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KZ PRX vs Sennheiser IE 80 S: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the KZ PRX comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 80. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: KZ PRX - Great overall at around $55.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

KZ PRX leads on 4 of 4 measures.

  • KZ PRX
  • Sennheiser IE 80 S
HearWiki score
80
50
Sound
7.8
6.6
Value
8.6
-
Price (USD)
$55
$71

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The KZ PRX is 7 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 7 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

  • PRX20247 yr newer
  • IE 80 S2017

Specifications

PRXIE 80 S
Type
Wired IEMs
Wired IEMs
Price (USD)
$55
$71
HearWiki score
80
50
Released
2024
2017
Availability
Still sold new
Discontinued
Driver
planar magnetic
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
planar
dynamic
Driver size
-
10 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
-
10 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
15 Ω
16 Ω
Sensitivity
-
116 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.0
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD, LHDC
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Battery life
-
6 h
Full charge time
-
90 min
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
-
No
Weight
-
18 g
Water resistance
-
none
USB-C
-
Yes
Microphones
-
2

What reviewers said

KZ PRX

The KZ PRX is a budget-friendly planar magnetic IEM that offers a balanced, warm-leaning sound with strong detail retrieval and capable imaging for its price. It excels in sub-bass presence and smooth mids, though it demands proper amplification and ear tips to perform at its best. Its soundstage is decent but not exceptionally wide, and the stock cable is a noted weak point.

  • Pro:Excellent value for a planar IEM
  • Pro:Balanced, warm sound with good detail
  • Pro:Strong imaging and separation for the price
  • Con:Requires a capable source and good ear tips
  • Con:Stock cable limits performance
  • Con:Soundstage is only medium-sized

Sennheiser IE 80 S

The Sennheiser IE 80 S is a wired in-ear monitor with a 10 mm dynamic driver, offering a detailed and weighty sound with adjustable bass via a tuning dial. It supports high-resolution audio codecs when used wirelessly via a Bluetooth cable, though it lacks active noise cancellation and multipoint connectivity. The earphones are comfortable and come with a detachable cable, but they do not include an inline remote or microphone.

  • Pro:Adjustable bass tuning
  • Pro:Detailed and weighty sound
  • Pro:Detachable cable and wide ear tip selection
  • Con:Lacks inline remote and microphone
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Sound may lack punch and timing for some listeners

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

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New comparisonKZ PRXSennheiser IE 80 S