KZ AS24 - All BA Technical Show and Tell

[@Ausemere]

This is really cool! Maybe with good reception to the AS24, KZ can trickle it down to cheaper sets, like with 3 or 4 BAs, and keeping the switches too. It'd be interesting for the $20~100 market to experiment with all BAs more.

[@PaulWasabii]

I agree. When you look at all the changes with the BAs, 3D printing, and switches, I get why it had to be priced as it is but I agree, it is time to re-visit a more cost effective configuration as they have done in the past.

[@RenePolster]

i own the PR1 Pro and the AS 24 without Tuning Option. The difference is really the Bass. The PR1 Pro have a little more umpf and the AS 24 are more Neutral and better in the Mids. The Highs are both in the forward Side. For House Music Rock and so the PR1 are the better Option and for Classic Soul etc the As 24 are my favourite Option. At the end both are great IEM s for its Price. I am Happy to have both of them!!!!!!!!!

[@JosephFlemming]

Now they have the PR3 … I’m trying to decide which to get haha those or AS24

[@RenePolster]

@@JosephFlemmingi own the Pr3 as well and i love the Sound of these Planar Drivers.

[@JosephFlemming]

@@RenePolsterI just ordered the brand new Symphony… planar driver plus a dynamic for more bass 😎

[@housepianist]

I have the Orchestra Lites and I absolutely love them. It really gives you great bass (if you like it more tuneful), an absolutely lushy (for a BA set) midrange, and highs that simmer without any sibilance at all. It’s perfectly balanced for me and that’s what I like. This IEM will give you exactly what’s on the recording, good or bad. Owning a few KZ IEMs (and having returned many of them), they generally impose its own sonic signature over everything. Some may like that but I don’t like being reminded that I’m listening to the KZ sound on every piece of music. But maybe the AS24 will change that.

[@PaulWasabii]

You are on the right track, KZ adds their color to both ends and the mids are not as lush as Orchestra. KZ emphasized the details over that lush you get with Orchestra. Also why I said warmer source helps. You can inch it closer to Orchestra. Really targeting two different listener types, but as I said, Orchestra is a great set and closest in competition to AS24.

[@cadmiumpureland]

Good review❤. I want a full BA set. This one sounds promising. 😊

[@BarRYK333]

I like warm sauce too, thanks for the reviews.

[@cinocino9342]

Ottimo video, pensi che siano adatti per fare i suoni di chitarra in cuffia con vari plugin? Sono equilibrati e fedeli su tutte le frequenze?

[@simonlarry-m8x]

Thank you for the work that you are doing! Could you compare these with the Fiio FH9 and audio U12T? Thank yo

[@PaulWasabii]

Sorry, I haven't heard either one. Just hang in there, AS24 just started shipping out so I am sure there will be more comparisons coming soon

[@Yemacondensada]

which has the better technicalities (3D) to u, the quintet or the as24? btw nice review. Im just curious about its 3D-ness compared to the quintet

[@PaulWasabii]

3D-ness is the weak point on Quintet or at least not as consistent. For me, it doesn't take much energy in the 3-5k area to flatten the stage. AS24 is just more consistent there. The two get closer if you are listening to genres or tracks that don't hit upper mids hard.

[@jeremy144713]

Question! Do you like like these more than the AZT model. I’m debating between these 2.

[@PaulWasabii]

ZAT? I typically don't look too far back when it comes to KZ as they have changed their drivers and tuning methods since AS24. I also have yet to see the price on ZAT, but if ZAT is a lot cheaper, then ZAT. With the switches, you are getting bass like AS24, but at first glance, AS24 had more air. Some people care, some don't. There are many sets with the exact same extension as ZAT so not going to fault them, but if you care about it, then AS24. When the price appears, the decision might be easier.

[@fiddlix]

Great review. Being all BAs how are the sound of them..? Any BA metallic ring..?

[@PaulWasabii]

Better than previous BAs but still sounds like a BA. TBH, when KZ tried to get rid of it, they ended up rolling off the treble to the point it no longer sounds like BAs or boosting bass to cover it up. This is the first time they really opened it up.

[@m_yy_m]

Thanks for the review. :) How does it compares to the PR2 in term of technicalities? Which warm DAC do you recommend?

[@PaulWasabii]

Planar still can edge out even 12 BAs plus one driver tuning has an advantage over tuning 12. I think Shio actually has a mid bass bump and I like iFi but I am sure there are cheaper dongles. I have been using the KAEI Tap 2 head amp and worry less about the DAC.

[@JosephFlemming]

I’m trying to find a flagship-level upgrade from my old KZ pairs (ZS10, EDX, SKS wireless, etc) and I’m seeing a lot of mixed reviews on these stunning-looking AS24 but am still interested in them. Your review was the best so far and if it weren’t for the PR3 that I’m also interested in, I’d buy them immediately. I’ve never heard a planar driver before and I hear good things. Any thoughts?

[@PaulWasabii]

PR3 is too inconsistent. Some are really nice, some are really bright. No way to tell. On planars, you can do S12 Pro for full on planar, Tinhifi P1Max is not quite as full on, and then warmer Hidizs MP145.

[@JosephFlemming]

@@PaulWasabiii ordered the KZ Symphony that just released this week… planar plus dynamic driver for more bass. Fingers crossed!

[@zkai2939]

these or as24?

[@thenightslasher4034]

Kiwi or these in the end?

[@TheSkyFy]

Kiwis definitely!

[@PaulWasabii]

I kinda mentioned it, Kiwi's strength is lush mids but both ends are safer than AS24 especially with switches. But if details and resolution are your thing, AS24. Neither set is 100% but both are great sets but not as much overlap as you would assume

[@Mixail747]

So, even with the Bass switch on, you feel like the sub bass is lacking?

[@PaulWasabii]

I would put it at just enough, but KZ went conservative on the low sub bass. You will get more mid bass which sort of covers for it, but it is still a BA and that is not their strength despite KZ has pushed a ton of sub bass in their previous sets. It will EQ too. But if you pull out your sub bass test tracks like Massive Attack or Hans Zimmer, its gets an ok. It isn't rolled off just a lower level.

[@gurukantdesai4225]

how does it compare to original AST?

[@PaulWasabii]

The original AST is a different super bass heavy beast. AS24 is closer to generally appealing. That being said, if you like AST, probably won't like AS24. AST and ZAS are a bit of the same tuning, not really like any recent KZ models

[@kenevans457]

can you tune each ear?

[@PaulWasabii]

You can, those are independent controls

[@ColinHopperRevival]

How does it compare to the KZ AST?

[@PaulWasabii]

The tuning is very different. AST was all bass, AS24 is much closer to a balanced set but if you love that AST bass level, stick with it.

[@shapa-47]

@@PaulWasabii Kz As 24 is probably closer in tuning to Kz As16? I use Kz As16, they have a flat frequency response, I like it, but since I'm a bass player and I want more low frequencies, I'm thinking about Kz Ast. I'm still recording and mixing and I love the detail in Kz As 16! It was possible to take Kz As 24 for a test, but I don’t really like this design, I prefer such a strict design like Kz Ast!

[@firasalatiyat866]

How does AS24 compare with AST?

[@PaulWasabii]

AST is more of a big bass set, it has a huge bass curve. AS24 is more generally appealing, really nice all BA set. AS24 is really for people who want to try an all BA set at a reasonable price.

[@awm.440hz]

Thank you for the review. Would you say these are the best technically out of the KZs?

[@PaulWasabii]

Toss up between AS24 and Krila. Both have a similar, not quite as natural as they can be sound. Krila more so. Both are very technical for KZ.

[@JosephFlemming]

@@PaulWasabiiwow I’ve been hearing good things about the Krila and the price and driver difference between those two could not be further apart! I’m still using old pairs: EDX and ZS10 and am looking for a shiny new upgrade. The PR3 looks tempting too. Never heard planar drivers before.

[@sleepe8050]

How these differ from the Kz ast24 and the cca 24 because they have same driver amount

[@PaulWasabii]

The tuning is all new. AST24 was one of those revisions that I said was overwhelming bass and rolled treble. It is actually a decent basshead style set, but AS24 is more mainstream tuning.

[@ironblast5]

It seems like Kz finally actually may have a decent set of Iem's for musicians.

[@PaulWasabii]

Much closer than past BA attempts plus you have some basic control for tweaking frequency ranges.

[@ironblast5]

@@PaulWasabii I had got the Ast set and it is decent but not really worth the asking price at the time it honestly sounds like its using only a 6 or 5 ba drivers a side at most the separation isn't that great and the upper mids and treble sound pretty nuetered compared to my older kz sets it has good bass for ba's and no harsh or metallic ba timbre so that was good atleast. I'd like to see how the as24 compares by your description it fixes alot of the Ast short comings so I'm definetly curious.

[@lapocasini1246]

Please let me know if you use them for that how it works. they do have a small vent, so not as isolating as some non vented set is what i hear. Though im sure its still very good, prob good enough in that regard.

[@Danger0use]

Is this more fatiguing at high volumes like say Olina SE?

[@PaulWasabii]

That is more of a depends as AS24 rises earlier and higher but drops off more by 5k. That is going to depend on your music and where you get fatigued. I am more sensitive to 5k and AS24 has more bass so in theory it is less fatiguing but that will depend on the bass in your music too.

[@Danger0use]

@@PaulWasabii taking note thank you!

[@alvarg]

how does this compare to say the simgot em6l, in terms of like technicalities and tuning. If I find the em6l has too much upper mids to treble 6-10khz would this be a good option or is this brighter than the em6l?

[@PaulWasabii]

I would say not brighter than EM6L but also too close where you might want to keep looking or EQ your EM6L. Both sets are real close to the Harman target in treble so I'd look for a set that rides under the target. Look where Tangzu Fudu graphs, that is more like a less bright sound and then people will also say it leans dark. That is why EQ is handy, fix it to your ears rather than chasing sets

[@HirRoable]

How about PR1 pro compare it As 24?? Its upgrade from kz zsx? You any suggestions for upgrade from kz zsx? How about pr2 hbb or pr3? Thx

[@PaulWasabii]

PR1 Pro is a different beast than AS24. AS24 is really a specialist, it is for people looking for all BA sets. Those are hard to find at the AS24 price which is why it is popular. PR1 Pro is planar so kinda bright, hard to drive, and great detail. It is special too, but planar. PR2 x HBB can be a great set, but too much variation, some are tuned very bright, some are not. No way to know what you will receive. As a cheap upgrade to ZSX, look at ZSN Pro 2 or CCA Rhapsody

[@Allaces305]

It's cool to see that finally kz is moving in a positive direction..i still won't be purchasing because I've been burned way too many times by kz but it's nice to see.

[@PaulWasabii]

Fair enough

[@GarciaIrwin-p9h]

I have not experienced such a situation. I have used ZVX, D-FI, about twenty dollars, but the sound quality is nice. Looking forward to their new upgraded AS24.

[@ChuuniKaede]

only kz iems i've tried so far are the kz zax which have been a pleasant experience. what issues have you had with kz?

[@alexcampos7953]

@@ChuuniKaede KZ was caught using fake drivers about two years ago. A lot of their in ears would have the same sound even with some drivers removed, which points to the fact that they were actually just 1 driver and not 20+. KZ answered that they had problems during manufacturing of some lines, but that the tests ran by the community were flawed due to the resulting impedance in the circuit when you disconnect part of it. All in all, KZ went from a great affordable brand to a questionably overpriced one in one night. I still think they have some great products. I use my ZS10 Pro on stage, and loved my ZSX before I lost it in a supermarket. They've been trying to regain their fame since these happened, but a lot of large channels and a huge part of the IEM enthusiasts despise them nowadays. For me, proof is in the pudding. ZS10pro are great value for money and thats enough for me. If their 100$+ IEMs are worth it, I cannot vouch for. Seen a lot of videos saying good things about them, but at the same time, it is a little too much money for me to put in a brand that not 2 years ago had such serious problems. Either terrible quality control or just blatant dishonesty. Both are terrible, specially when some of your products are being promoted as premium.

[@criticactual]

For you best overall iem (for music purposes) under 400€?

[@PaulWasabii]

I'd still go with 2 cheaper options, Olina SE/EA500 for 1DD and a planar like S12 Pro. The mid-fi market is full of landmine sets that sound incrementally better than those (barely) but you pay for materials and brand.

[@criticactual]

Thanks...so as24 isnt better than S12 PRO?@@PaulWasabii​

[@charlietaylor-yx2ts]

Can you compare KZ AS24 and Kiwi Ears Cadenza? Thanks

[@petewilson-zb5hr]

The AS24 has good timbre and excellent resolution and imaging as a nice whole BAs set. Kiwi Ears Cadenza is smooth and its timbre sound pleasure but sound stage width and imaging are conventional.

[@dpodblood2439]

While this may be expensive for a KZ, it's still extremely affordable in context of the general market. Do you think this would be a good introduction to all BA sets? I don't have any in my collection, and have been looking at the Orchestra Lite recently.

[@PaulWasabii]

Prior to AS24, I would have said Orchestra Lite, that is a really well done set with great mids. As I said, the two ends are really safe and that gives you a more natural mid section. The AS24 and switches really let you explore how BAs handle extension on both ends and how BAs can give you resolution and detail. Both sets have their strengths, but I'd go with the cheaper one unless you are squarely focused on mids.

[@Mykeoguns]

How is this set compared to aful performer 5? Either of it is my next purchase.

[@PaulWasabii]

I never heard P5. Maybe Akros talked about both. KZ tends to do more of a V shape tuning so it is going to be hard to get someone to commit to saying one is better. You are probably going to get what they prefer.

[@Mykeoguns]

@@PaulWasabii thanks a bunch Paul.

[@daniel54457]

Do these headphones have a balanced sound? Are they worth taking? Will they be good for mixing a track? Or should I get the Bayerdynamic dt 880 pro?

[@PaulWasabii]

For mixing, especially tracks with bass, a BA representation is not quite the same as a dynamic driver. I am sure it is possible to compensate, but I am not sure you want to add a complication to the process.

[@kontrolenthusiast1099]

Does it compete in SQ with the 10 BA per side AüR Audio Neon Pro? yes i went there a $100 set vs $750 set

[@PaulWasabii]

I haven't heard an Aur Audio but I also know their tuning is even more mainstream than AS24. The one to watch and ask will be Tony/Akros, he should have an AS24 soon as well as having most of the Aur Audio sets. Personally, I'd get an AS24 and a LetShuoer S12 and pocket the extra $500usd.

[@kontrolenthusiast1099]

@@PaulWasabii Thanks for reply. Just picked up a Tangzu Wu Zetian. First impression, it didn't WOW me, and doesn't really do anything better than my sleeper Canpur Joyful 1&1hybrid (it has the HeartMirror DD with an E-Audio BA in nozzle). Thought the planar would really blow my mind, disappointed; is S12 Pro superior?. Anticipating Akros' review of AS24.

[@lapocasini1246]

If you want a cheaper Neon Pro, theres the Leisurely L8S which Arkos said sounds near indistinguishable most of the time. SR5 is cheaper and extremely technical for its price, descriptions reminded me a little of NP.

[@rizaleffendie]

Does all those 24 BA work?

[@Lucas_Stradeus]

Lol

[@DavisNoah-w5g]

Their official announcement, after testing, 24 BA can work

[@JosephFlemming]

So are these better than the AST? I heard those had good bass but it seems like these as24 lack a bit in bass. I have the old ZS10 and they sound pretty boring and flat honestly.

[@PaulWasabii]

That is relative, AS24 is much closer to generally appealing level of bass. AST is really for people who like a lot of bass.

[@colddish]

It seems KZ is slowly moving away from bass heavy tuning. A few years back a set like this with so many BAs would have easily cost $600 and up. At this price it’s an easy decision. But I’d like to watch/read the non switch version first as 256 permutations is a bit overwhelming and boy those switches are tiny!

[@PaulWasabii]

Switches are impossibly tiny and I don't think there are 256 independent settings. KZ's table splits out the basic controls. KZ has done high BA counts before, just struggled to find a tuning that was generally appealing or made their hardware shine.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

There are basically 4 identifiable different and usable tunings available from that mess of switches. And it's definitely worth getting it as opposed to the non switch.

[@raikenninja4843]

I wouldn't mind if KZ charge $10 more and include a carrying case and better cable, heck they have done it for Shine and Linglong. But at $110 for the non tunable version it does present a pretty good competition in the price range against the well established IEM like the Letshuoer Galileo and the Moondrop Stellaris or Starfield, although the S12 can go down to almost $110 during sales and whether the AS24 could compete against that.

[@PaulWasabii]

Why they included the basic cable with AS24? No idea. VZ10 is cheaper and has the case and cable. Yeah, AS24 is surprising, was just listening to it tonight next to Kiwi Quintet. Both sound like detailed hybrids, but one is half the price. I think KZ would even say that all BA or hybrids have a hard time competing with full planars.

[@JosephFlemming]

On their website they have cases and foam tips and Bluetooth adapters to upgrade your experience

[@zhongtiger6575]

better than AST?

[@PaulWasabii]

Depends, some people love the AST bass. If that is you, then no. AS24 is a better general set

[@zkai2939]

im stuck between orchestra s12 pro and these money is not the problem but i cant choose one

[@PaulWasabii]

I'd almost always take planar over 1DD and hybrids. You just a more powerful source for planar

[@zkai2939]

@@PaulWasabii i also got a pr2 should i then go for s12 pro??

[@The_Geek_World]

@@zkai2939 pr2 vs s12 pro s12 pro more balanced tuning pr2 more sub bass

[@zkai2939]

@@The_Geek_World is the difference too much?

[@The_Geek_World]

@@zkai2939 yes and this is what I observed, the PR2 to me has thin mids and S12 Pro do not have that problem. But that is just my taste try for your self

[@mizikacibalik]

Hi paul im looking to buy an iem aroun 80-120dollar range and the ones on my list for now are Kz as24 Hbb olina se Truthear hexa And maybe you could add one to look for So things Im looking for are; clear sound, balanced to warmish signature, very good seperation, decent to good staging, and great detail reveal. Things I dont like; Sibilence, muddy mids, and treble spikes Things I do not care for Accesories, shell size and weight, all ba or dynamic driver I dont mind ba timbre and lack of the impact I listen all kind of genres but there are my favourite genres İndie pop bedroom music Acoustic and piano heavy songs Progressive rock Hip hop Im going to use em all with my phone and probably apple dongle and on pc In past I used kz zsn pro, kz zsn pro x, kz zax quite liked the pro x and zax altough treble was bit too much I have also tried starfield and cca ca10 i liked the cca but starfield felt little blunt and not detailed as the zax Thats all I can think of rn I hope you can help me with desicion I value ur opinions and love your reviews 🌼🌼

[@PaulWasabii]

AS24 is tough one because of where it peaks and the level when you look at it vs Hexa which I haven't heard. AS24 is more midbass, more treble which is very KZ. Hexa flattened the midbass, probably sounds cleaner but its also less midbass. Olina probably not going to sound detailed enough for you. KZ and sibilance are typically found together but with cheaper BAs, it will be harder to avoid it. That is where 1DD sets are better. That is a tough one though, AS24 might be too V-shaped for you, Hexa might be the safer option.

[@yudha_saputra]

Drama again ? 😅

[@PaulWasabii]

hope not

[@jogurcik13]

Worth instead of pr2??

[@EG-MAN]

$35 set vs $100 set?

[@PaulWasabii]

I am kinda with you there. As I said, $100usd set is primarily for BA fans. If you want a nice general set, D-Fi.

[@LabaronMartinez]

I don't think pr2 can be replaced, at least in terms of price. And I'm very sensitive to treble, my PR2 didn't feel any harsh treble.