Short answer: the EPZ Q5. It ranks #6 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.9/5, at $99; the Juzear 81T ranks #25, rated 4.8/5, and costs $119.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the EPZ Q5: The median of 28 hobbyist measurements gives it a preference score of 87 with only about 0.85 dB average deviation, so tonal balance is very close to what most listeners prefer. The tradeoff: The 10 to 16 kHz air region sits about 4 dB above target, so bright recordings and hi hats can sound slightly sharp.
Why pick the Juzear 81T: With one dynamic driver and eight balanced armatures, the 81T measures a preference score of 84 in the median of six hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with only about 1.1 dB of unevenness. The tradeoff: The air band from 10 to 16 kHz sits about 6.2 dB above target, so some listeners will hear an airy, slightly artificial shimmer, and the presence region is about 2.6 dB low with a dip near 3.9 kHz.
Buy the EPZ Q5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Juzear 81T and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| EPZ Q5 | Juzear 81T | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #25 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (median of 28 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 83 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 0.85 dB standard deviation | 1.12 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 8 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 8 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB | 117 dB |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for EPZ Q5:
- EPZ Q5 vs TANGZU x AZLA Noir Blanc
- EPZ Q5 vs Simgot EA500LM
- Juzear 81T vs Simgot EA500LM
- TANGZU x AZLA Noir Blanc vs Juzear 81T
- Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED vs Tin HiFi T4
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 Q5: $99.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The median of 28 hobbyist measurements gives it a preference score of 87 with only about 0.85 dB average deviation, so tonal balance is very close to what most listeners prefer. Bass, midrange and lower treble all sit within about 1.3 dB of target, with a slight bass lift that adds warmth. It shares its rating with the EPZ P40 while costing noticeably less.
Cons: The 10 to 16 kHz air region sits about 4 dB above target, so bright recordings and hi hats can sound slightly sharp. A single dynamic driver and no built-in microphone mean no inline calling, and the Truthear Zero Blue 2 shares its rating for less money.
Full EPZ Q5 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 0.85 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (median of 28 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 26 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Juzear 81T: $119.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: With one dynamic driver and eight balanced armatures, the 81T measures a preference score of 84 in the median of six hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with only about 1.1 dB of unevenness. Sub-bass and bass land within a fraction of a dB of target, giving clean, full low end, and 117 dB sensitivity means a phone drives it easily. It suits listeners who like extra treble air with a warm foundation.
Cons: The air band from 10 to 16 kHz sits about 6.2 dB above target, so some listeners will hear an airy, slightly artificial shimmer, and the presence region is about 2.6 dB low with a dip near 3.9 kHz. There is no microphone, and the Simgot EA500LM earns the same rating for a bit less.
Full Juzear 81T review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2024 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.12 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 8 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 8 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons