Short answer: the KBEAR Storm. It ranks #947 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $18.04; the KZ ATE ranks #959, rated 3.1/5, at $17.99. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the KBEAR Storm does well: Bass is lifted about 5.1 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. Watch for: An 8.2 dB peak near 8.2 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
What the KZ ATE does well: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz runs about 6.8 dB above target, with sub-bass up 2.8 dB, which delivers punchy, energetic low end for the money. The catch: A 9 dB peak near 8.3 kHz makes cymbals and sibilants splashy and fatiguing at higher volumes.
Buy the KBEAR Storm. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $0.05 you would save on the KZ ATE does not close the gap.
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Bass is lifted about 5.1 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight.
Amazon $18.04 eBay
Bass from 60 to 200 Hz runs about 6.8 dB above target, with sub-bass up 2.8 dB, which delivers punchy, energetic low end for the money.
Amazon $17.99 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KBEAR Storm | KZ ATE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $18.04 | $17.99 |
| Ranked | #947 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #959 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 dynamic | 1 x 8.2mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz | 15Hz - 29kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (median of 11 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.72 dB standard deviation | 2.88 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.23 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Sensitivity | - | 106 dB |
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