KZ ZS10 Pro X Review

KZ ZS10 Pro X review featured

In this review, I’m looking at the KZ ZS10 Pro X earphones. The ZS10 Pro X is a hybrid penta-driver IEM with 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers per side. It’s priced at $33.

The original ZS10 Pro was a smash hit for KZ and to date, they have sold over 500,000 units. This new version has upgraded black and gold 50024s BA drivers and new matte black faceplates in lieu of the polished ones from the old model.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Linsoul for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are based on my experience with the product.

KZ ZS10 Pro X Review
Verdict
Inheriting the strengths of the original and improving on them, the KZ ZS10 Pro X offers great value.
How would you rate this product?295 Votes
Pros
Authoritative, punchy bass
Clarity and detail
Overall resolution
Compact, comfortable shells
Cons
Slightly recessed midrange
4.5
Our Score

KZ ZS10 Pro X

Specifications
  • Impedance: 29Ω
  • Sensitivity: 112±3dB
  • Frequency response: 20-40000Hz
  • Pin type: 0.75mm
  • Price: $33
In the Box
  • KZ ZS10 Pro X
  • Detachable SPC 0.75mm cable
  • 3x pairs of silicone eartips
KZ ZS10 ProX design

Design

Not a lot has changed from the old model in terms of design and that’s a good thing. We still get the classic alloy faceplate + resin shell as before but this time the faceplates have a matte black finish.

You can see the internals through the clear resin shells. The medium-length nozzles have a solid lip that holds eartips securely in place. They also have a protective mesh cover to keep out ear wax and dirt.

The KZ ZS10 Pro X is a comfortable IEM. These shells are smaller than many of KZ’s other hybrid models and they fit great in my ears. Passive noise isolation is about average for this type of shell, so they’re great for commuting or using in noisy environments.

The stock cable is the standard KZ flat ribbon silver-plated copper model that they’ve been using in recent times. It has plastic components and handles pretty well. There’s a little bit of cable noise but nothing too distracting.

ZS10 Pro X with iBasso DX120

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the Shanling UA3, Cayin RU6 and iBasso DX120.

The KZ ZS10 Pro X has an upfront, V-shaped presentation. You can definitely hear signs of its ZS10 Pro origins, such as the bass slam and energetic delivery. What’s most impressive to me is the cohesiveness with which KZ has melded the 5 (or 10 depending on how you look at it) drivers together.

To my ears, this IEM sounds like a mix of the original ZS10 Pro and the recent KZ ESX. It’s balanced, vigorous in its approach and relatively smooth to listen to. The overall clarity and resolution are great for a budget IEM and it boasts good detail retrieval as well.

There’s an upper midrange lift that may be a little disconcerting if you’re sensitive to that range. I find that some electric guitars can sound a bit shrieky but only on rare occasions.

KZ ZS10 Pro X frequency response graph
Bass

Tuned primarily for fun, the KZ ZS10 Pro X isn’t afraid to let its hair down when it comes to bass. There is a little bleed into the lower mids but for the most part, the bass is well-controlled and non-intrusive.

It delivers ample mid-bass slam along with some seat-shaking sub-bass rumble. Leading edges have good definition and a fast attack followed by natural decay, giving bass notes natural weight and body.

Midrange

The midrange has good clarity and articulation, despite being slightly recessed. However, this is combined with some of the best layering and instrument separation you’ll find in this price range.

ZS10 Pro X’s mids are spacious and open. There’s more emphasis on upper midrange instruments and female vocals but the lower mids hold up well, even next to the exuberant bass.

Treble

The treble is lifted which helps to counterbalance the forward nature of the bass. It’s an energetic treble that might feel too aggressive to treble-sensitive listeners. But if you like a bit of zing and sparkle in the highs, the ZS10 Pro X will oblige with enthusiasm.

One area that has improved greatly compared to the original ZS10 Pro is the treble timbre; it sounds more natural and even, although it still has more than enough shimmer to add excitement.

Soundstage and Technical Performance

The soundstage has average dimensions and width. But the depth of the stage is truly impressive. It has excellent layering ability, aided by great instrument separation and overall resolution. Instruments and vocal positions are vividly clear, giving the ZS10 Pro X some of the best imaging you’ll find in a budget IEM.

Comparisons

ZS10 Pro faceplates
KZ ZS10 Pro
ZS10 Pro X vs ZS10 Pro
ZS10 Pro X (red) vs ZS10 Pro (grey).

The KZ ZS10 Pro has the same driver configuration but uses 2*30095 + 2*50060 balanced armatures compared to the new dual 50024s used in the Pro X. The result is a smoother, more cohesive sound.

ZS10 Pro X has better sub-bass extension giving it more authority and rumble in the lows. Its upper midrange is less shouty and aggressive than the ZS10 Pro. Vocals and midrange instruments are more forward on the ZS10 Pro X, giving it an engaging character.

The upgraded model’s treble is more even and less strident, providing better consistency and cohesiveness across the board. In addition, the ZS10 Pro X has better instrument separation and imaging, despite its soundstage being slightly narrower.

KZ ZS10 Pro X faceplates

Verdict

The KZ ZS10 Pro X is a worthy upgrade to the classic. The same great fit, thumping bass and clarity enhanced by better end-to-end extension and cohesiveness is enough to put KZ back on our best IEMs list. Recommended.

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Dingo
Dingo
3 months ago

I bought these IEMs due to the review, and I can confidently say that these have been a major upgrade from my KZ DQS and produce a much more balanced sound than those, as they’re very bass heavy and unclear on the top end.

Elangovan
Elangovan
1 year ago

Hi, wich one better? Kz zs10 pro x or kz zsn pro x I need best bass and treble pl give me your ideas…

tsang andy
tsang andy
1 year ago

Hello,
If I already have kz Zax,is worth to buying this zs10 pro x ?
sorry for bad eng.

Geeranga Bogahapitiya
Geeranga Bogahapitiya
1 year ago

Hi,
I’m currently using KZ ZST PRO.(Colourful)
Can you help me with the sound stage and layering difference between CCA A10 (blue) vS ZX10 Pro x?
Is CCA A10 too fatiguing compared to the ZX10 Pro X?
Any suggestion for the best sound stage below 40usd?

Thanks in Adavance

Last edited 1 year ago by Geeranga Bogahapitiya
Oliver
Oliver
1 year ago

Is upgrading from the stock cable worth it or the stock works well? If so which brands should I look up?

Ben
Ben
1 year ago

Which Should I buy the ZS10 PRO X OR the AS16 Pro

MATT
MATT
1 year ago

These compare to Shure SE846 with less fatiguing midrange, to give you an idea of how much value you’re getting. They blow my mind, and if you don’t want extra sub bass, I would pass. But for me, the more I listen, it’s easy to forget they’re not the best of the best.

Crazie Audio Listener
Crazie Audio Listener
1 year ago

It’s worth it to upgrade from kz zsn pro to this kz zs10 pro x ?

Audio lovers
Audio lovers
2 years ago

It’s worth it to upgrade from kz esx to this kz zs10 pro x ?

Audio lovers
Audio lovers
2 years ago
Reply to  David Becker

So, do you mean only side grade between these two?

Audio lovers
Audio lovers
2 years ago
Reply to  David Becker

Thanks a lot

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