Another of KZ's legendary classics - KZ ATE. These earphones are special both in design and sound. They offer a very balanced sound quality, and a slight darkish tonality in the vocals, yet they are one of the best vocal-oriented earphones by KZ. Their design is quite unique and professional and I had no problems with comfort.
KZ ATE
ø8mm Dynamic Driver
$5~$10
4.0/5.0
Pros
- Superb sound quality. Suitable for vocal-oriented music, and even sounds fun enough with electronic music.
- The design looks very attractive and professional.
- I find them comfortable to wear, but your mileage may vary.
Cons
- The mids are a quite dark sounding.
- The treble is not that detailed, a bit recessed with a harsh tonality.
- Very boomy abd muddy bass response.
- The build quality isn't the best I've seen among KZ products, but it might be to minimize materials' cost and weight.
Package & Accessories
Package:
Plastic
Ear Tips - Single-Flange:
S+L, black (translucent), ø4mm bores
Ear Tips - Foam:
Faux foam, black, ø3mm bores
Build & Materials
Housings:
Plastic (glossy), ø6mm nozzles (ø4mm bores), no strain reliefs
Remote:
Plastic (matte), single-button
Y-Split:
TPE, soft strain reliefs
Cable:
Silicone (grippy), 128cm, soft, straight
Plug:
TPE, 90° angled, short, soft strain relief
Comfort & Fit
Although the included "memory foam" tips are awful, I used the large silicone tips instead and got a wonderful seal. The earphones sit comfortably and don't fall out. Pretty impressive for over-the-ear earphones.
Lows / Bass
Depends on the source, but in general, the bass is very boomy and deep. Warmer than what I would like and some muddiness leaks into the mids.
Mids / Vocals
The mids and vocals are clear, very warm, full and fun. Yet, I hear some darkish tonality in the vocals when I compare them to KZ ED3 Youth Version or KZ S3.
Highs / Treble
The highs are sharp, even if slightly harsh-sounding. Unlike KZ ED9, the highs hold a darker tone, but are generally more suitable for long listening sessions.
Frequency Response
Published on 2016-02-03 22:36:11 (GMT)