The KZ Vader Balanced ranks #316 out of 1061 total In-Ear Headphones for sound quality. See all Headphones rankings for every top pick.
Brand: KZ
Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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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#316 KZ Vader Balanced: $34.99 Linsoul $34.99 eBay
Pros: The Balanced factory tuning of the triple dynamic KZ Vader, very cheap at about $35, with about 1.5 dB more bass than target and four tuning switches (score 75).
Cons: It rates below the KZ Vader, which has less bass, and the same listing sells both tunings, so check which one you order. Its score rests on three measurements and a 1.97 dB spread from the target.
Is the KZ Vader Balanced right for you?
Buy it if
- you want the tuning most listeners prefer in blind tests out of the box (Harman score 75).
- you want sub-bass rumble that reaches down to 20 Hz.
Skip it if
- you want the best value: the higher-rated EPZ G10 costs about $11 less.
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.97 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 3 x 8mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ Presets
Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Harman match with this EQ: 90 out of 100, up from 75.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 23 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.65 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.97 |
| Peak | 4,298 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.16 |
| Peak | 7,710 Hz | -2.7 dB | 6.00 |
Neutral target
Set a preamp of -1.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Neutral match with this EQ: 92 out of 100, up from 42.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -8.6 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 23 Hz | +1.9 dB | 1.90 |
| Peak | 121 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.91 |
| Peak | 4,298 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.15 |
| Peak | 7,710 Hz | -2.7 dB | 6.00 |
Studio flat target
Set a preamp of -2.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Studio flat match with this EQ: 94 out of 100, up from 24.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -11.2 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 23 Hz | +1.6 dB | 2.22 |
| Peak | 137 Hz | -6.7 dB | 0.86 |
| Peak | 2,773 Hz | +2.7 dB | 1.77 |
| Peak | 5,433 Hz | -1.0 dB | 4.89 |
| Peak | 7,519 Hz | -3.0 dB | 5.41 |
Warm target
Set a preamp of -2.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Warm match with this EQ: 94 out of 100, up from 73.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 23 Hz | +2.5 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | -4.9 dB | 1.05 |
| Peak | 620 Hz | +1.0 dB | 1.55 |
| Peak | 2,498 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 8,000 Hz | -4.8 dB | 2.20 |
Bass 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 Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Bass match with this EQ: 92 out of 100, up from 70.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 23 Hz | +2.5 dB | 1.50 |
| Peak | 129 Hz | -5.1 dB | 1.02 |
| Peak | 4,298 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.17 |
| Peak | 7,709 Hz | -2.7 dB | 6.00 |
Bright target
Set a preamp of -4.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Bright match with this EQ: 93 out of 100, up from 33.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -8.7 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 23 Hz | +2.0 dB | 1.86 |
| Peak | 64 Hz | -0.8 dB | 2.85 |
| Peak | 122 Hz | -5.3 dB | 0.91 |
| Peak | 1,408 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.82 |
| Peak | 3,875 Hz | +1.4 dB | 4.67 |
| Peak | 5,345 Hz | +4.0 dB | 1.32 |
| Peak | 7,621 Hz | -1.6 dB | 4.81 |
V-shaped target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted V-shaped match with this EQ: 92 out of 100, up from 72.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 25 Hz | +2.2 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 118 Hz | -4.1 dB | 1.22 |
| Peak | 196 Hz | -0.8 dB | 3.63 |
| Peak | 430 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.78 |
| Peak | 1,300 Hz | -1.2 dB | 3.73 |
| Peak | 3,815 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.62 |
| Peak | 5,345 Hz | +4.5 dB | 1.13 |
| Peak | 6,831 Hz | -1.7 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Frequency Response
How the KZ Vader Balanced measures across the audible range, against the Harman in-ear target that most listeners prefer in blind tests. Where the line sits above the target that range sounds louder (more bass, brighter treble), below it quieter. The curve is the median of 3 independent measurements, so one odd sample or rig cannot skew it, and both lines are shifted so their 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB.
Measurement data: median of 3 measurements from the squig.link databases of audioamigo, harpo and koi. Thanks to each of them for publishing their work.