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KZ AS16 PRO X All-BA In-Ear Monitors Review

A KZ in-ear monitor that the page describes as an upgrade of the AS16 PRO, with eight balanced armature (BA) drivers per side, 20 Hz-40 kHz and 116 dB sensitivity. It is listed from $56, with a version without a microphone at $56 and one with a microphone at $58.

4.0Editorial rating: 4.0 out of 5Editorial rating · research-basedUpdated November 11, 2026
From $56Price checked November 12, 2026Pre-order only at Linsoul at our last check (November 12, 2026)
Check price at Linsoul

Our verdict

An all-armature IEM per the page, for someone who wants a detachable 2-pin cable and a stated sensitivity at $56 to $58, with the microphone as the only option. Look elsewhere if you need a listed impedance or a color choice, since the listing text gives neither. The main caveat is that the 116 dB has no stated reference level and the page's sound claims are the maker's own.

Best for
Someone who wants an all-armature set with a detachable 2-pin cable and a stated 116 dB sensitivity.
Skip if
You need a listed impedance, a color choice or a statement of how the 116 dB sensitivity is measured.

The page describes the KZ AS16 PRO X as an upgrade of the AS16 PRO that adds a 30019 mid-high driver, with eight balanced armature (BA) drivers per side and a three-way electronic crossover. The page lists 20 Hz-40 kHz and 116 dB sensitivity, plus a recessed 0.75 mm 2-pin connector and an included flat silver-plated cable. It is listed from $56, with two options that differ by microphone.

Options and pricing

There are 2 options on a single Version choice: no Mic at $56 and with Mic at $58, which makes up the whole price range of $56 to $58. The variants show no color choice, and the listing text gives no cable length. The page also says the connectors suit a Bluetooth adapter or another cable, though neither is part of the options shown.

How it compares

The KZ AS16 Pro is the model this one is upgraded from, per the page, and starts at $55 with its listing text mentioning 22955 BA and 8 BA, against $56 to $58 here. The KZ AM16 is also from $56 and its listing text mentions 16 BA. 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 states eight BA drivers per side, 20 Hz-40 kHz and 116 dB sensitivity
  • The 0.75 mm 2-pin connectors are recessed for cable swaps, per the page
  • The two options differ only by microphone: no Mic $56, with Mic $58
  • An included flat silver-plated cable is named

Worth noting

  • The 116 dB sensitivity is given without a reference level, and the listing text gives no impedance
  • The page says it adds a 30019 mid-high driver to the AS16 PRO yet also says eight BA per side, so the driver split is unclear
  • The variants show no color choice and the listing text gives no cable length
  • The sound wording is the maker's own claim and cannot be checked here

Questions before you buy

What drivers does the KZ AS16 PRO X list?

The page lists eight balanced armature (BA) drivers per side, including dual 31736 units for the highest frequencies, 29689 units for the middle range and 22955 units for the low frequencies, and says it adds a 30019 mid-high driver to the AS16 PRO. The heading says 16 custom BA drivers.

What connector and cable does it use?

The page lists recessed 0.75 mm 2-pin connectors and an included flat silver-plated cable, and says the connectors suit a Bluetooth adapter or another cable. The listing text gives no cable length or plug type.

What does the version choice change?

The Version option is no Mic at $56 or with Mic at $58. The listing text shows no other 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 AS16 PRO X 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 sound, tuning and studio-calibration descriptions are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
  • Per the page the sensitivity is 116 dB, but the listing text gives no reference level for the 116 dB and no impedance.
  • Per the page the PRO X adds a 30019 mid-high driver to the AS16 PRO while also giving eight BA per side, and the page gives no count for each driver type beyond the dual 31736 units.
  • 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.

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