Hello community!

After a few weeks using the Blon x HBB Z300, I want to leave a review for all of you, but before diving into the analysis of this set of IEMs, I want you to know how I’m going to structure it.

This review is a bit special, since we’re not going to reference music—which we all love—but rather single-player video games and what they offer in terms of their sound artistry.

Yes, you read that right: video games and not “competitive” ones. If you’re looking for an analysis of how the Blon perform with music or in eSports, you’re welcome to stay, but you won’t find what you’re looking for.

Whenever I read a review or see a recommendation request, the focus is always on online games: Counter, Warzone, Fortnite, Valorant… very popular indeed. But I ask myself: what about the great productions of this industry? Doesn’t anyone want to know how to fully enjoy and savor all that their sound design has to offer? I think there’s a gap to fill, and I hope I can live up to it.

The platform I use for gaming is a PC. I don’t own a PS5, Xbox, or Switch. I only have an Asus Rog Ally as a complement.
I won’t be a hypocrite; of course, I used my FLAC files to test the technical aspects of these Z300.

This unit was purchased with my own money (€32), and my priority is to be as impartial as possible within the subjectivity inherent to audio reviews.

Without further ado, let’s move on to the product review:



The little box that houses the Z300 is the same as you’d find in lower-end IEMs. Other cheaper IEMs offer a better unboxing experience. Still, I don’t really care as long as what’s inside performs well enough to justify the price.

Removing the cover, we find:


A fabric pouch with the brand’s logo, good enough to keep the monitors clean and easy to carry in your pocket. Against bumps and falls, though, I’m not sure it offers much protection.

Two sets of ear tips in sizes S, M, and L. The black ones reinforce the lower frequencies, and the white ones maintain a more “balanced” tuning. I’m not very knowledgeable about the ear tip market; I usually just use what comes with the IEMs, but these don’t feel as flexible as I’d like.

A 1.2m cable with 0.78mm 2-pin connectors on each side. It’s made of high-purity, oxygen-free copper. It has 4 strands and is wrapped in pink plastic that feels very durable but also flexible, avoiding annoying tangles. I noticed no microphonics during my sessions. It terminates in 3.5mm, and I don’t know if a 4.4mm version exists. The cable’s color pairs nicely with the device, resulting in a coherent and pleasing aesthetic.

The shells are made of zinc alloy, plated with an 18k gold-like finish. Very well built. No rough edges, and they feel robust. Each shell has two vents to relieve internal pressure. The nozzle has the standard woven mesh you see on many IEMs. The size fits the ear canal well and seals properly with the included tips. There’s also a striking dragon design on both earpieces.

As for comfort, they fit my ears very well. Even though they’re made of metal and feel heavy in hand, they sit well in the ear. However, I had an issue with the left monitor: I couldn’t get a perfect seal. This is the only IEM where that has happened to me. Swapping to better-quality tips solved the issue (spoiler: it worked). Still, I must be fair and review them with the stock accessories. Anyone should be able to enjoy their purchase comfortably without needing to buy extra tips.


The Blon x HBB Z300 are easy to drive from any source. With a sensitivity of 115db and an impedance of 28 ohms, any device can make good use of their specs. That said, I always prefer pairing headphones with a DAC/AMP to maximize power and reveal more frequencies than directly connecting to a PC, console, or phone.

Inside, they feature a 10mm silicone dynamic driver (1DD), a very common configuration at this price point, as is their relaxed V-shaped tuning. This tuning, developed in collaboration with the well-known Hawaii Bad Boy (HBB), delivers warmth and color in the low end, somewhat recessed mids, and safe, contained treble. They don’t chase resolution or micro-detail but rather comfort.

But enough preamble—we’re here to talk about video games and how well (or poorly) these flashy golden Blons perform.
I’ve selected six games to test the Z300 across a wide range of scenarios: soundstage, imaging, bass, mids, treble… all the usual suspects.

These games were chosen intentionally, knowing their sound design was carefully crafted and would serve as excellent benchmarks. Many big-budget titles nowadays pay attention to audio, but plenty still treat it as secondary—and no matter how good your gear is, it can’t perform miracles.

Note: all images are spoiler-free, taken from early sections of each game. I played each segment multiple times to catch details and form an opinion.

The source used was a FiiO K11, and I used the stock white ear tips.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar, 2018)
The Houser brothers love cinematic experiences, and the audio here is excellent.


In the first scene, Arthur enters a wooden house where Dutch and another man sit by the fire. The Z300 reveals its character: the wood floor creaks sound a bit unnatural due to softened upper mids, but the fire’s crackle is crisp and believable. The male voices maintain the desired weight and frontal presence, adding natural emphasis.




In the next scene, I tested width and depth. The Z300 handled snowstorm directionality well, with dynamic placement across the soundstage. Voices (Micah far, Dutch close) were layered with convincing depth. Imaging was satisfying overall.


A Plague Tale: Requiem (Asobo Studio, 2022)
This game has poor mixing, with chaotic layers that often drown out dialogue. Still, it shines in imaging (critical for stealth gameplay) and in the distinct voices of Amicia, Hugo, and Lucas.



In the first scene, the Z300 presents Amicia’s female voice and Hugo’s childlike tone naturally, though not with the clarity of a more balanced set. Lucas’s adolescent voice sounds more recessed, but not unpleasant—just less emphasized by the tuning.



In the next scene, the Z300 excels. Thanks to the game’s design, positioning footsteps behind walls is easy. The soundscape was interpretable, giving me a very good impression.

God of War Ragnarok (SIE Santa Monica, 2022)
An excellent sound design benchmark, especially for sub-bass, bass, and low mids.



In the first scene, Kratos and Atreus ride a sled pulled by wolves. Kratos’s deep voice is rendered with authority and timbre, while Atreus and the wolves are placed coherently in depth.



In combat scenes, the Z300 delivers powerful slam—fun and textured—but lingers too long, masking mids in the soundtrack due to dynamic driver bleed.



In the final scene, vertical stage was tested. The Z300 conveyed proper height and weight, with rumbling sub-bass from falling rocks that felt impactful.

Doom (ID Software, 2016)
Perfect for testing chaotic mixes with explosions, screams, gunfire, and industrial noise—often simultaneously.



I’ll be brief: the Z300 collapses here. It fails to separate or resolve layers. Sub-bass overwhelms bass, which masks the already recessed mids, while the naturally smooth treble barely shows. It’s a chain of bleed from top to bottom.

Final Fantasy XVI (Square Enix, 2023)
This game emphasizes sword clashes and magical effects during battles.



The Z300 handles treble decently, despite softened upper mids and highs tuned for comfort over precision. It’s more about enjoyment than analysis. Still, detail isn’t absent, and the IEMs handle this range with a degree of ease, though lacking air.

Resident Evil 7 (Capcom, 2017)
Here I wanted to test microdetail, the subtlety that builds immersion.



The Z300 presents this with balance, avoiding gimmicky emphasis. Textures are subtle but clear enough to maintain coherence. Whispers, footsteps, creaks, and strange noises were rendered with near-natural accuracy. Not analytical, but precise enough to keep immersion intact.




Conclusion
The Blon x HBB Z300 are very fun if you stick to their strengths: the low end. Action-packed games with gunfire, explosions, punches, and deep voices sound enjoyable and organized.
Their soundstage isn’t expansive, but imaging is competent if the game’s programming supports it.
Overall, they’re warm, full, and relaxed from upper mids to treble. Not bad, but not standout either. A bit more air would help highlight finer details. Still, for €30, expectations must be realistic.

If you’ve read this far, I hope you enjoyed it.
Cheers—and more IEM reviews are coming soon!

Alternate title: How I Learned to Love Thicc

This unit was purchased from a fellow homie. Bless ya, you know who you are.

Introduction

Since the untimely disappearance of my Tripowin Leá and my failure to acquire a second pair, I was left without a comfortable IEM to relax with after a long day. The Truthear Zero filled in the hedonistic cravings of my darker self that craved bass texture, but was an uncomfortable listen and the stock tuning left a lot to be desired. I also unfortunately cannot steal my brother's Letshuoer DZ4s. So I was left with ordering the Z300s that were in my short-list (the other options were the Moondrop LAN, TinHiFi C2 and the Floaudio Lily - unfortunately unobtainium for me now). The pricing for a new pair however left a bad taste in my mouth, which is where the aforementioned savior came in. Thanks for letting me take this off your hands, even if it's not the colorway I would have preferred (insert smug emote here or something). So, is the Z300 still worth copping nowadays?

Well, kinda. You know the drill. If you like warm and thick, this will be up your alley.

Packaging

Refer to the image above. You get a box with a sleeve and the now-legendary acronym, now kind of half-jokingly used on the packaging proper once again. I gotta say that it was quite the oppoty, given this is a collab with a well-known audio reviewer. It's a simple package, with the IEMs in the inserts and then a cable and a small drawstring bag. Of course, tips and all that. For the price that Blon is asking here, I think it's very reasonable, even if the drawstring bag is basically not something I would recommend using in terms of protection, just in order to hide the IEMs every now and then.



Closer examination and ergonomics


GOLD! Yes, gold. The bling is real. And honestly, the bling might be the only con here, if you don't feel like you wanna rock a gold chain around your neck as well. The shells are very, very hefty and feel very well built. I have not had any concern with these so far. They fit very well into my ears (those that know me are aware of my mad-screwed fit basically forcing me to remain with smaller nozzles) and stay there also quite well. The weight of the shells may impact your long-term listening experience, if you're not affected by condensation like me, which for me means these are usually an hour-long listen, unfortunately. Outside that, the stock tips that you receive with the Z300s are a very much "whatever" type of experience. I personally use my clone 07 tips and they've been a good fit.

The cable is shockingly good, too. You can tell it's a little hefty just from the photos, and it's a little stiff, but I have honestly had absolutely zero issues using it. They use a QDC connector in case you want to swap the cable, though I don't see a reason why, unless yours is somehow damaged. It has no microphonics and the adjusting bit for your chin stays in place very well. I cannot complain about the cable at all, and neither can I really complain about the shells, either.

Sound performance

The Blon Z300s were connected to my FiiO BTR5 2021, Poco X3 (running Lineage 20) and my audio interface (M-Audio AIR 192). I have not noticed any issues with noise floor and all three sources ran the IEMs very well without needing much gain at all. I would not be concerned with amplification here.

Bass

Probably the stand-out feature of these. The bass has plenty of impact, feels a little thick and somehow, I don't find the mid-bass excessive. For those owning the Audiosense DT200 (unfortunately yet another unobtainium for me), the bass is very similar to that one. This is a very satisfying IEM under $50 in terms of bass, and I feel that so far only the Truthear Zero beat the Z300 in this range.

Bass rating: 80/100 (B+)

Mids

Combined with the mid-bass, the Z300 really offers a thick and engaging experience here. I like my mids clean, but this is far from something I'd hate. Vocals don't feel that great (Freedom by Blue Encount feels a little distant), but that might be the only complaint I can place here. I can't feel any honk. Overall, not done in any offensive manner and just solid.

Mids rating: 75/100 (B)

Treble

You can tell that treble is not this IEM's strong suit. The treble is...relaxed, and in combination with the bass and mids, this results in the Z300 sounding rather warm, bordering on dark. Some reviewers have noted a bit of sibilance in the treble, and I cannot hear it, so your mileage will vary. Regardless, this warm focus definitely impacts detail in a way. I think it's just right before it gets to the point of being dark, and if my condensation issues weren't here, I would easily have plenty of fun with these for hours. As you might have guessed, the Z300s aren't for a detailed, immersive listening experience, and moreso for instant gratification. Everyone needs a little bit of that every now and then. 1993 by Oliver Tree is just hedonistic enough for me to put it on repeat a couple times with the Z300. My rating may be controversial here as I love detail, but this is just relaxed enough that I can't help but enjoy it.

Treble rating: 80/100 (B+)

Technicalities

The Z300 doesn't do them in an outstanding way. Considering the way they're tuned, I'd say it's fine and reasonable, though imaging feels vague, and the soundstage is just fine. This isn't their focus and honestly, at this price range, asking for great technical chops is a little difficult. They're better than the Space Travels in this regard, but the Leá was better and the Zero is kind of equivalent.

Technicalities rating: 70/100 (B-)

Conclusion

I love these. When I'm having a bad day (surprisingly often) and I need that little bit of hedonism, these go in my ears immediately. They're fun, relaxing and help me forget my worries for a while. Absolutely a B+ IEM, bordering on A- on my end. 30-35 dollars I feel is fair for what you're getting here. We shall see if there's more oppoty for a future HBB + Blon collab, or if we should keep driaming.

Overall rating: 80/100 (B+)

Concluding notes: The Blon Z300 offers a very relaxing and easygoing listen at a reasonable price with excellent build quality and so-so technicalities.

Keep rating: 9/10

Oh yeah. If you don't want to wear your more expensive IEMs around and need a bit of that oomfph, these are great. Of course, they'll scratch up pretty easily.

thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!
☆☆☆☆ - Recommended
☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer:
This product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own.

Gear used:
● LG v30+
● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
● Hiby FC4

Source:
Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:
Hawaiian Bad Boy (HBB) is an audiophile YouTuber and reviewer. He has done quite a few tuning collaborations with different iem manufacturers. Most of his sets are very bass heavy and oriented toward the low end. The Blon x HBB Z300 contains a single dynamic driver and is indeed very bassy. It is currently priced at $35 on Amazon. Let's break it down and see what $35 can get you.

Build, fit, ergonomics:
The shells are constructed of metal and have a nice heft to them. They feel very premium and have a great durable build for only $35. They are available in 2 color options (gold or cobalt blue) and feature an artistic dragon design on each faceplate. The stock cable has a premium look and feel and is available in 3.5 or 4.4mm termination (I opted for 4.4). It's one of the nicer stock cables I've recieved with an iem under $50. There are 6 sets of silicone tips and a small carrying bag also included. Overall the accessories are adequate and about what I'd expect for the price tag. The nozzle length is on the shorter side which might cause fit issues for some. I did have to do a fair amount of tip rolling and settled on medium Penon Liquer orange tips for the best seal.

Sound impressions:
The soundstage has good depth but the width is just average. It could benefit from more width to have better separation and allow the frequencies room to breathe. They aren't great at detail retrieval or very resolving but to be fair that's not what this specific tuning was made for.

●Lows - The bass hits right away and seems to never let up. If bass is your thing then the Z300 are probably right up your alley. Sub bass rumbles deep and mid bass has good punch and impact. There is a fair amount of bloat and bleeding into the mids on certain tracks. It's not a very fast bass and has a slower decay that seems to linger. Usually I associate a fatiguing profile with too much treble but in this case the bass wears me down over time and my ears need a break. It's not the quantity but rather the quality. I enjoy big bass but it needs to stay in it's lane and not completely dominate the other frequencies. Even with more easy listening tracks from Adele and John Mayer, the bass is constant and never let's up.

●Mid - I was afraid the big dominant bass would push the mids back too far but to my surprise they aren't actually that recessed. Vocals are clear and positioned just a bit forward on the stage. There can be a hint of shoutiness in the upper mids at times depending on listening volume. The bass bleeds and muddles up the whole lower mid range.

●Highs - To be fair if you're listening to an HBB collaboration you're probably not interested in the best treble presentation. There are a few problems here. The highs roll off too early. The lack of extension hinders the overall presentation of the treble. It makes the sound more congested. Also, there is sibilance at times. Treble sensitive folk like myself will find the S's and cymbal crashes to be harsh on certain tracks.

Summary:
At $35 the Blon x HBB Z300 lies in a crowded tier. If you're a basshead on a budget these might be a good one to try. The build quality is very nice and competes with iems double and triple the cost. They deliver a big bass experience but don't expect the best technicalities, treble extension, or overall tuning in this price bracket. In my case they worked best with rock, hip hop, and chillhop. If the budget can be pushed higher to $50, I would reccomend checking out the Juzear Clear. In my opinion, the Clear are superior across all frequencies, have better technicalities, a more premium design, and one of the best stock cables under $100.

Sound signature: v shape with extended bass and tamer treble

Overview
The z300 is a single 10mm dynamic driver iem. It has impedance of 28ohms and sensitivity of 115db.

Box and accessories
iems
Cable, average quality
Eartips 6pairs, average quality
Pouch, below avg

Build, fit and comfort
The shells are made with zinc alloy with a smooth texture on it. This has nice weight giving it a premium feel. This has the typical iem shape with normal sized nozzle. The shell size is medium, so fits comfortably. Fit is breathable and stability is ok. Score 4/5

Tested with
Source: questyle m15, fiio btr5, 7hz 71
Eartips: stock, spinfit cp100+, Final E
Cable: stock
Tested with versatile genre of music

Sound
Bass
Overall bass performance is good. It has a bit slower and boomier kind of presentation. As its a bit on the slower side, bass notes sound mushy. Sub bass rumble is solid. Sub bass has that good physicality factor. Mid bass slam is good enough to satisfy bass heads. It has good quantity of bass with ok quality. Score: 4/5

Midrange
Mids in short is relaxed and warm. Mid bass does bleed into the lower mids as it has well extended bass. Male vocals sound warm and has good body. But female vocals seem dull and thin due to the over all subdued nature. Instruments sounds passable for the most part but seem to get lost like female vocals in some tracks. A bit more shimmer would have gone well in my opinion. Score: 3/5

Treble
Treble performance is decent. It is smooth. There are some peaks in the treble but it is tuned well, it does not come off as harsh. Although in very few tracks details might seem sharp. In general Z300 has good enough detail and air to go well with the overall laid back tuning. Score 3.5/5

Technical performance (score:3/5)
Soundstage: good enough
Imaging:average
Sound separation: average
Dynamics: good enough
Resolution: average

Conclusion
This is a solid choice for a good warm and bass heavy set. I personally really like HBB’s tuning thus I liked it quite a bit, must say he did a great job tuning this. This can be the true successor of blon 03.

Presentation


Hello, friends. The one I bring you is the BLON Z300, a phone that was kindly sent to me by Linsoul for review, without any commitment or obligation to speak highly of the phone, just providing my opinions about it. Xiè xiè, Linsoul.

Note: This review was originally posted at avaliasom.com, my website.

Belief, Let Music Burn, Oppoty PT2, Never Give UP. Oppoty & Driams Pt 2. The errors in the BL03 box , which would have had everything to become a laughing stock, ended up becoming the hallmark of BLON's return to the market. By the way, BLON is the acronym formed by the phrase at the beginning of this paragraph.


The BLON Z300 was tuned by HBB , and as is inherent to Hawaiian tuning , this is a headphone with a lot of bass weight, but we'll talk about that later. First let's focus on the unboxing, which although it comes in a discreet cigarette box, it features a very interesting dragon on the front, and details about the phone on the back.


On the inside, a discreet cradle for the headphones, and just below BLON managed to store a fabric bag (the brand's good old corn bag), which contains two silicone tip kits, a black tips and another in white, with no difference in the mouthpiece. Furthermore, there is a beautifully constructed cable, with four cores, metal connector and splitter, and a metal chin slider. The only point that clashes is the 0.78 mm QDC connection for the headphones. As for the source, the pin is 3.5 mm. Optionally, it can be purchased with a microphone on the cable, or with a 4.4 mm termination cable.


The phone can come in gold, 18K gold plated, or in the beautiful matte blue color of this test model. Its entire body is made of zinc alloy, with the dragon on the case printed on the faceplates with gold paint. Its nozzle seems to be made of resin, and it has a very restrictive metal filter at the tip.

And its sound is generated by a 10 mm dynamic driver, with a silicone diaphragm.

Comfort


I used the BLON Z300 without any discomfort. Its body is smooth, with no sharp corners, and although the short nozzle forced me to use L-tips with a shallow insertion, I don't consider this a problem. Its seal is very good, and there is no pressure on the ear canal.

Musical Sound

I tried the phone on different sources, which are: iPhone SE (my “DAP”), Dell Laptop, Apple Dongle, Truthear Shio, Cayin RU6 , Topping G5 and Topping DX3 Pro+.

By the way, I invite you to check out my headphone test playlist on Spotify . This is a dynamic playlist, and the songs can change at any time, but they will always follow the purpose of presenting all the points I mention in my musical evaluation of the headphones.

Regarding sources, the BLON Z300 plays smoothly on any source, scaling well with better sources. It pairs better with colder sources, such as the Topping mentioned above.

• Bass: Level 5/5, Extension 3/5, Speed 2/5, Texture 4/5

In terms of bass, it is very intense! But there's more weight in the mid-bass than in the sub-bass, and it delivers the beats of a “Gangsta's Paradise” with a lot of vigor, while at the same time leaving me missing more vibrancy on a “What it Is” .

There is a lot of vigor in the drums of a “Drum Solo” , at the same time that it is sublime in presenting Champignon's fantastic bass line on CBJR tracks . Cellos and double basses also sound with a lot of weight and intensity, a delight for bassheads.

However, the driver with a silicone diaphragm proved to be very slow for the kick drums of Blind Guardian's “Valhalla” , while at the same time it makes any complex track quite messy. It reminded me exactly of the BL03 in this aspect, and I recommend that fans of Capiroto's music stay away from this headphone.

• Midrange: Level 3/5, Presence 3/5, Clarity 1/5, Voices 4/5

And to talk about the midrange, I must say that the slow, meaty bass invades the midrange without mercy. In other words, to hear Geoff Castelucci it goes very well, and it also works great in the voices of Mariana Aydar and Lecy Brandão in this version of “Zé do Caroço” , making everything very velvety and smooth.

However, there is a bit of mud on tracks like “La Bohéme” , where everything sounds very dragged and doesn't seem to progress. Intense voices like Amy Lee 's , while not attacking, also sound lifeless, less than expected. They're not mids that are too far back in the spectrum, they're just mids that are kind of muzzled.

Regarding the instruments, there is little clarity and a warmer tone than expected in everything. Not even the solo of “This I Love” escapes this curtain of heat, sounding less vivid and intense than we might expect. This headphone here is, without a doubt, a nightmare for midheads and the like.

• Treble: Level 3/5, Brightness 3/5, Airiness 2/5, Extension 2/5

I must say that the Z300 surprised me in the treble, after all, given the way the midrange is presented, I imagined that I would have a phone without airiness and extension here. I'm mistaken.

Of course, he doesn't deliver infinite dishes in a “September in Montreal” , but there's an extension that I really didn't expect. By the way, he also takes care of the splash and timbre of these cymbals. Another highlight of the phone is the timbre and the presence of triangles in a forró, and when it comes to violins , once again the BLON enchants in timbre, and also delivers a good dose of airiness.

Something to keep in mind is that the Z300 is a headphone with safe, comfortable, non-fatiguing highs. However, there is a slight peak at 8 kHz that can hurt ears sensitive to this frequency region, especially at higher volumes.

• Technicalities: Sound Stage 2/5, Image 2/5, Layering 1/5, Separation 2/5, Details 3/5, Resolution 3/5

Here in terms of technicalities, I found it very similar to the BL03 , and below the BL07 , if we consider other BLON models that I know. In other words, it is a phone that has an interesting stage, but is restricted only to the sides, with minimal or perhaps non-existent three-dimensionality.

The image formed on this stage is very confusing, with a noticeable overlap of instruments, which affects the performance on complex tracks. Its layering is weak, and the separation of instruments also leaves something to be desired. In terms of details, it delivers macro details and even some micro details well, while the phone's resolution is good, but nothing more.

The verdict on the technicalities is that the Z300 works best as a headphone to listen to music passively, without worrying about technical details, and ends up working better as a headphone to play music in the background, perhaps a headphone to use when driving or at the gym.

Sound in Games

For battle royale games like PUBG, the Z300's lack of three-dimensionality is evident. The perception we have is that sound emitters teleport from left to right, and vice versa, there is no gradual transition.

In FPS games, such as CS2 ( without changing the sound settings ), the Z300's bass causes problems in understanding the communication of its companions, as well as tending to mask steps in more intense exchange situations. It's possible to play well with it, but it's not the best option.

In casual games, like the Brazilian 171 , the Z300's tuning is very interesting for explosions and other chaotic situations, and is very pleasant for nature sounds in Genshin Impact. However, a more adequate sense of a three-dimensional world is missing.

In simulation games, the redemption of the Z300 occurs. From Project Cars to Forza, this headphone proved to be fascinating for bringing the sound of engines, and at around 35 USD there is no headphone that makes Mercedes AMGs sound like trumpets of the apocalypse as well as this BLON is capable of doing.

Sound in Films, Series and Podcasts

“These bass match a Suckerpunch ”, I thought, but I ended up opting for “The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift” , and I confess that this headphone was able to drive me crazy with the sound of engines. A “Ford vs Ferrari” was also very interesting to watch with the Z300, as long as you don't mind the somewhat muddy sound in some dialogues.

With this in mind, I do not recommend the Z300 to anyone looking for a headset to listen to podcasts or to study/work, as the heavy bass of the headset can be a problem in understanding voices well, especially when the recording/transmission is poor.

Conclusion

Music and driams, again. I have a special affection for BLON, after all the BL01 was the first hype that I got into audiophilia, spread by my friends Pombo and Caito. I believe it was my third or fourth headphone in my life, and that soft and cozy sound immediately enchanted me, so much so that I keep my BL01 with affection to this day. It is, perhaps, one of the best background headphones I have ever heard.

When I had the opportunity to listen to the BL03 and BL07, I was able to better understand the brand's idea, even though the BL07 is slightly more technical than any other BLON that has ever passed through my ears. By the way, the Z300 reminded me a lot of the BL03, although it is more comfortable and more beautiful (although this criterion is more subjective than the subjectivity already inherent to the hobby).

However, it is impressive how the chi-fi market has changed since BL03. Cheap headphones are getting better and better, and even comfortable-sounding headphones can be technical enough to please you all the time, like a Tripowin Piccolo for example . And I even understand that the Z300 wasn't created to be an exponent in the category, but compared to a Kiwi Ears Cadenza , the poor BLON is light years behind in every aspect except one: the ability to play background music on your day-to-day.

By the way, as repetitive as I'm being in saying this, this seems to have been BLON's goal with the Z300: to make a beautiful background phone. And maybe that's enough of a selling point for BLON, but it wouldn't make me buy it.

Big hug!

I wrote that I would give 3.5 / 5 points for the z 300 in the thread, but I decided to give it 4 / 5. The reason is probably that the burning times of the silicone diaphragm can be a little longer. After listening more, the bass got a little more textured, yet the fuzzy bass response remains.
putting an unexpectedly good cable in the box caused me to change my mind a bit.




blon is a well-known brand from a few years ago. The bl 03 model was one of the best budget models for that period. Oddly enough, blon couldn't find any success after bl 05. The success of the bl 05 is also debatable, as a result it did not sell as much as a bl 03. Anyway, let's see if the z 300 can beat the success of bl 03.

I ordered the iems from yaoyaotiger in exchange for an honest review. I'm thinking of adding the store address at the end of the review. Thank you yaoyaotiger for the z 300.


box contents;

The box is a classic blon box, white, and the iems shipped with a small box. The cable that came out of the box surprised me, I'll talk about it in another chapter.

- a pair of iems
- a good cable
- 6 pairs of silicone tips
- user manual
- fabric storage case













iems and cable quality;

first-class craftsmanship and good pattern. There are patterns on the iems, it is good in appearance. The z 300 has probably already entered the list of my favorite designs. I will touch on some things about the structure of the z 300 in the comfort section, now let's move on to the cable.
If you come to the cable part, the blon brand has deviated from its classical line and put a good cable in the box. normally blon cables are awful, maybe even worse than goose cables. The cable of the z 300 is good, especially for the budget segment. As a result, there is a cable and structure, which can be called a reference for the price, in the z 300.










sound quality;

The z 300 focuses more on a fun sound character rather than a technical sound, which makes the z 300 more fun than some models, while losing it to some of its competitors in technical matters. To mention a little more, the z 300 is a bass boosted model. mid frequencies are safe, and trebles are lightly textured.


low frequencies;

The region of the z 300's most dominant frequencies, the basses are quite voluminous. The mid-bass is pretty good too. i have to say the silicon driver needs some burning, the bass bleeds a bit until i get enough listening times. Bass bleed lessens when you spend some time with the iems, and there is almost no bass bleed on most slow tracks. The z 300's bass isn't too tight, it's a little too long. If the music has too much bass, the bass response gets a little blurry and feels slightly muddy. nevertheless, the z 300 is a fun model with its bass.


medium frequencies;

A safe setting is preferred, there is a tune that is a little thicker than the average. You can't listen to stringed instruments as lively as the bl 03, but for the budget segment, there's not much to criticize here. The point to be noted is that if you like to listen to the mid frequencies, you need to turn up the volume a little more, which causes the low frequencies to overshadow the mid frequencies a little.



trebles;

They have slightly textured trebles, a good choice for a iems with increased low frequencies. maybe it could be a little more natural, like in bl 03. still, it is worth saying that it has more balanced trebles than most models in the similar segment.




sound stage;

It is above average in width and not bad in height, but you feel a lack of depth. the sound sounds more superficial.


resolution;

If it was 2 years ago, I wouldn't have criticized it, but now we are in 2023. Technically successful models are now down to the 20 band. details are a bit blurry, which causes slight muddying in fast music.


comfort;

it's a bit of a personal issue, comfort, my understanding of comfort is different from other people and this means that the consistency of my comments on comfort will only be right for me. anyway, the z 300 is a heavy iems. it's not that big of a model, it's heavy. It fits surprisingly well, but I have to say the nozzles are a little short for my ears. If you don't mind the weight there is no problem, I
I can't listen for a long time.


comparisons;

comparisons may reflect my own musical taste


vs zhulinniao z 4;

bass;

z 4 - % 25
z 300 - % 75

You can see how weak the bass is on the z 4, if you like bass it's hard for the z 4 to compete with the z300


mids;

z 4 - % 55
z 300 - % 45

The reason why the z4 is a bit better is that the mid frequencies are smoother due to the depth of the scene. they are very similar but the mid frequencies of the z 4 are much more elegant


treble;

z 4 - % 60
z 300 - % 40

At least one of the models with the best treble among the dozens of models that I have experienced is the z 4. The treble of the z 4 is highly textured and it is possible to interfere with the treble level thanks to the replaceable filter. If you love highs, even a treble-heavy model like the ivipq can be beaten against the z 4, at least in the budget segment. Like most models, the z 300 is losing to the z 4 when it comes to treble.


sound stage;

z 4 - % 60
z 300 - % 40

While the z 300 has almost no soundstage depth, the z 4 is the opposite.


resolution;

z 4 - % 60
z 300 - % 40

In terms of resolution, the z 4 is above average and has very good treble resolution for its price band. The z 300 isn't bad either, but it gets muddy with fast music.


comfort;

z 4 - % 55
z 300 - % 45

The z 4 fits better, but is a bit heavier, though not as much as the z 300. However, there is a difference in comfort. Not to forget that the z 4 was brilliant, the z 300 was better in listening comfort


preference;

two different models, it depends entirely on preferences. If you like highs, the z 300 is very difficult to choose over the z 4, but most budget segments can easily beat the z 4 in bass. out of bass, the z 4 is a more successful model





vs blon bl 03;

bass;

bl 03 - % 50
z 300 - % 50

I don't want to tire myself, almost equally, if I remember correctly, the bass of 03 is a little tighter. Z 300 has one click more voluminous bass


mids;

03 - % 55
z 300 - % 45

There's a slight difference, but the 03's timbre accuracy turns it into a midrange beast. It is a pleasure to listen to stringed musical instruments with the 03. z 300 is better as mid frequency resolution


trebles;

03 - % 55
z 300 - % 45

Even though the 03v is loud, its highs are quite soft and not tiresome. The z 300's treble might be a little more textured, but it lacks a bit of naturalness. If I'm sure I remember 03 correctly, I think 03 has slightly better treble.


sound stage;

03 - % 60
z 300 - % 40

The 03 has an in-depth soundstage and feels like it's out of your ears. Except for the feeling I mentioned, bl 03 is a bit better, I may not be neutral about it.


resolution;

bl 03 - % 40
z 300 - % 60

The 03 has pretty mediocre resolution, even lower than average. The z 300's macro details are much better


preference;

We are no longer living in 2020, it is difficult for any headset without a specific technique to compete in the 2023 market. moreover, you have to order the bl 03 with the cable, which means that the price of the 03 is the same as the z 300. I would still choose bl 03, but this is due to my sympathy for 03. in a standard comparison, the z 300 makes much more sense


last word;

the z 300 is not as successful as the bl 03, it is still a successful model. I was not very impressed with the sound character, but I was impressed by the appearance. If you're looking for a fun and well-built iems in the price range, the z 300 is a good choice. If you are looking for a more detailed model, I recommend you to evaluate different options.


yaoyaotiger store;

https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExOqPf1

The Blon Z300 x HBB was bought with my own money, I will try to be as objective as possible and being a common audio enthusiast I will use simple words in this review.



I would have liked to own the Blon-03 for a comparison but it has never convinced me, plus I’ve always read very conflicting opinions probably due to its shape and very short nozzle. These Blon Z300 in gold with a decidedly more ergonomic shape piqued my interest.
I want to clarify that I am not an audiophile, I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs/DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.
So I’m not going to be super technical but I will do my best to describe them.

Tech Specs:

• Driver: 10mm Silicone diaphragm DD
• Sensitivity: 115dB
• Impedance: 28ohm
• Cable: 4-core high purity copper cable (no microphone version)
• Connector proprietary: QDC/NX7 0.78mm 2-pin

Blon Z300 Packaging:

The Blon Z300 box is the classic one we see with all KZ, TRN, Kbear models, quite standard and cheap but if it helps keep the price down that’s fine. The range of accessories, on the other hand, I would say is decidedly good. Personally I prefer to have higher quality accessories rather than a luxury box.

Blon Z300 Accessories:

• Nice fabric bag
• 4N copper cable
• 2 set of tips
• Manual + warranty

What surprised me the most is definitely the quality of the cable. It is very difficult to find a similar cable at this price point. Take a look to the details!

Blon Z300 Design/Build Quality:

If I think that the Blon Z300 only cost about 35 USD, their build quality does not reflect its price at all. The construction is absolutely perfect.




The thickness of the metal shell is out of mind, they weigh much more than the average but are not annoying (personal opinion).




The fit is pretty standard and I think I can fit most ears. I recommend changing the tips with something more performing like the Kbear07 or Nicehck07.




Pay attention to the connector because it is not the classic QDC but something different. So changing the cable is not that simple and immediate but it may require some connectors mod.

Initial sound impression:

Right out of the box they already sound good, or rather they reflect my tastes. I would say a warm sound with good bass without losing too much detail in the treble area.




As for the tuning I would say V-shaped (HBB target in this case) with smooth high frequencies, while the mids seem a little bit recessed. Pretty good for a single DD!
I did about 50 hours of burn-in and then I went back to listening to them.

Final sound impression:

Equipment used for testing above.


Device:

• iMac
• Redmi Note 7 (MIUI Based)

Software:

• Foobar2000 24bit 192khz (iMac)
• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96khz (Both)

DAC:

• F.Audio KS01 3.5mm (ESS ES9038Q2M)
• EPZ TP20 3.5 mm (Dual Cirrus 43131)
• Hidizs XO 3.5mm (Dual ESS ES9219C)

I’m not listing the tracks because they’re too much.
Stock tips were good but I’ve instantly swapped it with some Nicehck07 tips.

How does it sound?

I confirm my first impressions adding that it has a certain musicality but in some tracks the sound seems to get mixed up a bit.
Considering HBB’s target as regards tuning, the importance given to the weight of low frequencies is definitely felt.
The most emphasized are the mid-bass which are very pleasant, also the sub-bass is well represented. You can physically feel the bass weight!
It’s dark timbre doesn’t help the recessed mids. The stringed instruments sound slightly warmer than they should while the female vocals I still like anyway.




About the trebles they are on the safe side, it’s quite hard to hear some harshness also on high volume. Decent air and extension.
Personally I would have dared something more on the high frequencies in order to have some more detail but it’s completely fine and already so good.
I have noticed a better synergy coupled with slightly brighter DACs like ESS.
This target sound can fit most people so probably it’s the best choice. Treble sensitive and bass lovers this set suits your tastes.

Blon Z300 Soundstage & Imaging:

The Blon Z300 soundstage is average (or slightly above average) and is mostly given by the bass, which being well pronounced gives a sense of envelopment.
However, these sensations vary with the quality of the recordings, so at least make sure you have good quality files.




Even if the timbre is dark, it maintains a certain clarity in the medium and high frequencies which makes it pleasant.
The separation is also good, it’s not hard to distinguish the details. I have to say that personally I really like them especially for the kind of music I listen to most often, like EDM, Chill, House, R&B.

Conclusion:

I’ve had HBB branded iems in the past but this is definitely the best after QKZxHBB Khan. Aside from the KZ DQ6S which was a scam, I recently bought the KZ PR2 V2 but to be honest these Blon Z300s are better. They sound good and you don’t need a powerful DAC to drive them. The high frequencies and sound timbre are better on the Z300. Considering the price and the quality of the materials used as a direct alternative there are the Tripowin Piccolo (I haven’t had the chance to try them yet) which should be more detailed.

Puff, The Magic Dragon lived by the sea, And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee.

--a line from the song, Puff The Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul & Mary.

So how is that quote supposedly related to this product? Well, BLON is known as Bao Long in the Chinese market which means "Jeweled Dragon" or "Treasure Dragon" (But not a magical one like Puff, so forgive my unnecessary and unrelated insertion of this one). We already know BLON with their famed BL03 and a misspelt tagline "Oppoty & Driams" which leave me flabbergasted despite that they corrected it on the Z200 (Please check out the review of this one later after this assessment, there's a provided link below).



This is Z300, BLON's latest offering and it is a collaboration effort between them and Chris Ballard also known as a Hawaiian Bad Boy (HBB) as we know him as one of the sought-after portable audio reviewers in YouTube. We in the audio community are quite familiar with his preferred type of tuning on which he believes that it suits well with his library of tracks like classic rock, hip hop and some classicals like Vivaldi. And to think that those types of music genres are also my preferred ones and are also in my library playlist.



Like all BLONs, starting from the BL03 up to Z300's predecessor, The Z200, They always utilises a single dynamic driver set-up and a metal alloy shell chassis which became their staple pattern on producing their models. But this time, Z300 uses a different type of dynamic driver which has a silicone diaphragm instead of Carbon Nanotube on which previous models have.



Its 10mm dynamic drivers are housed in metal alloy made of zinc-magnesium which offers an excellent strength and corrosive resistance with good malleability and machinability. The shells have a gold-plated dragon (Bao Long) on its faceplate which really suits BLON's product theme and identity. The Z300 uses a NX7/TFZ-type 2-pin connector as its detachable mechanism. The stock cable of this one is an improvement over its predecessors as it has



As for fitting and comfort, BLON Z300 probably has the best fitting among the BLON sets that I have tested so far and it decently sits pretty well into my lugholes albeit it's a bit of a heft. It has decent passive noise isolation as it is able to block some external noises from outside surroundings.



The product packaging of BLON Z300 is rather pedestrian as it is unvaried to most products in similar price range. It has a simple, white-coloured small rectangular box with its contents inside the box.



Here are the following contents inside:

● BLON Z300 IEMs

● 4-core SPC cable in a 3.5mm termination plug.

● a cloth sack IEM pouch.

● 3 pairs of grey-coloured balanced bore ear tips of different standard sizes.

● 3 pairs of white-coloured balanced bore ear tips of different standard sizes.

● Instruction/user's manual.



BLON Z300 is an easy to amplify set that a source with decent power output will be able to deliver a sufficient performance. And it also noted that this set scales well on other devices with high performance DAC/amp chips as it gives even more dynamics and a substantial solid note weight.



As for its tonality and sonic profile, BLON Z300 is a warm, V-shaped sound signature with boosted bass, recessed midrange and just a slightly elevated treble region particularly on the upper-mids up to the presence part.


Here are some of my observation regarding its overall sound characteristics.


LOWS/BASS:

Since I'm quite familiar on HBB's tuning target curve, he wants a more warmer tuning and low frequencies should have solid and well-texture note weight to give more authority and tactuality on drum bass kicks and basslines.

I perceive the general presentation of its bass that focuses more on the mid-bass rather than to carry through a rumbling sound from its lowest bass region. It gives a more emphasis on note weight on bass drum kick to sound full but it sounds a tad hollow and dull sound while on bass guitars, they have this mellow and hollow sound which give that lack of growl and roar. Bass-baritones fare a bit better as it has that weight that can deliver that dim and wool-like sound characteristic of this particular vocal type. It is also noted that its low frequencies really smudge across to other frequencies that make it really veiled and murky sounding.



MIDRANGE:

Like the previous BLON models, due to that inherent bass smearing, it overwhelms the quality and quantity of the midrange and Z300 still has those characteristics. It warms up a bit too much to the point it affects the clarity, energy and vividness of some female vocals and instruments like strings and woodwinds. The presentation of the midrange frequencies are notable recess on this one.

Males vocals especially on baritones will have its plush and rich characteristics and female vocals like contralto and some lower register mezzo-soprano vocals have its husky, heft and dark tone. Don't expect the sound quality of tenors, countertenors and sopranos as Z300 will not render them properly as they sound dull, lifeless and lethargic.

On instruments, Z300's also affects the tonal quality of instruments especially on strings like violins and guitars as they sound a bit too warm, buttery, austere and soft in my liking. Same with woodwinds like concert flutes sounds too mellow, aspirating and dull as I listen to some orchestra tracks and also some random Jethro Tull tracks. Percussives are somehow decent on this one as toms and snare drums have that hard and booming sound from them while chordophones like pianos have a more warmer and sombre sound. Bass trumpets and bass trombones fare better on this one as they sound fuller and warmer with darker timbre.



HIGHS/TREBLE:

This particular frequency that this set has projects a rather smooth and relaxed quality from the upper mids to the presence part of the treble region. This will also give you a non-sibilant and zero-harshness that will give us a pleasant listening session but there's an underlying caveat on this one. Due to its leaning towards a more darker sound, it will not have that crisp, clarity and detail that detail lovers and analytical-type of listeners will prefer to.

Cymbals sound soughing and dull on how I perceived it but portrays well the sound of hi-hats with its shortened buzzing quality. The brilliance treble on this one was rather mediocre as it has a modest amount of air that has less sparkle and impeded harmonics.



SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

I'll be straight on this one, like its previous predecessors, it has a rather meagre technical performance. It has a narrow to average soundstage width but somehow it has a decent height ceiling and an acceptable depth from front to rear.

It has a two-dimensional, typical basic two-channel stereo panning presentation where you will be able to locate the arrangement of instruments and singers but not in a well-pinpoint manner. It has rather a modest separation but layering is apathetic and poorly executed as it is incompetently defining the tonal and frequency layers within its sonic canvas that will be badly performed on more complex music genres like jazz ensemble, movie scores and orchestras.

As for coherency, it performs decently as it delivers a moderate transient speed and decay, and at least I don't encounter any out of phase issues. Regarding its resolution capability It has a more solid macro-dynamics but micro-detail retrieval is a scant one due to its blunted definition on extracting nuances and subtleties from the audio tracks.



PEER COMPARISONS:


KIWI EARS CADENZA

■ While Z300 have a shell chassis made of metal alloy shells, Cadenza shells are made of medical-grade resin. They have a similar amount of inclusions but the product presentation of Cadenza is a bit better.

■ Compared to Z300, Cadenza sound profile has a more neutral approach as it has mild-U shaped tonality. It has less punchy and tighter bass response but it has cleaner quality, it has a more neutral and a transparent midrange with just a sufficient warmth on it and a similar treble response but it has a tad shimmer to give a sense of clarity and detail.

■ On technical performance, Cadenza has a tad better soundstage lateral span, similar imaging aspect, a bit better separation and detail retrieval though it has less solid macro-dynamics compare to Z300.



BLON-03

■ For shell design as both sets have metal alloy shells, BLON-03 has a rather peculiar shell design that proper insertion is impossible to achieve due to its too short nozzle length and fitting will be problematic. Cable is also a mediocre one too.

■ As for tuning, it has warm V-shaped sound signature as it has more boomy and bloated bass response, too warm and too recessed midrange and darker treble that treble air is almost non-existent.

■ Both these models have a mediocre technical performance in my opinion and BLON-03 has a narrower sound field that gives me a congested presentation.



SIMGOT EW100P

■ EW100P shells are made of composite materials and have a smaller size compared to Z300. It takes a leaf-like form factor with a teardrop design on its face plate, it has a lesser amount of inclusions but the product presentation is way better.

■ Its tuning is more of a Harman-ish one which has a leaner U-shaped sound signature. It has more emphasis on the sub bass, a tad recessed, spare note weight and transparent midrange presentation and a more accentuated upper mids to presence treble region which makes a contrasting sonic profile with Z300.

■ When it comes to technical capabilities, EW100P has an edge as it has average sound/speaker stage and better separation and layering. Even detail retrieval on EW100P is even better than Z300.


It seems that BLON still takes some cues from their previous products. But finally, they made a good decision to take a sensible approach on implementing an improved shell chassis design which gives better wear to its users. So what does this product mean to us as audio enthusiasts? Well, BLON Z300 will not give us a very technical and high fidelity experience as it performs poorly on those aspects but it gives you that fun, engaging and musical for a more casual listening enjoyment.


BLON Z300 is now available at LINSOUL, you can visit the provided unaffiliated link below.


★★BLON Z300 - LINSOUL★★


You can check out my reviews on other BLON product:


● BLON Z200



SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: BLON Z300
IMPEDANCE: 28Ω
SENSITIVITY: 115dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5MM
DRIVER UNIT(S): 1 DYNAMIC DRIVER


Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **


P.S.

I am not affiliated to LINSOUL or BLON nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to Daniel Miguel a.k.a @Berry108 for lending his review unit to me. I truly appreciate his generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.

Disclaimer: Linsoul loaned me with a review unit. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Unaffiliated product link.

Introduction & Packaging

BLON X HBB Z300 ($35) is another entry to the long list of collaboration IEMs from HawaiiBadBoy (or otherwise known as Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews on Youtube). I have owned several others of his collab IEMs in the past and even reviewed one of them here. I have to say, unlike Crinacle, who are very strict with his target signature, HBB took a wider range of sound signatures, ranging from neutral-balanced like the Tangzu Heyday or Tripowin Olina, warm-dark like QKZ x HBB, V-shaped with KZ X HBB PR2, and more. So, where does Z300 lie in this spectrum? I would say... at the root of it all.




It's no secret about HBB's love for BLON BL03, which is in fact reflected by his very first collab, the Tripowin Mele as an attempt to recreate the magic of BL03. Alas, while I think Mele was a good IEM, it did not really recapture BL03's musicality and timbre in my opinion. My short time with Mele was enjoyable nevertheless. Now with the 'oppoty' to work with BLON directly, this is HBB's second attempt to do what he set out to do in the first place. And, spoiler alert, I think he did way better than his previous attempt.

The packaging is simple, with the IEM, cable, 6 pairs of tips, and a cloth carrying case. Nothing much to really point out about the eartips and the carrying case. The biggest highlights are definitely the cable and the IEM itself. The cable is a beautifully braided 4-core copper cable, which is decently thick and feels very premium in hand. The IEM housing is all metal, 18K gold-plated zinc alloy for the gold colourway option which I have for review. There is another blue colourway which is also made out of zinc alloy with matte painting. Honestly, having it on my hands, I really thought it's way more expensive than it is.




Now, with the competition under $50 getting so heated up, how does Z300's sound stack up?

Sound Impression

Sources: Topping D90SE/A90D stack, Fiio M11S, L&P W2-131 (all single-ended)
Setup: Large stock eartips (white large), stock cable
Music Sources: Local FLAC (redbook/hi-res), Tidal Masters, Apple Music Lossless

Listening impression is a very subjective experience depending on individual ear shape, choice of eartips, music library, and personal preferences, so your experience may vary.

Z300 can be described as a relaxed, warm-dark tuned IEM with a slight V-shaped profile. It has good extensions on the subbass, but has a slight roll-off at the upper treble region. The mids are not perfectly neutral, but that's not the aim of the tuning direction after all. The Z300 is all about fun and musicality.

While Tripowin Mele was trying to get close to BLON BL03 in terms of raw graph tuning, I feel that Z300 is trying to get to the spirit of BL03, focusing on the smoothness of the sound presentation while keeping the richness of the tones. What I find lacking in Mele was the lack of tightness in the notes and overall sluggishness, which are thankfully addressed in Z300. However, I do think that it is indeed targeted to a specific set of music libraries like slow rock, classical, jazz, or hiphop, making it less all-rounder in my opinion. That said, for theese genres, Z300 is indeed very enjoyable.

Bass

I find the bass in Z300 to be its strongest point. Its subbass extends very well, gliding smoothly into midbass. The bass is tight enough to render decent textures, but not so tight to make it sound too dry. The bassline in "Seven Nation Army" by White Stripes are reproduced beautifully, with enough energy and details of each twang of the distorted guitar.

Midrange

There are a fair amount of bleed from midbass into the mids, but not to a degree where it affects the listening experience. Vocals do suffer a bit here, especially with female vocals. Male vocals fare better with quite an oomph whenever the right low notes are hit. I personally like vocal jazz with the Z300 here, something like "Hajimete no Chuu" by Platina Jazz feat. Niklas Gabrielsson. This is, again, another example of genre specificity that Z300 excels in.

Treble

The treble is leaning slightly towards dark without losing ground too much from the bass. It does have enough contrasting energy to provide decent amount of details without being piercing or sibilant. It does have adequate extension and air up top, but not fantastic. However, treble is definitely not the main focus here and I doubt this will affect the listening enjoyment that much.

Technicalities

For the price point, Z300 is quite above average in technicalities overall. Soundstage is medium-wide, still pretty much sounding near to your head in one giant blob. Imaging is surprisingly good (plus point for those who want to game with this). The layering is actually good due to the pretty responsive driver. Details retrieval is quite average. With a more complex track like "Change" by Monkey Majik feat. Yoshida Brothers, I do find the Z300 does not overly mush the instruments together and I can still piece out the shamisen from the rest of the bands.

Select Comparisons

BLON BL03 (about $28 at the time of writing):
I do find BL03 is less technical compared to Z300. Resolution and layering are certainly better with Z300. However, there is something about BL03 where the musicality seems to be in the right spot, and that is probably the reason why it leaves so much good impression from people who experienced it (might be a rose-tinted nostalgia glasses here). That said, Z300 still managed to come close to BL03's experience while providing a more updated technicalities to compete with current models, as well as a less awkward form factor compared to BL03. I do think Z300 is a worthy successor to BL03.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza ($35):
This is a bit more complicated personally. Cadenza is pretty much my favourite set under $50, with amazing price-performance ratio and good build quality. I personally think that Z300 has a better build quality and accessories, however I do like Cadenza's genre flexibility better. Cadenza's tuning is more of neutral with bass boost, which tends to be the more versatile one. I do think, however, in the genres like jazz, slow rock, or classical, Z300 does perform much better. Overall, if you like Cadenza and wish for something a little darker than it, Z300 might be your answer.

Venture Electronics SIE ($99):
This is quite a bit of a leap in terms of price, but hear me out... I think Z300 does sound like SIE's little brother. The tuning direction is similar, the build is similarly all-metal, and it seems that the only differentiating point here is the technical performance. VE SIE has a better treble extension and resolution. Additionally, due to SIE's driver superiority, I find it less limited in the genre pairing too. However, as I alluded many times earlier, with correct genre pairing Z300 can easily match others in much higher price bracket, SIE included.

Conclusion

Z300 is a very fine IEM, balancing musicality and technicality at a very competitive price point. With the included accessories and build quality, I do think we have a hit on our hand here. While its staying power is yet to be proven against BL03 as of writing, I do have confidence that this will be a nice addition to anyones collection in a long time.

Introduction

If there is a brand that has been guilty of having created one of the best known hypes of recent years, it is BLON, or WGZBLON, rather. Founded in 2014, its catalogue includes the BL-03, a model that it has not yet been able to surpass. But, with that in mind, the brand is announcing new models. On this occasion, it has had the tuning help of the omni-present HBB, to create a new $40 model that stands out for its metal construction and good cable. The Z300s come in a choice of two colours: a gold and a dark matte blue. Both choices have the same dragon pattern on their outer face. Their body is made of zinc alloy, while inside, a 10mm dynamic driver with a silicon diaphragm has been chosen, which is designed to be rigid and flexible at the same time, with the intention of producing a sound with high precision and detail. In the following review we will see what these new IEMS created by WGZBLON, together with reviewer HawaiiBadBoy of "Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews", have to offer.



Specifications

• Driver Type: 10mm dynamic driver with silicon diaphragm.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz.
• Sensitivity: 115dB
• Impedance: 28Ω
• Capsule: Gold-plated (18-carat gold plated). Matte blue (spray-painted).
• Jack connector: SE 3.5mm gold-plated.
• 3.5mm 4-core high purity copper cable (non microphone version)/3.5mm silver-plated cable (microphone version, with single button).
• Cable length: 1.2m.
• Capsule Connection Type: 2 Pin 0.78mm.

Packaging

The WGZBLON x HBB Z300 comes in a small white box, size 103x75x34mm, whose main side is decorated with a dragon drawn in blue. The HBB logo is located on the top left. In the centre is the brand name. At the bottom, at the bottom, is the motto "Oppoty & Driams Pt.2", written without a hint of regret. Finally, in the bottom left-hand corner is the model name. On the back is the name of the brand, reminding us that it has been active since 2014. In the centre are the specifications, in Chinese and English. Underneath are the brand's contact details, while a headquarters in Dongguan (China) and another in Leipzig (Germany) are highlighted.
After removing the sliding cover from the box, a transparent plastic lid protects the product. The capsules are housed inside a white foam base, lined with white cardboard. The letters R and L are written under the IEMS and, below, in the centre, is the name of the model, followed by the other slogans that have made the brand famous. Below this layer are the rest of the accessories. In a nutshell:

• The two Z300 capsules.
• The classic cloth bag.
• 3 pairs of black silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• 3 pairs of white silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• One 4-core high purity copper cable with 3.5mm SE plug (non microphone version).
• One instruction manual.

Without a doubt, the best feature is the cable, along with the build quality and design of the capsules. A zipped pouch is missing, but the classic fabric pouch with the Blon logo is added.



