Disclosure: I’d like to thank HiFiGo for sending me the JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and HiFiGo had no say or input on the contents of this review.

The JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant lands at $99.99 with a hybrid driver configuration that combines a 10mm dynamic driver with three balanced armature drivers. What captured my interest was not merely the technical specifications on paper, but the meticulous six-month tuning process undertaken by JUZEAR and Z Reviews to create a product with a harmonious sound quality. Zeos (Z Reviews) has a video talking a bit about this, but what I like is that it gives some authenticity to the collaboration.

Technical specs tell only part of the story. The real question is whether this hybrid implementation actually works well together, and how it performs across different music genres. Does this tuning deliver the kind of value that makes it worth considering in a crowded sub-$100 market? Let’s get into it and find out.

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• JUZEAR X Z Reviews Defiant
• JUZEAR Flare 6N SPOCC+SCCW hybrid modular cable
• 3.5mm SE connector for the cable (pre-installed)
• 4.4mm Balanced connector for the cable
• 10 pairs of eartips (S, M, L sizes)
• Leather zipper storage case
• 2 sets of S, M, L silicone eartips
• 1 set of memory foam eartips
• Cleaning cloth
• Z Reviews statue
• Documentation

The unboxing experience of the Defiant is fairly typical of most IEMs, though I do appreciate the little they did. Such as the thin paper layered on top as you open the box to prepare you to see the IEMs, and the fact that the IEMs are not stuck in inaccessible foam cutouts. As well as the fact that the IEMs are already attached to the cable, allowing you to just take them out of the box and start listening. It’s a very simple and effective setup.

Looking at the included accessories, first up, we have the JUZEAR Flare cable, which by itself is worth around $40. It’s a 6N SPOCC+SCCW cable with a modular connector allowing you to use either the 3.5mm SE connection or the 4.4mm Balanced connection. The cable has a sort of violet or light purple hue to it, and looks quite nice in person. The cable has a plasticky thickness but is very malleable and doesn’t tangle easily. Really, it’s a very nice cable, and given the modular connections, I’ve started to use it with other IEMs as my go-to cable.

The modular connections are easily swapped by unscrewing the grooved ring. There’s a small black dot on the cable side that lines up with the JUZEAR branding on the swappable ends, giving a visual indicator to know how to line up the cable and connector.

The eartips are also surprisingly nice. You get one set of black and one set of white silicone eartips in S, M, and L sizes. Also included is a medium-sized memory foam eartip pair, which unfortunately are a bit too large for my ears.

The zipper storage case is leather (or at least leather-like) and has a beautiful dark brown color. It’s big enough to fit the IEMs, cable, eartips, and even a dongle DAC. The hard shell design means it won’t get squished in a bag or in your pocket, though it’s a bit big to be pocketable in my opinion.

Lastly, you get a cleaning cloth and a statue. The statue is that of the Z Reviews logo and Defiant branding, which is a cool and thoughtful inclusion that adds a unique element to the whole experience.

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The first thing you notice when unboxing the Defiant is how solid it feels for a $100 IEM. JUZEAR clearly put thought into the construction here, and it shows in both the materials and finishing.

The shells use DLP 3D-printed medical-grade resin with a glossy black finish that feels more substantial than typical plastic shells at this price. There’s also minimal branding on the shells. The bottom of the left shell has the JUZEAR branding, and the bottom of the right shell has the Z Reviews logo and the Defiant name. Both shells also have the L and R indicators on them (as do the cables). Aside from the branding, which is small and not flashy at all, the shell color and design are on the understated side.

And this is for good reason, I think, as the faceplate is the standout feature here. I have the Jade Green version (there’s also a Rainbow color) and just, wow. The green color looks absolutely stunning in person. It also has a subtle marbling effect that makes it look like a real piece of jade. The faceplate is accented by reflective nickel metal designs. Really, the IEM as a whole looks beautiful without being too flashy.

The aluminum nozzles have a pronounced lip that keeps eartips securely in place. They’re also on the slightly larger side and took some getting used to. The overall build quality feels like it belongs in a higher price bracket.

In terms of comfort, despite having medium-sized shells, they conform naturally to my ears without creating pressure points. The Defiant fits securely and creates a good seal for passive isolation. JUZEAR included what they call a micro-perforation pressure balance system, which is supposed to reduce in-ear pressure during extended wear. Whether it’s that specific feature or just good ergonomic design, the result is comfortable long-term listening. In my case, 2+ hours. If you have small ears, though, I think these will be a bit uncomfortable. I’d suggest trying before buying if possible.

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The Defiant uses a 10mm titanium-coated dynamic driver for the low frequencies, paired with a total of three balanced armature drivers. Two handle the midrange and one handles the treble. This isn’t particularly groundbreaking on paper, as plenty of hybrid IEMs use similar configurations. What matters is the execution, and here’s where the collaboration shows its value.

The crossover network determines whether a hybrid IEM sounds like a coherent whole or a collection of separate drivers fighting each other. Many budget hybrids struggle with this integration, creating noticeable transitions between frequency ranges. The Defiant avoids this pitfall through what feels like careful crossover tuning rather than just throwing drivers together and hoping for the best.

The Defiant is very easy to drive, and you don’t need a source with a powerful amp to get enough volume. The IEMs are on the sensitive side, but I had no issues using an Apple USB-C to 3.5mm dongle to get enough volume, and it sounded very good using it. The same goes for DAPs, as Sony’s NW-A306 powered it just fine, as did the many other DAPs I own. There also isn’t much to be gained by using the 4.4mm balanced connection, or by using a higher quality source, so rest assured, you don’t need to invest in any additional audio gear to get the most out of the Defiant.

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The JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant’s sound signature took some time for me to fully appreciate. At first listen, it presents as a warm U-shaped tuning, but the more I spent time with these IEMs, the more I noticed how well the hybrid driver configuration works together. There’s a cohesiveness here that makes you want to listen to them more and for longer.

Link to graph: https://squig.link/lab/hifi-dawson/?share=Harman_IE_2019_Target,JUZEAR_x_Z_Reviews_Defiant

Bass

Sub-bass extension goes deep enough to satisfy, especially noticeable in tracks like Massive Attack’s Angel, where those distinct sub-bass notes at the beginning and end of the track come through with good texture and rumble. The mid-bass provides solid impact without bleeding into the midrange, which is something I always pay attention to when evaluating IEMs. There’s decent slam here as well.

Bass decay sounds natural. It arrives when called for and disappears cleanly. Even at higher volumes, the low-end remains controlled and doesn’t become overwhelming. This isn’t quite a basshead IEM, but it provides enough weight and presence to keep most listeners satisfied. The amount of bass here is a bit much for when I want to do some critical listening, but for fun listening, it’s spot on.

Midrange

The midrange is where the Defiant really shows its strength. Both male and female vocals sound natural and present without being pushed too forward or recessed. The balanced armature drivers handle this region with good detail and texture. Acoustic guitars and pianos sound particularly good as they have proper weight and timbre without sounding artificially colored.

Vocals maintain their emotional character without harshness or sibilance, even with tracks that can sound sharp on other IEMs. There’s a smoothness here that makes extended listening sessions comfortable, which became apparent during my longer testing sessions. I really can’t find any faults in the midrange; it’s perfect for the type of music I listen to (see my testing playlist at the beginning of this section).

Treble

The treble presentation avoids the common trap of being either too bright or too rolled off. There’s enough extension and detail to bring out cymbal hits and high-frequency details clearly, but it never becomes fatiguing. Even after several hours of listening, I didn’t experience any discomfort or the urge to lower the volume due to treble harshness.

The balance between detail and smoothness works well here. You get the information you need from the upper frequencies without sharp peaks. That being said, the trade-off here is the lack of energy or presence in the treble. This is great for those who are treble-sensitive, but not so great for those looking for a little more brilliance or dynamics.

Soundstage and Imaging

The soundstage isn’t huge, but it’s well-proportioned with good width and decent height. Instrument placement feels accurate, and there’s enough separation to prevent congestion. The presentation has a somewhat holographic quality that surprised me.

Imaging performance is great as it allows you to pick out individual instruments in the mix without difficulty, as well as directionality. The layering capability means you can follow different elements in busy tracks, which speaks well to the technical performance of the hybrid driver setup.

The overall technical package isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s competent and well-balanced for the asking price.

Gaming

The Defiant is very enjoyable to use for gaming and performs very well here. In my typical competitive multiplayer games, Call of Duty and PUBG, the directional audio cues are accurate and clear. Footsteps are easily heard, and player movement sounds, such as switching weapons and reloading, are accurately reproduced, allowing you to locate the sounds in the correct direction in the soundscape.

Single-player games such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Cyberpunk 2077 sound excellent. The music within the games sounds phenomenal, and environmental sounds are correctly and accurately reproduced thanks to the decently sized soundstage.

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The JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant isn’t class-leading in any single area, but it’s the overall balance and performance that impresses. The hybrid implementation works well, the tuning avoids major pitfalls, and the build quality feels solid. Combined with the solid accessory package (especially the Flare cable), it presents a complete offering that’s hard to fault at this price point.

If you’re after aggressive bass impact or razor-sharp analytical detail, there are better options out there. This leans more toward the musical and forgiving side of things, which works great for longer listening sessions but might leave some wanting more excitement. The Defiant works well as both an entry point for those getting into higher-quality audio and as a daily driver for experienced listeners who want something reliable and enjoyable.

The only other Z Reviews collaboration product I’ve heard is the Eris closed-back headphone, which I did not like due to the absurd bass presence that seemed to overshadow everything. It wasn’t suitable for my listening tastes at all, but JUZEAR and Z Reviews have created something here that feels thoughtfully executed and intentional. That attention to detail shows in the listening experience, and it’s exactly the kind of approach that makes the difference between a good IEM and one worth recommending. The Defiant is an excellent all-rounder, and I have no problems recommending it.

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