[r31ya]

An image of the new AS16 Pro, it appears to feature 2 x 22955, 2 x 29689 and 4 x 31736 although two of those are hidden. So the same drivers as before, but perhaps the "S" versions of the BAs.

They update the treble section with that black BAs. Hopefully it'll be smooth and not heavily metallic.

 

[BoomBap08]

ZAX is much cheaper than the VX Pro. CCA CA16 would be worth looking at too, if you like warmer relaxed tunings. Don't get locked into the KZ/TRN ecosystem, there are a lot of other manufacturers that offer better options under $100. Moondrop Aria, Tin T3+, GS Audio GD3C, Tipsy TTROMSO, Tripowin Olina and ECCI YST-02 are all good. They tend to provide better accessories too!

Thanks for responding & the recommendations, sir. I already have other specialist sets. I'm just planning for my v-shape set to round up my beater collection.

I could actually get the ZAX for $39 & the VX Pro for just $44. That said, exclusively between the ZAX & VX Pro, which one has better instrument separation & imaging?

 

[Carpet]

Thanks for responding & the recommendations, sir. I already have other specialist sets. I'm just planning for my v-shape set to round up my beater collection.

I could actually get the ZAX for $39 & the VX Pro for just $44. That said, exclusively between the ZAX & VX Pro, which one has better instrument separation & imaging?

I've heard neither, I went for the CCA CA16 over the ZAX since it's a warmer tuning. VX Pro was a later release, but for $44 for it's a steal!

 

[BoomBap08]

I've heard neither, I went for the CCA CA16 over the ZAX since it's a warmer tuning. VX Pro was a later release, but for $44 for it's a steal!

I guess that settles it then lol. At the very least, Delta already verified the VX Pro's drivers to all be working & functional.

 

[PhonoPhi]

Ordered AS16 pro.
Only around $50.
Perhaps, not a breakthrough but for me this new KZ all-BA geared for classics is the one to definitely explore

 

[lushmelody]

They update the treble section with that black BAs. Hopefully it'll be smooth and not heavily metallic.

They are also marketing frequency tube separation and a logic board. Overall promising (compared to recent flagships)

Tuning ✓
"Expensive" internals ✓
Terrible lettering ✓
Price ✓

 

[r31ya]

Ordered AS16 pro.
Only around $50.
Perhaps, not a breakthrough but for me this new KZ all-BA geared for classics is the one to definitely explore

early impression seems pretty decent (very clear apparently and despite the bass shelf its not that overwhelming)
but apparently the early batch is impedance sensitive. So some of the early receiver is currently hunting for impedance adaptor or double check their source (or play with volume)
---
per paul early testing shared on discord

Also the box noted that its 18 ohm

 

[rayliam80]

Ordered AS16 pro.
Only around $50.
Perhaps, not a breakthrough but for me this new KZ all-BA geared for classics is the one to definitely explore

I'll be really stoked to hear your impressions since you've given a lot of love (tough love or not) to the AS10 and other previous KZ models over the years.

 

[saldsald]

early impression seems pretty decent (very clear apparently and despite the bass shelf its not that overwhelming)
but apparently the early batch is impedance sensitive. So some of the early receiver is currently hunting for impedance adaptor or double check their source (or play with volume)
---
per paul early testing shared on discord





Also the box noted that its 18 ohm

The stated impedance is kind of meaningless especially for an all BA set. It is just the impedance of the bass BA when the IEM is not loaded.

 

[r31ya]

The stated impedance is kind of meaningless especially for an all BA set. It is just the impedance of the bass BA when the IEM is not loaded.

casual like me kinda confused right now on whats what.
my understanding only reaching understanding raw power output.
but yeah, currently its the discussion topic

 

[baskingshark]

early impression seems pretty decent (very clear apparently and despite the bass shelf its not that overwhelming)
but apparently the early batch is impedance sensitive. So some of the early receiver is currently hunting for impedance adaptor or double check their source (or play with volume)
---
per paul early testing shared on discord





Also the box noted that its 18 ohm

It is not a good look if folks have to put an impedance adapter with an IEM to modify the sound signature to something they prefer. It hints that the stock tuning isn't that great TBH.

 

[r31ya]

It is not a good look if folks have to put an impedance adapter with an IEM to modify the sound signature to something they prefer. It hints that the stock tuning isn't that great TBH.

Right now, the kz rep claim it will sound the same as the graph on normal gear, while pointing out the detail on why it could get skewed during measurement.
apparently the target goal is QDC V14

 

[r31ya]

Oh, hey the first review of AS16Pro is out
(without the impedance adapter)

 

[PhonoPhi]

It is not a good look if folks have to put an impedance adapter with an IEM to modify the sound signature to something they prefer. It hints that the stock tuning isn't that great TBH.

What I learned about impedance adaptors - they are the best to attain optimum source currents, e.g. to make overly poweful and noisy at small currents amps to sound better when producing higher currents with more load.

Using impedance adaptors with less powerful portable sources is largely counterproductive (OK for the sake of exploration and graphs posting, I guess...) since one will try to squeeze more currents from already a weak source, typically resulting in choking the sound (one of the good illustration of "meh").
Ideal sources produce the same sound with the impedance adaptors.
I have one that is close - E1DA SG3, when battery-powered using the splitter.

All-BAs are source-sensitive that is the fact of life.
18 Ohm is a good value, at least better than 14-15 Ohm of earlier KZ all BAs.
Very good sensitivity, hopefully no dampers similar to original AS16.

I'll be really stoked to hear your impressions since you've given a lot of love (tough love or not) to the AS10 and other previous KZ models over the years.

Hopefully, in ~two weeks - it showed as shipped now.
Since the very first instance of listening to beloved AS10, I am hooked on BA bass, and KZ bass BAs are not any inferior to Knowles and Sonion; KZ treble BAs got closer recently; just the mids - did not hear the magic of Knowles 26989 either by drivers or by tuning.

I love original AS16, but it is very bass lean and treble enhanced to listen to modern recordings. AS16 original seemingly have been designed to bring magic to older classical recordings with strongly tapered treble; it does!
So a bit more bass and clear mids can make AS16 pro a great set.

I will definitely compare AS16 pro with all KZ all-BAs and more

 

[lushmelody]

early impression seems pretty decent (very clear apparently and despite the bass shelf its not that overwhelming)
but apparently the early batch is impedance sensitive. So some of the early receiver is currently hunting for impedance adaptor or double check their source (or play with volume)
---
per paul early testing shared on discord





Also the box noted that its 18 ohm

That lower mid bump is an EQ easy fix. No surprises if we need to adapt to squeeze better from a KZ. Still offering a full BA deal while most brands alienate us of acquiring such driver spec at sub $100