KZ AS10

| 5x Balanced Armatures |

? KZ AS10, the first headphone from KZ with an all balanced armature driver’s configuration.

With the KZ AS10, the brand keeps pushing the limits of insanely affordable/premium spec’ed earphones and opens up the doors as the lowest-priced 5 balanced armature drivers headphone that you can find in the market.

The KZ AS10 features 10 balanced armatures in total (5 per side), detachable bi-pin cables and is the first earphone from the brand to be configured with only balanced armature drivers and no dynamic driver – this is an advanced configuration that can be only found in high-priced in-ear monitors. To be more precise the KZ AS10 is equipped with the following balanced armatures: 2×22955 (low frequency), 2×29689 (mid frequency), 4×30095 (high frequency), 2×31005 (mid and high frequency).

The design of the KZ AS10 shows translucent earpieces that are fully constructed in plastic with a style that is very similar to the KZ ZS10, KZ ES4 and following the line of the KZ ZST Pro, KZ ED16, KZ ZSR.

KZ has a very varied product line but the KZ AS10 does not belong to any of the previous families of KZ earphones, which may suggest the beginning of a whole new line – the most popular line of KZ earphones (to date) include the:

• KZ BAXX line: KZ BA10 – We have an exclusive discount coupon for the KZ BA10 – Get the Coupon HERE
• KZ BTX line: KZ BTE – soon to be released Bluetooth model
• KZ ZSX line – Including the: KZ ZSA, KZ ZS6, KZ ZS5, KZ ZS4, KZ ZS7, KZ ZS3, KZ ZS2, KZ ZS1, KZ ZSE, KZ ZS10, KZ ZSR, KZ ZST, KZ ZST PRO
• KZ ESX line: KZ ES4, KZ ES3
• KZ EDXX line: KZ ED16, KZ ED15, KZ ED Special Edition, KZ ED4, KZ ED7, KZ ED9, KZ EDR2, KZ EDR1, KZ ED12
• KZ ATX line: KZ ATE, KZ ATE-S, KZ ATR
• KZ HDX line: KZ HD9
• KZ HDSX line: KZ HDS3, KZ HDSE
• KZ ZNX line: KZ ZN1
• KZ ASXX: KZ AS10 – first 5-driver hybrid from KZ

You can buy the KZ AS10 in:

• KZ AS10 black with microphone
• KZ AS10 cyan with microphone
• KZ AS10 black without microphone
• KZ AS10 cyan without microphone

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KZ AS10 Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

KZ AS10 weight in Ounces and KZ AS10 weight in grams.

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Accessories & Packaging

The KZ AS10 unboxing results in: a detachable cable, 3 pair of eartips, a fancier and larger packaging with an engraved metal plate.

The packaging has a more “impacting” effect than previous models due to the bigger size and the engraved metal plate placed inside – given the larger packaging people could think that a carrying case might be included but this is not part of the accessories packed inside.

The cable of the KZ AS10 is the same as every latest generation of KZ earphones (except for the KZ ED16) with the helix design and golden-copperish color.

^7.75_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

Some consumers might fear that an earphone with no dynamic drivers could lack bass, as most balanced armature drivers are tuned for efficient midrange and highs/treble frequencies response. Nonetheless, there are balanced armature units capable of reproducing lower frequencies or the whole range.

The KZ AS10 bass has a very punchy profile with also deep sub-bass that can answer back and absolutely fulfill any music genre’s lower frequencies demands – even EDM and bass-heavy songs.

Their bass shows a different sound style than some earphones with dynamic drivers. The KZ AS10 lower end is less bouncy and shows a cleaner sub-bass that still does not sound shallow nor dry.

Applying an EQ, listeners will be able to squeeze out a crazy amount of depth and substantial extra punch.

Putting the KZ AS10 through our extreme basshead test, they took up to 50% of the maximum power of a FiiO E12 Mont Blanc (replaced by the newer model, FiiO A5) adding to their bass an exponentially insane punch and depth with subtle rumble but not as impacting as some of the top basshead earphones such as the Pioneer SE-CX8, Sony MDR-EX800ST, Pioneer SE-CX9, Sony MDR-EX650.

The score below does not represent the strongest bass response on a KZ earphone but a somewhat cleaner but still highly energetic, rich and deep one.

^_8.75/10

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Mids & Vocals

The KZ AS10 mids are warm, exhibit some mid-bass bleed that can be perceived (but it is not out of control), have very crisp higher mids and alive male vocals.

The upper end of their higher mids are slightly forward which can translate into some harsh peaks depending on the track but also offer a very crisp sound and clear female vocals.

With an EQ, the mids of the KZ AS10 can be perfectly cleaned up removing every single trace of mid-bass bleed and eradicating any presence of harshness.

People with very advanced EQ knowledge might be able to achieve these results. Honestly is not that complex, you should dial down frequencies of upper bass and higher mids while boosting middle mids and lower mids.

^_8.25/10

Highs & Treble

The KZ AS10 highs are very bright with, also, substantial detail resolved – piercing and sibilant peaks can show up.

Their upper treble has a rolled-off tendency, still their highs do not sound dark nor congested.

An EQ adds a huge opening up of their highs. Oppositely, they can also be pushed smooth out their fatiguing peaks (yet without becoming dark) and they will always respond very efficiently.

^8.25_/10

Sound Leak

The sound leaking out of the KZ AS10 is somewhat lower than on most average headphones.

Their leakage strength makes them usable on normal city situations without issues but they will probably not be the best companion for librarians or students looking for an exclusive companion during study sessions in libraries.

^7.75_/10

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Sound Isolation

The sound isolation provided by the KZ AS10 is substantially more noticeable than on many normal in-ear headphones.

While listening to music at moderate volume settings, users will get a partial isolation from the surroundings but dialing up the volume will make them far more isolating.

^8_/10

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Comfort

The dimensions of the KZ AS10 are larger than the KZ ES4 but not as large/thick as the KZ ZS10.

The design of the KZ AS10 shows translucent earpieces that are fully constructed in plastic with a style that is very similar to the KZ ZS10, KZ ES4 and following the line of the KZ ZST Pro, KZ ED16, KZ ZSR.

The form factor is curvy with no rough nor pointy edges while the memory cable adds a secure and stable fit to withhold everyday activities. The cable is detachable and can be replaced with any compatible 0.75mm bi-pin model.

There are 2 types of KZ earphones with detachable cables, those compatible with the straight-connector (A PIN: KZ ZS6, KZ ZS4, KZ ZS3, KZ ZS5) and those with the angled-connector (B PIN). The KZ AS10 is compatible with the B PIN angled-connector type, like the KZ ZSA, KZ ZST Pro, KZ ZS10. KZ BA10 (read our KZ BA10 review).

It is important to identify the type of connector of your model if you are intending to buy any of the KZ Bluetooth cables to transform your earphone into a wireless one or any of the KZ upgraded cables, as you will need to buy the cable that is compatible with your unit according to the type of connector.

^9.25_/10

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Response to Equalization

The response to EQ of the KZ AS10 was highly efficient, showing vast improvement over mid-bass bleed, congestion, smoothing of peaks and insane addition of sub-bass depth.

^9.5_/10

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Scores

KZ AS10 Scores

• Accessories - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Design - 10/10
  10/10
• Bass - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Mids - 8.25/10
  8.3/10
• Highs - 8.25/10
  8.3/10
• Sound Leak - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Sound Isolation - 8/10
  8/10
• Comfort - 9.25/10
  9.3/10
• Response to EQ - 9.5/10
  9.5/10
• Value for Money - 10/10
  10/10

Summary

AWARDS

Pros

• ✅ Energetic but non-bouncy bass

✅ Can be used with smartphones or any low-powered device

✅ Very crisp and alive sound

✅ Bright and detailed highs

✅ Very high volume output

✅ Easy to drive

✅ Detachable cables

✅ Efficient response to EQ

✅ Comfortable fit

✅ Most affordable 5-balanced armature earphone on the market (to date)

Cons

❌ Fatiguing/harshy peaks can show up

Conclusion

• The KZ AS10 sound is very alive and "spicy" with a seasoning of their upper midrange and lower treble (not the upper treble region, which tends to a somewhat rolled-off tuning)

 

• Headphone enthusiasts and earphone collectors will probably like to own a pair for being the most affordable 5-Balanced Armature ever built.

 

The KZ AS10 will fit people who enjoy crisp mids and highs, very alive female vocals and energetic bass.

8.8/10

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KZ AS10 Frequency Response Curve

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KZ AS10 Technical Specifications

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Photos

KZ AS10 Photos

KZ AS10

8.8

SCORE

8.8/10

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