KZ Zenith VS KZ ZA12

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

Home Ranking Compare IEMs

KZ Zenith and KZ ZA12 use 1DD and 2DD+4BA driver setups respectively. KZ Zenith costs $60 while KZ ZA12 costs $65. KZ ZA12 is $5 more expensive. KZ Zenith holds a decisive 2-point edge in reviewer scores (6.8 vs 4.8). KZ Zenith has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge and KZ Zenith has significantly better dynamics with a 3-point edge.

Insights

Metric KZ Zenith KZ ZA12
Mids 6 5
Treble 5 5
Soundstage 5 5
Dynamics 5 2
Tonality 6.9 4.8
Technicalities 6 5
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough KZ Zenith and KZ ZA12 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

KZ Zenith Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss
Kois Archive Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

6.8

Cautiously Favorable


KZ ZA12 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

4.8

Generally Unfavorable


Reviews Comparison

KZ Zenith reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
It's a middie, but a good option.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: B Treble: C+ Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: C+

KZ ZA12 reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 4.8 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C+ Tech
Jumps to a B Tier with a 80 ohm adapter. Pretty wild.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: E+ Soundstage: C+

KZ Zenith (more reviews)

KZ Zenith reviewed by Kois Archive

Kois Archive 7.4 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
A- Tech
Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐⭐ | Comfort: 9 the best from KZ driver quality not the best

Kois Archive original ranking

Kois Archive Youtube Channel

KZ Zenith reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 7 * score rescaled + normalized
5 community members have rated the KZ Zenith at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

KZ Zenith User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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KZ ZA12 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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KZ Zenith Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.3

Gaming Grade

B

KZ ZA12 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

4.9

Gaming Grade

C

KZ Zenith Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • Expect a friendly tonal balance that could use polish but remains inviting. Great for casual listening, less so for purists.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • Technical ability is serviceable, keeping basic detail intact across simpler tracks. It keeps up with acoustic tracks without much fuss.
Mids B
It offers engaging mid frequencies with pleasing clarity and layering. Details emerge without becoming harsh.
Treble C+
Treble is decent, offering acceptable extension without harshness. It balances presence with a touch of restraint.
Dynamics C+
Expect solid impact overall, even if finer gradations feel a touch smoothed. Micro-details could still be sharper.
Soundstage C+
You start to perceive distinct rows of players even if the ceiling still feels low. Layering is present but still modest.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

KZ ZA12 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • The tuning lacks refinement, jumping between dull and shouty without settling. Vocals frequently sound off-kilter.

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • Overall technicalities are acceptable, delivering enough clarity for casual sessions. Imaging is serviceable though not immersive.
Mids C+
It presents a stable midrange foundation suitable for everyday listening. Clarity is serviceable without standing out.
Treble C+
Treble is decent, offering acceptable extension without harshness. It balances presence with a touch of restraint.
Dynamics E+
Expect constrained dynamics that blur the edges of quieter details. It struggles to render sudden changes.
Soundstage C+
The image breathes a little, spacing instruments laterally while sketching a light sense of distance. Separation improves with cleaner recordings.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical.

KZ Zenith User Reviews

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KZ ZA12 User Reviews

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