Knowledge Zenith(KZ) AS16 PRO

I got this one from KZ's official store on Sho++ee. I have always been partial to single dynamic drivers especially many models in the budget segment turned up in the last few years that are quite good. So I thought there would be some adjustments for me trying an all-ba driven iem in terms of sound. To my surprise, there is nothing in this all-ba driven iem that prevented me from enjoying my music.










These impressions were made using the stock tips that came with the unit, using the stock 3.5mm cable on a Shanling M3X, with a minimal burn-in time of 10 hours since I really don't think that burn-in won't do much due to the physical characteristics of balanced aramature drivers.

Bass/Subbass
At first I thought the bass here is comparative to how low the bass reaches on a Tinhifi T3 plus when I first tried it on low volume. But once I increased volume to my real listening levels (volume 60% on 3.5mm port) and tried bass-heavy tracks, the bass really showed itself. The bass on these go really low, almost reaching basshead levels. The quality of bass is also very good, and very tight. Being used to dynamic driver-driven iems, the only thing I noticed is though the bass goes really low, I haven't felt that visceral sensation of vibration and air pressure in my ear walls that comes with the bass, since these are ba drivers after all, minimal amount of air is moved. I actually kinda liked it as I find it decreased "bass fatigue" if i may call it anything. Overall I'm very satisfied of this thing's bass performance.





Midrange
The midrange has great clarity, probably because of how the treble is tuned as well. There is no problem for male and female voices to stand out and be heard clearly and most importantly, intelligibly. I really can't enjoy music if I can't understand the lyrics as sung by the artist hehe

Treble
Treble is sufficiently bright, albeit relaxed. But is sufficient to enjoy all genres. You can definitely go for long hours listening to your music with the AS16 Pro without experiencing fatigue, as I did with mine. I haven't encountered sibilance even after I played Akina Nakamori's Septiemme Sens, which for me is enough to see if the unit is sibilant.

I am fairly new to this hobby, and would always go for affordable products. This is definitely a keeper!

KZ AS16 Pro ($55)​

Knowledge Zenith (KZ) is a machine which never stops. Churning out new releases seemingly every other week. We get new series, new designs, old iterations made new with the addition of “Pro” following the name etc. It is a constant. Ya know what’s craziest about all these releases? KZ/CCA haven’t had many misses of late. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to many of the newer iems and I seem to always have a smile on my face.
Before I begin writing this review, I’d like to thank KZ for providing the As16 Pro for an honest and fair review. I do like to see these companies going out on a limb and living with whatever the outcome of the review brings. As for myself… Integrity comes first and that will never change. I write what I hear and nothing more.

KZ was my first foray into the Chi-fi audio world…many moons ago. Before that I was pinching pennies trying to scale up my audio game. We had so little so of course I had to wait for birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day, you get it. Of course, I was younger then, had a lot less loot and family came first so…I would take anything I could get a deal on. Naturally I, like so many others, gravitated to KZ as they truly had a sound that money shouldn’t have been able to buy at the low cost they were asking. For that I will always have a soft spot for the company.

Thus, I began my fall into the rabbit hole. Yes, I didn’t just stroll in, I plunged in. I’m still not rich but I make a decent enough living… Praise God. Family still comes first but at least I can set aside money for the hobby. I still search for deals all over and I still buy almost everything I have reviewed so when a company sends out a unit for review, I am so very grateful.
I do not have the original As16 for comparison, nor do I have any all BA iems to compare with. So, I will likely give this set a highlight and review and ditch the comparisons at this time. I can always circle back and edit some in at a later date.


Full Review: https://www.mobileaudiophile.com/kz-as16-pro-review/
Gear Used
–Zooaux Dongle Dac
–IFi Go Blu
–Shanling UA2
–Ibasso DX240 w/ Amp8 MK2

Packaging​

This will be rather short. The packaging and unboxing experience isn’t really an experience at all. Which honestly also doesn’t bother me at all. I do like to receive some extras in the package, but I like a whole lot more when companies keep costs down and put the money towards the sound and device.

The box is the typical small KX/CCA box (in this case black). When you first pull the sleeve off of the inner box what you will see are the very nice-looking shells staring back at you resting in foam cut-outs. Underneath them you’ll find the cable and the ear tips in seperate white little baggies. There is no case or carrying bag to house the AS16 Pro, of course I wasn’t expecting anything. Plus, I have way too many (cases) which sit collecting dust anyhow.

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Build/Design/Fit/Durability​

Look​

The As16 Pro carries much of the aesthetic of the previous As16 (I do not have them on hand). However, in the new model there is a plastic diamond-like gem pattern acting as the Faceplate. If you remember the non-pro set had an all-metal Faceplate. The set I have is the Cian model, the other option is the black model which in my opinion is pretty tough looking as well. The shells are gargantuan in size and mostly clear. A metal strip borders the plastic inlaid Faceplate which adds a nice contrast. I’m still on the fence with the look but I do like that big housing knowing that it’s crammed full of tech to replay my library. Also, the look is really growing on me.

Isolation​

Isolation is kind of a mixed bag. The nozzles are longer than most so it may take shuffling through a bunch of ear tips to find a suitable seal. I went through my vast cavern of tips and finally ended my search with Final E-tips (Medium-small). As far as isolation goes for me, the As16 Pro isolates pretty well. It just takes a while to get there.

Fit​

The fit is also a mixed bag, which kind of goes hand-in-hand with isolation. These shells are enormous and couple that with the long nozzle and you may experience an odd fitment. Each shell does carry 8 Balanced Armatures so it’s easy to see why they needed the big shells. Once I got these sitting right, I am fine, but it takes a bit more fiddling around to achieve. This goes without saying but… we are all different and you may get a completely opposite experience. I had to use smaller tips to be able to insert deep enough into my ear canal. Using larger tips was a bit ridiculous because the As16 Pro would simply not get deep enough which caused the As16 Pro to not sit right in my ear.

Build/Durability​

The build quality isn’t bad. Considering this set is $55 that is. I see no issues looking around the shell, no sloppy seams or anything. Build quality is typical to the price point, I think. Likely the As16 Pro will last as long as you don’t fumble these from your roof top. Or feed them to your dog. The build isn’t bad at all. Only time will tell how durable this set is so… not much to say about that really.

What’s Inside.. ​

KZ created what I think to be the lowest cost for a new iem carrying 8 Balanced Armature Drivers per side. Hence the huge shells. From what I read they used four ‘31736’ BAs for the Highs, two ‘26689’ BAs for the Midrange and two ‘22955’ BAs for the Low End. Separating the frequencies is what KZ refers to as a “Three channel conduit structure”. Basically, sound tubes which separate the mix by way of 3D printing.






Photos Above: KZ Promotional images


Az16 Pro Cable & Ear Tips

The cable is the usual cable which KZ tends to use for their iems of late. It is a QDC type, 3.5 single ended white cable. I don’t mind it too much but it’s nothing new. Granted, it’s miles better than the old KZ cables, however, I did swap cables to a Ferai 16 core SPC Balanced cable for balanced sources. Nothing is wrong with the included cable sonically, but I’ve simply grown accustomed to decent to nice upgrade cables.

The ear tips which come with the As16 Pro are the black KZ Starlines. They provide 3 sets of them (small, medium & large). Ya, I switched them out as well. Due to the longer nozzle, I was forced to use smaller tips. I went with Final E-tips tips using the medium size to get the right insertion depth. The reason I went with the Final tips is the seal that they give me, nothing against the Starlines. I actually really like KZ Starline tips and wish I had more of them.

Drivability ​

Rated at 18 ohms and a sensitivity of 114 dB the As16 Pro is not difficult to drive at all. Using a low powered dongle such as the Zooaux Dac was a breeze. Plenty of drive as well. In fact, whether I was listening with the IFi Go Blu, the Shanling Ua2, or the Ibasso Dx240 I didn’t seem to find an increase in sound quality. They are all great sounding in general and the As16 Pro seemed to have no issue with any of them. Whether I went with the Go Blu’s CS43131 dac chip, the Shanling UA2’s ES9038Q2M or the ES9038 Pro chip in the DX240 I heard decent synergy also. As for power, it’s not an issue at all.



General Sound Impressions

The As16 Pro carries a more V-shaped to U-shaped tonal character. There is a slight warmth to my music with this set. For the most part the As16 Pro is tuned more balanced as a whole. I hear a pronounced but not intrusive low-end. Nice BA slam with good speed. The midrange is forward as well as recessed. There is an audible dip in the lower mids and then a bump around 1k followed by another dip. The treble area is more relaxed and non-fatiguing yet still with decent extension.

There have been reported issues with impedance and the need for an impedance adapter. I suppose I can’t disagree but in the same breath this is a matter of taste. Honestly, I do not need an adapter to enjoy the sound. I actually kind of dig it as I like a more forward midrange from time to time. Now there are issues, don’t get me wrong, but nothing which condemns the As16 Pro to me. There are most assuredly redeeming qualities to the sound.

Bass​

Sub-bass​

KZ did a nice job on the low end of the As16 Pro. There is ample weight in the lowest region which is saying something for an all BA iem. The Sub-bass is well enough textured with enough impact and grunt to reliably bump through hip-hop and similar genres. The sub-bass is not rolled off at all to my ears. Not quite as full and tactile as a Dynamic Driver but pretty darn close. I hear great physicality which isn’t normal for an all BA iem. The Sub-bass has some growling vibration which can dig low, and I can feel it as well. One of Whiskey Myers new songs from their ‘Tornillo’ album, “John Wayne” begins with a tough sounding bass guitar which reaches pretty low. I love the bite and growl from the AS16 Pro listening to this track.

Mid Bass​

The Mid-bass is similar in volume to the sub-bass. Pronounced, forward, and fast. The As16 Pro has a great slam for any iem let alone a $55 Balanced Armature set. In “911“ by Teddy Swims, I truly cannot hear any less body than I would a dynamic. On top of that the bass doesn’t bleed at all. The mid-bass easily has enough in quantity for me, and I love good bass. Since I’m late to this set, I’ve seen other reviews state that the bass is lacking. In my most honest opinion, there is no lack here unless you are a certified bass head. In which case yes, the As16 Pro does not have the full bass head style Dynamic Driver impact.

All around thoughts of the Bass​

The low-end is very fast and precise as one would expect. Decay lingers enough to add atmosphere. Obviously nothing like a dynamic in that regard but very nice to my ears. Bass guitars have growl and a tight edged attack which highlights the sound for me. This is not a basshead iem at all but it is a more quality bass with a lot of texture and even some haptic feedback. I say all of that and in the same breath I don’t think these live up to the bass reproduction of a dynamic driver. Even with the hard hitting BA nature to this set it still lacks the round boom of a DD.

Midrange​

Lower Mids​

The midrange is very energetic and forward. Some may or may not enjoy this, but I can appreciate it. The lower midrange has great clarity and decent body while only slightly suffering from BA timbre to me. Lower mids are a bit more recessed than the rest of the mix and I could use a bit more weight to male vocals, but there is an engaging quality which caters to men’s voices. Basically, there is enough clarity and good resolution to make any recession a non-issue.

