Juzear Defiant - Defying Expectations

4⭐️

+ Energetic and engaging U-shaped tuning

+ Bold bass with good impact that doesn't detract from other frequencies

+ Forward and well-balanced midrange is great for vocals and instruments alike

+ Mildly rolled off treble without sibilance

+ Fun factor dialed up to 11

+ Eye-catching design and great accessories including modular cable

- Bass texture and resolution could be better, even at this price point

- Treble can be slightly harsh with overemphasized air at higher volumes

- The faceplate and cable design might be too eccentric for those seeking a more neutral aesthetic

- Not standout in technical performance 

- Mild pressure buildup

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was provided to me by HiFiGO in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Non-affiliate link for those interested:

https://hifigo.com/products/juzear-x-z-reviews-defiant?

Gear used: 

●Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

●HiBy R3 II

●Various DAC/amps

Source:

●Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files. 

Introduction: 

Chinese manufacturer Juzear seems to be taking a much slower and more methodical approach to its IEM releases compared to many other Chi-Fi companies nowadays. Their first IEM, the 41t, debuted back in August 2023, and since then they have only had three other releases: the 61t Butterfly in June 2024, the 81t Dragonfly in November 2024, and the new Defiant in April 2025. This latest IEM is a collaborative effort with YouTuber Zeos of Z Reviews, which is also his third IEM collaboration to date. The Defiant features a hybrid driver configuration consisting of one dynamic and three balanced-armature drivers, and a price tag of $100, making it Juzear's cheapest model to date. Is this one poised to make a big splash in today's fast-paced and inundated market? Let's break it down and find out.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The Defiant comes packaged in a nicely designed, medium-sized box with a great, subtle design. The rainbow shells stick out without drawing too much attention, and I think it looks quite nice. In person, the shells are a bit more eye-catching and less subtle than the box art might lead you to believe. The average-sized shells are made of black resin with a metal nozzle, and each faceplate has a unique rainbow/mother-of-pearl colorway. The left shell also features the Juzear logo with a silver flair and the company name on the bottom of the shell, while the right has the company name along with what appears to be a bird motif and the Zeos logo on the bottom of the shell. The design might be a little busy for my personal taste, but they are certainly different, which helps the Defiant stand out from the competition. Fit-wise, they are quite comfortable, and I had no issues other than some slight pressure build-up despite the small vents located in front of the flat 2-pin connection. The insertion depth is about average, and the nozzle measures 6.0mm at the widest point, where there's a lip to help hold tips. The stock cable consists of a 6N SPOCC+SCCW hybrid structure with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm swappable terminations that screw on and lock for added security. It's a great cable and has a fun pink and blue color that matches well with the shells (unless you opt for the green variant faceplate, of course). It's well-braided, pliable, and has a nice feel in hand, but I would like it a little more if it was thicker. There are seven pairs of tips in total, including two different styles of silicone tips and one pair of foam tips. The stock tips are okay, but I spent a lot of effort finding tips that worked just right for my ears; I eventually settled on the Penon Liqueurs for a better fit and comfort. The branded, rich brown leather case is a nice inclusion. It's small enough to be pocketable but roomy enough to comfortably fit the IEMs and offers decent protection. There are only two additional accessories to note: a cleaning cloth and a small plastic stand with the Zeos logo. Overall, I think the Defiant's accessory package is very good for the price, although I'd personally rather have a cable tie in place of the Zeos stand.

Sound impressions:

I would describe the Defiant as having a U-shaped tuning bordering on V-shaped, with an elevated bass shelf, a decent upper-midrange emphasis, and subtly rolled-off treble that's fairly well extended. I'd say the note weight is just north of average where nothing sounds overtly thin but neither is it thick and heavy. The Defiant does not require much power to get to very loud volume levels and can be easily driven with just a simple dongle. The detail retrieval may leave some wanting, though for $100 I don't expect a fantastic performance. Still, there are more detailed sets to be found at this price and below. The soundstage is quite good, and I find it to be one of the better aspects of the technicalities. It's not the most expansive by any means but still very well balanced between width and depth with a nice orbital projection around the head. The timbre is only adequate for me. There's nothing glaringly bad about it, but neither is it the most natural or organic to be found in this price range. The imaging is also adequate. It struggles a bit with distance, but the left-to-right detection is decent enough. The dynamics of the Defiant are quite good, and the tuning holds up well despite the volume level. The separation and layering struggle at times to keep up in complicated tracks and can get somewhat bogged down, but it's not the worst offender I've heard. Overall, the Defiant's technical prowess won't win any awards or blow anyone away, but it has an inherent engaging factor and an excitement that reaches out and grabs you. I would argue it's less musical, too, but it does have a certain in-your-face style of presentation that's hard not to like.

