Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.2/5 (#183 and #197 of 450 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($17.99 vs $19.99), so choose on features and fit.
What the Moondrop Quarks does well: A preference score of 76 from a very inexpensive wired in-ear is hard to beat, and it is rated above the KZ ZSN Pro X and the CCA CRA. Watch for: A 4 dB peak near 2.9 kHz can make female vocals and snare hits sound forward or slightly shouty at higher volumes.
Buy the Moondrop Quarks or the Tanchjim Zero Ultima on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Quarks | Tanchjim Zero Ultima | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17.99 | $19.99 |
| Ranked | #183 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #197 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 76 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.04 dB standard deviation | 1.95 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.03 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 6mm dynamic | 1 x dynamic |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 30 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 116 dB/Vrms | 123 dB/V |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 48kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (2.3 g) per earbud |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Moondrop Quarks:
- Kinera Celest Wyvern Pro vs Moondrop Quarks
- KZ EDXS vs Moondrop Quarks
- TRN MT5 vs Moondrop Quarks
- Moondrop Quarks vs Tin HiFi C0
- KZ Taurus vs Moondrop Quarks
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Moondrop Quarks: $17.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 76 from a very inexpensive wired in-ear is hard to beat, and it is rated above the KZ ZSN Pro X and the CCA CRA. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is lifted about 2.2 dB over target and the low mids about 1.6 dB, giving a warm, full sound that fits warm and bass leaning tastes. At 16 ohms and 116 dB sensitivity it plays loud straight from a phone.
Cons: A 4 dB peak near 2.9 kHz can make female vocals and snare hits sound forward or slightly shouty at higher volumes. Air above 10 kHz is about 2.5 dB low and there is a 5.4 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so the top end sounds less open and airy. Sub-bass under 60 Hz is about 1.8 dB below target, so the deepest notes lack a little rumble.
Full Moondrop Quarks review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.04 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 6mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 116 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.6 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 | +2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 170 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +2.9 dB | 0.24 |
| Peak | 767 Hz | +2.5 dB | 1.26 |
| Peak | 2,855 Hz | -5.9 dB | 3.31 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,604 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.27 |
| Peak | 6,302 Hz | -1.1 dB | 4.61 |
| Peak | 1,492 Hz | -0.2 dB | 2.76 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | +0.1 dB | 1.86 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tanchjim Zero Ultima: $19.99 Amazon eBay
Full Tanchjim Zero Ultima review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.95 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 48kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 30 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 123 dB/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.03 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (2.3 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons