Short answer: the TRN MT1. It ranks #341 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $13.95; the Panasonic RP-HJE120 ranks #445, rated 1.3/5, at $10.99. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
The TRN MT1 is the better-sounding option. A preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement is a strong result for one of the cheapest in-ears around. The catch: A 10.4 dB peak near 11.9 kHz in hobbyist measurements on squig.link can make cymbals sound tizzy and fatiguing at volume, with a 6 dB dip at 6.5 kHz just below it.
Why pick the Panasonic RP-HJE120: It is a very cheap wired earphone with a 9 mm dynamic driver, 16 ohm impedance and 95 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loud from any phone or laptop. The catch: That bass boost spills into the low mids, which are 4.8 dB over target, so vocals and instruments sound thick and muddy.
Buy the TRN MT1. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $2.96 saving on the Panasonic RP-HJE120 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| TRN MT1 | Panasonic RP-HJE120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $13.95 | $10.99 |
| Ranked | #341 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #445 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 40 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.46 dB standard deviation | 4.26 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 9mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 22 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB | 95 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for TRN MT1:
- KZ EDX vs TRN MT1
- TANGZU Wan’er S.G vs TRN MT1
- KZ ZST vs TRN MT1
- TRN MT1 vs Sony MDR-EX15LP
- Sony MDR-EX15LP vs Panasonic RP-HJE120
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
TRN MT1: $13.95 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement is a strong result for one of the cheapest in-ears around. Sub-bass is on target down to 30 Hz with bass 2.5 dB above, so it has satisfying punch, and the single 10 mm dynamic driver runs loud from any phone at 22 ohms and 106 dB. An inline microphone handles calls.
Cons: A 10.4 dB peak near 11.9 kHz in hobbyist measurements on squig.link can make cymbals sound tizzy and fatiguing at volume, with a 6 dB dip at 6.5 kHz just below it. The CCA CRA and TANGZU Wan’er S.G are rated higher for only a few dollars more.
Full TRN MT1 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.46 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.6 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 | +0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 838 Hz | +4.1 dB | 0.67 |
| Peak | 9,762 Hz | +6.7 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 156 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.78 |
| Peak | 3,174 Hz | -6.2 dB | 0.55 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -7.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,444 Hz | +3.5 dB | 3.06 |
| Peak | 4,523 Hz | -6.4 dB | 2.49 |
| Peak | 6,251 Hz | +3.6 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 2,461 Hz | -2.8 dB | 4.84 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Panasonic RP-HJE120: $10.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: It is a very cheap wired earphone with a 9 mm dynamic driver, 16 ohm impedance and 95 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loud from any phone or laptop. Bass is lifted about 8 dB over target in oratory1990’s measurement and sub-bass is up 2.3 dB, which suits listeners who simply want a big, thumpy low end.
Cons: That bass boost spills into the low mids, which are 4.8 dB over target, so vocals and instruments sound thick and muddy. Treble is rolled off by about 2.2 dB and air by 4.3 dB, with an 8.7 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals lack sparkle. The preference score of 40 is the lowest among its rivals, and each of those rivals has a higher rating, including the TRN MT1 at a similar cost.
Full Panasonic RP-HJE120 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.26 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 40 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 95 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.5 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 | +6.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.19 |
| Peak | 8,905 Hz | +6.2 dB | 1.77 |
| Peak | 127 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.23 |
| Peak | 1,128 Hz | +5.1 dB | 0.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,414 Hz | -3.7 dB | 5.69 |
| Peak | 3,853 Hz | +2.0 dB | 3.18 |
| Peak | 2,384 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.73 |
| Peak | 6,454 Hz | +1.0 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons