.5 6.5
Mids 6.2 7.3
Treble 6.8 6.3
Details 6.5 6
Soundstage 7 6
Imaging 6.5 6
Dynamics 7 6
Tonality 7 6.7
Technicalities 6.6 6.2

Aful Explorer Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Gizaudio Axel Shuwa-T Jays Audio
Jaytiss Drew / Audionotions
Z-Reviews Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

7.1

Generally Favorable


JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Gizaudio Axel Precogvision Tim Tuned Jays Audio
Drew / Audionotions Jaytiss Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.6

Cautiously Favorable


Aful Explorer User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

8.4

Very Positive

Aful Explorer Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.7

Gaming Grade

B+

JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.4

Gaming Grade

B

Aful Explorer Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass B+
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble B+
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging B+
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass B+
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble B
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage B
Good soundstage with proper width and depth. Instruments have clear positioning with reasonable front/back placement.
Details B
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging B
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

Aful Explorer Reviews

Z-Reviews 8.5 * score normalized
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Super* Review 8* * score normalized
Relaxed upper mid-range. Vocals sound a little bit more forward than instruments. Smooth treble performance.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review
Jaytiss 7.6 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
The mids still upset me, but it sounds magical.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: C+ Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A
Drew / Audionotions 7 Reviewer Score
Relaxed and fun. Easy to listen to. A bit darker than my preferrd signature but I enjoyed this quite a bit. Loaner

Drew / Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

- Drew / Audionotions
Smirk Audio 6.8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Details: B+ Imaging: B+
Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Perfect for rock and metal. Smooth, relaxing tuning, great bass with good slam, rich mid-range, safe treble. Upper mids may be too relaxed for some, treble is a bit dark.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
Shuwa-T 6.4 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: B Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Soundstage: B+ Details: B+ Imaging: B+
Jays Audio 6 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
B+ Tech
High volume set, very immersive, scales great with no sharpness, wide staging, enough detail/extension, good bass, just crank it up and enjoy the music.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
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Price: $107.99

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JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant Reviews

Drew / Audionotions 7.5 Reviewer Score
Nicely balanced IEM with a tough of warmth. Very pleasantly tuned throughout. Relaxed and lush sounding. Good job Zeos! Personal Unit

Drew / Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

- Drew / Audionotions
Ad
Using this affiliate link for ordering your JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $86

Buy JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant on HiFiGO
Jaytiss 7.3 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C+ Tech
Fun engaging set!

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: A- Treble: C+ Dynamics: A- Soundstage: B

The JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant is a 1DD/3BA hybrid IEM that boasts a solid build quality with a comfortable, vented shell and a metallic nozzle that holds ear tips well. It comes with a modular cable that can be switched to a 4.4mm connector and a set of decent accessories, including a case that is described as nothing extraordinary but is overall quite nice. The physical package is reliable and functional, providing a good foundation for the experience.

Where the Defiant truly shines is in its fantastic tonality and tuning. It delivers a bassy and engaging sound with good treble that never gets too shouty or harsh, making it an excellent choice for long listening or gaming sessions. The graph shows it follows a very competent target curve quite closely, resulting in an all-around solid and highly enjoyable sound signature that is both relaxing and engaging without major faults.

Priced at around $100, the Defiant is deemed a highly competitive offering in its segment. It goes head-to-head with other popular sets like the Letshuoer S08 Planar and the 7Hz Aeroso, trading blows depending on whether one prefers a hybrid or planar driver presentation. While it may not have the absolute best treble extension and isn't going to "light the world on fire," it represents a great value with its excellent tuning, making it an easy set to recommend for anyone seeking a fun, well-tuned, and comfortable IEM.

Super* Review 7* * score normalized
Exciting and contrasty. Very well tuned. Sub-bass focused. Vocal area pretty well tuned. Treble surprisingly well tuned. Tasteful V-Shaped sound signature.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review

The JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant is a shockingly good hybrid IEM that absolutely demolishes low expectations. For under $100, this collaboration delivers a surprisingly well-tuned sound that stands out in a crowded budget field. The package is compelling, featuring a nice carry case, a plethora of ear tip options for dialing in the fit, and a cable with swappable terminations that is functionally excellent, even if its red-and-blue "candy cane" aesthetic is a matter of taste.

Sonically, the Defiant boasts a tasteful V-shaped signature with a significant, well-executed bass boost that is tight, impactful, and devoid of muddiness. The treble is surprisingly clean and extended, coming across brighter than measurements might suggest, giving the entire presentation an exciting, engaging, and contrasty character. This tuning results in surprisingly good imaging and instrument separation for the price. While the fit is comfortable for most, the semi-custom shells are a bit "slabby" and rely on the ear tips for security rather than locking into the ear's folds.

When compared to a close competitor like the Aful Explorer, the Defiant's more exciting, contrasty, and imaging-focused sound is a clear differentiator. The Explorer offers a warmer, more relaxed, and natural alternative with better mid-range body. Ultimately, the Defiant earns a solid four out of five stars, representing a fantastic and highly competitive option for anyone seeking a bassy, engaging, and well-built hybrid under $100.

Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
B+ Tech
Balanced, detailed, and versatile. It sets the bar for its price point. Punchy, textured bass, natural and forward vocals, balanced sound, with great detail and imaging. A great all-rounder.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel

The JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant is an absolute standout in the $100 IEM category, delivering a performance that feels like it belongs in a much higher price bracket. It comes packed with fantastic accessories, including a hard-shell carrying case and an awesome modular cable with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors, which is a rare find at this price. The build is compact and ergonomic, offering superb comfort for long listening sessions and even sleeping, with above-average noise isolation.

Where the Defiant truly shines is in its sound, described as a fantastically balanced all-rounder that is engaging and never boring. The bass is a major highlight, offering a deep, rumbling sub-bass and a hard-hitting mid-bass with excellent texture and detail that avoids muddiness. The mid-range is natural and forward, giving vocals superb clarity and pop without ever becoming shouty. The treble is crisp and detailed with a clean sparkle, providing plenty of micro-detail without a hint of harshness or sibilance, making it great for treble-sensitive listeners.

Technically, the Defiant punches way above its price, boasting impressive resolution, a wide and deep soundstage, and phenomenal imaging and layering that can compete with many sets under $200. While it may not suit those seeking a reference, warm, or extremely bass-heavy signature, it earns a solid 4.5-star rating and stands as a new benchmark, offering a staggering level of performance that defies logic for a hundred dollars.

Precogvision 6 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B- Tech
Pleasant, neutral warm tuning with good treble extension that wholly belies its price point.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: B Mids: A- Treble: B Dynamics: C+ Details: B Imaging: B
Tim Tuned 6 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A- Tech
Great balanced tuning with a vocal emphasis

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A+

The JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant executes on an old meta, IE 2020 tuning with a bass boost, and it does it exceptionally well. The bass is present but not overwhelming, and the treble is smooth and never piercing. The true star of the show is the forward, full, and thick mid-range that provides a fantastic vocal experience without becoming shouty. This is all backed by excellent timbre that makes vocals and instruments sound largely natural, resulting in a colored yet highly engaging sound signature.

While the overall tuning is praised, the bass is noted as the one area for a slight nitpick. It has good power and control but lacks a completely natural decay, a minor shortfall attributed to the sheer forwardness of the mid-range stealing the spotlight. Technically, the Defiant is a standout, landing ahead of competitors like the Aria 2 and being one of the most detailed IEMs around $100, on par with the TruthEar Hexa.

In comparisons, the Defiant is positioned as a fun, exciting, and colored alternative to the neutral Hexa and the warm, relaxing Aria 2. It also differs from the Dunu Titan S by offering a fuller vocal presentation and greater versatility thanks to its actual bass shelf. For its $99 price, it receives a very high B grade for sound and a wholehearted recommendation, especially for those new to the hobby or anyone who loves a forward, engaging vocal presentation.

Jays Audio 6 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
Another all-rounder with good balance. Doesn't do anything right or wrong, but has qc issues with channel imbalance (and also my case ziper broke within a few weeks), it's ok but there are better value out there.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
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Price: $99

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Aful Explorer User Reviews

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JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant User Reviews

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Lynix
8.4

Thrilling bass-forward performer with impressive technicalities at its price point, though not for neutral seekers.

Tuning: S- Tech: A+ Bass: S Mids: A Treble: A+ Dynamics: S- Soundstage: A+ Details: A+ Imaging: A+
Pros
Excellent bass texture with powerful slam, premium build quality and comfortable fit. Engaging V-shaped tuning ideal for energetic genres.
Cons
Upper mids occasionally sharp with certain tracks, average isolation for noisy environments.

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