Short answer: the Moondrop Kadenz. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#117 and #116 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the Moondrop Kadenz costs $219.99 against $239.99 for the Binary 1900, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the Binary 1900: In the median of 4 squig.link measurements it tracks the target closely from 20 Hz through 3 kHz, with every band from sub-bass to upper mids within 1 dB, for a preference score of 78.5. The tradeoff: A 5.8 dB dip near 5.7 kHz and a presence band about 4.1 dB below target take the edge off vocals and guitar attack, making some recordings sound distant.
Buy the Moondrop Kadenz. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20 less than the Binary 1900.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Binary 1900 | Moondrop Kadenz | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.99 | $219.99 |
| Ranked | #116 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #117 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 78 (median of 17 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.58 dB standard deviation | 1.73 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.29 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 6mm passive radiator + 4 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 10 ohms | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 124 dB SPL/V | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Binary 1900: $239.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: In the median of 4 squig.link measurements it tracks the target closely from 20 Hz through 3 kHz, with every band from sub-bass to upper mids within 1 dB, for a preference score of 78.5. The dynamic driver paired with a passive radiator keeps bass extension full down to 20 Hz without overdoing it. At 124 dB SPL/V it gets loud easily from a phone dongle.
Cons: A 5.8 dB dip near 5.7 kHz and a presence band about 4.1 dB below target take the edge off vocals and guitar attack, making some recordings sound distant. Its 10 ohm impedance and high sensitivity make it prone to picking up background hiss from noisy sources.
Full Binary 1900 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2026 (3 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.58 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 6mm passive radiator + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 10 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 124 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.29 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Moondrop Kadenz: $219.99 Amazon eBay
Full Moondrop Kadenz review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (median of 17 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons