KZ ED16 Review (2) – A Second Look
Knowledge Zenith ED16—overlooked, surprisingly refined sub-$20 offering from the hyper-prolific KZ machine, with less bass depth and treble energy but more coherence than its KZR stablemate. Slightly smaller form factor makes them more ergonomic and comfortable, while retaining good isolation.
Mildly U-shaped; tonality is a bit brighter than neutral, though more natural-sounding and less prone to sharpness; note texture is leaner than the ZS5/ZSR. Soundstage is of average width and depth, though uncongested; stereo imaging is very good. Bass quantity varies greatly with tip selection (the stock tips render them very bass-shy, while foams substantially increase depth and impact); when optimally shod the bass is slightly elevated, very well-controlled and mostly free from bleed. Mids are nicely forward, while treble is somewhat smooth and nicely detailed, although less transparent than the ED9; overall effect is very pleasant.
These lack the fist-pumping excitement of the ZSN and expansive stages of the pricier KZ hybrids like the ZS5 and ZSR and present less information but are more sonically accurate and less tiring for extended listening. Compared to the quite impressive new ZS7, the ED16 sound leaner and flatter, though they actually have a less synthetic timbre.
An earlier review of the KZ ED16 by Jürgen Kraus is also on this site [Here].
