Short answer: the HIFIMAN RE400, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.9/5 for sound quality (#397 and #399 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the HIFIMAN RE400 costs $19.99 against $28.99 for the KZ DQ6S, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Intuaura Reference 2019 instead, ranked #5 at $34.99.
Why pick the HIFIMAN RE400: A very low price makes it an easy spare pair or first wired earphone. The tradeoff: Across hobbyist measurements on squig.link sub-bass sits 7.5 dB below target and falls 6 dB short by 53 Hz, while presence drops 5.8 dB and a 9.4 dB dip near 11.9 kHz dulls the top end, so music sounds lean down low and muted up high.
What the KZ DQ6S does well: It is very inexpensive and its 116 dB sensitivity with 25 ohm impedance means any phone drives it loudly. Watch for: Those measurements show a 7.4 dB peak near 8.2 kHz that can make sibilant vocals and cymbals sound sharp, alongside a 6.8 dB dip near 3.2 kHz that pushes voices back.
Buy the HIFIMAN RE400. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $9 less than the KZ DQ6S.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN RE400 | KZ DQ6S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $28.99 |
| Ranked | #397 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #399 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 60 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.29 dB standard deviation | 2.83 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.63 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.5mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | 116 dB |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 53 Hz (-8.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to HIFIMAN RE400:
- KZ ATE vs HIFIMAN RE400
- HIFIMAN RE400 vs KZ ZEX
- HIFIMAN RE400 vs KZ EDX Pro
- HIFIMAN RE400 vs 1MORE Stylish
- KZ DQ6S vs KZ EDX Pro
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
HIFIMAN RE400: $19.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A very low price makes it an easy spare pair or first wired earphone. The 8.5mm dynamic driver at 32 ohms and 102 dB/mW runs fine straight from a phone or laptop. It earns the same rating as the KZ DQ6S for less money, and its balance suits listeners who prefer a neutral or lightly warm sound over heavy bass.
Cons: Across hobbyist measurements on squig.link sub-bass sits 7.5 dB below target and falls 6 dB short by 53 Hz, while presence drops 5.8 dB and a 9.4 dB dip near 11.9 kHz dulls the top end, so music sounds lean down low and muted up high. There is no built-in microphone for calls, and the KZ ATE earns a higher rating at a similar price.
Full HIFIMAN RE400 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.29 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.5mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 53 Hz (-8.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.63 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 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 | +6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,850 Hz | +7.0 dB | 2.19 |
| Peak | 170 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.43 |
| Peak | 2,033 Hz | -3.6 dB | 1.58 |
| Peak | 801 Hz | +1.9 dB | 1.59 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,033 Hz | -4.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,799 Hz | +2.1 dB | 4.73 |
| Peak | 3,186 Hz | +0.9 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,794 Hz | -1.0 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KZ DQ6S: $28.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: It is very inexpensive and its 116 dB sensitivity with 25 ohm impedance means any phone drives it loudly. Across nine hobbyist measurements on squig.link, sub-bass sits about 2.6 dB and bass about 3.1 dB above target, a match for listeners who want punchy, bass-heavy playback. It is rated above the KZ ZEX at the same price.
Cons: Those measurements show a 7.4 dB peak near 8.2 kHz that can make sibilant vocals and cymbals sound sharp, alongside a 6.8 dB dip near 3.2 kHz that pushes voices back. The KZ ATE earns a higher rating for even less money.
Full KZ DQ6S review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.83 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 116 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.8 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 | -3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 175 Hz | -3.2 dB | 1.13 |
| Peak | 3,170 Hz | +5.1 dB | 1.14 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +4.6 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 1,762 Hz | -3.5 dB | 2.30 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 833 Hz | +1.6 dB | 1.64 |
| Peak | 6,050 Hz | +2.8 dB | 5.68 |
| Peak | 1,295 Hz | -1.2 dB | 3.09 |
| Peak | 4,847 Hz | -1.8 dB | 5.26 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons