QKZ AK6 and AK6 Pro - Review

The AK6 and AK6 Pro are models released by QKZ between 2020 and 2021, priced between $3 and $6 USD. They are often available for AliExpress’s Choice shipping. I purchased both models with my own money.

AK6 Specifications:

• Driver configuration: 1DD (10mm Dynamic)
• Impedance: 32Ω
  
• Sensitivity: 108dB (1kHz)
• Frequency Range: 20-20kHz

In the Box:

• QKZ AK6 IEM (3.5mm Single-Ended)
• 3 Pairs of white silicon eartips S/M/L
• 1 Pair of removable ear hooks
• 1 Shirt clip
• 1 Carry case
• User manual

AK6 Pro Specifications:

• Driver configuration: 1DD (11mm Dynamic)
• Impedance: 16Ω
• Sensitivity: 98dB (1kHz)
• Frequency Range: 20-20kHz

In the Box:

• QKZ AK6 Pro IEM
• Detachable QDC 0.75mm cable (3.5mm Single-Ended)
• 3 Pairs of white silicon eartips S/M/L
• 1 Shirt clip
• User manual

Why did I buy them?

Mostly the price. I wanted to see how good IEMs could sound at this budget, especially compared to generic supermarket earphones. Also, the AK6 caught my eye because the reviews mentioned it was a “Basshead” IEM.

Packaging, Build and Design

For the QKZ AK6, the packaging is simple but complete. It comes with a carrying case, removable ear hooks, S/M/L eartips, and a shirt clip. The QKZ AK6 Pro has more minimal packaging: no carrying case or ear hooks, just a set of eartips. and adetachable cable (which is a notable upgrade over the fixed cable on the AK6). 

Both models feel identical in terms of build quality. They are made of lightweight plastic and use a QDC connector. The AK6 Pro’s cable is detachable (unlike the fixed cable on the AK6), and while both cables feel thin and fragile, I prefer the feel of the AK6 Pro’s cable. Both cables terminate in 3.5mm only.

Comfort

They are comfortable for me, with no issues to report.

Sound

The following impressions were made using all stock accessories. If you’re curious about my testing setup, you can check it out HERE.

AK6: The bass is definitely the star of the show. Its signature is a pronounced V-shape with a heavy bass focus. While there is some treble detail, the overall sound feels muddy. The mids and vocals are recessed, and the technical performance is unremarkable. For the price, though, I can’t complain. These sound much better than slightly pricier supermarket earphones and can work well for bass-heavy genres like electronic music.

AK6 Pro: These are definitely superior in tonality compared to the regular AK6. The bass is still elevated but better balanced with present vocals and more natural treble (still muddy). Its signature remains a pronounced V-shape but with a warm touch that I find pleasant. The technical performance is still modest and unremarkable, but for the price, I really can’t complain.

Measurements

1. Frequency Response
This graphs helps visualize the sound curve and gives a basic idea of the IEM's sound signature. It also helps spot issues like channel imbalance or damaged drivers, which might affect certain frequency ranges.

Conclusions

Both of these models are excellent gift options. Even if you buy them out of curiosity, there’s little to lose given their extremely low price. While the quality isn’t exceptional, they can satisfy non-demanding listeners and sound far better than generic supermarket earphones that usually cost more. If I had to pick one, I’d go with the AK6 Pro. It offers more for the price, with its detachable cable and solid sound quality for its cost.

If you’re curious about where they rank on my rating list, you can check it out HERE.

I hope you found this review helpful. Thanks a lot for reading this far! If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, feel free to drop a comment below. Cheers!