Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.8/5 (#17 and #22 of 450 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($23.99 vs $21.99), so choose on features and fit.
The case for the CCA Trio: In squig.link measurements, the median of eight hobbyist samples, it scores 84 for preference, impressive for a very cheap in-ear. The tradeoff: A 5.3 dB peak near 8.4 kHz and air about 2.6 dB above target can make sibilants and cymbals sound sharp on bright tracks.
Why pick the Truthear Gate: A Harman score of 83 from a single dynamic driver at a very low price gives accurate bass and mids, with bass and upper mids within about 0.2 dB of target. The catch: Treble is the weak point, with a deep 10.8 dB dip near 11 kHz and air about 3 dB under target.
Buy the CCA Trio or the Truthear Gate on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| CCA Trio | Truthear Gate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $23.99 | $21.99 |
| Ranked | #17 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #22 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.15 dB standard deviation | 1.39 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.23 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 3 x 8mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | 101-103 dB | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Weight | 0 lbs (10 g) per earbud | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 28 ohms |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to CCA Trio:
- EPZ G10 vs CCA Trio
- CCA Trio vs Simgot EW100P
- CCA Trio vs Aoshida E20
- EPZ G10 vs Truthear Gate
- 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs Truthear Gate
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 Trio: $23.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: In squig.link measurements, the median of eight hobbyist samples, it scores 84 for preference, impressive for a very cheap in-ear. Bass is close to target down to 20 Hz with a mild 1.3 dB lift above 60 Hz, giving warm, punchy low end. Three 8 mm dynamic drivers per side give a warm, mildly V shaped sound that suits listeners who enjoy energy in the bass and treble. It is rated above the Aoshida E20 at a similar price.
Cons: A 5.3 dB peak near 8.4 kHz and air about 2.6 dB above target can make sibilants and cymbals sound sharp on bright tracks. At 10 g per earbud it is on the heavier side for an in-ear, and the presence region dips about 1 dB under target, softening vocal edges slightly.
Full CCA Trio review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.15 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 3 x 8mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 101-103 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (10 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Truthear Gate: $21.99 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A Harman score of 83 from a single dynamic driver at a very low price gives accurate bass and mids, with bass and upper mids within about 0.2 dB of target. The 28 ohm impedance with 122 dB per volt sensitivity makes it easy to drive from any phone. The warm tilt suits listeners who want a smooth, non-fatiguing sound. It earns the same rating as the 7Hz Salnotes Zero at a similar cost.
Cons: Treble is the weak point, with a deep 10.8 dB dip near 11 kHz and air about 3 dB under target. Cymbals, hi-hats and the sense of space on recordings sound dulled as a result. Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is also about 1.9 dB down, which takes a little bite off vocals.
Full Truthear Gate review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.39 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.23 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.9 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 | +0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,538 Hz | +4.7 dB | 0.99 |
| Peak | 2,074 Hz | -1.3 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 196 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 698 Hz | +1.2 dB | 1.31 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 72 Hz | +0.8 dB | 1.77 |
| Peak | 4,992 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.34 |
| Peak | 8,647 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.95 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons