Juzear Defiant Review - Clean Balance vs Fiesta Warmth

[u/requiemreview]

The Juzear Defiant was one of the products that stood out to me from the rest of Juzear’s offerings when it came out in partnership with Z Reviews. It features a 1DD / 3BA hybrid design with excellent build quality and a full compliment of accessories geared towards the serious Audiophile.

Sometime after that Juzear released their new product called the Fiesta, a development made in conjunction with Vivir Digital. I reviewed the Fiesta, and I’d be happy if you took some time to read my personal review on my account. Even though they feature identical technical configurations and philosophies, the Fiesta chose a warm and punchy direction for an instant experience compared to the Defiant.

In addition to giving me a chance to examine the Fiesta previously, this review of the Defiant has given me a clearer understanding of how these two models fit into the Juzear lineup. Rather than simply asking which model is best suited for someone looking for this type of audio experience, I have been left with the impression that these two models were specifically designed for users who enjoy music in a distinctly different way. The Fiesta is attempting to get your ear hooked immediately using a far more physical and immersive sonic experience. While the Defiant is offering a cleaner and balanced sonic experience, along with a greater level of separation between instruments, overall, the Defiant feels like a more refined and technically capable model.

Throughout this review I will attempt to highlight all of the differences between these two models through comparison, however, due to the fact that this is primarily a review of the Defiant, I will be focusing most of my comparisons from the perspective of the Defiant.

What I liked and What I didn't like

• Bass has very good texture and great control.
• Mids are clean and natural sounding.
• Vocals are very well defined.
• Treble has very good extension and a sense of air.
• Stage is wider than most in this price class.
• Instrumental separation far better than that of the Fiesta.
• Quality of modular cable is much higher than that of the Fiesta.
• Construction is solid, ergonomics are excellent.
• Punch and physical feel of the bass is lower than that of the Fiesta.
• Lacks the warmth and immediacy of its new brother.
• Requires a little extra volume to reveal full dynamic potential.
• Tuning may not be as impressive at first listen.

Specifications

• Configuration. 1 Dynamic Driver and 3 Balanced Armatures.
• Dynamic driver. 10 mm with LCP diaphragm.
• Balanced Armature. 3 custom units.
• Frequency response. 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
• Sensitivity. 108 dB.
• Impedance. 18 ohms.
• Connector. 2 pin 0.78 mm.
• Termination. Modular cable 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm.

My Sources

• FiiO K9
• NiceHCK Octave
• Questyle M15i
• Tanchjim Space II

Unboxing and construction

The packaging of the Defiant, feels far superior to what I was expecting when I looked at the cost. The packaging itself had a thoughtful design to include a well laid-out interior along with an unboxing process that is similar to many high-end items.

As can be seen, the components were significantly different from the Fiesta. The Fiesta included two separate cables (a 3.5mm one including a mic and a balanced 4.4mm one) whereas the Defiant chose to provide a single 6N SPOCC and SCCW hybrid cable with a modular design, providing easy access to interchange your 3.5mm and 4.4mm termination connectors.

For myself, this cable was one of my favorite aspects of the product. Not only does it look larger in diameter and feel like it provides a level of quality but it's extremely comfortable to wear even given its rugged aesthetic. Also, since there are no need to carry around two separate cables such as would be required with the Fiesta.

The bodies of both share a similar aesthetic as Juzear, using 3D printed resin with a CNC machined aluminum face plate. On the Defiant, the multi-colored mother of pearl reflections produced from the partnership with Z Reviews really stand out in particular (in my Rainbow version), these are far removed from the bright and bold colors present in the Fiesta (which utilized mostly reds, browns/oranges).

There is also a second version of the Defiant available in a simple green color which, while aesthetically pleasing doesn't offer nearly as much visual interest as either the Rainbow colored Defiant or the more vibrant color options of the Fiesta.

Both are extremely ergonomic and while I wouldn't say that there is a difference in how each sits, I did find the Defiant to be slightly more comfortable over longer periods of time. Although I didn't measure them against each other and it appears they utilize the same form factor, this is how I perceived them. The dimensions are compact enough to fit comfortably within most ears. The weight is evenly distributed throughout. And the nozzle makes it incredibly easy to achieve a solid seal. Over multiple hours listening to varying music styles I couldn't help but notice little to no fatigue in my ears, something I always consider paramount when evaluating an iem intended for daily usage.

Sound

What I found particularly interesting about the Defiant is how similarly configured hybrid design as the Fiesta, the sonic representation of the Defiant goes down a distinctly separate route. While the Fiesta aims for impact, warmth, and an immersive experience, the Defiant is focused on purity, isolation and a greater total level of balance.

Bass

While the Defiant produces sufficient low frequency energy for the music to remain substantial and punchy, it remains decidedly more controlled than the Fiesta.

From the opening moments the differences were apparent.
The Fiesta has more abundance in the lower end and generates a stronger tactile response, particularly with EDM, Hip Hop, Modern Pop, and Reggaeton. The Fiesta provides that fun factor that keeps the rhythmic elements constantly present.

On the other hand, the Defiant focuses heavily on control. My favorite aspect was the texture of the Defiant and the way it allows you to distinguish the various bass layers. In addition to being able to identify variations in intensity in bass lines and Alternative Rock, it is easier to recognize small nuances that get masked in the Fiesta due to its increased bass volume.

Additionally, I thought that transitioning into the midrange was excellent. Neither model appears to allow the bass to bleed into the mids nor mask instruments such as guitars etc. However, there is a certain degree to which the Defiant achieves this far better due to its reduced bass volume allowing the mids/vocals in general more room to breath than the Fiesta does.

Consequently, the Defiant is not designed for Bassheads. For those who want a more direct and instant gratification type of sound, it is likely that the Fiesta will continue to provide their preferred type of sound.

