Short answer: the Moondrop Quark 2. It ranks #45 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $19.99; the KZ Merga ranks #71, rated 4.5/5, at $18.99. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The case for the Moondrop Quark 2: For a very low price, the Quark 2 scores 82 for preference in the median of seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a near zero tilt and only about 1.3 dB of unevenness. Watch for: Treble is consistently subdued, sitting 2 to 3 dB below target from 3 to 16 kHz with a 6 dB dip near 11.2 kHz, so cymbals lack sparkle and the sound can feel slightly veiled.
What the KZ Merga does well: In eight hobbyist measurements on squig.link its dual dynamic drivers score 80.0, with a smooth 1.3 dB deviation and sub-bass holding to 20 Hz. The tradeoff: A 5.6 dB peak near 8.1 kHz can make cymbals and sibilant vocals sound sharp.
Buy the Moondrop Quark 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1 with the KZ Merga does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Quark 2 | KZ Merga | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $18.99 |
| Ranked | #45 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #71 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 80 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.25 dB standard deviation | 1.30 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 7.8mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 8mm dynamic |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Impedance | - | 33 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 104 dB |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Moondrop Quark 2 compares with other leading options:
- TRN MT3 vs Moondrop Quark 2
- Moondrop Marigold vs Moondrop Quark 2
- Moondrop Quark 2 vs KZ Krila
- KZ Krila vs KZ Merga
- Moondrop Marigold 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 Quark 2: $19.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: For a very low price, the Quark 2 scores 82 for preference in the median of seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a near zero tilt and only about 1.3 dB of unevenness. Bass and midrange stay within about 1 dB of target and the upper response has no peak above half a dB, so it never sounds shouty or sharp. A built in microphone makes it handy for calls.
Cons: Treble is consistently subdued, sitting 2 to 3 dB below target from 3 to 16 kHz with a 6 dB dip near 11.2 kHz, so cymbals lack sparkle and the sound can feel slightly veiled. Sub-bass is about 1.6 dB shy of target, and several rivals such as the KZ EDZ earn the same rating at a similar price.
Full Moondrop Quark 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.25 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 7.8mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KZ Merga: $18.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: In eight hobbyist measurements on squig.link its dual dynamic drivers score 80.0, with a smooth 1.3 dB deviation and sub-bass holding to 20 Hz. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz rises about 2 dB and air about 4 dB above target, giving a crisp, detailed top end that suits listeners who like a v-shaped sound. It costs less than the slightly higher rated DUNU Kima Classic.
Cons: A 5.6 dB peak near 8.1 kHz can make cymbals and sibilant vocals sound sharp. Bass and low mids sit slightly under target, so it sounds leaner than the bassier Moondrop Chu 2 DSP, which also carries a higher rating.
Full KZ Merga review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.30 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 8mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 33 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons