TFZ X1 True Wireless IEM Review

Introduction:

The company TFZ (The Fragrant Zither) is Chinese Company located in Shenzhen – China, which is specialized in the production of portable audio equipments like Earphones & In-Ear Monitors.

The TFZ X1 is a True Wireless In-Ear Monitor with a Single full Range Balanced Armature Driver, Bluetooth 5.0 support and IPX7 Waterproof certification.

Disclaimer:

The TFZ X1 was provided to me by the company TFZ via Penon Audio for review purposes. I am not affiliated with TFZ or Penon Audio beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.

Price:

The MSRP price for the TFZ X1 True Wireless IEM is 89,00 USD and can be purchased under the link below.

Purchase Link: https://penonaudio.com/tfz-x1.html

Package and Accessories:

The TFZ X1 True Wireless In-Ear Monitor is coming in a rectangular white cardboard box, which has a nice glossy product branding in Blue color on the top of the top cover.

The box contains the following items;

• 1 pair x TFZ X1 True Wireless In-Ear Monitor
• 1 pcs x Charging case
• 6 pairs x Silicone ear tips
• 1 pcs x Micro USB cable

The Design, Build Quality, Fit & Comfort:

The TFZ X1 is a True Wireless In-Ear Monitor with a Single full Range Balanced Armature and its own build in battery + Bluetooth receiver on each monitor, which means no cables no additional parts.

The monitors are surprisingly small and showing an ergonomic shape which makes a pretty comfortable fit possible, while the isolation is quite good.

The housing is lightweight at just 4.6 grams per side, and the built-in battery gives you up to 7 hours of playback or call time.

On the front of the monitor housing that is called faceplate is the TFZ Branding, two small buttons, one led indicator and a small microphone-hole. The faceplate is available in two colors which are blue and grey.

The buttons are a bit small for my fingers and not easy to operate.

The main part of the monitor shell is made of plastic in black color and sports the sound nozzle which has a metal mesh on the top to prevent the insertion of dust and earwax in to the monitor.

Here are also the connectors (charging ports) which are helping to charge the monitors inside the Caring Case.

The TFZ X1 is coming with a small and stylish and carrying/charging case. On the top of this case is the TFZ brand logo.

When you open the case you will see the seat for the Wireless Monitors and a green led indicator that lights up when you put the Monitors in to the seats.

These seats have a magnetic surface to ensure the right connection for the charging process and to avoid any drop out of the Monitors.

This case is a bit heavy because of the build in 2600mAH battery but has a very solid feeling.

Technical Specifications:

• Driver Type                 : Single Full Range Balanced Armature Driver
• Frequency response   : 20Hz-20kHz
• Bluetooth version       : BT5.0
• Calling time                : 5-7hours
• Bluetooth distance      : ≤20m
• Charging case battery : 2600mA
• Earphones battery       : 3.7V 60mA*2
• Mic                              : -42db
• Charging time             : ≤2 hours
• LED light color            : Red-blue
• Three-way call            : Support
• Support agreement    : A2DP AVRCP HFP SPP PBAP
• Size                             : 76x30x45mm

Battery Life:

The TFZ X1 has a build in battery with a capacity of 60mAh. The battery life of the TFZ X1 is around 6.5 Hours which is pretty good for such a small sized True Wireless In-Ear Monitor. The charging case with its 2600mAh capacity is a nice accessory to increase the operating time on the go.

Pairing, Navigation, Microphone and Signal Strength:

The pairing of the TFZ X1 is pretty easy. You only need to turn on the left and right monitors when you first use them. After you have pair the left and right monitors by the first use the pairing action will be done automatically. You only need to take it out from the charging box/case at the same time.

The Signal strength is quite good for a maximum distance of 20m while the voice transmission and quality of the build-in microphone is on an average level.

Equipment’s used for this review:

• IEM’s                          : TFZ X1 True Wireless IEM
• Source                       : Samsung Galaxy S9+, iPad Air2, FiiO M6

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining (Spotify)
• London Grammar – Interlud (Live) (Flac 24bit/44kHz)
• Laura Pergolizzi – Lost On You “Live at Harvard and Stone” (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Leonard Cohen – You Wnt it Darker (Spotify)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Alboran Trio’s – Cinque Lunghissimi Minuti (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Lorde – Team (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)

The Sound:

Please note that the TFZ X1 is not an IEM for critical listening of your Hi-Res collection, but the overall sound and the way it’s represented is quite pleasant for a True Wireless IEM in the sub 100 USD price category.

Bass:

The TFZ X1 is able to produce a bass that is fairly balanced in quantity and intensity.

The quantity is not on the level for bass-heads, but will satisfy while listening to a wide variety of genres like pop, rock, metal, acoustic etc. There is a slightly leak in the subbass depth and extension, while the control is quite successful for a Wireless IEM.

The speed, emphasis and tightness of the TFZ X1’s bass with instruments such like drums  or the bass guitar are quite successful, while the speed is on an average level.

In short, the TFZ X1 will satisfy its users in the True Wireless IEM category with its fairly powerful and entertaining bass presentation.

Midrange:

The TFZ X1 has a midrange with a warmish tonality. The general presentation has a smooth and relaxed character hand is showing average transparency and clarity.

Male vocals have sufficient depth and musicality, while female vocals sounding lush, but lacking a hint of transparency and airiness. When it comes to the realism of instruments, I can say that the TFZ X1 shows a fairly good performance; the detail level and overall resolution is better than I have exempted form a True Wireless IEM especially in this price category.

The upper midrange of the TFZ X1 is showing moderate quantity, intensity and extension, while the transition is in general soft and fairly controlled. This character makes a fatigue free listening experience possible. Instruments like violins and voices like soprano female vocals are showing an average and emphasis.

Treble:

When it comes to the treble range, I can say that the TFZ X1 has a soft and fairly controlled presentation and is showing an average extension in this frequency range. Instruments like cymbals or violins sounding slightly warmer and thicker than in normal but the level of detail and extension is quite ok for a Wireless In-Ear Monitor.

The general presentation of the TFZ X1 in the treble range is fatigue-free while it shows an average level of sparkle and airiness, which is enough for most modern genres like pop, trance, edm etc.

Soundstage:

The soundstage of the TFZ X1 is not super expansive but is showing a sufficient performance for on the go usage. So, the soundstage shows an average width while the depth of the stage is quite ok for a True Wireless IEM.

Conclusion:

The TFZ X1 is a true wireless in-ear monitor, which is very small and elegant. It offers a very ergonomic listening experience for on the go and during training. The battery also lasts nearly 6.5 hours and the quite musical and entertaining sound performance as well as the price makes the TFZ X1 a good True Wireless IEM option.

Pros & Cons:

• + Design and Ergonomics
• + Battery Life
• + Musical and Entertaining Sound

• – Navigation buttons are a bit small
• – Upper midrange Clarity