Short answer: the KZ ASX, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #431 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.0/5, at $131.99. The 1MORE Quad Driver ranks #438, rated 1.7/5, at $119.69, $12.30 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. 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.
The KZ ASX is the better-sounding pick. 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.
Why pick the 1MORE Quad Driver: The hybrid design combines one dynamic driver with three balanced armatures, and the 32 ohm impedance and 99 dB sensitivity let it run easily from a phone. The catch: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 6 dB under target and a 10.5 dB dip near 8.8 kHz dulls cymbals and detail, while the air region is boosted by 4.2 dB, which makes the top end uneven.
Buy the KZ ASX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $12.30 saving on the 1MORE Quad Driver is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KZ ASX | 1MORE Quad Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $131.99 | $119.69 |
| Ranked | #431 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #438 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 45 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.75 dB standard deviation | 4.49 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-8.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature | 1 x dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 20 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW | 99 dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for KZ ASX:
- 1MORE Penta Driver vs KZ ASX
- Etymotic ER3SE vs KZ ASX
- Etymotic ER2SE vs KZ ASX
- Etymotic ER3SE vs 1MORE Quad Driver
- 1MORE Quad Driver vs Shozy B2
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
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
1MORE Quad Driver: $119.69 Amazon eBay
Pros: The hybrid design combines one dynamic driver with three balanced armatures, and the 32 ohm impedance and 99 dB sensitivity let it run easily from a phone. It includes a built-in microphone for calls. The tuning leans warm, with bass about 4.3 dB above target, which suits listeners who like a thick low end.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 6 dB under target and a 10.5 dB dip near 8.8 kHz dulls cymbals and detail, while the air region is boosted by 4.2 dB, which makes the top end uneven. Low mids run about 3.9 dB hot, adding bloat to male vocals and bass guitar, and sub-bass is down 4.5 dB so the deepest rumble is thin. The preference score of 45 and a rating below the BASN Bmaster show the tuning is a poor match for most tastes.
Full 1MORE Quad Driver review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.49 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 45 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-8.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +8.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -6.9 dB | 0.37 |
| Peak | 8,263 Hz | +6.3 dB | 1.29 |
| Peak | 1,031 Hz | +3.4 dB | 0.57 |
| Peak | 346 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.61 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,463 Hz | -1.7 dB | 5.45 |
| Peak | 6,085 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.92 |
| Peak | 2,047 Hz | +0.7 dB | 3.71 |
| Peak | 1,391 Hz | -0.3 dB | 2.85 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons