Review of ZS4, ZS6 and AS10 - quality and inexpensive headphones from Knowledge Zenith

Knowledge Zenith has recently become one of the most popular manufacturers of budget headphones. The success was achieved thanks to the release of several successful models with excellent sound and an unusually low price. In the past year, the manufacturer also did not slow down and continued to delight fans with new products. In this review, we will introduce you to the most interesting models.

KZ ZS6

Emitters: 2 dynamic + 2 reinforcing.
Resistance: 15 ohm.
Sensitivity: 105 dB / mW.
Frequency range: 7 Hz - 40 kHz.
Cable: replaceable, length - 1.2 m.
Plug: angled, 3.5 mm TRS.

The ZS6 earbuds were released about a year ago, but are still very popular today. The reason is excellent sound and structural reliability.

The headphone housing is made of silver-colored metal. It consists of two halves connected with screws. This design makes it easy to get to the insides and fix any breakage. Despite the angular body, the headphones stay in place quite reliably, also thanks to the elastic earhooks on the cable. The angled plug is convenient and durable, the cable separation is reinforced with a plastic tee.

The main advantage of KZ ZS6 is powerful and high-quality sound. These headphones don't care too much about analytics, embellishing the soundscape for an unusual and vibrant experience. The bass is deep and voluminous, the mids are quite detailed, but the high frequencies (HF) are slightly lifted up, which is why there is an excess of them. Therefore, we recommend that you experiment with ear pads. For example, try foam tips that slightly tone down the HF intensity. In them, the sound of the ZS6 becomes much more pleasant.

KZ ZS4

Emitters: 1 dynamic + 1 reinforcing.
Resistance: 18 ohm.
Sensitivity: 101 dB / mW.
Frequency range: 7 Hz - 40 kHz.
Cable: replaceable, length - 1.2 m.
Plug: angled, 3.5 mm TRS.

Knowledge Zenith designers have tried to give these headphones the most unusual look. Their body has the shape of an irregular polyhedron, all sides of which smoothly flow into each other. The headphones are made of glossy black plastic, which is why they strive to slip out of hands. There are no complaints about the build quality, but the strange shape of the case may not suit everyone. Owners of small ears should be especially careful - they should definitely try on the ZS4 before buying.

KZ ZS4 have correct sound with an emphasis on the middle frequencies. You should not, of course, expect any revelations from the $ 15 headphones, but they work out their money completely. Low and high, although they are inferior to the frequencies of more expensive competitors, they sound without significant distortion even at high volume levels. The scene has good detail and depth. Good sound insulation allows these headphones to be recommended for use in transport, on the street or in the gym.

KZ AS10

Emitters: 5 reinforcing.
Resistance: 32 ohm.
Sensitivity: 106 dB / mW.
Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz.
Cable: replaceable, length - 1.2 m.
Plug: angled, 3.5 mm TRS.

AS10 is the continuation of the traditions of the popular KZ ZS10 model, the review of which you can read here. The headphones have received an improved design, consisting of five reinforcing emitters. One of them is responsible for low frequencies, the second reproduces the mids, and the third and fourth work on high frequencies. Another, fifth, works at the junction of medium and high, which allows you to get a smoother and more correct frequency response. The AS10 is currently one of Knowledge Zenith's flagship models.

The headphones have a streamlined plastic housing. The base is made of glossy black material with the model name on one of the edges. The outside is protected by a translucent cover through which the electronic filling can be viewed. Thanks to its anatomical shape and light weight, the earphone fits perfectly in the ear. The wire is connected using a standard two-pin connector, the connector for which is at the bottom. A little surprising is the presence of a compensation hole, which does not seem to be required for the operation of reinforcing headphones.

The AS10 cable is exactly the same as that of other models in this series - ZS10, ZSA, ES4 and so on. It consists of several intertwined wires, looks strong and reliable enough, but easily gets tangled. A few centimeters near each connector are reinforced with a special translucent sheath, thanks to which the wire remembers the shape of a convenient behind-the-ear attachment. The angled plug and spacer are made of black, robust and flexible plastic.

The sound of the AS10 is high quality and authentic. It is immediately obvious that this is one of the most expensive models in the Knowledge Zenith line. The presentation is close to neutral, but there is no lack of low and high frequencies. The bass is not too massive and deep, but fast and dry, which is typical for armature headphones. The mids boast chic separation and detail, so you can make out every part, even in a complex instrumental composition. High frequencies are transparent, detailed. They do not hit the ears with sibilants, they sound quite correct and comfortable for long-term listening.

Outcomes

Each of the models presented in the review is good in its own way.

The cheapest KZ ZS4 boasts an unusual appearance that can attract informal youth. These headphones are perfect for creating a sound background in training or in transport, when the color of the harmonics and the correctness of the scene, in general, are not very important.

We liked KZ ZS6 with a bright high-quality sound that simply blows up the skull. These headphones should be chosen for those people who want to completely dissolve in their favorite music, feeling every guitar riff and drum beat. But AS10s sound much more restrained and more mature. They will be appreciated by those listeners who, first of all, need a correct and correct presentation without any additional coloring.