Short answer: the EPZ Q1 Pro. It ranks #12 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.9/5, at $39.99; the Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior ranks #55, rated 4.6/5, at $39. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The EPZ Q1 Pro is the better-sounding option. For a budget single dynamic in-ear, the median of 29 hobbyist measurements is impressive: a preference score of 85 and an average deviation of about 1 dB from the Harman target. Watch for: Sub-bass sits about 1.6 dB under target, so deep electronic bass has slightly less rumble than bass fans may want.
The case for the Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior: The median of nine squig.link measurements gives it a preference score of 80.2 with a tidy 1.44 dB deviation, and sub-bass stays within about 1 dB of target to 30 Hz for solid low end rumble. The tradeoff: Air above 10 kHz runs about 4.6 dB hot, peaking 6.8 dB near 11.9 kHz, which can make cymbals and hiss on older recordings sound sharp.
Buy the EPZ Q1 Pro. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $0.99 saving on the Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| EPZ Q1 Pro | Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | $39.00 |
| Ranked | #12 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #55 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (median of 29 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 81 (median of 10 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.05 dB standard deviation | 1.40 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.20 (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 (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/Vrms | 104 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to EPZ Q1 Pro:
- EPZ Q1 Pro vs Intuaura Reference 2019
- EPZ G20 vs EPZ Q1 Pro
- Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior vs Tin HiFi T2 DLC
- Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior vs Sivga SM100
- Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior vs Tin HiFi C2 2025
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 Q1 Pro: $39.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: For a budget single dynamic in-ear, the median of 29 hobbyist measurements is impressive: a preference score of 85 and an average deviation of about 1 dB from the Harman target. Midrange and treble bands track the target within about 1 dB, so voices and instruments sound natural rather than hyped. It shares its rating with the EPZ G20 and Intuaura Reference 2019 at a similar price.
Cons: Sub-bass sits about 1.6 dB under target, so deep electronic bass has slightly less rumble than bass fans may want. Sensitivity of 100 dB/Vrms at 32 ohms is low for an in-ear, so expect to turn a phone up more than usual. A 3.4 dB dip near 6.3 kHz and a 4.6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz add a little unevenness in the treble.
Full EPZ Q1 Pro review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.05 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 29 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior: $39.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The median of nine squig.link measurements gives it a preference score of 80.2 with a tidy 1.44 dB deviation, and sub-bass stays within about 1 dB of target to 30 Hz for solid low end rumble. A 2 dB bass lift adds punch without clouding the midrange, which sits almost exactly on target through the upper mids. At 104 dB/mW and 32 ohms it gets plenty loud from a phone.
Cons: Air above 10 kHz runs about 4.6 dB hot, peaking 6.8 dB near 11.9 kHz, which can make cymbals and hiss on older recordings sound sharp. A small 2.9 dB dip near 6.3 kHz leaves some instruments slightly recessed in the presence region.
Full Tin HiFi C2 Mech Warrior review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.40 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 10 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons