KZ - AK6 Pro

i just got my first iem, a budget one qkr ak6 pro it's goof

New in the IEM community? Recommended to follow these things before using, while and after using your IEM. 1. Buy an IEM case or if you have case for it (like the Hexa or similar Truthear IEMs), make sure when you are not using it put it there to avoid accidental misplacement or possibly breaking your IEM or the cable, as well as avoid excess dust coming to your IEM. 2. Put a silica gel packet onto that IEM case, this is to avoid moisture seeping inside the IEM. Which is one common way to kill your IEM, it degrades the glue used, degrades the faceplate, sometimes even the design and finish of the IEM. It can also affect the actual drivers inside, which will degrade audio quality. Minimal moisture, happy IEM. 3. Eartips, make sure you have the best fit with the best sound isolation to fully experience the IEM. IEM nozzle sizes can vary. From what I have heard the Hexa has large nozzle. 4. Cabling, you are open to get a cable on your choice, use it like a fashion statement haha. 5. Recommended to get at least a DAC, its not a requirement if you cannot get one but it will definitely enhance your sound experience. With a much more proper DAC/AMP setup even your in-line microphone will sound nicer. Though because its much better to separate your microphone from the IEM cable, usually its recommended to at least get a USB dongle DAC with the CX31993 DAC + MAX97220 AMP. But if you can afford a better DAC/AMP setup, why not. 6. Avoid accidental dropping or being too rough with your IEM, so you won't need to always rebuy another set of IEMs. No IEM will survive especially cheap ones if it keeps falling accidentally or being used too hard. 7. You can EQ your IEM, definitely you can especially if you want to enhance a specific frequency. Lastly, enjoy your IEM to its fullest extent and welcome to the IEM community! My IEM Collection: QKZ AK6 Pro (left), KZ Castor Bass (center), Tangzu Wan'er SG (right) https://preview.redd.it/g3fy5z4hr2pe1.png?width=4860&format=png&auto=webp&s=6738c1bdd20d07099fbb122c99bd33a471c3b2ca

100% I would basically just add and test this to my growing IEM collection. Especially now I have owned and tested the original Wan'er SG. Left: QKZ AK6 Pro (previous daily driver) Center: KZ Castor Improved Bass (current daily driver) Right: Tangzu x Headphone Zone Wa'ner SG (tested, decent and amazing sound for its price, but Castor still is a winner for my personal sound feel) https://preview.redd.it/n06vww0aevoe1.jpeg?width=4160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=929adbc51920b99189669a3df55df1e5c72da86f

I am doing the reverse from you, I came from bassy IEMs to neutral or neutral-ish. My old daily driver was the QKZ AK6 Pro (left most, too boomy for my ears now) Then switched to the KZ Castor Bass (Very very V-shaped, big bass and big treble) -> Tested Tangzu Wan'er SG (Neutral Warm on my ears) -> KZ EDC Pro (U-shaped) -> Tested then switched to the KZ Castor Silver (Neutral Bright IEM) https://preview.redd.it/7fb6i40ommve1.png?width=8100&format=png&auto=webp&s=5639f5828253e1796037c4592d784a93bd3eb8b3

**Before** you definitely buy your first IEM watch this [**video**](https://youtu.be/tdmXjBlgVxo?si=kNLxejchE9sgzW6y) from Sevensoul Constanza This will help you on your purchase of you first IEM, and to *avoid wasting alot of money initially*. **Also new in the IEM community?** Recommended to follow these things *before, while, and after* using your IEM. 1. **Buy an IEM case or if you have case for it**, make sure when you are not using it put it there to avoid accidental misplacement or possibly breaking your IEM or the cable, as well as avoid excess dust coming to your IEM. Higher priced IEMs have included case in the box, some are soft cases, some are hard cases. 2. **Put a silica gel packet onto that IEM case**, this is to avoid moisture seeping inside the IEM. It degrades the glue used, degrades the faceplate, sometimes even the design and finish of the IEM. It can also affect the actual drivers inside, which will degrade audio quality. Minimal moisture, happy IEM. 3. **Eartips**, make sure you have the best fit with the best sound isolation to fully experience the IEM. IEM nozzle sizes can vary, so adjust your eartips concurrently on your ear canal. Make sure it fits right and no weird feeling, you can definitely use different sizes of eartips per ear depending on how fitting are them, and eartip bore/hole size can also change how the sound feel. Wide bore enhances trebles and allows more sound from the IEM, narrow bore enhances bass, foam tips cuts the highs and lows, and the texture, material and whatever inside the hole of the eartip can change the sound profile as well. 4. **Cabling**, you are open to get a cable on your choice, with mic or no mic, use it like a fashion statement if you wanted to. But recommended to separate your microphone from the cable, as in-line microphones are usually sounds worse than normal microphones. 5. **Recommended** ***(but not a requirement)*** **to get at a DAC**, will definitely enhance your sound experience. With a much more proper DAC/AMP setup even your in-line microphone will sound nicer. Though because its much better to separate your microphone from the IEM cable, usually its recommended to at least get a USB dongle DAC like the Apple Dongle or for Android, CX31993 DAC + MAX97220 AMP from this [**Crinacle video**](https://youtu.be/a-jlS_OlSUg?si=Zm2oqWqnzwAcRkdO). Anything more expensive than that is mainly just additional features (4.4 balanced, Bluetooth support, app support, parametric EQ, etc.) and not better sound. 6. **Avoid accidental dropping or being too rough with your IEM**, so you won't need to always rebuying another set of IEMs. No IEM will survive if it keeps falling accidentally or being used too hard. 7. **You can EQ** ***(Equalize)*** **your IEM**, definitely you can especially if you want to enhance a specific frequency, or sound experience. And welcome to the IEM community! My IEM Collection: QKZ AK6 Pro (left), KZ Castor Bass (center), Tangzu x Headphone Zone Wan'er SG (right) https://preview.redd.it/miyj4ga15kpe1.png?width=4860&format=png&auto=webp&s=bf7493565ef1d740876677e2d4892bbf06bf2468

I have switched years ago when I got a cheapo QKZ CK5 -> QKZ AK6 -> QKZ AK6 Pro. I don't recommend buying these for your first IEM for gaming, even though they are fine for my personal choice. My old headphone was both a Tchibo Closed Back wireless and an old Beats Studio from my ex. Best buy an IEM with an external DAC, and an upgrade cable, silver-plated. I have been using KZ Castor Improved Bass (dip switch set to 1011), replaying old single player games I played like STALKER, GTAV, Fallout series. They sound amazing and I feel like I am listening to a movie than a game. Its fine as well while playing multiplayer games, though I am currently in the process of receiving a new IEM for my collection. Tangzu x Headphone Zone Wa'ner SG (Blue) Just make sure you at least buy a DAC for it, nothing fancy. https://preview.redd.it/isfm0vzj9lne1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a25d6faf9d6869c7542167457b643e82a6e3c04

I have switched years ago when I got a cheapo QKZ CK5 -> QKZ AK6 -> QKZ AK6 Pro. I don't recommend buying these for your first IEM for gaming, even though they are fine for my personal choice. My old headphone was both a Tchibo Closed Back wireless and an old Beats Studio from my ex. Best buy an IEM with an external DAC, and an upgrade cable, silver-plated. I have been using KZ Castor Improved Bass (dip switch set to 1011), replaying old single player games I played like STALKER, GTAV, Fallout series. They sound amazing and I feel like I am listening to a movie than a game. Its fine as well while playing multiplayer games, though I am currently in the process of receiving a new IEM for my collection. Tangzu x Headphone Zone Wa'ner SG (Blue) Just make sure you at least buy a DAC for it, nothing fancy. https://preview.redd.it/isfm0vzj9lne1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a25d6faf9d6869c7542167457b643e82a6e3c04

I might end up joining your KZ IEM collection, I am new in the IEM game but is also interested in collecting. First KZ I got is the original Castor Pro Improved Bass, got it few months ago. Its virtually better than my old daily driver, QKZ AK6 Pro. Also waiting for my Tangzu x Headphone Zone Wa'ner SG soon, and eyeing up an EDC Pro and EDX Pro X, maybe a Angelears x Libra X as well. Current collection (as of now): QKZ AK6 Pro (purple+blue) KZ Castor Improved Bass (daily driver) Tangzu x Headphone Zone Wa'ner SG (blue, coming soon) Planned (soon): KZ EDC Pro KZ EDX Pro X Broken: QKZ CK5 QKZ AK6 (purple+blue) https://preview.redd.it/qpdpz6pemhne1.jpeg?width=4160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2498fe5741bfa99ee4b1f65020a15f0469bcb8ad

https://preview.redd.it/eamschpzsdte1.png?width=8100&format=png&auto=webp&s=64a34d73de9ac20e910cd7c60c1059ab51e04e8d I haven't noped out on any IEMs yet so far haha, lets see as I slowly grow my collection and future IEMs and upgrades. Maybe because I prefer mild or slightly coloured v-shaped/u-shaped either bright or warm. Maybe if I get the QKZ x HBB Hades I would nope out because of lack of treble and too much bass. **(from left to right, list is based on when I bought it)** 1. QKZ AK6 Pro (Original daily driver, memories) 2. KZ Castor Improved Bass (Current daily driver, may change to the KZ Castor Silver) 3. Tangzu x Headphone Zone Wan'er SG (tested and satisfied, collected) 4. KZ EDC Pro (tested and satisfied, collected) 5. KZ Castor Silver (currently testing, collected)

**Before** you definitely buy your first IEM watch this [**video**](https://youtu.be/tdmXjBlgVxo?si=kNLxejchE9sgzW6y) from Sevensoul Constanza and go to our Community IEM ranking list, our **AutoModerator** automatically posts it. This will help you on your purchase of you first IEM, and to *avoid wasting alot of money initially*. **Also new in the IEM community?** Recommended to follow these things *before, while, and after* using your IEM. 1. **Buy an IEM case or if you have case for it**, make sure when you are not using it put it there to avoid accidental misplacement or possibly breaking your IEM or the cable, as well as avoid excess dust coming to your IEM. Higher priced IEMs have included case in the box, some are soft cases, some are hard cases. 2. **Put a silica gel packet onto that IEM case**, this is to avoid moisture seeping inside the IEM. It degrades the glue used, degrades the faceplate, sometimes even the design and finish of the IEM. It can also affect the actual drivers inside, which will degrade audio quality. Minimal moisture, happy IEM. 3. **Eartips**, make sure you have the best fit with the best sound isolation to fully experience the IEM. IEM nozzle sizes can vary, so adjust your eartips concurrently on your ear canal. Make sure it fits right and no weird feeling, you can definitely use different sizes of eartips per ear depending on how fitting are them, and eartip bore/hole size can also change how the sound feel. Wide bore enhances trebles and allows more sound from the IEM, narrow bore enhances bass, foam tips cuts the highs and lows, and the texture, material and whatever inside the hole of the eartip can change the sound profile as well. 4. **Cabling**, you are open to get a cable on your choice, with mic or no mic, use it like a fashion statement if you wanted to. But recommended to separate your microphone from the cable, as in-line microphones are usually sounds worse than normal microphones. 5. **Recommended** ***(but not a requirement)*** **to get at a DAC**, will definitely enhance your sound experience. With a much more proper DAC/AMP setup even your in-line microphone will sound nicer. Though because its much better to separate your microphone from the IEM cable, usually its recommended to at least get a USB dongle DAC like the Apple Dongle or for Android, CX31993 DAC + MAX97220 AMP from this [**Crinacle video**](https://youtu.be/a-jlS_OlSUg?si=Zm2oqWqnzwAcRkdO). Anything more expensive than that is mainly just additional features (4.4 balanced, Bluetooth support, app support, parametric EQ, etc.) and not better sound. 6. **Avoid accidental dropping or being too rough with your IEM**, so you won't need to always rebuying another set of IEMs. No IEM will survive if it keeps falling accidentally or being used too hard. 7. **You can EQ** ***(Equalize)*** **your IEM**, definitely you can especially if you want to enhance a specific frequency, or sound experience. **And welcome to the IEM community!** My IEM Collection: QKZ AK6 Pro (left), KZ Castor Bass (center), Tangzu x Headphone Zone Wan'er SG (right) https://preview.redd.it/gij71dscwjqe1.png?width=4860&format=png&auto=webp&s=8ee8a870b3fff4a20257519da341d419d23d9052

Ah oh, you could try vent blocking the ThieAudio though the sound feel will change. I don't know how pricy is this but, Audiosense DT600, unvented and bassy IEM Or maybe your ears will adjust to the Orchestra Lite, just like how my ears adjusted from the QKZ AK6 Pro (bassy boomy set) to a KZ Castor Silver (harman tuned)

https://preview.redd.it/9nqznnked0se1.jpeg?width=4272&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f22eb41447bcd7067c20692ef6e9c19067d79b3 Ah my old and trusty, easy to replace QKZ AK6 Pro (since 2017 I think when I first bought this IEM). Sometimes, though they sound muddy and boomy for my ears now haha. Especially after I got my KZ Castor Bass. Though sometimes I still use this cheapo, for why not sake.

tbh all budget ChiFi has meh QC or some of its quality reduced, especially under the 3-4k INR. As long as you take good care of your IEM, they will last long, cheap or expensive. [Here is my beginner's guide for IEMs,](https://www.reddit.com/user/NinjaSiren/comments/1jil8re/beginners_intro_guide_to_iems/) including how to protect these little stuffs This QKZ AK6 Pro that is below or above 1k INR lasted with me for 3 years and still running, QKZ is one of those IEM manufacturers that is known to have iffy issues. (Btw KZ not same as QKZ, different companies) https://preview.redd.it/tz0tlx4e49te1.jpeg?width=4272&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=584f698dcd0a4488307e52f7e48f599ff7e0c052

Bassy IEMs: Under $5 * QKZ AK6 Pro $25 and lower (bass-focused) * KBEar Rosefinch \* * QKZ x HBB (OG version) \* * BLON BL-01 * KZ Castor Bass \* $25 and lower (neutral warm) * Tangzu Wan'er SG/Wan'er 2 \* * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 \* * Moondrop Chu 2 * KZ Castor Silver (UUDD switches) $25-60 (bass-focused) * BLON BL-03/BL-03 II \* * BLON x HBB Z300 * TinHiFi C3 Mk2 \* * 7Hz x HBB Elua * Kinera Celest Gumiho * KZ Castor Pro Bass \* * CCA Rhapsody \* * CCA Trio \* $25-60 (neutral warm) * Kefine Klean \* * Inawaken Dawn Ms \* * Kiwi Ears Cadenza \* * Tripowin x 0DiBi Vivace \* * Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss \* * Tangzu YuXuanJi * KBear KB02 * KZ Zenith (UUDD switches) \* * KZ Castor Pro Silver (UUDD switches) Special mentioned * Truthear x Crinacle Zero Blue 2 \* * QKZ x HBB Khan (\* recommend)

Bought a lot of the same ones, most are amazingly good- I hate the AK-6s with the white hot passion of the sun. Can't even bring myself to give them away.

Another vote for these.

just get the cheap ones.KZPro. they're totally fine. The Shures are kinda shitty honestly. I broke like 3 pairs of those before I figured it out...

I recently went through this process. I use the KZPro. You can find them on Amazon for less than $50. They are amazing.

Yep! Entire band uses them. 100 gigs a year. Quality sound and durable.

All IEMs break or get lost or get left behind. I’d much rather replace a perfectly fine pair of IEMs that cost $60 than a pair that cost $1200. That’s personal preference. I personally think that clarity and detail are completely unimportant in a live situation. There are lots and lots of people who will disagree with me. But my hot take is to go the less expensive route If money is an issue. I currently use the KZ Pros and they sound just fine.