KZ PR1 vs iBasso IT01S

Short answer: the KZ PR1. It ranks #354 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $87.99; the iBasso IT01S ranks #362, rated 3.4/5, and costs $89.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

What the KZ PR1 does well: Its 13.2 mm planar magnetic driver is rare at this price, and crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 67. Watch for: The squig.link measurements show a 10.5 dB peak near 11.2 kHz and air almost 12 dB above target, which can add glare and sizzle to cymbals.

Why pick the iBasso IT01S: A Harman score of 66 in Crinacle’s measurement shows the tuning lands reasonably close to what most listeners prefer. The tradeoff: Deviation from the target averages 2.84 dB, so the response is not especially smooth.

Buy the KZ PR1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the iBasso IT01S and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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• Sennheiser IE 40 Pro vs iBasso IT01S

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 PR1: $87.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: Its 13.2 mm planar magnetic driver is rare at this price, and crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 67. Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link the bass sits about 4 dB above the Harman target down to 20 Hz, giving electronic and hip hop tracks a solid, rumbling foundation. It rates above the iBasso IT01S at about the same price.

Cons: The squig.link measurements show a 10.5 dB peak near 11.2 kHz and air almost 12 dB above target, which can add glare and sizzle to cymbals. Sensitivity of 96 dB is low for an in-ear, so a phone may need to run near full volume. The TFZ T2 Galaxy rates higher and costs less.

Full KZ PR1 review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.36 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Planar magnetic
Drivers	1 x 13.2mm planar magnetic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	67 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	16 ohms
Sensitivity	96 dB
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.5 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -3.4 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	-1.7 dB	0.70
Peak	171 Hz	-3.5 dB	0.86
Peak	819 Hz	+3.1 dB	1.02
Peak	4,351 Hz	+4.0 dB	1.33
Peak	2,387 Hz	-2.6 dB	1.15
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-15.5 dB	0.70
Peak	6,790 Hz	+4.5 dB	2.11
Peak	5,647 Hz	-2.4 dB	4.34
Peak	9,447 Hz	+3.7 dB	2.87
Peak	65 Hz	+0.2 dB	2.39

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the KZ PR1 (crinacle measurement)
  • Frequency response measurements of the KZ PR1 by 6 squig.link measurers
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • KZ PR1 vs Sennheiser IE 40 Pro
  • KZ PR1 vs BGVP DN3
  • KZ PR1 vs Tin HiFi T4

iBasso IT01S: $89.95 Amazon eBay

Pros: A Harman score of 66 in Crinacle’s measurement shows the tuning lands reasonably close to what most listeners prefer. The 16 ohm impedance and 109 dB/mW sensitivity mean a phone can drive it to loud levels. At 8 g per earbud with a 10mm dynamic driver, it is a light, simple wired set.

Cons: Deviation from the target averages 2.84 dB, so the response is not especially smooth. Without an inline microphone it cannot be used for calls, and the KZ PR1 has a higher rating.

Full iBasso IT01S review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.84 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 10mm dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	10Hz - 43kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	16 ohms
Sensitivity	109 dB/mW
Tonal Tilt	-0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0 lbs (8 g) per earbud

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -3.7 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	+3.1 dB	0.70
Peak	169 Hz	-4.1 dB	0.49
Peak	918 Hz	+3.6 dB	1.10
Peak	9,169 Hz	+3.5 dB	2.61
Peak	3,523 Hz	+2.8 dB	4.61
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+0.4 dB	0.70
Peak	5,075 Hz	-6.1 dB	5.81
Peak	6,349 Hz	+3.1 dB	5.89
Peak	4,021 Hz	+2.0 dB	5.78
Peak	2,467 Hz	-0.5 dB	5.37

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the iBasso IT01S (crinacle measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • iBasso IT01S vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
  • iBasso IT01S vs FiiO FH3
  • iBasso IT01S vs Sennheiser IE 40 Pro
  • iBasso IT01S vs BGVP DN3
  • iBasso IT01S vs Shure SE215