CTZ 6 IEM review everyone. Chi-fi brands really this obsession with acronyms in choosing their brand name, we’ve got KZ, TRN, BGVP, CCA and so much more, so what better way to join in on the fun than to blend in with the trend and hopefully, just maybe, create a better name for themselves than their contemporaries. CTZ as a new blood has some noticeable lack of background history which leaves us with not much to know aside from the usual fact that they are based off CN and that one of their loftier IEM offerings is here for a CTZ 6 review is a great start.

The unit used in this CTZ 6 IEM review was sent in by Linsoul Audio in exchange for an honest review and no monetary factors are involved. Linsoul Audio started to make a name for themselves as a “go-to” audiophile online store which paved the way for a more consumer-centric approach with their unique way of interacting especially with their dedicated Discord channel so as to have an online brainstorming platform among current Linsoul users, reviewers and staff. You can check them out at their official Linsoul Audio website or cop the CTZ 6 off their Amazon storefront or join in on the fun on their Linsoul Discord channel.

The CTZ 6 features 6 Balanced Armature drivers in clear resin shell and spec’d out with a 20 to 20 kHz Frequency Response, 16 Ohm Impedance and a 128 dB Sensitivity with a price tag of $199.

Packaging and Build Quality

The packaging that came with my CTZ 6 IEM review unit was part of CTZ’s initial packaging design which has been updated already so you might get a different type although the supposed included accessory set is still the same. The packaging came in a silver-colored magnet flap box type with the metallic CTZ brand logo on top. Inside reveals the totality of the CTZ 6 package which rests on black foam cutouts for protection. Here’s what’s included in the accessory set:

• 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
• Airline adapter
• Set of silicone ear tips with differently colored bores (S, M and L)
• Warranty card and Product Manual (In Chinese)

Utilizing a UIEM design, the CTZ 6 employs Germany sourced resin and only comes in only one shell color; clear, and one faceplate design; glittered purple right earpiece and glittered blue left earpiece with both sporting a metallic silver CTZ logo. The seams are both smooth and even with the shell possessing well placed ear contours that fitted well on my ears. The nozzle is made of metal and can easily be shown to be enjoined with the clear shell, a traditional earphone nozzle mesh is also present which is safely secure as I tried to prod it and its stays immovable.

A lip is also present which made for an easy ear tip rolling experience. The protruding 2-pin female connectors are sturdy and hopefully stays as it is over time. The overall build quality of the CTZ 6 is great and its usage of a clear shell gives us a peek into the numerous BA driver tube network as well as the crossover which are done efficiently but not neatly. The clear resin shell also has a great way of staying completely transparent despite the various color hues inside the shell.

The CTZ 6 stock cable is like the big brother of Fearless Audio’s stock cable, both in build and appearance. It utilizes the usual round braid which has great tension to it and shows no uneven braids which is the total opposite of the Fearless Audio stock cable (which they have updated already). The right angled gold-plated 3.5mm jack is housed in metal which is reminiscent of the BGVP DM6 3.5mm housing.

The Y-split is once again made of metal and goes back to the Fearless Audio stock cable similarity. Same factory? Maybe yes, maybe no. A silicone cable cinch is also present which works great in securing a better fit. A fixed over-ear guide is also present which is very secure, flexible and convenient to use and place on your ears. It terminates in a metal 2-pin(.78mm) housing which is also protected by the same silicone on the fixed over-ear guide and is marked by a red round strip for Right and a blue round strip for Left. There is minimal microphonic noise and given the great braiding job done on it, storage is easy and doesn’t retain tangles as much as a other round braided cable does.

Tonality and Isolation

You do know that the CTZ 6 features 6 Balanced Armatures, right? My initial expectations of how the CTZ 6 would sound clearly shows what it packs inside. There’s no real marketed sound for the CTZ 6 except that it was supposed to sound balanced and “to be distinguished by voice”. These same claims are indeed showcased by the CTZ 6 with its overall balanced sound signature and slight emphasis on the midrange frequency. The usual lack of low-end power on BA drivers is also present on the CTZ 6.

Given the CTZ 6’s UIEM design, its isolation doesn’t fall short of expectations and indeed gives great isolation with its accurately constructed universal ear profile. It doesn’t feel tunneling at all but instead offers great passive noise cancelling effect. While the included ear tips are not bad, I still tried 3^rd party ones and found that the medium-sized Final Audio Type E ear tips worked best for me. I used the Sony WM1A music player as well as the Sony CAS-1 desktop system off the MSI GF62-8RE laptop via Foobar2000 v1.4 which was used on my other reviews as well, outputting various FLAC files which would be mentioned along the CTZ 6 IEM review.

Lows

Pumping up DeadMau5’s Cat Thruster in 16/44 FLAC, the CTZ 6 was able to render an enjoyable but non-overwhelming low-end frequency experience. Its sub bass delivery was thick and had a nice rumble to it while offering a mid-bass that sounded thumpy and tight. There were moments that I noticeably thumped my feet harder and be left lacking with how the overall bass performance was showing a shortfall of impact and power. Although there were no boomy bass drop extension impression and no overload of lingering sub bass presence, the still distinct lack of bass brunt was too recognizable to let it go. A clear no go for the bassheads.

Midrange

In my personal progression towards this hobby, I’ve come to learn that a sweet midrange is never an unwelcome aspect in an IEM. This very characteristic can sometimes hold the ground for an IEM despite being lackluster in the low-end and higher frequencies. The CTZ 6 offers a lower midrange that is full-bodied. Vocals are where the magic happens for the CTZ 6 as it is able to furnish a lush and detailed midrange outcome which worked well with acoustic tracks such as rocking Michael Bublé’s Crazy Little Called Love in 16/44 FLAC. The upper midrange is slightly boosted which gives the overall midrange frequency more joie de vivre and in turn give out an engaging experience. Using the CTZ 6 extensively on various movie marathons and live streams was also amusing as it is able to execute clear and distinct verbal exchanges. How the CTZ 6 handles its midrange is the reason you’d be interested to get this, it’s a excellent carrier of the moniker, Mids is life.

Highs

The boost on the upper midrange makes its mark towards the higher frequencies. The treble has observable extension giving it a crisp and snappy character. It is borderline sharp and there’s occasional sudden peaks but doesn’t reach piercing levels. Sibilance isn’t present. Maroon 5’s Harder to Breathe in 16/44 FLAC sounded sweet and precise and the sudden treble presence are handled well. It doesn’t sound distorted but instead gives a good deal of rasp that further pushes the fact that the CTZ 6 is a joy to listen to for trebleheads like myself.

Soundstage and Imaging

The CTZ 6 has an innate intimate soundstage while giving great imaging results which highlights its ability to render great instrument and vocal positioning. Left to right and right to left panning is also easily observable. Depth and layering aren’t the best though, but a semblance of hierarchy is still perceptible. Overlapping instrument tunes are absent but instead gives focus on instrument resolution and clarity.

Conclusion

The CTZ 6 IEM is a typical case of ignoring what’s right in front of you by the sheer reason that a prejudice has been already made given the initial spec sheet it has. The CTZ 6’s non-revolutionary design and form reinforces this idea but where things changes are when you get to take it out for a spin for a great deal of time which slowly gives you reasons to like it. Its balanced sound signature that is highlighted by a lush midrange and great detail retrieval and clarity is hard to resist. Comfort is also surprisingly impressive and with the right pair of ear tips, the CTZ 6 can be a total comfort beast. Their brand name scheme might be too mainstream but with the 6, CTZ has created an IEM that’s worthy of being in anyone’s collection.