KZ ZS12 PRO X – AN UNUSUAL STANCE

INTRODUCTION:

KZ, the brand based out of China is a famous brand among the budget audiophiles out there. Their recent launches seem to be pretty good in terms of sound and KZ seems to be improving their game and definitely one of the top contenders in the budget audio field. The KZ ZS12 Pro X is the new contender in this budget segment and let’s check out its place in this segment in terms of overall performance.

KZ ZS12 PRO X SPECIFICATIONS:

Driver – 1 DD + 5 BA

Frequency – 20-40000Hz

Sensitivity – 106dB

Impedance – 25Ω

Pin type – 0.75mm

Plug type – 3.5mm

Cable type – Silver-plated cable

KZ ZS12 PRO X SOUND IMPRESSIONS:

The signature out of the ZS12 Pro X is unusually different compared to its standard signature. Now this sounds balanced bright with nominal low end to the overall presentation. The multi drivers definitely helped here in the stage presence eliciting an overall open presentation.

BASS:

1. The sub bass as a whole feels adequate and shows up if the track calls for it.
2. The mid bass feels pretty light which does make the sound less bodied.
3. The sub and mid bass separation feels solid making them appear well separated.
4. The bass as overall feels well separated and articulated but lacks in terms of weight and the warmth.

MID SECTION:

1. Vocal and instrument placement feels precise and open.
2. The mid – section feels vivid making them appear realistic with good tonal balance.
3. Vocals sounds in a slight backstage manner representing a wider sense of environment
4. The mid – section as overall feels open and airy but lacks in terms of fullness.

TREBLE:

1. The treble feels airy and open in the ZS12 Pro X with richer extension.
2. The percussion instruments sound lively with natural tone to the presentation.
3. The speed of the instruments feels realistic with no noticeable delay.
4. The treble as overall sounds realistic with a wide and airy presentation.

TECHNICALITIES:

The multi driver configuration in the ZS12 Pro X helped in eliciting a wider sense of staging with proper width and height. The bigger staging does help the Pro in delivering a proper imaging. The placement of the instruments feels precise with adequate sense of space.

The varying depth of notes are neatly layered out without any difficulties thus representing a grand presentation. The detail retrieval felt above average even extracting minute nuances.

KZ ZS12 PRO X VERDICT:

ZS10 Pro X, the latest offering from the house of KZ has a 12-driver hybrid configuration (1DD + 5BA) and comes with a price tag of 50USD. KZ being known for their in-house bass-oriented signature, now took AN UNUSUAL STANCE by delivering a balanced bright signature which does feel fresh.

The construction is made out of hard resin with a metal faceplate giving nice weight addition to the product. The cable as usual has the type C connector with 3.5mm jack. The whole contents come in a very minimalist packaging. The product that came for review has no profile switches while KZ does have a separate variant with switches.

The bass as overall feels well separated and articulated but lacks in terms of weight and the warmth. The mid – section as overall feels open and airy but lacks in terms of fullness. The treble as overall sounds realistic with a wide and airy presentation. ZS12 Pro X has a wide sense of stage with precise layering and above average detail retrieval.

ZS12 Pro X, the 12 – Driver hybrid configuration does take an UNUSUAL STANCE by delivering a balanced bright sound that attracts a lot of audiophiles out there capturing some interesting eyes in this budget segment.

POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES:

Pros:

1. Balanced and Bright Signature
2. Staging and Detail Retrieval
3. Build and Price

Cons:

1. Lighter Low End