KZ ZS10 Pro 2 - Even 4 Switches Can't Tame this Treble

 2.5⭐️

+ Switches add variety 

+ Treble enthusiasts will probably find something to like here

+ Easy to drive

+ Lightweight and small shell

- Unnatural timbre and thin note weight

- Still bright with bassiest switch configuration 

- Bass lacks impact

- Build quality

- Stock cable

- Barebones accessories 

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This set was provided by Linsoul in exchange for my honest and impartial review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Non affiliate link for those interested: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kz-zs10-pro2

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Letshuoer Dt03 

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

KZ is KZ. Almost everyone in the audiophile community has heard of this brand by now, as well as their sister company, CCA. They are well known for churning out new budget iems almost weekly. Some of their recent releases have been very well-received and garnered a lot of positive feedback, such as the Trio, Vader, and Hydro, to name a few. But there are also many products that don't quite stand out and are quickly forgotten. The ZS10 Pro 2 is one of KZ's newer iems on the market. The Pro 2 is a retune and features a 10 mm dynamic driver, two balanced armature drivers, and four tuning switches. It's currently available on Linsoul for $54.99 but can also be found elsewhere. Let's break down this KZ model and see which category it falls into.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

In standard KZ fashion, the ZS10 Pro 2 comes in quite minimal packaging, and there's not much to unbox. It's just their standard, simple packaging, which includes the IEMs, a cable, a few ear tips, and a metal piece for toggling the switches. The shell has an ergonomic shape, and the size is about average, not too big or too small. It's made of clear resin with a vented metal faceplate and features a somewhat industrial aesthetic. It is fairly lightweight for its size, but the build quality is lacking.It feels cheaper in hand than even the lower priced CCA Trio, which actually has impressive build quality for its price. The nozzle is about average in width and slightly short in length, but it still feels comfortable for longer listening sessions. The nozzle does at least include a lip to help tips stay in place. Like most KZ/CCA iems, the Pro 2 uses QDC-style 2-pin connections. The stock cable is the same low-quality cable included with the CCA Trio. As I did with my Trio review, I swapped out the cable for the Simgot EM6L stock cable, which is of much better quality. The tips are the standard three pairs of silicone and one pair of foam that is included with other KZ iems. They don't work well for me, so I opted to use my preferred Penon Liqueurs for a better fit and seal.

Sound impressions:

After testing the ZS10 Pro 2 with different switch configurations, I found that the UUUD configuration best suits my preferences. To my ear, this configuration boosts the bass and mids to better balance the elevated treble presence and gives the frequency response more of a U-shaped profile. Even with the added bass, it still cannot be considered close to a basshead set. All of the following impressions were based on these settings, as taking the time to provide impressions on every configuration would be an exhaustive effort. That's one of the fun things about switches: the tuning can be better tailored to each individual's preferences. The adaptability and customization that switches offer can be a great feature.

The timbre is a bit unnatural and has an artificial sound. The vocals and instruments, namely the piano, just don't sound quite right. The note weight is also too thin for my liking. The Pro 2 remind me of some of the lower budget TWS sets I've tried in the past. The detail retrieval is just okay, but I can't really fault it too much for the price. The imaging is accurate, but the dynamics are a bit lackluster, with many things presenting as either too loud or too quiet. The separation is also not that great, as things can start to run together on busy tracks, and I don't feel that the frequencies have room to breathe. The soundstage width and depth are actually decent and do create a nicely spacious sound.

●Lows - Sub-bass and mid-bass are about equal in quantity to my ears, with neither taking the spotlight. The bass is slightly pillowy, soft, and unrefined. It lacks some impact and body. The sub doesn't have a deep extension and lacks a nice reverberation on bassy tracks. There is a little bleed into the mids, and it could use cleaner separation. The speed and decay are about average. It's not the worst bass in the budget by any means, but it's also not the highlight of the tuning.

●Mid - The mids have good presence and are well-balanced with the other frequencies. Vocals are clear but not as forward as I would prefer. There are some faults in their presentation, such as harshness or shoutiness at higher volumes. The timbre issue is most noticeable in the midrange, where instruments and vocals sound unnatural and have an artificial quality. Breathy vocalists also sound harsh and piercing and are much too thin for my liking. The midrange sounds much better at lower volumes, but I am not a low-volume listener personally. Turn up the volume, and the midrange issues rear their ugly heads.

●Highs - Using the switch configuration I used tames the treble the most; however, there is still some sibilance in this configuration, and it's just overall too bright for my preferences. Particularly, the snares and cymbals have too much bite and edge and can be fatiguing. Female vocals exhibit sibilance at higher volumes. Again, this is definitely a set that sounds better at lower volume levels. To their credit there is plenty of air with good extension. It might definitely be a contender for trebleheads on a budget, especially with the various switches and tunings to tailor the frequencies. I am fairly sensitive to sibilance, so other less sensitive listeners might find more to love here.

In conclusion:

KZ and CCA have been doing fairly well lately with their recent releases. I still prefer the Trio over the Pro 2 but that's probably due to my preference for thicker note weight, analogue style sound, and a bigger bass. I think there can be things to like about the KS10 Pro 2, particularly for those that prefer a bit leaner and brighter tuning. If this set had come out 5 years ago, many might consider it the benchmark to beat. However, the budget tier is growing increasingly competitive and iems are getting better with each subsequent release. In my opinion, the Pro 2 falls short in todays market. My main issues are the artifical timbre and that theres only 1 switch configuration to tame the treble to a level that is slightly enjoyable for me. But in utilizing all the switches, the bass and mids sound artificially boosted. This is not a set I personally enjoy or can listen to for long periods. I can maybe recommend them to treble enthusiasts on a budget. Also, low volume listeners will probably find more enjoyment since they can get shouty when cranked up. At the end of the day, my tastes just resonate more with the CCA Trio. For me, there's not much to love about the ZS10 Pro 2, so I rate it two and a half stars. I know there are people who will enjoy this iem (the Head-Fi Discovery thread confirms this), but I can't really get my head around it. There are many sets in this price range more deserving of your time.