Project Metavs.Zenith
Sound & Specs Comparison
Information
Both IEMs are widely regarded in the audiophile community. See how they differ in terms of sub-bass response, upper mids, clarity, and overall tonality. Spider charts and rating breakdowns included.
Objective Comparison
Facts, details, stuff.
| General Info | Project Meta | Zenith |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | CrinEar | KZ Earphones |
| Country | – | China |
| IEM Description | A debut IEM by Crinacle's CrinEar: a compact, full-aluminum flagship tuned to a “tilted Diffuse Field + bass boost” curve. Delivers vibrant mids, warm sub-bass, and clear treble—crafted for musical accuracy and comfort. | The KZ Zenith is a budget-friendly in-ear monitor that aims to deliver a fun and energetic sound signature. Designed with casual listeners in mind, it typically features boosted bass and lively treble, making it well-suited for modern genres like pop, EDM, and hip-hop. It’s a straightforward, no-frills option for those looking to upgrade from basic earbuds without breaking the bank. |
| Price Level | 100 – 500 | < 100 |
| Housing & Driver | ||
|---|---|---|
| Driver Config | – | Single Dyn. Driver |
| Driver Types | – | Dynamic Driver |
| Shell Material | – | – |
| Cable | – | – |
| Technical | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freq Range | – | – |
| Impedance (Ω) | – | – |
| Sensitivity (dB) | – | – |
| Crossover | – | – |
| Platform Info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comments | 0 | 0 |
| Visit Count | 96 | 69 |
| External Reviews | 1 | 0 |
Meta Ratings
Compared to Project Meta, Zenith creates a markedly wider and deeper soundstage, giving each instrument more space and depth. For comfort fit, It performs significantly better (8 vs 6.5). The tactile feel and solidity of It suggest considerably greater robustness and longevity compared to the more fragile impression left by Project Meta. Project Meta’s cable appears markedly more premium in both aesthetics and function, from its braid quality to termination.
| Project Meta | Zenith | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| Comfort Fit | 6.5 | 8.0 |
| Build Quality | 6.5 | 9.0 |
| Stock Cable | 6.5 | 4.5 |
| Accessories | 6.0 | – |
Sound Characteristics
Low-frequency extension on Project Meta feels overwhelmingly more natural and authoritative, while Zenith lacks some reach (6 vs 2). The low-end on It is d more controlled and rhythmic, offering better definition than Zenith (6 vs 4). It adds a more body and slam to bass hits, which makes it feel more physical than Zenith (6.5 vs 3). Zenith reproduces female vocals and strings with c more air and forwardness, while Project Meta remains recessed (8.5 vs 5.5). Instruments like violins and brass are portrayed with c more brilliance on It, while Project Meta sounds slightly dull (8.5 vs 7.5). It captures ambient cues and reverbs m more precisely through its upper treble, enhancing spatial perception over Project Meta (8.5 vs 6.5). It creates a s wider soundstage, giving instruments more space and a better sense of placement than Project Meta (7.5 vs 6). The retrieval of faint audio cues on It is a more convincing, while Project Meta tends to gloss over them (8.5 vs 6). It avoids frequency masking e more successfully, preserving clarity across the spectrum better than Project Meta (6.5 vs 5.5). It adds a more body and density to musical notes, enriching the overall texture compared to Project Meta (6.5 vs 6). Percussion and quick attacks feel m more physical and punchy on Project Meta, adding excitement over Zenith (6 vs 3). The upper range of vocals is overwhelmingly cleaner and more forgiving on It, helping it avoid sibilant harshness that Zenith shows (6.5 vs 2.5). Zenith presents instrument timbre with m more natural coloration, giving a realistic tone that Project Meta lacks (9.5 vs 6). Across the frequency range, It stays n more consistent in tonal balance, resulting in a smoother listen than Project Meta (9.5 vs 6). Subtle ridges and granularity are conveyed overwhelmingly more clearly on It, adding life that Project Meta doesn’t quite match (9.5 vs 5.5).
| Project Meta | Zenith | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub Bass | 6.0 | 2.0 |
| Bass | 6.0 | 4.0 |
| Bass Feel | 6.5 | 3.0 |
| Lower Mids | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Upper Mids | 5.5 | 8.5 |
| Lower Treble | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Upper Treble | 6.5 | 8.5 |
| Sound Stage Width | 6.0 | 7.5 |
| Detail | 6.0 | 8.5 |
| Layering | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Masking | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| Note Weight | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Slam | 6.0 | 3.0 |
| Sibilance | 6.5 | 2.5 |
| Timbre Color | 6.0 | 9.5 |
| Tonality | 6.0 | 9.5 |
| Texture | 5.5 | 9.5 |
Tonal Signature
// Nothing to compare yet.