Introduction
35% OFF:
BLON, a lesser-known Chinese company recognized primarily for their BL-03 IEM, has teamed up with the renowned IEM reviewer on YouTube, Hawaii Bad Boy (HBB). HBB has been collaborating with various brands at a prolific rate and shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to the BLON collaboration mentioned earlier, he has also partnered with KZ to develop the KZ PR2 IEM, which I have in my possession and will be reviewing soon. HBB's collaboration projects seem to be coming out left and right, and he is definitely on a roll.
Information
Driver setup: 1 Dynamic Driver (DD)
Price: US$35.00
Connection: TFZ/NX7 0.78mm 2-pin
In Box:
- BLON X HBB Z300 IEM
- Copper 4 core braided cable with 3.5mm straight termination
- Cloth pouch
- 3x normal-bore white silicon tips
- 3x normal-bore black silicon tips
- Warranty card
Comfort and Fit: Fits well, no discomfort over long durations. Average isolation.
Tips used: Spinfit W1 (M); I recommend wide-bore tips for the Z300.
Source: Ifi Zen DAC v2, Tempotec E44
Case: You get a cloth pouch with the Z300. While I don't hate it, obviously it is not particularly impressive either. It is portable but not very protective. However, the sturdy exterior Zinc alloy construction of the IEMs may make up for the lack of protection offered by the pouch.
Cable: The cable is of excellent quality and feels really good in the hands. Despite their low price point of $35, they surpass the quality of many cables that come with IEMs that are priced above $300. The cable has a nice weight to it and is flexible without having any kinks. The quality of the cable is truly impressive, especially given its low price point. I am grateful that I don't have to spend a lot of time searching for a replacement cable with this unique pin connection. The only downside is the chin slider being a bit tight and hard to move but at least it feels secure.
Packaging & accessories: Packaging is minimalistic and meets the expectations of a typical IEM unboxing. It's not fancy, but it does come with two sets of ear tips and the excellent cable that I mentioned earlier.
Sound
Squig
Bass
The bass on the Z300 IEMs is brilliant and has a physicality that can be felt. The bass has excellent extension and a linear decline into the mids. The sub bass has a strong rumble, while the mid bass has an impactful and speedy punch that is just enough to satisfy some bass heads. The Z300 easily outperforms many other more expensive IEMs in the lower frequencies with its authoritative yet controlled bass, while also delivering great texture and depth. The only downside is that there is some noticeable bass bleed, which can overshadow the rest of the frequencies and I foresee some people getting fatigued by the bass over long durations of listening.
Mids
The midrange on the Z300 is average, offering quite clear and resolving instrumentals. Despite the mids being somewhat thick, it can sound awkward at times. The lower midrange instruments can sometimes be overshadowed and veiled by the powerful bass while the upper midrange is lackluster. Vocals were uncoloured with male vocals having more breath than female vocals due to the presence of the lower midrange but left female vocals sounding more evil than innocent. Overall, the midrange lacks the necessary sense of structure for it to be enjoyable for some mid-centric listeners, particularly myself and has a dark and wet presentation that can either be a hit or a miss for some. Overall, these IEMs may not be the best choice for those who value vocal quality and midrange clarity.
Treble
Treble has a decent extension and air, it never sounded fatiguing to my ears because of how timid the lower treble is. As an individual who is treble sensitive, despite me appreciating the non-fatiguing treble, I felt that it lacked a bit of sparkle that could enhance the overall musical presentation. I perceived some very minimal sibilance, but I had to make a conscious effort to detect it. Overall, the treble is decent, but not outstanding and these are definitely not for treble heads. The treble are definitely not the main focus of this IEM, rather a complementary element to the powerful bass.
Technicalities
The Z300's imaging, layering, and soundstage are subpar, resulting in a sound that feels cluttered and centered - everything just feels mashed and served to you. The IEM's main focus seems to be on flexibility rather than catering to a specific niche, as evidenced by the common and safe tuning. While it isn't particularly analytical, the Z300 performs slightly better than average when it comes to detail retrieval, allowing for the discernment of certain micro details within tracks. Additionally, the IEM has excellent timbre, with all of the instrumentals sounding very natural.
Personal
As someone who values midrange and listens to punk rock, I find the Z300 IEMs to be a great fit for my music library. They have a dark warm V-shaped siganture that is versatile enough to work well with many modern genres like pop and hip hop. These IEMs are fun and deliver great tonality, especially for casual listeners and teenagers who enjoy bass and may be more sensitive to higher frequencies. For the price of $35, they offer impressive performance and are sure to end up in many school bags and on desktop setups. However, if you are an analytical listener, these may not be the best choice for you and you may want to save your money for something more suitable to your preferences or treat yourself to a nice meal. Despite the objectively low grading that the Z300 may receive by me, I personally find them to be excellent and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a budget-friendly and enjoyable listening experience.
Test Tracks
Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood
The Z300 IEMs execute this song effortlessly, with kick drums, electric guitars, and bass all sounding distinct and masterfully presented in the lower frequencies. The vocals are clear and have just enough presence to never sound veiled. While the presentation could be a little more layered and detailed, overall it was a really enjoyable and fun listening experience.
Image via Spotify
Hallelujah - Pentatonix
The lower frequencies on these IEMs are deep and black, while the mids have enough energy to them. However, I found that female vocals were a bit too relaxed for my liking, and I wished they felt more forward in the mix. Overall, the replay was decent, but could have been better with improved layering and resolution.
Image via Spotify
High Hopes - Kodaline
The piano and acoustic guitar sounded slightly recessed on the Z300, and occasionally felt a bit lean. However, the male vocals were excellent and carried emotion well. While the Z300 tried to make this relaxing and chill song more fun, I felt that it didn't quite capture the intended mood of the song.
Image via Spotify
Everything Has Changed - Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran
Acoustic guitar again felt faint compared to the kick drums at 0:32 and similar to the previous song, the Z300 tries to make this heartfelt song sound upbeat. While Ed Sheeran's vocals were passionate and impactful, Taylor's vocals could have been more intimate and forward to make me enjoy this song better. I am loving the hefty Cello at 1:38 though.
Image via Spotify
Image via Spotify
Image via Spotify
Conclusion
I highly recommend the BLON Z300 for those who seek an affordable, yet enjoyable listening experience with a dark and bassy signature. You will definitely appreciate this set if that's your preferred sound profile. With the exception of the relaxed upper midrange and lower treble, there are no major flaws to speak of, making these a wise choice for anyone seeking an affordable option with excellent tonality, especially younger listeners who may appreciate the emphasis on bass and sensitivity in higher frequencies. However, if you're a more analytical listener or a treble head, these may not be the best choice for you. On the outside, the BLON Z300 features a fantastic cable and beautiful shells that are sure to turn heads. While the included case/pouch could be improved, this is easily remedied with a $5 aliexpress/taobao case. Overall, the BLON Z300 has become one of my favorite budget earphone sets, and I'm impressed with what BLON and HBB have accomplished with this set. I hope that BLON will continue to produce high-quality products in the future, as their IEMs seem to have fallen out of the spotlight recently.
