KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7

| 2 Balanced Armatures | 10 mm Dynamic Driver |

VERY IMPORTANT – How to use ThePhonograph Exclusive Coupons at Aliexpress: 

1. Press the “BUY NOW” button
2. Select the correct model
3. Press “Continue”
4. At Payment Methods press “Change”
5. Select “Other Payoments” or “Use another payment method”
6. Write the exclusive Coupon Code at: “Optional message here:”
7. Press the “PLACE ORDER” button
8. DO NOT PAY FOR THE ORDER YET. Press the back arrow and cancel the payment.
9. Press “Yes” on “Cancel the payment?” pop up message
10. On the mobile app press back or “cancel payment”
11. Seller will manually set the discounted price of the coupon for you within some hours or a couple days at most.

? KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 , the latest triple driver from KZ.

The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 features an hybrid configuration with 3 drivers per side, detachable cables and plastic housings.

Some KZ fans swear for the KZ ZSR, being the KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 the only triple driver successor to date, they might have inherited some of their pros, we will find it out later on during the soundtests.

You might wonder why we are calling them KZ ED16 and KZ ZS7. This model has been released under the KZ ED16 name and even the packaging lists them with that name but there is a particular detail, the outer plate of the KZ ED16 has a printed writing that says “ZS7” (see photos in this review).

As a further insight about this peculiar model, KZ has informed that the KZ ED16 are already a discontinued model. Being a discontinued model we estimate that stock will be limited, therefore we recommend being quick getting yours if they fit your sound needs – you can still find the KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 available HERE.

The “ZS7” writings could be a design error and the reason behind the, practically immediate, discontinuation of the KZ ED16. This could mean that in the near future you might find that KZ releases an officially named KZ ZS7 replacing the KZ ZS6 and/or another KZ ED16 being more inline with the ED product line and less with the ZS line. Take this last paragraph with a grain of salt, this are simply our unsubstantiated theories.

The housings of the KZ ZS7 / KZ ED16 are translucent and made of plastic like the KZ ZSR and many other models from the brand. The shape and size is more inline with the KZ ES3 than the KZ ZSR and KZ ZS3.

The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 have detachable cables that have the classic KZ design and not the new double helix, braided design. The connector is a 2-pin compatible with KZ Bluetooth cables, KZ Silver cables, KZ gold cables and KZ compatible cables – important to note that the KZ ZS7 / KZ ED16 make use of the KZ straight connector like the KZ ZS3, KZ ZS6, KZ ZS5 and not the angled one found in the KZ ES4, KZ ZS10, KZ ZSA and KZ ZST Pro.

You can buy the KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 in:

• KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 black
• KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 blue

FIND ALL: Earphones Scores Compared

MORE: In-Ear Headphones Reviews

SEE ALSO: Headphones Technical Specifications

KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 weight in Ounces and KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 weight in grams.

MORE: In-Ear Headphones Weight Comparison

SEE ALSO: Earphones Size Comparison

Accessories & Packaging

The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 unboxing results in 3 pair of earips and the detachable cable. Everything comes inside the classic newest packaging from every other KZ earphone.

^7.5_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 bass is energetic with strong punch and very deep sub-bass. They are fun tuned earphones, still they are not excessively boosted nor have a bass-only sound. Their lower frequencies have strength to cover absolutely every bass-intensive genre.

Applying an EQ, sub-bass becomes incredibly profound and mid-bass gets robustly punchier.

During our extreme bass tests the KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 were able to handle 50% of the maximum power of a Fiio E12 amplifier while being set to high gain and with bass boost turned on; a custom basshead EQ was used.

This extreme amplification and equalization made the KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 achieve such a massive increment of mid-bass punch and sub-bass depth that they were able to surpass the basshead level of impact and rumble of the KZ ATE, Xiaomi Mi Pro HD and even of the older sibling the KZ ZSR but still remaining below the Sony MDR-EX650, Sony MDR-EX800ST and Pioneer SE-CX8 / SE-CX7.

^_8.75/10

MORE: Earphones Amplification Power Comparison

MORE: Best Basshead Earphones

SEE ALSO: Best Fun Sounding Earphones Chart

Mids & Vocals

The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 mids are warm, some mid-bass bleed is present but their lower mids and male vocals sound very alive and clear without getting congested nor laid back at all. Higher mids have a nice balance that does not make them fall into harshness nor forward sound but still offer clear and crisp sound.

With an EQ their mid-bass bleed gets highly reduced, male vocals get importantly clearer and higher mids very crisp. If you do not want to risk to introduce harsh peaks you can EQ all their mids except the upper range.

^_8.75/10

Highs & Treble

The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 highs are bright and very detailed but not forward. Their highs tuning results in a nice sounding upper frequencies that does not become fatiguing but neither sound dark. Sibilant and piercing peaks are rarely present and when they appear are sufficiently mild as not to generate discomfort.

An EQ reveals an insane amount of detail and makes their highs hugely brighter. Sibilance will get stronger but piercing peaks remain fairly under control.

^8.75_/10

Sound Leak

The sound that leaks out of the KZ ZS7 / KZ ED16 is fairly lower than many common earphones. They are not as silent as the highest-scoring in our Headphones Scores Comparison Page (in “Sound Leak”) but they will totally blend in while being used normally noisy situations.

^7.75_/10

MORE: Best Headphones for Libraries Chart

SEE ALSO: Best Earphones for Bed

Sound Isolation

Noise isolation of KZ ZS7 / KZ ED16 is much more efficient than most average earphones. They can reach an absolute isolation without having to utilize high volume settings.

