KBEar TRI I4 VS KZ AM16

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

Home Ranking Compare IEMs

KBEar TRI I4 and KZ AM16 use 1DD+1BA and 8BA (per side) driver setups respectively. KBEar TRI I4 costs $70 while KZ AM16 costs $57. KBEar TRI I4 is $13 more expensive. KZ AM16 holds a decisive 2.3-point edge in reviewer scores (4.5 vs 6.8).

Insights

Metric KBEar TRI I4 KZ AM16
Bass 4.5 6.7
Mids 4.5 6.7
Treble 4.5 6.5
Details 4.5 6.5
Soundstage 4.5 6.4
Imaging 4.5 6.6
Dynamics 4.5 6.3
Tonality 4.5 6.8
Technicalities 4.5 6.5
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough KBEar TRI I4 and KZ AM16 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

KBEar TRI I4 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

4.5

Generally Unfavorable

KZ AM16 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Paul Wasabii Web Search

Average Reviewer Score:

6.8

Cautiously Favorable

Reviews Comparison

KBEar TRI I4 (more reviews)

KBEar TRI I4 reviewed by Crin

Crin 4.5 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C Tech
Generic V-shape tuning with middling technicalities.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

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+

KBEar TRI I4 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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KBEar TRI I4 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

4.5

Gaming Grade

C

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+

KBEar TRI I4 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • Expect a patchy tonal profile that makes instrumentation feel mismatched. EQ is almost mandatory to tame the response.

Average Technical Grade

C
  • Even moderate complexity exposes the limited resolution and narrow sense of space. Technical fans will find it lacking.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical.

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.

KBEar TRI I4 User Reviews

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KZ AM16 User Reviews

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