Short answer: the EPZ G10. It ranks #11 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.9/5, at $23.74; the Truthear Gate ranks #22, rated 4.8/5, at $21.99. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
What the EPZ G10 does well: Across 22 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, the G10 tracks the Harman target with only 1.11 dB of deviation and a preference score of 84.7, an exceptionally even result for a single dynamic driver at a budget price. The tradeoff: The presence region around 3 to 6 kHz runs about 1.5 dB low, with a 3.6 dB dip near 6.3 kHz that slightly softens the edge of vocals and snare hits.
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 EPZ G10. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1.75 with the Truthear Gate does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| EPZ G10 | Truthear Gate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $23.74 | $21.99 |
| Ranked | #11 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 | 85 (median of 22 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.11 dB standard deviation | 1.39 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.23 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 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 | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Headphones In Full
EPZ G10: $23.74 Amazon eBay
Pros: Across 22 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, the G10 tracks the Harman target with only 1.11 dB of deviation and a preference score of 84.7, an exceptionally even result for a single dynamic driver at a budget price. Bass, low mids and upper mids all land within half a decibel of target, so vocals sound natural and bass lines are full without bloat. Sub-bass holds within 1.2 dB of target at 30 Hz, and the 32 ohm, 100 dB sensitivity rating plays comfortably from a phone. It shares its rating with the pricier EPZ Q1 Pro and Intuaura Reference 2019.
Cons: The presence region around 3 to 6 kHz runs about 1.5 dB low, with a 3.6 dB dip near 6.3 kHz that slightly softens the edge of vocals and snare hits. A 4.6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz adds a touch of sparkle that treble sensitive listeners may notice on bright recordings. It is a plain wired set with no microphone or wireless option listed.
Full EPZ G10 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.11 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (median of 22 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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 |
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