Fatfreq Maestro SE VS KZ AM16

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Fatfreq Maestro SE and KZ AM16 use 1DD+7BA+4EST and 8BA (per side) driver setups respectively. Fatfreq Maestro SE costs $1,900 while KZ AM16 costs $57. Fatfreq Maestro SE is $1,843 more expensive. Fatfreq Maestro SE holds a clear 0.8-point edge in reviewer scores (7.5 vs 6.8). Fatfreq Maestro SE has significantly better bass with a 1.4-point edge, Fatfreq Maestro SE has slightly better mids with a 0.4-point edge, Fatfreq Maestro SE has significantly better treble with a 1.1-point edge, KZ AM16 has better details with a 0.5-point edge and Fatfreq Maestro SE has slightly better imaging with a 0.4-point edge.

Insights

Metric Fatfreq Maestro SE KZ AM16
Bass 8 6.7
Mids 7 6.7
Treble 7.5 6.5
Details 6 6.5
Soundstage 7.5 6.4
Imaging 7 6.6
Dynamics 7.5 6.3
Tonality 7.9 6.8
Technicalities 7.5 6.5
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough KZ AM16 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Fatfreq Maestro SE Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz Crin Head-Fi.org
Bad Guy Good Audio
Yifang

Average Reviewer Score:

7.5

Strongly Favorable

KZ AM16 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Paul Wasabii Web Search

Average Reviewer Score:

6.8

Cautiously Favorable

Reviews Comparison

Fatfreq Maestro SE (more reviews)

Fatfreq Maestro SE reviewed by Yifang

Yifang 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Thunderously deep bass and decent technicalities around. Better than Grand Maestro from having less treble sharpness/sibilance. Very difficult to drive (more than STORM) and NEEDS power to make the bass reach it's potential. Tonally sounds bright despite talks all being about bass. Mids aren't the smoothest.

Yifang original ranking

Yifang Youtube Channel

Fatfreq Maestro SE reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio

Bad Guy Good Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Thunderous bass. Proper midbass, brilliant trebs. 12 drivers Female Vocals can sound un natural in some instances

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Fatfreq Maestro SE reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 6.7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B Tech
Good bass with neutral mids and treble, but sub-par techs for its price.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: A+ Mids: B Treble: A- Details: B Imaging: A-

Fatfreq Maestro SE reviewed by Crin

Crin 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Fatfreq Maestro SE reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 6.8 * score rescaled + normalized
3 community members have rated the Fatfreq Maestro SE at an average of 3.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Generally Favorable.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

KZ AM16 (more reviews)

KZ AM16 reviewed by Paul Wasabii

Paul Wasabii 6.7 * Score computed by IEMRanking.com
A- Tuning
B Tech
YouTube video thumbnail
A fun, bass-leaning all-BA tuning with relaxed treble and natural tonality. Technicalities are decent for $57 but need some volume to shine. Engaging, thicker tuning with thumpy mid-bass, natural vocals, and minimal BA timbre for the price. Relaxed upper treble and a 5 kHz dip reduce air and perceived clarity at low volumes; large shell may challenge smaller ears.
Youtube Video Summary

AM16 is an all-BA KZ tuned closer to a thicker, lower-centric balance than the graph suggests. While aligned with Moondrop Variations on paper, it shifts emphasis downward with relaxed treble, a thumpier mid-bass, and a generally fuller, more musical presentation.

A 5 kHz dip tames glare while a modest 7 kHz lift restores edge definition, and the top end follows a Harman-like roll-off without an air boost. That restraint, plus fast BA low end, keeps BA timbre in check and yields natural vocals around a later 3 kHz rise; however, it benefits from more volume to open up detail and scale.

Positioned at $57, it reads as a return to the KZ fun, engaging house sound rather than a technical showcase. For listeners wanting a musical all-BA KZ with decent clarity and speed, it delivers; those seeking maximum air, brightness, or big-stage resolution should look elsewhere.

Bass: B+ Mids: B+ Treble: B Dynamics: B Details: B

Paul Wasabii original ranking

Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel

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KZ AM16 reviewed by Web Search

uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 6.8 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B+ Tech

The KZ AM16 is an all-BA in-ear monitor using 8 BA drivers per side (16 total) and offered in two editions—Balanced and Bass-Enhanced. Independent listings and user reviews confirm the per-side driver count, while KZ’s product page quotes a 5–45 kHz response and a standard 0.75 mm 2-pin cable; street pricing typically sits around $57.

Sonically, multiple reviews characterize the AM16 (Balanced) as a V-shaped tuning with a clear sub-bass lift and lively upper-treble, while keeping vocals reasonably intact. This yields engaging punch and sparkle, alongside detail retrieval and imaging that are competitive for the price.

Trade-offs are typical of all-BA bass: texture and slam are clean but less visceral than dynamic-driver peers, and dynamics can feel restrained on dense tracks. Sensitivity/impedance figures (≈104 dB, 22 Ω) make it easy to drive from portable sources; listeners wanting more low-end can opt for the Bass-Enhanced edition. Given its sub-$60 price and technical poise, it’s a strong budget pick, though its score should reflect its class rather than challenge higher-tier models.

Bass: B+ Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Dynamics: B Soundstage: B Details: B+ Imaging: B+

Fatfreq Maestro SE User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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KZ AM16 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Fatfreq Maestro SE Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.1

Gaming Grade

B

KZ AM16 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

Fatfreq Maestro SE Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A
  • The response is even and composed, lending itself to effortless genre hopping. Voices sit comfortably in the mix.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • It manages detail and layering well enough, even if the stage feels only moderately sized. You get a clear sense of left and right, if not depth.
Bass A+
You hear powerful yet disciplined low-end slam that extends effortlessly. It marries sub-bass depth with great texture.
Mids A-
Midrange performance is excellent, with natural timbre and great detail. Vocals feel lifelike and full-bodied.
Treble A
Treble performance is excellent—airy, extended, and beautifully controlled. It reveals subtle studio ambiance.
Details B
Finer gestures snap into focus without sounding clinical or forced. Layering holds strong across genres.
Imaging A-
Excellent imaging delivers precise, stable placement with instruments occupying tangible points in space. It locks each element into a steady position.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

KZ AM16 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • It sounds pleasant overall, with some uneven spots that hint at room for refinement. Vocals remain pleasant despite the imperfections.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • It offers a competent showing, maintaining cohesion on straightforward arrangements. Complex passages start to challenge it, but never derail the show.
Bass B+
Low end hits with respectable impact while staying reasonably tidy. You get a healthy sense of rhythm.
Mids B+
The mids are articulate and well-balanced, lending body to instruments. Instrument layering remains stable.
Treble B+
Treble is articulate and clean, adding excitement without harshness. It adds sparkle without harshness.
Dynamics B
It handles shifts in volume well, keeping transients lively and controlled. Quiet-to-loud transitions feel natural.
Soundstage B
You can map the ensemble with confidence thanks to solid spacing and coherent depth layering. Ambient effects feel believable.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances that keeps complex passages intelligible. Micro-details pop without sounding forced.
Imaging B+
Positions lock in with confidence, sketching a believable stage map. There's a tangible sense of stage geometry.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

Fatfreq Maestro SE User Reviews

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