Tanchjim Zero Ultima VS KZ Duonic

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Tanchjim Zero Ultima follows Origin almost one-to-one, right down to the single dynamic driver and the easy bullet-style fit with inline mic and fixed cable. The tonal balance skews neutral-bright: sub-bass is modest, the 2–5 kHz region sits a bit high, and upper treble adds extra sheen, which can make notes feel lighter in weight and vocals a touch lean.

The upside is a competent driver that takes EQ gracefully. Pulling the 2–5 kHz down a few dB (below a Harman-like target), trimming the upper treble ~1–2 dB, and adding a small sub-bass lift steers the presentation toward the more natural, Oxygen-style balance with fuller vocal body and cleaner timbre. Stock tuning is a bit bright, but with that simple tweak Zero Ultima becomes a very pleasant, well-behaved daily set.

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Tanchjim Zero Ultima comes in dirt-cheap and unapologetically simple: an attached 3.5 mm cable with inline mic, featherweight shells (~2.3 g), and hilariously oversized nozzles for such tiny housings. Build cues scream budget—y-split quirks and all—but the box stuffs in a plush pouch, a stack of tips, and a manual with more pages than dollars. Under the hood sits a 10 mm double-chamber DD (DMT4), and it can want a bit of juice, yet nothing a normal source can’t handle.

Sonically, this is shock therapy for the price bracket: huge, cinematic soundstage that projects like a mini “screen” in front, with a surprisingly balanced tuning—not a bass cannon, not a treble sabre. Kick drums land with a clean thump, strings float way out without turning sharp, and the overall presentation stays cohesive instead of “fake-detail” crispy. It’s the kind of set that makes $20–$25 feel like a typo, happily chewing through AC/DC, Barry White, Pink Floyd, and Deadmau5 without crying mercy.

Value play is off the charts: call it a $40 performer sold for pocket change, perfect as a daily beater or keychain set. If a detachable cable is a must, the Bunny sibling stands by, but Zero Ultima’s stage and easygoing balance are the party trick here. Bottom line: audiophile nonsense in the best way—ridiculous width, no harshness tax, and an infectious fun factor that embarrasses pricier toys.

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KZ’s Duonic arrives as a budget release built around a new Flux 3 hybrid concept: an 8 mm planar for speed paired with an 8 mm “super-linear” dynamic for bass. The shell is compact, comfortable, and isolates well; the stock cable is functional, though the unique connector makes sticking with KZ cables sensible. Priced around $22–$30 and equipped with DIP switches, it targets flexibility without bloating the accessories.

On the preferred 1-1-1 tuning, the Duonic presents a slightly V-shaped balance with punchy, rich bass, energetic upper-mids, and an elevated air region that gives music a lively, “awake” character. Graph variations mainly shift the lower mids, while >1 kHz remains broadly consistent; compared with sets like KZ’s recent budget darlings, this tuning feels more vibrant and less “scratchy.” Technicals are surprisingly solid at the price—snappy transients and a sense of space—though the treble can get incisive/sizzly and mids occasionally lose focus.

Despite quirks, performance punches far above the sticker, edging into territory usually associated with ~$100 sets and making it a benchmark-worthy budget pick. Tip and cable upgrades would round out the package, but even stock, the Duonic offers a distinctive, dynamic listen that’s easy to recommend for those who enjoy sparkle and bass drive. Listeners sensitive to treble bite may prefer a tamer profile, while everyone else gets a uniquely fun, hyper-competitive sub-$30 option.