Short answer: the Sony WI-C100. It ranks #312 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $23; the KZ ZST ranks #336, rated 3.7/5, at $21.99. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The case for the KZ ZST: 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 catch: 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.
Buy the Sony WI-C100. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1.01 saving on the KZ ZST is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony WI-C100 | KZ ZST | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $23.00 | $21.99 |
| Ranked | #312 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #336 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.94 dB standard deviation | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wireless | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Weight | 0 lbs (20 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | No | - |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sony WI-C100 compares with other leading options:
- 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 vs Sony WI-C100
- KZ ZSN Pro vs Sony WI-C100
- KZ Castor vs Sony WI-C100
- CCA CRA vs Sony WI-C100
- 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
Sony WI-C100: $23.00 Wireless Amazon eBay
Full Sony WI-C100 review and specifications →
| Active Noise Cancelling | No |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.94 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (20 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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