Etymotic Research HF5 vs KZ ZS10: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

FEEDBACK

Products

KZ ZS10

Etymotic Research HF5

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Apr 02, 2025 02:29 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Apr 10, 2024 06:09 PM

KZ ZS10 Picture

Etymotic Research HF5 Picture

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerBalanced Armature

MicNo

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerBalanced Armature

MicNo

Our Verdict

KZ ZS10

Etymotic Research HF5

The KZ ZS10 are slightly better critical listening than the Etymotic Research HF5. They have a more comfortable fit despite their larger than average earbuds. The KZ also have a better-balanced sound quality with a stronger bass, a better mid-range, and a more balanced treble. They also have a more durable and eye-catching design with a detachable audio cable. On the other hand, the Etymotic isolate passively a lot better than the KZ. They're also more portable and come with a case and more accessories than the KZ.

Variants

ZS10 (Black, mic)
ZS10 (Black, no mic)

HF5 (Black)
HF5 (Blue)

Review

See KZ ZS10 Review

See Etymotic Research HF5 Review

Check Price

Black, mic

ZS10

Black

HF5

Black, no mic

ZS10

Blue

HF5

Blue, no mic

ZS10

Red, no mic

ZS10

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Call

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

KZ ZS10 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

KZ ZS10 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

KZ ZS10 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

N/A

N/A

Feedback

N/A

N/A

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

N/A

N/A

Channel Mixing

N/A

N/A

Noise Cancelling Control

N/A

N/A

Talk-Through

N/A

N/A

Additional Buttons

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

KZ ZS10 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

KZ ZS10 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Transmitter Required

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

KZ ZS10 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

N/A

Lock"

W

N/A

Lock"

H

N/A

Lock"

Volume

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

KZ ZS10 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

KZ ZS10 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

KZ ZS10 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

KZ ZS10 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

KZ ZS10 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

KZ ZS10 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

KZ ZS10 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In the box Picture

KZ ZS10 In the box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 In the box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

KZ ZS10 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

KZ ZS10 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

KZ ZS10 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

KZ ZS10 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

KZ ZS10 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

KZ ZS10 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

KZ ZS10 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

KZ ZS10 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

KZ ZS10 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

KZ ZS10 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response

KZ ZS10 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

KZ ZS10 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Distance

N/A

N/A

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

KZ ZS10 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

KZ ZS10 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

KZ ZS10 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

N/A

N/A

In-line

N/A

N/A

Boom

N/A

N/A

Detachable Boom

N/A

N/A

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

KZ ZS10 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

N/A

N/A

FR Std. Dev.

N/A

N/A

HFE

N/A

N/A

Weighted THD

N/A

N/A

Gain

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

KZ ZS10 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Speech + Pink Noise

Speech + Subway Noise

SpNR

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

N/A

N/A

Continuous Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Additional Charges

N/A

N/A

Total Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Charge Time

N/A

N/A

Power Saving Feature

N/A

N/A

Audio While Charging

N/A

N/A

Passive Playback

N/A

N/A

Charging Port

N/A

N/A

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

KZ ZS10 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

N/A

N/A

iOS

N/A

N/A

Android

N/A

N/A

macOS

N/A

N/A

Windows

N/A

N/A

Equalizer

N/A

N/A

ANC Control

N/A

N/A

Mic Control

N/A

N/A

Room effects

N/A

N/A

Playback Control

N/A

N/A

Button Mapping

N/A

N/A

Surround Sound

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

N/A

N/A

Multi-Device Pairing

N/A

N/A

NFC Pairing

N/A

N/A

Line of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Default Latency

N/A

N/A

aptX Latency

N/A

N/A

aptX(LL) Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

KZ ZS10 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft

Lock ft

Connection

Locked

Locked

Wired Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

PC / PS4 Compatibility

PC / PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PC / PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wireless

Locked

Locked

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

N/A

N/A

USB Input

N/A

N/A

Line In

N/A

N/A

Line Out

N/A

N/A

Optical Input

N/A

N/A

RCA Input

N/A

N/A

Dock Charging

N/A

N/A

Power Supply

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Check Price

Black, mic

ZS10

Black

HF5

Black, no mic

ZS10

Blue

HF5

Blue, no mic

ZS10

Red, no mic

ZS10

KZ ZS10

Etymotic Research HF5

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

KZ ZS10 vs Etymotic Research HF5: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.

Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide

No comments yet, refresh to see new ones