With the recent releases of KZ being more ambitious and very interesting ( I still am in awe over the KZ Sonata ) , putting out more different tunings, it has really gained back the attention of many audiophiles. Today, we’ll be talking about The KZ ZS12 Pro 2, which for me, is quite an upgrade from what I remembered ZSN Pro sounded like when I first entered this hobby.

***Reviewer's Note***
Thanks to Anna from KEEPHIFI for sending these over for an honest evaluation. As always, KEEPHIFI always helps everyone by giving a discount code for people who are interested in products.

The following code is only of my name, but it provides me ZERO financial incentives.
30% discount code in official website: DexterAudio

Official website: keephifi.com/products/kz-zs12-pro-2-flagship-grade-super-linear-1dd-5ba-hybrid-iem-3-5mm-type-c-sound-card-version-for-gamers?_pos=1&_psq=zs12&_ss=e&_v=1.0

AliExpress: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256810038560069.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt


Specs :
Config : 1DD + 5BA
Drivers :
1x 30019 mid-high freq. BA
2x 31736 Ultra-high freq. BA
2x 31736 Ultra-high freq. BA
1x 10mm super-linear DD

Impedance : 35 Ohms
Sensitivity : 109dB +- 2dB
Cable : High purity SPC with mic option
Jack : 3.5mm

Price : 59USD


Unboxing and Accessories
The unboxing experience is as expected from any other KZs, identical. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Fit of the IEMs are alright, and with the mentioned chamfered edges makes you feel this one sits more kindly in your ears. The metal nozzle is also just right in size, giving you no feeling of obstruction or feeling too big.

Still, my dry ears were never a fan of the default Starline tips, hence I needed to tip roll.

How Does It Sound?

Tested with :

- Hidizs AP80 Pro Max
- Hiby R6 iii 2025
- ifi GO BAR Kensei
- KAEI TAP-2
- MacBook Pro M3


General Impressions :

• The KZ ZS12 Pro 2 provides a U shape sound signature with a good elevation in the lowerbass region
• Tonality overall is quite clear and smooth.
• From using this for a while, its obvious this pair prides itself with being a vocal centric set in the midrange

Bass :

• Fun, Dynamic, Fast
• Dynamic driver provides good amounts of transients for the low end. Everything sounds quick and has an organic release
• Roll off slightly present upon listening - the sub-bass and lower bass region provides sufficient quick and crisp rumbles
• Lowerbass is well controlled and packaged neatly
• Basslicks have more give in the extension and might sound more loose, might feel sloppy for some
• Note definition on the low end are quite clear and provides a smooth resolution to it
• Kicks and 808s are punchy and leave a good airy extension
• Overall the lower end gives more engagement in contrast to the midrange

Vocals :

• Aforementioned BA gives characteristics of vocals to be quite clean, crisp, and airy
• Positioning of vocals is perfectly balanced in relation to everything else - in the middle
• Vocals are on the thinner side for male vocals
• Female vocals feel less thin compared to males, and has more energy.
• Occasional sibilance present in the form of gritty quick bites in the “S”
• Occasionally, certain tracks that are mixed with a dry-ish mastering tends to make vocals feel distorted ( e.g. Drake on Only You Freestyle )

Instruments (Midrange) :

• Midrange is slightly weird as the positioning seems spacious but feels a little far sometimes
• Presentation feels transparent and smooth, with good clarity in general
• Personally as I use this set, my attention tends to unconsciously incline towards listening vocals and the low-end, and macros in the midrange somehow feels less prominent - like the ambience for the track
• For instrumental jazz and funk however, like Snarky Puppy, Yussef Dayes, the midrange feels very pleasing and enticing to let you fall into
• Microdetails in the midrange pops out naturally and keeps you engaged
  

Treble :

• Instruments in the treble region provides good engagement albeit sometimes feels a little flat in dynamics
• KZ’s BA timbre is still present albeit not too obvious for me to notice after the brain burnt in after a few tracks
• Hi-hats and cymbals presented in a brisk, quick, light timbre that feels spacious and energetic
• Treble extension is present and provides crispy overtone accompaniment in instruments

Technical highlights :

Dynamics - Vocals upon first hearing presents itself with incoherencies, but goes away after 10 hours of burn in.
Other than that, still quite a solid set for what it’s providing. Just take note again of what I’ve said regarding the midrange.

Staging - sufficient, above average for the asking price, with good amount of width and depth. Height is average

Imaging and separation - Presentation of instruments and other elements in the song are placed close but neatly without any claustrophobic feeling

Detail Retrieval - For the price it gives good amounts of emphasis for microdetails, which in turn makes macro less prominent in pop songs. But for instrumental pieces, overall macros feel like they have more instances to show themselves


Final Thoughts :

All in all, I think KZ has definitely upped their game even for having a bigger variation in tuning and presentation for their sets now. I think even with the bass alone it has already garnered my attention , constantly making me feel immersed into the mix of acoustic sets.

For me, if you're listening to things related to funk and jazz, from Free Nationals, Anderson .Paak, FKJ, to Snarky Puppy - this is a very good set to vibe to.

Also, here's a killer combo! With the PW Sonorous, the vocals are *mmmmmph* so amazing

Once again, thanks to Anna from KEEPHIFI for sending these over. Head over to the official website and use the unaffiliated code : DexterAudio for 30% off!
Official Website to KZ ZS12 Pro 2

Also, I do have a YouTube Channel that does video reviews as well, check it out : https://www.youtube.com/@dexterenders