Short answer: the Tanchjim Soda. Both are rated 4.7/5 for sound quality (#31 and #34 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the Tanchjim Soda costs $309.99 against $349.99 for the EPZ K9, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the EPZ K9: In the median of 19 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, the K9 earns a preference score of 82 with a low 1.26 dB deviation, so its eight balanced armatures and dynamic woofer blend into a cohesive, gently warm tuning. The catch: Air above 10 kHz runs about 3.4 dB above target and a 4 dB peak sits near 8.1 kHz, which can add a slightly bright edge to cymbals.
Why pick the Tanchjim Soda: Squig.link measurements, the median of 10 hobbyist samples, give it a preference score of 82, with bass within a decibel of target from 20 Hz and a gentle lift around 60 to 200 Hz for warmth. The tradeoff: The 3 to 6 kHz presence band sits nearly 3 dB under target, with a 3.8 dB dip near 5.6 kHz, so vocals and snare attack lose some bite, and the top octave rolls about 2 dB short, trimming airiness.
Buy the Tanchjim Soda. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $40 less than the EPZ K9.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| EPZ K9 | Tanchjim Soda | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $309.99 |
| Ranked | #34 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #31 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 20 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 82 (median of 10 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.25 dB standard deviation | 1.32 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.13 (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 (-0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 8 balanced armature) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 8 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 15.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB | 120 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | - | 8Hz - 48kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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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
EPZ K9: $349.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: In the median of 19 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, the K9 earns a preference score of 82 with a low 1.26 dB deviation, so its eight balanced armatures and dynamic woofer blend into a cohesive, gently warm tuning. Sub-bass is within half a decibel of target and bass about 1.9 dB above it, giving a full low end without boom. The 14 ohm, 108 dB sensitivity rating means it plays loud from a phone.
Cons: Air above 10 kHz runs about 3.4 dB above target and a 4 dB peak sits near 8.1 kHz, which can add a slightly bright edge to cymbals. It is rated below the similarly priced AKG N5005 and IOAudio Sogno, which makes it a harder sell at this price. The very low 14 ohm impedance can make the tuning shift on sources with high output impedance.
Full EPZ K9 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.25 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 8 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 8 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 20 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 14 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tanchjim Soda: $309.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Squig.link measurements, the median of 10 hobbyist samples, give it a preference score of 82, with bass within a decibel of target from 20 Hz and a gentle lift around 60 to 200 Hz for warmth. The one dynamic plus four balanced armature hybrid at 120 dB/Vrms needs very little power, so a phone is enough. It suits listeners who like a warm, bass forward balance without exaggeration.
Cons: The 3 to 6 kHz presence band sits nearly 3 dB under target, with a 3.8 dB dip near 5.6 kHz, so vocals and snare attack lose some bite, and the top octave rolls about 2 dB short, trimming airiness. Its average deviation of about 1.3 dB is less even than the higher rated Tin HiFi T7, which sells for less.
Full Tanchjim Soda review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2025 (10 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.32 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 48kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 10 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 15.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons