Short answer: the EPZ P40. Both are rated 4.9/5 for sound quality (#8 and #2 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the EPZ P40 costs $159.99 against $169.99 for the Truthear Nova, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the EPZ P40: The median of 14 hobbyist measurements gives it a preference score of 86, with only about 0.9 dB of average deviation from the Harman target, so tonal balance is close to what most listeners prefer. Watch for: The 10 to 16 kHz air region measures about 6 dB above target, with a peak of roughly 5 dB near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and breath noise can sound a little crisp and sparkly.
Why pick the Truthear Nova: A Harman score of 90 puts it among the best-tuned in-ears measured, with every band from sub-bass to presence within about 1.5 dB of the target. Watch for: A 2.7 dB peak near 8 kHz can make bright cymbals and sibilant vocals slightly edgy on poorly mastered tracks.
Buy the EPZ P40. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $10 less than the Truthear Nova.
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Specifications Side By Side
| EPZ P40 | Truthear Nova | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.99 | $169.99 |
| Ranked | #8 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #2 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 90 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 0.93 dB standard deviation | 0.86 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.14 (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 (+2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 1 planar magnetic + 1 piezoelectric) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic + 1 x 7mm dynamic + 1 x micro planar + 1 x piezoelectric | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 14.8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB | 123 dB/Vrms @1kHz |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Truthear Nova compares with other leading options:
- Truthear Nova vs Simgot SuperMix 4
- Truthear Nova vs Tin HiFi T7
- Truthear Nova vs SeeAudio Yume
- EPZ P40 vs Simgot SuperMix 4
- EPZ P40 vs TANGZU x AZLA Noir Blanc
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 P40: $159.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The median of 14 hobbyist measurements gives it a preference score of 86, with only about 0.9 dB of average deviation from the Harman target, so tonal balance is close to what most listeners prefer. Bass sits within a decibel of target from 20 Hz upward, which keeps kick drums full without bloating vocals. A four driver hybrid setup (two dynamic, one planar and one piezoelectric) at 14 ohms runs easily from a phone dongle. It is rated above the Juzear 81T and Simgot EA500LM at a similar price.
Cons: The 10 to 16 kHz air region measures about 6 dB above target, with a peak of roughly 5 dB near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and breath noise can sound a little crisp and sparkly. The EPZ Q5 shares its rating for less money, and a small dip near 3.7 kHz slightly softens vocal presence.
Full EPZ P40 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2026 (9 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 0.93 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 1 planar magnetic + 1 piezoelectric) |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic + 1 x 7mm dynamic + 1 x micro planar + 1 x piezoelectric |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 14 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Truthear Nova: $169.99 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A Harman score of 90 puts it among the best-tuned in-ears measured, with every band from sub-bass to presence within about 1.5 dB of the target. The deviation of only 0.86 dB means vocals, guitars and drums sound natural and evenly balanced. The hybrid design pairs a dynamic driver with four balanced armatures, and the 14.8 ohm impedance with 123 dB sensitivity lets a phone drive it easily. Sub-bass sits about 1.5 dB above target, adding a touch of rumble without muddying the mids.
Cons: A 2.7 dB peak near 8 kHz can make bright cymbals and sibilant vocals slightly edgy on poorly mastered tracks. Treble and air run about 1.3 to 1.4 dB hot, so listeners sensitive to brightness may find extended sessions a little sharp. It is wired only, with no microphone or wireless features listed.
Full Truthear Nova review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 0.86 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 - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 90 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 14.8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 123 dB/Vrms @1kHz |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -1.2 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 | -4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 313 Hz | +0.4 dB | 0.95 |
| Peak | 63 Hz | +3.6 dB | 0.80 |
| Peak | 4,404 Hz | -1.2 dB | 0.51 |
| Peak | 560 Hz | +1.1 dB | 0.85 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,390 Hz | +1.0 dB | 2.26 |
| Peak | 2,126 Hz | +1.1 dB | 3.14 |
| Peak | 2,987 Hz | -1.0 dB | 3.83 |
| Peak | 1,281 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.65 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons