KZ AS24
The 24 balanced armature drivers per side deliver a 10Hz-40kHz frequency response with eight tuning switches for adjusting ultra-high, high, mid, and low frequencies. The 3D-printed shells and detachable silver-plated OFC cable add durability and clarity, while the 16Ω impedance works with most sources. Best for budget-conscious musicians and audio tinkerers who want flexible sound shaping on stage or at home, though call quality is weak.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The KZ AS24 sounds like it costs twice as much, but it fits like a brick and ships with a cable that feels like an insult. Buy it for the sound, not the comfort.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality for the price 96th
- 24 BA drivers with real tuning flexibility 73rd
- Good noise isolation for a wired IEM 68th
- Detachable 2-pin cable means easy upgrades
Cons
- Bulky housing won't fit small ears
- Stock cable is too short and feels cheap
- Channel imbalance issues on some units
- Heavy for extended listening sessions
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q1 202695/100
Buyers praise these IEMs as nearly indistinguishable from high-end models costing 10x-15x more, with excellent sound quality and balanced frequency response.
- Sound quality rivals expensive IEMs; nearly indistinguishable from $1000+ models.
- Cable is too short and lacks a tensioner; a notable design oversight.
- IEMs are slightly bulkier; may be a tight fit for smaller ears.
- DIP switches allow fine-tuning; users appreciate the customization option.
- Q1 202495/100
Buyers praise the AS24's high resolution, balanced sound, and tuning switch versatility. Some note initial harsh treble that improves with burn-in, and a slight lack of sub-bass.
- Excellent resolution and separation, especially after burn-in; beats previous Sony and other KZ models.
- Tuning switches offer useful sound customization, with full-on and partial settings preferred.
- Initial treble harshness fades with burn-in; some find the sound fatiguing over long sessions.
- Sub-bass is slightly lacking, likely due to single BA driver; bass-heavy listeners may prefer ASF.
Based on 13 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The sound quality is the star of the show. Our database puts it at the 74th percentile for sound, which is solid, but the user sentiment tells a stronger story: owners consistently describe clarity and detail retrieval that punches above its price. The 8 tuning switches are a nice touch, though some folks say the differences are subtle. The big surprise is how well the 24 BA drivers handle the low end. BA bass can sound thin, but KZ tuned this one with some actual weight. Just don't expect miracles before burn-in, multiple owners say it needs some hours to settle in.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | wired, detachable 2PIN cable |
Audio
| Driver Type | balanced armature |
| Freq Min | 10 |
| Freq Max | 40000 |
| Impedance | 16 |
| Sensitivity | 109 |
| Codecs | KZ AS24 in-Ear Monitor Headphone 24BA Drivers High-Performance IEM Earphones with 8 Tuning Switches, Noise Isolation Wired Earbuds for Musicians (Tuning Version,Black,no mic) |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
Earbud Battery
| Charging | proprietary |
Case Battery
| Case Charging | proprietary |
Microphone
| Microphone | No |
vs Competition
Against the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation, the KZ AS24 is a completely different animal. Those are wireless ANC earbuds built for convenience and calls. The AS24 is a wired IEM for people who care about pure sound quality and don't mind a cable. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is closer in spirit, but still wireless and way more expensive. If you want the best sound per dollar and don't need Bluetooth or a mic, the KZ wins. If you need calls, ANC, or pocketability, look elsewhere.
| Spec | KZ AS24 | Technics EAH-AZ100 | JLab JBuds Pods ANC | Samsung Galaxy Buds Buds3 Pro | Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation | Soundcore P31i |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | balanced armature | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 6.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 8 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 28 | 56 | 26 | 24 | 50 |
| Water Resistance | - | IPX4 | IP55 | IP57 | IP57 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KZ AS24 | 30.8 | 10.7 | 33.8 | 73.1 | 44.2 | 27.4 | 67.7 | 11.3 | 95.5 | 14.6 |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 Compare | 97.5 | 97.4 | 78.8 | 99.7 | 76.6 | 93.2 | 92.5 | 99.8 | 81.2 | 2.9 |
| JLab JBuds Pods ANC Compare | 93.5 | 97.4 | 90.8 | 87.1 | 94 | 93.2 | 92.5 | 98.1 | 95.5 | 32.9 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.5 | 97.4 | 98.9 | 92.2 | 70.5 | 93.2 | 33.7 | 99.6 | 89.7 | 7.2 |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation Compare | 97.5 | 81 | 98.9 | 90.3 | 73.1 | 69.7 | 33.7 | 99.6 | 99.3 | 11 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 89.9 | 97.4 | 90.8 | 96.6 | 92.2 | 69.7 | 97.3 | 86.2 | 89.7 | 57.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $149 USD, this is a lot of driver for the money. You're getting flagship-level BA count and genuinely good sound for less than half what some competitors charge. The value proposition is strong if you prioritize sound over everything else. Just budget for a better cable and maybe some aftermarket tips.
Amazon 1 offer From €156
Price History
Read more
Overview
The KZ AS24 is a 24 balanced armature IEM that packs a ridiculous amount of driver tech into a sub-$150 shell. The headline here is the sound: it's genuinely impressive for the money, with a balanced, detailed presentation that owners say rivals stuff costing way more. But the fit is a real gamble, and the stock cable feels like an afterthought.
Common Questions
Q: Do these need burn-in?
Yeah, multiple owners say the sound improves noticeably after 20-50 hours of use. The BA drivers settle in and the treble smooths out. Don't judge them fresh out of the box.
Q: Can I use these for phone calls?
No. This version has no mic, and even with a mic cable, the call quality would be rough. These are for listening and monitoring, not talking.
Q: Are the tuning switches worth it?
They're a nice bonus, but don't expect night-and-day changes. Some users say the differences are subtle. Think of them as fine-tuning, not a complete sound overhaul.
Who Should Skip This
If you have small ears or want something you can wear for hours without noticing, this isn't it. The housing is chunky and heavy. Go grab a pair of Nothing Buds 2 or Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro instead. And if you need a mic for calls, look elsewhere entirely.
Verdict
The KZ AS24 is a niche product that nails its niche. If you're a musician, producer, or just someone who wants reference-grade sound without spending reference-grade money, this is a strong buy. The bulky fit and mediocre cable are real annoyances, but the sound quality makes up for it. Just make sure your ears can handle the size before you commit.
Usage Scores
- Calls12.1
- Music29.6
- Overall30.7
- Budget40
- Gaming18.7
- Travel19.5
- Commute18.6
- Fitness16
