KZ BA10

| 5x Balanced Armatures |

? KZ BA10, the latest flagship earphone from KZ with 5 drivers per side.

The KZ BA10 features an all balanced armature configuration with 5 units per earpiece. The balanced armatures inside the KZ BA10 are: 2x 30095, 1x 31005, 1x 29689, 1x 22955.

The KZ BA10 and the KZ AS10 might not look alike but both have the same 5-driver configuration and make use of identical balanced armatures. Nonetheless, the brand has opted for a totally new positioning and placement of the units inside the housings- through out our KZ BA10 review we will find out if the KZ BA10 vs KZ AS10 offer the same sound or not.

The KZ BA10 durability feels excellent thanks to the all metal construction. This time KZ decided to go back to the materials of the superb KZ ZS6 and KZ ZSA, instead of the all plastic construction on most of their models, such as the: KZ ZS5, KZ ES4, KZ ED16, KZ BTE, KZ ZS10, KZ ZS4, KZ ZSR (among others)

The housings have a bi-colored design and a back plate with 3 air vents with a metal grid beneath. The vents have the same aesthetics of those seen on the KZ ZS6 and the KZ ZSA.

The cable of the KZ BA10 has the helix design of most latest models but with an all-new color pattern that is now lighter-colored – to give you a comparative reference, the color of the new cable is more inline with the Yinyoo 6-core copper-plated cable that we have reviewed some time ago, than to any of the cables seen on other KZ earphones.

The KZ BA10 can be bought with or without an inline remote/microphone. This mic/remote is the same classic of most KZ models, with a single-button and fairly small size.

The KZ BA10 price will be lower for the KZ BA10 mic-less version but the difference is nearly insignificant and most users will benefit from the mic/remote.

You can buy the KZ BA10 in:

• KZ BA10 red & black color with microphone
• KZ BA10 gold & red color with microphone
• KZ BA10 red & black color without microphone
• KZ BA10 gold & red color without microphone

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KZ BA10 Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

KZ BA10 weight in Ounces and KZ BA10 weight in grams.

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Accessories & Packaging

The KZ BA10 unboxing results in 3 pair of eartips (+1 pair already on the unit), the detachable cable and a metal engraved plate.

The accessories and the packaging of the KZ BA10 vs KZ AS10 is exactly the same, which are the only 2 KZ models that have this packaging (to date).

^7.75_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The KZ BA10 bass is powerful with a punchy and very deep personality that can cover absolutely any music genre.

Despite their rich and strong bass response, neither their mid-bass nor sub-bass get overly cooked nor boomy. You can expect a lower frequencies style similar to the KZ AS10 (on which we discovered a less bouncy bass style) but with a deeper response.

Applying an EQ, there is an insane empowering of punch and depth with a much more aggressive and bass-centered response.

The KZ BA10 was able to handle up to 50% of the maximum power of a FiiO E12 Mont Blanc (replaced by the newer model, FiiO A5) through out our extreme basshead test. The results showed a monumental increment of depth and punch but they did not reach a basshead impact and rumble like the Pioneer SE-CX8, Sony MDR-EX800ST, Pioneer SE-CX9, Sony MDR-EX650.

^_9/10

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Mids & Vocals

The KZ BA10 mids have a warm and full-bodied sound with alive vocals and slightly congested lower midrange. Male vocals do not sound distant but get some mid-bass bleeding into them.

The upper midrange is crisp and clear and, usually, does not get too harsh.

Expect a clear midrange personality without being too aggressive nor recessed.

With an EQ, their male vocals can be given a much more clear and present sound with a strong reduction of mid-bass bleed and conserving their crisp but non-harsh upper midrange.

^_8.5/10

Highs & Treble

The KZ BA10 highs are bright and detailed. They are not as bright as the Senfer EN900, Senfer DT8, Senfer 4in1 but they are still a bright sounding earphone.

Piercing peaks can show up on very fatiguing-prone tracks but sibilance is less frequent.

Overall, their highs are fairly-balanced between a bright but not overly fatiguing sound, yet neither dark sounding.

An EQ makes their highs more open and clear with a bump over their treble region and a brighter and better detailed personality.

^8.5_/10

Sound Leak

The rear vents of the KZ BA10 are not the best companion for sound leaking assignments. The sound leaking out of the KZ BA10 is not obscene but it is somewhat inline with most average earphones.

This means that users listening to music at very high volume settings will make their sound hearable by nearby people – still, during noisy city situations their leakage will not be an issue but will not be the best option where silence is required.

^7.75_/10

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Sound Isolation

The sound isolation provided by the KZ BA10 is very noticeable and much stronger than most normal earphones.

The large housings and the very deep insertion of the nozzles allow them to offer this strong isolation that can be easily pushed for a nearly-absolute level (when cranking up the volume)

^8.75_/10

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Comfort

With the KZ BA10, the brand has decided to get away from the design being used on many of the latest models (such as the KZ AS10, KZ ES4, KZ ZS10) and has decided to use a more squared form factor.

This new design will probably not be the best for people with smaller ears as the square shapes and rougher edges might translate into pointier edges touching the ears and possibly earlier-inducing discomfort.

Most of our editor’s did not find them to be particularly uncomfortable but this might be something to consider according to each user’s ears.

^8.5_/10

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Response to Equalization

The response to EQ of the KZ BA10 was highly efficient, allowing them to obtain a remarkably clearer lower and mid midrange with less congested mids and vocals.

Highs were also enhanced by an EQ, introducing much more brightness, detail and, most of all, a more open sound.

^10_/10

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Scores

KZ BA10 Scores

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

Summary

 

 

 

AWARDS

Pros

• ✅ Energetic, punchy and very deep bass

✅ Warm vocals

✅ Bright and detailed highs but not too fatiguing

✅ Can be transformed into a Bluetooth wireless earphone by buying the ultra affordable KZ Bluetooth Cables v1, the KZ Bluetooth cables v2 or the TRN BT cables

✅ Crisp upper midrange

✅ No frequent harsh peaks

✅ All-metal rugged construction

✅ Detachable cables

✅ Crazily cheap priced for a 5-balanced armatures earphone

Cons

❌ The new squared design might offer less comfort than curvier models from KZ

❌Some mid-bass bleed

Conclusion

• The KZ BA10 is another excellent model from the brand, with an insanely affordable price for an earphone with 5 balanced armatures and a fun and spicy sound - a classic characteristic from KZ earphones.
• Through out our tests we found out that, in spite of having the same drivers of the KZ AS10, they did not sound exactly the same.

8.8/10

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KZ BA10 Frequency Response Curve

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KZ BA10 Technical Specifications

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Photos

KZ BA10 Photos

KZ BA10

8.8

SCORE

8.8/10

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