Short answer: the V-MODA Zn, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.4/5 for sound quality (#419 and #421 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the V-MODA Zn costs $358.35 against $499 for the Shure SE535, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Truthear Nova instead, ranked #2 at $169.99.
The case for the Shure SE535: Its very high 119 dB/mW sensitivity means it gets loud from any phone or laptop with little effort. The catch: In oratory1990’s measurement presence runs about 8.6 dB low and air about 8 dB low, with a 12.6 dB dip near 11.7 kHz, so detail and sparkle are subdued and the sound turns dark.
What the V-MODA Zn does well: An inline microphone and a 16 ohm, 105 dB/mW load make it a convenient phone earphone that gets loud without an amplifier. The tradeoff: In oratory1990’s measurement an 8.9 dB peak near 5.8 kHz adds harshness to vocals and snares, while low mids 4.4 dB above target thicken and muddy the midrange.
Buy the V-MODA Zn. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $140.65 less than the Shure SE535.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Shure SE535 | V-MODA Zn | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $358.35 |
| Ranked | #421 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #419 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.86 dB standard deviation | 3.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 60 Hz (-8.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 3 x balanced armature (2 woofers + 1 tweeter) | 1 x 8mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 36 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 119 dB SPL/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 2Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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- Jabra Evolve 75e vs V-MODA Zn
- V-MODA Zn vs Shure SE425
- FiiO FA9 vs Shure SE535
- Kinera Skuld vs Shure SE535
- Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 vs Fidue A91 Sirius
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
Shure SE535: $499.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Its very high 119 dB/mW sensitivity means it gets loud from any phone or laptop with little effort. Low mids sit slightly above target, so listeners who like a warm, relaxed tone may find it easy to listen to. Three balanced armature drivers split the work between two woofers and a tweeter.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement presence runs about 8.6 dB low and air about 8 dB low, with a 12.6 dB dip near 11.7 kHz, so detail and sparkle are subdued and the sound turns dark. Sub-bass is about 7 dB below target and falls 6 dB short at 60 Hz. The FiiO FA9 is rated higher at a similar price.
Full Shure SE535 review and specifications →
| Released | 2010 (16 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.86 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 3 x balanced armature (2 woofers + 1 tweeter) |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 119 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 60 Hz (-8.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 276 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 5,384 Hz | +6.6 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 9,692 Hz | +0.7 dB | 5.96 |
| Peak | 24 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.86 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +5.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,376 Hz | -2.9 dB | 4.07 |
| Peak | 730 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.50 |
| Peak | 223 Hz | -0.3 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 1,223 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.44 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
V-MODA Zn: $358.35 Amazon eBay
Pros: An inline microphone and a 16 ohm, 105 dB/mW load make it a convenient phone earphone that gets loud without an amplifier. Bass sits about 6.9 dB above target with lifted treble, a fit for listeners who like a warm, V-shaped sound.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement an 8.9 dB peak near 5.8 kHz adds harshness to vocals and snares, while low mids 4.4 dB above target thicken and muddy the midrange. The Etymotic ER4XR rates higher and costs less.
Full V-MODA Zn review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2015 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.76 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 2Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 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 | +11.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 66 Hz | -10.5 dB | 0.29 |
| Peak | 1,777 Hz | +5.3 dB | 0.68 |
| Peak | 5,743 Hz | -8.0 dB | 5.88 |
| Peak | 730 Hz | +1.9 dB | 1.53 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,999 Hz | -1.7 dB | 4.26 |
| Peak | 4,097 Hz | +1.1 dB | 4.14 |
| Peak | 2,216 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.61 |
| Peak | 2,910 Hz | -0.3 dB | 2.57 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons