The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If superior sound quality is a priority, especially for gaming, calls, music, and an immersive experience, the EPOS PC38X would serve you better with its high scores in those areas, mic quality, and open-back design which provides a wider soundstage. However, these come with a midrange price as opposed to the KZ ZSN Pro's budget-friendly cost and higher portability. The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) offers decent overall sound and better noise isolation due to its closed-back design, and while it has an in-line microphone which is adequate for calls, it doesn't match the boom mic quality of the PC38X. Consider the PC38X if you're into gaming and high-fidelity sound and the ZSN Pro if you're looking for something more affordable and portable with satisfactory sound quality for everyday activities like listening to music and casual gaming. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
Best in class for music
Best in class for phone calls
Best in class for gaming
Excellent for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Key differences
Music
9.5/10
7.7/10
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
Gaming
10.0/10
8.0/10
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is very good.
Phone Calls
10.0/10
5.1/10
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9/10
4.9/10
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
TV and Video
9.0/10
7.4/10
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
5.3/10
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and EPOS PC38X are both poor for noise reduction, though the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is somewhat better.
Cost
$139
$24
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) costs $24.
Build Quality
8.5/10
9.0/10
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
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Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.