TWS true wireless earphones - under $100
THREE STARS - Here it is: KZ's second entry in the market of true wireless earphones. The KZ E10 TWS is not without problems, but its fantastically executed clear and engaging sound may reel you in.
KZ E10 TWS specs:
Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and AptX codec
Water proof rating: not communicated
3 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 2-3 times
Comes with 3 sets ear tips and a USB-C charging cable
$60 on AliExpress/ Amazon US/ Amazon Europe/ UK - check current price!
Experiencing KZ E10 TWS problems? The solution could be in the ‘Connectivity and controls’ section of this review. Below this KZ E10 review, you will find comparisons between the KZ E10 TWS vs Shanling MTW100, Samsung Galaxy Buds, Sabbat E12 Ultra, Creative Outlier Air/ Gold and Aukey T10.
Design, comfort and battery life
The KZ E10 has the shape of earphones seen more and more on Chinese truly wireless earphones. They have an earpiece that goes in your ear, attached to a flexible, round stem that goes over your ear. These stems then go all the way to the backside of your ears.
Compared to all those small, lightweight true wireless earbuds you just put in your ears, these designs are hardly comfortable - especially when you wear glasses, and the earpieces compete for the space around your ears. The rubber parts of the stem can press against parts of the ear that are not used to be pushed, which takes some getting used to. The rubber parts can also pull out the earpieces themselves a little bit. Still, this shape guarantees a secure, tight fit for sports.
The earpieces themselves are on the larger side, but still quite nice. Shaped like so many wired KZ earphones, they have a triangular shape with a bump that goes in the upside of your ears. Their two-tone black on the outside of the earpieces, give them quite a decent look.
Unfortunately, this kind of earphone design also demands a big charging case. And the KZ E10 case is... huge. You can probably use it to store soaps in, once you carve the inside out. The Samsung Galaxy Buds case fits in it three times - even the Creative Outlier and Pamu Slide (!) case don't feel as bulky. Furthermore, it's prone to fingerprints and scratches.
Inside the case, the left and right earpieces should be put in the wrong way around. A center LED-light indicates the battery life of the case. The battery life is bad - with around 3 hours playtime, and only two full recharges from the slow-charging case.
Connectivity and controls on KZ E10: troublesome
Unfortunately, the KZ E10 TWS is troubled with connectivity problems. The Bluetooth signal only seems stable up to around 7 meters, rather than the standard 10 meters. Even worse, is that the sound regularly drops when you're walking with them. In areas with several wireless connections, the KZ has a hard time keeping its connection intact. After some connection drops, the earpieces play catch up with the sound and may speed up a second of the music.
On other occasions (as noted by myself and read from several other users), the left and right earpiece suddenly don't pair automatically anymore when you take them out of the case. For both problems - a significant amount of drops and the pairing issue, a temporary solution seems to be to re-pair the KZ E10 TWS again. It can be done the same way as the first setup.
How to repair/ re-pair the KZ E10 TWS:
1. Put both earpieces in the charging case
2. Remove the KZ E10 TWS from your Bluetooth list
3. Press the center button in the case - the earpieces pair
4. Take the earpieces out and connect the KZ E10 TWS in your Bluetooth list
5. Wait for the prompt to connect the other earpiece too
You should be covered - at least, as long as the problem occurs the next time. It's very inconvenient and doesn't build up trust for the product in the long run.
The controls of the KZ E10, too, take some time to get used to. The sides of the earpieces are entirely touch-sensitive, and they are VERY sensitive indeed. By just holding the earpieces in your hand, you'll be likely to activate the voice assistant multiple times - otherwise done with a long press. It's also possible to accidentally call your last called contact, which is normally done by tapping three times. Both accidents may happen more than once.
The control scheme is slightly weird. With a single tap, you pause and play the music or take a call. With two taps on the right side, you return (!) a track - by tapping the right side, you advance one. Changing the volume was tricky on the KZ T1 TWS, but it isn't possible at all anymore on the E10.
One big plus, however: it's easy to switch from listening to two earphones to one, and vice versa. Just put them in the case and take them out again - they cooperate instantly.
Calling and watching movies
Audio-video synchronization is perfect on the KZ E10, on both the iPhone and Android smartphones. On iPhone, not only video services like Netflix and Amazon handle video well, but audio also is pretty much in sync on the YouTube app. There is a noticeable delay when gaming, however.
The KZ E10 TWS call quality is good as long as your surroundings aren't too noisy. There seems to be a slight white noise under your voice to the other end of the line, but you will sound clear. Wind and surrounding noises do interfere with your voice.
Sound quality of KZ E10 TWS
The E10 against some of its competitors - the case really is that big.
Take note: the KZ E10 TWS is a clear sounding wireless earphone. A bright sounding earphone, even.
(Upper-)mids such as guitars, violins - but especially female vocals are excessively in your face. They present themselves with great clarity. Whether this is natural, remains to be seen. Even pop songs intended to sound a little melancholic dark, like the works of Lana del Rey, Lorde, and Billie Eilish, sound deliberately clear on the E10. Switch over to the Shanling MTW100 balanced armature, for instance, and Lana del Rey's Hope is a dangerous for a woman like me to have, seems to be sung in a different mood.
The great thing about this, however, is that it makes vocals sound very intense. Further, KZ learned from previous mistakes on countless of wired earphones. While the vocals and other upper-mids are highly elevated, they aren't blown-up. You don't have to readjust the volume because they are too aggressive, they aren't harsh or too sharp, and sibilance (sss-sounds in text and cymbals) is kept in tone.
The E10 delivers a spacious sound, with musical details coming from everywhere. It may not always be easy to place instruments around you, but the soundstage is big and the separation of electronic tones and instruments is convincing. The detail coming of instruments and vocals is too. Only the lower-mids, such as darker electronic tones, are a bit absent under so much upper-mid emphasis.
The bass on the KZ E10 is good, yet it isn't its strongest part. Technically, it does a lot well. The pacing is great. The bass is quick and can really kick. The sub-bass, when called for, delivers a steady rumble in your ears. These earbuds can make dance music sound very uplifting. However, the bass-tones can lack a bit of body compared to the emphasized mids and vocals. If you're hoping for a big fat bass 'oomph,' it may be better to look at alternatives like the Creative Outlier Air/ Gold, Aukey T10 or Sabbat E12 Ultra - although their basses do feel less fast.
If you enjoy a warm and full sound (found in headphones of Bose and Sony, for example), the KZ E10 may not be for you. If you're looking for a pair of wireless earphones with a qualitative, intense treble, the KZ E10 could be your way to go. It's a blast.
KZ E10 TWS comparisons
KZ E10 vs Shanling MTW100
The Shanling MTW100 with balanced armature goes head-to-head with the KZ E10. The E10 has a bigger soundstage, but the Shanling MTW100 offers better instrument placement within its stage. It can sound a little congested next to the KZ, though. The KZ is noticeably brighter; instrument and vocal tonality is more natural on the Shanling. The Shanling-bass has more body in bass-heavy songs, that of the KZ is quicker. Both sound outstanding for their money - but the Shanling is more practical.
KZ E10 vs Sabbat E12 Ultra
The Sabbat E12 Ultra is another pair of earphones with a lot of emphasis on the upper-mids and vocals. Vocals and cymbals on the Sabbat can sound a bit harsh when you turn the volume up. It sounds fuller though, thanks to its big fat bass-slam and more pronounced lower-mids. The KZ-bass is tighter and resolves more detail in the mids. Soundstage and clarity on the E10 are bigger.
KZ E10 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds
The KZ E10 has a bigger soundstage than the twice-as-expensive Samsung Galaxy Buds. It sounds brighter and gives vocals more emphasis. The Buds have a more balanced sound, with more presence in the lower-mids and better instrument and vocal tonality.
Samsung Galaxy Buds review here
KZ E10 vs Creative Outlier Air/GOLD
The Creative Outlier Air and Gold deliver a more easy-going, warm, and full sound than the KZ E10 TWS. Their basses have more body, and lower-mids enjoy more presence. The KZ sounds more clear, has a bigger soundstage and resolves more detail, especially in the (upper-)mids. The Creatives, too, don't have the best connection when you're on the move with them, but their battery life is way better.
Creative Outlier Air/ Gold review here
KZ E10 vs Aukey T10
Prefer the warm sound signature from Bose and Sony-headphones over a brighter sound signature, but don't want to pay the full price? The Aukey T10 may just be up your alley. It's a different beast than the KZ E10; the Aukey has a smaller soundstage, less emphasized vocals, and more prominent bass. It's ideal for work floor usage, whereas the KZ loves your attention.
Verdict
Although it comes with connectivity issues, very sensitive touch-controls, and bad battery life, the KZ E10 TWS should be on your shortlist if you're in the market for a bright and engaging sound.
THREE STARS - worth considering
Buy KZ E10 TWS/ check current price:
Buy KZ E10 TWS on Amazon Europe (Germany)
I bought the KZ E10 TWS for testing and reviewing purposes myself. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3
Also read:
Leaderboard: All wireless earphones reviewed
