Gizaudio x Binary Chopin VS JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant

Initial skepticism about yet another reviewer collab IEM quickly evaporates, as the Gizaudio x Binary Chopin is declared a standout, potentially the best collab IEM in years and even an all-time favorite. For a $200 hybrid IEM from a relatively unknown company, it delivers a performance that is really, really good, making it an exceptionally exciting and competitive offering in its price bracket.

Physically, the Chopin is a bit of a mixed bag with an awkward, truncated teardrop shape, but it scores points for its compact overall size. The main fit consideration is the wide nozzle, which requires a secure ear tip for stability since the entire fit depends on the ear tip coupling with the canal. The included cable is praised for being simple, lightweight, and highly functional with a secure chin slider.

Where the Chopan truly shines is its sound. While its graph looks similar to the lackluster Truthear Nova, the Chopan's significant deviation with meatier bass provides a welcome sense of heft and body, making the entire presentation more enjoyable. The mid-range is clean and vocals are fantastic, coming across crisp and well-isolated. However, the star of the show is the outstanding treble, described as sharp, incisive, and possessing a great sense of weight that outperforms not just its competitors but even more expensive sets. It is declared superior to legendary IEMs like the Moondrop Dusk and the 7Hz Timeless, making it a full five-star product and an easy recommendation.

Super* Review original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin IEM is an absolute standout, delivering a fantastically unique and immersive sound signature that is heavily focused on vocals. The presentation is spectacularly detailed, making any vocal track, from opera to pop, slam you in the eyeballs in the best way possible. The soundstage is its most intriguing feature; it doesn't sound wide or narrow but instead creates a phantasm-like effect where the music seems to wrap around and even behind your head, a phenomenally cool and different experience.

This is achieved through a hybrid driver setup of a single 8mm dynamic driver for a natural and impactful low end, plus three balanced armatures handling the mids and highs. The package is exceptionally well-presented with a clean box and a professional-looking case. It also comes bundled with the Divinus Velvet tips, which are so smooth they are considered the best pairing for this IEM and are almost mandatory for the intended experience.

Priced at $200, the Chopin is 100% worth it. The build quality extends to its cable and the smallest two-pin connectors ever seen, and the overall tuning is simply fantastic. It’s a refreshingly different IEM that avoids any painful treble or recessed mid-range, making it an easy, highly recommended pick for anyone looking for something special that excels with vocal-centric music.

Z-Reviews original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin presents a unique value, particularly for those who typically prefer speakers or over-ear headphones. Its greatest strength is its extreme comfort and easy fit, making it ideal for long gaming or music sessions without the pressure buildup common with other IEMs. Sonically, it boasts a very good quantity of bass and exceptional vocals that really pop in the mix.

However, the Chopin is not without its weaknesses. The quality of the bass is not world-class, and it can lack some air and sparkle in the highs. The most significant complaint is in the technicals of instruments, which can sometimes sound a bit muffled, unresolving, and odd in their tonality and timbre compared to the standout vocals.

When compared to the TruthEar Nova, the Chopin is found to be livelier and more musical, with warmer, richer lows, while the Nova is drier and more clinical with slightly better highs. Both are considered technical benchmarks at their respective price points. The Symphonium Meteor, meanwhile, is deemed overpriced and its bass is noted as being too overpowering, making the music sound off despite its small, comfortable shell.

Jaytiss original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin is positioned as a more authoritative and engaging take on the familiar Harman target. It features a pronounced sub-bass that fills in the typical scoop without overdoing it, providing more slam and weight than predecessors like the Nova or Hexa. This gives the low end more authority, preventing it from sounding anemic, though it doesn't reach the subwoofer-like physicality of sets like the EA1000. The mid-range remains very clear, uncolored, and well-separated, benefiting from the extra mid-bass to sound fuller than the Nova while maintaining a correct tonal balance with no bias toward male or female vocals.

The upper mids and treble are where the Chopin really differentiates itself, coming across as a more engaging and lively version of the Nova. A boost in the 5k and 10k regions adds excitement and liveliness, creating a more open and airy stage. This makes it reminiscent of the Simgot EA1000 but much smoother overall. When compared to other sets, it's a clear upgrade over the Nova and bests competitors like the Performer 5 and EM6L with its better resolution and treble extension without low-end sacrifice. It's also a smoother, more weighted alternative to the Heyday and a more affordable option that delivers about 85% of the performance of the Moondrop Variations.

Ultimately, the Chopin is a smoother all-rounder that makes the standard Harman target less boring. It's a highly competitive set that sounds cleaner than the Kiwi Ears Hype 2 with a less pronounced bass that better highlights the mid-range, though the Hype 2 retains an advantage in bass texture for genres like EDM and hip-hop. The choice between them becomes library-dependent, but the Chopin stands out as a very well-tuned and compelling option in its price range.

Jays Audio original ranking

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.

Jaytiss original ranking

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.

Super* Review original ranking

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.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

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.

Tim Tuned original ranking