TWS true wireless earphones - under $25
FOUR STARS - KZ has taken it up a notch with their third pair of wireless earphones. The KZ S1 comes in two tastes. One with a dynamic driver, one with a hybrid setup. Not only are they much cheaper than previous KZ wireless earbuds - they're better too.
Specs of the KZ S1 hybrid and KZ S1D dynamic:
Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC codec
3 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 2 times
Comes with 3 sizes ear tips, micro-USB cable
$25 on AliExpress or Amazon US/ Europe (check current price!)
Take note:
The KZ S1 has a hybrid driver setup with a gaming mode; the test model here is grey (also available in green)
The KZ S1D has a dynamic driver, the test model here is white (also available in black)
This is a KZ S1 review AND a KZ S1D review, combined in one article with a KZ S1 vs KZ S1D comparison at the end. Below this review, you will also see comparisons between the KZ S1 vs QCY QS2, Tronsmart Spunky Beat and Tronsmart Onyx Neo.
Update August 6, 2020: Due to increased competition, the KZ S1 hybrid has now been awarded 4 stars instead of 4.5. See the best wireless earbuds under $25 here.
Design, comfort and battery life
For the third installment of wireless earphones, the renown Chinese earphones brand KZ finally chose a more compact charging case. The case of the S1 and S1D is like a compact pebble in your hand, although it's still larger than cases of comparably priced competitors as the Tronsmart Spunky Beat and QCY QS2. The lid of the USB-C powered case is a bit flimsy and moves around a bit, but it's nothing too bad. By pressing the center button within the case, you see the battery status of it.
The battery life on these KZ models is about average for this price. The earpieces have a playtime of around 3 hours and can be recharged two times fully via the charging case. Enough for commuting, a bit tricky if you want to use them in full working days.
The shape of the earpieces is the same as on the first KZ T1 wireless earbuds and very reminiscent of other wired KZ models from last year. The inner part is made from smooth plastic and has a triangle shape, which makes both a comfortable and a tight enough fit. On the outside, the KZ earpieces follow the form of your ears. Their broad design does make them stick out a bit, but happily, they don't catch too much wind when you're on the move. They also don't show blinking lights when you're playing music with them.
This is a convenient and comfortable pair for everyday use if the battery life is good enough for you.
Connectivity and controls of KZ S1/ S1D
While the controls of the previous KZ earphones weren't too good, both the KZ models have touch controls that respond well to your touch and often do as you command.
A tap on the side is enough to play or pause the music. Not too soft, not too hard. Tap twice on the right bud to skip a song, tap twice on the left one to return a track. By a long press, you activate the voice assistant on your smartphone. It isn't possible to change the volume level, unfortunately.
The KZ S1 does have an additional feature, though: a gaming mode. You activate it by pressing a bud thrice. Unfortunately, the beep you hear by activating the gaming mode is the same as the one you hear when you deactivate it — more on this in the next part.
The connectivity of both models is robust. The KZ has a stable Bluetooth signal up to ten meters, also with one or two walls in between. It holds its connection when you're walking or cycling as well.
Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $25
watching videos, gaming mode and calling with KZ S1/ S1D
The gaming mode on the KZ S1 with hybrid setup, is as convenient as the one on the QCY T5. It does improve the reaction time of sound effects when playing games, speeding up the response time of your actions in games. It is a neat feature to have, as the standard audio-video synchronization while gaming, leaves something to be desired.
Watching videos with the KZ S1 hybrid is pleasant with or without the gaming mode activated, on both Android and iPhone. It already works neatly on the YouTube-app on the iPhone without the gaming mode, but the synchronization becomes spot-on by activating it.
The KZ S1D Dynamic driver doesn't support a gaming mode. It also doesn't offer the same audio-video synchronization level of the KZ S1 on iPhone, with YouTube often out of lipsync. It does work well on Android phones supporting Bluetooth 5.0, however.
When it comes to calling, the KZ S1 and S1D fare okay. They do a decent job at suppressing surrounding noise when you're outside, yet there are instances when it doesn't work as it should, and passing busses come through very loud. When you're indoors, both make it sound as if you're in the bathroom. Still, it's doable to have a phone call with these - even when you're out in the rain.
KZ S1D Dynamic:
KZ S1 Hybrid:
KZ S1D Dynamic review: sound quality
If you're a bit into audio, you can have an idea of the sound the KZ S1D will produce. Dynamic drivers almost always mean the same thing: an emphasis on bass and upper-mid tones - female and higher-pitched male vocals.
The KZ S1D with dynamic driver doesn't have the most, erm, dynamic sound, however. The bass isn't that boosted at all. It delivers a gentle thump and never takes over the music. It doesn't dive too deep either - the sub-bass will rarely make your ears rumble, like the Tronsmart Spunky Beat will, for instance. The lower-mids also aren't too accentuated. Drums, darker electronic tones, and dark male vocals play a regular part in the music, rather than taking it over.
When it comes to other vocals and upper-mids, the KZ S1D vocals do sound more forward, more in-your-face, than on the KZ S1 Hybrid. There are some times where they can seem a bit sharp, and you may want to tone down the volume down for a moment, but they're not as bright as on the Tronsmart Spunky Beat. They're also not as detailed, and easier distorted.
The KZ S1D has the right amount of presence in the mid-tones, with instruments sounding clear. The soundstage is decent, with details in the music coming from the left and right of you and enough 'space' in between the instruments and electronic layers. It is a solid offering for its price - although an alternative like the Tronsmart Spunky Beat delivers an even more engaging sound.
KZ S1 Hybrid review: sound quality
The KZ S1 Hybrid comes equipped with the 30095 Balanced Armature unit, the model KZ puts in all of their earphones. That doesn't give away too much of the sound, though - because the KZ S1 sounds more balanced and mid-centric than most of its aggressively tuned wired earphones. If a bit flat.
Both male and female vocals sound softer than they do on the S1D and many other competitors that push vocals way more forward. Here, voices appear as a regular part of musical pieces, in between instruments and electronic tones that often sound just as loud. It works great for easier going songs that sound natural on the S1 Hybrid. Acoustic instruments like guitars, violins, and trumpets, also sound more natural than on the Dynamic version. Both instruments and vocals still enjoy enough clarity.
The KZ S1 gives you nice spacial details with sound effects coming from left and right of you, but the soundstage isn't too big. It sounds rather closed-in, rather flat, in fact. Coming from more dynamic tuned earphones, the S1 can sound a little 'dry' at first. It quickly turns into an allround friendly sound signature, though: there's just about enough emphasis on the bass and lower-mids, providing warmth and a gentle bass thump to tracks.
The hybrid version of the KZ S1 provides a good, slightly laidback presentation. You may need to adjust to the flat sound, but it's one of the most balanced sound signatures this money can buy - a smooth listen suitable for all genres.
Comparison KZ S1 vs KZ S1D: which is better?
Let's be clear: it's hard to pick the best wireless earphones out of these two KZ's. The sound of the two is remarkably similar, even though they have different hardware setups.
The emphasis on upper-mids gives the KZ S1D with the dynamic driver a more spacious, joyful sound than the KZ S1 with its hybrid setup. It shows mostly on dance music, where vocals benefit from being more forward. It also has a slight bass boost over the KZ S1, although both basses are well-behaved and don't push themselves too much.
The KZ S1 is more centered around the mid-tones, making both acoustic instruments and vocals sound more natural. It can differ per song which KZ sounds better - but overall, switching from genre to genre, the mid-centric KZ S1 seems slightly more natural and more smooth yet detailed (!). It may be the best offering for this price if you're after a balanced presentation and don't mind a flatter sound. If you rather tap your foot to the music, however, the KZ S1D may still be the better choice for you.
So, what decides this battle? The Gaming Mode, perhaps. It improves the video playback qualities of the S1 on iPhone, making the Hybrid a complete package between these two earphones - and the better cheap wireless KZ.
VERDICT - KZ S1D Dynamic:
VERDICT - KZ S1 Hybrid:
Selected other comparisons
KZ S1 vs QCY T5
A comparison between the KZ S1 and the $35 QCY T5 can't miss, since is it another cheap pair of wireless earphones that combines a balanced sound with a gaming mode. Both the gaming modes of the S1 are T5 are highly comparable, and both can distort on very specific sound frequencies - strangely. When it comes to music playback, The S1 and T5 have comparable bass strikes, but the S1 adds a little more bass depth and lower-mid warmth in the sound. The highs are slightly more opened-up on the QCY T5; but both are stellar performers in the highs in this price range.
KZ S1/ S1D vs QCY QS2
The still hugely popular QCY QS2 begins to show its age in comparison to the KZ-models. The S1 with hybrid driver offers more natural presented vocals and has clearer separation between the lows, mids, and the highs. The bass is also more outspoken. The S1D even further accentuates the bass and vocals next to the QCY QS2, offering a more aggressive sound. The KZ S1 hybrid is the surprise here; however: it takes the beloved balanced approach of the QCY QS2 and improves on it.
KZ S1/ S1D vs Tronsmart Spunky Beat
The Tronsmart Spunky Beat has a way more aggressive tuning than both the KZ S1 and KZ S1D. Its bass has a way heavier thump, and can pump in your ears - something both KZ's don't. The highs on the Spunky Beat are further elevated, but still more controlled than on the KZ S1D. It has a bigger soundstage than both KZ models and displays more detail within its stage, but the KZ S1 hybrid sounds more natural. Controls on the KZ's are better.
Full Tronsmart Spunky Beat review
KZ S1/ S1D vs Tronsmart Onyx Neo
The Onyx Neo is a lesser version of the Tronsmart Spunky Beat. It has a more gentle bass than the Spunky Beat, and even more emphasis on the upper-mids and highs, making the sound a bit hissy and downright harsh on higher volumes. Both the KZ-models are tuned better. The S1 sounds less hollow and more balanced, with more impactful bass and more precise sounding instruments. The KZ S1D sounds closer to the Onyx Neo, with more emphasized upper-mids. However, the KZ supports them with a more powerful, engaging bass and more full-bodied sound. Both sound better than the Onyx Neo.
Full Tronsmart Onyx Neo review
KZ S1/ S1D vs SoundPEATS TrueDot
The SoundPEATS TrueDot has a more dynamic sound than both the KZ's, but it can still also interest lovers of a balanced sound. The TrueDot doesn't only offer an impactful, layered bass, but also has excellent instrument placement and tonality. While darker male vocals may sound a bit recessed on the TrueDot, the overall signature is much more detailed and realistic, due to the finely adjusted upper-mids and highs. Call quality and the case size are also better than on the KZ's.
Buy KZ S1 and KZ S1D TWS / check current price:
I bought the KZ S1 and KZ S1D myself to test and review. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3
Also read:
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