Kiwi Ears CADENZA VS KZ ZEX Earbuds

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

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Kiwi Ears CADENZA and KZ ZEX Earbuds are in-ear monitors. Kiwi Ears CADENZA costs $35 while KZ ZEX Earbuds costs $40. KZ ZEX Earbuds is $5 more expensive. Kiwi Ears CADENZA holds a decisive 3.5-point edge in reviewer scores (5.3 vs 1.8). Kiwi Ears CADENZA carries a user score of 6.2. Kiwi Ears CADENZA has significantly better mids with a 3.6-point edge, Kiwi Ears CADENZA has significantly better treble with a 4.1-point edge, Kiwi Ears CADENZA has significantly better dynamics with a 5-point edge and Kiwi Ears CADENZA has significantly better soundstage with a 2.3-point edge.

Insights

Metric Kiwi Ears CADENZA KZ ZEX Earbuds
Bass 5.8 1.8
Mids 5.6 2
Treble 5.1 1
Details 4.3 1.8
Soundstage 5.3 3
Imaging 4.3 1.8
Dynamics 6 1
Tonality 5.4 1.8
Technicalities 4.9 1

Kiwi Ears CADENZA Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Audionotions Jays Audio
Z-Reviews Shuwa-T Tim Tuned
Bad Guy Good Audio Jaytiss
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

5.3

Mixed to Negative


KZ ZEX Earbuds Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

1.8

Abysmal


Reviews Comparison

KZ ZEX Earbuds reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 1.8 Reviewer Score
E Tuning
E- Tech
It looks nice.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: E+ Treble: E- Dynamics: E- Soundstage: D

Kiwi Ears CADENZA (more reviews)

Kiwi Ears CADENZA reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 7* * score normalized

Kiwi Ears CADENZA reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio

Bad Guy Good Audio 6.9 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
C+ Tech
check links for more info:

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: B

Kiwi Ears CADENZA reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 5.5 * score normalized

Kiwi Ears CADENZA reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 5.1 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C+ Tech
Comment: It was almost good. Generally good tuning with some bass exture Somewhat grainy treble which is pronounced but not well defined

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: C+ Mids: C+ Treble: C Soundstage: C+ Details: B- Imaging: B-

Kiwi Ears CADENZA reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 5 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
B Tech
Well tuned, energetic signature Slightly heady, can be fatiquing

Tim Tuned original ranking

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

Kiwi Ears CADENZA reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 4.5 Reviewer Score
Good tuning, great bass, excellent build quality, cheap price - what's not to love? Well - the treble is not to love. Treble sounds weird, metallic, and a bit zingy - if you like that, then this is the set for you! Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Kiwi Ears CADENZA reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 4 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
C+ Tech
Basically the modded Zero with slight more bass. Best note-weight out of the $20 sets. Berrylium bass baby.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Kiwi Ears CADENZA reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 3.3 Reviewer Score
D Tuning
D Tech
check links for more info:

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: C- Mids: D Treble: D Details: D Imaging: D

Kiwi Ears CADENZA User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

6.2

Mixed to Positive

KZ ZEX Earbuds 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!

Kiwi Ears CADENZA Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5

Gaming Grade

C+

KZ ZEX Earbuds Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

1.2

Gaming Grade

E-

Kiwi Ears CADENZA Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

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

Average Technical Grade

C
  • Limited resolution; finer nuances are masked. Soundstage feels narrow, and complex passages cause muddiness. Transitions lack finesse.
Bass B-
Average bass performance - present but unremarkable. Has reasonable texture but lacks depth and physicality.
Mids B-
Decent midrange performance - balanced but unremarkable. Adequate clarity for most genres without notable flaws.
Treble C+
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage C+
Decent spatial presentation with noticeable width. Some depth perception but height dimension remains underdeveloped.
Details C-
Average resolution - reveals basic elements but misses subtleties. Satisfactory for casual listening but lacks refinement.
Imaging C-
Average imaging - reasonable localization but lacks specificity. Instruments have general positions but lack pinpoint accuracy.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

KZ ZEX Earbuds Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

E
  • Tonally jarring or fatiguing. Frequency clashes (e.g., piercing treble, bloated bass) make extended listening unpleasant. Poor genre adaptation.

Average Technical Grade

E-
  • Noticeably blurred or congested. Struggles with basic instrument separation; details are lost in simple tracks. Feels "flat" and one-dimensional.
Mids E+
Midrange is thin and hollow with noticeable gaps. Instruments lack body and vocals sound distant and weak.
Treble E-
Treble is extremely rolled off and veiled. High frequencies are barely perceptible with significant loss of detail.
Dynamics E-
Extremely poor dynamic expression. Lacks any sense of impact or volume gradation, making music feel one-dimensional.
Soundstage D
Modest soundstage that feels confined. Some left/right separation but completely lacks depth and height dimensions.
Gaming E-
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency.

Kiwi Ears CADENZA User Reviews

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Makavelian
6.2

Best I've heard under $50

Pros
Excellent tuning for the price, small shells should fit vast majority of ears well.
Cons
Touch too much eargain, can come off as shouty/honky at times, easily remedied with 10 band EQ.

KZ ZEX Earbuds User Reviews

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0.0

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Pros
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Cons
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