let's start with the package. inside one finds the Rhapsody, that typical CCA / KZ cable, Starline, tips and a tool for the switches. You would not know by the simple package that inside it a flagship with multiple drivers, there is no little metal banner proclaiming the cool name. Inside is the stuff you'll need to get started listening to your IEM. The shell of the Rhapsody is large is thickness but not as big as the AS24, small ears should take note though. The Rhapsody has a resin body with metal faceplate. It has a cool scalloped shell design. I found very good isolation with the stock tips. overall comfort was good for me, but the cables small hook created pressure, so I needed to fix it.
There are four switches on each unit allowing you to customize your experience with the Rhapsody, I found the adjustments to effect mid or sub-Bass or both in various degrees. The tastefully implemented switches work better than I was expecting.
For the majority of this review, I will be using stock configuration and accessories. Equipment used were the ifi Hip-DAC 3, Hidizs S9 Pro Plus, Questyle M15 and Tempotech V6. the AZ10 was used post testing and paired well with this IEM. Streaming was through Tidal HQ and Spotify, DSD and Flack through Hiby and Foobar2000.
Technical Details
lmpedance 15-20Ω Product model Rhapsody Sensitivity 102土3dB Frequency 20-40000Hz Plug type 3.5mm Pin Type 0.75mm Cable Type silver-plated cable Cable length 120+5cm
Sound impressions:
The Rhapsody presents with a Bassy, warm, and smooth V-shaped natural signature. Bass: The lower end has good emphasis. Both Mid-Bass and Sub-Bass have an impressive amount of energy and control. Mid-Bass seems to be more prominent out of the two with a good speed and plenty of power. Sub-Bass has very good depth, one thing I liked is it doesn't linger very long, the rumble moves on quickly. I think Bass sounded better after a long burn in but it's just my opinion. The Bass details are average but good for the cost, details in general are good but this is definitely not a technical IEM is a fun and pleasant one.
The Midrange:
The Mids come across with a lush and mildly thick and warm presentation, still there is good separation and clarity. The Mids have a fine balanced property. Vocals, both male and female are forward / center and have a middle level of energy. I found it good because there is no harshness and shout here just natural sounding vocal representation. Fine details are smoothed but not missing. Lower mids at times have a small recession that is only noticed by me with older rock songs that have male singers. The Midrange in general is very enjoyable with my music and the balance with some neutral and smoothness just enhance some good old rock music and pop.
Treble:
The Treble was very well done to me, there is good air and sparkle with decent details and separation considering the cost it was impressive. The highs compliment the soundstage and vice versa. there's not an abundance of brightness, it's more like well-matched BA drivers working seamlessly to produce a realistic outcome. In general, the Treble sounds open and with a fair level of energy treble sensitives would like and others would too.
Soundstage, ETC: The CCA Rhapsody does soundstage right, its wide with good imaging and its accurate too. The technical abilities are above average here. I would not say its holographic, but it is a nice wide and deep soundstage. I think it complements the rest of the tuning quite well.
Afterthoughts:
The CCA Rapsody is amazing considering the cost, there is a wonderful balance and smoothness. When compared toa more expensive IEM like the MD Blessing-3 that is far more expensive, the Rhapsody excelled more in bass and without the muddiness that the Blessing showed at times. The Rhapsody also showed zero harshness under various circumstances I had heard in many more expensive hybrids that were brighter up top. To be fair the Moondrop B3 is a great IEM, it has excellent resolution and details are abundant. The point being the Rhapsody is also a multi driver IEM that sounds much different from other KZ, with good technicalities and a pleasant all-day kind of tuning for much less. Most IEM have one or more thing quirks or things that add character or turn off users. The Think the $50 will appeal to music lovers and enthusiast alike. Hard core detail heads, treble heads and critical listeners maybe not your thing here but it's both enjoyable and pleasant for the cost.