^9_/10

RELATED TO THIS: Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Reviews

Comfort

With shorter and narrower nozzles than the KZ ZSR, the KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 provide a much more comfortable fit that does not get as intrusive in the ears. In fact, now the KZ ZS7 / KZ ED16 sit nearly flush with the ears.

^10_/10

RELATED: Best Earphones for Daily Commute

MORE: Most Comfortable In-Ear Headphones

Response to Equalization

The KZ ZS7 / KZ ED16 had a clear response to EQ with very noticeable improvement of vocals, reduction of mid-bass bleed, empowering of mid-bass punch, deepening of sub-bass, brightening of highs and addition of detail.

^9.5_/10

MORE: Editor’s Picks Earphones Chart

MORE: Best Bang for the Buck Earphones

VERY IMPORTANT – How to use ThePhonograph Exclusive Coupons at Aliexpress: 

1. Press the “BUY NOW” button
2. Select the correct model
3. Press “Continue”
4. At Payment Methods press “Change”
5. Select “Other Payoments” or “Use another payment method”
6. Write the exclusive Coupon Code at: “Optional message here:”
7. Press the “PLACE ORDER” button
8. DO NOT PAY FOR THE ORDER YET. Press the back arrow and cancel the payment.
9. Press “Yes” on “Cancel the payment?” pop up message
10. On the mobile app press back or “cancel payment”
11. Seller will manually set the discounted price of the coupon for you within some hours or a couple days at most.

SEE ALSO: Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

Follow us:

Get the latest reviews on your favorite social network

Scores

KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 Scores

• Accessories - 7.5/10
  7.5/10
• Design - 10/10
  10/10
• Bass - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Mids - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Highs - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Sound Leak - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Sound Isolation - 9/10
  9/10
• Comfort - 10/10
  10/10
• Response to EQ - 9.5/10
  9.5/10
• Value for Money - 10/10
  10/10

Summary

IMPORTANT: The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 had a brief official availability, they are a discontinued model but they can still be found available to purchase HERE. If you find them fitting your sound needs we highly recommend getting them as fast as possible as they will probably get out of stock once that the reseller finishes it's current stock.

AWARDS

Pros

• ✅ Similar baseline but clearly upgraded sound in comparison to the KZ ZSR

✅ Fixed the strong unresponsive 4kHz flaw of the KZ ZSR

✅ Energetic, punchy and deep bass

✅ Warm mids

✅ Alive female vocals

✅ Non-congested lower mids and male vocals

✅ Bright and detailed highs

✅ Crisp higher mids

✅ Non-harsh higher mids

✅ Non-fatiguing sound

✅

✅ Flush fit

✅ Greatly improved comfort and fit from the previous KZ ZSR

✅ Detachable cable compatible with KZ Bluetooth cables and KZ upgraded cables

✅ Super affordable

Cons

• ❌ Already a discontinued model

❌ Basic accessories included

❌ Sound leaking levels are slightly stronger than some other KZ earphones

Conclusion

• The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 quick discontinuation could had suggested a problem with the model (like the TRN V60 had) but our tests proved that their performance is excellent.

 

• The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 have a strong bond with the KZ ZSR (soundwise) but offer a much better sound with deeper sub-bass, slightly crispier higher mids, similar upper highs personality and, most important of all, they fix the +/-4kHz huge dip flaw that the KZ ZSR had.

 

• The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 are the upgraded version of the KZ ZSR with clear improvements that do not limit only to their sound quality. Comfort and footprint are other aspects "fixed" since the KZ ZSR.

 

• The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 are absolutely recommended to KZ ZSR lovers that wished that the ZSR had been released without the +/-4kHz unresponsive issue and who would like a slightly deeper reaching sub-bass.

IMPORTANT: The KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 had a brief official availability, they are a discontinued model but they can still be found available to purchase HERE. If you find them fitting your sound needs we highly recommend getting them as fast as possible as they will probably get out of stock once that the reseller finishes it's current stock.

9/10

FIND ALL OUR: Earphones Reviews / In-Ear Headphones Reviews

MORE: Best Earphones Charts

Buy it from:

VERY IMPORTANT – How to use ThePhonograph Exclusive Coupons at Aliexpress: 

1. Press the “BUY NOW” button
2. Select the correct model
3. Press “Continue”
4. At Payment Methods press “Change”
5. Select “Other Payoments” or “Use another payment method”
6. Write the exclusive Coupon Code at: “Optional message here:”
7. Press the “PLACE ORDER” button
8. DO NOT PAY FOR THE ORDER YET. Press the back arrow and cancel the payment.
9. Press “Yes” on “Cancel the payment?” pop up message
10. On the mobile app press back or “cancel payment”
11. Seller will manually set the discounted price of the coupon for you within some hours or a couple days at most.

SEE ALSO: Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 Frequency Response Curve

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Headphones Frequency Response Curves

SEE ALSO: KZ Headphones Frequency Response Curves

KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 Technical Specifications

YOU WILL ALSO LIKE: Amazon Coupons & Deals

MORE:  Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

SEE ALSO: Banggood Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

SEE ALSO: Aliexpress Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

MORE: Hybrid Earphones Reviews

MORE: Single Dynamic Driver Earphones Reviews

Photos

KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7 Photos

KZ ED16 / KZ ZS7

9

SCORE

9.0/10

BUY NOW