In summary, a fun sounding IEM with decent technical performance for the price
Some background for context: Most of my listening is normally done via headphones and desktop DAC/Amps. The only other IEMS I currently use are the Westone 4R, Meze 11 Neo and erm, Sony WF-1000XM3. I've been listening to the Live 3 via a Lotoo PAW S1 DAC/AMP and occasionally Fiio X3 + Alo Audio Continental V2 stack. Impressions are after many, many hours of "burn-in".
The package comes with a decent array of different ear-tips and sizes and a very nice removeable cable - super flexible, light with zero microphonics. IEMs themselves seem quite well put together and should hold up to daily use.
The soft silicone eartips that came attached on the IEMs already gave me a perfect fit. Sound isolation is about what you'd expect for most IEMS of this style (with those eartips). IEMS are easy to insert and comfortable for long periods, even VR gaming (they stay perfectly in place even with vigorous games like Beat Saber and Pistol Whip). They are really easy to drive (especially compared to my Westone 4Rs), so no problems driving them straight from a mobile, or in my case, a Oculus Quest 2.
Now for the very personal/subjective stuff:
Sound wise, to me these sound mildly V-shaped with good bass extension (sub-bass!) and decent treble extension (i don't think my ears can pick up anything beyond 18khz anyway). Very nice bass impact with appropriate quantity (it doesn't artificially add bass if the track doesn't call for it) but it's well-controlled and relatively fast, not flubby at all. Mild mid-range bass bleed though but not deal breaking. Mid-range is ok, don't really have much to say about it. Treble is quite present (again, mildly V-shaped) and while not overly harsh, to my ears it's quite close to that limit.
Soundstage is relatively wide (for an IEM) though not deep - it's like sound is "projected" away slightly from your ears left and right, but not really out in front. Instrument separation is decent though when things get very busy, it does tend to blur abit. Detail retrieval is nothing to shout about though.
So in summary, as per the title, this is the type of IEM you can just slap on daily and enjoy listening to, whatever you're doing.
This is my third tfz product and it didn't disappoint. Detachable cable is excellent, variety of tips ensures a good fit. Fun V shaped sound signature. Great performance for the price.
I'm far from being an audiophile expert but I was pleasantly surprised at the audio quality, particularly at this price point. For reference purposes I compared the sound quality to my Audio Technica ATH M50X headphones.
The sound is crystal clear from deep sub bass to highs. There is great separation of instruments though the sound stage is a little limited for my liking (this is my only gripe).
The overall sound seems to be quite neutral and balanced to my ears, with highs, mids, and bass complimenting each other rather than dominating.
I've had no issues with fatigue as I've been able to listen consistently for multiple hours every day for about a month and they have become my go to option.
Overall I am very happy with these IEMs and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them but I'm sure they fall short of the higher end of the market... Definitely a great budget choice.
Amazing daily driver for commuting. Blocks out NYC subway noise to nap-taking levels. Sound signature is pretty good with no amplification, even decent bass. Very comfortable fit for someone who has a problem with 95% of in-ear headphones they've tried.
New to IEMs, these sound considerably better then my Blon bl3s . Lots of back ground hiss on Loxjie P20 and xduoo TA20 but pretty freakin good on THX789s. Decent on my Galaxy phone with EQ, might have to look into mini/pocket amps/dacs, makes me curious what those higher priced sets sound like...crap
I have a small collection of DAPs and one of my favorites that is pretty affordable is the Hiby R3. I have the original but there are 2 newer models to consider. The Hiby R3 Pro is $199 and I believe the Hiby R3 Sabre (Different Dac than the std or Pro) is about $229 unless you find them on sale. It's pretty quick and intuitive to use. It does not contain on board storage for music so you do have to provide your own MicroSD card for music storage.
CyberthingyYea, it seems to be well regarded. I may stick with my Fiioo A1 /Phone, till after the holidays. Probably do more research as side loading apps and streaming are some of my key requirements. I hope to upgrade to a ZMF or Audeze HP once I decide which of my collection I can part with. Thanks again for sharing.
Sound?
The low end is a little transparent: however, it still manages to retain the body but may even sound slightly thin.
Mids are neutral and even, slighty warm
Upper mids are forward and the bite is prominent.
Highs are crispy and clear but are leaning on the harsh side. It is not some nails on a chalkboard harsh. I am able to wear these for long sessions and it is not fatiguing.
Fit?
These fit perfectly for my ears! nuff said. For reference, in comparison to the CCA C12, the Live 3 fit perfectly whilst the C12 just fits, however, is slightly loose and sometimes falls out of my ear.
Aesthetics & Build Quality?
S3xy AF, BQ is pretty freakin solid for the price.
Isolation?
Provides prominent isolation, to the point it attenuates external sound. If you are wearing these outdoors, either be super aware of your surroundings or leave one earbud in and the other left out. This isolation will depend on which ear tip you use. I don't know what the material is, but it's the same material/ear tip type as the factory ear tip they put on.
Sound Stage?
Provides an adequate amount of separation. The layer and depth are tight. If I can update this section I will. But I need to use these more. Update: the sound stage is very tight and requires critical listening to discern the separation and location of instruments. For gaming, it is in a similar situation.
I've been using sub-$100 IEMs for a while now. I usually use over the ear headphones to listen while I work or at my desk, but when I go for a walk, I like the fit and comfort of an IEM. I've been using IEMs from KZ, TRN, and KBear mostly. My big complaint with them is the sizzling highs.
The TFZ Live 3 tames the highs and has a nice solid lower end. Not boomy, but accurate. The highs are much smoother and lifelike. I can listen to them for extended periods without any listening fatigue. I don't know how they compare to some of the more expensive products on the market, but for this price range, they are a winner. Recommended.
I really like these IEMs -- the sound is excellent as experienced listening to certain "reference" songs that I know well (I know what they are supposed to sound like!). The stock cable is definitely different from other chi-fi iems, and they do not tangle as much in my opinion. I don't think there is a need to replace it to get a great listening experience. Lastly, comfort is really good to my ears, and there are 3 sizes of replacement tips included in case your ear size is different than the default installed on the earpieces at the factory.
Just got these but I borrowed a set for a few weeks from a buddy which was the decision maker for this acquisition. I paired this with the linsoul lsc08 balanced cable and plug it into my Pioneer XDP-30R DAP. Now I like to hear the thump of the bass. Not the kind that bounces out of sync but enough to let you know the beat. These I are similar to my TFZ King Pro's but significantly cheaper. I have a test play list that covers a variety of what I like to listen to. Some songs old, some new. Just like any IEM first you must make sure they are securely seated in the ear. I did change the tips to ones that I generally like. I like to test my IEM's on Tears For Fears song "Break it Down Again" The reason is that I love the recording quality of the album "Song From the Big Chair". For years I have listened to that album as an mp3 but once I was introduced to uncompressed music, a good DAP and some good IEM's or a good tube amp with some over the earphones, well, I heard sounds and nuances that I did not realize were there. I ran this through the paces of my play list and was very satisfied. Now, i am no audiophile expert, just an enthusiast. I also understand that everyone's ears are different, but if you like a little punch in the bass, the MIDS and Highs are clear to taste, then check these out.
Here is my Test Play List For Reference:
Book Of Love - I Touch Roses
Boston - HollyAnn
Frou Frou - I Must Be Dreaming
Garbage - Vow
Kenny Chesney - Wild Child
Eagles - Hotel California (Live Version)
Goo Goo Dolls - Slide
Fleetwood Mac - Gold Dust Woman
Tears For Fear - Break It Down Again
Queensryche - Silent Lucidity
Evanescence - Haunted
Don Henley - The Boys Of Summer
Luke Bryan - Drunk On You
Natalie Merchant - My Skin
The Outfield - Banging On My Heart
Toto - Africa
Book of Love - Modigliani (Lost In Your Eyes)
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
Poe - Haunted
Ascend - Good Things Fall Apart
Big & Rich - Deadwood Mountain
I also throw in any thing Pink Floyd as there are too many songs to name.
I've bought approximately 10 different pairs of $5-60 IEMs over the past few years. This has been my first defective pair. The right channel is distorted and that side is quieter than the left. I have verified that the cable isn't the issue, it works great with my KZ ZS 10 Pros. Even if the right side sounded as good as the left it still isn't on par with the Blon BL-03s in my ears, much less the ZS10 Pros.