KZ AM16 VS KZ ZS12 PRO 2

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

Home Ranking Compare IEMs

KZ AM16 and KZ ZS12 PRO 2 use 8BA (per side) and 1DD+5BA driver setups respectively. KZ AM16 costs $57 while KZ ZS12 PRO 2 costs $56. KZ AM16 is $1 more expensive. KZ AM16 holds a clear 0.8-point edge in reviewer scores (6.8 vs 6). KZ AM16 carries a user score of 7. KZ AM16 has significantly better mids with a 1.7-point edge, KZ AM16 has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge, KZ AM16 has significantly better dynamics with a 1.3-point edge and KZ AM16 has slightly better soundstage with a 0.4-point edge.

Insights

Metric KZ AM16 KZ ZS12 PRO 2
Bass 6.7 6
Mids 6.7 5
Treble 6.5 5
Details 6.5 6
Soundstage 6.4 6
Imaging 6.6 6
Dynamics 6.3 5
Tonality 6.8 5
Technicalities 6.5 5
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough KZ AM16 and KZ ZS12 PRO 2 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

KZ AM16 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Paul Wasabii Web Search

Average Reviewer Score:

6.8

Cautiously Favorable

KZ ZS12 PRO 2 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

6

Mixed to Positive

Reviews Comparison

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

Buy KZ AM16 on Aliexpress

Ad
Using this affiliate link for ordering your KZ AM16 or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $40

Buy KZ AM16 on Aliexpress

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+

KZ ZS12 PRO 2 (more reviews)

KZ ZS12 PRO 2 reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
Nice technicalities and treble, but not for me.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Buy KZ ZS12 PRO 2 on Aliexpress

Ad
Using this affiliate link for ordering your KZ ZS12 PRO 2 or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $99

Buy KZ ZS12 PRO 2 on Aliexpress

KZ AM16 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

7

Generally Favorable

KZ ZS12 PRO 2 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

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+

KZ ZS12 PRO 2 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5

Gaming Grade

C+

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.

KZ ZS12 PRO 2 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

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

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • Technical ability is serviceable, keeping basic detail intact across simpler tracks. It keeps up with acoustic tracks without much fuss.
Mids C+
Midrange performance is decent, offering balanced presence without major flaws. It works well for casual background listening.
Treble C+
Expect a polite treble presentation that balances presence with restraint. Percussion carries a pleasant sparkle.
Dynamics C+
Dynamics feel competent, bringing energy without the finest detail. It carries energy without sounding aggressive.
Soundstage B
Lateral spread stretches comfortably while front/back cues start to feel convincing. You can trace front-to-back movement.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

KZ AM16 User Reviews

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review
N NinjaSiren
7

Great under $50 set, it might not fully compete with the same price range, but definitely good. It won't be an all-rounder set, but give some EQ into it and bam (might as well compete on slightly higher priced sets), fun and engaging while not fatiguing.

Tuning: B+ Tech: B+ Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A+ Details: B+ Imaging: A-
Pros
Fun V-shaped, upper mids centric (great for vocals), bass is deep and punchy and fades quickly, reduced 4-6 kHz to reduce sibilance, treble is now much better than previous KZs, all these while still retaining good enough overall technicalities.
Cons
Large shell size (some may not be able to fit them), Accessories usual KZ (usually barebones), Bass definitely not as good of a tonality as DD, if they are sensitive at the 8 kHz region

KZ ZS12 PRO 2 User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Find your next IEM:

IEM Finder Quiz

new
Use this quiz and answer a few questions to get your individual IEM recommendation list
(1/3) How much are you willing to spend on the IEM?
(2/3) Which sound characteristics are particularly important to you?
(3/3) Which tuning do you prefer?
You can select multiple options.
Buy

Footer