Short answer: the TANCHJIM ZERO DSP. It ranks #203 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $20; the Tanchjim Zero Ultima ranks #276, rated 4.2/5, at $19.99. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The case for the TANCHJIM ZERO DSP: A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 78 against the Harman target. The catch: Treble about 2 dB above target from 3 to 10 kHz, which can sound sharp or tiring at higher volume.
The case for the Tanchjim Zero Ultima: The median of 7 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 76 with a 1.95 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: Sub-bass is 3.6 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Buy the TANCHJIM ZERO DSP. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $0.01 you would save on the Tanchjim Zero Ultima does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 78 against the Harman target.
e-earphone (JP) eBay
The median of 7 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 76 with a 1.95 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
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Specifications Side By Side
| TANCHJIM ZERO DSP | Tanchjim Zero Ultima | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20 | $19.99 |
| Ranked | #203 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #276 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 76 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.49 dB standard deviation | 1.95 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.03 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | USB-C | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 30 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB/Vrms | 123 dB/V |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (2.3 g) per earbud |
| Frequency Response | - | 10Hz - 48kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the TANCHJIM ZERO DSP from hobbytalk, tanchjim and therollo9; the Tanchjim Zero Ultima from bryaudioreviews, csi-zone, fernandagunsan, hbb, pw, soundignity and treblewellxtended, all via squig.link.
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