KZ AS16

| 8x Balanced Armature |

? KZ AS16, the first octa-driver in-ear headphone from KZ.

The KZ AS16 features an all-balanced armature drivers configuration with 8 drivers per side, an electronic frequency divider and a 3-channel sound guide – as with every KZ earphone from the past years, the KZ AS16 has a detachable bi-pin cable.

The specific drivers inside the KZ AS16 are: four 31736 BA for high frequencies, two 29689 for mids and two 22955 for bass. Many of this drivers have been seen in previous earphones from KZ but the brand assures that every one of the 8 drivers are new customized versions.

The housings are build with a 2-material design, a main housings made of resin and a back cover build with zinc alloy – the first impression will remind most CCA fans to the CCA CA16. Indeed, the CCA C16 and KZ AS16 have the same exact housings shape and size, but the KZ AS16 has a different design on the back metal plate.

Moreover, the main resin housings are now transparent. Overall, the KZ AS16 vs CCA C16, results in a much better finish and higher-class looking aesthetics. The only detail that we are not loving is the looks of the white, acoustic guides system inside the housings.

KZ has build up a reputation for pushing the limits for premium driver configuration at ultra-budget prices, the KZ AS16 joins the brand’s catalog as the model with highest number of drivers per earpiece (to date)

In the past, KZ set a new price base for multi-driver earphones with the release of the (chronologically descending):

• KZ ZS10 – followed by the KZ AS10, KZ BA10 and finally the KZ ZS10 PRO
• KZ ZS5 – then succeeded buy the KZ ZS6
• KZ ZST – optimized with the KZ ZST PRO
• KZ ZS1 – 2nd gen named KZ ZS2

The KZ AS16 might be the most teased model from the brand (similar to what happened with the KZ ZSR in the past), we revealed to our readers the earliest information about the KZ AS16 more than 1 year ago in 2018, since then the brand kept in silence the AS16 release date and technical specifications. After 1 year of teasing, the model finally became true and was released to the general public as KZ AS16.

You can buy the KZ AS16 in:

• KZ AS16 black
• KZ AS16 blue

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KZ AS16 Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

KZ AS16 weight in Ounces and KZ AS16 weight in grams.

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Accessories & Packaging

The KZ AS16 unboxing results in 3 pair of eartips, the detachable 2-pin cable and a metal plate with the model name engraved.

Everything comes inside a dark colored rectangular box with a side opening system.

^7.75_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The KZ AS16 has a well-achieved sub-bass depth and a punchy and energetic mid-bass that does not get too loose.

Listeners should expect an energetic but not bloated bass that will never risk of becoming anemic nor shallow.

We would say that their lower frequencies are nicely balanced to cover very varied music genres in a competent way.

Applying an EQ, aimed to boost sub-bass will add a crazy amount of depth, cranking up the dB for mid-bass ranges will also add some extra punch but will not be as responsive as it’s sub-bass.

Through out our extreme basshead tests, the KZ AS16 handled up to 40% of the maximum power coming from a FiiO A5 amplifier. The results showed a massive increment of both punch and depth allowing the KZ AS16 to provide a fairly respectable basshead rumble and impact, yet do not expect anything near the Sony MDR-EX800ST, Pioneer SE-CX8, Pioneer SE-CX9.

^_8.5/10

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Mids & Vocals

The KZ AS16 have fairly clean lower mids, with mildly perceivable mid-bass bleed, depending on the track.

There is a tint of veiled breeze over their male and deep vocals which result in a somewhat distant feel with calm male vocals.

Nonetheless, the middle mids and upper mids are much more forward, adding a more aggressive tuning for their female vocals, instruments in these ranges, transients attack and even a male vocals transformation when they show stronger peaks or turn shouty.

The higher mids of the KZ AS16 are very crisp but can become harsh and fatiguing when tracks present strong notes in the upper midrange.

Listeners who enjoy a spicier upper mids personality, will feel at home with the KZ AS16.

Using an EQ, it is possible to remove their lower mids veil and any traces of mid-bass bleed. This will be easy for experienced users with advanced custom equalization as the KZ AS16 will respond impeccably.

On the other hand, higher mids should not be boosted with an EQ (at all) or they will become extremely harsh.

^_7.75/10

Highs & Treble

The KZ AS16 have bright highs with a very respectable amount of detail resolved. Overall, their highs will sound bright and fairly open out of the box.

On the other hand, the tuning adopted on the KZ AS16 can bring up sibilance and piercing peaks with tracks prone to them – this is a frequent price that earphones with highs emphasized sound signatures sacrifice in order to provide brightness and detail.

A custom EQ can reveal a jaw dropping opening up of their highs which, also, provides a monumental increment of detail retrieval and brightness – certainly expect more intense sibilance and piercing highs, though.

^8_/10

Sound Leak

The sound leaking out of the KZ AS16 will remain within usability on any normally noisy situation but can get too hearable if used in places such as libraries.

^7.25_/10

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Sound Isolation

The sound isolation provided by the KZ AS16 is noticeably efficient with a strong reduction of awareness of the environment, independently of the volume setting set on your listening sessions – dialing up the volume will exponentially increase it’s isolation potential.

^8.5_/10

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Comfort

With so many drivers inside, the housings of the KZ AS16 become larger and heavier than most previous models from the brand but it is, still, as big as the CCA C16 and inline with the KZ AS10, KZ AS06.

The earpieces do protrude out of the ears and, by any means, sit as flush with the ears as the KZ ZSN PRO, KZ ZSR, KZ ES4, KZ ZSA.

^8_/10

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Response to Equalization

The response to EQ of the KZ AS16 showed efficient results in their midrange and on sub-bass deepening; being the most remarkable effect seen over their highs brightness and detail.

^8.75_/10

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KZ AS16 Frequency Response Curve

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KZ AS16 Technical Specifications

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Scores

KZ AS16 Scores

• Accessories - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Design - 9/10
  9/10
• Bass - 8.5/10
  8.5/10
• Mids - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Highs - 8/10
  8/10
• Sound Leak - 7.25/10
  7.3/10
• Sound Isolation - 8.5/10
  8.5/10
• Comfort - 8/10
  8/10
• Response to EQ - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Value for Money - 8/10
  8/10

Summary

AWARDS

Pros

✅ Extremely high volume output

✅ Nice bass balance, yet fun

✅ Surprisingly responsive to EQ

✅ Very easy to drive with any smartphone or portable music player

✅ Nice aesthetics

✅ Detachable cable

✅ Efficient isolation

✅ Insanely affordable for an 8-driver earphone

Cons

❌ Fatiguing peaks

❌ Larger earpieces protrude out

Conclusion

The KZ AS16 share similarities with the CCA C16, even on the sound department but they are far from sounding the same.

Owners of the CCA C16 who wished a spicier sound signature will probably like the KZ AS16.

With a crazy amount of 16 total drivers, the KZ AS16 (and the CCA C16) is a hell of bang for buck (at least spec-wise) - even more with our exclusive discount coupon.

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8.2/10

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KZ AS16

8.2

SCORE

8.2/10

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