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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If budget is your main concern, the KZ ZSN Pro X is the less expensive option and delivers good overall sound quality for music and decent noise isolation with a closed enclosure. However, these earbuds are wired, lack a high-quality microphone and additional features like app customization, and they are not recommended for exercise or calls. The Sony WH-CH520, while more expensive, offers greater comfort, better quality for calls and meetings, wireless convenience, app equalization, and superior battery life with wireless charging capabilities. They're versatile for gaming and TV but are not as portable or exercise-friendly as the KZs due to their larger size and weight. 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 X
- The KZ ZSN Pro X 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
Music
7.0
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and KZ ZSN Pro X are both good for music, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.9
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is poor.
Phone Calls
3.1
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.7
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is poor.
TV and Video
7.3
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
4.6
The KZ ZSN Pro X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The KZ ZSN Pro X does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$24
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The KZ ZSN Pro X has a price of $24 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The KZ ZSN Pro X has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the KZ ZSN Pro X and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| KZ ZSN Pro X | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$24 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | KZ | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2020 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 2.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 27 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
KZ ZSN Pro X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"The KZ ZSN PRO X offers superb sound for very little money, like under $30 USD. It has some rough edges with a plastic seam on the cable that can rub on your ear, and the bud is a bit large. The tech isn't cutting edge, but new doesn't always equal better. You should try it."
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 X 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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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.
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