I also have both the SE215 and ZSX'es. I prefer the SE215 for live use. They isolate much more at gig levels (using Shure olive foam tips). They don't sound flat or anywhere near the same as FOH at alll, but I find they suit distorted guitar frequencies very well. They have an overly warm mid-range and cut off a lot of high end, so it is actually quite pleasing to use them for long sets. The ZSX sound more hi-fi for sure, a little but too much for my liking (kinda siblant, too much V shaped) for live use.
I happen to have been asked by my band-mates to suggest them some IEMs, since they are also finally ready to also make the switch. I'm partial to Shure or Mackie because of their reputation in the music business, durability, fit/comfort, isolation etc. However I'm still open to the Chi-Fi alternatives.
How are you liking the ZS10 Pro X'es?
Returned the se215s. Sennheisers won out of those two.
ZS10 Pro X's came in and they beat out the Sennheisers so those are going back too. I like the form of the Senns but they were hard to insert well. Tried all sorts and sizes of tips, Senns come with a good selection. Even tried the ones from the KZ'S, they fit on the earpieces but still hard to get in well. Somehow they are way harder to get tight enough for reasonable low end and comfy at the same time.
ZS10s are slightly smaller than ZSXs, small enough for me. ZS10 sound is comparable to ZSX so stronger low end and good clarity. Maybe I just like extra bass, though. I've always been more of a hifi guy than an amp-in-the-room guy. Not bothered by mids. Could always add some in the output EQ.
Fit is easy, I put these in and they're good. I don't get it, same tips. The ZS10s did come with a bad cable so I ordered some extra and use the ZSXs for now. I got some upgraded cables too but the double wired ones are heavy.
Haven't tried them live yet. They compare well to my speakers, so I'm pretty confident.
I sometimes read an online magazine about p&w music. They feature gear lists of well known artists in the p&w field. I've seen ZS10s on at least two already. Those guys really have budgets and pick them anyway. I think churches is currently the sector that's keeping the business alive. Some of those setups are unbelievable.
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Just now spent another hour or so comparing. The Senns are pretty good, but the tips don't fit me well, the Senns with the KZ tips are slightly better. I think the better/easier fit of the KZ is also due to it having slightly longer stems at a slightly different angle, so they stick into my earcanal differently.
With no music on and listening to my wife on a phone conversation there is no difference in isolation. The TRN Foam tips I have isolate slightly better and are a little smaller in sound bandwidth, less lows and highs. Which is counterintuitive but I guess the silicon's are just right for my ears.
Isolation isn't that much of a thing for me because we have an almost silent stage. Just can't get our drummer to go electric. I don't mind, I like a bit of drums crosstalk.
We don't have talkbacks so on occasion I need to pull my in-ears for on stage communication (skip next song!!!) so the speed of insertion is a thing for me.
Man, Guy Pratt's bass playing on Pink Floyd's Pulse Live is SO ON!
