Apos x Community Rock Lobster VS KZ AM16

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

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Apos x Community Rock Lobster and KZ AM16 are in-ear monitors. Apos x Community Rock Lobster costs $60 while KZ AM16 costs $57. Apos x Community Rock Lobster is $3 more expensive. KZ AM16 holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (6.3 vs 6.8). KZ AM16 has better mids with a 0.7-point edge, KZ AM16 has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge and Apos x Community Rock Lobster has better dynamics with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Apos x Community Rock Lobster KZ AM16
Bass 6.3 6.7
Mids 6 6.7
Treble 5 6.5
Details 6.3 6.5
Soundstage 6.4 6.4
Imaging 6.3 6.6
Dynamics 7 6.3
Tonality 6.1 6.8
Technicalities 5 6.5
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Apos x Community Rock Lobster and KZ AM16 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Apos x Community Rock Lobster Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Z-Reviews
Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

6.3

Mixed to Positive

KZ AM16 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Paul Wasabii Web Search

Average Reviewer Score:

6.8

Cautiously Favorable

Reviews Comparison

Apos x Community Rock Lobster (more reviews)

Apos x Community Rock Lobster reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7.1 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C+ Tech
Has some slight colorizations, but is fun and rich.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: B Treble: C+ Dynamics: A- Soundstage: B
YouTube video thumbnail

Apos x Community Rock Lobster reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 5.5 * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

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+

Apos x Community Rock Lobster 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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Apos x Community Rock Lobster Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.3

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+

Apos x Community Rock Lobster Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B
  • Tonality is generally agreeable, though a few bumps remind you of its limits. Certain tracks spotlight its tonal quirks.

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • It offers a competent showing, maintaining cohesion on straightforward arrangements. Complex passages start to challenge it, but never derail the show.
Mids B
Expect a confident midrange that keeps details audible without harshness. Acoustic arrangements sound engaging.
Treble C+
Treble is decent, offering acceptable extension without harshness. It balances presence with a touch of restraint.
Dynamics A-
The system snaps into action with precision, highlighting every swell. Recordings feel energetic and alive.
Soundstage B
The presentation supplies a believable venue outline where each instrument owns its pocket of space. The stage opens up nicely for live cuts.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

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.

Apos x Community Rock Lobster User Reviews

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KZ AM16 User Reviews

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