I dont EQ it anymore but when I did, only briefly, I found that anything above 3dB for a bass shelf introduced distortion: it was an interesting example of driver limits for me.
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Thatās curious, I wasnāt running into any issues personally with it. Did you adjust the pre-amp as well?
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Great review, which makes me want to try these out myself.
Do you know if theyāve changed the tuning? You described it as leaning towards the warmer side, but some earlier reviews in this thread called it bright. And I know others have said they donāt find it bright, so Iām confused about the contradictory comments. It makes me wonder if they changed the tuning, or perhaps it has a distinctive sound signature that sounds perfect if you arenāt sensitive to treble, and overwhelmingly bright if you are sensitive.
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Hmmm I think it has to do with which register of the FR you look at. I donāt think the bass is particularly warm, but the treble is a little on the warmer sideāor at least I found it to be so. So I think it depends on what defines āwarmā for the listener, moreso than treble tolerance. Thatās just speculation, though, so Iām not sure.
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Thatās helpful, thanks. So I just need to hear these for myself thenā¦
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Not initially as I was just trying a simple bass shelf to see what things sounded like. Afterwards I did adjust the preamp down, which kept the driver within its happy place.
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His review is totally, completely, utterly unlike my perception. But thatās why we have options.
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Well, to be honest, I had your review in mind when I asked. I trust you both, which was why I was confused.
And I find it to be, essentially, balanced (what some may call neutral) so I think it comes down to the esotericism of audiophilia.
Ha, and I find it to be rather spot on based on my perceptions! Gotta love this game.
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I compared notes with a few others on the same tour ā some felt it was so bright that they couldnāt listen for very long. My testing lasted much, much longer.
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Agreed, yours is not the only review Iāve read about overwhelming brightness. And yet, Iāve also read multiple accounts claiming itās not bright. I believe you all, so it makes me wonder what kind of sound signature can elicit such contradictory descriptions from all these people whose ears I trust.
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Itās chain dependent. Something cold or analytical might change me feelings about it.
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My perception is that it simply does not compromise on either low or high range extension. It accurately reproduces a lot of non-musical high frequencies that should have been cut in production, but the engineer couldnāt hear on less technical hardware. So, the extreme extension relative to other transducers is perceived as ābright.ā Other products either dampen the high end away or distort it into random noise.
Now, there is also unit-to-unit variation and the tour sample may have been on the brighter end of the acceptable range. But I doubt it because they surely have solid QC at that price point. I think some people just are less sensitive (also on this forum).
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Good review. I read it from bottom to top and was waiting for identified weaknesses as nothing is perfect. Then I reached mention of the lean bass, comfort, and cables. Iām afraid I canā really apply the sonic impressions as my chain is different from the gear used. I dream for greater electronics variety with headphone reviews; maybe Resolve can circulate the Kenzie.
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Fab review Chrono. Your review makes me want one. Lol.
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Believe me, after trying it out, I want one too 
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Well done, @Chrono! My entirely biased viewpoint is that you nailed it. 
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Based on what @Resolve Resolve has told me, I donāt think he ever plans on giving up the Kenzie. We may have to send a squad over to grab it but he have have bolted it down to his desk.
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Thanks for checking it out! Also, thatās a really nice cable 
Yikes, but speaks highly of the Kenzie! Looking forward to his impressions.