After testing no less than ten sources, I can say with confidence that The Defiant is easily one of the least source-sensitive sets I've come across. The changes between sources are very subtle at best, and just about any source you own will be able to drive them with ease. For me, I ended up utilizing the Softears S01 USB-C DAC for ease of use.

●Lows - The bass of the Defiant definitely makes its presence felt, although, despite its bolder presentation, it does so without detracting from the midrange or treble. It's a bit linear and slightly more sub-bass focused, but the extension can reach fairly deep when called upon, and the mid-bass presence is still adequate for me. The attack is well punctuated, and the speed is decent enough to discern double bass kicks. The impact is good, but maybe just a hair on the lighter side for what I prefer. Unfortunately, the technical performance leaves something to be desired. The texture is a touch unkempt and muddy, and the separation between the bass and midrange could be better delineated. Also, it's not the most resolving, and I feel like some subtle details are being left on the table. There is a decent amount of rumble and reverberation in bass-heavy tracks, but I feel like the decay is a touch too fast, and I find myself wanting it to linger a bit longer, though it still sounds mostly natural to my ear. Overall, the Defiant's bolder take on the bass is something I do enjoy, but I think the execution could be better. Adding a bit more mid-bass would be nice, and I also want a bit longer decay. I realize I may be expecting too much from a $100 IEM, but the resolution and texture could be better, though it's still enjoyable as it stands.

●Mids - The midrange is probably where I take the least issue with the Defiant's tuning. Due to the overall balance, the mids are neither too forward nor overly recessed for my taste. I'd argue they are featured a bit more prominently than some may prefer, especially in the upper midrange, though vocals are never shouty until very high volumes, and they have a nice, engaging quality. The linear pinna gain rise lends itself well to balancing both male and female vocals, as well as instruments throughout the midrange. The lower midrange is also decently well represented, with things like brass and cello holding a nice weight in orchestral arrangements. I wouldn't say that there's a deliberate warmth or emotive quality to the midrange, but it does have somewhat of an analog quality to it that I find appealing. By this, I mean that the vocal and instrument timbre may not be the most natural-sounding or "correct," but there is a certain musicality and smoothness here which I find easy to enjoy. Just like the bass, there may be some subtleties that get a bit overshadowed, but the fun factor makes up for it, at least in my opinion. Basically, there is not much I would opt to change in the mids other than maybe adding just a hint of warmth to an otherwise very enjoyable experience.

●Highs - The treble is where the Defiant's tuning takes a minor stumble in my opinion. As someone who is treble-sensitive, I prefer a slightly more rolled-off presentation. The Defiant has a more energetic treble with decent extension, and the air is a little overemphasized, which leads to a less-than-natural treble presentation to my ear. This mostly occurs at higher volumes, though my ears did eventually adjust to it, though the balance still sounded a bit off on many tracks. I do think those that like a more extended and slightly bright tilt will be more than satisfied with the treble, but I would personally like to have it toned down a hair. Cymbal crashes and hi-hats are pretty well behaved and do not exhibit any overt splashiness or metallic timbre, but they can be slightly incisive at times. The good news is there is no real sibilance to speak of, but certain vocal notes can be a tiny bit harsh at higher volumes. Though it's not exactly my style of treble, I think the Defiant's top end is pretty well done, but it's definitely the weakest area of its otherwise well-executed tuning for me. Just a hair less energy and a reduction in air would bring the treble more in line with my personal preferences.

Comparisons: Credit to Audio Amigo and Atech Reviews for the graphs. 

● Kiwi Ears Astral ($300) - Here's a hybrid showdown between the 1DD, 3BA configuration of the Defiant versus the 1DD, 6BA in the Astral. Regarding the accessories, the Defiant has some great inclusions, especially for the price, but I slightly prefer the Astral's cable even though it's a bit more prone to tangling. The Defiant does have the better case though and includes more tip options and a cleaning cloth. The build qualities are very similar, with both having resin shells and metal nozzles, but the Astral is a little bigger and has a better contoured shape. It offers a better fit for me, and the venting system works better to alleviate pressure buildup. When it comes to the design, the Astral's sparkly faceplate is more commonplace in the market while the Defiant has a fun rainbow aesthetic that I like a little more. As for the sound, these two graph pretty similarly, but the Astral has more of a meta style tuning while the Defiant is U-shaped with a further scooped lower midrange. In the bass, the quantity is about the same, but the quality is pretty different. The Defiant has a more linear bass response with a little less sub-bass extension and a slower decay, while the Astral has much better quality thanks to the improved texture and resolution. It also has a slightly more impactful mid-bass response, which I do enjoy. The Defiant has a somewhat sloppy yet fun style of bass, while the Astral's more articulate and clean. As for the midrange, the Defiant has an earlier pinna gain rise, which helps vocals come forward just a bit more in the mix. However, the lower midrange of the Astral is flatter, which lends more weight to instruments. In general, the Defiant has a slightly more emotive and exciting midrange presentation, while the Astral is somewhat relaxed but still engaging enough not to be boring. The treble of these two also measures quite close, but in ear, the differences are a little more obvious. The Astral's treble sounds a bit smoother and better balanced, whereas the Defiant has a little more airiness and some very slight harshness at higher volumes. The Defiant is also a little more energetic, but the Astral can be a bit incisive at times with certain vocal notes. Luckily, neither exhibits any true sibilance. As for the technicalities, the Astral comes out on top in almost every category save for the dynamics, and though it performs better, it's not night and day. Ultimately, this matchup comes down to use case and your individual collection. The Astral is clearly the better performer, as it should be for three times the price, and it has a slightly superior tonality and overall balance to my ear. The Defiant offers a great price-to-performance ratio and would be my recommendation to newcomers to the hobby who may not know exactly what kind of tuning they want. Since I already own more than a few IEMs, I do prefer having the Astral in my collection because of its technical performance and genre-specific strengths in things like orchestral and acoustic music.

My pick: Astral

● DUNU DaVinci ($300) - Here's another hybrid showdown between the DaVinci's 2DD, 4BA configuration versus the Defiant's 1DD, 3BA. As far as the accessories go, the Juzear has pretty decent inclusions, especially for the price, but DUNU is hard to top. The DaVinci has a nicer case, more tip options, and a slightly thicker, more premium-feeling cable. When it comes to the build quality, these two are comparable, both with resin shells and metal nozzles, but the DaVinci is a little bigger and offers a slightly deeper insertion, which I prefer. Both sets feature black resin shells but with different faceplate designs. The Defiant has a fun rainbow pattern aesthetic, but I personally prefer the wood grain of the DaVinci. When it comes to the tuning, both graph similarly and have U-shaped sound signatures, but the DaVinci has a noticeably bigger bass shelf, less upper midrange presence, and a slightly reduced treble as well. The bass is where the DaVinci scores a lot of points for me due to more quantity and much better quality as well. The Defiant's bass performance leaves something to be desired in both texture and resolution, and while I can admit that the DaVinci doesn't have the absolute best bass performance either, it's still a noticeable improvement over the Defiant. The DaVinci also has more depth to bass notes, a more satisfying rumble and reverberation, and the extra mid-bass emphasis adds a touch of warmth that I feel is missing from the Defiant. In the midrange, the Defiant does push vocals a bit more forward and they feature more prominently, but it can be too much at times. The DaVinci, on the other hand, has a certain smoothness and mellow quality in the midrange that I find quite endearing. It also does better justice to the lower midrange instruments, lending them a bit more weight and a better overall balance throughout the midrange. The treble is another area where the DaVinci's minor adjustments simply work better for me. It rolled off a bit more steeply than the Defiant but does so while still managing to be energetic and fun with just enough sparkle and air for my preferences. The Defiant can be a touch too bright for me at times, and there is more occurrence of harshness and some slight sibilance at higher volumes. It also sounds a bit thinner to my ear, but I can understand the DaVinci being a bit too dark and bass-oriented for some. In the technical performance, the DaVinci has better timbre, detail retrieval, imaging, layering, and a more expansive soundstage, while the Defiant does have better dynamics and separation. Essentially, this matchup comes down to many small tuning variances that make a big difference. While these two sets definitely follow a similar target, it's these small adjustments that matter most. To my ear, the DaVinci is simply the better-executed tuning. It has bigger and better bass, a slightly warmer and more relaxed midrange, and a slightly darker treble without sacrificing too much in the way of sparkle. Don't get me wrong, the Defiant is still a good value at $100, but I think the DaVinci simply takes the best parts of the Defiant and tweaks them to be even better. If you like the Defiant's tuning but are looking for a true upgrade that dials the bass and overall musicality up a few notches, I can't recommend the DaVinci enough.

My pick: DaVinci 

● Ziigaat Arete ($250) - Here we have yet another hybrid showdown between the Arete's 1DD, 4BA configuration against the 1DD, 3BA of the Defiant. When it comes to the accessories, the Defiant impresses with a better quality (and more colorful) modular cable and a nicer carrying case. It also packs in a few more tip options too. As for the build quality, both have nearly identically shaped and sized resin shells with metal nozzles, though the Arete's is slightly smaller. These two graphs align very closely, and both have V-shaped tunings but with a few variabilities, mostly in their treble responses. The Defiant also comes across as the slightly darker and more engaging of the two, while the Arete sounds a bit more energetic and open. In the bass, the Arete offers a little more quantity as well as a deeper sub-bass extension, bigger rumble, cleaner texture, and better resolution. The Defiant falls a bit short in performance, but the slightly quicker decay is less encumbering to the midrange, which helps vocals stand out a bit more. Speaking of midrange, I think it might be one of the key areas to this matchup. The Defiant pushes vocals just a bit more into the foreground and lends them more weight in the overall balance, which I much prefer. The Arete, though, has a better sense of space and depth in the midrange, even if vocals are less engaging. The treble is another interesting part of the matchup. The Defiant tends to sound a little thinner and airier and can be slightly brittle on certain tracks. The Arete's treble has less of an edge but also slightly better extension, which makes for a more balanced presentation but less excitement. As for the technicalities, the Arete is basically better across the board, notably in the soundstage and detail retrieval, though the Defiant manages to close the gap well for its price. For me, this matchup comes down to the engagement factor, tuning execution, and price. With these two sets graphing so very similarly, you might expect the Defiant to simply be a worse version of the tuning target, but that's not my experience at all. While the Arete has a deeper reaching bass response, a cleaner midrange, and a more extensive treble, it's simply missing the fun factor that the Defiant brings to the table. Now, I won't try to argue that the Defiant's technical performance is just as good as the Arete's, but it's not that far off either. And I'd personally rather listen to a set that pulls me in with a sense of musicality more than one that prioritizes cleanliness and technical performance. Add in the fact that the Defiant has better accessories and is less than half the price of the Arete, and the choice becomes all the clearer.

My pick: Defiant

● DUNU Kima 2 ($120) - And here we have yet another single DD to compare against the 1DD, 3BA of the Defiant. While their tunings aren't super similar, I'm mostly comparing these two due to how close they are in price. When it comes to the accessories, both have modular cables and decent cases, but the Kima 2's are better quality, and it also comes with more tip options. The build qualities and designs are quite different, with the Defiant having a slightly larger resin shell and the heavier Kima 2 being made of aluminum alloy. The Defiant does fit me a bit better due to a deeper insertion depth, but the Kima 2 will probably offer a better fit for those with smaller ears. The Kima 2 has a very clean-looking, simple matte silver aesthetic, which is nice, but the Defiant's more colorful faceplate catches my eye more. As for the sound signature, the Defiant has more of a V-shaped tuning with a much larger sub-bass shelf and a bit more accentuated upper midrange and upper treble, while the Kima 2 has a bit of a flatter U-shaped styled tuning. The bass is probably where the starkest difference between these two lies. The Defiant has much more sub-bass quantity and extension, but it's not like the Kima 2 is devoid of bass. In fact, it has a very satisfying mid-bass attack and good speed, particularly for rock music. I will admit that I do prefer the Defiant's more impactful and fuller bass overall, especially the rumble and reverberation, but the texture is a bit messier, and it's admittedly less resolving than the Kima 2. In the midrange, the Defiant has a more traditional V-shaped tuning with a lower midrange dip that gives way to a linear pinna gain rise, whereas the Kima 2 has more lower midrange presence, which is great for instruments like cello and lower brass, and also a later rise in the upper midrange, which lends itself beautifully to vocal-centered genres. The Defiant can get a touch shouty at higher volumes, especially with female artists, and the overall presentation is a more forward and in-your-face style of vocals. The treble of both sets graph fairly closely and falls mostly within my usual preference, but the Defiant does have a bit more energy and comes across as the brighter of the two, while the Kima 2 rolls off a little more and has a smoother presentation, yet isn't lacking in sparkle and air. When it comes to technical prowess, the Kima 2 takes the win in layering, detail retrieval, imaging, timbre, and note weight, while the Defiant has a slightly bigger soundstage and better separation and dynamics. For me, this matchup comes down to the bass and midrange. The Defiant's bass is much more satisfying in both its quantity, rumble, and slam, and though the midrange isn't as emotive, it still delivers a nice vocal presentation. The Kima 2 may be the better choice for those that prefer a more midrange-focused tuning where the bass takes a bit of a backseat, but I find that the Defiant is just straight up more fun and a better all-rounder for my library. The Kima 2 is more of a specialist that I might reach for from time to time when the mood strikes, but the Defiant delivers a dose of fun, energy, and power anytime I crave it.

