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Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
Aug 4, 2022 at 12:01 AM Post #59,761 of 63,834
AS16 Pro came in today by surprise (that was really quick). I ordered the Lyra like 1-2 weeks prior and they arrived near the same time.

That BA bass needs some extra boost despite being a slightly warm signature.

Once that's boosted, the mids need little adjustment as the bass boost evens them out a bit. I'm liking a small boost around 500Hz. Refinements in 1-3kHz maybe?

Treble I haven't figured out yet. A little more extension wouldn't hurt, but I'm not sure it's needed and where. 4800kHz slight boost helped amongst the raised bass shelf.

The impedance choice is strange and will make for varying experiences. Not a fan of that.

Throw these on the AZ09 Pro, boost bass a bit, and you have a high performance, high value TWS set under $100. Best KZ set as of now. Mid centric, actually tuned to highlight the strengths of an all BA set, and a great departure from their "standard" tune.

I'm debating this and the TRN TA1 Max as my current favorites. Both are stellar, but those new Zero IEMs could be just as good or better.

Worth $40 or $50? Yes and yes, unless the newcomers beat them at half the price. Still, 8 BAs each ear for $50? We've been spoiled for awhile now, and I still love it.
 
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Aug 4, 2022 at 3:17 AM Post #59,764 of 63,834
Anyone want to join a group buy on Ali for AS16pro?
 
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Aug 4, 2022 at 5:27 AM Post #59,765 of 63,834
Barndoor said:
Anyone want to join a group buy on Ali for AS16pro?
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOPr6JI
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Sorry the horse has already bolted.

Thanks to the helpful impressions and reviews here and some pushing from Aliexpress with their coupons, I took the plunge on AS16pro last night.

Will be my long overdue introduction to KZ and all BA IEM.
 
Aug 4, 2022 at 5:54 AM Post #59,766 of 63,834
SenorChang8 said:
Sorry the horse has already bolted.

Thanks to the helpful impressions and reviews here and some pushing from Aliexpress with their coupons, I took the plunge on AS16pro last night.

Will be my long overdue introduction to KZ and all BA IEM.
Click to expand...
All good, someone joined, so order placed
 
Aug 4, 2022 at 9:46 AM Post #59,767 of 63,834
Carpet said:
Tripowin Zonie?
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Yeah. I just got the gold and silver set for my BLONs and really like it. It's well built and really soft so I bought another one (silver/grey) for the AS16s.
 
Aug 4, 2022 at 9:50 AM Post #59,768 of 63,834
SenorChang8 said:
Sorry the horse has already bolted.

Thanks to the helpful impressions and reviews here and some pushing from Aliexpress with their coupons, I took the plunge on AS16pro last night.

Will be my long overdue introduction to KZ and all BA IEM.
Click to expand...
Same here. I picked up a pair on Ali yesterday. I just got my shipping notification. :ksc75smile:
 
Aug 4, 2022 at 2:42 PM Post #59,769 of 63,834
bhazard said:
AS16 Pro came in today by surprise (that was really quick). I ordered the Lyra like 1-2 weeks prior and they arrived near the same time.

That BA bass needs some extra boost despite being a slightly warm signature.

Once that's boosted, the mids need little adjustment as the bass boost evens them out a bit. I'm liking a small boost around 500Hz. Refinements in 1-3kHz maybe?

Treble I haven't figured out yet. A little more extension wouldn't hurt, but I'm not sure it's needed and where. 4800kHz slight boost helped amongst the raised bass shelf.

The impedance choice is strange and will make for varying experiences. Not a fan of that.

Throw these on the AZ09 Pro, boost bass a bit, and you have a high performance, high value TWS set under $100. Best KZ set as of now. Mid centric, actually tuned to highlight the strengths of an all BA set, and a great departure from their "standard" tune.

I'm debating this and the TRN TA1 Max as my current favorites. Both are stellar, but those new Zero IEMs could be just as good or better.

Worth $40 or $50? Yes and yes, unless the newcomers beat them at half the price. Still, 8 BAs each ear for $50? We've been spoiled for awhile now, and I still love it.
Click to expand...
I don't know about AZ09 Pro, but I did measure mine on the CCA BTX.
graph (93).png
 
Aug 4, 2022 at 5:22 PM Post #59,770 of 63,834
Aug 4, 2022 at 7:13 PM Post #59,771 of 63,834
My aecond AS16 pro (first ordered) arrived today, look sleek:
20220804_184053.jpg

Black aluminum is heavily anodized/coated; should be good for wear & tear. Titanum grey could work out best - perhaps for "pro ultra" :)

No units variation (alleged for ESX by the same "unbiased reviewers" that perpetuated KZ driver problems and bashed all recent KZs :frowning2:).

ESX grew on me as a complimentary DD to all-BAs to fill Blon-03 and Aria's niche for me.

I have enjoyed AS16 pro with Tempotec BHD today for even softer mellow signature, as super-AS10 :)
 
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Aug 4, 2022 at 7:28 PM Post #59,772 of 63,834
Aug 4, 2022 at 8:12 PM Post #59,773 of 63,834
Barndoor said:
I did see that one, but was concerned about the seller so avoided.
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I've had several orders from that store, they've been fast and reliable so far. Alitools rating now 94% and only 3% dissatisfied customers. KZ Official Store is also 94% but 5% dissatisfied.
 
Aug 4, 2022 at 10:40 PM Post #59,774 of 63,834
Carpet said:
I've had several orders from that store, they've been fast and reliable so far. Alitools rating now 94% and only 3% dissatisfied customers. KZ Official Store is also 94% but 5% dissatisfied.
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Thanks, I'll know for the future. Price with the group buy was AU$62 (circa US$43) with free shipping, so only AU$3 more expensive and still a good saving to most other stores.
 
Aug 5, 2022 at 3:27 AM Post #59,775 of 63,834
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