It’s that phase again when a familiar brand surfaces and releases yet another model, like clockwork, always steady and predictable, Knowledge just doesn’t reach its Zenith just yet. Yeah, it’s KZ ladies and gentlemen and this time, the KZ AS06 is the company’s poster child.
The KZ AS06 is Triple BA (No.31005-Mids/High, No.29689-Mids, No.22955-Bass) IEM with a 3D-printed internal vocal cavity and a black plastic shell and faceplate which comes in 2 color options, cyan and clear which beats me why they marketed the latter as black. The AS06 is spec’d out with a 20-40000Hz Frequency Response, 15 Ohms Impedance and a 105 dB Sensitivity. Priced at $54, pricewise, it’s the successor to the KZ ZS10, name wise, its the AS10’s inferior. Linsoul Audio provided the unit for a review and you can cop one from their Amazon site. Does the KZ AS06 configuration and silhouette give it a fighting chance against its KZ siblings and all the other $60 rivals? Let’s find out.
Packaging and Build Quality
Sporting the AS namesake, the AS06 sports similar packaging with its AS10 sibling. A black matte box with nothing but a subtle KZ logo on the front and some minor company and product information sticker on the side. Opening the flap will reveal the AS06 immediately and underneath shows all other accessory which included 3 black silicon ear tips (S, M, L) with the medium ear tips pre-installed.
The stock cable underneath is a 1.2M round braid copper cable on a gold plated 3.5mm L-plug with strain relief both on the jack and the Y-split with no cable cinch. The cable is easy to store and easy to tangle, it isn’t microphonic though when used on the go. The memory wire on the cable near the .75mm 2pin connection was devoid of the AS10’s thin metal strip yet still aids in conforming to your desired over ear curves, a welcome improvement. The AS06’s faceplate is clear plastic being offered in either stock clear or with a shade of cyan with metallic looking separator cavity faceplate designed with a screaming “6 Balanced Armature” branding. The AS06 IEM has a complete smooth finish with a long nozzle and no metal mesh but a thin screen which is placed at the bottom of the nozzle. Seal, isolation and comfort is great on the AS06.
Tonality
KZ is back to its roots on the AS06, it’s a warm sounding set with a heavy emphasis on its low-end. As usual, the stock silicon ear tips on the AS06 was not the best for my preference and after some tip-rolling, I’ve decided to go with the Final Audio Type E M sized for the duration of the realview and driven by the Xduoo x3ii and the Sony CAS-1 desktop setup off an MSI GF 62 8RE laptop via Foobar2000 v1.4. There was no burn-in observed on this IEM.
Lows
I called on Eric Clapton and he gladly sang “Badge” in 16/44 FLAC for me and the AS06’s sound signature was evident then and there. The sub bass delivery was easily felt with a nice wee rumble faking a fat sounding experience. The bass impacts had decent thump to it and slams had good controlled power. The bass decay is where the AS06’s lows takes a hit with its lingering feel and without the aid of midrange and treble heavy tracks, this aspect will drive the AS06 future buyers away.
Midrange
Diana Krall’s “It Could Happen to You” in 16/44 FLAC highlighted the AS06’s understated midrange performance. The lower midrange sounded like it’s the best the AS06 can offer with the bass decay not causing loss of clarity. The midrange delivery and timbre is mediocre at best, neither inviting nor energetic enough to enter the fun sounding aspect. The upper midrange had a free flowing feel, neither extended nor boosted. Not fatiguing yet not appealing as well. I’d pick the ZSN over this.
Highs
Fleetwood Mac’s “Little Lies” in 16/44 FLAC gave the AS06 a very appealing feel and ambience until you realize it’s just the nature of the song taking you in rather than the inherent AS06 upper frequency performance. There were no harsh peaks and noticeable dips observed. There is no sparkle to be detected and instrumental hits were not distinctly crisp. Another mediocre score.
Soundstage and Imaging
A width-centric soundstage is the AS06’s focus. There is more width and left to right panning to be observed rather than the aspect of height and depth of the instrumental hits and placement. Harmonic positioning is distinct.
Conclusion
The AS06 presents itself in a way that treads the KZ pathway with caution, carrying only a transparent faceplate with a loud “6 Balanced Armature” characteristic to differentiate itself with all its KZ siblings. The AS06 sounds likes that as well, relaxing and easy to the ears and presenting nothing exceptional. It is a clear step up though from the harsh sounding previous KZ IEMs with a price that doesn’t break the bank. If only the KZ ZSN isn’t around to take the AS06 the attention it deserves.