Check out Marcus King’s song “Blood on the Tracks“. His voice isn’t the deepest, but it still stands out with good placement of his vocals amongst the bassline, the drum play, guitar, sax and keyboard. Yes, there is a recession, but clarity is enough. I would like a bit more forward and a bit more weight to male vocals but in the totality of the AS16 Pro’s replay, male vocals aren’t bad.

Upper Mids​

Female vocals are certainly forward but not brilliant. They have a natural quality to them but lack shimmer to an extent and at times exhibit that Balanced Armature nasally type inflection. However, it is faint. Also, to some this area may sound too forward depending on the singer and song among other things.

Truthfully, I don’t mind the upper mids. The mids have such an inviting quality despite all that I’ve said. They aren’t fatiguing or shouty and I can still hear the subtleties in a soft tone or the power behind a ballad. It can seem as though the singer is a few steps in front of you, but it is Intimate. For some tracks this can be a detriment but not enough for me to label it a con. Ingrid Andress has a beautiful almost raspy voice, she’s a singer songwriter type and a song of her newest album “Blue” shows how well the AS16 Pro emphasizes females. She sounds fantastic & breathy. If I had any con, I would like a bit more emotional of a replay, but I am being ridiculously petty and picky in saying that. For the price and against the competition, the AS16 Pro sound very nice.

Other observations ​

The midrange can exhibit some dryness to it as well as some BA timbre issues, but in truth it isn’t an issue. I suppose a bit more warmth may have helped. Maybe not. Strings have a tight but crisp nature to them with a non-fatiguing bite. Pianos come across full and rich if not a hair forward at times. In total I really enjoy the Midrange of the As16 Pro as it is moody enough and has a warmth, it’s also resolute with a sense of air even though there is a forward nature to them. To me the Midrange is engaging with a very focused sound to them. They pulled me in, and I have zero issue keeping the As16 Pro in my ears. Honestly the Midrange is one of its best qualities for me.

Treble​

Some Issues​

To me, the treble area is not very shimmery and sparkly. That said, the treble is laid back and easy to sit with for long periods. I can tell you straight up that Treble-heads may not like the replay here but those who enjoy something warmer and easier to digest will like this. Some instruments aren’t as poised and presented as I’d probably like in the treble. I wouldn’t say muted but simply have less natural richness to them or weight. Perhaps a bit thin. Cymbals are restrained without that full sounding ‘CHISK’ to my ears. I say all of that but in truth the treble area can work well for a number of people. Not everyone wants a bright and analytical cool treble.

Redeeming Qualities​

I do hear nice clarity up top. There is an airy quality even with the perceived dull nature. There is absolutely no harshness or ear gouging peakiness. I really don’t mind this area at all as I can listen for a long time and truthfully, I’m not missing much. In the world of audio, we split hairs a lot. Like details, I don’t hear the finest of details, but I do hear enough to not ruin my music and that’s what is important. The tonality really isn’t bad at all either. One more thing, the famed KZ metallic sheen is gone and that is a huge step in the right direction.

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Soundstage/Imaging/Details​

Soundstage ​

The soundstage is pretty nice considering the treble isn’t as far reaching and areas of the midrange are pulled forward. Kind of hard to put my finger on but I quite like the size of the stage. Like I always say, the stage, in my opinion, simply needs to make sense. I have never needed a colossal expanse in my music. My question always is, “Does the stage make sense to the track”? I realize that this isn’t the most genius or technical way to put it but… I don’t think it takes a genius to hear if the staging is appropriate to the music being played either.

Width is outside my ears, average I’d say, I suppose. Height is the same, average. Depth isn’t bad at all as there is a perceived depth to the sound. Obviously, there are some iems which do it better and many which sounds much worse. There are even some iems which have an even smaller stage yet still can sound fantastic… imagine that. This is simply my opinion and my own likes and dislikes, but I think stage size is kind of blown out of proportion anymore. I truly believe that imaging and placement matter more, at least to me. All that said, all my mindless blabbering aside, I’d say that the stage size of the As16 Pro is about average yet laid out nicely and… appropriate to the music being played.

Imaging​

This brings us to imaging. I have zero issue pointing out pieces of a track listening to the AS16 Pro. The multiple Balanced Armatures really help to delineate the placement of different instruments or voices. Drawing a fine line around each element. I think imaging is very good using the As16 Pro. These aren’t top of class, but they are very nice.

Details​

The low end carries a fair number of details which is aided by quick and tight transients and a resolute playback. The midrange as well shows some macro details as clarity has a nice boost to it. There may be some small subtleties which get slightly planed over as far as micro-details are concerned. The treble area misses only the faintest of details. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the treble is opaque or veiled because I still hear decent clarity even in the duller sound up top. Truthfully, I don’t mind this too much unless I am critically listening. As honest as I can be… critical listening is not really taking in a song for the value of enjoyment. So really not a huge deal. Yet I suppose it is a con in this day and age.

Is the price justified ?​

This little section I decided to add because if I am a consumer, which I am, I want to know if the cost is justified against the competition. The short answer is yes…yes, I do believe that the AS16 Pro lives up to the price that KZ is asking. I can tell you one thing for sure, you won’t find a better all BA iem at the price of $55, at least that I know of. I haven’t tried every iem in this price point and I think there are better tuned iems (regardless of driver types) which fit my preferences in the $50-$75 price point. That is a killer area stacked with some very well done and well-tuned iems. That said, the As16 Pro is a nice set and lives up to the price KZ is asking…in my opinion.

Conclusion​

The As16 Pro is a very low-cost option for an iem with 16 BAs in total. This should be blowing our minds that KZ was able to actually tune all of these drivers in such a way that we have a very coherent and musical playback for such a small price. $55! This used to be unheard of! Please enjoy this time fellas and Ladies. Take it all in. No, the As16 Pro is certainly not perfect, in fact it’s far from it in my opinion. That said, I really enjoy them and seem to get wrapped up with the replay listening to my library.

Get other perspectives

Also, just a quick reminder to please check out other reviews. Please don’t hang your hat on my thoughts of the AS16 Pro. I’ll be honest I do think that the sound can almost be a bit polarizing. In that, not everyone is going to enjoy the midrange presentation as well as the duller treble region. On the flip side I know many who do quite enjoy this set. The point is, we all have different likes and dislikes, plain and simple. We have different gear, different hearing capabilities and tolerances, many also don’t have the same type of music library, among other attributes. Please watch or read other reviews, get to know other reviewers as well, it’ll help a lot to better trust their opinion in helping you.

So, there you have it…an all Balanced Armature iem which has decent tuning and a more balanced sound for a low cost. I enjoy this set people, there is something about it which keeps them in my ears. There is something alluring in the sound profile which I cannot fully put my finger on. I suppose for a fatigue-free listen there is still enough energy to draw me in. I’m sure there are many who will enjoy this set quite a lot. Nice bass, forward-ish midrange and a non-piercing treble with a nice soundstage. Those aren’t bad qualities to have. This review spells out some flaws that are issues with me as well as some good points about this iem.

I truly hope this helps at least one person in a purchasing decision. Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this review, it means a lot. Thank you and please take care.

Summary | Too Long Don't Want to Read

First full BA IEM from KZ that has the DNA of their recent tuning work which aims to reduce treble aggressiveness and maintain a balance in the whole frequency spectrum. AS16 Pro actually has two signatures if you are aware of the impedance issue, without the impedance adapter it is a midcentric IEM, with the 30 Ohm impedance adapter it is U-Shaped or specifically Diffuse Field with significant bass boost (like the Tanchjim Tanya or SSP). Without the impedance adapter, vocals with the AS16 Pro sound intimate and in your face, it can be intimidating or wonky especially with female vocals. Lower treble is also masked by the hump at 1kHz making some instruments lack the presence on the soundscape (e.g piano, string instruments). With impedance adapter, hump at 1kHz is removed, making vocals to be placed far away from the listener, making the lower treble more audible adding presence to the instruments stated before. Bass with and without the impedance adapter is actually soft on the attack and rumble is almost inaudible even if the graphs show the opposite, there’s actually no slam to the bass and punch is like a feather touching you. However, the lack of any bass punch, makes drums and bass guitar highly transparent on the soundscape, like there’s no boundary withthose two instruments (they feel real), its literally in the front of my headspace without any coloration whatsoever.Technicalities punches way above its price range, detail retrieval, staging and layering is top notch, but soundstage is lacking a bit in wideness.

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Disclaimer

• I am salty and I only praise KZ IEMs, you might even call me a shill..haha..you shouldn't trust anything I'm saying here, you definitely should not read this review...why are you still reading this?..ooohh--kay..weird...Anyways back to the serious stuff...since you are still reading this, here's my review, join me cope this IEM.
• I reviewed the AS16 Pro with a 30-ohm adapter since it’s my preferred sound signature some notes will be added for stock form. I have also assessed the AS16 Pro for over 2 weeks to remove any biases from the "honeymoon period" of the said IEM.
• This review is highly biased towards my taste in music and my target sound signature. Please confirm first if we have the same library, if not skip this review and kindly check other reviews.
• YOUR MILEAGE MAY ALWAYS VARY.
• My unit is a review sample given generously by KZ, thanks to them I can continue reviewing IEMs..haha...I will be neutral as much as possible in this review, but as always bias statements will be unavoidable, and I highly recommend checking out other reviews and only making this long blob of text as a reference.
• If you have more questions about this IEM, kindly visit the official KZ Discord (I am always online there..haha) and let’s have a talk.

Sources Used

• CX-31993 “Main Source”
• Avani (ALC-5686)
• Abigail (CX-31993)
• LG V20
• Xiaom

Thy Frequency Spectrum

Truth to be told, AS16 Pro isn’t my preferred tuning at all, as I like more energy to the strings and pianos, and I will take the EDA Balanced or Lyra any day when it comes to tuning. But what boggled me with this IEM is how mellow it sounds (like I don’t know if this is KZ anymore, cause it doesn’t have the KZ edge/bite/aggressiveness). This IEM is created for relax listening in mind, I can’t actually detect any harsh peaks or enthusiastic bass with this IEM (like the CA10), it’s just smooth and linear, they sound amazing for Jazz and Bossa Nova, but its lacking the dynamics and fun factor to some of my JPOP and western tracks.

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Bass: Superbly Realistic, But Where’s the Slam?
Realistic and accurate. Nothing to describe it really, it isn’t big or punchy like the ESX. The graph will suggest that it will be bassy, but actually the bass sounds soft and lacking the slam. Bassheads may look at other IEMs if they want the slam. AS16 Pro bass also gears towards realism and speed, it isn’t exaggerated in any way and is just there to support what instrument needed it. Like if the drums need the bass it will cleanly provide it without any boundary, delay, or coloration at all. It’s really hard to describe it, it literally feels like the drummer/bass guitarist is around my headspace, it feels like I’m listening to a real performance not just a speaker.

All I can say is the bass response of the AS16 Pro is not tuned to provide fun but to provide detail and accuracy to lower pitched instruments. You know what other thing is amazing with the AS16 Pro? How it layers the bass, it literally has a specific bubble on the soundstage and never influences the midrange in any way, every time I listen to it; the bass is just at the back of my head, waiting for the cue.

Without Impedance Adapter: The same as above, but bass quantity may be perceived as lesser due to the midrange emphasis.

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Midrange: Properly Nuanced, Articulated and Realistic....What?!
Ahmm, what is this KZ? Is this a mistake? Haha.. Like the midrange of this is just plain amazing. All vocals sounded so accurate and true to life (it’s quite hypnotizing in some tracks). Both male and female vocals feel like they are in a center stage of a theater (plain beating all of my IEMs when it comes to vocal presentation and staging). Like what is this midrange response, it’s like a mix of Tanya (which is my vocal benchmark btw) and SeeAudio Yume. Like its lush, well weighted yet very detailed but on another level…ahmm..Plus instrument fundamentals sounds accurate and has this realistic tone to them, like this IEM, has no rights to sound this accurate in the midrange and for the price it's asking. What is even happening, can someone explain it to me.

Without Impedance Adapter: Vocals are more intimate, kinda scary sometimes to be honest, because singers sounded so close to me. Maybe perceived as harsh in some tracks due to how “in your face” the higher pitched vocals are. It is also not true to life/theater-like sounding compared with the impedance adapter.

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Treble: Mellow and Properly Extended, Just Lacking a Bit of Presence
Organic, safe, non-offensive and mellow. Instruments presence is tamed down to a significant amount compared to their recent IEMs, like AS16 Pro has the softest treble response I heard from KZ so far. It is not my preferred treble response since I like more presence to strings but highly works if you are listening to AS16 Pro for a long period of time.

I literally experience zero fatigue even with hours of usage with AS16 Pro (comparing to EDA Balanced, CRA+ and EDXU). Treble also retains linearity up to the upper treble and harmonics are well executed, it isn’t in overdrive like the Salnotes Zero/EDXU/CRA, so expect no artificial detail retrieval with the AS16 Pro, just pure realism. Cymbals are accurate and have proper initial attack and decay on the soundscape, it does not sound ring-y or incomplete like SalZero/Tanya, there’s no 8kHz peak actually (graphs lords rejoice. Haha)

Without Impedance Adapter: Lower treble is more subdued due to the masking of 1kHz hump, upper treble remains the same.

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Technicalities

• Decay and attack of notes are on the fast side, there’s literally no boundary between the listener and the instrument (occurs whenever I listen to Jazz/World Music/Bossa Nova with the AS16 Pro.
• Soundstage has excellent height and depth, average width. It highly mimics a small theater or studio depending on the track (mainly has a U-Shaped projection), it is also not exaggerated like the EDXU or EDA Balanced. Room reverbs and spatial cues are also properly represented. Beats the OG Yume when it comes to soundstage presentation.
• Staging is highly accurate and it is easy to pinpoint instruments, all instruments have specific bubbles on the soundstage. And is layered beautifully like jenga blocks, I can literally separate all instrument like layers in Photoshop.
• Resolution is excellent. It is far cry from any DD IEM I have tried, it is like I’m inside the music rather than watching it in a certain medium, it’s a mesmerizing experience really.
• There’s literally no congestion in any tracks I throw at it, from Bossa Nova to Electronica. Everything is just layered and separated beautifully. There’s a reason why the reviews below me praise it highly. It is legit.
• Coherency between the 8 BAs are excellent. However BA timbre is still noticeable in some tracks (there are some occasions where guitars sounded metallic) but not that catastrophic like the CA10).
• Macrodynamics is lacking for my library (oomph/weight of notes), not really suitable for tracks that need the aggressiveness, but microdynamics are excellently done. AS16 Pro is able to articulate little nuances in most instruments very well. I must even say that it is miles ahead compared to the midtier IEMs I have tried (e.g Yume Midnight).

FR-kun Time!


Music Analysis

While writing this section, I am listening thoroughly to the tracks that are mentioned, there will be sometimes where I will say coped statements and will be too lazy to explain anything.

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1. Hamu Test “Multiple tracks arranged by Hamu” (Played in HibyMusic)

The tracks in this section, will test the IEM ability to naturally replay and stage musical instruments like piano, guitar, violin and drums. This section will also test imaging, detail retrieval and separation. Most of the tracks here also hates V-shaped IEMs.

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AMAZZIINGGG ARRRRGHHHHH. What is this realism like what the…this is on another level like, I never thought that I could listen to Bossa Nova like this, it’s just too real and open. Like this is what I live for as a sound enthusiast..I wanna cry..this is plain beautiful.

No, no, no, you don’t need to know my critical analysis with these tracks, if you listen to Bossa Nova/Jazz/Blue etc. just buy it, like legit just buy it, experience the realism and pack up your things, quit any audio groups/forums, this is already end game for these type of tracks….haha

Replay Rating: Xtra Beautiful / Listening Redefined / Current Benchmark for these types of tracks.

2. Light Prayer by Nagi Yanagi (Played in HibyMusic)

Female Vocals, Driver Resolvability/Speed, Soundstage, Midrange Nuances

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Yoow, the speed of this track is amaze balls with AS16 Pro, bass riffs is replayed effortlessly, like AS16 Pro didn't even try, add Nagi's lush and angelic voice that is full of nuances and clarity, what the…. The soundstage too, the drums are literally at the back of my head, while Nagi is in the center stage of a U-shaped theatre, guitars and piano are also contained in a specific space on the soundscape, like what the duck is this replay, I'm speechless..haha.

Replay Rating: X-Beautiful

3. Decollete by Kenshin Yonezu (Played in HibyMusic)

Male Vocals, Midrange Resolvability, Dynamics, Separation

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Are there no tracks that sound bad with AS16 Pro, like what is this, again? The staging and layering of instruments in this track is just superb. It makes me appreciate Kenshi’s mastering and composition skills, like the resolution of this track with AS16 Pro is just on full throttle, no IEM I have tried recently sounded like this. Everything from Kenshi’s voice up to the little sparkles in the background sound euphonic yet realistic. If I really have to nitpick I would like more oomph to the bass, but overall, an excellent replay by AS16 Pro.

Replay Rating: Excellent

4. Link (Color Palette Live) by Nagi Yanagi (Played in Youtube)

Female Vocals, Staging, Layering, Timbre, Realism Factor

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Too real man, like what the, it’s too real, you can't do this AS16 Pro, like NOO stop. Why are you making me feel like I'm in the concert hall with Nagi, why are the piano, maracas, triangle, violins, and drums sounds so real? Bruh, do I deserve this beautiful rendition, I didn't know that this track can be replayed like this.

Please if you have the AS16 Pro, please listen to this track, fudging amazing.

Replay Rating: X-Beautiful | Listening Redefined

5. Left-Right Confusion by Yorushika (Played in Tidal)

Female Vocals, Articulation, Bass Response, Separation, Soundstage

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What the f…what is this..From Sui’s voice to the guitars they all sound realistic, better than any IEM I have tried so far. The bass response is also transparent and has its own bubble on the soundscape, actually all instruments have this sort of bubble (specific space on the soundscape).

Plain eargasmic and mesmerizing..haha…it feels like I’m watching n-buna and Suis doing their thing in a U-shaped theater, the instruments, guitars, piano, drums feel so real and natural with full on resolution to boot. Ahmmm. Do you need timestamps? Haha..cause all part of this track is just too good with AS16 Pro, can’t really explain further…haha..sorry?

Replay Rating: X-Beautiful

6. Cyberangel by Hanser (Honkai Impact 3 OST)

Female Vocals, Midrange Forwardness, Sibilance Test, Bass Response

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00:17 sounds on the edge with most of my gear; however AS16 Pro replays it with smoothness and softness. Drums are also quite realistic and stay strictly at the back of my head. Hanser’s voice with this track is quite hypnotic…her voice is fully articulated and nuances are excellently replayed (there's details in her voice that I didn't hear with my current IEMs). All instruments also have their own bubbles on the soundscape from bass guitars to synthesizer. I can pretty much pinpoint all of them. Overall it’s a bizarre yet mesmerizing listening experience.

Replay Rating: Beautiful

7. Imperial Girl covered by Ito Kashitaro (Played in HibyMusic)

Male Vocals, Resolution, Drums and Bass Realism Check, Harshness Test

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Kashi-san voice is a little on the edge with AS16 Pro. However, again the staging, it’s so good from Ito's voice to the drums at the distance they have bubbles on the soundscape that I can easily locate and focus on. However, what I don't like is how Ito's voice is too forward with AS16 Pro, especially at the chorus part his voice is quite intimidating and nearing the shout territory. This track is also lacking the bass oomph that I really enjoy with IEMs like CRA+. But the realism of drums in this track is on another level, can't really comment on it.

Replay Rating: Average

Comparison

This comparative analysis is highly biased on my library, so please don’t take this as a unified guide on what should you buy or not.

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AS16 Pro vs EDA Balanced
EDA Balanced replays my library with energy, sparkle, dynamics and a bit artificial sounding when compared, while AS16 Pro plays my library with realism, organicness and warmth. Staging, layering, detail retrieval is better on AS16 Pro while EDA Balanced has an average tech but a more pleasing tuning for my ears..AS16 Pro sounds like you’re in the music while EDA Balanced sounds like a speaker setup in a hallway..Vocals are lusher with EDA Balanced but are accurate and positioned correctly with AS16 Pro. Can’t really choose between the two, I’m using the EDA Balanced whenever I want to listen to some pop tracks and while traveling, while AS16 Pro is for my home setup and whenever I want to indulge in that realism with my music. Tie

AS16 Pro vs ESX
AS16 Pro is more relaxed, accurate and organic sounding. ESX is grander, energetic, dynamic, and more fun. AS16 Pro has better soundstage presentation, while ESX is narrower and more in your head. Details are forefront with ESX, while with AS16 Pro you need to focus on a certain instrument to hear the little nuances. Vocals are more forward and lush with AS16 Pro, while ESX is a bit recessed with the vocals. Dynamics still goes with ESX and the overall wake up factor, AS16 Pro is mellow and comforting in comparison.
Tie. One for critical listening and one for whenever I want to wake up and jam with my music.

AS16 Pro vs Lyra
Think of it like this, take the Lyra organic signature, add a BA Tech to it, tadah AS16 Pro…AS16 Pro is the master of staging and layering at the price they are asking. AS16 Pro has better detail retrieval, less congestion, superb separation, and a theater like soundstage. Truer to life. However, it has tonal flaws like apparent lack of presence with strings, lack of macrodynamics to the sound. Lyra on the other hand boasts its complete and organic sound signature, and DD timbre. AS16 Pro wins.

AS16 Pro vs CA10
I don’t even want to compare these two..haha.. CA10 sounds plain trash compared to AS16 Pro, like CA10 is too bloated and harsh. AS16 Pro triumphs the CA10 in any way possible. It isn't even funny. AS16 Pro wins.

AS16 Pro vs Yume Midnight
There’s still this transducer barrier with Yume Midnight, and is too flat sounding for my ears. It has a wider soundstage than AS16 Pro, but nowhere near the layering and staging of AS16 Pro. Vocals are also more emotive with AS16 Pro, Yume Midnight sounds alright with the vocals nothing special. Bass is more dynamic with Yume Midnight, while AS16 Pro lacks the punch and oomph with the bass. Treble is more extended with AS16 Pro, making cymbals crash full and bodied compared to Yume Midnight. AS16 Pro makes me feel like I’m in the concert, while Yume Midnight makes me feel like I’m listening to a 5.1 Speaker setup.

Since AS16 Pro plays my Jazz, Live and Bossa Nova tracks with full on realism. AS16 Pro takes the win this time.

AS16 Pro vs CA16 Pro
CA16 Pro is more digital/artificial sounding, bassier, less technical, has recessed midrange, also brighter than AS16 Pro. AS16 Pro approaches music with realism in mind, it is miles ahead when it comes to technicalities and has a more pleasant/non-offensive tuning than CA16 Pro. AS16 Pro wins.

Eartips Rolling

Aside from the excellent sound performance of AS16 Pro, I have some nitpicks with it, like the big nozzle and the gigantic shell it has. It is plain uncomfortable for my ears, my default recommendable tip isn’t even working with AS16 Pro. And I am having physical fatigue with them whenever I’m using them for travel. There’s also an uncomfortable suction whenever they are in my ears, like I need to open my mouth just to insert and remove them properly.

Take note of the big nozzle if ever you are gonna buy them, the nozzle is big, 1.5x bigger than ZEX Pro. If you have small ears you might need triangular-ish shaped eartips (e.g Spinfits) to fit them properly.

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1. Kbear KB07
Nope, uncomfortable, didn’t achieve proper seal.

2. Stock Starline Tips
Good, but the internal pressure of this tips when they are in my ears is much greater than the tips after this, it is still uncomfortable to me. For the sound, it’s alright, no boost in any frequency whatsoever or any unnecessary resonances that may destroy AS16 Pro sound. AS16 Pro sounds flat with these tips to be honest.

3. Sony EP-EX11 Tips
Recommended, like the 2nd tips but less internal pressure more comfortable too.

4. SalZero Stock Pink Tips
Yes, more comfortable than the Sonys but this is much pricier since you can only get this tips alongside an overhyped IEM. Lower treble is a bit boosted with these tips, and bass quantity rises a bit.

5. Spinfits CP145/CP100
Recommended, will make the AS16 Pro midrange a bit recessed, but is the most comfortable tips I’ve tried, the internal pressure issue is gone with these tips. Moreover, the soundstage is a bit taller with these eartips, specifically with CP145.

6. Generic Foam Tips
Sadly, I can't fit them into my ears..

7. BGVP W01
Can’t achieve proper seal with them, bass is gone.

Equalization
No, it doesn’t need it . Just enjoy the realism.

Tested Synergies
Reverie into Realism
AS16 Pro, Spinfits CP145 Tips, CX-31993
Smoothest and most organic synergy I have achieved, beats the timbre and staging of some midtier IEMs I have tried (e.g Yume and Yume Midnight). Vocals are also more holographic and instruments are more weighted with this synergy. Basically the tips add some quantity to the lower treble while retaining the accurate midrange, while CX-31993 refines the signature a bit.

Enveloping and Mellow Approach
AS16 Pro, Sony EP-EX11 Tips, Avani
This synergy will add warmth to the realistic approach of AS16 Pro. It’s like a warm blanket on cold summer nights. Vocals are lusher and lower treble is a bit subdued compared to the first synergy. Detail retrieval is downgraded compared to the first synergy. Same bass response as the above.

Recommend Tracks/Genres
All tracks but excels with Acoustic/Jazz/Bossa Nova

“Not that good” Tracks
Some pop tracks that need the energy, some hip-hop and rap tracks.

Non-affliated Shop Links:
https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-as16-pro

Overall Rating
A+ (Current Top 2)
Highly Recommended~~
My Ranking Listo!
Asterhythmist

Final Words
Oh man, what a beautiful ride. This IEM isn’t allowing me to skip any songs in my library, like every song makes me locked in. If the recent reviews are hyping this IEM to oblivion, their impressions are actually correct. AS16 Pro is offering a sound that is beyond its price range, it isn’t a killer by any means but a flavor that should sit above $100 by default.

The thing that is a bummer with this IEM is you need an impedance adapter to correct its tuning, actually I find it a feature..haha..cause you actually have two different signatures in hand, midcentric or U-shaped. If you don’t like the stock midcentric approach then just buy a $5 30 Ohm impedance and you have yourself a U-shaped IEM. As far as I’m seeing it, some people also liked the mid centric approach while others find it wonky, it highly depends on what you are listening or sound preferences.

Suggestions for the Next Releases

• Reduce the size of the shell and the nozzle. Pls consider us folks who hab small ears. This IEM will be my dailies if it has the fit of ZEX Pro.
• Add a magnetostat to handle the air frequencies (With my experience with ZEX and ZES, KZ magnetostat driver handles the upper treble really well). Adding some extra sparkle will make the AS16 Pro go into another level.
• EDA/DQ6S DD as bass driver to add oomph and dynamics to the sound.
• Better set of eartips (inclusion of wide bores, narrow bores, or foam tips will be nice) even if the cost will go up a bit.
• A more generous or proper packaging please.

Oi! welcome to my another IEM blog and once again I'll do a review for the Knowledge Zenith or KZ product. This product is somehow different in tuning especially on their all-BA product range as I have tested some of their old models before like BA10 (that Ironman-inspired look IEM in 2018) AS06 and the first AS16 which all of them were of V-shaped tuning.

As I mentioned that I've tested the first AS16 in 2019 and I remember I have some qualms about that unit as it was sound so unrefined in my ears due to recessed mids, sibilant and with very mediocre technicalities and if my memory serves right, it is one of the KZ's product which price was around US$100/£83. And now, KZ decided to release an improved version of AS16 and it is now cheaper and affordable to budding audio enthusiasts.




What I have here on my hand is KZ's latest product, KZ AS16 PRO. Like its first previous version, it consists of an octa-driver set up, All of them are balanced armature transducers that handle all of the parts of frequency range. It has an electronic frequency divider and a newly improved, 3D-designed tri-channel sound tube for deliver a fuller sound quality.

Moreover, its inner components were housed in a smoky polycarbonate "resin" shell with a supporting frame made of zinc alloy in the face plate part of the shell. It's aesthetic design shares with CCA Lyra which has been inspired from either a chandelier or some sort of precious gem and we were all aware that CCA is KZ's sister company that also shares resources to them. Its size is kinda huge and chunky that I am having a hard time doing a long listening due to the fact that I only barely wear them for just merely an hour as my ears feel some discomfort and strain already. Like all KZ/CCA IEMs, it uses a QDC-type 2-pin connector that I still have some qualms about it but I digress.



Like all top tier KZ/CCA products, its packaging box has this door-style and a tad larger than usual of their entry-level sets and if you open it, you will see the IEMs and some sort of plaque at front.

Here are the contents inside of the KZ AS16 PRO's packaging box:

• A pair of AS16 PRO IEMs
• A product plaque plate
• A parallel, flat four (4) core stock cable with L-shape termination plug (3.5mm)
• Some pair of extra ear tips (small and large sizes).
• An instruction user manual.

KZ IEMs are known to be easier to drive and KZ AS16 Pro is no different. It already amplifies well even on decent sources such as smartphones and tablets so you don't other contraptions that boosted some extra juice like USB DACs and desktop DAC/Amps just to have a good listening experience on this set.

For its tonality, KZ AS16 Pro is indeed an exceptional device if you compare it to most KZ IEMs which follow almost the same trajectory curve. We are already familiar with KZ's tuning and I can assure you that this time, they have a different approach on AS16 pro.

KZ AS16 Pro exhibits a mild U-shape, a very warmish-balanced tuning that has a very likeable sound quality that will please listeners who are in either warm-balanced tonality or even "balanced-neutral" like me. It is well-executed in my opinion despite that I'm a bit stickler when it comes to tuning.

Here are some of my observations about all parts of the audio frequency spectrum.



LOWS/BASS:

Since this is an all balanced armature driver set, I just lowered my expectation that it will not have a very deep and dynamic bass quality but surprisingly, AS16 pro delivers a well-rounded bass quality.

Assuredly that it still has those BA "timbre" bass but to a lesser degree compared to KZ's previous all-BA models. The bass has an ample punchiness, fast and clean delivery. Sub bass has an acceptable quality that it does have some sense of rumble and reach on sufficient depth. Mid bass is more prominent on this one as it is well-textured to give a well-bodied sound on bass kicks, bass guitar and bass baritone.

I even sometimes encounter some bass bleeds but it is still acceptable given that it will probably add these characteristics that will give a warm character on the AS16 Pro.



MIDRANGE:

This part of audio frequency is one of my points when it comes to having my own preference in tuning. Mids should be at least, presented very clearly, well-detailed and positioned at least in a very "natural "position (either in between and forward) and KZ almost finally nailed it.

KZ AS16 pro mids seems to have a tad depress in presentation of mids but as a midcentric like myself, I really enjoy in how the mids are very translucent, a sufficient lucidity and a decent added warmth to make the mids sound more natural and engaging especially on vocal tracking of both male and female voices and instruments. Male vocals has a guttural and power while female vocals has pleasant and sweet character and It is also noted that they can handle all vocal types registry decently. Instruments seems to have a good natural and have ample detail especially on percussions like snares and field drums to have a full, sonorous and hard sound. Strings like guitar has a tad dry to crisp sounding and violin seems to have lustrous and lively sound characteristic and lastly piano seems to have warmth to added rich and eloquent sound that reminds me of some ancient German piano like Steinweg.

This is the probably the best KZ IEM when it comes to mids presentation as it is very engaging and compelling and I hope that I will hear this kind of mids presentation on their next product.


HIGHS/TREBLE:

This is where my impression on this part seems that I'll be a bit fastidious on this one as I find the treble registry quite odd. It has smooth, linear and lack of airiness. Transition from mids to upper mids seems to have those noticeable peaks that you might find limits of some vocal presentation especially in mezzo-soprano types a bit skewed-up or off-centered. (If you like U/V-shape type tuning curves like Harman's, you might find it either honky and even wonky based on you sound bias but once again I digress as Harman curves aren't that my thing and I don't have an exact target curve on tuning and please don't even bother me on suggesting putting up some impedence adapter on this review).

Due to some slight upper-mid peaks. It gives of some tad on sibilance on some tracks especially on sibilant-laden ones but the good thing was that I don't encounter that stridency that will ruin the overall sound. Between presence and brilliance treble seems to have that linearity that it has an adequate clarity and well-defined harmonics and fundamentals but sparkle and airy extension seems to be scant as I observe on how cymbals strikes seems to have that lack of shimmer and glistening on my ideal sound.

As I'm quite critical in this part but I still find the treble quality of AS16 PRO as passable.


SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

As I perceive the dimensions of its sound field, it seems to be well-proportionate, average to above average on width with decent depth and a decent height reach. Not a quite spacious headroom but rather more on natural perception.

Imaging seems performs very well in most cases as I can pinpoint the positioning of placements of vocals and instruments, Separation is somehow decent as it has a enough spacing of each distance and layering is good enough as I hear those distinct individual tones and harmonics on how they are stack and arranged in a perceive sonic canvass but in some cases complex tracks like multi-instruments seems to have those overlapping tones on the mix that sound congested and in disarray as it struggle and suffer some inconsistencies of a different sound.

Coherency seems to be above-average given that its all BA drivers but it delivers a fast decay, a good attack and a very sustaining and cohesive but as I said that it does affect the layering and imaging quality of a sound.

Tonal colour seems to have an organic for an all- BA set and with an ample warmth to give a distinct timbre on the AS16 Pro but on some instances, that metallic timbre still permeates and lingering.


This is one aspect of KZ AS16 Pro as its Achilles' hell and it is the imaging, separation and layering on some complex and multi-instrumental tracks but it just a simpler and straight composition that AS16 Pro can handle with an ease.

Furthermore, regarding the resolution capability aspect of this product, it seems that AS16 Pro seems to have a decent detail retrieval that enough to show some nuances but still inadequate to capture more data and information. But the macro-dynamics is indeed solid and substantial.




PEER COMPARISONS:

KZ AS16 original (2019)

• Both have exact driver set-up, they have both a total number of BAs and also have those electronic frequency divider for delivering a better sound quality. The original version shells has a better fitting ergonomics to my ears than the current reiteration which is too large and have some ear strains on them in under an hour on wearing them. Aesthetically-wise, AS16 Pro is much a looker.
• This is what differs between them and its their respective tuning. The original one is more of V-shaped sounding and the current is more of a mild U-shape sounding which is way more balanced one and comprehensible mature tuning on it. Sibilance and harshness are prevalent on the original one.
• As for technicalities, they are almost comparable from soundstage to imaging. Timbre quality is more natural sounding on AS16 pro but still needs some polishing to those occasional metallic and tinny sound.

CCA CA10

• As both cousins have the same drivers set-up, CCA CA10 has lesser number of BAs but is superior on fitting ergonomics as I can wear it for a long listening session.
• They are both of U-shape sound signature but the mids of CCA CA10 has more dipped and leaner compared to a more forward and textured mids of AS16 Pro. CCA CA10 treble is brighter and prone to more sibilance than AS16 pro. Midbass on CCA CA10 is less textured but a bit more cleaner.
• Technical aspects are very similar as both of them have average soundstage, decent and less impressive imaging and separation which is still inadequate in my ideal quality.

Audiosense DT300

• From quality of inclusion of accesories to the materials of the shells, DT300 is way superior in any aspect. Fitting is even better, no contest at all. As for choice of connector, DT300 uses an MMCX connector while AS16 Pro has a QDC-type 2-pin connector. And the DT300's pricing is almost 4x of AS16 Pro.
• Tuning of both are different as DT300 is more of a balanced-neutral sound signature and almost uncoloured while AS16 Pro is mild U-shape. It has a more transparent and detailed sound. Treble is very smooth and with sufficient shimmer and air on DT300 and lastly is that it doesn't exhibit that BA-timbre after all as it really sounds very clean and neutral.
• As for technicalities, DT300 really is up ahead on this. Wide soundstage, precise imaging, well-separated instruments and superb layering that I really wish that AS16 Pro had.

To end my assessment of this review, I still amazed on how KZ really managed to upped their tuning on this one. We are all familiar on KZ's in-house tuning but this time it seems that they approach a very different manner.

KZ AS16 Pro finally almost captured one of my ideal tuning curves which is midcentric but it still had some rough edges to polish but for $56/£47 asking price this is already compelling given it is quite rare to find an almost midcentric sound signature in this price range. Good balanced sound set with decent technicalities is enough to try this out as this might be your "gatekeeper" towards on more matured tuning.

KZ AS16 Pro's current pricing is US$56/£47 and it is now available to all e-commerce sites.

Check out my previous reviews on other KZ products:

• KZ EDX

• KZ EDC

• KZ EDA

• KZ ZEX

• KZ ZEX PRO

• KZ DQ6S

• KZ ZES

• KZ ESX

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: KZ AS16 PRO
IMPEDANCE: 18Ω
SENSITIVITY: 114dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: QDC-type 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): 8 Balanced Armature Drivers


Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy - Lucretia my Reflection **
Suzanne Vega – Luka **


P.S.

I am not affiliated to KNOWLEDGE ZENITH(KZ) nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.



Once again, I would like to thank Tyvan Lam for providing this review unit, I truly appreciate on his generosity towards me and other reviewers.

The KZ AS16 Pro have been sent to me by Linsoul in exchange for the publication of this review. They have not made any specific requests or comments, meaning that I will do my usual best to be as unbiased as possible, always considering the fact that these IEMs have not cost me anything.

You can find a non-affiliate link to the AS16 Pro via Linsoul by visiting the version of this review published on my blog.



Intro…

At this point, I don’t think that KZ needs any introduction. Anyone who has looked at the budget end of the IEM world will know of KZ, it is difficult to not come across them, as they have so many models and a constant presentation of new models.

While KZ may have done some things very wrong over their time manufacturing IEMs, they have also done a lot of things right, being a first step into the HiFi world of IEMs for many people.

The model I am reviewing today is the AS16 Pro, a set of IEMs with 8 Balanced Armatures per side. This model, as with so many others that end in “Pro”, “Plus” or “X”, is an updated version of the original AS16, also featuring 8 BA’s per side, which is actually still available and is priced around 130€. The AS16 Pro sells for around 55€, so we are talking quite a large reduction in price for the new model. I have never heard the original AS16 Pro, so I am not going to be able to compare I’m afraid.



Presentation…

The presentation of the AS16 Pro reminds me a little of the KZ ZAX that I did review a while ago. Packed in a black box, already giving it a bit more of a premium feel than the simple white boxes of the cheaper models, there is not a lot in the way of contents but enough to at least enjoy the IEM straight out of the box.

We get the AS16 Pro IEMs, the usual cable that KZ includes with their recent models (something they call “High purity braided silver-plated cable with 2 pin changeable interface design”), three sets of the KZ “star” tips and the usual user warranty documents etc.



Build and aesthetics…

The shells of the IEMs are on the large side, with a shape that resembles something between a triangle and half a heart. I’m afraid that I find the result rather uncomfortable. Obviously this is going to be different for each person, as everyone's ear anatomy is different, but in my case, they feel like the are digging into my ears and become rather painful after a while. Looking at photos, they do seem to be a very similar shape to the original AS16, so if someone already has a KZ with this shape and is looking for an upgrade, the fit should be fine.

The build quality is the usual KZ standard, nothing extraordinary but seemingly well built. I can’t say I have ever had an issue with the build quality of a KZ IEM, so I don’t have any reason to not expect these to be of the same level over time.

As far as aesthetics, something that is again very personal, I don’t mind them. I haven’t really fallen in love with the way they look but at least they seem to have an original design to them, using a semi transparent shell, with a design on the front plate surrounded by a metal plate.

As usual with KZ, they are as good as, or better than, what can be expected as far as build quality but aesthetics and comfort will be down to each individual.



Sound…

(All tracks mentioned are clickable links that will open the song for reference in the streaming service of your choice)

Let’s take the usual look at the AS16 Pro compared to my personal preference target (remembering that my target is just a guide and not a “be all, end all” as far as my tastes):



Starting from the subbass, using the usual “Chameleon” as a reference, there is a fair amount of it and the BA drivers do keep it fairly clean, however, I really am not a fan of the tonality of the BA bass, at least usually and that includes this set. There really isn’t much rumble to this song, which is something that I feel that the track actually needs.

Moving up into the midbass realms, it is a similar story. The bass is there but it is lacking life in my opinion, at least in comparison to a good dynamic driver in these frequencies. Don’t get me wrong, listening to something like “No Sanctuary Here”, the bass is there and it is fairly clean, it is just not exciting, it is rather polite.

The mids do have a fairly large dip in the center, pushing the overall tuning towards a V shape. This makes certain vocals seem to miss a bit of life in the lower ranges. The same happens with acoustic guitars and other acoustic instruments, there is a little hollowness in the center with a low end that is not warm enough to give them the necessary “body” that they need to seem natural.

As we move up to the higher end of the mids, the AS16 Pro brings vocals a little bit too far forwards. It is not terrible, there are far worse out there, but I do notice a little bit of harshness on tracks like “Don’t You Worry Child” by Beth. Her voice has a habit of becoming harsh on many IEMs and the AS16 Pro are no exception in this regard. They do avoid the 5kHz peak that I am quite sensitive to, so the harshness is not overly irritating for me personally, just a little too hot.

The upper ranges do extend quite nicely and, although the treble is not overly detailed, there is a sensation of clarity and air in the treble. It is nice to see that KZ seem to have left that metallic shine of yesteryear behind them in the upper frequencies, making things seem a lot smoother and more realistic in this regard.

Soundstage is about on a par with the usual KZ offerings, behind some of their more “open” sets yet still better than many other options. “La Luna” does not give a huge sensation of space yet it is still nicely placed, making the binaural recording something to appreciate.

Isolation is pretty decent, meaning that these IEMs work fairly well while outdoors and moving around. You can check out the isolation graph (and compare to others) by following the link at the end of this review.



Conclusion…

I can’t really say anything too bad about the AS16 Pro, they are a set that performs pretty well for their price and if you are looking for a V shaped sound signature, then you can do a lot worse than these.

However… I just find them to be lacking life for a lot of my preferred music. It is not the tuning, as the graph shows that there is plenty (more than enough) of low end to give weight and body to guitars, basses and even drums, it just seems that the bass from the BA’s is a little dull. Not dull in the sense that it isn’t there, or that it doesn’t perform well, just dull in terms of it not sounding very natural to me. I have always said that I am a big fan of dynamic drivers for low ranges and the AS16 Pro just reinforces that feeling.

Another issue that affects my overall impressions of these IEMs is comfort. Obviously this is a very personal thing but it does make it difficult to focus on the positives when you can’t ignore the fact that they are causing pain. Again, this will be very different from person to person but I can only speak for myself.

As always, this review is also available in Spanish both on www.achoreviews.com and on www.youtube.com/achoreviews.

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

KZ AS16 PRO- "SOULFUL"


DISCLAIMER:
This unit was sent by KZ Official Store . Thank you Tyvan Lam. I really appreciate the generosity. But we all know this is not a thanksgiving write up. This will be my personal impression on the product and KZ does not have any control as to what I will say. But it doesn’t let me just talk crap about their product. I have to be professional because I did not buy this. If I had bought them, then it will be a different story. That’s just how it works. That is the limitation of human nature, or at least in the culture I grew up in.

Please consider this review my subjective diary. You know what? I do not copy paste my disclaimer. It is different every review if you may have noticed. The reason for this is, I want you to know how serious I am in this part, and I want to give my utmost importance in disclaimers. You just can’t skip it. It’s always after my title... Unless you scroll down too soon? haha

Cross reference other reviews and take a sack of salt and bathe with it. I consider this my personal diary wherein I try my best to layout my listening experiences as objective as possible, even if I know I end up being subjective because our brain adapts to different tunings.

UNBOXING:

This is not the typical KZ box from their budget models. It think this is the box from their expensive sets. The AS16PROs are presented quite nicely. They include:

-1 pair of cables

-3 pairs of the old,black starlines tips in SML

-Left and Right AS16pros, wow

FIT and COMFORT:

Uh Oh. Too soon for a con! I hate to say it but these are chunky, big, and they protrude on my ears. Although they are not heavy, but the fit is very dependent on which eartips you will use. With the stock tips, I can fit them a bit deeper but it hurts my ears in long sessions. Your mileage may vary.

These may fit you well and with the eartips im using now(jvc spriral dots),they fit just fine luckily.

SETUP:
-Shanling M3X using UAPP, Hiby ang stock player

-jvc spiral dots. The stock eartips are fine at first, but my left earhole is bigger and I couldnt get a proper seal. But your mileage may vary.

-stock cable and the KZ cable that came with ZES.

-with and without 30ohm impedance adapter

-Volume measured and listened at 75-78 dbs.

MY LIBRARY:
I grew up listening to 90’s music. Alternative, punk-rock, screamo, rap, Philippine OPM, Anime songs, JPOP, KPOP, metal, reggae and a lot more.
The artists I regularly listen to are:

Rock-Alternative-Metal
Incubus, 311, BMTH, Matchbox 20, The Goo Goo Dolls, Paramore, Polyphia, The Calling,, Babymetal, Metallica, Slipknot, Bon Jovi, Coheed and Cambria, Deftones, Red Hot, Green day,

OPM(Original Pinoy Music):
E-heads, Slapshock, Parokya, Urbanddub, Up Dharma Down, Bamboo, IV of spade, Kamikazee, Rivermaya

POP:
IU, Yoasobi, Yorushika, Milet, Reona, Maroon 5, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Taylor, Dua Lipa, Oliva Rodrigo, Billie Eilish

OTHERS:
Carpenters, Micheal Learns to Rock, Celine Dion, Bob Marley, Sitti, Daft Punk, Pink Floyed, Earth wind and fire, Amber rubarth, Sia, Yosi Horikawa

I listen to more, but I can’t just list them all here.haha. Just giving you an idea on what I listen.

Sound impression relative to price and performance : 40-100usd

SOUND PROFILE:

Warm Midcentric with vocal emphasis. Yeah, I think this the first set from KZ that ive heard that focuses on vocal reproduction.

Bass is elevated in graphs. But I don’t really hear them to be overpowering that much in the spectrum. Maybe because it is just the eartips I am using, but I cant say there is leakage because I get a good seal with spiral dots and they still vacuum like hell..haha.. The AS16 PRO has a decent subbass rumble and not the boomy kind of midbass. It transitions quite smoothly giving male vocals a rich tone. Female vocals also benefit with this organic sound.

Mids are pleasing and sweet. They are a bit forward, including vocals. They can sometimes come across unnaturally forward that it scares me of how near and believable they are.. a bit honky but not the offender kind. I really like how the mids and vocals are done on the AS16 PRO. There is so much air around instruments. There is an occasional shout to female vocals when volume is increased, but not the headache inducing kind lol.

Treble is in the smoother side. Zero harshness and sharpness. There is a dip at presence and compensated with a rise. This is the reason why vocals have good definition and emotion. You lose a bit of harmonics and bite from instruments, but nothing much of a problem for me. A little less in the sparkle part but still able to retrieve details, tho it may not be the best.

I think what this set is lacking is an EST for the high treble. If KZ boosted the treble using a cheap BA, I think it would sound harsher. If an EST is added, I believe this can make the AS16 PRO sound near TOTL.

Technicalities are good as expected from an all-BA setup. Transients and decays are quick. I mentioned about the bass being elevated, but the decays are quick and goes for another punch. But BA bass is different from DD bass. There is more physicality to DD bass and BA bass is softer in presentation. It is not a bad thing for me, just something to take note of. Layering and staging is my favorite part of the AS16 PRO. They layer things like your mama folding your underwear lol- Neat, clean, well separated. The stage has good proportions that can extend at the back of your ear. It is like a U shaped projection so it feels like you are watching a live performance. I can close my eyes and have a trip with these haha. Detail retrieval is just average because of the treble tuning. Nothing spectacular. However, I do agree with Paul Wasabi when he said to not underestimate a smooth treble response. It is true, I can listen to these for hours, the whole day 24 hours, without being fatigued by its sound signature. This is where you will realize that you spent your money wisely when you can use a product as much as you can

PROS

In the track Suroy-suroy by Missing Felimon, the vocals and staging was really good. It was intimate yet full of emotions.

it is so hard to skip songs with the AS16 PRO really hahaha. The way vocals are reproduced is so addicting to me. Both male and female voices have very good definition and presence.

In the track Anna Molly by Incubus, instrument separation was a breeze. The AS16 Pro was not even trying ahahah.

Very soothing guitar harmonics in the track “One last breath” by Creed. They are not that lacking even with the dip, and they are not sharp as expected.

I find the AS16 PRO to have very good dynamics.

In the track “Lets stay together” by Big Mountain, the AS16 pro has very good realism in space, stage, decay and vocals. It sounds like a live. It is good. It is hypnotic haha. Also, Coldplay’s “fix you” has a similar reproduction. Very spacious stage with natural decay of instruments and vocals. The cymbals, although not as sparkly as I wanted them to be, seemed to have good transients.

One of my favorite tracks by Incubus, “Are you in?” Yes I was in, and it was hypnotic.

IU voice in “Epilogue” is so captivating.

the intro riff of “ignorance” by Paramore is damn expressive on these. Powerful, gritty, complete.

Man, how many times to I say vocals haha. Bamboo’s “light years” sounded really good. Very believable that I can close my eyes and imagine he is singing in front of me in a pub.

“One” by creed was hypnotic as well haha.

CONS

shouty female vocals at higher volumes

can be a bit congested in busy tracks with lots of harmonics. I noticed this in the track stigmatized.

Not really the best in micro nuances because the treble is tuned smoother, plus the presence dip. Well its just a nitpick, but people might expect a lot of details with them because its an all BA.

very big con for me is the size. I did mention that I can wear this the whole day. Well yes, but when I take them off, I do feel a strain point on my ears. The shell is freaking big and I had to find an eartip that doesn’t fit too deep, nor too shallow for it to dangle. So yeah, if you have small ears, too bad.,.haha

the vocals might be too forward for some.

you might need to pay extra cash for the impedance adapter to sound “better”

air pressure vaccum. Quite common in all-BA setup. But an easy fix is to pull your ears up or down to depressurize before removing the set.

WITH IMPEDANCE:

The vocals aren’t unnaturally forward anymore. But this will be perceived as recessed at first because your brain is tuned into that overly forward vocal.

Bass is tighter but still BA bass.

Gained some details in the treble but still has that dip. I don’t mind really, this helps vocals a lot. Harmonics are cut in exchange for captivating vocals.

smoother treble with better details than stock

better balance overall really

you get two tunings in one..

lost a bit of stage width.

my dap looks like a two-way radio. Very hard to navigate the volumes when they are in my pocket.

might be a bit hard to drive depending on your source

I do like the sound on both with and without the impedance. I might even prefer without the impedance when I am outside, just because of the mobility it provides.. but that's just me..

COMPARISONS to other KZ sets:

No, there is no comparison, this is the best KZ I have heard. For now that is..haha.

And I don’t really think you will be tempted to upgrade on next KZ releases, unless they add ESTs for treble cleanliness and clarity.

I have a short video too! You can check them here:



FINAL THOUGHTS:

This is a good set. There are stores that sell this for 40 bucks and I think it is a steal. I don’t really mind if you call me a shill or a KZ endorser or whatever. All I know is, this is an impressive set for its price. Yes, it is not tuned perfectly, there needs to be some improvement. But then audio is consumption, just like food. I don’t think I can eat the same dish three times a day for a month haha. No matter how perfectly tuned an IEM is, we will always be looking for something different.
The AS16 PRO fits that change. An all-BA set. A gain that follows diffused field. Non-fatiguing and smooth treble. And the first midcentric-vocal focused KZ I have heard.

The price where it is at is a battlefield. There is the new crinacle collab and other sets that have proven to be great for their price. So, it seems like only reviewers can experience AS16 PRO’s magic, and probably some brave ones.

Unfortunately, I cannot fully recommend the AS16 PROs because of two main Cons.

First is the big shell that might not fit well for everyone. If it does not fit you well, then most likely you won’t be getting good sound from it. You need to tip roll, and not everyone has that option.

Second is the impedance adapter thing. Well, yes, they do sound good with it but I've heard people saying they cant get them in their area.

For me personally, it limits my mobility. I always listen to music while commuting, walking, during lunch etc. and I always have to be careful with the way I move because that impedance and the plug stick out in my pocket like an erected p***s haha.

If you don’t mind the Two Cons, go ahead brave one, you will be rewarded with its sound.

Nevertheless, I honestly think KZ is in the right direction. If you think reviewers are shilling the recent KZ sound quality, check their content because they also have reviews from other companies. You will be surprised that some reviewers almost share the same premise that KZ sound quality is indeed getting better every release after the fiasco. You don’t have to believe it. Heck you don’t even need to buy AS16PRO just yet. Just wait and see for more positive reviews while we relax and chill with this soulful set.

“A presence that is timeless, reliably calm and detached from the daily drama that pulls us in many directions” – PsychCentral

A perfect description of how the AS16PRO sounds. The soulful kind

Intro
Not gonna go too in depth,I'm pretty sure those who are here now reading this know KZ (Knowledge Zenith) and their history. Let’s just put all those aside and focus on their positive points alright? It’s safe to say AS16 Pro is one of the positive things that KZ is bringing to us. I don’t have a lot of expectations but when I first listened to them,it kinda blew me away,it is not the usual KZ’s V shaped tuning,but a rather safe approach,yet fun sounding without being offensive at the same time.

AS16 Pro is an all BA set,specifically 8 BAs per side. As to which BAs they’re using,you may google it out or head to their store to check out the specs in detail. My focus here will be mainly on sound impression.

Packaging
Packaging is the usual KZ styled packaging but for AS16 Pro,it does look a little more premium although still very minimal,a storage pouch would be nice here honestly.

Build/Comfort
The shell is slightly large and feels a little weighted,but it is not bad overall and doesn’t affect the comfort and fitting,at least for me. Keep in mind that your experience might vary due to everyone’s ears being different.

Source
Macbook Air M2 -> Apple Music Loseless -> KZ AS16 Pro
Macbook Air M2 -> TRI TK2 -> Audirvana Origin -> KZ AS16 Pro
Hidizs AP80 Pro-X -> KZ AS16 Pro

Sound
I have not heard the original AS16 that came out years ago,but judging from their previous tuning,in terms of tuning,it couldn’t be that far off from their previous tuning style. To me,AS16 Pro is a departure to their usual tuning style which is more to V shape focused,but instead AS16 Pro to me sounded quite balanced and non offensive at all.

I’m sure many of you have seen/read AS16 Pro will sound better or it will sort of “fix” the wonky vocal with the use of an impedance adapter rated at 30ohms. I for one feel that I don't need the adapter as I enjoyed the tuning in its stock form. Keep in mind that this is my experience and it is subjective and I trust my ears.

AS16 Pro sounds slightly warm to my ears and the timbre is quite natural and they don’t sound metallic at all. Very in-offensive tuning.

Bass

• Bass is not emphasised here and the quantity and quality feels just right
• Right amount of punch from the mid bass,sub bass does rumble a little when its called for,but nowhere near basshead level which is expected
• Doesn’t bleed into the mids
• The performance of the bass is rather good for an all BA set
• Speed is rather fast and bass is quite tight

Mids

• The instruments are a behind the vocal as the vocal is very forward and it can be pretty intimidating at times,but for me,i am liking this as i find the vocal is clearly layered from the instruments and it is very enjoyable,for those who doesn’t like this will find it “wonky” and they will probably get themself a 30 ohm impedance adapter to sort of fix this
• Male vocal doesn’t sound thin and well textured
• Female vocal sounds intimate and it can be very in your face,but it does have a very good texture and doesn’t sound thin and harsh despite sounding intimate
• It has a very pleasant and natural sounding timbre as well

Highs

• Detail retrieval is quite good but do not expect it to have TOTL kind of detail retrieval capability and you’re good to go
• Treble is smooth and non offensive,never harsh even at high volume

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is average,not too wide nor deep,nothing much to comment
• Imaging is good as instruments can be pinpointed easily,however,it does suffer a little during complex track such as Slipknot’s People = crap,but overall it is good

Final Thoughts
AS16 Pro is a very solid product overall and I really think that they did a good job this time around. I have no problem recommending this product to anyone who’s currently looking for a budget all BA set. Easy recommendation for KZ product this time around.

The only thing that one has to take note of is the vocal that’s very intimate. Some might not like it,other than that,it is generally very good.

*Big thanks from Tyvan from KZ for the opportunity to review this. I am in no way under any influence to produce this review nor do I receive any monetary benefit in exchange for this review.



If you are interested in getting a pair,head over to their store to grab one (Non Affiliated Link)
KZ AS16 Pro Shopee Malaysia Store
KZ AS16 Pro Official Store

Let’s forget everything OK? I mean let’s forget Knowledge Zenith’s history. Just for this single review, OK? In fact I’m not even going to list the history. I mean, if you’re here and reading you probably already know what’s up with KZ. They are a budget brand from China and they offer incredible value. That’s all I’m going to say........let’s move forward shall we.

KZ AS16 Pro 16BA Balanced Armature Units Earphones HIFI Bass In Ear Monitor Earphones

• Break high price barrier
• 8 BA units on each side, flagship-level configuration
• Three-channel professional conduit structure, sophisticated electronic frequency division
• Advanced metal inlay resin process
• High purity braided silver-plated cable with 2 pin changeable interface design

This is the best tuned, best fitting, best sounding $56.00 I have ever heard. I’m serious. Here is the link to buy them.

https://www.linsoul.com/collections/all/products/kz-as16-pro?variant=43093693268185

If you are into IEM sound reproduction, there is no reason for you to not get a pair. At least I can’t think of a reason? Though there is one thing. The AS16 PRO is very sensitive and will sound slightly different on which ever device you decide to use them with. It’s not only an impedance thing, they just are a window into whatever is up-stream. Even changing cables/ear-tips will make a difference. When I first got them I started to use them with the new Shanling UA3, now the funny part was they sounded like the Shanling. They did all these features that the Shanling did. They had the laidback presentation, the style of bass the Shanling has, everything! Then I moved to the Walkman WM1Z, thinking they would sound the same way. Nope, nothing of the sort. They didn’t sound like the UA3 at all. They were almost a different IEM. I’m exaggerating, still you get my point. They were 1/2 way like the source, and halfway like the AS16 PRO. So to level with you, I’m going to describe the sound, but it’s only one way to hear them. If you have a wide range of different players, and/or impedance adapters, you can alter the sound. They were a little hot with the treble-boosted Walkman WM1Z. Now I was using the AS16 PRO with a copper/silver aftermarket Hybrid cable, so that could have made a difference? Still the true character of the AS16 PRO is that they are mid-centric. That means they don’t have a super bright treble or a prominent bass, but they do have a nice treble and bass response.

I know what you’re thinking, for this kinda money, it’s just to good to be true, they must have cut corners somewhere? They must have thrown-in a hodgepodge of different BAs that they found on the factory floor and hoped for the best. Nope.

They must have somehow used the cheapest BA drivers and it sounds like it. Nope!

It’s cheap, it must, it must sound cheap? Nope.

You know in the marketing script where it says “Break high-price barrier”.......they forgot the word "the". So what, they are Chinese, it's not their language. Give them a break!



Value:
That’s exactly what’s happening. This sounds like a $500 IEM, or better, I’m ashamed to say! It really does. I'm writing this and I know how it sounds, believe me............I know. It sounds ridiculous. The point is this is the future. They (the Chinese) are moving this whole thing forward at an alarming rate. Maybe this is the first glimpse of a new era? This is not an accident, things like this don’t happen accidentally. This is an elaborate process where everything was put in its place. There are 2X 22955 BA bass units firing bass frequencies. 2X (midrange) 29689 BA units, and 4X 31736 (highs) units per IEM= 8 BAs per side. A PCB sound board crossover network and a physical sound tube separation process called the “three channel conduit structure”.

Product model-KZ AS16 Pro
Earphone type-BA IEM
Frequency-20-40000Hz
Impedance-18Ω
Sensitivity-114dB±3dB
Pin Type-0.75mm
Plug Type-3.5mm
Cable Length-120±5cm


They could have put any name on the KZ AS16 PRO they wanted. They could have called it a CCA, they could have even named it something completely new. But they wanted to build the Knowledge Zenith name even stronger. They maybe wanted to redeem themselves a little? I will be the first to admit that the IEM looks (maybe) like a $56.00 IEM. It comes in Cyan or Black, with a microphone or not. If it did look like a $56.00 IEM, it’s because it is a $56.00 IEM, but the sound is another story.

Ok, let me put some history in..............
"KZ, the brand name under which the Guangdong-based Shenzhen Yuan Ze Electronics Co. operates, was founded in 2008, making it a legacy brand by Chi-Fi standards. The founders are Keith Yue, a former Audio-Technica engineer, and Zen Li, a Western-trained classical musician. The name KZ isn't just a nod to the founders' initials, but is also short for "Knowledge Zenith". The company offers an impressive range of low-priced earphones that crib the form-factor from many moderately priced earphones provided by the mainstream brands.

KZ originated, in 2013 advocated ultimate, fashion and simplicity focusing on the faith of revolutionary pursuit ultimate attitude forward life.

KZ is the world's leading audio earphone device manufacturer, provides professional audio KZ service covering more than 100 countries and regions."

So they are saying they borrow the design of higher priced brands. Basically everyone copies everything and everyone. That’s just how it is. Does it make KZ something to be embarrassed about owning? If they sounded bad, well yes, but these sound incredible. The KZ AS16 PRO is an improvement over the KZ AS16 that came out 4 years ago. (More history)




The Cable:
2 pin high-purity OFC core silver coated

Source components:
I started off with the Shanling UA3, migrated over to the Walkman WM1A with a silver/copper hybrid cable, finally gravitating to the Walkman WM1Z with a 4 wire pure copper cable. But I didn’t stay with that. Word on the street is they purportedly used 18 Ohm tuning gear/source to tune the KZ AS16 PRO. What that means for us is we have a chameleon on our hands. All I can say about this is it looks like the KZ AS16 PRO is capable of many different sound signatures. It’s related to the impedance, but also the character of your source. In the end it really means that not only do we have a remarkable sounding IEM on our hands, but we are able to choose many different ways to have it react.



Yep, depending how you drive the KZ AS16PRO, It can offer a wide range of frequency response characteristics.

This multi-response was quite confusing to start with. Meaning, I used a Shanling UA3 Dongle to start with, and I thought that was how the AS16 sounded. Moving over to a DAP and you have a different sound, basically a window into whatever gear you put in front of it. I don’t look at this as bad as you can have (in a sense) many styles of replay. All IEMs react to sources but the AS16 way more than normal. Above is a graph where an impedance adapter was used to modify the signal, and look at the change in frequency response. So like always, the character of the DAP makes a difference. If you have both 4.4mm and 3.5mm outputs on your DAP, that will cause a difference. The cable you choose (copper/silver or copper even silver only) will affect the signal also the tips you ultimately decide to use. To tell you the truth I didn’t have a favorite source, as each had a special character to explore.



Music:


John Powell
Solo: A Star Wars Story OST
Train Heist
44.1 kHz - 16 bit
Such strings takes us back to first seeing movies with beautiful soundtracks in them. Though maybe the music wasn’t singled out upon seeing the movie? At 1 minute 44 seconds the action starts. The AS16 is fully showing what’s up with the many moving parts in our soundstage. While bass is not overly prominent, there is enough and it’s well replayed, especially the explosion at 3 minutes 7 seconds. What........a timpani or maybe a piece of metal used for thunder sound effects? It’s a bass response that makes you to pay attention in awe. At 3 minutes 39 seconds there are so many inclusions……and the 8 BA drivers are playing all the details. Probably the one thing I take away from all this is the involvement and spellbinding spectacle this music truly is on the AS16. While at times it maybe is borderline too intense, the deep drops in contrast to the horn and violins are truly mind-bending. The transient attacks of the drums in this are incredible, and go to show the ultimate attribute of BA listening, the speed of attack and the instantaneous drop off of notes. While timbre is just ever so slightly off, we as listeners are too distracted to even notice.



Daft Punk
TRON: Legacy The Complete Edition (OST)
44.1 kHz - 24 bit
Outlands
More strings, yet they diverge into different placements with-in the soundstage, like replicating and reproducing to become more. Such wandering makes everything one-step bigger. At 32 seconds the drums blast…..and sure enough we hear the reverberations, though BAs aren’t about reverb, and the notes quickly fall-away. The stage is wide and there is a progression of a theme, as you can only tell……louder…..bigger....louder. The strings are wonderful and make this song for me. There is a tightness and correctness that has you fully paying attention. 49 seconds “boom” 56 seconds “boom” it is this fast attack and decay that’s the entertainment here. The way the reverberations have a quick fall-off outside the stage……..incredible! The imaging here, it’s tell-tale of BA composure and exquisite.



Mick Gordon
DOOM Eternal (Original Game Soundtrack)
The Only Thing They Fear Is You
48 kHz - 24 bit
Since this came out I have used it often to judge IEMs. Probably the biggest surprise here is how forgiving the AS16 is? Meaning I was expecting way more intensity, as this music is 100% intense. The spacial positioning and texture is fabulous. The pace at which this takes place is great, but probably the way the 8 BAs do the transitions from one attack to the next is what seals the deal. The transients here are where we payed our money, wait? We didn’t pay much, we are getting way more than our moneys worth! The way the elements have life, and they are totally separated and delineated here. And while the bass is not the lowest rendition in how I’ve heard this song done, it’s fine in that it’s fast, clear and authoritative. This ends with a war chant!



Mick Gordon
DOOM (2016) (Original Game Soundtrack)
At Doom’s Gate
48 kHz - 24 bit (24/48 USB Key)
This has been a test of BA drivers since it came out. And I am not the only reviewer who choses this particular song. Such quick pace, fast changes and intensity are a hallmark of this style of gaming music. Yet, here we are only in for a taste of it as the song is only 1 minute 10 seconds in length! They say dynamite comes in small packages and, yes it does. The first startling thing has to do with the initial blasts………I mean these blasts start at 00.00 seconds! Before the song has officially started we are greeted with this onslaught of blasts. Then at 24 seconds the full-scale blasts hit, but that’s the thing, they are not as intense or as loud as with other IEMs. We are witnessing a style of smoothness which is the direct indication of this IEM’s character. This can be played back any number of ways and still be correct. Though I have had renditions of it that were unbearable! Here no. We are fine, and it truly is the forgiving character that we are at one with here. The bass is not as delineated or as intense as I have heard, it's fast and falls-off instantly. There is way more bass with other IEMs, though that doesn’t make these bad, only that they are truly more mid-centic than we even realize. They have a way to sound like they do more, though when we put them to the test, they show both how forgiving they are and how mid-centric they truly are in the end!

Build photos:

Treble:
So you could only imagine my predicament, a slightly different sounding IEM with whatever you combine it with. So how do you write a disclosure about the treble? While most of the changes (you already noted) took place in the (lower) mid-range in relation to impedance. Still the treble was affected by things like cable make-up and source personality, where I truly believe I was hearing deep into the character of each source. Regardless, those changes were really only partial as a true treble character could be surmised. The upper treble is innately connected to the AS16 soundstage. After burn-in I found a fluidness and a smoothness. I know this is all BA, but it does have a crossover network. The stage also seemed to become enhanced with burn-in, revealing better imaging of forward and back elements. The treble is airy and of less physicality than you may expect, is this due to the BA used or the crossover, or both? Yet such politeness is welcome and appreciated. If anything this stance adds a level of all-day listenability surprisingly found. Probably the separation makes the treble that IS there more delineated as each element has a place in the stage. So even though it's not as bright as you may guess, it's getting resolution due to positioning. My gosh, this tune is wonderful. I'm not going to say perfect.......because...nothing is perfect, yet we are going that direction here. There is also an aspect when we don't have a DD/Hybrid set-up to worry about. Meaning there is no big DD to have to balance or fight with. Such unity is found and noted, if not maybe slightly thin? Still better than I have ever heard $56.00 sound. There is a softness and it gets put into place to work, but alas I have heard more expensive IEMs produce a more direct and physical rendition. Still this is relaxing and complete whatever it truly is.

Midrange:
There is a compression, a composite of imaging which separates the AS16 from true TOTL replay. I don't want to give the wrong idea here, I mean it sounds like a bunch of drivers, because it's 8 of them. No matter what sound-tubes or crossovers they can only corral those frequencies so much, but it's a softer effect, and one that's genuinely inviting. Everything has a slight BA fuzz layered across the top, and even though there are fast transients, there is a wonderful subtle confusion that's endearing. My other 10 BA IEM is the Noble Encore and at $1850.00, it of course does a better job, but in many ways the SA16 is more well-rounded. Still when I think (all BA) I always kind of imagine the Encore sound. And while the soundstage isn't as quite as grand as the Encore, it has the same big soundstage due to all these frequencies going-off at once. Both the AS16 and the Encore are special due to how they add back the guitar-fuzz that got lost in recording. So you can only imagine, this does't affect the whole signature, but electric guitars get an added separation in the soundstage, finding a crunchy provocative replay that only comes from BAs. As for as off-timbre and metallic tones, I may have heard more of it when I was first listening to the AS16. Meaning there is a hair of steeliness, but not really, and not as bad as some offenders I have heard. Timbre is just BA timbre, yes, but nothing to shake a stick at. Due to the tune you may expect vocals to be wildly separated and forward, and they are not............surprisingly. They are just simply in-place, not forward or back, though clearly heard due to BA separation. These are not vocal speciality IEMs in any way, but they are so even and correctly tuned that they seem to play all styles of music?

Bass:
Here I may have to over-compensate due to the stigma attached to BA replay. No it doesn't have the earth shattering rumble of an actual DD. Still what is provided goes miles forward to have you gain complete satisfaction in the bass department. I personally love how the bass comes out of nowhere to fully surprise you with it's ability. There is no way these are bass anemic! The speed is the thrill here, being it has way faster attack than any DD is capable of. Here we witness a special separation due to just how many drivers are utilized. Despite my previous words, there is a singularity of focus that has to be heard to be believed. This coming together is no better heard than in the bass here. A style of purpose that is special in all IEM replay that makes the AS16 unique. What I'm trying to say is I've never heard bass exactly like this. It's this curiosity that has me coming back over and over to truly learn what's up with the AS16. Each new song is slightly different than I remember, and not different in a bad way but holding true to what I have heard before from full-BA installments, yet anew? It's hearing the bass once more in this correct but different way that allows for continued listening and instances of joy. It's not the most authoritative, or as delineated/clear as some bass providers, but it has it's own wonderful accessible character.

Conclusion:
What do you want for $56.00? Well, what you are getting is way more than you expect. Way more! I know, you're worried that the tune will be off. Let me reinforce this......it's not. In fact it's the merger of a great tune with great technicalities that moves the KZ AS16 PRO forward. Still the price-point is the biggest issue, as half of Head-Fi won't touch a $56.00 IEM, no matter how big the hoopla and gossip is. If I went to a show and blindfolded listeners, then asked what they thought the (AS16 PRO) price was, it would be at a minimum $500.00! This is the era we live in, good IEMs are just about free now. The fit, build quality and shape of the AS16 are perfect, though they are on the big side. The nozzle length is great, the cable is "OK". Seriously if you are an IEM music listener, you owe it to yourself to at least try this new chapter in IEM history. It's the most sound possible for $56.00. They upon releasing this have broke the price barrier. There has never been a release to offer this level of value......ever........make them yours today! Be a part of history!


Get it here:
https://www.linsoul.com/collections/all/products/kz-as16-pro?variant=43093693268185
If you buy from Linsoul you get a one year warranty and free shipping, world-wide.


Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Kareena Tang from Linsoul for the opportunity to review KZ AS16 PRO.

Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
Shanling UA3 Dongle 4.4mm

Disclaimer:

• KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• VE MEGATRON USB DAC
• Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
• Cyberdrive Feather DAC
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy A6 2018)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock large eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.

• The KZ AS16 Pro is the AS16’s complete opposite in terms of sound quality and signature. Despite having the exact drivers, this presents itself in a warmer, mid-centric approach in contrast to its older sibling’s v-shaped, bright sound signature. Both have above-average technical performance, but this one is way cheaper than the older sibling.

Lows:

• The lows on the AS16 Pro are controlled and are slightly elevated. It will be more elevated when paired with a warmer source, but pairing it with a neutral source and it will get firmer and cleaner in terms of extension and decay. Subbass is a bit dominant here compared to the subbass and may sound “soft” for those people who want that punchy bass. Texture is also there and is heard easily when paired with a neutral source. Bassheads may find the bass here lacking, but for those people who listens to pretty much anything, it will cater and handle the bass when called upon like Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” as an example even if it isn’t as skull-digging when compared to a basshead IEM.

Mids:

• This is the part where the AS16 Pro really improved and may even set itself apart from other KZ IEMs I have personally owned and auditioned. It is very open, articulate, and forward. Despite being forward, it maintained its body and cleanliness even on the busiest portions of the tracks. Lower mids are thick and have good depth and texture, particularly on the male vocals like Ed Sheeran’s or Sam Smith’s. Upper mids are also a bit more elevated than the lower mids and have very good clarity, sparkle, and air. Upper mids here also improved when compared to their other IEMs as this does not have peaks or sibilance during my tests. It does get “too forward” on some tracks, particularly on Japanese tracks such as “Harebutai” by LiSA, “Hikaru Nara” by Goose House, or “Kokoronashi” by Majiko and may be perceived as “shouty” by some but it is far from overwhelming or even peaky. Overall, the mids here on the AS16 Pro are well-tuned as it is bodied for a pure BA set while keeping the clarity and cleanliness still there.

Highs:

• The treble here is decently extended but not as extended as their previous IEMs. It still has great sparkle and presence but those people who like treble may find these lacking, particularly on the “bite” or the energy of the treble. However, it is still well-detailed and does the job well picking up nuances fairly easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The soundstage here in the AS16 Pro is average with decent levels of expansion. It has more height and depth than width. It isn’t cramped or narrow by any means - it is far away from that, but could be improved further for its asking price. Separation here is above average and is the first thing I have noticed the first time I used it . It is very clean, and almost has no congestion even on busy tracks. Imaging here is also above average as it is precise and can present vocal and instrument positioning clearly.

• One of the “safest” tuned KZ/CCA IEMs as of now.
• A warm-midcentric sound signature is very uncommon for a KZ IEM.
• Well-bodied sound for a Pure BA IEM.
• Controlled, thick bass.
• Open, lively, forward mids.
• Non-fatiguing, smooth sound presentation.
• Very good detail retrieval.
• Clean separation and imaging.
• Finally, a set of stock eartips that does not degrade the sound of the IEM.
• Very good isolation (subjective).

Cons:

• Fit has the tendency of having that “pressure build-up” on stock eartips, probably because of the small vent size. I suggest using your preferred larger stock eartips to lessen that pressure.
• Mids may get slightly more forward than usual on some tracks.
• The overall sound may lack that “energy” or “slam” for those people who prefers an energetic sound (subjective)
• IEM leans to the bulkier and bigger size and may not fit smaller ears well (subjective).
• Soundstage is far from being cramped or narrow, but could be wider.
• Basic included accessories. A cable winder or a case would’ve been a great treat for everybody (subjective)

Preference-wise, this is my favorite KZ yet! The KZ AS16 Pro’s sound is one the safest they've done while keeping the technicalities decent and very competitive in its price. They somehow checked all the boxes I looked at for an IEM at this price, particularly on the mids and the technicalities. Of course, this IEM isn’t perfect by any means as there are still some concerns that are needed to be fixed, in my case it is the fit for it to be used even with the people with smaller ears, but for the most part it is a very strong candidate for my IEM recommendations in its price range under 60 USD. This is my top recommendation for those people who do not want their mids too recessed and want a clean, well-balanced sound.


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The KZ AS16 Pro is very easy to drive to its full potential. It does not need any extra amplification, but having a neutral or a warmer sounding dongle with you is always a good decision.

• Eartips: Eartips here are really good! They’re very soft but as always, you may always use your eartips of choice.

• Cable: You may want to change the cable to a looser earhooks for you to be comfortable for longer listening sessions.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated link here!: https://shopee.ph/KZ-AS16-PRO-Balanced-Armature-Units...

Additional Photos here!: