Short answer: the KZ ATE. It ranks #382 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $17.99; the HIFIMAN RE400 ranks #397, rated 2.9/5, and costs $19.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the KZ ATE: 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 tradeoff: A 9 dB peak near 8.3 kHz makes cymbals and sibilants splashy and fatiguing at higher volumes.
Why pick the HIFIMAN RE400: A very low price makes it an easy spare pair or first wired earphone. Watch for: 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.
Buy the KZ ATE. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HIFIMAN RE400 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KZ ATE | HIFIMAN RE400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17.99 | $19.99 |
| Ranked | #382 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #397 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 60 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.88 dB standard deviation | 3.29 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.63 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 53 Hz (-8.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.2mm dynamic | 1 x 8.5mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB | 102 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 29kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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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
KZ ATE: $17.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: 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 16 ohm impedance and 106 dB sensitivity make it easy to power from a phone, and the V-shaped balance with a lift up to 4.3 dB in the 6 to 10 kHz range gives a lively, sparkling sound.
Cons: A 9 dB peak near 8.3 kHz makes cymbals and sibilants splashy and fatiguing at higher volumes. The bass lift of nearly 7 dB can overwhelm the low mids, adding 3.1 dB of thickness to male vocals. The CCA CSN has a higher rating at a similar budget.
Full KZ ATE review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.88 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.2mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 29kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.0 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 | +4.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 736 Hz | +6.6 dB | 0.43 |
| Peak | 119 Hz | -6.6 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 8,831 Hz | -1.6 dB | 3.38 |
| Peak | 4,548 Hz | -4.0 dB | 5.04 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,150 Hz | +3.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 2,920 Hz | -1.3 dB | 3.23 |
| Peak | 2,035 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.13 |
| Peak | 7,523 Hz | -1.3 dB | 5.99 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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
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