KZ AS06 in-ear monitor

Disclaimer: an Ali seller was kind enough to send the AS06 for review. As with most of my review samples, it will likely go to either the schools or the hospital when the review is completed. This way either it introduces good earphones to the next generation of music lovers (band and choir students) or it goes to someone who can use it to enjoy music and audio books while recovering. This allows me to review a great many earphones without the questions of conflict of interest that sometimes arise.



Unboxing / Packaging:

Unlike earlier samples, this AS-06 came in the standard white KZ slip cover box, although the inner packing has been stepped up slightly as the earpieces themselves rest in white tray with a pad underneath and the cable, tips, and accessories hide underneath. This does give them a bit more premium look than the previous black plastic tray and is appreciated since the AS-06 is a step below flagship and a bit more expensive than some KZ products. Why KZ decided to discontinue the premium packaging seen in earlier samples was not explained but I think perhaps the higher end packaging is reserved for current flagship models and since a few new iems are rumored, maybe the premium packaging of the As06 has been retired.




Accessories / cable:

Here we have the typical KZ kit. It contains the cable, warranty card, and SML silicone tips are all that is included. Most other vendors have taken to adding some form of case in combination with their upper end earphones, but most end up in a drawer at my house so I am all for saving the $2 and not including yet another vinyl clamshell. The cable is KZs upgraded model with the 90º 3.5mm jack followed by a 4 wire braid leading to a splitter that is entirely too low on the cable and should be moved up about 5-6 inches. It has no chin slider, and terminates with bi-pin connectors with pre-formed earhooks but without memory wire. This last feature I am very much appreciative of as they are neither as tight as the BQEYZ models, nor as uncomfortable as the earlier memory wire cables from KZ that fought with my glasses for space behind my ears.





Build/Fit:

The AS06 is a 2 piece plastic shell with the inner being opaque black and the outer being transparent in either gray or green. Faceplates are well attached with no obvious gaps, glue, or misalignments. The bi-pin connector is mildly recessed which again is a nice touch and promotes durability as the connector is less exposed to breakage. The body of the AS06 is on the large side and is very similar to the AS10 or Zs10 in dimensions. The nozzles are two stage with a large taper from the body to the actual nozzle, and a standard length nozzle following the taper. This allows the AS06 to sit fairly deeply in the ear and getting a good seal was fairly simple. I was even able to use the medium tips while usually I require a large. While I find the deeper insertion helpful, those with small ears may have difficulty getting a good fit. My daughter complains that these are on the large size and while she can use them, she says they get uncomfortable fairly quickly. Nozzles do not have a lip but tips fit solidly and no tendency to move or slip was observed.




Internals:

The AS06 uses three balanced armature drivers. The bass is provided by a customized 22955 driver with a 29689 mid driver and a 31005 mid/high driver rounding out the trio. KZ has been updating the 22955 driver and the version in the AS06 has supposedly been updated even since the release of the AS10 so while the two are similar, they are not exactly alike. An electronic crossover is provided to divide tasks between the three drivers unlike some earlier models (Zs5/Zs6) which were hard-wired between the drivers. I have done some digging and thus far have not found a reference to the drivers used for the mid and mid-high tasks.



Sound:

The Frequency Response was measured using my test system. Keep in mind this is uncompensated and while I use a calibrated mic and sound-card, results are only comparable to other results from the same system. As you can see, FR comes very close to the Harman Target curves.



Bass:

The bass is what interested me about the As06 to start with as it uses the newly developed (or improved) 22955 balanced armature driver. KZ has put a fair amount of work into developing its own drivers so I wanted to see what was improved in the Ba10, the As10, and the As06. Sub-bass goes reasonably deep with some rumble to it but sounds a bit monotone. Mid-bass has good slam, but bleeds into the mids and with the lingering decay gives the As06 an overall warm tone. In comparison to the As10, mid-bass has been dialed back slightly while it is till more forward than the bass of the Ba10. Overall, I think the sub-bass of the As06 is as good as anything near its price point, but I would prefer the mid-bass be a little better textured and not quite as forward as it obscures the lower mids.

Mids:

The mids are considerably recessed and between the mid-bass bleed obscuring some of the lower mids and the recess, it is easily the As06's weakest feature. This again helps give the As06 a overall warm, dark signature that is uncharacteristic of KZ iems. For my own listening, I found that bringing the midbass (200-500Hz) back between 4 and 6dB exposed the mids more and allowed vocals to move forward in the mix. Without some eq correction there are times that vocalists appear to be behind other instrumentation. My hope is that KZ decides to give the attention they did to the 22955 to the 29689 they are using for mids as the current version is not keeping pace with the treble or bass drivers in the As06, even with it's V shaped tuning being accounted for.

Treble:

Treble on the the As06 is forward, but not KZ forward which many will find comforting. Make no mistake, this is still a V shape signature with forward treble, just not as forward as the Zs<X> lineup which has been somewhat plagued by a reputation for being overly bright and energetic. The lower treble climbs from the trough of the mids and plateaus at roughly the same level as the mid-bass so neither end seems excessively weighted in comparison to each other. Cymbals are well rendered without sounding metallic, and roll-off is early enough to keep the As06 from being overly fatiguing while at the same time still maintaining some air.



Soundstage / Imaging:

Soundstage on the As06 has both good depth and width and unlike a lot of offerings at this price point, width is not considerably larger than depth. The As06 does have some sense of height as well. Imaging is accurate with instrument separation being very good without any congestion or crowding. Layering is another weak point as the mid driver does a less than stellar job and transitions between the three drivers are sometimes less than fluid.



Thoughts / Conclusion:

I have previously reviewed the As10, but had ergonomic issues with the Ba10 that kept me from wanting to wear them long enough to provide adequate listening time for a review. Still, I was rather impressed with the sound of both. The As06 pares back the number of drivers while keeping the As10 shell (more or less) so it is a larger iem than it probably need be based on the internals. I really like what KZ is doing with the tuning on the low end as their 22955 is now quite possibly better than Knowles version for both rumble and slam while maintaining a decent amount of detail. Unfortunately, the mid-range driver has not been given the same treatment and suffers as a result. Were a better mid-range driver used, I'd have no trouble recommending the As06 for those who like EDM or the likes. As it stands, if you like a big V with scooped mids, this should be on your short list of iems to try. For the rest of us who like mids a bit more forward, hopefully this is another evolutionary step toward a KZ we can really enjoy, but we aren't quite there yet.

Hello everyone!
Along with the V80s, Sherry sent me the KZ AS06 for FREE as well.
I was very curious about these IEMs as they were a full BA cheap setup and i really wanted to try them out.
I really wanna thank Sherry for the gift he sent to me: a 4.4mm Balanced cable with 0.75 pins, which is really appreciated.
Getting these free does not actually influence my final thoughts.

I remember you to visit my website for more reviews and store links i cannot post here:
https://www.yourstingyfriend.altervista.org



Just wanna precise that my impressions are subjective and that listening experience can change depending on source, tips and so on.

Test were made on:
- Galaxy S7 Edge Smartphone
- Presonus AudioBOX iONE connected to my PC with no Enhancements actived
- AGPTEK M30B/Benjie S8 DAP
I even connect my Fiio A3 when i need it if i hear some earphones need a little more power.

Technical specs:
Drivers: 3BA
Sensitivity: 105dB
Impedance: 15ohm
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 40000 Hz
Cable lenght: 1.2m Detachable (0.75mm PINs). This is the NON-mic version but there's a MIC versiona avaiable too.
Plug Type: L-type

PACKAGING
Classic minimal carton package by KZ. Sliding it up will just get you in front of a transparent plastic that covers the IEMs.
You'll find then the cable, 3 pair of classic starline tips by kz and an instruction paper.



CABLE
Cable is quite the same that KZ provides with CCA C10, KZ ZS7, but the connector to the IEMs has a different approach and the ear hooks are pre-made.
Cable is a bit prone to tangle and does not feature mic in my case but there's a mic version too.
It feels solid overall even if i prefer a softer touch when it comes to the cable.



CONSTRUCTION AND INTERNALS
Shell is completely made of good quality plastic and feels well assembled. I personally like the design except the black glossy internal side which easily becomes a fingerprint magnet.
It really looks like a smoother version of the ZS10 shell, which i unfortunately do not have for a direct comparison.
The nozzle grill came a bit out of position in my case as you can see by the photos.
There is a little vent on the internal side but no vents on the rear side.
There are some very little nozzle lips around the end of the nozzle.
3BAs are featured in every shell.



COMFORT AND ISOLATION
The AS06 are very comfortable in my case. I thought they were really big considering many things people said about the ZS10 and AS10 shell (which seem very similar to the AS06 one).
Isolation is good as the design is closed back, way better than with the ZS7 and other open-back designed IEMs.
Stock tips didn't do the job for me, i'm still searching for comfortable tips (the white ones in the top image are not the stock ones).



SOUND
Let's get into it.
Now the critical factor that decides if something has to be tried or not: how do they sound?
I mainly listen to EDM subgenres, Dupstep, Future Bass, Euphoric Hardstyle, Bass House, Midtempo and downtempo, darkwave, drum'n bass, but i even listen to many vocal tracks, moreover female ones.
I always search for IEMs that have a little bit of emphasis in the lower region, and can sacrifice mids with some recession if they still sound clear and natural. I love vivid and sparkling highs if they're not at a headache level.
V-shape signature is my favourite one.

Lows: I have to say i didn't expect any kind of punch from these in the low region.. I'm surprised: sub-bass is shy and It is not comparable to other V-shaped KZ products like ZS6/ZS7/EDR1 and so on, but that's intended in the type of product.
Bass is well textured with great speed, depth and resolution. It actually has awesome impact and visceral feeling. Quite impressive for a BA configuration on a budget product, even because we have a BA config which punches way above expectations in my opinion.

Mids: Fairly laid-back sounding. Male voices are well rendered even if not on the "warmer" side.
Female voices are intimate and delicate, and sound with enough air to be appreciated.
Synths play in the backseat but not in a bad way: mids are recessed but not like on other products like ZS6 where the V shape is strong and very noticeable. I would say more of a U-shape.
No sibilance except some recordings which are prone to do that.

Highs: Bright, vivid and detailed. Details are here and there and i do not feel i need more.
These are sure less bright than V80s or ZS6, and even less fatiguing for long listening sessions.
There is a good extension of the upper end which gives the AS06 enough air to show its capabilities.

Soundstage is wider than deep. Height is average. Instrument separation is very good and imaging is great with good instrument positioning. Tracks with many layers will not sound congested and everything will be where it's intended to be.

SUMMARY
KZ offers a full BA configuration with 3BAs per earpiece. If you think bass response is poor, then i was thinking the same thing, but i was really surprised once i've put them in my ears.
The U-shape is nothing new in KZ lineup, but the AS06 comes with a freshier and more analytical approach compared to other KZ products which are more oriented to a very colored, aggressive and funny V-shaped sound. Technical ability is surprising.
Given the good and lightweight plastic build, the comfortable design and the good sound, the AS03 can be very interesting, even if they have to fight many competitors at this price range.

Greetings,

Today we're checking out the AS06 from Knowledge Zenith (KZ), a new triple balanced armature (BA) offering from the budget friendly brand.

KZ has done an amazing job of winning people over through the years by offering inexpensive earphones that, more often than not, provide a level of sound quality simply unthought of within the price range. A few short years ago they started making some of the most inexpensive hybrid earphones on the market, and now they're doing the same for armature-only earphones. The AS06 is their newest take on this style of product, bringing with it three armature drivers; one for the highs, one for the mids, and another for the low end.

I quite enjoyed their prior armature only models, AS10 and BA10, both of which feature five BAs per side, and was excited to listen to a simpler, more budget friendly take on the concept. How does the AS06 fare? Let's take a look.

Disclaimer:

A thank you to Lillian with Linsoul/DD Audio for arranging a complimentary sample of the AS06 for the purposes of this review. The thoughts within this review are my own subjective opinions and do not represent KZ, Linsoul, DD Audio, or any other entity. At the time of writing you could pick up the AS06 for 42.00 USD. You can check it out through these affiliate-free links:


Source:

For at home use the AS06 was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp with my Asus FX53V laptop sourcing music. For portable use it was paired with an LG G6, Shanling M1, HiFiMan MegaMini, or HiFi E.T. MA8, with an iFi iEMatch tossed into the mix. The AS06 is very easy to drive so an amp isn't needed. A clean source is though, as it is very revealing. For example, it highlights all the electronic interference my G5 displays when interacting with the device. My TEAC also needs to be set to the lowest damping setting else you hear a fair bit of background noise.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. My preferences for earphone tuning are quite relaxed and as such their is no one signature I look for. The HiFiMAN RE800, Brainwavz B400, and Massdrop x MeeAudio Planamic are examples of earphones with wildly varied signatures that are enjoyable for different reasons. I generally listen at very low volumes, so keep this in mind when perusing my thoughts on how an earphone sounds.

Specifications:

• Driver: 3 balanced armatures per side
• Frequency Response: 20-40,000Hz
• Impedance: 15ohms
• Sensitivity: 105dB
• Cable 0.75mm 2-pin braided copper

Packaging and Accessories:

When KZ released the AS10, they introduced a more premium style of packaging. In that review I said,

“They could shrink this down to half the size, keep the nice metal plate which is befitting of what is currently KZ’s most costly but still affordable earphone, and the experience would be just as nice but more friendly to the environment.”

The accessory kit was no different than what was offered with their other earphones and as a result such a large package served no practical purpose. It simply came across as wasteful. Well, I don't know if KZ was listening, but the packaging for the AS06 does exactly what was suggested above. The complete package is virtually identical and retains the more premium feel of the AS10's, but it is now much more compact. The same glossy KZ logo can be found on the lid while the base contains a couple stickers with model info and contact information for KZ. The lid is still weighted with a dense cardboard plate containing the following slogan that I love; “Don't forget. The original intention is to use headphones to enjoy music.” KZ kept the cool metal plaque they included with the AS10 and BA10, though now it is tailored to the AS06. While it doesn't add any real value to the package, it does serve to elevate the armature lineup as the most premium of products in KZ's dense catalog. Lifting out the foam insert the AS06's earpieces are nestled into you find the accessories beneath. In all you get:

• AS06 earphones
• 0.75mm 2-pin cable
• Single flange silicone ear tips (s/m/l)
• Instruction manual
• Warranty card

This is the same accessory kit KZ has been including with their products since they started integrating removable cables into their designs. While I think this is fine, if not only because their 'Starline' tips are some of the best in the business (in my opinion), I get why some are getting tired of a lack of extras, like a simple carrying case. They're not expensive and would add to the already great value. No matter how you look at it, this is a nice unboxing experience with a fairly barren accessory kit that provides only what you need to get going and little else beyond that.


Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

The AS06 features the same shells found on the AS10. The shells are all plastic with a clear face plate. Unlike other recent KZs the AS06 hides the crossover and replaces it with what looks to be a metal plate. On the plate L and R logos are stamped for easy channel differentiation, as well as “6 Balanced Armature” in a clean font. I prefer seeing the crossover since it satisfies the electronics nerd in me, but I can't deny this new look is quite handsome. I suspect it will find a number of fans within the community. The rear half of the shell is black plastic, just as it was on the AS10 with a single pin hole vent to prevent pressure build up. Printed on the rear edge of the each housing you find “AS06-Left/Right, 6 Balanced Armature”, just in case you forget the model and what's inside. Out the top is the 2-pin port, keyed with one rounded edge to ensure users install the cable properly, and slightly recessed to protect the pins from damage due to bending. The nozzles are quite long. Inside is a recessed fibre mesh set over top of the sound tubes to protect the drivers from dirt and debris. A neat note is that the sound tubes are part of a 3D printed insert which holds the drivers. While the AS06 lacks a traditional nozzle lip, there are three triangular fins present to hold tips in place. They don't work quite as well as a regular lip, but they're certainly more effective than nothing.

The cable is the same copper-braided unit they've been including with a number of their products lately. It's a nice cable that is quite flexible, even in cold weather, and resistant to microphonics. The y-split is still set way too low, however, leading to easy tangling if you store them hastily. KZ is continuing to remove their memory wire, replacing it with the excellent preformed ear guides first seen on the ZSN. The new ear guides are present on the AS06's cable, and they are fantastic. When little fitment issues I had with the AS10 are gone. While KZ does memory wire better than most, with preformed guides as good as these I won't miss it when they phase it out completely. The rest of the hardware is classic KZ with the y-split and 90 degree angled jack featuring the same chunky, VSonic inspired styling we've seen before. Overall I quite like this cable and think it is a price appropriate. If KZ could just raise that y-split and maybe toss in a chin cinch, they would have something great on their hands.

The AS06's shell is on the larger side, sitting somewhere between the ZS10 and ES4. They're not as deep as either though, enabling a lower profile fit. This is nice for those windy days since the AS06 lets the wind pass by smoothly without creating a ton of noise and interference, something that was a major issue with the Campfire Audio Polaris and exacerbated by the public facing vent. Given the AS06's low profile, light weight, decent ergonomics, and the including of preformed ear guides instead of memory wire, I found it really quite comfortable. Tips more than anything were the cause of any discomfort. The stock Starlines were fine but after messing about I settled on Spintfit CP100s due to their softer silicone and that they do little to alter the stock signature.

To my surprise, the AS06 seemed to isolate a lot better than what I got out of the AS10, despite using the same shells. Maybe there were some internal changes that improved this, or maybe it was the move from memory wire to a preformed ear guide that improved fit and therefore the seal? Whatever it is, I'm impressed with how well the AS06 silences your environment. Using it in noisy areas doesn't require drastic volume compensation, and tossing on some foam tips just makes it better. These would be a nice choice for transit use.

Sound:

Unlike KZ's prior two all-BA offerings which have five BAs per side, the AS06 makes due with “only” three; one for treble, one for the mid-range, and another for bass. If you've heard the AS10 or BA10, you'll feel right at home with the AS06.

KZ's low range armature is probably my favourite of all like armatures I've heard. It provides physical feedback like no other, including the 22955 Knowles low range armature that has been finding it's way into a ton of earphones as of late, like the Shozy & Neo CP and Tenhz P4 Pro. The depths it can reach shame some dynamic drivers all while providing the speed and texture armatures are known for. In the AS06 quantity is dialed in to be less than the AS10 but more than the BA10, but it's still got quite a robust feel to it. If you are a fan of electronic music as I am, liquid drum and bass in particular, any of KZ's current earphones featuring this driver should satisfy your bass needs without feeling bloated or bloomy. It's simply well-tuned and addictive, unless of course you are looking for a neutral low end.

The mid-range is slightly recessed but never so much that I had issues comprehending vocalists, including Aesop Rock and his obscenely dense lyrics. Through the AS06 you can enjoy the reality of “Churro” from Malibu Ken, or the heartwarming tale of the family dog saving it's owner's child from drowning in “Ruby '81” from Aesop's seminal offering, Skelethon. Female vocals by Elizabeth Fraser on Massive Attack's “Teardrop” holds up well too with her seductive, gentle voice reproduced wonderfully. In terms of sibilance I didn't find the AS06 particularly susceptible. The majority of consonants sound perfectly fine with only the occasional S coming in hot. Timbre is good too, though a bit darker than is ideal as noticed when comparing to my benchmark, the reliable old JVC HA-FXT90.

The AS06's treble lacks the raw energy of past KZ products which should come as a relief to many. I suspect some will still find it on the brighter side, especially when compared to something like the warm and mellow CCA C10, but to my ears it is simply tastefully elevated and fair evenly balanced from lower to upper regions. This is noticeable when comparing to the TinHiFi T2 Pro. On Broken Bell's “Mongrel Hearts”, cymbals are much too aggressive and overpowering through the T2 Pro, highlighting it's extreme treble boost, especially in the brilliance regions. Whereas through the AS06 they slot in more naturally with the rest of the mix and it comes across as a more coherent experience. Detail and clarity is good with a solidly weighty note presentation and acceptable air and space between notes. It is well controlled too without coming across loose or splashy. I personally would like just a hint more upper treble to improve shimmer and sheen, but as is the AS06 is plenty enjoyable.

Sound stage on the AS06 has decent width and depth with a fairly even representation between the two. Imaging I found very accurate with extremely smooth channel to channel transitions. I really enjoyed it with Dirt Rally since it placed you within the car in an appropriate position. Layering and separation are fine too. The AS06 handles the chaotic closing minutes of King Crimson's “Starless and Bible Black” with little to no drama.


Select Comparisons (volume matched using Dayton iMM-6):

KZ AS10/BA10: Treble on the AS06 is more lively, crisp, and more prominent than on the darker, more mellow sounding AS10, and ever so slightly more prominent than on the BA10. BA10's treble is cleaner and better controlled. The AS10's mid-range is darker and thicker with less clarity, though emphasis is similar to the AS06. The BA10's mid-range is more forward but similarly weighted and more coherent. The AS10 is slightly bassier than the AS06, mainly in the mid-bass, but with similar extension. Bass on the BA10 has a similar presentation to the AS06, but is lesser in quantity and more evenly balanced. Sound stage goes to the AS06 which comes across larger and more spacious. The AS06's imaging quality is on par with the AS10 and BA10, but it falls behind in terms of layering and separation. All three share qualities. AS10 is the dark bassy one, the AS06 somewhat v-shaped with nice clarity, and the BA10 the most technically competent and balanced. If I were to rank them based on my preferences, it would be BA10 first, AS06 second, with the AS10 pulling up the rear.

TinHiFi T2: Compared to the T2, the AS06 is a fair bit bassier. The AS06's low range armature digs deeper, hits harder, and is slightly more textured than the T2's dynamic. The AS06's mids are darker, denser, less forward, and not quite as clear, but the extra weight gives vocals more impact and presence. The T2 sounds quite lean in comparison. Timbre between the two was closer than expected with the T2 sounding more natural and realistic. Treble emphasis is similar with the T2 being tighter and cleaner with better extension and more air between notes. The T2 can't push sounds as far as the AS06, but its leaner sound and more airy treble lends to the perception of greater space. While I think the T2 is the more technically accomplished product thanks to a more even, neutral leaning signature, I prefer the AS06. The T2's bass roll off limits genre variability and going back and forth between the two, it ends up sounding somewhat blunt and dull.

Final Thoughts:

With their new armature lineup, KZ is really hitting their stride. The AS06 doesn't really do anything new, but what it does it does very well. The shells are nicely constructed and comfortable. The packaging is an improvement over the previous iteration used for the AS10 and BA10, though accessories are still scant. Compared to the AS10 and BA10, the sound signature is somewhat v-shaped and more in line with other products in their lineup, though you get the added benefit of armature speed a technical ability to back it up. I don't really have much to complain about with the AS06. It's an inexpensive, reliably entertaining earphone that's nice to wear and cool to look at. For something that costs less than 50 bucks, the AS06 doesn't leave much on the table and is a good value for the performance on tap.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)
Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)