ScrofulousBinturong
100+ Head-Fier
Question: is the BA10 worth tracking down? How does it compare to the AS06?
It definitely is. I have not heard the AS06 but I prefer the BA10 to the AST and AS12. It is my favourite KZ. Here is a link:Question: is the BA10 worth tracking down? How does it compare to the AS06?
AS06 are a great minimalistic IEM, that is V- shaped due to less prominent mids.Question: is the BA10 worth tracking down? How does it compare to the AS06?
Hopefully., AS16 pro can fulfill the aspirations for ZSX & ZAX- llike IEM with the BA bass.I know I'm late in this particular game about the AZ09 Pro but it must be said after holding out for a couple of years: this TWS works and I'm perfectly satisfied!
Paired with my ZAX (and ZSX) it gives me a very pleasant listening experience. It checks all the boxes and though it is not APTX HD (or Adaptive) and just classic APTX, the sound knocks me off my feet nevertheless. And contrary to some comments, the case is not humongous (my regular case is even bigger). It's just not pocket sized and that's alright.
Thanks to all the reviews and comments I've read on Head-Fi for convincing me to pull the trigger. Now I'm just waiting for the multi BA iem that gets a generally positive recommendation before I take the plunge again.
Looking forward to your impressions!Got my AS16 pro tonight - just in 9 days!
Some good AS10 vibes
It actually is aptX Adaptive. I've confirmed it with multiple aptX adaptive usb adapters. The chipset in the AZ09 Pro supports it. The key is in the source adapter used.I know I'm late in this particular game about the AZ09 Pro but it must be said after holding out for a couple of years: this TWS works and I'm perfectly satisfied!
Paired with my ZAX (and ZSX) it gives me a very pleasant listening experience. It checks all the boxes and though it is not APTX HD (or Adaptive) and just classic APTX, the sound knocks me off my feet nevertheless. And contrary to some comments, the case is not humongous (my regular case is even bigger). It's just not pocket sized and that's alright.
Thanks to all the reviews and comments I've read on Head-Fi for convincing me to pull the trigger. Now I'm just waiting for the multi BA iem that gets a generally positive recommendation before I take the plunge again.
It actually is aptX Adaptive. I've confirmed it with multiple aptX adaptive usb adapters. The chipset in the AZ09 Pro supports it. The key is in the source adapter used.
I'm running 24 bit 96kHz with the AZ09 Pro via these two adapters:
T10p 24bit
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256804206235637.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256804095087255.html
The lighting modes on the devices confirm aptX adaptive in use (click the button 3 times to switch to aptX Adaptive), and there is a massive sound quality difference when you manually switch from aptx adaptive to aptx. You can also test using "exclusive mode" in Windows. The Windows mixer is bypassed and 24bit 96kHz plays successfully through the adapters on aptX adaptive mode and the AZ09 Pro.
So yes, the AZ09 pro is even better than KZ's own description. I think very few people truly know about this.
a little PSA, KZ eartips is not that good.My last KZ was ZS6. I ordered the KZ ESX based on reviews. I will compare them to HD58x when it will arrive.
Apparently it will sound a bit better with Impedance adapter (18~-30 ohm), or using high power source like TK-2?My initial impressions on AS16 pro are very positive (and, hopefully, a bit more objective than my positive bias for KZ and penchant for all-BA IEMs; I learned a lot from Dioko recently, its extreme U of sub-bass and last-octave emphasis).
I used Tempotec E44 (my preferred transparent/brightish DAC) and wide-bore tips for AS16 pro and all other IEMs in comparisons. I have started with Chesky disks for comparison, then diverged and divulged into more music with the engaging AS16 pro (and in lieu of disclosure, my two AS16 pro (the first ordered is well behind in the mail...) are ordered with my own funds, no personal discounts, etc)
To start, AS16 pro share a lot with AS16 - the same size and shape of the shell to the best of my visual comparison, just a different top plate. Most of the drivers are the same other than new 31736 for treble. The bass (most importantly) and mid BAs are the older type (silver not black).
Compared to original AS16, the treble is definitely smoother and less emphasized. Comparatively, the bass and at least low mids are given a more prominent role for much more balanced tuning that retained clarity.
At the same time, on one hand, the midbass is quite emphasized (I like it) but it is the BA bass of the Knowles type, quite measured and laconic (I like it as well).
As a result, most significatly, the mids are more there, supported by the bass and not distracted by the treble. I was really surprised and happy that AS16 pro can be compared to Hisenior U4/T4 (before, KZs were different). Compared to U4, AS16 pro are more into midbass with less pristine clarity, but AS6 pro can do vocals.
I am not much into vocals other than some choral music. That is what I used for comparison: beatuful Estonian recording of Veljo Tormis
All-in-all, AS16 pro are still created/crafted for classical and acoustic music, significantly due to its still leaner BA bass.
I tried Rammstein, it is much more fuller and engaging with new rampant (Sonion-like) bass BAs of ASX (wide-nozzle modified) and AST than AS16 pro.
So coming from AST, the bass of AS16 pro would be drier, but treble is more freed for less tinkering to free it up from the original tuning. There is a beutiful smoothness of some AST upper mids; with AS16 pro, it is just more clarity. I would consider AST and AS16 pro to be on the same level.
Compared to BA10 (and AS10), new BAs, especially the mid-treble ones, are noticeably smoother: no graininess and steeliness of older BAs (I like the graininess and some steeliness as a favour); the bass is more emphasized, especially middbass, but it is the same leaner bass - the same drivers. The treble of BA10 is more extended in the range but with more tapering. The treble of AS16 pro does not do much in the last octave (8-16 kHz) but the remaining treble is more accentuated compared to BA10, not to the extremes of the original AS16, but still.
So moving from BA10 to AS16 pro - smoother more refined drivers, a bit more V, but not old-KZ "V" of ZS10 pro, for instance, but of more balanced with the mids not far behind, and geared for acoustic music. This last sentence should serve as a good summary to conclude these writings.
I will be happy to do more comparison, and if the time permits may attempt a more comprehensive review.