Short answer: the Truthear Gate. It ranks #22 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $21.99; the KZ EDZ ranks #36, rated 4.7/5, at $21.99. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The case for the Truthear Gate: A Harman score of 83 from a single dynamic driver at a very low price gives accurate bass and mids, with bass and upper mids within about 0.2 dB of target. The catch: Treble is the weak point, with a deep 10.8 dB dip near 11 kHz and air about 3 dB under target.
The case for the KZ EDZ: The EDZ is an inexpensive single dynamic driver set that scores 82 for preference in the median of six hobbyist measurements on squig.link. Watch for: Sub-bass falls about 2.3 dB below target, so deep synth and kick drum rumble is lighter than ideal, and the presence region is about 2.2 dB recessed with a dip near 6.3 kHz.
Buy the Truthear Gate. It is rated higher for sound quality than the KZ EDZ at the same price, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Truthear Gate | KZ EDZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $21.99 | $21.99 |
| Ranked | #22 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #36 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.39 dB standard deviation | 1.37 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.23 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x dynamic |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/Vrms | 107 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 7Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Truthear Gate:
- EPZ G10 vs Truthear Gate
- 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs Truthear Gate
- CCA Trio vs Truthear Gate
- TRN MT3 vs Truthear Gate
- Truthear Gate vs KZ Gale
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
Truthear Gate: $21.99 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A Harman score of 83 from a single dynamic driver at a very low price gives accurate bass and mids, with bass and upper mids within about 0.2 dB of target. The 28 ohm impedance with 122 dB per volt sensitivity makes it easy to drive from any phone. The warm tilt suits listeners who want a smooth, non-fatiguing sound. It earns the same rating as the 7Hz Salnotes Zero at a similar cost.
Cons: Treble is the weak point, with a deep 10.8 dB dip near 11 kHz and air about 3 dB under target. Cymbals, hi-hats and the sense of space on recordings sound dulled as a result. Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is also about 1.9 dB down, which takes a little bite off vocals.
Full Truthear Gate review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.39 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.23 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.9 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 | 9,538 Hz | +4.7 dB | 0.99 |
| Peak | 2,074 Hz | -1.3 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 196 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 698 Hz | +1.2 dB | 1.31 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 72 Hz | +0.8 dB | 1.77 |
| Peak | 4,992 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.34 |
| Peak | 8,647 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.95 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KZ EDZ: $21.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The EDZ is an inexpensive single dynamic driver set that scores 82 for preference in the median of six hobbyist measurements on squig.link. Bass, low mids and upper mids stay within half a dB of target, and the largest treble peak is only about 3 dB, so it sounds even and fatigue free. Its 107 dB/mW sensitivity makes it easy to drive from any phone.
Cons: Sub-bass falls about 2.3 dB below target, so deep synth and kick drum rumble is lighter than ideal, and the presence region is about 2.2 dB recessed with a dip near 6.3 kHz. The KZ Gale and Aoshida E20 earn the same rating at a similar price.
Full KZ EDZ review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2026 (9 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.37 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons