Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.3/5 (#238 and #194 of 1291 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($69 vs $69), so choose on features and fit.
The case for the Harmonic Empire Xiao Qiao: A semi-open single dynamic IEM that measures very close to the Harman target (score 77 across seven measurements), with bass and treble each within 1.4 dB of it. Watch for: The semi-open design leaks sound and isolates less than sealed IEMs, so it is a poor choice for commuting or noisy places.
Why pick the QKZ Khan: In squig.link hobbyist measurements the Khan earns a preference score of 77.5 with a smooth 1.67 dB deviation, so its warm, gently V-shaped tuning stays close to what most listeners prefer. The tradeoff: A 5.3 dB peak near 8.7 kHz plus about 3.3 dB of extra air can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy on bright recordings.
Buy the Harmonic Empire Xiao Qiao or the QKZ Khan on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
A semi-open single dynamic IEM that measures very close to the Harman target (score 77 across seven measurements), with bass and treble each within 1.4 dB of it.
Amazon $69.00 eBay
In squig.link hobbyist measurements the Khan earns a preference score of 77.5 with a smooth 1.67 dB deviation, so its warm, gently V-shaped tuning stays close to what most listeners prefer.
Amazon $69.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harmonic Empire Xiao Qiao | QKZ Khan | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.00 | $69.00 |
| Ranked | #238 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #194 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm graphene dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 7.8mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB | 117 dB |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 78 (median of 17 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.60 dB standard deviation | 1.67 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.22 (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 (-1.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Impedance | - | 10 ohms |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6.8 g) per earbud |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Harmonic Empire Xiao Qiao from aden, aftersound, audioamigo, bassaudio, csi-zone, soundcheck39 and soundignity; the QKZ Khan from achoreviews, aftersound, ankramutt, arn, bassaudio, cqtek, hbb, hobbytalk, ianfann, jacstone, lown-fi, mmagtech, musicafe, nymz, practiphile, pw, soundcheck39, therollo9, timmyv, tonedeafmonk, vortexreviews and vsg, all via squig.link.
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to QKZ Khan: