SoundMAGIC E50C vs KZ ZEX

Short answer: the SoundMAGIC E50C. It ranks #376 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $32.99; the KZ ZEX ranks #404, rated 2.8/5, at $28.99. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.

The SoundMAGIC E50C is the better-sounding pick. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits within 0.3 dB of target, so the low end is balanced rather than boomy. Watch for: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is about 6.7 dB under target, with an 8.7 dB dip near 3.3 kHz, so vocals lose clarity and sound set back.

The case for the KZ ZEX: It pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with a 6.8mm electrostatic driver at a low price, and its 25 ohm load suits phones and dongles. Watch for: Across 16 hobbyist measurements a 7.4 dB dip near 3.3 kHz pushes vocals back and a 6.1 dB peak near 10.2 kHz adds sizzle to cymbals, while sub-bass sits about 3.7 dB below target under 60 Hz.

Buy the SoundMAGIC E50C. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $4 with the KZ ZEX does not make up for the sound-quality gap.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

More worthwhile head-to-heads for SoundMAGIC E50C:

• Whizzer HE01 vs SoundMAGIC E50C
• SoundMAGIC E50C vs KZ DQ6S
• KZ DQ6S vs KZ ZEX
• HIFIMAN RE400 vs KZ ZEX
• KZ ZEX vs KZ EDX Pro

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

SoundMAGIC E50C: $32.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits within 0.3 dB of target, so the low end is balanced rather than boomy. The inline microphone makes it usable for calls, and the 51 ohm impedance with 102 dB/mW sensitivity works with most phones. It is a very low-cost way into a warm tuning, with a preference score of 64.

Cons: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is about 6.7 dB under target, with an 8.7 dB dip near 3.3 kHz, so vocals lose clarity and sound set back. Sub-bass is 2.8 dB low and the top octave is about 3.8 dB down, which limits both rumble and air. The Whizzer HE01 has a higher rating.

Full SoundMAGIC E50C review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.96 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 10mm dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	15Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	51 ohms
Sensitivity	102 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.6 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0 lbs (13 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.2 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	+1.3 dB	0.70
Peak	3,391 Hz	+6.0 dB	1.16
Peak	187 Hz	-2.7 dB	0.60
Peak	1,404 Hz	-2.6 dB	1.38
Peak	2,537 Hz	+1.6 dB	2.71
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+0.4 dB	0.70
Peak	9,380 Hz	+0.8 dB	2.09
Peak	7,025 Hz	-0.9 dB	4.59
Peak	71 Hz	+0.2 dB	2.12
Peak	116 Hz	-0.2 dB	2.33

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the SoundMAGIC E50C (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • SoundMAGIC E50C vs Whizzer HE01
  • SoundMAGIC E50C vs KZ DQ6S

KZ ZEX: $28.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: It pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with a 6.8mm electrostatic driver at a low price, and its 25 ohm load suits phones and dongles. In squig.link measurements bass runs about 2.4 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, a warm, V-shaped balance for listeners who like a fuller low end. It rates above the KZ EDX Pro and Final Audio E3000.

Cons: Across 16 hobbyist measurements a 7.4 dB dip near 3.3 kHz pushes vocals back and a 6.1 dB peak near 10.2 kHz adds sizzle to cymbals, while sub-bass sits about 3.7 dB below target under 60 Hz. The KZ DQ6S rates a bit higher at the same price, and the HIFIMAN RE400 rates higher for less.

Full KZ ZEX review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.54 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 electrostatic)
Drivers	1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 6.8mm electrostatic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	59 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	25 ohms
Sensitivity	103 dB
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.1 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	+10.5 dB	0.70
Peak	63 Hz	-7.6 dB	0.22
Peak	2,608 Hz	+11.0 dB	0.73
Peak	823 Hz	+4.4 dB	1.11
Peak	1,854 Hz	-11.3 dB	0.98
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-1.4 dB	0.70
Peak	9,677 Hz	+1.8 dB	2.53
Peak	4,715 Hz	-5.1 dB	5.44
Peak	6,131 Hz	+3.3 dB	5.78
Peak	3,526 Hz	+1.5 dB	3.26

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the KZ ZEX (crinacle measurement)
  • Frequency response measurements of the KZ ZEX by 16 squig.link measurers
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • KZ ZEX vs KZ EDX Pro
  • KZ ZEX vs KZ DQ6S
  • KZ ZEX vs HIFIMAN RE400