In this article, I review the Z Reviews x Juzear Defiant IEM. The Defiant is a hybrid quad-driver IEM with 1 dynamic driver and three balanced armature drivers. It’s priced at 99 USD.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by HiFiGo for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
Z Reviews x Juzear Defiant
Table of Contents
Specifications
Impedance: 32Ω.
Sensitivity: 109dB±1dB.
Frequency Response Range: 20Hz~20kHz.
THD+N: ≤0.8%.
Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-Pin Connectors.
Termination Plug: 3.5mm+4.4mm
Inside the Box
- Defiant IEMs
- FLARE IEM 0.78mm 2-pin modular cable
- 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations
- Zipper carrying case
- 3x pairs of white silicone eartips (S, M, L)
- 3x pairs of black silicone eartips (S, M, L)
- 1x pair of foam eartips
- Cleaning cloth
- Defiant acrylic display stand
Design
There’s no shortage of attractive entry-level IEMs these days. From aluminium-alloy shells to 3D-printed resin, many look every bit as refined as their pricier counterparts. Yet the Z Reviews x Juzear Defiant still manages to stand out—it’s possibly the best-looking entry-level IEM I’ve come across.
The shells are manufactured from medical-grade resin with a glossy black finish. There’s a single vent just in front of the 2-pin socket. A prominent lip on the aluminium nozzles holds eartips securely in place.
The faceplates are the Defiant’s standout feature. Available in two colourways—Rainbow and Jade Green—both impress, but I couldn’t resist the vibrant Jade Green. Its CNC-milled panels, trimmed with nickel-metal accents, look incredible: a layered, shimmering green background highlighted by silver inlays. The result is gorgeous, and the build quality feels top-notch for the price.
The Defiant is comfortable in the ears too. Despite the shells being somewhat wide, the fit is snug and they follow the contours of my concha perfectly. Not only are they comfortable, but the Defiant also provides good passive noise isolation, meaning you can enjoy your music with minimal distraction from external noise.
The included FLARE 0.78mm 2-pin cable looks and feels premium, with excellent handling. It’s nicely weighted, supple, and free of microphonics. The modular design lets you easily switch between the included 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced terminations. My only reservation is the cable’s colour: while it matches the Rainbow colourway perfectly, a neutral black or white would pair better with the Jade Green faceplates. That’s just nitpicking though—this is an excellent cable considering the price of these IEMs.
Sound
Sources used for testing include the iFi Hip DAC 3, HiBy R6 III 2025 and the SMSL DO300EX. Defiant is easy to drive and doesn’t require much power, so you can listen directly from your smartphone, laptop or dongle DAC.
The Z Reviews x Juzear Defiant delivers an impactful but well-controlled bass response that sits north of neutral without upsetting the overall balance. There’s good texture in the low end, giving bass notes a satisfying weight without tipping over into basshead territory. It’s a tasteful boost — present enough to add excitement but never overwhelming the rest of the tuning.
The midrange leans towards a musical and engaging presentation with a natural warmth. It avoids sounding heavily saturated or thick, maintaining clarity and openness. Instrument separation and resolution are both commendable, allowing individual elements to breathe without feeling congested. Vocals are intimate and emotionally expressive without coming across as cloying or overly forward.
The treble is crisp yet smooth, providing enough clarity and definition without introducing any harshness, sizzle, or sibilance. While the Defiant’s detail retrieval won’t challenge the very best in its class, it holds its own and doesn’t leave the listener wanting. The soundstage has good proportions in both width and depth, offering a sense of space that’s immersive without feeling artificially stretched.
Comparisons
AFUL Explorer (1DD+2BA)
The AFUL Explorer has more emphasis on the lows. It has a thicker, meatier bass with rounded notes, whereas the Z Reviews x Juzear Defiant’s bass is more defined and has crisper attacks. Explorer’s mids are denser and more saturated. As a result, male vocals are richer but there’s more congestion in the midrange.
The AFUL Explorer has a more laid-back treble, due to less lift in the presence range and the added weight in the bass. This gives it a darker tonality and slightly smaller soundstage dimensions.
Outside of audio-related aspects, the Explorer has smaller shells, making it a better fit for people with smaller ears. Additionally, its cable is not modular like the Defiant’s Flare cable.
Truthear HEXA
Hexa’s bass is closer to neutral compared to the Defiant’s elevated lows. It has a more linear transition from the bass to the midrange, maintaining its neutral character. Add to that some extra lift in the presence region and the Hexa’s presentation is leaner and brighter overall.
The Hexa’s bass doesn’t match the Defiant’s for impact or texture, so bass enthusiasts may prefer the latter. Vocals on the Hexa are more forward with leaner note weight, and percussion attacks come through with greater crispness and snap. While the Hexa’s soundstage is wider, it isn’t as deep as the Defiant’s. It offers a more spacious presentation, but its midrange notes lack the density and fullness found in the Defiant.
Verdict
The Z Reviews x Juzear Defiant was a pleasant surprise for me; from the unboxing to my casual and then critical listening, it performed better than I had anticipated. The shells are simply gorgeous, and the build quality is excellent. Additionally, the included Flare cable adds significant value with its quality materials and modular termination. Overall, the Defiant is a musical and capable IEM that’s easy to recommend — in fact, it’s earned a place on our Best IEMs list.
