Đánh giá tai nghe kz as16
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First full BA IEM from KZ that has the DNA of their recent tuning work which aims to reduce treble aggressiveness and maintain a balance in the whole frequency spectrum. AS16 Pro actually has two signatures if you are aware of the impedance issue, without the impedance adapter it is a midcentric IEM, with the 30 Ohm impedance adapter it is U-Shaped or specifically Diffuse Field with significant bass boost (like the Tanchjim Tanya or SSP). Without the impedance adapter, vocals with the AS16 Pro sound intimate and in your face, it can be intimidating or wonky especially with female vocals. Lower treble is also masked by the hump at 1kHz making some instruments lack the presence on the soundscape (e.g piano, string instruments). With impedance adapter, hump at 1kHz is removed, making vocals to be placed far away from the listener, making the lower treble more audible adding presence to the instruments stated before. Bass with and without the impedance adapter is actually soft on the attack and rumble is almost inaudible even if the graphs show the opposite, there’s actually no slam to the bass and punch is like a feather touching you. However, the lack of any bass punch, makes drums and bass guitar highly transparent on the soundscape, like there’s no boundary withthose two instruments (they feel real), its literally in the front of my headspace without any coloration whatsoever.Technicalities punches way above its price range, detail retrieval, staging and layering is top notch, but soundstage is lacking a bit in wideness. Disclaimer
I mostly listen to this artists/group of artists, arranged from frequently to least played: ShibayanRecords, Mitsukiyo, Nagi Yanagi, Yorushika, Kenshi Yonezu, Yoasobi, Ito Kashitaro, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Sawano Hiroyuki, ChouCho, Weaver, Turnover, The Script and Hoyo-Mix. I also love to listen to symphonic tracks or tracks with relaxing/magical/nostalgic vibe to it. If you want to listen to my daily playlist just go to this link: XerusKun Music Recommendations My target sound signature is Aster Hypocrisy as shown in the graph below. I hate IEMs that does not exhibit downward sloping upper treble or has a peak around 12kHz (e.g CRA, EDXU, SalZero, Chu) as it makes the overall soundscape artificial sounding and also forces harmonics even if I don’t want it. V-shaped or U-shaped will also work as long as there are sufficient technicalities. Congestion, bass bloat, glassiness and muddiness are a big no for me. Lastly, I value musicality/tonality over technicalities (I fudging hate IEMs that forces me to critically listen every single time I use it, looking at SalZero and EDXU) Sources Used
Thy Frequency Spectrum Truth to be told, AS16 Pro isn’t my preferred tuning at all, as I like more energy to the strings and pianos, and I will take the EDA Balanced or Lyra any day when it comes to tuning. But what boggled me with this IEM is how mellow it sounds (like I don’t know if this is KZ anymore, cause it doesn’t have the KZ edge/bite/aggressiveness). This IEM is created for relax listening in mind, I can’t actually detect any harsh peaks or enthusiastic bass with this IEM (like the CA10), it’s just smooth and linear, they sound amazing for Jazz and Bossa Nova, but its lacking the dynamics and fun factor to some of my JPOP and western tracks. Bass: Superbly Realistic, But Where’s the Slam? Realistic and accurate. Nothing to describe it really, it isn’t big or punchy like the ESX. The graph will suggest that it will be bassy, but actually the bass sounds soft and lacking the slam. Bassheads may look at other IEMs if they want the slam. AS16 Pro bass also gears towards realism and speed, it isn’t exaggerated in any way and is just there to support what instrument needed it. Like if the drums need the bass it will cleanly provide it without any boundary, delay, or coloration at all. It’s really hard to describe it, it literally feels like the drummer/bass guitarist is around my headspace, it feels like I’m listening to a real performance not just a speaker. All I can say is the bass response of the AS16 Pro is not tuned to provide fun but to provide detail and accuracy to lower pitched instruments. You know what other thing is amazing with the AS16 Pro? How it layers the bass, it literally has a specific bubble on the soundstage and never influences the midrange in any way, every time I listen to it; the bass is just at the back of my head, waiting for the cue. Without Impedance Adapter: The same as above, but bass quantity may be perceived as lesser due to the midrange emphasis. Midrange: Properly Nuanced, Articulated and Realistic....What?! Ahmm, what is this KZ? Is this a mistake? Haha.. Like the midrange of this is just plain amazing. All vocals sounded so accurate and true to life (it’s quite hypnotizing in some tracks). Both male and female vocals feel like they are in a center stage of a theater (plain beating all of my IEMs when it comes to vocal presentation and staging). Like what is this midrange response, it’s like a mix of Tanya (which is my vocal benchmark btw) and SeeAudio Yume. Like its lush, well weighted yet very detailed but on another level…ahmm..Plus instrument fundamentals sounds accurate and has this realistic tone to them, like this IEM, has no rights to sound this accurate in the midrange and for the price it's asking. What is even happening, can someone explain it to me. Without Impedance Adapter: Vocals are more intimate, kinda scary sometimes to be honest, because singers sounded so close to me. Maybe perceived as harsh in some tracks due to how “in your face” the higher pitched vocals are. It is also not true to life/theater-like sounding compared with the impedance adapter. Treble: Mellow and Properly Extended, Just Lacking a Bit of Presence Organic, safe, non-offensive and mellow. Instruments presence is tamed down to a significant amount compared to their recent IEMs, like AS16 Pro has the softest treble response I heard from KZ so far. It is not my preferred treble response since I like more presence to strings but highly works if you are listening to AS16 Pro for a long period of time. I literally experience zero fatigue even with hours of usage with AS16 Pro (comparing to EDA Balanced, CRA+ and EDXU). Treble also retains linearity up to the upper treble and harmonics are well executed, it isn’t in overdrive like the Salnotes Zero/EDXU/CRA, so expect no artificial detail retrieval with the AS16 Pro, just pure realism. Cymbals are accurate and have proper initial attack and decay on the soundscape, it does not sound ring-y or incomplete like SalZero/Tanya, there’s no 8kHz peak actually (graphs lords rejoice. Haha) Without Impedance Adapter: Lower treble is more subdued due to the masking of 1kHz hump, upper treble remains the same. Technicalities
FR-kun Time! Music Analysis While writing this section, I am listening thoroughly to the tracks that are mentioned, there will be sometimes where I will say coped statements and will be too lazy to explain anything. 1. Hamu Test “Multiple tracks arranged by Hamu” (Played in HibyMusic) The tracks in this section, will test the IEM ability to naturally replay and stage musical instruments like piano, guitar, violin and drums. This section will also test imaging, detail retrieval and separation. Most of the tracks here also hates V-shaped IEMs. AMAZZIINGGG ARRRRGHHHHH. What is this realism like what the…this is on another level like, I never thought that I could listen to Bossa Nova like this, it’s just too real and open. Like this is what I live for as a sound enthusiast..I wanna cry..this is plain beautiful. No, no, no, you don’t need to know my critical analysis with these tracks, if you listen to Bossa Nova/Jazz/Blue etc. just buy it, like legit just buy it, experience the realism and pack up your things, quit any audio groups/forums, this is already end game for these type of tracks….haha Replay Rating: Xtra Beautiful / Listening Redefined / Current Benchmark for these types of tracks. 2. Light Prayer by Nagi Yanagi (Played in HibyMusic) Female Vocals, Driver Resolvability/Speed, Soundstage, Midrange Nuances Yoow, the speed of this track is amaze balls with AS16 Pro, bass riffs is replayed effortlessly, like AS16 Pro didn't even try, add Nagi's lush and angelic voice that is full of nuances and clarity, what the…. The soundstage too, the drums are literally at the back of my head, while Nagi is in the center stage of a U-shaped theatre, guitars and piano are also contained in a specific space on the soundscape, like what the duck is this replay, I'm speechless..haha. Replay Rating: X-Beautiful 3. Decollete by Kenshin Yonezu (Played in HibyMusic) Male Vocals, Midrange Resolvability, Dynamics, Separation Are there no tracks that sound bad with AS16 Pro, like what is this, again? The staging and layering of instruments in this track is just superb. It makes me appreciate Kenshi’s mastering and composition skills, like the resolution of this track with AS16 Pro is just on full throttle, no IEM I have tried recently sounded like this. Everything from Kenshi’s voice up to the little sparkles in the background sound euphonic yet realistic. If I really have to nitpick I would like more oomph to the bass, but overall, an excellent replay by AS16 Pro. Replay Rating: Excellent 4. Link (Color Palette Live) by Nagi Yanagi (Played in Youtube) Female Vocals, Staging, Layering, Timbre, Realism Factor Too real man, like what the, it’s too real, you can't do this AS16 Pro, like NOO stop. Why are you making me feel like I'm in the concert hall with Nagi, why are the piano, maracas, triangle, violins, and drums sounds so real? Bruh, do I deserve this beautiful rendition, I didn't know that this track can be replayed like this. Please if you have the AS16 Pro, please listen to this track, fudging amazing. Replay Rating: X-Beautiful | Listening Redefined 5. Left-Right Confusion by Yorushika (Played in Tidal) Female Vocals, Articulation, Bass Response, Separation, Soundstage What the f…what is this..From Sui’s voice to the guitars they all sound realistic, better than any IEM I have tried so far. The bass response is also transparent and has its own bubble on the soundscape, actually all instruments have this sort of bubble (specific space on the soundscape). Plain eargasmic and mesmerizing..haha…it feels like I’m watching n-buna and Suis doing their thing in a U-shaped theater, the instruments, guitars, piano, drums feel so real and natural with full on resolution to boot. Ahmmm. Do you need timestamps? Haha..cause all part of this track is just too good with AS16 Pro, can’t really explain further…haha..sorry? Replay Rating: X-Beautiful 6. Cyberangel by Hanser (Honkai Impact 3 OST) Female Vocals, Midrange Forwardness, Sibilance Test, Bass Response 00:17 sounds on the edge with most of my gear; however AS16 Pro replays it with smoothness and softness. Drums are also quite realistic and stay strictly at the back of my head. Hanser’s voice with this track is quite hypnotic…her voice is fully articulated and nuances are excellently replayed (there's details in her voice that I didn't hear with my current IEMs). All instruments also have their own bubbles on the soundscape from bass guitars to synthesizer. I can pretty much pinpoint all of them. Overall it’s a bizarre yet mesmerizing listening experience. Replay Rating: Beautiful 7. Imperial Girl covered by Ito Kashitaro (Played in HibyMusic) Male Vocals, Resolution, Drums and Bass Realism Check, Harshness Test Kashi-san voice is a little on the edge with AS16 Pro. However, again the staging, it’s so good from Ito's voice to the drums at the distance they have bubbles on the soundscape that I can easily locate and focus on. However, what I don't like is how Ito's voice is too forward with AS16 Pro, especially at the chorus part his voice is quite intimidating and nearing the shout territory. This track is also lacking the bass oomph that I really enjoy with IEMs like CRA+. But the realism of drums in this track is on another level, can't really comment on it. Replay Rating: Average Comparison This comparative analysis is highly biased on my library, so please don’t take this as a unified guide on what should you buy or not. AS16 Pro vs EDA Balanced EDA Balanced replays my library with energy, sparkle, dynamics and a bit artificial sounding when compared, while AS16 Pro plays my library with realism, organicness and warmth. Staging, layering, detail retrieval is better on AS16 Pro while EDA Balanced has an average tech but a more pleasing tuning for my ears..AS16 Pro sounds like you’re in the music while EDA Balanced sounds like a speaker setup in a hallway..Vocals are lusher with EDA Balanced but are accurate and positioned correctly with AS16 Pro. Can’t really choose between the two, I’m using the EDA Balanced whenever I want to listen to some pop tracks and while traveling, while AS16 Pro is for my home setup and whenever I want to indulge in that realism with my music. Tie AS16 Pro vs ESX AS16 Pro is more relaxed, accurate and organic sounding. ESX is grander, energetic, dynamic, and more fun. AS16 Pro has better soundstage presentation, while ESX is narrower and more in your head. Details are forefront with ESX, while with AS16 Pro you need to focus on a certain instrument to hear the little nuances. Vocals are more forward and lush with AS16 Pro, while ESX is a bit recessed with the vocals. Dynamics still goes with ESX and the overall wake up factor, AS16 Pro is mellow and comforting in comparison. Tie. One for critical listening and one for whenever I want to wake up and jam with my music. AS16 Pro vs Lyra Think of it like this, take the Lyra organic signature, add a BA Tech to it, tadah AS16 Pro…AS16 Pro is the master of staging and layering at the price they are asking. AS16 Pro has better detail retrieval, less congestion, superb separation, and a theater like soundstage. Truer to life. However, it has tonal flaws like apparent lack of presence with strings, lack of macrodynamics to the sound. Lyra on the other hand boasts its complete and organic sound signature, and DD timbre. AS16 Pro wins. AS16 Pro vs CA10 I don’t even want to compare these two..haha.. CA10 sounds plain trash compared to AS16 Pro, like CA10 is too bloated and harsh. AS16 Pro triumphs the CA10 in any way possible. It isn't even funny. AS16 Pro wins. AS16 Pro vs Yume Midnight There’s still this transducer barrier with Yume Midnight, and is too flat sounding for my ears. It has a wider soundstage than AS16 Pro, but nowhere near the layering and staging of AS16 Pro. Vocals are also more emotive with AS16 Pro, Yume Midnight sounds alright with the vocals nothing special. Bass is more dynamic with Yume Midnight, while AS16 Pro lacks the punch and oomph with the bass. Treble is more extended with AS16 Pro, making cymbals crash full and bodied compared to Yume Midnight. AS16 Pro makes me feel like I’m in the concert, while Yume Midnight makes me feel like I’m listening to a 5.1 Speaker setup. Since AS16 Pro plays my Jazz, Live and Bossa Nova tracks with full on realism. AS16 Pro takes the win this time. AS16 Pro vs CA16 Pro CA16 Pro is more digital/artificial sounding, bassier, less technical, has recessed midrange, also brighter than AS16 Pro. AS16 Pro approaches music with realism in mind, it is miles ahead when it comes to technicalities and has a more pleasant/non-offensive tuning than CA16 Pro. AS16 Pro wins. Eartips Rolling Aside from the excellent sound performance of AS16 Pro, I have some nitpicks with it, like the big nozzle and the gigantic shell it has. It is plain uncomfortable for my ears, my default recommendable tip isn’t even working with AS16 Pro. And I am having physical fatigue with them whenever I’m using them for travel. There’s also an uncomfortable suction whenever they are in my ears, like I need to open my mouth just to insert and remove them properly. Take note of the big nozzle if ever you are gonna buy them, the nozzle is big, 1.5x bigger than ZEX Pro. If you have small ears you might need triangular-ish shaped eartips (e.g Spinfits) to fit them properly. 1. Kbear KB07 Nope, uncomfortable, didn’t achieve proper seal. 2. Stock Starline Tips Good, but the internal pressure of this tips when they are in my ears is much greater than the tips after this, it is still uncomfortable to me. For the sound, it’s alright, no boost in any frequency whatsoever or any unnecessary resonances that may destroy AS16 Pro sound. AS16 Pro sounds flat with these tips to be honest. 3. Sony EP-EX11 Tips Recommended, like the 2nd tips but less internal pressure more comfortable too. 4. SalZero Stock Pink Tips Yes, more comfortable than the Sonys but this is much pricier since you can only get this tips alongside an overhyped IEM. Lower treble is a bit boosted with these tips, and bass quantity rises a bit. 5. Spinfits CP145/CP100 Recommended, will make the AS16 Pro midrange a bit recessed, but is the most comfortable tips I’ve tried, the internal pressure issue is gone with these tips. Moreover, the soundstage is a bit taller with these eartips, specifically with CP145. 6. Generic Foam Tips Sadly, I can't fit them into my ears.. 7. BGVP W01 Can’t achieve proper seal with them, bass is gone. Equalization No, it doesn’t need it Tested Synergies Reverie into Realism AS16 Pro, Spinfits CP145 Tips, CX-31993 Smoothest and most organic synergy I have achieved, beats the timbre and staging of some midtier IEMs I have tried (e.g Yume and Yume Midnight). Vocals are also more holographic and instruments are more weighted with this synergy. Basically the tips add some quantity to the lower treble while retaining the accurate midrange, while CX-31993 refines the signature a bit. Enveloping and Mellow Approach AS16 Pro, Sony EP-EX11 Tips, Avani This synergy will add warmth to the realistic approach of AS16 Pro. It’s like a warm blanket on cold summer nights. Vocals are lusher and lower treble is a bit subdued compared to the first synergy. Detail retrieval is downgraded compared to the first synergy. Same bass response as the above. Recommend Tracks/Genres All tracks but excels with Acoustic/Jazz/Bossa Nova “Not that good” Tracks Some pop tracks that need the energy, some hip-hop and rap tracks. Non-affliated Shop Links: https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-as16-pro Overall Rating A+ (Current Top 2) Highly Recommended~~ Asterhythmist Final Words Oh man, what a beautiful ride. This IEM isn’t allowing me to skip any songs in my library, like every song makes me locked in. If the recent reviews are hyping this IEM to oblivion, their impressions are actually correct. AS16 Pro is offering a sound that is beyond its price range, it isn’t a killer by any means but a flavor that should sit above $100 by default. The thing that is a bummer with this IEM is you need an impedance adapter to correct its tuning, actually I find it a feature..haha..cause you actually have two different signatures in hand, midcentric or U-shaped. If you don’t like the stock midcentric approach then just buy a $5 30 Ohm impedance and you have yourself a U-shaped IEM. As far as I’m seeing it, some people also liked the mid centric approach while others find it wonky, it highly depends on what you are listening or sound preferences. |