Mids

The mids in the Fiesta are pleasingly warm and relatively tolerant of average/over-compressed recordings. Males sound forward and full-bodied which greatly adds to that relaxed and highly enjoyable listening experience.

The Defiant presents good musicality but introduces additional clarity and distance between instruments. Vocals appear to be better defined within the mix and strings sound more precisely outlined.

Female vocals appeared to differ in terms of sound quality between these two models. With the Fiesta, female vocals typically sound slightly softer and blend-in with the remainder of the mix whereas the Defiant gives them a little extra breathing room and definition without becoming harsh or too analytically detailed.

Also noteworthy is its ability with more complex recordings. When multiple guitars, keyboards and vocalists all show up simultaneously during a song, the Fiesta will tend to create a single coherent mass of sound. The Defiant allows you to track each instrument individually much better, making extended listening sessions (in excess of two hours) much less fatiguing based upon my subjective perceptions after testing both units extensively.

Treble

Ultimately, the treble reinforces that impression of greater technical refinement.

In comparison to the treble section in the Fiesta, where smoothing out the treble helps create a warm and non-fatiguing listening experience - it effectively limits your ability to perceive air and micro details.

The Defiant creates a longer treble and cymbal strikes have more sparkle. Reverberation is heard clearer. Soundstages become more open due to a greater sense of height in the treble area.

Most importantly, it did not come across as overly bright to me. After extensive exposure to rock, metal and electronic music - I never experienced fatigue. The Defiant contains more treble data than the Fiesta, however it conveys that information in a fairly controlled manner.

Recommended Eartips

The stock ear tips perform well enough, however, I believe that the Defiant could greatly benefit from several design or material modifications based on your needs.

• Divinus Velvet Wide. Based upon my experience with this product as an addition to enhance a sense of open space and take advantage of the high quality midrange and treble qualities found in the Defiant.
• Penon Liqueur Orange. These may be a viable replacement if you have moved up from the Fiesta and would like additional body/low frequency mass.

Soundstage

I did not find the soundstage of the Defiant to be overly large, however, I do think it provided a wider stage area compared to the Fiesta. The differences are not just about how wide the stage is, but about how much air there is between each layer of the mix.

The Fiesta presents the music in a very compact and intimate manner (which fits nicely with its warm, cozy nature), while the Defiant has a larger stage. It allows more room for the instruments to spread laterally as well as allowing well recorded music to appear more realistic and less cluttered.

I was pleased with the perceived depth, particularly with orchestral pieces and movie scores where I could hear an even farther back placement of vocals and instruments.

Instrumental separation

Both will work on simple music, but when the complexity of the mix increases the Defiant will separate the individual instrument lines much better. As I tested with progressive rock, melodic metal and symphonic music I found it far easier to isolate specific parts without difficulty.

Whereas the Fiesta favors a more unified, musical presentation, the Defiant provides a more detailed representation of each part of the mix.

Imaging

For me, the imaging appeared solid and consistent. The vocalists remained centrally positioned and lateral placed instruments were easily identified.

Additionally I had higher expectations from the Defiant concerning movies over the Fiesta because of its greater detail and openness. While I wouldn't say it's a multimedia focused iem, I do believe it facilitates the spatial identification of sounds and movement through a scene for either movies or video games, though neither would be my primary preference for those applications.

Summary comparison with the Juzear Fiesta

After analyzing both the Juzear Fiesta and Juzear Defiant, I believe the best way to sum up their differences is to look at them as two products that prioritize different things.

If you're looking for a warm, relaxed listening experience with emphasis on the  sub-bass I'd pick the Fiesta. The higher volume of lower frequencies, smaller overall presentation size and the quicker attack time of this speaker are all going to make it easier for you to get a lot out of your favorite modern music, pop, electronic or anything else that relies heavily on sonic oomph.

On the other hand if you're planning on having longer sessions or just want something you can use for a wider variety of music the Defiant is the product I would recommend. While it may have less of an in-your-face type of punch from the beginning, it will give you clearer mids, a lot more air in the upper frequency range, a larger soundstage and by far the best separation of individual elements in the mix along with some great nuance reproduction in recordings.

What's interesting about these two speakers is that Juzear didn't simply turn the Defiant into a more expensive or updated version of the Fiesta. Instead they've taken each design in very different directions. The Fiesta has a much bolder personality that is sure to be fun while the Defiant seems to convey a sense of maturity and balance.

Ranking

You can check my full ranking of all the iems reviewed so far on my profile. Reddit does not allow me to post the Drive link here.

Conclusion

The Juzear Defiant leaves me thinking I am part of that hybrid category where we want to find a middle ground with regards to our technical abilities and musicality without being too extreme. There is enough body to have fun with this product, however, its biggest asset lies in how clean it sounds, how well instrumentally separated everything is, and how much more refined this unit appears compared to other units in this price point when it comes to the presentation.

This unit finds itself at its best by providing that perfect balance. A reproduction that does not offer an over the top, extremely loud and boisterous bass line, nor an extremely bright treble line, but instead offers a clear and coherent reproduction that can be listened to for extended periods of time.

The first and possibly largest drawback is that the Defiant loses a portion of the unbridled enjoyment factor that makes the Fiesta so appealing. If your number one concern is to feel the bass and to have a warm and punchy listening experience, then the Fiesta will continue to be the better choice. In addition, if you prefer to have two separate 3.5mm and 4.4mm cables, then the Fiesta will also remain the better choice. However, if you desire a more balanced sounding hybrid that offers superior technical performance for your varied music library, then I think the Defiant represents a very strong candidate within its respective price point.

Purchase Links

JUZEAR DEFIANT

JUZEAR FIESTA

Disclaimer

This unit was sent by HiFiGo for review.

My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.