KZ AS16 PRO: Almost Reaching The Pinnacle
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 t 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 vert engaging and very 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 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-Ushape. 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:
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
PROS:
• Aesthetically-pleasing shells with decent build quality.
• Very pleasant and balance sounding set.
• Good bass quantity.
• Forward, lush and sufficiently detailed midrange.
• Some smoothness in treble.
• Evocative and captivating vocal quality
CONS:
• Some hint of being metallic and tinny sounding.(BA-timbre)
• Fitting issue as I can’t use it for long listening session as I experienced soreness in my ears due to its humongous, non-ergonomically contours of its shell.
• Technical aspects seems to be a disappointment for an all-BA set.
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 *'*
Lucretia
my Reflection – The Sisters of Mercy **
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.
Comments
Post a Comment