Short answer: the KZ ZST. It ranks #336 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $21.99; the CCA CSN ranks #356, rated 3.5/5, and costs $25.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the KZ ZST does well: In oratory1990’s measurement the preference score is 70, with bass about 2.3 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz for extra warmth and punch, and sub-bass tracking the target within 0.1 dB. Watch for: A 9.4 dB dip near 4.4 kHz and 3.7 dB lower presence from 3 to 6 kHz pull back vocal clarity and the attack of snares and guitars.
What the CCA CSN does well: Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link, bass runs about 2 dB above target with sub-bass only 1.4 dB short at 30 Hz, giving a warm, full low end that suits pop and electronic music. The catch: A 6.9 dB dip near 3.4 kHz sets voices back, while a 5.5 dB peak at 8.1 kHz can make cymbals and sibilants splashy, a V-shaped balance that will not suit neutral tastes.
Buy the KZ ZST. It is rated higher for sound quality than the CCA CSN and costs less, 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 ZST | CCA CSN | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $21.99 | $25.99 |
| Ranked | #336 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #356 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 67 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation | 2.64 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.46 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Impedance | - | 22.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 112 dB/mW |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How KZ ZST compares with other leading options:
- KZ Castor vs KZ ZST
- CCA CRA vs KZ ZST
- Sony WI-C100 vs KZ ZST
- TANGZU Wan’er S.G vs KZ ZST
- Fatfreq Sakura vs KZ ZST
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 ZST: $21.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement the preference score is 70, with bass about 2.3 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz for extra warmth and punch, and sub-bass tracking the target within 0.1 dB. The low mids and upper mids stay within about 1 dB, so vocals and instruments sit naturally. The warm and bassy profiles fit it best, and the hybrid pairing of one dynamic and one balanced armature driver costs very little.
Cons: A 9.4 dB dip near 4.4 kHz and 3.7 dB lower presence from 3 to 6 kHz pull back vocal clarity and the attack of snares and guitars. Above 10 kHz the response runs about 6.5 dB hot, with a 10 dB peak near 11 kHz that adds sharpness to cymbals. The TANGZU Wan’er S.G rates higher.
Full KZ ZST review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.5 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 | -0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 182 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 620 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.63 |
| Peak | 9,298 Hz | -3.1 dB | 3.37 |
| Peak | 1,878 Hz | -4.1 dB | 3.05 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,253 Hz | +4.7 dB | 4.05 |
| Peak | 1,321 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.60 |
| Peak | 3,462 Hz | -1.0 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 358 Hz | -0.0 dB | 5.65 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
CCA CSN: $25.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link, bass runs about 2 dB above target with sub-bass only 1.4 dB short at 30 Hz, giving a warm, full low end that suits pop and electronic music. Crinacle’s measurement returns a preference score of 67, respectable for an inexpensive hybrid of a 10 mm dynamic driver and a balanced armature. At 22.5 ohms and 112 dB/mW it gets loud from any phone.
Cons: A 6.9 dB dip near 3.4 kHz sets voices back, while a 5.5 dB peak at 8.1 kHz can make cymbals and sibilants splashy, a V-shaped balance that will not suit neutral tastes. The KZ ZST costs a little less and is rated higher, as are the CCA C10 and MEE Audio M6 Pro for a modest step up.
Full CCA CSN review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.64 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.46 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.7 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 | +0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 164 Hz | -3.5 dB | 0.59 |
| Peak | 3,200 Hz | +7.0 dB | 1.48 |
| Peak | 1,878 Hz | -6.0 dB | 1.38 |
| Peak | 809 Hz | +2.8 dB | 0.77 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,170 Hz | -4.2 dB | 5.86 |
| Peak | 6,353 Hz | +2.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,393 Hz | +1.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 37 Hz | -0.2 dB | 2.04 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons