KZ AM16: 16 balanced armature in-ear monitors for the rehearsal room and the stage
The KZ AM16 are wired in-ear monitors designed for musicians who want to hear themselves clearly in rehearsal and on stage. They use balanced armatures only: 16 in total, eight per earpiece, arranged in a three-way system. The shell is resin with a light metal cover, they are worn with the cable over the ear so they stay put while you play, and the silver-plated 2-pin cable is detachable: if it breaks, you replace the cable, not the earphones.
Because they sit inside the ear they isolate you from the noise of the rehearsal room, so you don't have to turn the volume up as much to hear your part. They plug into an IEM bodypack, the headphone output of the mixing desk or any player through a 3.5 mm jack. There are two tunings, Balanced and bass-enhanced, both with or without a microphone.
- 16balanced armatures, 8 per earpiece
- 3-waywith a precision crossover
- 2 tuningsBalanced and enhanced bass
- 2-pindetachable silver-plated cable, 120 cm
Drivers
Sound: three-way system
A precision crossover splits the signal into bass, mids and treble, and each band is handled by a different group of armatures. According to KZ, each side has two 31736 armatures in an array for the treble, a new 22955 bass armature, four custom 30019 armatures and one 29689 for the mids.
The stated frequency response is 5 Hz to 45 kHz, with 22 Ω impedance and 104 dB sensitivity. The internal structure has several channels that carry each frequency band to the nozzle separately.
Versions
Two tunings: Balanced or enhanced bass
The Balanced spreads lows, mids and highs evenly. It is the most neutral one: good for hearing vocals, guitars and keys clearly, and for listening to your mixes or recorded rehearsals.
The enhanced bass (Bass-Enhanced) lifts the low end for more punch without masking the mids. It is the one to choose if you want to feel the bass and kick drum more, and also for genres with a lot of weight in the low end.
Construction
Design and fit
The shell is made of resin with a lightweight metal cover and an ergonomic shape, based on KZ's experience with custom in-ear monitors. They are worn with the cable over the ear.
Three pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes are included to get the right seal for each ear.
Connection
Silver-plated cable, microphone and wireless mode
The cable is high-purity silver-plated copper and is 120 cm long (±5 cm). It connects to each earpiece with a gold-plated 0.75 mm 2-pin connector, so it can be replaced or swapped for a KZ Bluetooth adapter to listen without a cable.
The microphone version uses KZ's dual-microphone cable, with two 6 mm condenser capsules and a sensitivity of -26 dB, designed for calls and voice chat.
Wireless mode with a Bluetooth adapter is for listening to music; to monitor yourself while you play, use the cable, which has no latency.
KZ AM16 technical specifications
| Drivers | 16 balanced armatures (8 per earpiece) |
|---|---|
| System | Three-way with crossover |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz – 45 kHz |
| Impedance | 22 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB |
| Earphone connector | 0.75 mm 2-pin, gold-plated |
| Plug | 3.5 mm jack |
| Cable | Silver-plated copper, detachable |
| Cable length | 120 ± 5 cm |
| Shell | Resin with metal cover |
| Microphone | Optional, dual microphone |
| Versions | Balanced and enhanced bass |
What's in the box
- 1 pair of KZ AM16 earphones
- 1 detachable silver-plated 2-pin cable
- 3 pairs of silicone ear pads
KZ AM16 frequently asked questions
Can they be used as in-ear monitors for playing live or in the rehearsal room?
Yes. Worn with the cable over the ear and with the right ear tip size, they isolate you from the noise of the rehearsal room. The usual setup is to plug them into an IEM bodypack that receives a send from the mixing desk, so each musician gets their own mix; you can also plug them into the headphone output of the desk.
And for gaming?
Yes. Although we recommend them mainly for playing, they work just as well for gaming, and the microphone version includes the dual-microphone cable for voice chat. Wired, there is no latency.
What is the difference between the Balanced and the enhanced bass version?
The Balanced version has an even response across bass, mids and treble. The enhanced bass version lifts the bass and keeps the mids and treble clear.
Do the KZ AM16 have a dynamic driver?
No. They use only balanced armatures: 16 in total, eight per earpiece, also for the bass.
Do they have noise cancellation?
They do not have active noise cancellation. By sealing the ear canal with the ear tips they block outside noise passively.
Do they work with phones that have no headphone jack?
Yes, with a USB-C or Lightning to 3.5 mm jack adapter, or with a KZ Bluetooth adapter with a 0.75 mm 2-pin connector.
What warranty do they come with?
3-year warranty against manufacturing defects, handled from Spain.
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