KZ AM16 - Reviews & Ratings

2 Reviews (B Tier | 6.8/10)

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Summary

Based on 2 reviews, the KZ AM16 is earning a favorable overall impression from reviewers thanks to its consistent performance.

Average Reviewer Scores

Paul Wasabii Web Search

Average Reviewer Score:

6.8

Cautiously Favorable

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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 AM16 Details

Driver Configuration: 8BA (per side)

Tuning Type: V-Shaped

Top V-Shaped IEMs

Brand: KZ Top KZ IEMs

Price (Msrp): $57

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Reviews

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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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 AM16 Infos

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Take this comparison with a grain of salt—we don't have enough KZ AM16 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.
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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.

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