KZAS12
Off the Bat, I would like to thank Headphone Zone. I got the shipment in farthest state of India Arunachal Pradesh in a week’s time.
Now, the KZAS12 is my first experience with any Chi-fi, and to be frank I had no clue of their sound.
I also bought Shanling UP4 DAC along to drive them.
I was pleasantly surprised by the details I could hear. In the beginning it was a bit harsh for my liking but the Bass and mids were there to compliment. Though it has 6BAs (Balanced Armatures) 2 each for Bass,Mid and high, after few hours in days of listening…I felt the changes that you get after burn ins like those of dynamic drivers. Well I don’t know for sure but that’s how I felt. And I am no professional audiophile.
I like details and space in my music. I own a Grado SR225 for last 10 years along with other sennheisers and Sonys/Bose and 225 served me quite well and ve been my go to headphone for moments of serious listening. And TBH, this KZAS10 are quite capable and fun IEMs. And I am continuously listening through it since the day I received it. It is surely a V shaped IEMs but can throw lot of details with good mids and bass. The highs could bother some…But
than I came across a software named SoundID and installed in my Mac and it just changed the entire landscape of this IEMs. The Bass became more rounded and punchier and the highs pleasantly recessed.
All in all I am happy..It’s amazing value for money. This is at par with any hi-end EarPods and I mean it cos I have apple AirPods Pro and I reach more to this KZs when I am listening to my music. For convenience of course AirPods are amazing but we are here for Music, And while I am writing this review I am listening to Buddy Guy “I need you tonight” with KZAS10 and I am loving it.
Thank you Headphone Zone for your service for bringing amazing irresistible cans and ear pieces for us to go Bankrupt..LOL. Thank You.

Got AS12 delivered today. Bought them on Black Friday sale. Have been using them with my dongle DAC and didn't try directly from my phone's 3.5mm jack
The shells are much bigger than my KZ ZSN Pro. Cable is the same as the one that came with ZSN Pro. I dislike that cable very much. It somehow magically tangles on it own all the time
Sound :
I also have Blon BL03, KZ ZSN Pro, Final E3000, VE BIE, TRN STM, QKZ ZXT, Opera Factory OM3, KZ EDR1, ZS3, Skullcandy Inkd
- Compared to all my other sets, AS12 has much better overall clarity and details. Each instrument is clearly audible and everything sounds Punchy, energetic and lively
- Some of the details are just not audible on my other sets or they sound muffled in comparison
- The bass on AS12 is tight and has good texture in it while all my other sets have more quantity as they have dynamic drivers in them. On some of them, Bass happily bleeds into lower mids
- Treble is extended on AS12 but I didn't find it harsh, sharp or sibilant. It is just bright and energetic sounding so may not be suitable for long listening sessions like some of the warm, smooth sounding IEMs. My ZSN Pro in comparison has a thin, sharp, metallic sounding treble with no body in it
- Vocals are super clear on AS12
- Some of my others sets like Final E3000, BL03, STM have good width in the sound stage but AS12 has width and also superb Depth which is delightful to hear. Imaging and space between different instruments are also better on AS12
- My other sets are also good in their own way as some have slightly better timbre, thicker note weight, some have big bass as and when I need that, some are warm, smooth and relaxing, some are more comfortable to wear and all are lower priced than AS12
- If you do ever get AS12, play around with different tips and cables if you have them as it changes the perceived sound but these are good in stock form too. Getting a good seal is important like with any other IEM. Also these are very responsive to EQ. Some DD sets I have don't budge much whatever EQ you throw at them. They are always in their own world
- Overall, I am satisfied with AS12 and happy with my purchase. For HPZ, I liked your super fast delivery. Keep that up

I had KZ AS10 before these, which I accidentally broke. Impressed by the brand, I decided to get another KZ, and went for AS12 (which was just 1K more at the time of purchase). AS10 is great on its own, however, the improvement for adding another 1K is beyond expectations. My observations are from a casual listener's perspective, and not free from subjectivity.

PROS:
Great sound, arguably one of the best at this price
Solid build quality (earpieces)
Though they weigh more than AS10, comfort level feels same
Work well with FIIO M3K
No issues wearing with spectacles

CONS:
Cable is not tangle free (tangle resistant at best)
Mic is not good (okay for general calls)
Over ear loop is not soft, may experience slight discomfort for a day or two

Updated review 29Jan2022. Refer to my small note on my musical experience so far: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GLiuI6RauEBbqEIPlDB9meRHqFe7pspa/view?usp=sharing

I'm a huge KZ fan. I have their ZSN and ZS 10 Pro IEMs. ZS 10 Pro was my go to IEM before AS 12 came around.

I've been listening to same songs from last 30 years or so - first on cassette, then on CDs and iPod and lately in FLAC format on Fiio M3K. These belong to late 60's rock, some metal esp early Black Sabbath and Metallica, quawwali, Jazz, spoken word and Andalusian classical music genre. The clarity that AS 12 offers is frankly unlike I've ever heard before. I can hear each individual note of classical instruments(harp/flute) and each alaap of the Quawalli singers with these babies. And they have replaced ZS 10 Pro as my go to IEMs. The bass is a big lesser than ZS 10 but you won't miss it unless you're totally into Punjabi (Think RDB)/Hip Hop(Think Tupac) music.

Also a big thank you to HPZ for bringing AS12 out at a reasonable price as well as superfast shipping and delivery. Much appreciated!

Very good product and nice one

[****]

These IEMS have a rather impressive sound stage. Instruments can be easily separated from tracks and definitely an upgrade from my airpods 2nd gen. However, looks quite different compared to preview