KZ GALE vs KZ EDC PRO REVIEW

>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<

INTRO:

KZ is probably the most popular Chinese earphone company in the world today… I don’t have the statistics to confirm this, but from what I’ve seen in practice, I believe so. The company has expanded so dramatically that you’ve certainly seen someone using their earphones somewhere random, like at the gym, on the bus, etc.

I haven’t reviewed any earphones from this brand for quite some time, and now I’m returning with a review of the KZ Gale. As a bonus, I’ll also be comparing it to the KZ EDC PRO, earphones that have been very well-received in the community.

It’s worth mentioning that these earphones frequently go on sale, I myself bought both for ridiculously cheap prices. It’s impossible not to remember this when evaluating the products, they can be even cheaper than they already are.

GALE:
– Price: $11.99 to $18.99 USD
– Color: Black/Transparent or White
– Cable: Without Mic, with Mic, or USB-C
– Cable Color: Silver

EDC PRO:
– Cable Color: Silver or Copper
– Price: $13.99 to $15.99 USD
– Color: Silver/Transparent
– Cable: Without Mic or with Mic

KZ LINKS:

GALE

https://amzn.to/48lVK5Z

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3zNtuCp

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2ItujVr

EDC PRO

https://amzn.to/3XUyxDf

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4piV87B

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0hyeeD

SPECIFICATIONS:

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• They are practically the same product, I only noticed 4 (physical) differences.
• The 4 differences are: the faceplate, the connector, the nozzle grid, and the driver color.
• The shell is all plastic.
• Aesthetically, I like both models.
• They have 2 vents per side (ventilation holes).
• Plastic earphones need a little more care.
• The nozzle grid of the EDC PRO is a very thin metal, while the GALE’s is metal with larger holes.
• The EDC PRO’s driver has a gold coating, while the GALE’s is a metallic color.
• The KZ unboxing experience has never been something to consider.
• The cost/benefit ratio of the products is excellent.
• Both lack a carrying case.

Eartips:

• One type of eartips: silicone: KZ Starline.
• Sizes S/M/L.
• Standard: if you wear M, then it’s M.
• Extremely simple eartips, although functional.
• I’ve never liked these eartips (subjective).
• It’s possible to use the earphones with these eartips.
• I don’t see the need to buy more eartips (subjective).
• I did the review with the silicone eartip (size M).

Cable:

• The cables are a drawback (for the price, you can’t expect much).
• It’s the same cable for both (only the connector shape changes).
• Medium to low flexibility.
• Tangles easily.
• Develops “memory” (ripples).
• No microphonics.
• The EDC PRO connector is a recessed QDC (but it’s possible to use a standard 2-pin cable).
• The GALE connector is a normal QDC (which KZ usually uses more often).
• The earphones don’t have a chin slider (because of the version with a mic).
• I see the need to acquire another cable (subjective).
• Positive point of these cables: lightweight and thin.

Fit and comfort:

• Vertical fit. Excellent stability.
• Very comfortable, ultra-lightweight earphone. A major plus.
• Good shape for all ear types.
• Good for long hours of use.
• Very discreet, without protruding parts.
• Medium insertion.
• Good isolation.

Earphone kit (accessories):

• Earphones.
• Cable.
• 3 pairs of silicone eartips.
• Warranty card.

SOUND ASPECTS:

First of all, these earphones are very similar, and here I won’t do two separate reviews, it will be more of a comparison, so it might be more interesting for those who already own one of the two. For those who don’t own either and are thinking of buying one, at least you’ll have my conclusion which might help you decide, but nothing prevents you from buying both and deciding which is best for you (that’s what I always recommend, have your own experience).

In terms of sound, both are relaxed, balanced, and fun. The tuning, in my opinion, is the Mild V-Shape, which is a lighter V-Shape. It’s a sound that’s well-suited for the “masses,” that will please a large number of people, especially those who just want a cool pair of earphones to listen to music every day. For this type of listener, either of the two earphones is highly recommended.

In terms of bass, both have a moderate to high amount of bass. The difference I noticed is that the EDC PRO has a bit more mid-bass, which makes the sound fuller, more musical, and tends to be closer to “real”… the difference is very small, but that’s the feeling I had. The bass on the GALE is more “tamed,” more direct, and because it has a little less mid-bass, it tends to be “heavier,” generally that bass of electronic music, which prioritizes sub-bass.

In terms of mids, I think both have an amount that is neither recessed nor advanced. The EDC PRO is a little more “forward,” although this difference doesn’t make it a earphone with “forward mids.” On the other hand, the GALE is a little smoother in this region, so snare drum sounds softer. In the EDC PRO, you have a little more clarity in this region between the mids and upper-mids, and that makes the earphone present a feeling of more resolution. The vocals are a little more detailed and transparent on the EDC PRO, and again, not that the GALE doesn’t have these qualities as well, the point is that comparing the two, the EDC PRO – for me – sounds more “open,” more defined (even if the differences are subtle).

And in the treble frequencies, perhaps the easiest part to feel the difference between the two, the EDC PRO really has a bit more treble than the GALE… and it’s exactly this difference that makes the EDC PRO sound more detailed and airy. Not that the GALE isn’t detailed and airy, but this extra touch that the EDC PRO has makes it stand out with a more crystalline brightness, which my ears inevitably interpreted as something more defined (on the EDC PRO). If you are a person very sensitive to treble frequencies, then perhaps the treble of the GALE will make more sense to you, but honestly, neither of them caused me fatigue, and I would readily recommend either one.

Technically, I can say that the EDC PRO managed to present a bit more soundstage and imaging. The spatiality and positioning of the instruments in the songs were – for me – greater when I used the EDC PRO. Another thing is the overall sound resolution, which in the EDC PRO also seemed to be a earphone with slightly better definition, and I believe this helped in a way with the soundstage and better imagin. Although they are very small differences, even a little bit can give a feeling of more transparency in the sound.

In terms of amplification, there’s nothing to worry about, both are very easy to play. I used the FiiO KA11 connected to my notebook, and I didn’t need more than 20 (out of 100) volume for it to sound very good to my ears. So, I think it will sound good from any source (smartphone, iPads, etc.) you plug in. I always recommend that the person have at least one dongle to help improve the audio quality.

In conclusion… Either one is a good choice… for the price, there’s nothing to complain about… For those entering the hobby, KZ offers excellent value for money. In my opinion, I think the EDC PRO is slightly superior to the GALE. The difference is actually quite subtle, but to my ears, the EDC PRO came out on top.

Remember that I have a more trained ears, and perhaps that’s why I was able to hear these tiny differences between the earphones… but as I always say, this isn’t the absolute truth, it’s just my experience. I recommend you have your own experience (which may be exactly the opposite of mine, and that’s perfectly fine too).

PS: The GALE has the appeal of being a gaming earphone, and as you know, I haven’t played anything in a long time… Sorry I couldn’t help those who needed an opinion on this type of earphone… Although, from what I’ve heard, I think the EDC PRO itself would be more suitable, since I found it to have slightly better technical capabilities than the GALE.

KZ GALE:

KZ EDC PRO:

PROS AND CONS:

GRAPHS BY PAUL WASABI:

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