Kz ATE Copper Driver Ear Hook HiFi in Ear Earphone Sport Headphones for Running with Foam Eartips with Microphone
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | KZ |
Model Name | language _ tag |
Color | Silver |
Form Factor | In Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
About this item
- High performance copper driver unit, have an accurate resolution than ordinary driver. Sound performance is clear treble exquisite voicals and heavy bass
- More comfortable to wear, with memory foam tips
- HiFi lossless cable and gold plated jack effectly reduces signal loss
- With a HD microphone, have a better sound quality of people. Comfortable to wear for long time, will not cause discomfort as ordinary in ear headphone. The headphone with better noise isolation, to prevent leakage of sound, the full enjoyment of the headphone sound.
- Feel comfortable wearing with the ergonomics designed headphone
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This Item Kz ATE Copper Driver Ear Hook HiFi in Ear Earphone Sport Headphones for Running with Foam Eartips with Microphone | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $16.19$16.19 | -8% $229.99$229.99 List: $249.99 | -15% $16.14$16.14 List: $18.99 | -15% $50.99$50.99 List: $60.19 | -17% $49.99$49.99 List: $59.99 | $20.99$20.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
Noise cancellation | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Quality of material | 3.6 | 5.0 | 4.6 | — | — | 4.1 |
Value for money | — | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | — |
Bass quality | — | — | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
Sold By | ZiRun Direct | S-Waves Electronics | LEAUDIO | Linsoul Audio | Linsoul Audio | Yinyoo Audio |
connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
headphones form factor | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear |
connector type | 3 5mm Jack | 2.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 3 5mm Jack | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack |
noise control | sound isolation | — | — | sound isolation | sound isolation | sound isolation |
headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack, 2.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
cable feature | Retractable | Tangle Free | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable |
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Product Description
This sports headphone is light and with the foam tips is more comfortable to wear. The sound quality is clear treble, comfortable mids for vocals, elastic bass.
1.High performance copper driver unit
This sports headphone with high quality copper material driver unit, have an accurate resolution than ordinary driver. Sound performance is clear treble exquisite voicals and heavy bass.
2.More comfortable to wear
This sports headphone is lighter, reducing the burden of wearing. The reasonable shape fit for most ears of people. Comfortable to wear for long time, will not cause discomfort as ordinary in ear headphone. The headphone with better noise isolation, to prevent leakage of sound, the full enjoyment of the headphone sound.
3.Fashion appearance design
The sports headphone with a dynamic fashion appearance. Feel comfortable wearing with the ergonomics designed headphone. And the housing promote the performance of sound. 4.HD microphone for clear calls
This sports headphone with a HD microphone, have a better sound quality, cooperate to the CVC digital noise reduction technology, effectually reduce interference of the background sounds. To make clear calls.
5.HiFi lossless cable and gold plated jack effectly reduces signal loss
Gold-plated jack contact surface to prevent oxidation, reduces signal loss, and provides better audio restoration. 32 core long crygen oxygen-free copper cable, audio signal transmit losslessly. Perfectly restore the sound scene and rich details. The ATE headphone with this high end material to make the perfect stereo.
Product information
Product Dimensions | 0.78 x 0.78 x 0.78 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 0.52 ounces |
ASIN | B00Y0F6IBG |
Item model number | 436126 |
Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #113,201 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #5,709 in Earbud & In-Ear Headphones |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Connectivity technologies | Wired |
Special features | Microphone, Stereo |
Other display features | Wireless |
Audio Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
Form Factor | In Ear |
Color | Silver |
Manufacturer | Knowledge Zenith |
Date First Available | May 21, 2015 |
Weight | 0.52 Ounces |
Number Of Items | 1 |
Warranty & Support
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, value, and appearance of the headphones. For example, they mention that the midrange sounds relatively flat, the highs are extended without muddy or murky bass, and the passive sound isolation is actually quite nice. That said, some are happy with appearance, and entertainment value. That being said, opinions are mixed on durability, fit, comfort, and tangles.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. For example, they say the sound is very nice, the midrange sounds relatively flat, the highs are extended without being muddy, and the bass is solid and thumpy. The passive sound isolation is also quite nice, and they have a way wider soundstage. They are also easy to understand and allow you to hear higher order vocal variations. Overall, customers are happy with the performance of these headphones.
"...The mid-bass and silky vocal mids is why these are great for vocal centered Jazz or Standards (Krall, Buble, Sinatra, Fitzgerald)...." Read more
"...fantastic sounding Sony receiver and the output from my TV and all sound fantastic...." Read more
"...and with a proper seal using the foam tips, the passive sound isolation is actually quite nice. They look pretty sweet as well...." Read more
"...flatness and reference purposes, the KZ's aren't as bright but the bass is wider and just slightly muddier...." Read more
Customers like the value of the headphones. They say they are decent for the price, reliable, and the best value IEMs on the market. They also mention that the sound quality is okay and has a fairly good low-end.
"...myself fascinated with the current wave of extremely good buds, inexpensive items coming out of China right now...." Read more
"...much as its cousins like the ZS10 Pro or the KZN Pro, but it is quite a bit cheaper...." Read more
"...The value is amazing and I wouldn't even hesitate to buy these for $50. Definitely recommended by me.Physical overview:..." Read more
"...Overall: I would say these are fairly balanced and a fantastic value...." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the headphones. For example, they say it looks really good, has a substantial appearance, and is sharp. Some say the sound is very nice and clear. Overall, most are satisfied with the product's appearance and sound quality.
"...They look pretty sweet as well.Sound-wise, it's certainly enjoyable, with very emphasized middle and high end, if you prefer this...." Read more
"...I noted that everything seemed quite crisp and clear, pleasing to listen to and easy to understand what the instruments were, what they were doing,..." Read more
"...The over ear design is just better. You lost microphonics and constant pull of gravity on the earbuds and thus your precious eardrums...." Read more
"...The right angle connector is a nice touch but on my iPhone it looks a little weird...." Read more
Customers find the earbuds amazing, really good, and excellent. They say the soundstage makes for an excellent pair of IEM's that cost next to nothing. Customers also mention that the bud are well worth the read, have nice ear pads, and are some of the best wired earphones.
"...Silky smooth intimate liquid like vocals. Very, very entertaining...." Read more
"...But I find myself fascinated with the current wave of extremely good buds, inexpensive items coming out of China right now...." Read more
"...They look pretty sweet as well.Sound-wise, it's certainly enjoyable, with very emphasized middle and high end, if you prefer this...." Read more
"...Not as good as a full sized headset mic, but plenty good for phone calls. Probably fine for gaming.Sound profile: Balanced, warm...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the durability of the headphones. Some mention that the build quality is great, sturdy, and reliable, while others say that the quality becomes an issue and they fall apart.
"...The build quality seems to be great. The wiring connection points seem to be well protected, giving where needed...." Read more
"...EDIT: Broke for no reason at all sitting in ONE place with no movement...." Read more
"...For the price, the build quality is excellent, and the package includes a pair of foam tips as well, along with the usual silicon ones...." Read more
"...I assume it must be poor quality control, because some poor Chinese laborer made these after sleeping 12 hours that week...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the headphones. Some mention that it fits into their ears well, is snug, and has a good range of earmuff sizes. However, others say that it doesn't stay in their ear as well as the silicone, does not always fit well with phone cases, and is less secure on the ear than designs with memory wire.
"...The body I would have to admit is a bit large for my ears but again, the over-ear form negates any sort of weird load the weight and clunkiness..." Read more
"Comfort: Fits into ears well, not perfectly flush but stays in. The foam eartips kind of hurt, I go with the silicone ones...." Read more
"...The limited number of included eartips made it somewhat difficult to get a good fit. The cable is thin but appears to be decent quality...." Read more
"...that the earphones had foam tips preinstalled, with silicone tips of different sizes provided as spares...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the comfort of the headphones. Some mention that the overall comfort of them really surprised them, the silicone tips feel better and sound better, and the texture feels similar to Apple earbuds. However, others say that they are not comfortable and are not for working out. The wires would never feel comfortable and they tend to pop up. They feel kind of weird wrapping over the ear and are a little bit cumbersome and awkward.
"...I hit play and there it was. Silky smooth intimate liquid like vocals. Very, very entertaining...." Read more
"...the correct fit may require a bit of fiddling but they are very comfortable for me...." Read more
"...Feels kind of weird wrapping over the ear, as the cable does not have a memory wire or plastic ear hook like the other KZs...." Read more
"...They're not uncomfortable to wear, and with a proper seal using the foam tips, the passive sound isolation is actually quite nice...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the tangles of the headphones. Some mention that the wiring connection points are well protected, durable, and reinforced well with the copper wire. However, others say that the cable is not tangled proof, it gets tampered with all the time, and is difficult to untangle.
"...Cable isn't anything special, it's a little thinner than the cable on apple earbuds and the texture feels similar, but it seems a little more..." Read more
"...The build quality seems to be great. The wiring connection points seem to be well protected, giving where needed...." Read more
"...Build quality: Overall pretty good, it's mostly plastic. Cable is not removable, but it is firmly attached with a metal strain relief going into the..." Read more
"...Obviously these cables aren't removable (for the uninitiated, this is another audiophile fetish), but they look the part...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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I tend to prefer a relatively neutral sound signature with a slight emphasis in both bass and treble, which is basically a mild "V" shaped sound signature. I find that an absolute neutral sound signature usually lacks enough energy for the genres I enjoy most, which are Classic Trance and Progressive (early Tiesto, Markus Schulz, Otello, DT8 Project), Chill Out, Breakbeat (Hybrid & Burufunk Remixes) and 80's & 90's (New Order, Secession, The Cure, Siouxie & The Banshees, Depeche Mode). Sure I listen to Shania Twain, Sade, Bach, Ella Fitzgerald and everything in between, but as of late the bulk of my listening pleasure is focused on the aforementioned genres.
About IEMs (in-ear monitors):
Take note when you read IEM reviews that when the reviewer gives his/her opinion regarding the sound that there are many factors that shape the final sound an IEM delivers to one's ear.
Those factors include:
1 - Shape and size of the reviewer's ear canals. (shallow/deep, wide/narrow)
2 - Shape and size of the eartips. (round/cone, single/double/triple flange, proper fit)
3 - Materials of the eartips (silicone/foam)
4 - Shape of the IEM (and/or angle of the nozzle) can cause fitment issues for some.
5 - Source (quality of smartphone, laptop, digital audio player) amplified/unamplified.
6 - The IEM itself (driver flex possible due to trapping air in canal causing muffled sound.
and finally
7 - The Reviewers ability to hear all frequency ranges (age plays a factor).
Most consumers are unaware of how much weight each of these factors hold in rendering a final verdict. This is why there is such a wide variance in not only ratings, but the description of an IEMs sound. An unaware consumer purchases a perfectly fine IEM but has difficulty keeping the IEM in the ear or does not satisfactorily seal the ear canal with the included silicone eartips (this has happened to me on numerous occasions) and summarily dismisses the IEM as sub par. Another consumer purchases the same IEM but experiences a perfect fit and seal and has nothing but praise for the same IEM. Sealing the ear canals when using IEMs is the determining factor to render a valid verdict. I can think of no audio equipment that is subjected to such praise or ridicule as the in-ear monitor. When it comes to IEMs, in particular an IEMs eartips, there is no one-size-fits-all.
-Materials (silicone or foam) have different damping effects on the frequency ranges in the music.
-The shape of the eartips (olive-shaped, cone-shaped and other-shaped) can have different damping effects on the music based on how much space is between the IEM nozzle and your eardrum and how well the eartip has sealed the ear canal.
-The aperture of the eartip's opening (wide-bore/narrow-bore) will have damping effects on the frequency ranges of the music.
The easiest way for you to experience the different effects I am discussing is to take your current on-ear earphones or over-ear earphones, pick a song full of energy, put the earphones on and let them sit naturally over/on your ears. Listen to them for two minutes. After two minutes, using your hands, slightly press the headphones closer to your eardrums. Notice the change in the sound. Is there more/less bass? Is there more/less treble? Did the vocals slightly slip forward/back?
Consider that on-ear and over-ear headphones have a driver that sits approximately 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches from your eardrums and by pressing the headphones 1/4" closer to your eardrums the sound changed. Now consider that an IEM sits anywhere from 3/4" to 1/4" from your eardrums and the slightest changes (angle, depth, shape, material) can have up to three times the effect due to the proximity of the IEM to the eardrum.
For this reason, I think it is wise to invest a nominal dollar amount on different eartips to get everything the earphone tuners intended. Personally, I think anything less is folly. Some IEM manufacturers supply multiple sizes (S,M & L) and materials (silicone & foam) of eartips to increase the odds that the consumer achieves a satisfactory seal, but even this is not foolproof. If this holds any interest for you some aftermarket brands to look into are "JVC Spiral Dots", "Comply Foam Eartips" or "Znari Foam Eartips", "Creative Aurvana" and others.
The Knowledge Zenith ATE:
When I first popped these in I was a bit underwhelmed. It wasn't because they sounded bad. It was because it is not my preferred sound signature. The vocals are clear but they have a warm and/or darkish tone to them. I usually like everything clean and clear across the frequency range with a slight v-shape to bring the bass out and showcase the details in the upper frequencies. I listen to a lot of classic EDM and while these performed well with that genre, I find that the ED9 perform better.
Where these did shine was with vocal centered music. That sounds counterintuitive because of the darkish tone I mentioned. Counterintuitive or not, it works and works well. The mids are the star of the show with these in-ear monitors. It's almost like an inverted mild v-shape signature. There is more mid-bass than sub-bass and while there is treble it does not have that sparkle. This is what was so distracting about the sound signature at first. An inverted v-shape would seem veiled. It did compared to my preferred sound signature.
I was testing these with EDM and I missed the energy the lower and higher frequencies deliver. The opening track, "Escape" by Airbase on Otello's "Masterworks Collection: Las Vegas" sounded great but lacked both the kick of the sub-bass and the snares up top.
It took a few minutes for the light to come on. GREAT MIDS MEANS VOCALS. I immediately loaded Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Barbara Streisand, Shania Twain and Susan Ashton. I hit play and there it was. Silky smooth intimate liquid like vocals. Very, very entertaining. Ella Fitzgerald's "One for my baby and one for the road" was a joy to hear through the KZ ATE. Diana Krall's "Maybe You'll Be There" was like sitting at the piano with her. Streisand's humor-covered heartbrake in "Funnygirl" came across with uncanny realism and Susan Ashton's torch ballad "A Rose Is A Rose" was sublime. Shania's "Home Ain't Where His Heart Is Anymore" was a welcome change from the way I've listened to it numerous times in the past with the vocals slightly recessed because of my v-shape signature preference.
The bottom line on the ATE is that they are "mid-centric" IEMs best paired with acoustic, jazz or even 60's, 70's or 80's recordings. The ATE sounds more "analogue" than just about any IEM I've heard and that's what makes them so endearing to so many.
FYI: The proper way to insert in-ear monitors is to insert the iem (with bud) in your ear and slightly pull it back outward until you feel a slight suction pressure. If you don't feel the suction pressure you don't have a proper seal and your music will sound tinny or thin.
So far, KZ haven't disappointed me yet. $12.99 for the KZ ATE is a steal and a bargain if ever there was one.
I also own the KZ ATE-S and I prefer to use those if I am going to listen to EDM. There is more sub-bass. Don't get it twisted though, this KZ ATE has more than enouugh bass, but it has more mid-bass than sub-bass. The mid-bass and silky vocal mids is why these are great for vocal centered Jazz or Standards (Krall, Buble, Sinatra, Fitzgerald).
Knowledge Zenith's is owned and operated by a former Audio-Technica engineer, Keith Yue, who knows how to tune earphones well. In fact you'll notice the KZ ATE looks very similar to the Audio Technica IM50 ($70). Read those reviews and see if you find any similarities in the sound signature.
The ATEs sound so good I ordered another pair for back-up. $12.99? Yes, please, may I have another........
The silicone eartips and earhooks in the photos are my own and do not come with the ATE.
Hope this was helpful.
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2016
I tend to prefer a relatively neutral sound signature with a slight emphasis in both bass and treble, which is basically a mild "V" shaped sound signature. I find that an absolute neutral sound signature usually lacks enough energy for the genres I enjoy most, which are Classic Trance and Progressive (early Tiesto, Markus Schulz, Otello, DT8 Project), Chill Out, Breakbeat (Hybrid & Burufunk Remixes) and 80's & 90's (New Order, Secession, The Cure, Siouxie & The Banshees, Depeche Mode). Sure I listen to Shania Twain, Sade, Bach, Ella Fitzgerald and everything in between, but as of late the bulk of my listening pleasure is focused on the aforementioned genres.
About IEMs (in-ear monitors):
Take note when you read IEM reviews that when the reviewer gives his/her opinion regarding the sound that there are many factors that shape the final sound an IEM delivers to one's ear.
Those factors include:
1 - Shape and size of the reviewer's ear canals. (shallow/deep, wide/narrow)
2 - Shape and size of the eartips. (round/cone, single/double/triple flange, proper fit)
3 - Materials of the eartips (silicone/foam)
4 - Shape of the IEM (and/or angle of the nozzle) can cause fitment issues for some.
5 - Source (quality of smartphone, laptop, digital audio player) amplified/unamplified.
6 - The IEM itself (driver flex possible due to trapping air in canal causing muffled sound.
and finally
7 - The Reviewers ability to hear all frequency ranges (age plays a factor).
Most consumers are unaware of how much weight each of these factors hold in rendering a final verdict. This is why there is such a wide variance in not only ratings, but the description of an IEMs sound. An unaware consumer purchases a perfectly fine IEM but has difficulty keeping the IEM in the ear or does not satisfactorily seal the ear canal with the included silicone eartips (this has happened to me on numerous occasions) and summarily dismisses the IEM as sub par. Another consumer purchases the same IEM but experiences a perfect fit and seal and has nothing but praise for the same IEM. Sealing the ear canals when using IEMs is the determining factor to render a valid verdict. I can think of no audio equipment that is subjected to such praise or ridicule as the in-ear monitor. When it comes to IEMs, in particular an IEMs eartips, there is no one-size-fits-all.
-Materials (silicone or foam) have different damping effects on the frequency ranges in the music.
-The shape of the eartips (olive-shaped, cone-shaped and other-shaped) can have different damping effects on the music based on how much space is between the IEM nozzle and your eardrum and how well the eartip has sealed the ear canal.
-The aperture of the eartip's opening (wide-bore/narrow-bore) will have damping effects on the frequency ranges of the music.
The easiest way for you to experience the different effects I am discussing is to take your current on-ear earphones or over-ear earphones, pick a song full of energy, put the earphones on and let them sit naturally over/on your ears. Listen to them for two minutes. After two minutes, using your hands, slightly press the headphones closer to your eardrums. Notice the change in the sound. Is there more/less bass? Is there more/less treble? Did the vocals slightly slip forward/back?
Consider that on-ear and over-ear headphones have a driver that sits approximately 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches from your eardrums and by pressing the headphones 1/4" closer to your eardrums the sound changed. Now consider that an IEM sits anywhere from 3/4" to 1/4" from your eardrums and the slightest changes (angle, depth, shape, material) can have up to three times the effect due to the proximity of the IEM to the eardrum.
For this reason, I think it is wise to invest a nominal dollar amount on different eartips to get everything the earphone tuners intended. Personally, I think anything less is folly. Some IEM manufacturers supply multiple sizes (S,M & L) and materials (silicone & foam) of eartips to increase the odds that the consumer achieves a satisfactory seal, but even this is not foolproof. If this holds any interest for you some aftermarket brands to look into are "JVC Spiral Dots", "Comply Foam Eartips" or "Znari Foam Eartips", "Creative Aurvana" and others.
The Knowledge Zenith ATE:
When I first popped these in I was a bit underwhelmed. It wasn't because they sounded bad. It was because it is not my preferred sound signature. The vocals are clear but they have a warm and/or darkish tone to them. I usually like everything clean and clear across the frequency range with a slight v-shape to bring the bass out and showcase the details in the upper frequencies. I listen to a lot of classic EDM and while these performed well with that genre, I find that the ED9 perform better.
Where these did shine was with vocal centered music. That sounds counterintuitive because of the darkish tone I mentioned. Counterintuitive or not, it works and works well. The mids are the star of the show with these in-ear monitors. It's almost like an inverted mild v-shape signature. There is more mid-bass than sub-bass and while there is treble it does not have that sparkle. This is what was so distracting about the sound signature at first. An inverted v-shape would seem veiled. It did compared to my preferred sound signature.
I was testing these with EDM and I missed the energy the lower and higher frequencies deliver. The opening track, "Escape" by Airbase on Otello's "Masterworks Collection: Las Vegas" sounded great but lacked both the kick of the sub-bass and the snares up top.
It took a few minutes for the light to come on. GREAT MIDS MEANS VOCALS. I immediately loaded Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Barbara Streisand, Shania Twain and Susan Ashton. I hit play and there it was. Silky smooth intimate liquid like vocals. Very, very entertaining. Ella Fitzgerald's "One for my baby and one for the road" was a joy to hear through the KZ ATE. Diana Krall's "Maybe You'll Be There" was like sitting at the piano with her. Streisand's humor-covered heartbrake in "Funnygirl" came across with uncanny realism and Susan Ashton's torch ballad "A Rose Is A Rose" was sublime. Shania's "Home Ain't Where His Heart Is Anymore" was a welcome change from the way I've listened to it numerous times in the past with the vocals slightly recessed because of my v-shape signature preference.
The bottom line on the ATE is that they are "mid-centric" IEMs best paired with acoustic, jazz or even 60's, 70's or 80's recordings. The ATE sounds more "analogue" than just about any IEM I've heard and that's what makes them so endearing to so many.
FYI: The proper way to insert in-ear monitors is to insert the iem (with bud) in your ear and slightly pull it back outward until you feel a slight suction pressure. If you don't feel the suction pressure you don't have a proper seal and your music will sound tinny or thin.
So far, KZ haven't disappointed me yet. $12.99 for the KZ ATE is a steal and a bargain if ever there was one.
I also own the KZ ATE-S and I prefer to use those if I am going to listen to EDM. There is more sub-bass. Don't get it twisted though, this KZ ATE has more than enouugh bass, but it has more mid-bass than sub-bass. The mid-bass and silky vocal mids is why these are great for vocal centered Jazz or Standards (Krall, Buble, Sinatra, Fitzgerald).
Knowledge Zenith's is owned and operated by a former Audio-Technica engineer, Keith Yue, who knows how to tune earphones well. In fact you'll notice the KZ ATE looks very similar to the Audio Technica IM50 ($70). Read those reviews and see if you find any similarities in the sound signature.
The ATEs sound so good I ordered another pair for back-up. $12.99? Yes, please, may I have another........
The silicone eartips and earhooks in the photos are my own and do not come with the ATE.
Hope this was helpful.
I spend hours at a time using earbuds due to personal preference and thin walls in my apartment. I decided to give these a shot in spite of being perfectly satisfied with the set of Apie K1S that I purchased back in September. And they are good but I find my ears get tired of them rapidly for whatever reason. They sound good but they don't sound quite good...enough. But these...
I've been sitting here for the past two hours putting the KZ ATE through their paces and I could not POSSIBLY be more impressed. My test playlist consists of:
"Blue Rondo Ala Turk" by Brubeck
"Mr. Blue Sky" by ELO
"I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" by Prince
"I Am The Walrus (Dr. Ebbets version) by The Beatles
Beethoven's 9th - Jessye Norman soloist - Chicago Symphony with Georg Solti Conducting
"Musique Non Stop" by Kraftwerk
The stage is wide, the presence is full and generous. The general problem with earbuds is either an overall thinness of the sound or FAR too much bass. These seem to be perfectly balanced. I've used my Samsung S6, my aging but fantastic sounding Sony receiver and the output from my TV and all sound fantastic. I can see where these would benefit from some additional amplification in the form of a headphone amp for anyone who wants the volume truly loud but they are fine as they are for me.
Since these are made to go over the ears getting the correct fit may require a bit of fiddling but they are very comfortable for me. I'm looking forward to trying some other earpieces to see what difference or further improvement I can find. KZ thoughtfully includes, inline on the cord, small weights. They do not make the phones heavier (they are incredibly light overall) but they will help keep the buds in place and tight in the ear canal.
The build quality seems to be great. The wiring connection points seem to be well protected, giving where needed. The braided, rubberized cord seems to be a bone of contention, with some users loving it and some hating it. I, personally, like this style and have had good luck with it in the past. The plug is angled, which I like, but has enough clearance that it fits nicely into my phone with my Otterbox Defender case in place. It should work fine with deeper cases.
One note: The user guide (written in mid level Engrish) suggest a five minute burn in time. I would suggest, for safety, at least 1/2 hour or more if possible.
I simply couldn't be more pleased with these. I would have liked to see (and would be willing to pay a bit more for) a case but that's a small issue considering the overall quality of these. ELEVEN BUCKS? GTFO! Order a set of these before you spend $100+ on (God Forbid!) Beats or other high dollar brands. I think these are superior to the majority of them and hey, if you don't agree you are out a pittance!
Sound-wise, it's certainly enjoyable, with very emphasized middle and high end, if you prefer this. The bass frequencies are solid, and overall, the detail is good. It makes up for a rather small soundstage, which is partly due to the nature of IEMs. The very high end can be a little fatiguing if you are listening to cymbals or something similar. It could also be a little louder; a little amplification helps with raising the volume. I prefer to listen to hip-hop or electronic (ie mid and bass-heavy) with these than rock music or shoegaze, country, or similar.
For less than $10? A fantastic value in comparison to other buds at this price, but its focus is simply clean and fun sound; I wouldn't expect anything beyond this. As always, these are just my bad opinions.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in India on August 28, 2020
All that really means is that I'm not someone who goes for cheap and naff sound. It drives me nuts when sound quality is lower than needed, so I'm willing to pay top brass in order to get something decent.
Including a hi-res audio player, and choosing to have FLAC audio of my own recordings.
So, that should tell you all you need to know about these as they're coming in at £15 with postage.
Simply:
1. They're I.E.M, which is In Ear Monitors. Theyre designed to allow the listener to hear the track as recorded and mixed on monitors.
Neutral sounding is not flat, just means not enhanced brain shattering bass of fashion headphones.
2. Theyre the best headphones you can buy for the money, and even for more money.
They absolute destroy my AKG Y50s.
3. Theyre a little Asian company's crack at pro-audio, and they're designed to rival Shure IEM. Which they do for the money and have a lovely little wide sound stage.
4. Uncomfortable standard ear tips that make them sound 'tinnier' than they need to be. Not to mention the ability to hear more of the world than desired whilst commuting.
Replace the buds with Comply Isolation 500 memory phone tips.
Seriously, buy them if you want to hear things you've never heard before, in tracks you may have listened to for years.
If you're someone who likes thumping sub bass tuned to the max, beware as you may feel disappointed but that's because you've been programmed with the fashionable headphone sound of enhanced listening, and not natural audio.
It's not your fault, but it's a shame as you'll probably not love these. But, try them anyway, they're £15 not £150....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2019
All that really means is that I'm not someone who goes for cheap and naff sound. It drives me nuts when sound quality is lower than needed, so I'm willing to pay top brass in order to get something decent.
Including a hi-res audio player, and choosing to have FLAC audio of my own recordings.
So, that should tell you all you need to know about these as they're coming in at £15 with postage.
Simply:
1. They're I.E.M, which is In Ear Monitors. Theyre designed to allow the listener to hear the track as recorded and mixed on monitors.
Neutral sounding is not flat, just means not enhanced brain shattering bass of fashion headphones.
2. Theyre the best headphones you can buy for the money, and even for more money.
They absolute destroy my AKG Y50s.
3. Theyre a little Asian company's crack at pro-audio, and they're designed to rival Shure IEM. Which they do for the money and have a lovely little wide sound stage.
4. Uncomfortable standard ear tips that make them sound 'tinnier' than they need to be. Not to mention the ability to hear more of the world than desired whilst commuting.
Replace the buds with Comply Isolation 500 memory phone tips.
Seriously, buy them if you want to hear things you've never heard before, in tracks you may have listened to for years.
If you're someone who likes thumping sub bass tuned to the max, beware as you may feel disappointed but that's because you've been programmed with the fashionable headphone sound of enhanced listening, and not natural audio.
It's not your fault, but it's a shame as you'll probably not love these. But, try them anyway, they're £15 not £150....
Most earbuds make my ears hurt.
I barely notice when I wear these!