TFZ Balance 1 — good sound of low budget IEMs
Starting to get lost in the significant amount of IEMs produced by such prolific brand as TFZ. One of their least expensive model with non-detachable cable and bullet-like shape is Balance 1 which should produce balanced and mellow sound according to the official description. This would be the first budget IEMs by TFZ in my hands. Hope that this model would not fall short of the expectations cause warm and mellow sound was always my preference.
TFZ Balance 1 technical specifications:
- Type: dynamic driver IEMs
- Driver: 9mm driver with dual magnetic circuit, 2-way crossover
- Diaphragm: graphene
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Sensitivity: 106dB/mW
- Frequency response range: 5Hz-40kHz
- Lowest power: 8mW
- Audio jack: 3.5mm, straight
- Cable: 1.2m, OFC
TFZ Balance 1 available at PenonAudio store
Packaging, design and build quality:
TFZ Balance 1 IEMs are shipped in a small and attractive box with cororful graphics, brand logos and model name. Short description is stated on the back side of the box. This box is much more compact to what TFZ designs for more expensive models and much less sturdy. Anyway, IEMs came unharmed, thanks to the 2 additional boxes for IEMs and accessories found inside.
Box contents:
- TFZ Balance 1 IEMs with integrated audio cable
- 7 pairs of silicone eartips
- pouch
- user manual
Soft pouch is pretty standard for the most of TFZ IEMs as well as a full set of silicone eartips of different sizes and in two different designs.
Balance 1 shells are made of aluminum with unibody construction. Therefore, no joints between the parts and very stiff feel. Design features partially ribbed surface, model name, channel indication and TFZ logos on the back side.
Two compensational opening / channel, one is near the sound output and another is near the cable. Output channels are protected by the aluminum grills. Cable has bending protection protruding from the shells for ~0.5cm.
Unfortunately, cable is not detachable. Good news is that it seems to be quite durable due to the thick silicone braid and high quality furniture all around. Besides, it is OFC, shared with other more expensive models and, hopefully, would live a long life and serve you well.
Fit:
No probs as always. Bullet-like shape is the second best type of IEM shells that would fit most of the ears. IEMs are not heavy, output channel length is pretty long — not finding anything negative to talk about here apart from the mic effect. It is pretty severe when cable touches cheekbones or clothes. Not as evident and fades aways as the music volume gets higher.
Sound quality:
Tested with HiBy R6Pro DAP
Lows and midbass:
This range sound pretty accurated and rather collected — not flowing far to the sides. Boundaries of the bass are clearly outlined and the texturing is evident. Although, the extension and volumetric feel is not that great. Lows might sound a bit obscured by the mids that are brought to front and have higher gain. The maturity of the sound picture doesn’t suffer too much from that as the bass stays perceprtible at all times and makes a good supplement. It just has slightly lower presence then mids or treble but still capable of showing the significant texturing and providing a good weight to the body of mids.
Midbass is generally doing well, sounding naturally and balanced. No peaking notes and no bright influence from treble. Drums sound engaging, assertiveness and dynamics are equally good.
Mids and vocals:
The most of the accent in Balance 1 is shared between mids and treble which seem to have similar gain and presence. Mids are brought to front, have full-bodied sound which is also can be defined as «thick». Female vocals are not shouting even with the highest notes and sound in overall has that sweet mellow feel. A little bit of pepper is added by the treble potion in a form of extra resolution on strings where you can hear the additional overtones and sparkles. Voices don’t have this much of detalization and the resolving potential in overall is moderate. Same goes to instrument separation — they might tend to mix at higher volume. To cunclude this part — mids feel thick, mellow and natural, with very slight amount of extra sharpness added by the treble.
Treble:
Treble is surprisingly detailed, gentle and accurate. Extension and clarity goes far beyound of what you’d expect from budget dynamic model. It doesn’t even sound too thick and sketchy. There are some tiny nuances that are made perceptible, reasonable accent and influence at other ranges. Sweet amount and wise tuning of treble with no negative effect in a form of extra brightness or sibilants.
Soundstage:
Huge soundstage is not among the virtues of Balance 1 model, unfortunately. Stage feels from moderate to narrow, depending of the amount of bass in the track and sound volume. As the volume gets higher — instruments start to mix. Less bassy track also means more narrow stage. Wouldn’t call Balance 1 bad in this respect, but far from being the best as well.
Sound in overall:
TFZ Balance 1 sound can be described as pretty balanced, tending slightly to a brighter tonality, with clear and texured lows, punchy midbass, standing out, thick and mellow mids, clear and extended treble. Soundstage is moderate. Good with any genres and music with small amount of instruments.
Compared to BQEYZ KB100:
BQEYZ KB100 are still my favorite IEMs in <$50 price range. They have the advantage of being a hybrid model with BA units responsible for more extended and detailed treble. Dynamic driver also does a perfect job of reproducing lows and adding thickness and warmth to mids. It also results in larger soundstage and better instrument separation. Balance 1, in its turn, are less bright, more thick on mids and have more comfortable fit.
Compared to Tanchjim Cora:
Cora and Balance 1 shows pretty similar behavior and sound tuning. Both have textured and accurate lows with quite thick mids and surprisingly good and extended treble. But IEMs from TFZ are the clear winner here due to a much better fit.
Compared to PaiAudio DR2:
DR2 have less treble clarity and more extension on lows instead. They sound darker. DR2 also have better instrument separation, layering and much wider stage. Moreover, their fit is more comfortable. Balance 1 have better treble extension, less bass boost and sound more balanced in general.
Conclusion:
The amount of positive qualities of TFZ Balance 1 IEMs in terms of materials, fit and sound quality positions it next to my favorite and more expensive hybrid model in <$50 price segment. Imaginary stage size and sub bass might have been better but the rest of the properties are all good: pretty balanced and mature sound consisting of textured lows, musical and mellow mids, clear and extended treble. Balance 1 is a good choice for any kind of music genre and a good companion for everyday use. Aluminum unibody construction and comfortable shape would also dedicate much to the overall positive experience. Once again TFZ has proven themselves to be reliable brand in IEMs with the consistent audio and build quality, no matter the price range.
