KZ ED12
| 10 mm Driver |
? KZ has done a gorgeous earphone with the KZ ED12, size, shape, colour, construction quality are great. The ED12 is part of the new generation of KZ earphones where they have improved drastically fit and finish of their line. The KZ ED12 shares the same housing of the KZ ZST
, but with a different design choice.
The ED12 has a black shiny front plate with the rest of the housing being red for the right side earpiece and a “should-be blue” (actually is purple) left earpiece. They are made entirely of plastic but a great quality of plastic that feels solid and very well manufactured. The design is flawless, and this little guy has the wonderful characteristic of having detachable cables.
The cables have a bi-pin connection and you can replace it with any other compatible cable that you wish.
KZ will sell you the package with a cable with microphone and a 1-button control or with a cable without microphone or control.
FIND ALL: Earphones Scores Compared
MORE: KZ Earphones Reviews

KZ ED12 - Review
Tests & Scores
WWeight
MORE: In-Ear Headphones Weight Comparison
SEE ALSO: Earphones Size Comparison
A
Accesories & Packaging
Out of the box you get the detachable cable and 3 pairs of eartips. Everything is packed in a clean and tiny packaging; the nowadays standard KZ packaging.
7.5/10
B
Bass & Sub Bass
The KZ ED12 has a rich bass, deep and punchy. The bass and sub-bass coming from the dynamic driver is fun and punchy and never falls short. Sub-bass gets deep, mid-bass is present and does not bleed into the mid frequencies. Bass is engaging, makes music with good quantity of bass sound captivating and entertaining.
The KZ ED12 can be equalized to enhance bass and will noticeably get punchier
The KZ ED12 can be equalized to enhance bass and will noticeably get punchier, they can be amplified too and combined with a good bass eq it starts to deliver basshead impact, not a prize award level but fair enough.

When basshead equalized and amplified with a Fiio E12 on high gain and bass boost switched ON, the ED12 can handle up to 50% of the maximum power on the Fiio E12. At this level you get a sub-bass impact above the KZ ATE, below the KZ ZS2 and right below the Vots QT100. Remember that if you throw too much amplified power to any earphone or headphone you can break or damage them permanently. Particularly KZ earphones do not tolerate excessively amplifying, they will break immediately if you push too much on the power of the amplifier and there will be no way to repair the earphones. So, if you want to try, be very careful.
8.25/10
MORE: Earphones Amplification Power Comparison
MORE: Best Basshead Earphones
SEE ALSO: Best Fun Sounding Earphones Chart
M
Mids & Vocals
Mids are emphasized and forward to the point that they start to sound boxy and harsh when peaks are reached, fatigue starts early when using the KZ ED12. Mids are so forward that they step over high frequencies. Cutting down mid frequencies between 1kHz and 3kHz is a must to use this earphone unless you have a particular tolerance to mids harshness. Mid and vocals improve when equalizing but still they are not a strong asset for the KZ ED12.
5/10
H
Highs & Treble
Highs get lost because of the over-emphasized mids, they get so lost that it even seems that the highs are highly recessed but at the same time there is a hint of sibilance in certain moments. If you cut down some of the mid/vocals frequencies, highs will get their space and start to gain presence. They are not forward, nor piercing but they are present.
5.5/10

SL
Sound Leak
The KZ ED12 sound leakage is acceptable but not an excellent performer at this. Sound will leak and music will be heard by people surrounding you, though not excessively.
6.75/10
SI
Sound Isolation
Isolation noise coming from the environment is good, it noticeably isolates and reduces the levels of noise around you.
7.75/10
C
Comfort
The KZ ED12 shares the form factor and comfort of the KZ ZST. They fit securely and comfortable inside the ears, they do stick out slightly and the custom-like shape is bigger than many normal shaped earphones and bigger than most older KZ earphones (KZ ED9, KZ EDR2, KZ ATE, KZ ATR, KZ HDS3)
KZ has improved a lot the comfort and fit of their earphones with this generation
Remember that the way to wear these is like a custom or sport earphone, with the cable going over and around the ear. It is a matter of taste if you like or dislike this but if you get used to it they are very comfortable. KZ has improved a lot the comfort and fit of their earphones with this generation.
9/10
EQ
Response to Equalization
The KZ ED12 respond very well to equalization of the bass and sub-bass frequencies; high frequencies respond well but they are too overshadowed by the mids frequency to shine. Mids can be equalized down to work around the harshness and over-emphasis and things improve a lot.
7.5/10
MORE: Editor’s Picks Earphones Chart
MORE: Best Bang for the Buck Earphones
BUY IT AT:

- Accessories - 7.5/107.5/10
- Design - 10/1010/10
- Bass - 8.25/108.3/10
- Mids - 5/105/10
- Highs - 5.5/105.5/10
- Sound Leak - 6.75/106.8/10
- Sound Isolation - 7.75/107.8/10
- Comfort - 9/109/10
- Response to EQ - 7.5/107.5/10
- Value for Money - 9/109/10
Summary
Great bass and sub-bass depth
Beautiful design
Very comfortable
Mids are too harsh and overshadow high frequencies
Conclusion
- The KZ ED12 has the potential to be a great earphone but the terrible mids makes them a difficult candidate to recommend. If you are willing to EQ you can get a gorgeous iem with good sound, excellent fit and comfort, detachable cables and powerful bass for very little money.
FIND ALL OUR: Earphones Reviews / In-Ear Headphones Reviews
MORE: Best Earphones Charts
KZ ED12 Frequency Response

KZ ED12
Type | Dynamic |
---|---|
Driver Unit | 10mm |
Sensitivity | 120dB/mW |
Impedance | 16 0hms |
Frequency Response | 10-20,000Hz |
Cord Length | 1.2m |
Cord | Detachable cord, Bi-Pin |
Plug | L-shaped stereo mini plug |
Weight (Without Cord) | Approx. 30g |
Supplied Accessories | 1 x Detachable Cable, 2 x Pair of Ear Plugs |
MORE: Single Dynamic Driver Earphones Reviews
great review!
more KZ stuff!