KZ ZS10 Pro 2: Seen One, Seen 'Em All (Almost)?
Pros:
• Excellent Sound Quality (for the price): The ZS10 Pro 2 offers a dynamic sound with detailed highs, clear mids, and a solid bass foundation.
The 4-level tuning switch.
• Spacious Soundstage: The soundstage is wider than average for this price range, creating a good sense of space for the music.
• Good Imaging: Instruments are well separated, making it easy to distinguish individual sounds in a mix.
• Solid Build Quality: The use of decent materials ensures a sturdy and well-made product.
• Comfortable Fit: The common-sized nozzles should fit most ears comfortably.
• Affordable: The ZS10 Pro 2 offers a lot of features and performance for a budget-friendly price
Pros:
• Excellent Sound Quality (for the price): The ZS10 Pro 2 offers a dynamic sound with detailed highs, clear mids, and a solid bass foundation.
The 4-level tuning switch.
• Spacious Soundstage: The soundstage is wider than average for this price range, creating a good sense of space for the music.
• Good Imaging: Instruments are well separated, making it easy to distinguish individual sounds in a mix.
• Solid Build Quality: The use of decent materials ensures a sturdy and well-made product.
• Comfortable Fit: The common-sized nozzles should fit most ears comfortably.
• Affordable: The ZS10 Pro 2 offers a lot of features and performance for a budget-friendly price
Cons:
• Unoriginal Design: The design lacks originality and follows the mold of many other KZ IEMs.
• Treble Can Be Fatiguing: The bright treble detail can be harsh on some recordings and might be fatiguing for listeners sensitive to bright sounds.
• Mids Lack Warmth: The mids, while clear, can lack some richness and fullness, especially at lower volumes.
• Bass Lacks Punch: The bass is controlled and doesn't overpower other frequencies, but it might not be enough for those who prefer a
super boomy bass experience.
• Impractical Tuning Switches: While a cool feature, I believe you'll likely settle on a preferred setting and rarely use the switches again. i have never been a fan of switches.
• Treble Can Be Fatiguing: The bright treble detail can be harsh on some recordings and might be fatiguing for listeners sensitive to bright sounds.
• Mids Lack Warmth: The mids, while clear, can lack some richness and fullness, especially at lower volumes.
• Bass Lacks Punch: The bass is controlled and doesn't overpower other frequencies, but it might not be enough for those who prefer a
super boomy bass experience.
• Impractical Tuning Switches: While a cool feature, I believe you'll likely settle on a preferred setting and rarely use the switches again. i have never been a fan of switches.
Specs:
• 10mm Internal Magnetic Dynamic Driver
• Dual 31736 Balanced Armature Drivers (x2)
• Precise 3-Way Crossover Technology
• 4-Level Custom Tuning Switch
Unboxing:
• Well this is KZ so if you have one of their iems its pretty much the same unboxing experience.
Build and Design:
The KZ ZS10 Pro 2's design won't win any awards for originality. KZ relies on a tried-and-true mold for their budget IEMs, and the ZS10 Pro 2 follows suit. If you've owned any KZ or similar budget brand earphones in recent years, this shape will be familiar territory.
Familiar Materials, Solid Construction:
The build utilizes a plastic shell casing paired with an alloy faceplate. While plastic might sound cheap, KZ uses a decent quality material that feels sturdy and well-made. The "diamond-plated" aesthetic on the faceplate continues the KZ house style, and three Allen-key screws hold everything together securely.
Open to Interpretation: Vents or Aesthetics?
One interesting detail is the presence of slots on the shells with a metal mesh underneath. KZ's marketing materials suggest these might be vents, making the ZS10 Pro 2 "semi-open." However, some reviewers believe they're purely decorative. Without a definitive answer, the "semi-open" claim remains a bit of a mystery.
Tuning on the Go:
The backside of the IEMs houses the four tuning switches, a feature which i find very impractical since you probably you will only use it once or twice when you found settings you prefer chances are you will not fiddle with anymore.
Comfort Considerations:
The nozzles, measuring around 6mm in width and medium length, are a common size and should fit most ears comfortably.
Overall Impression:
While the design lacks novelty, the KZ ZS10 Pro 2 prioritizes sound, functionality and affordability. The use of decent materials ensures a solid build, and the familiar form factor should provide a comfortable fit for many users. The curious case of the potential vents adds a touch of intrigue, but the core functionality remains focused on delivering good sound at a budget-friendly price.
Sound Signature:
• Volume Dependence: The V-shape is a defining characteristic of all ZS10 and ZS10 Pro 2 is no exception. At lower volumes, the midrange takes a backseat to the prominently boosted bass and treble. This can make the sound feel a bit unbalanced and lacking in body.
• Dynamic Response: As you crank up the volume, the V-shape becomes more moderate. The midrange asserts itself, achieving a better balance between all frequencies. This results in a more cohesive and engaging overall sound, with better dynamics.
Soundstage and Imaging:
• Spacious Presentation: The soundstage offered by the ZS10 Pro 2 is above average for its price point. It creates a broader soundscape than it is deep, with a decent sense of height. This provides a sense of space for the music to breathe.
• Imaging Fidelity: Imaging is good with excellent Instrument separation but the recreation of a precise sonic image isn't its strongest suit, but compared to the previous ZS10 models this one is excells in technicalities and in almost all aspect in sound.
Treble: Sparkly and Detailed, But Can Be a Double-Edged Sword
The treble on these KZ ZS10 Pro 2s is like a roller coaster ride. It's super detailed and lets you hear every tiny cymbal crash and high note, which is awesome for catching all the intricate details in your music. But sometimes, especially on those super bright recordings, it gets a little too intense and can sound a bit sibilant, almost like there's a layer of static on the high notes.
• Top End: This is where the treble gets crazy clear. It adds a nice airy feel to vocals and instruments, making everything sound open and spacious. You won't miss a single detail up there.
• Lower Treble: This part is where things can get a bit harsh. It's still sharp and lets you hear all the notes, but that extra emphasis can sometimes make the sound feel a little thin and bright.
Overall, the treble is definitely lively and clear, but keep in mind those who are sensitive to bright sounds might find it a bit fatiguing. If you love hearing every little detail in your music, though, this won't be a problem.
Mid-Range: Energetic But Not Quite There
The mids on these KZ ZS10 Pro 2s try to keep up with the energy of the treble, but they don't quite hit the mark. Instruments and vocals sound clear and separated, but they can lack a bit of that richness and fullness, lack dynamics at lower volumes.
• Upper Mids: These mids are nice and forward, pushing vocals and instruments to the forefront of the mix. The detail is good here, but some instruments might get a slightly metallic tinge.
• Lower Mids: This area feels a little held back compared to the rest. Vocals and instruments can sound a bit thin sometimes, especially female vocals which might get a little harsh on high notes. Male vocals sound pretty natural, though.
Overall, the mids are clean and detailed, but they lack some warmth and depth. This might not be a dealbreaker, but it's something to consider.
Bass: Solid Foundation, But Not Super Punchy
The bass on the KZ ZS10 Pro 2s is tight and controlled, giving your music a nice solid foundation without drowning out the other frequencies. It's not going to blow your head off with deep bass, but it's definitely there and adds some rumble to bass drops.
• Sub-Bass: This is where the bass gets its power, reaching down low enough to give you that satisfying rumble but still in a controlled manner and It keeps the sound feeling spacious and clear.
• Mid-Bass: Here's where the bass could use a little more oomph. The notes are clean and fast, but they can sound a little thin and lack the warmth you might be looking for. Kick drums have enough punch, but bass guitars might feel a little lifeless.
Overall, the bass is clean and well-controlled. It keeps the music balanced and doesn't overpower the other frequencies. If you prefer a super boomy bass experience, these might not be your best bet, but for those who like a tighter, more controlled bass these will do the trick.
The Verdict: A Budget Blast (With Caveats)
The KZ ZS10 Pro 2 packs a lot of features into a budget-friendly package. The multi-driver setup delivers a dynamic sound with plenty of detail, and the tuning switches offer a level of customization. The build quality is Excellent, the familiar design might lack originality for some but the important thing is that the KZ ZS10 PRO 2 delivers in sound performace, technicalities, solid built at a budget price.
A big thanks to Linsoul for sending over the KZ ZS10 Pro 2 for review!
This review would not have been possible without their generosity. I appreciate the opportunity to test out this exciting new IEM and share my thoughts with you.
• 10mm Internal Magnetic Dynamic Driver
• Dual 31736 Balanced Armature Drivers (x2)
• Precise 3-Way Crossover Technology
• 4-Level Custom Tuning Switch
Unboxing:
• Well this is KZ so if you have one of their iems its pretty much the same unboxing experience.
Build and Design:
The KZ ZS10 Pro 2's design won't win any awards for originality. KZ relies on a tried-and-true mold for their budget IEMs, and the ZS10 Pro 2 follows suit. If you've owned any KZ or similar budget brand earphones in recent years, this shape will be familiar territory.
Familiar Materials, Solid Construction:
The build utilizes a plastic shell casing paired with an alloy faceplate. While plastic might sound cheap, KZ uses a decent quality material that feels sturdy and well-made. The "diamond-plated" aesthetic on the faceplate continues the KZ house style, and three Allen-key screws hold everything together securely.
Open to Interpretation: Vents or Aesthetics?
One interesting detail is the presence of slots on the shells with a metal mesh underneath. KZ's marketing materials suggest these might be vents, making the ZS10 Pro 2 "semi-open." However, some reviewers believe they're purely decorative. Without a definitive answer, the "semi-open" claim remains a bit of a mystery.
Tuning on the Go:
The backside of the IEMs houses the four tuning switches, a feature which i find very impractical since you probably you will only use it once or twice when you found settings you prefer chances are you will not fiddle with anymore.
Comfort Considerations:
The nozzles, measuring around 6mm in width and medium length, are a common size and should fit most ears comfortably.
Overall Impression:
While the design lacks novelty, the KZ ZS10 Pro 2 prioritizes sound, functionality and affordability. The use of decent materials ensures a solid build, and the familiar form factor should provide a comfortable fit for many users. The curious case of the potential vents adds a touch of intrigue, but the core functionality remains focused on delivering good sound at a budget-friendly price.
Sound Signature:
• Volume Dependence: The V-shape is a defining characteristic of all ZS10 and ZS10 Pro 2 is no exception. At lower volumes, the midrange takes a backseat to the prominently boosted bass and treble. This can make the sound feel a bit unbalanced and lacking in body.
• Dynamic Response: As you crank up the volume, the V-shape becomes more moderate. The midrange asserts itself, achieving a better balance between all frequencies. This results in a more cohesive and engaging overall sound, with better dynamics.
Soundstage and Imaging:
• Spacious Presentation: The soundstage offered by the ZS10 Pro 2 is above average for its price point. It creates a broader soundscape than it is deep, with a decent sense of height. This provides a sense of space for the music to breathe.
• Imaging Fidelity: Imaging is good with excellent Instrument separation but the recreation of a precise sonic image isn't its strongest suit, but compared to the previous ZS10 models this one is excells in technicalities and in almost all aspect in sound.
Treble: Sparkly and Detailed, But Can Be a Double-Edged Sword
The treble on these KZ ZS10 Pro 2s is like a roller coaster ride. It's super detailed and lets you hear every tiny cymbal crash and high note, which is awesome for catching all the intricate details in your music. But sometimes, especially on those super bright recordings, it gets a little too intense and can sound a bit sibilant, almost like there's a layer of static on the high notes.
• Top End: This is where the treble gets crazy clear. It adds a nice airy feel to vocals and instruments, making everything sound open and spacious. You won't miss a single detail up there.
• Lower Treble: This part is where things can get a bit harsh. It's still sharp and lets you hear all the notes, but that extra emphasis can sometimes make the sound feel a little thin and bright.
Overall, the treble is definitely lively and clear, but keep in mind those who are sensitive to bright sounds might find it a bit fatiguing. If you love hearing every little detail in your music, though, this won't be a problem.
Mid-Range: Energetic But Not Quite There
The mids on these KZ ZS10 Pro 2s try to keep up with the energy of the treble, but they don't quite hit the mark. Instruments and vocals sound clear and separated, but they can lack a bit of that richness and fullness, lack dynamics at lower volumes.
• Upper Mids: These mids are nice and forward, pushing vocals and instruments to the forefront of the mix. The detail is good here, but some instruments might get a slightly metallic tinge.
• Lower Mids: This area feels a little held back compared to the rest. Vocals and instruments can sound a bit thin sometimes, especially female vocals which might get a little harsh on high notes. Male vocals sound pretty natural, though.
Overall, the mids are clean and detailed, but they lack some warmth and depth. This might not be a dealbreaker, but it's something to consider.
Bass: Solid Foundation, But Not Super Punchy
The bass on the KZ ZS10 Pro 2s is tight and controlled, giving your music a nice solid foundation without drowning out the other frequencies. It's not going to blow your head off with deep bass, but it's definitely there and adds some rumble to bass drops.
• Sub-Bass: This is where the bass gets its power, reaching down low enough to give you that satisfying rumble but still in a controlled manner and It keeps the sound feeling spacious and clear.
• Mid-Bass: Here's where the bass could use a little more oomph. The notes are clean and fast, but they can sound a little thin and lack the warmth you might be looking for. Kick drums have enough punch, but bass guitars might feel a little lifeless.
Overall, the bass is clean and well-controlled. It keeps the music balanced and doesn't overpower the other frequencies. If you prefer a super boomy bass experience, these might not be your best bet, but for those who like a tighter, more controlled bass these will do the trick.
The Verdict: A Budget Blast (With Caveats)
The KZ ZS10 Pro 2 packs a lot of features into a budget-friendly package. The multi-driver setup delivers a dynamic sound with plenty of detail, and the tuning switches offer a level of customization. The build quality is Excellent, the familiar design might lack originality for some but the important thing is that the KZ ZS10 PRO 2 delivers in sound performace, technicalities, solid built at a budget price.
A big thanks to Linsoul for sending over the KZ ZS10 Pro 2 for review!
This review would not have been possible without their generosity. I appreciate the opportunity to test out this exciting new IEM and share my thoughts with you.
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