JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant VS Kiwi Ears ETUDE
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant and Kiwi Ears ETUDE use 1DD+3BA and 1DD+3BA+1VT driver setups respectively. JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant costs $99 while Kiwi Ears ETUDE costs $119. Kiwi Ears ETUDE is $20 more expensive. Both score 6.6 from reviewers. JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant carries a user score of 8.4. JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant has significantly better mids with a 1.3-point edge, JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant has significantly better treble with a 1.7-point edge and Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant | Kiwi Ears ETUDE |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Mids | 7.3 | 6 |
| Treble | 6.7 | 5 |
| Details | 6 | 6.6 |
| Soundstage | 6 | 6 |
| Imaging | 6 | 6.6 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 7 |
| Tonality | 6.8 | 6.9 |
| Technicalities | 6.4 | 6.4 |
JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+3BA
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: Juzear Top Juzear IEMs
Price (Msrp): $99
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Kiwi Ears ETUDE Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+3BA+1VT
Tuning Type: V-shaped with tactile bass
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $119
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JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
8.4Very Positive
Kiwi Ears ETUDE 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 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.5Gaming Grade
B+Kiwi Ears ETUDE Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.6Gaming Grade
B+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.
Kiwi Ears ETUDE 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.
JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant Reviews
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
7.5
Reviewer Score
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.
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
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.
6.5
Reviewer Score
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
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.
6
Reviewer Score
Pleasant, neutral warm tuning with good treble extension that wholly belies its price point. Precogvision Youtube Channel
6
Reviewer Score
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.
6
Reviewer Score
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 Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Reviews
7
Reviewer Score
This is a unique sound, for neutral I prefere Airoso. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
6.5
Reviewer Score
Reverby, bouncy, and extended decay in the sub-bass. Unique bass play back and adds more texture to the low-end. Although reverb can bleed into the vocals - maybe the drivers work too well lol. A bassier 5+2 with better texutre and scaling. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Z-Reviews
2025-08-09
6
* score normalized
IEMRanking AI
2025-07-12
7
Reviewer Score
The Kiwi Ears Étude offers a distinctive listening experience centered around its Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), which adds a subtle tactile sensation to bass frequencies. This isn’t a gimmick—it lends sustained notes like bass guitars or synth lines an organic, textured quality that feels immersive without overpowering the mix. That said, the KVT can introduce mild reverb in lower-mid frequencies, occasionally coloring male vocals in podcasts or sparse tracks.
Tuning-wise, the Étude follows a mild V-shaped signature with an 8dB sub-bass lift and smooth, relaxed treble. The midrange remains relatively neutral, though vocals can lack body in acoustic tracks without bass accompaniment. While the beryllium dynamic driver delivers punchy kicks, the real star is the KVT’s physicality, which creates a holographic low-end that enhances EDM and hip-hop. Technical performance is competent for the price, with average soundstage width and decent separation, though imaging lacks precision.
Fit may be divisive due to the large shells housing the transducer, and the nozzle’s lack of ridges limits eartip options. Source pairing is critical too: the KVT scales noticeably with powerful amplification, unlocking fuller dynamics. Despite quirks, the Étude succeeds as a fun, genre-specific IEM that stands out in a crowded market.
JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewThrilling bass-forward performer with impressive technicalities at its price point, though not for neutral seekers.
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.Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Reviews
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Pros
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Cons
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