Short answer: the CCA CRA. It ranks #298 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $20.99; the KZ ZST ranks #336, rated 3.7/5, and costs $21.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the CCA CRA: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and its deviation from target of only about 2 dB is a smooth result for such a cheap set. Watch for: In squig.link measurements a 7 dB peak near 8.1 kHz and about 4 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy, while a 3.5 dB dip near 3.1 kHz sets vocals slightly back.
What the KZ ZST does well: In oratory1990’s measurement the preference score is 70, with bass about 2.3 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz for extra warmth and punch, and sub-bass tracking the target within 0.1 dB. The tradeoff: A 9.4 dB dip near 4.4 kHz and 3.7 dB lower presence from 3 to 6 kHz pull back vocal clarity and the attack of snares and guitars.
Buy the CCA CRA. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KZ ZST and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| CCA CRA | KZ ZST | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20.99 | $21.99 |
| Ranked | #298 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #336 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.98 dB standard deviation | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 23.5 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB | - |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
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- KZ ZVX vs CCA CRA
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- CCA CRA vs KZ ZSN Pro
- CCA CRA vs KZ Castor
- CCA CRA vs Tin HiFi C1
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
CCA CRA: $20.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and its deviation from target of only about 2 dB is a smooth result for such a cheap set. Across 34 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, bass sits about 3 dB above target from 20 to 200 Hz, so it suits listeners who want extra punch and rumble. At 23.5 ohms and 111 dB it plays loud from any phone or dongle, and it rates level with the KZ ZSN Pro and 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 while costing a little less.
Cons: In squig.link measurements a 7 dB peak near 8.1 kHz and about 4 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy, while a 3.5 dB dip near 3.1 kHz sets vocals slightly back. The KZ ZSN Pro X rates a bit higher at a similar price.
Full CCA CRA review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.98 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 183 Hz | -2.3 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 818 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.03 |
| Peak | 3,058 Hz | +2.5 dB | 2.13 |
| Peak | 1,484 Hz | -1.5 dB | 1.88 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,654 Hz | +2.4 dB | 2.57 |
| Peak | 6,044 Hz | +3.0 dB | 5.11 |
| Peak | 66 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.30 |
| Peak | 4,821 Hz | -2.0 dB | 5.10 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KZ ZST: $21.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement the preference score is 70, with bass about 2.3 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz for extra warmth and punch, and sub-bass tracking the target within 0.1 dB. The low mids and upper mids stay within about 1 dB, so vocals and instruments sit naturally. The warm and bassy profiles fit it best, and the hybrid pairing of one dynamic and one balanced armature driver costs very little.
Cons: A 9.4 dB dip near 4.4 kHz and 3.7 dB lower presence from 3 to 6 kHz pull back vocal clarity and the attack of snares and guitars. Above 10 kHz the response runs about 6.5 dB hot, with a 10 dB peak near 11 kHz that adds sharpness to cymbals. The TANGZU Wan’er S.G rates higher.
Full KZ ZST review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 182 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 620 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.63 |
| Peak | 9,298 Hz | -3.1 dB | 3.37 |
| Peak | 1,878 Hz | -4.1 dB | 3.05 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,253 Hz | +4.7 dB | 4.05 |
| Peak | 1,321 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.60 |
| Peak | 3,462 Hz | -1.0 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 358 Hz | -0.0 dB | 5.65 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons