Short answer: the KZ DQ6S, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #399 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.9/5, at $28.99; the KZ ZEX ranks #404, rated 2.8/5, at $28.99. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, and the Intuaura Reference 2019, ranked #5 at $34.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Why pick the KZ DQ6S: It is very inexpensive and its 116 dB sensitivity with 25 ohm impedance means any phone drives it loudly. The catch: 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 case for the KZ ZEX: It pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with a 6.8mm electrostatic driver at a low price, and its 25 ohm load suits phones and dongles. The catch: Across 16 hobbyist measurements a 7.4 dB dip near 3.3 kHz pushes vocals back and a 6.1 dB peak near 10.2 kHz adds sizzle to cymbals, while sub-bass sits about 3.7 dB below target under 60 Hz.
Buy the KZ DQ6S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KZ ZEX at the same price, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KZ DQ6S | KZ ZEX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28.99 | $28.99 |
| Ranked | #399 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #404 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 59 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.83 dB standard deviation | 3.54 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 electrostatic) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 116 dB | 103 dB |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 6.8mm electrostatic |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for KZ DQ6S:
- SoundMAGIC E50C vs KZ DQ6S
- HIFIMAN RE400 vs KZ DQ6S
- KZ DQ6S vs KZ EDX Pro
- SoundMAGIC E50C vs KZ ZEX
- HIFIMAN RE400 vs KZ ZEX
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 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
KZ ZEX: $28.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: It pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with a 6.8mm electrostatic driver at a low price, and its 25 ohm load suits phones and dongles. In squig.link measurements bass runs about 2.4 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, a warm, V-shaped balance for listeners who like a fuller low end. It rates above the KZ EDX Pro and Final Audio E3000.
Cons: Across 16 hobbyist measurements a 7.4 dB dip near 3.3 kHz pushes vocals back and a 6.1 dB peak near 10.2 kHz adds sizzle to cymbals, while sub-bass sits about 3.7 dB below target under 60 Hz. The KZ DQ6S rates a bit higher at the same price, and the HIFIMAN RE400 rates higher for less.
Full KZ ZEX review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.54 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 6.8mm electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 59 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 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 | +10.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 63 Hz | -7.6 dB | 0.22 |
| Peak | 2,608 Hz | +11.0 dB | 0.73 |
| Peak | 823 Hz | +4.4 dB | 1.11 |
| Peak | 1,854 Hz | -11.3 dB | 0.98 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,677 Hz | +1.8 dB | 2.53 |
| Peak | 4,715 Hz | -5.1 dB | 5.44 |
| Peak | 6,131 Hz | +3.3 dB | 5.78 |
| Peak | 3,526 Hz | +1.5 dB | 3.26 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons