KZ AST VS Tanchjim NORA
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
KZ AST and Tanchjim NORA use 12BA and 1DD driver setups respectively. KZ AST costs $130 while Tanchjim NORA costs $110. KZ AST is $20 more expensive. Tanchjim NORA holds a decisive 4-point edge in reviewer scores (3.1 vs 7).
Insights
| Metric | KZ AST | Tanchjim NORA |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 3 | 7 |
| Mids | 2 | 7 |
| Treble | 2 | 7 |
| Details | 2 | 7 |
| Imaging | 2 | 7 |
| Dynamics | 2 | 7 |
| Tonality | 2.3 | 8 |
| Technicalities | 2 | 6.5 |
KZ AST Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
3.1Very Poor
Tanchjim NORA Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7Generally Favorable
Reviews Comparison
KZ AST (more reviews)
KZ AST reviewed by Super* Review
4*
* score rescaled + normalized
KZ AST reviewed by Precogvision
2.1
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Tanchjim NORA (more reviews)
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Z-Reviews
6.2
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Tanchjim NORA lands as a monitor-tuned set: a single dynamic with dual magnets aimed at mixing/mastering, not Friday-night fun. The presentation is flat, neutral, low-energy—the “plain hamburger” of IEMs—delivering the track as-is without sauce, sparkle, or party tricks. Expect honesty over hype: music quality and recording flaws show up immediately.
It’s very sensitive, revealing amp hiss on noisier chains yet taking power without complaint; bass stays dead flat and the treble avoids harshness while refusing to sweeten anything. This is a homework IEM: great for students or engineers who need a budget reference to judge balance, timbre, and mix decisions rather than to vibe out. Pleasure listening isn’t the brief; accuracy is.
Build is neat: a tiny, see-through shell with a glass back, a big nozzle for the size, and an interchangeable-termination cable (balanced or single-ended) that’ll puzzle some studio folks but proves handy. Fit can be quirky—small body/large nozzle means tip rolling, with even SS tips included for smaller ears. At around $120, it’s a respectable, purpose-built tool: boring by design, and the right kind of boring when the job is to tell the truth.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
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Price: $109
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Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Head-Fi.org
7.9
* score rescaled + normalized
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Web Search
7
Reviewer Score
Tanchjim NORA aims for a monitor-leaning, balanced presentation using a single dynamic driver (1DD) built on the brand’s fifth-gen DMT5 dual-magnetic, dual-cavity architecture. Official materials describe it as their first “HiFi monitoring” tuning with a balanced sound profile, and it launches at $109.99.
Tonally, NORA reads as neutral/monitoring with a tidy low end, even mids, and clean but non-piercing treble—bass is described as smooth with decent texture and good coherency into the mids, while micro-detail is fair for the price. Separation and layering are competent, giving a clear sense of placement without exaggerating stage width.
It’s easy to drive—rated at 16 Ω with high sensitivity—so phones and basic dongles are plenty, though a clean source helps it keep that “monitor” clarity. The trade-off is that while treble is well-behaved and non-fatiguing, ultimate air and micro-nuance trail some pricier single-DD peers.
KZ AST Details
Driver Configuration: 12BA
Tuning Type: V-Shaped, Basshead
Brand: KZ Top KZ IEMs
Price (Msrp): $130
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Tanchjim NORA Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: TANCHJIM Top TANCHJIM IEMs
Price (Msrp): $109.99
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KZ AST User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Tanchjim NORA 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!
KZ AST Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
2.1Gaming Grade
E+Tanchjim NORA Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7Gaming Grade
A-KZ AST Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
E+- Balance is severely off, producing a harsh, unpleasant listen regardless of genre. Long sessions quickly become exhausting.
Average Technical Grade
E+- Hopelessly smeared and congested, it struggles with basic instrument separation and loses detail even in simple tracks. Even casual listening quickly becomes tiring.
Tanchjim NORA Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- You hear a mature integration of lows, mids, and highs that keeps music lifelike. Small tuning tweaks showcase expert restraint.
Average Technical Grade
B+- An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
KZ AST User Reviews
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