Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.1/5 (#356 and #372 of 1291 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($34.99 vs $31.99), so choose on features and fit.
The case for the KZ Vader Balanced: The Balanced factory tuning of the triple dynamic KZ Vader, very cheap at about $35, with about 1.5 dB more bass than target and four tuning switches (score 75). The catch: It rates below the KZ Vader, which has less bass, and the same listing sells both tunings, so check which one you order.
What the NF Audio RA05 does well: The median of 12 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 74 with a 1.89 dB spread. The catch: A 6.9 dB peak near 8.6 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Buy the KZ Vader Balanced or the NF Audio RA05 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
The Balanced factory tuning of the triple dynamic KZ Vader, very cheap at about $35, with about 1.5 dB more bass than target and four tuning switches (score 75).
Linsoul $34.99 eBay
The median of 12 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 74 with a 1.89 dB spread.
NF Acous $31.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| KZ Vader Balanced | NF Audio RA05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 | $31.99 |
| Ranked | #356 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #372 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 3 x 8mm dynamic | 1 x 6mm dynamic |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 74 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.97 dB standard deviation | 1.89 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz | 15Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the KZ Vader Balanced from audioamigo, harpo and koi; the NF Audio RA05 from aftersound, digaoreviews, hobbytalk, jaytiss, musicafe, obodio, practiphile, pw, suporsalad, theaudiostore, treblewellxtended and vortexreviews, all via squig.link.
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