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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The KZ ZSN Pro earbuds, being less expensive than the Sony WH-CH520 headphones, are wired and have a detachable cable, which might be desirable for durability, but lack built-in controls and a microphone for taking calls. They provide a decent overall sound quality and are suitable for music. However, they are not the best for calls or exercise. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 is a wireless over-ear headphone that delivers great comfort, battery life, and call quality. It supports additional features like app equalization and microphone, making it versatile for various listening scenarios including gaming, TV, and calls. If portability, sweating during exercise, and budget are your primary concerns, the KZ ZSN Pro is a sensible pick. If you prioritize wireless convenience, battery life, built-in controls, and better call quality, the Sony WH-CH520 may be worth the higher price. 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 KZ ZSN Pro
- The KZ ZSN Pro has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.0
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the KZ ZSN Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.1
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the KZ ZSN Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.9
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the KZ ZSN Pro is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
4.6
The KZ ZSN Pro and Sony WH-CH520 are both poor for noise reduction, though the KZ ZSN Pro is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The KZ ZSN Pro does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$25
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The KZ ZSN Pro has a price of $25 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The KZ ZSN Pro has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.6
The KZ ZSN Pro and Sony WH-CH520 are both good for music.
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How the KZ ZSN Pro and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| KZ ZSN Pro | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$25 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | KZ | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
KZ ZSN Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"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."
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the KZ ZSN Pro or the Sony WH-CH520
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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.
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