Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.3/5 (#154 and #128 of 450 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($34.99 vs $37.59), so choose on features and fit.
Buy the Kiwi Ears Cadenza or the KZ ZS12 Pro 2 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kiwi Ears Cadenza | KZ ZS12 Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 | $37.59 |
| Ranked | #154 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #128 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (median of 42 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 78 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.53 dB standard deviation | 1.66 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.56 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 5 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 5 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/mW | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
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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
Kiwi Ears Cadenza: $34.99 Amazon eBay
Full Kiwi Ears Cadenza review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2022 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.53 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (median of 42 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.56 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KZ ZS12 Pro 2: $37.59 Amazon eBay
Full KZ ZS12 Pro 2 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.66 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 5 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 5 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons