KZ AM16 16 BA In-Ear Monitors Review
A KZ in-ear monitor listed with 16 balanced armature (BA) drivers, two tuning editions and a detachable 0.75 mm 2-pin cable. Prices run from $56 to $59 across 4 options, with or without a microphone.

Our verdict
A multi-BA IEM for someone who wants a choice between two tunings and a detachable 2-pin cable at $56 to $59. Look elsewhere if you need listed impedance or sensitivity for the earpieces, since the listing text gives neither. The main caveat is that the price depends on two choices and the page gives only ranges, and its tuning and frequency claims are the maker's own.
- Best for
- Someone who wants a many-BA set with a choice of tuning edition and a detachable 2-pin cable.
- Skip if
- You need a listed impedance or sensitivity for the earpieces before buying.
The KZ AM16 is listed with 16 balanced armature (BA) drivers, and the page describes a three-way crossover and a frequency response of 5 Hz-45 kHz. It comes in two tunings, Balanced and Bass-Improved, with or without a microphone cable, which makes 4 options at prices from $56 to $59. The detachable cable uses 0.75 mm 2-pin connectors per the page.
Options and pricing
The 4 options come from two choices: Tuning (Balanced or Bass-Improved) and Mic (no Mic or with Mic). The page shows the price by choice as ranges, with Balanced at $56-$57 and Bass-Improved at $58-$59, and no Mic at $56-$58 against with Mic at $57-$59, so the exact price of each pairing is not given separately. The page also calls the microphone cable optional and mentions an optional Bluetooth module.
How it compares
The KZ AS16 Pro starts at $55 and its listing text mentions 8 BA, against 16 BA mentioned here from $56. The KZ AS16 PRO X also starts at $56. The TANCHJIM OLA II starts at $56.99 and its listing text mentions a hybrid layout.
Shipping
- Methods and costs. The store's shipping page offers Standard Shipping (4PX, Yanwen or Yun Express), free for most countries, and Express Shipping (DHL Express, FedEx or SF Express) at 15-50 USD depending on the country, free for orders over 270 USD in most countries (checked 2026-11-11).
- Delivery times. It says an in-stock order ships within 3 working days, Standard takes about 2 weeks after shipping out (up to 1-3 months for some countries, and the store makes no refund for that transit time) and Express takes about 3-7 days. Festive seasons and other circumstances can change the timing.
- Taxes and fees. The buyer pays any customs, import or processing fees. The page says Standard via YunExpress is tax-inclusive for some countries, that remote areas can carry extra Express charges, and that a parcel refused or left uncollected over taxes is deducted two-way freight and may be destroyed with no refund.
- Where it ships. The page says the store can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to confirm Standard with the team for your country. It cannot ship to PO boxes or APO/FPO addresses and can only use Express to Hawaii. It does not name the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, so confirm before you pay.
- Lost parcels. If a parcel has been in transit for at least 3 months, the page offers a one-time reshipment or a full refund for orders under $50 and a 50% refund for orders above $50.
Returns and warranty
- Returns. The return page allows returning any non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying the shipping. Email [email protected] within that period; the store asks for the return to be shipped within 5 working days of the RMA instructions and in most cases processes a refund within 5 business days of inspecting it (checked 2026-11-11).
- Opened items. A product opened within the first 7 days after delivery can be returned for the price minus a restocking fee of 35% of its retail value, including when it still works properly.
- Refund or credit. The buyer can choose a refund to the original payment method (PayPal or card) or store credit; with no answer within 48 hours of confirmation the default is store credit, which can also be prioritized during promotions, final-sale events and for items 40% or more off retail.
- Not returnable. Customized products, including faceplate designs, are non-refundable, and the page says the same applies to carry cases, cables, ear tips and other accessories, "due to hygiene purposes". If one item in a package is defective, incorrect or missing, the refund or replacement covers only that item.
- Warranty. The page gives a 1-year warranty on products, excluding carry cases, ear tips and other accessories, and 3 months on cables and adapters, from the date of purchase. It covers factory defects that affect proper function, not damage from human error, negligence, accidents, dismantling, water, abuse or modification (checked 2026-11-11).
- Not covered or limited. It does not apply to items bought elsewhere (AliExpress, Amazon, local dealers and the like), prize or giveaway items, normal wear or colour change, commercial use, or items that were stolen or went missing. Coverage is limited for products 40% or more off retail, for review units and for items repaired or modified by anyone Linsoul has not authorized.
- Claims. Email [email protected] with the order number, the issue and photos and videos of the fault. The store may ask for the unit back for a replacement. It covers shipping for some defects reported within 7 days of delivery if the fault can be shown on video or photo; after 7 days the buyer ships it back. For wrong or missing items an unboxing video of the whole sealed parcel is required.
Before you buy
Linsoul says it was founded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team to bring Chinese HiFi makers closer to listeners worldwide, and that it now sells other makers' products alongside four brands of its own, THIEAUDIO, Kiwi Ears, ZiiGaat and Tripowin (checked 2026-11-11).
We have not read any independent review of this product or of the store. Ratings and owner reviews shown on the store's own pages are the store's and were not verified.
What we liked
- The page lists 16 BA drivers and a three-way crossover, and quotes 5 Hz-45 kHz
- Two tuning options, Balanced and Bass-Improved, are named in the options
- The cable is detachable with 0.75 mm 2-pin connectors, per the page
- A microphone version is offered; the page quotes 6 mm microphones at -26 dB sensitivity
Worth noting
- Prices are shown as ranges per choice, so the price of each of the 4 combinations is not listed individually
- The page calls the dual-microphone cable optional, so it is unclear whether the with Mic option includes it
- The listing text gives no impedance or sensitivity for the earpieces
- Every figure and tuning description is the maker's own claim
Questions before you buy
How many drivers does the KZ AM16 list?
The page lists 16 balanced armature (BA) drivers and words it as 16 BA on both sides, which could mean 16 in total or per side. It also names a three-way crossover and two custom 31736 BA drivers per side for the high frequencies.
What connector does the cable use?
The page lists 0.75 mm 2-pin connectors for the detachable cable and a supplied silver-plated cable. The listing text gives no plug type or cable length.
What do the options change?
The Tuning option is Balanced or Bass-Improved and the Mic option is no Mic or with Mic. Prices range from $56 to $59 across the 4 options.
Can I return it if I change my mind?
The return page allows returning a non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying shipping. An opened product returned within 7 days carries a 35% restocking fee. Refunds go to the original payment method or to store credit, which is the default if you do not choose.
How long does shipping take?
The shipping page says in-stock orders ship within 3 working days. Standard Shipping takes about 2 weeks after shipping out, up to 1-3 months for some countries, and Express takes about 3-7 days. Standard is free for most countries; Express costs 15-50 USD and is free over 270 USD (over $499.99 for large items such as headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs).
Does Linsoul ship to the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand?
The page says Linsoul can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to ask the team about Standard for your country. It names no restriction for the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, but it does not list them either, and it can only use Express to Hawaii.
What warranty does it have?
The page gives a 1-year warranty on products from the purchase date for factory defects, not for human error, accidents or modification. Coverage is limited for items 40% or more off retail and for review units, and it does not apply to items bought from other sellers.
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- KZ AM16 product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul shipping pageStandard and Express shipping, costs and times, import taxes, lost parcels, couriers, trackingRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul return policy and warranty page30-day returns of sealed items, 35% restocking fee on opened ones, 1-year and 3-month warranties, exclusions, how to claimRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul support FAQThe same shipping, return and warranty rules in question form, plus order changes and cancellationsRead November 11, 2026
- About LinsoulFounded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team; names its own brands; the awards listed there are the store's own accountRead November 11, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The page's tuning, frequency and microphone descriptions, including 5 Hz-45 kHz and -26 dB, are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
- Per the page the 16 BA drivers sit on 'both sides', which could mean 16 in total or 16 per side, and the page calls the dual-microphone cable optional while an option is named with Mic.
- The listing text gives no impedance or sensitivity for the earpieces and no cable length, per the page's own text.
- We have not read an independent review of this product or the store, and the store's own ratings were not verified. We read the store's catalog description only: a specification table or image shown just on the live page was not read.
- The shipping page names no US, Canada, UK, Australia or New Zealand times or fees: its figures are general and we could not confirm them for these countries.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.