My pick: Defiant

● Pula Unicrom ($80) - This matchup pits the 1DD 3BA hybrid of the Defiant against the single DD of the Unicrom. Both sets have decent accessories, including a similar number of tips and modular cables, though I'm partial to the Defiant's colorful cable and more traditional-style zipper case. The build qualities are similar, with both sporting resin shells, but the Defiant features a slightly larger metal nozzle while the Unicrom's is made of resin. Both are also very close in size and shape though the Defiant is a touch bigger and offers a better fit for me. As far as the designs go, both sets look great and have multiple colors to choose from. The Defiant's lime green and rainbow options are bolder and more fun, while the Unicrom's four designs look a little more classy and understated. When it comes to the tuning, these two have fairly similar V-shaped frequency responses, but there are some distinct differences. The Defiant is more sub-bass oriented with an earlier pinna gain, while the Unicrom's mid-bass extends further and it puts more emphasis on the upper midrange and lower treble. In the bass, the Unicrom comes across a little bolder with more overall quantity and a good mix of sub- and mid-bass. The Defiant is more sub-bass focused, and the bass still feels powerful yet less intrusive, which I like. The Unicorn has the better balance of the two, but quality and performance-wise, the Defiant comes out on top. Its bass is more resolving with a cleaner texture and better separation from the midrange. The Unicrom, in comparison, sounds a little messy and bloated, though it does have more rumble and reverberation for those that want it. As for the midrange, the Defiant has an earlier pinna gain rise, which helps lend more weight to male vocals. In fact, I'd say all vocals are more forward on the Defiant and have better weight and body. The Unicrom recesses males in favor of more emphasis on females, though they tend to sound a little thin. It also has an extra layer of depth in the midrange and lends more weight to lower-registered instruments, though the Defiant has a better overall midrange balance. Possibly the most noticeable difference between these two comes in the treble. The Unicrom is brighter tilted with more sparkle, air, and a crisper texture; however, with that also comes a thinness and sharp nature that I don't really enjoy. The Defiant retains a certain level of excitement and clarity in the treble but without the harshness or sibilant tendencies. Also, like the midrange before, the Defiant's treble is better balanced, though treble enthusiasts may prefer the Unicrom. Regarding the technical performance, these two perform fairly closely, although I'd give a slight nod to the Defiant in just about every category save the soundstage depth, which the Unicrom does well. For me, this matchup ultimately comes down to the overall tuning balance and performance. Though both are V-shaped in nature, the Defiant has a more engaging, fun, and musical tuning. It manages to balance each part of the frequency response better in order to create a more cohesive presentation, all while having a little better technical performance as well. On the other hand, the Unicrom's balance is slightly off for me due to the recessed lower mids and brighter treble, though some may prefer it specifically for female vocals. This is really a simple case of enjoying one tuning over the other, and even though both have decent accessories, I think the few extra dollars are a small price to pay for just how much better the Defiant sounds.

My pick: Defiant

In conclusion:

While I don't think it's quite the giant killer some may claim it to be, the Defiant is still a very fun set and a damn good value proposition for the $100 asking price. From the great accessory package to the energetic and engaging tuning, it's hard to bet against this one. The bass is bold and boisterous, the midrange is well-emphasized for vocals, and the treble is sparkly without any sibilance. Even though it doesn't overtake some of my favorites in the $200-$300 tier, the Defiant still holds its own in certain aspects, which is a real testament to its value. My biggest complaints are the slight pressure buildup, some slight shoutiness and over-airiness with certain genres, and the less-than-ideal technical performance, but for $100, it's pretty great. If you're new to the hobby and looking to start your own IEM adventure, the Defiant might just be my de facto recommendation. It would also make a fine launching pad for those looking to elevate from the ultra-budget tier into the lower aspects of mid-fi but unsure of where to start. It could also just as easily serve as a one-and-done set for those who are happy to spend $100 and no more. I feel like Juzear had a lofty tuning goal with the Defiant, and though they may not have hit the mark dead center, it still certainly struck a chord with many, myself included. I think the Defiant will be a budget set that's hard to top anytime soon and will become a sort of gatekeeper at $100 for the foreseeable future.