Zagg Z-buds

Frequency Response (3.29)

The Z-buds definitely have a dynamic frequency response. The bass gets boosted quite a bit, much more so in the right channel than the left, oddly enough. We tried different positions but got the same results each time. At about the 2kHz mark, the channels get in sync and remain that way until after 10kHz.

The major issues we see here are the dramatic shifts in emphasis towards the high-end. From about 4kHz and up, emphasis shifts pretty rapidly. It decreases by about 30dB, then jumps 25dB before dropping another 30.

What does this mean? For starters, the headphones could sound boomy; the high bass response means that bass parts of music may sound overly exaggerated. It looks like vocals should be strong for the most part. Also, the lack of emphasis at 7kHz might make drums sound a bit weak.

Click here for more information on our frequency response test.

Distortion (8.20)

The Z-buds have very little distortion. There are some murmurs after 1kHz and towards the high-end, but they’re very minor.

Overall, a great performance here by the Z-buds.

Click here for more information on our frequency response test.

Tracking (7.46)

Here we can see the weird emphasis from the frequency response graph above made manifest. The lower you go, the stronger the right channel seems to be. It isn’t until after 1kHz that the two channels get on similar pages.

While the initial emphasis towards the right is certainly not ideal, We were happy to note there weren’t any glaring errors otherwise.

Click here for more information on our frequency response test.