Construction and Design

Undoubtedly, if there is one thing that has characterised Blon, it has been its build quality. It is clear that its design has wanted to be distinctive, moving away from common shapes. But, on this occasion, the capsule does have a more classic and regular shape, and the difference lies in the golden dragon drawn on the outer face. There are two models, one golden, 18-carat gold-plated and the other dark blue matt, spray-painted. In my case, the model for this review is the dark matte blue one. The dragon is painted in gold ink. The outer face is shaped like an equilateral triangle with rounded corners, or that classic African continent shape. The size of the capsules is medium, with a very nice matte/rough finish, which keeps digital smudges away. They are not very thick. The brand name is inscribed on the rim, along with the lettering that identifies the channel. The 2Pin 0.78mm connection is surface mounted on a rigid, translucent plastic plate. The inner side has a first flat part, in the half furthest from the nozzles. There is a hole in it. After a slight rise is the second half, which is the base of the nozzles. On this rising face there is also another hole. The nozzles are located on a flat, inclined face, forming part of the same body. The nozzle starts with a smaller diameter cylinder of 4.55mm. The outer edge of the nozzle is larger at 5.5mm and is protected by a metal grid. The approximate length is about 4mm. It should be noted that the construction is quite good, as is the detailing, but the capsules are heavy in the hands.
If there is one thing that has also improved significantly, it is the cable. Made of 4 strands of high purity copper, it is notable for its inner braiding. The plug is gold-plated and 3.5mm SE. The sleeve is a mirror-finished metal cylinder, slightly depressed in the middle. The splitter piece is another cylinder, completely regular, in this case, with the brand name inscribed inside. The pin is a small ring with the same mirror finish. The cable has over-ear guides and the 2Pin 0.78mm connectors are internal and are inside a whitish plastic sleeve.
It is clear that the cable and its shiny copper colour have raised the quality of the set, and the more common capsule design also helps, both in terms of ergonomics and attractiveness.
Sometimes you don't have to invent the wheel to offer quality and a nice, attractive design. I believe that Blon has taken wise and sound advice.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

With a more classic and common capsule shape, ergonomics are less critical. In fact, the design of the inner side in two planes is noticeable as it favours the coupling in the pinna. The insertion in my ears is immediate, there is hardly any friction. The curves fit well, avoiding rotation. The inclination of the nozzles is correct and the only drawback is that they are a bit short. Their diameter is not large, with the top diameter being 5.5mm. With a length of 4mm, the insertion is simply shallow, very suitable for my large foam-filled tips. The level of isolation I get is high, with a fairly durable fit. The downside is the weight, although the fit is very good, the weight of the capsules could have a negative influence on the weight of the capsules, if you are doing active sports activities. For walking, though, there would be no problem. The over-ear cable guides are effective and hardly annoying, which guarantees a long-lasting use without any problems.



Sound

Profile

In my opinion, the BLON x HBB Z300s have a warm tuning, with a good lift in the sub-bass area, while the mid-highs are sustained and the treble has a good balance between presence, extension and energy level, but without breaking the equilibrium and maintaining a certain level of smoothness.



Bass

The bass colour has a tendency towards darkness, which adds to the warmth of the sound. However, there is also a touch of fuzziness in its execution. The definition is not very high, but the tone is realistic. Certainly, in the pure tone test, one feels that the bass is more sensory and is executed with naturalness and realism. In this sense, its reproduction becomes very pleasant and uncoloured.
Texturally, it has a good to remarkable amount of it. It is not a very rough or descriptive bass, but it is not soft or smooth either, which adds a rougher and more enjoyable point, very much in keeping with that dark colour. Although the punch is consistent and relatively restrained, it lacks a bit of viscerality, but it enjoys good dryness and recovery, but not quite a remarkable one. There is a little bit of savoury aftertaste that lingers just long enough to add a hint of fun and juice. But, in the end, technically speaking, the level of definition and resolution is not outstanding, but it holds up quite well. Perhaps, the sense of darkness penalises a more skilful and descriptive rendering. The generation of layers and the reproduction of complex lines tends to shy away from a simplistic presentation, trying to offer more planes and an effort when executing complicated basses. However, the end result remains "good".



Mids

The warmth and darkness is transferred to the midrange and is coupled with a somewhat diffuse feeling in the sound. This is not a transparent or luminous representation, but is accompanied by some haze, which limits the technical capabilities of the ensemble. Edges and details do not feel defined, but rather soft, by no means sharp. This perception helps to generate a musical and relaxed impression of the mids, with a more marked sense of density, body and physicality, but without edges, or delicacy of detail. The note weight is thicker, rounded, without sharpness. In this way, the nuances are more noticeable on a macro level. With a darker sound and a more diffuse representation, the background is less discernible and the uniqueness of the details is more complex to notice. Even so, there is a certain quality to trying to express and tease out some of the hidden mid-frequency detail that is eloquent and noteworthy. That's right, despite the thick weight of the notes and that dark, fuzzy feel, the Z300s do have a few tricks up their sleeve, in the form of incipient, though not obvious, detail.
The presence of the voices is average, while the sense of body allows the male voices to possess a more powerful base, though without standing out in closeness or projection. The female voices, devoid of marked brightness, feel closer, thanks to the sustained tuning of the mid-highs. But even so, they are controlled, even soft. That feeling carries over to the sibilance, completely at bay, though with some grace, not to say sparkle. Overall, the second half of the mids possesses a certain excitement, though perhaps more controlled than necessary, something that calms the sound, but also limits the clarity, the light, the sense of transparency and separation.



Treble

Again, my surprise is in the treble. I like the extension ratio up to the air zone and the level of energy it possesses. This combination gives a realistic feel, a natural and fuller sparkle. I like to think that the inexpensive dynamic drivers are not only winning in the low end, but they also offer good performance in the treble, adding a more appropriate, accurate and balanced timbre to the sound. It's not a nuanced or filed down sound, but the treble has its own life and representation, not just serving the rest of the band. Realistically, though, no one is looking for bold flare, crisp treble or sharp, thin notes. The finesse of the notes is at that familiar, pleasing point, with a soft and gentle tendency, but with a little bit of sparkle to border on the non-boring neutrality of the high end. The limit is in the air zone, a point where almost all end up perishing in the same way.



Soundstage, Separation

The Z300s excel in depth, with bass that is capable of delivering good volume, flooding the scene on a physical level and expanding the sound a little beyond the average. Thus, although the performance is predominantly front-firing, there is a good lateral range that does not exceed 180 degrees, although there is a good level of presence on both sides. Headroom is good and there is a subtle volatile point despite the mixed sense of density, darkness, haze and warmth. It is never flat, bland or lacking in dynamics. Clearly, with such a background, the sense of transparency is not very evident, the notes don't feel far apart, but there is no sense of congestion or oppressive density. Without being particularly technical, the Z300s manage to come out quite well in these technical matters, even though, at first, it might seem quite the opposite. In short, a sum of slightly negative features does not limit a level of detail, scene and separation that is more than acceptable for their price and technical abilities. With such an approach, I have seen worse.



Comparisons

TinHiFi C3

The TinHiFi C3 is one of TinHiFi's C-series IEMS based on a similar curve within the latest IEMS the brand has released. Specifically, the C3s have the most sub-bass-emphasised curve of the set, something that enhances their fun factor. In terms of price, the C3s retail for $49, while the Z300s are priced at $39. The C3s are constructed of smooth, polished resin, weigh very little and have very high ergonomics, superior to the Z300s, which are slightly less well integrated and heavier. A quick switch between the two reveals how much more comfortable the C3s are than the Z300s. As for the cable, it's good on both, silver on the C3s, with fatter connectors, made up of 4 strands as well. Whereas on the Z300s, the cable is a striking copper. I could say that the cable on the C3s, although I'm not a big fan of silver plating, is softer and more manageable. And, on a personal note, I would add copper to the C3s and silver to the Z300s.
In terms of sound, the C3s are subtly more sensitive, a higher volume is achieved with the same energy.
The profile of the two is not the same, with much more light, transparency and clarity in the C3s. While the Z300s are characterised by a clear veil and a feeling of darkness. Comparing the two graphics, the differences are clear. While the low end has similarities, the C3's bass is cleaner, slightly more visceral and better executed, with more resolution, definition, a cleaner and clearer punch, as well as a more discernible texture. It is clear that the difference in light is also noticeable in the bass. You even feel that the bass is faster and more concise in the C3s.
But it is in the mids where the difference between the two is most apparent. The graph reveals this. While the Z300s are warm and dense, the C3s are clearer, more transparent and energetic. Their sound is brighter and cleaner, details are more perceptible. Male vocals feel less lively on the Z300s, slightly more recessed. The liveliness of the C3s is more forward, revealing a greater amount of nuance, giving a more natural and accurate timbre, although it is also thinner and more delicate. The harmonic quality is more remarkable in the TinHiFi. And this is also noticeable in the female voices. They, on the Z300s, are not able to stand out with the level of presence, clarity and transparency that they do on the C3s.
If you look at the graph, you might think that the trebles have a similar tuning. But, in practice, the Z300's treble is softer, while the C3's has more energy, more crunch, more presence, but also more danger, because it is sharper and punchier. The Z300s are softer and I could say that, for many, they are sufficient. If you want more presence in the upper zone, the C3s have it.
The increased sense of dynamics, brightness, transparency and clarity bring more separation and a more ethereal feel to the C3 scene. There is better detail and a more discernible dark background gives you a more perceptible level of separation, as well as more precise and concise positioning.
Are the WGZBLON x HBB Z300 the warm and dark version of the TinHiFi C3? They could be, but they are also less detailed and soft, veiled, even nuanced. Only in their weight and build level could they be superior. But to each his own. You might also think that the C3s can be a bit excessive and tiring in some cases.



Conclusion

WGZBLON resists being a "One-Hit Wonder" brand. This time, it has chosen the famous reviewer HawaiiBadBoy of "Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews", to achieve a new success.
This time, the Z300s have improved in design and ergonomics. It's a more traditional shape with a finish in two options, a matte blue and a shiny, polished gold finish. The capsules are slightly heavy, but the ergonomic improvement is evident and the design moves away from previous risks. The cable is also an improvement, while the packaging remains traditional. In terms of sound, the BLON x HBB Z300s have a warm, slightly dark, subtly veiled midrange profile, with soft, but well-represented and extended treble. The low end is the most energetic range, while the mids feed on density, darkness and warmth to deliver a somewhat fuzzy, mid-distance presentation that lacks some brightness, clarity and transparency. Fortunately, the treble avoids sinking into the sound, helping to maintain balance and homogeneity throughout the sound range. The result is a subtly L-shaped sound, where the mids don't quite stand out, nor do the technical qualities. However, there is an incipient level of detail, a relatively wide and deep soundstage, as well as fun, effective and harmonious aspects, which make for long, even pleasurable, listening.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.
• Aune Flamingo.
• Hidizs AP80 PRO-X Red Copper LE.
• TempoTec Variations V6.
• Xduoo Link2 BAL.
• Burson Audio Playmate.

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

Review OF The Blon X HBB Z300

Introduction

It is not surprising that most audiophiles have positive opinions of the Blon Company when it comes to their influence on the audiophile community, their influence on high-quality sound at reasonable prices, and especially their infamous Blon BL03 which attracted the attention of many seasoned audiophiles. Blon has released other IEMs, such as the BL05 and BL05s, which have a different signature than their typical V-shape tuning, in contrast to the tuning of the BL03 model. And now, for the first time, they have partnered with Hawaiian Bad Boy, a well-known audiophile reviewer and YouTuber who has recently released another project called the Blon X HBB Z300. Hawaiian Bad Boy is known throughout the audiophile community for his successful collaborative projects. And today I'll be doing a review of the Z300, but first I'd like to clear up a few things.

Disclaimer

*I am thankful to HBB himself and the kind staff at Linsoul for setting up this unit for review. The same is true for this evaluation as it has been for all of my evaluations: all of the ideas I've discussed below are wholly my own, original thoughts that haven't been influenced by anyone. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as "Z300."
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Z300 based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification

The Z300 is an IEM with a single dynamic driver that employs a 10mm silicone diaphragm and powerful magnets. The faceplate has a design inspired by dragons, and the shells are made of zinc alloy with a surface that is tough 18K gold plated. Despite feeling heavy in the hands, the shells are simple to put in and secure in the ears. There is never any discomfort, not even after extended use. The shells' sturdy construction feels promising. A 4 strand braided high purity cable wire with distinctive 2 pin connectors and a 3.5mm straight termination plug is included in the package. The 2 pin connectors on the cables included with BL03 and BL05 feel identical to this cable's connectors. The cable has a great quality feel and is pleasant to hold. The Z300 Package also includes a blon jute-like storage pouch and two different types of eartips in various sizes. Regarding the technical details, the sensitivity is 115dB, and the impedance is 28 Ohms. The range of the frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz.

Sound

This is the first time I've heard a tuning like this from Blon; I've heard their BL03, BL05, BL mini, etc., and they typically sound exciting or bright. The Z300 sounds balanced and has a smooth presentation, in contrast to the Bl03, which has a lot of mid bass and sub bass and seems to have a lot of energy in the upper mid range and lower treble. Basically, even though I was aware that HBB tuned it, Blon's unconventional tuning surprised me. The Tripowin Z300's sound is similar to the Tripowin Piccolo's in terms of perceived performance, with the exception that the Z300 has a less energetic upper midrange and lower treble than the Piccolo. The Z300, in my opinion, is more resolved and tonally superior even after being less energetic because of the balance between the two regions. The treble comes across as nicely expansive and full of good details, the mid range sounds forward and lively, and the bass responds with enough warmth to make up for the natural timbre that permeates the entire mix. Let's learn more about Z300's audio output.

Treble

When comparing the Z300's response to other IEMs in this price range, it is impossible to do so fairly. However, I can say that it is smoother than the Kiwi Ears Cadenza, denser than the Tin Hifi C2, more expansive and spacious than the QKZxHBB Khan, and more detailed than the Tripowin Piccolo. The treble is silky and smooth, and the notes' details are more than sufficient. The notes don't distort or become single notes or cause any noticeable or avoidable sibilance because the upper treble has nice extension. The vocals definitely stand out and sound complete, while still maintaining a natural sound throughout. Of course, the instruments sound playful, with good notes that are less sharp and produce lovely details. While Cadenza will likely respond similarly, this one sounds softer and more comforting. The C2 displays more details, but at the expense of note weight and lean note quality. The response fills and sounds more personal because the QKZxKhan is way too energetic. In comparison to the Piccolo's off balance in the lower and upper treble, the Z300 sounds even. To keep the energy balance between the upper and lower treble smooth and consistent, the Z300's lower treble sounds sufficiently energetic. The vocals stand out in the mix while the instruments are audible and distinct. Of course, no one in the area sounds in any way offensive. In conclusion, the treble region is presented in a seamless, comforting, and satisfying manner overall.

Mid Range

When compared to other IEMs, the midrange sounds forward and musical in the mix, and the transient flow of energy feels constant and intact. Upper midrange and lower treble energy are essentially equal in intensity. In comparison to other IEMs in this price range, I find the response to be more melodious and aesthetically pleasing. Obviously, the Cadenza outperforms every other IEM in terms of tonality, especially in the mid range, but the Z300's response is more precise and nuanced. The C2 and the Khan are either perceived as being more airy and lean or as being overly spirited or forward. Similar to the others, but with a more personal tone, is the Piccolo. The vocals in this rendition sound forward and possess enough energy to come across clean and pleasing. The upper mid range of the Z300 sounds realistic and clear. Instruments, on the other hand, sound more expressive and resist the tendency to sound metallic. The vocals and the instruments sound their best in this region, which maintains the organic timbre. I'd say the mid bass leaks in the lower mid range and by how much determines how dull or clean it can sound. The lower mid range builds the foundation of the natural characteristics of every note in the upper frequencies. Similar to how all other IEMs sound in this area, the bass' influence causes the response to behave differently. The C2 and the khan sound clear, compared to the dense and thick Cadenza and piccolo. The Z300 strikes a better balance between sounding dense and clean; the instruments and vocals sound thick and dense as they should while maintaining clear, easily recognisable notes. The bass notes also appear to be thick and organic, which is how they might actually sound. The mid range is presented overall in a lively, musical, and pleasant manner.

Bass

To be completely honest, I'd say that the bass hits HBB's target preference perfectly. There is just enough bass to bring out the warmth and organic timbre while still being effective. Because the bass response of the Piccolo is one or two dB less than that of the Z300, the bass is more expansive and explosive than the Piccolo. However, because the Piccolo puts out a lot more impacts and hits, the bass may not feel as full on the Piccolo. However, the Khan's response is more explosive and quick, which some people may find overwhelming. If I were to discuss the control, the C2 would be the best-suited to handle it. Candenza excels in its ability to sound dense and organic while still being enjoyable to listen to. Although the presence of the mid range is really good, the bass on the Z300 is more prominent in the sub bass region. Similar to how the mid bass's slams are impactful and sound straightforward, the sub bass's response is well extended and induces a supple sensation of rumble in the ear canal with hard hitting punches. Sometimes, but usually when listening to bass-heavy tracks, the bass can become boomy. When compared to instruments like Piccolo or Cadenza, the bass is more textured and the note details are good. Even the bass guitar sounds natural with that thick and slamming response, thanks to the impressively realistic vibe that kick drum or toms produce. Overall, the bass response is powerful, punchy, and well-done.

Technical Performance

Regarding technical performance, the Z300 does face off against other IEMs in this price range, so I consider its capabilities to be higher than those of an average IEM. The imaging is sharp and the stage is wide enough to sound spacious. The notes are really well separated from one another as well. The resolution is good, particularly how expressively the macro details appear, and the speed of resolvability is comparable to other IEMs in this price range.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation

The stage set is effectively organised and constructed, and it is both wide and far. The notes' distant and distinct characteristics make them easy to distinguish, so the separation is really nice. Even though the imaging could be sharper, I still think it is better than the Piccolo and the Khan and can bring clarity to the mix.

Speed & Resolution

The resolution is also good, making it simple to approach macro details while finding enough interest in the micro details. Even though the attack and decay of notes could have been resolved more quickly, they are on par with other IEMs.

Sound Impressions

Sources

Tempotec V6 - The response of the Z300 sounds more clear and detailed when coupled with the V6. The mid range sounds forward and balanced, while the treble is more exuberant and full of good details. Because the bass is well-controlled and doesn't overpower the other tones, it sounds lively and crisp. I really like the pairing with the V6 because, aside from the imaging being sharper and the stage being larger, the technical performance feels the same.

Tracks Used

Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion

To be completely honest, I'm not as enthusiastic about many of the audiophile collaborations as I am about the Z300 to recommend them. Their price point is reasonable, their build quality is promising, their sound is excellent for the money, and their tuning is excellent, with a great balance between the bass and higher frequencies. I would still say that these perform better than they are priced, even with my slight bias in favour of the tuning because it perfectly matches my preferences. So, yes, I wholeheartedly advise anyone who appreciates a balanced sound signature and a sound that sounds more natural than detailed and bright to invest in the Blon X HBB Z300.