Short answer: the Moondrop Marigold. It ranks #41 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $19; the KZ Krila ranks #80, rated 4.5/5, and costs $20.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Moondrop Marigold: Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 81.6 with only 1.3 dB of deviation from target, an unusually even response for a single 10mm dynamic driver. Watch for: Treble and air sit about 1.5 dB under target, and a 7.4 dB dip near 10.9 kHz takes some sparkle off cymbals and room ambience.
Why pick the KZ Krila: For a budget hybrid it measures remarkably well, with a preference score of 79.6 and a 1.65 dB spread in the median of 8 squig.link measurements. Watch for: Sub-bass sits about 1.9 dB under target below 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in electronic and film scores is a little restrained.
Buy the Moondrop Marigold. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KZ Krila and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Marigold | KZ Krila | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.00 | $20.99 |
| Ranked | #41 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #80 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 80 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.30 dB standard deviation | 1.65 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | - | 106 dB |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Moondrop Marigold compares with other leading options:
- TRN MT3 vs Moondrop Marigold
- Moondrop Marigold vs Moondrop Quark 2
- Moondrop Marigold vs ThieAudio Monarch MKII
- Moondrop Marigold vs KZ Merga
- KZ Krila vs KZ Merga
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
Moondrop Marigold: $19.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 81.6 with only 1.3 dB of deviation from target, an unusually even response for a single 10mm dynamic driver. Sub-bass holds within a fraction of a dB of target down to 20 Hz, so bass lines keep their weight, and a gentle lift of about 1 dB through the bass and low mids gives voices and instruments a warm body. It matches the DUNU Kima Classic and Shanling Tino on rating while costing a little less, and the 32 ohm load plus inline mic make it an easy phone companion.
Cons: Treble and air sit about 1.5 dB under target, and a 7.4 dB dip near 10.9 kHz takes some sparkle off cymbals and room ambience. A narrow 3.5 dB peak around 8.1 kHz can make a few sibilant recordings sound edgy despite the otherwise relaxed top end.
Full Moondrop Marigold review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.30 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KZ Krila: $20.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: For a budget hybrid it measures remarkably well, with a preference score of 79.6 and a 1.65 dB spread in the median of 8 squig.link measurements. Bass, low mids and upper mids all sit within 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments come across natural and balanced. A 3.5 dB lift in the air band adds airy detail on top.
Cons: Sub-bass sits about 1.9 dB under target below 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in electronic and film scores is a little restrained. A 5.3 dB dip near 6 kHz followed by a 6.4 dB peak near 11.9 kHz makes the treble uneven, softening some consonants while adding a touch of glare high up.
Full KZ Krila review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.65 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 (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons