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KZ ZS4 vs Sennheiser IE 800 S: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser IE 800 S comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sennheiser IE 800 S - Great overall at around $38.

Score breakdown

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

KZ ZS4
Sound6.5
Value7.5
Sennheiser IE 800 S
Sound8.5
Value6.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of KZ ZS4 vs Sennheiser IE 800 S
SpecKZ ZS4Sennheiser IE 800 S
TypeWired IEMsWired IEMs
Price (USD)$19$38
HearWiki score66 / 100 · Good78 / 100 · Great
Released20262017
Audio
Driver1 balanced armature + 1 dynamic driverExtra Wide Band (XWB) drivers
Driver size8 mm7 mm
Drivers per side21
Frequency response20Hz-40kHz5Hz-46.5kHz
Impedance18 Ω16 Ω
Sensitivity101 dB/mW-
Wireless
Multipoint pairing-No
Battery
Wireless chargingNo-
Features
Active noise cancelling-No
ANC typenone-
Transparency modeNo-
Companion appNo-
Custom EQNo-
Wear detectionNo-
Controlsbuttons-
Voice assistantwith microphone-
Design
Weight23 g8 g
Detachable cable-Yes
USB-CNoNo
Calls
Microphones1-

What reviewers said

KZ ZS4

The KZ ZS4 is a budget-friendly hybrid earphone combining a balanced armature with an 8mm dynamic driver for an energetic, bass-forward sound. It offers strong detail retrieval and a comfortable fit for the price, but its V-shaped tuning prioritizes excitement over neutrality. This makes it a fun choice for bass and treble enthusiasts, though purists may find its signature too assertive.

  • Pro:Very affordable price-to-performance ratio
  • Pro:Energetic, bass-forward sound with clear highs
  • Pro:Comfortable and lightweight fit
  • Con:V-shaped tuning can cause midrange bleed
  • Con:Bass can be overly assertive for some tastes
  • Con:Bright treble may come across as harsh

Sennheiser IE 800 S

The Sennheiser IE 800 S is a compact, high-end wired in-ear that impresses with its detailed, spacious sound and refined tuning, thanks to its single 7mm XWB driver. While it offers strong build quality and comfort, its premium price tag, noticeable cable noise, and some design quirks may give potential buyers pause.

  • Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and expansive soundstage
  • Pro:Natural, cohesive tuning with strong sub-bass
  • Pro:Very small and lightweight for comfortable extended wear
  • Con:High price that may not fully match performance
  • Con:Noticeable cable microphonics
  • Con:Not a neutral or linear frequency response

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

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