V-MODA Zn vs Shure SE425

Short answer: the V-MODA Zn, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #419 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.4/5, at $358.35. The Shure SE425 ranks #434, rated 1.9/5, at $299, $59.35 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Truthear Nova instead, ranked #2 at $169.99.

The V-MODA Zn is the better-sounding pick. An inline microphone and a 16 ohm, 105 dB/mW load make it a convenient phone earphone that gets loud without an amplifier. The tradeoff: In oratory1990’s measurement an 8.9 dB peak near 5.8 kHz adds harshness to vocals and snares, while low mids 4.4 dB above target thicken and muddy the midrange.

The case for the Shure SE425: Two balanced armature drivers with a 22 ohm impedance and 109 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loud from a phone without an amplifier. The tradeoff: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement places its tuning far from what most listeners prefer, so expect a clearly colored sound.

Buy the V-MODA Zn. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $59.35 with the Shure SE425 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 V-MODA Zn:

• Jabra Evolve 75e vs V-MODA Zn
• Shure SE535 vs V-MODA Zn
• Shure SE425 vs Mackie MP-360
• Shure SE425 vs Etymotic ER4SR
• Shure SE425 vs Audio-Technica ATH-E70

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The Two Headphones In Full

V-MODA Zn: $358.35 Amazon eBay

Pros: An inline microphone and a 16 ohm, 105 dB/mW load make it a convenient phone earphone that gets loud without an amplifier. Bass sits about 6.9 dB above target with lifted treble, a fit for listeners who like a warm, V-shaped sound.

Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement an 8.9 dB peak near 5.8 kHz adds harshness to vocals and snares, while low mids 4.4 dB above target thicken and muddy the midrange. The Etymotic ER4XR rates higher and costs less.

Full V-MODA Zn review and specifications →

Released	Nov 2015 (10 years ago)
Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.76 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 8mm dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	2Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	16 ohms
Sensitivity	105 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.6 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	+11.1 dB	0.70
Peak	66 Hz	-10.5 dB	0.29
Peak	1,777 Hz	+5.3 dB	0.68
Peak	5,743 Hz	-8.0 dB	5.88
Peak	730 Hz	+1.9 dB	1.53
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+2.9 dB	0.70
Peak	2,999 Hz	-1.7 dB	4.26
Peak	4,097 Hz	+1.1 dB	4.14
Peak	2,216 Hz	+1.0 dB	3.61
Peak	2,910 Hz	-0.3 dB	2.57

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the V-MODA Zn (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • V-MODA Zn vs Shure SE535
  • V-MODA Zn vs Jabra Evolve 75e

Shure SE425: $299.00 B&H Photo Video eBay

Pros: Two balanced armature drivers with a 22 ohm impedance and 109 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loud from a phone without an amplifier. It is rated above the Etymotic ER4SR at the same price and the Westone W10.

Cons: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement places its tuning far from what most listeners prefer, so expect a clearly colored sound. It is wired only, with no wireless features or microphone remote listed.

Full Shure SE425 review and specifications →

Released	2010 (16 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	4.17 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Balanced armature
Drivers	2 x balanced armature
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	20Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	22 ohms
Sensitivity	109 dB SPL/mW
Tonal Tilt	+0.59 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.6 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	+6.0 dB	0.70
Peak	223 Hz	-3.2 dB	0.57
Peak	8,943 Hz	+6.2 dB	1.83
Peak	48 Hz	+0.8 dB	1.86
Peak	5,492 Hz	+5.0 dB	3.43
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+5.8 dB	0.70
Peak	3,734 Hz	-2.7 dB	4.45
Peak	2,114 Hz	+1.2 dB	2.77
Peak	9,102 Hz	-3.1 dB	5.33
Peak	895 Hz	+0.7 dB	2.99

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Shure SE425 (crinacle measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Shure SE425 vs Westone W10
  • Shure SE425 vs Audio-Technica ATH-E70
  • Shure SE425 vs Mackie MP-360
  • Shure SE425 vs Etymotic ER4SR
  • Shure SE425 vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2