Short answer: the KZ ASX, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.0/5 for sound quality (#431 and #430 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the KZ ASX costs $131.99 against $149.99 for the Etymotic ER3SE, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones; for better sound, the Truthear Nova ranks #2 at $169.99.
Why pick the Etymotic ER3SE: A single balanced armature at 22 ohms and 102 dB/mW reaches comfortable volume from any phone or laptop without an amp. The catch: In oratory1990’s measurement sub-bass sits 9.9 dB below target and falls 6 dB short as high as 67 Hz, so bass lines sound thin and lack weight.
What the KZ ASX does well: Ten balanced armature drivers per side run easily from a phone thanks to 20 ohm impedance and 106 dB/mW sensitivity. The tradeoff: A deep 13.2 dB dip near 7.3 kHz and treble about 5.9 dB below target leave cymbals and detail dull, while a 5.1 dB peak near 1.7 kHz can make vocals sound pushy and nasal.
Buy the KZ ASX. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $18 less than the Etymotic ER3SE.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Etymotic ER3SE | KZ ASX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $131.99 |
| Ranked | #430 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #431 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 49 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.18 dB standard deviation | 3.75 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.73 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-9.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x balanced armature | 10 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 22 ohms | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | 106 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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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
Etymotic ER3SE: $149.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A single balanced armature at 22 ohms and 102 dB/mW reaches comfortable volume from any phone or laptop without an amp. Its tuning lines up best with listeners who lean toward a neutral or warm taste rather than a bass-heavy one. It carries a higher rating than the pricier Westone W10.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement sub-bass sits 9.9 dB below target and falls 6 dB short as high as 67 Hz, so bass lines sound thin and lack weight. The treble drops 9.5 dB under target from 6 to 10 kHz with a 13.8 dB dip near 11.8 kHz, leaving cymbals and detail dull, and a preference score of 49 with 4.18 dB of deviation means most listeners hear it as colored. There is no built-in microphone for calls.
Full Etymotic ER3SE review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.18 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-9.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.73 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | +6.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,528 Hz | +7.4 dB | 0.72 |
| Peak | 1,942 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 206 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 837 Hz | +1.9 dB | 1.72 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +4.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,498 Hz | -1.8 dB | 2.74 |
| Peak | 1,388 Hz | -0.3 dB | 3.82 |
| Peak | 6,000 Hz | +0.9 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,933 Hz | -0.6 dB | 3.44 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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KZ ASX: $131.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Ten balanced armature drivers per side run easily from a phone thanks to 20 ohm impedance and 106 dB/mW sensitivity. Bass sits about 4.1 dB above target in the squig.link median, so listeners who want a bassy, warm signature get extra punch.
Cons: A deep 13.2 dB dip near 7.3 kHz and treble about 5.9 dB below target leave cymbals and detail dull, while a 5.1 dB peak near 1.7 kHz can make vocals sound pushy and nasal. The Zero Audio Duoza ZH-DWX10 rates slightly higher for less money.
Full KZ ASX review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.75 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -8.1 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 | -0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,524 Hz | +7.0 dB | 2.10 |
| Peak | 170 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.68 |
| Peak | 1,663 Hz | -7.0 dB | 1.97 |
| Peak | 715 Hz | +5.0 dB | 0.94 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,831 Hz | +2.7 dB | 2.15 |
| Peak | 5,171 Hz | -5.9 dB | 4.41 |
| Peak | 2,135 Hz | -1.9 dB | 5.06 |
| Peak | 2,688 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.43 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons