Short answer: the KZ ZS10 Pro X. It ranks #272 of 657 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $53.19. The KZ ZS10 Pro ranks #441, rated 3.6/5, at $44.99, $8.20 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the KZ ZS10 Pro does well: One dynamic driver and four balanced armatures per side earn a preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement, good for the price. The catch: Across 20 hobbyist measurements on squig.link a 6.6 dB peak near 11.3 kHz can make cymbals sound sizzly, while a 4.3 dB dip at 6.3 kHz takes some bite off sibilants and snares.
The KZ ZS10 Pro X is the better-sounding pick. The median of 10 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 75 with a 1.86 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.9 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: A 6.4 dB peak near 10.6 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Buy the KZ ZS10 Pro X. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $8.20 saving on the KZ ZS10 Pro is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KZ ZS10 Pro | KZ ZS10 Pro X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.99 | $53.19 |
| Ranked | #441 of 657 in In-Ear Headphones | #272 of 657 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 75 (median of 10 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.44 dB standard deviation | 1.86 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.33 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) | Hybrid |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 24 ohms | 29 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB | - |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How KZ ZS10 Pro X compares with other leading options:
- KZ ZS10 Pro 2 vs KZ ZS10 Pro X
- KZ ZS10 Pro vs KZ ZS10 Pro 2
- KZ ZS10 Pro vs KZ ZSX
- KZ ZS10 Pro vs TFZ T2 Galaxy
- KZ ZS10 Pro vs Whizzer HE01
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 ZS10 Pro: $44.99 Amazon $44.99 eBay
Newer model: the KZ ZS10 Pro 2, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5. See every KZ ZS10 Pro generation.
Pros: One dynamic driver and four balanced armatures per side earn a preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement, good for the price. Sub-bass is right on target down to 30 Hz with bass about 3 dB above, so electronic and hip-hop tracks get solid punch and rumble. At 24 ohms and 111 dB sensitivity it plays loud from a phone.
Cons: Across 20 hobbyist measurements on squig.link a 6.6 dB peak near 11.3 kHz can make cymbals sound sizzly, while a 4.3 dB dip at 6.3 kHz takes some bite off sibilants and snares. The CCA C12 and CCA C10 are both rated higher at a similar price.
Full KZ ZS10 Pro review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.44 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.0 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 | +1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 164 Hz | -3.7 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 772 Hz | +3.3 dB | 1.02 |
| Peak | 2,169 Hz | -4.3 dB | 2.52 |
| Peak | 3,267 Hz | +3.7 dB | 2.93 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,415 Hz | +4.7 dB | 3.96 |
| Peak | 4,521 Hz | -3.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 8,356 Hz | +1.6 dB | 4.13 |
| Peak | 4,784 Hz | +0.6 dB | 5.93 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KZ ZS10 Pro X: $53.19 Amazon $53.19 eBay
Pros: The median of 10 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 75 with a 1.86 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.9 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Bass is lifted about 2.3 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. It uses 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature with an easy 29 ohm load.
Cons: A 6.4 dB peak near 10.6 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Full KZ ZS10 Pro X review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.86 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (median of 10 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 29 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.33 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons