Final Audio E500 VS KZ Duet

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Final Audio E500 and KZ Duet are in-ear monitors. Final Audio E500 costs $25 while KZ Duet costs $30. KZ Duet is $5 more expensive. KZ Duet holds a clear 0.9-point edge in reviewer scores (5.5 vs 6.4). KZ Duet has significantly better bass with a 1-point edge, KZ Duet has better treble with a 0.8-point edge, KZ Duet has significantly better dynamics with a 2.9-point edge, KZ Duet has significantly better details with a 1.9-point edge and KZ Duet has significantly better imaging with a 1.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Final Audio E500 KZ Duet
Bass 5.5 6.5
Mids 5.7 5.9
Treble 5.2 6
Details 5.3 7.1
Soundstage 6 6.2
Imaging 5.5 7.3
Dynamics 4 6.9
Tonality 5.6 5.9
Technicalities 4.5 6.1
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough KZ Duet reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Final Audio E500 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Audionotions Jaytiss Precogvision
Crin
Smirk Audio
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

5.5

Mixed to Negative

KZ Duet Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Paul Wasabii Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

6.4

Mixed to Positive

Reviews Comparison

Final Audio E500 reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 4.3 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
D Tech
For users who like ear buds, it's a great little set.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: D Dynamics: E+ Soundstage: B

KZ Duet reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
Build quality is Earbud, I'd recommend the USB-C unless you need the wired.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: A- Soundstage: C+
YouTube video thumbnail

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Final Audio E500 (more reviews)

Final Audio E500 reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Final Audio E500 reviewed by Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 6.8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A Dynamics: B Details: B+ Imaging: A-

Final Audio E500 reviewed by Crin

Crin 5 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C Tech
Very well-balanced though plagued by the usual E-series QC problems.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Final Audio E500 reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 4.5 Reviewer Score
Well tuned. Techs are middling. But for the price they are solid. The fact that they include Final E eartips makes this a must buy. QC is a crap shoot.

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Final Audio E500 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 4.2 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C- Tech
The most well-tuned Final Audio IEM with a balanced, fairly neutral sound.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: C- Mids: C+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: C- Details: C- Imaging: C-

KZ Duet (more reviews)

KZ Duet reviewed by Paul Wasabii

Paul Wasabii 6.8 * Score computed by IEMRanking.com
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
YouTube video thumbnail
Dual dynamic drivers in an earbud style shell deliver tight, fast bass with clear mids and lively treble that suit both music and gaming; sub-bass weight is modest. The optional DSP dongle is handy and the stage is impressively wide for the price. Clean, sharp imaging with big projected stage and tight, fast bass makes it good for both music and gaming. Sub-bass is light and the mid/treble edge can read a bit BA-like or fatiguing for some listeners.
Youtube Video Summary

KZ Duet pairs a 10 mm driver with an 8 mm unit in an earbud form factor, plus an in-ear sleeve that improves seal and isolation. The result is a dual feast of music and gaming: fuller low end from the big driver and Libra X-style clarity up top. It scales with a better source, while the cheap DSP dongle adds usable presets, making the package practical and comfortable.

Bass is tight and fast rather than rumbly, trading sub-bass slam for cleanliness that helps imaging. The mids carry some warmth to ~300 Hz and then tilt toward a sharper, BA-like clarity that favors voices and positional cues. Treble is boosted for energy but kept non-peaky, yielding a fun V-lean that suits EDM and shooters alike. Stage projects big, with crisp edges and stable placement; overall balance feels more polished than recent KZ gaming-centric releases.

Bass: B+ Mids: B+ Treble: A- Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: A- Details: A- Imaging: A-

Paul Wasabii original ranking

Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel

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Final Audio E500 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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KZ Duet User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Final Audio E500 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

4.8

Gaming Grade

C

KZ Duet Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

5

Gaming Grade

C+

Final Audio E500 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B-
  • It sounds pleasant overall, with some uneven spots that hint at room for refinement. Vocals remain pleasant despite the imperfections.

Average Technical Grade

C
  • Even moderate complexity exposes the limited resolution and narrow sense of space. Technical fans will find it lacking.
Bass B-
Expect a balanced but ordinary low end that avoids both extremes. Slam remains moderate and controlled.
Mids B-
Midrange performance is decent, offering balanced presence without major flaws. It works well for casual background listening.
Treble C+
The top end is tidy and serviceable, adding air without overdoing it. Extension is decent for casual listening.
Dynamics C-
It maintains a steady dynamic profile that neither offends nor inspires. Swells arrive but lack drama.
Soundstage B
The presentation supplies a believable venue outline where each instrument owns its pocket of space. The stage opens up nicely for live cuts.
Details C+
The mix feels articulate, yet the tiniest ripples don't always sparkle. Background ambience is reasonably clear.
Imaging B-
Decent positional accuracy provides good left/right placement with an acceptable center image. Instruments stay anchored once placed.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical.

KZ Duet Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B-
  • Tonality is generally agreeable, though a few bumps remind you of its limits. Certain tracks spotlight its tonal quirks.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Bass B+
You get a lively bass response that balances energy with discipline. It balances punch with respectable control.
Mids B-
Expect a competent midrange that keeps vocals grounded and instruments clear. Tone is acceptable across multiple genres.
Treble B
Treble is articulate and clean, adding excitement without harshness. It adds sparkle without harshness.
Dynamics B+
You get confident dynamics that track both macro swings and rhythmic drive. There's life in every crescendo.
Soundstage B
Lateral spread stretches comfortably while front/back cues start to feel convincing. You can trace front-to-back movement.
Details A-
Resolution feels both high and relaxed, capturing nuance with ease. There's zero smearing even at high volume.
Imaging A-
You can literally point to where sounds originate across the stage. You can point to where sounds originate.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

Final Audio E500 User Reviews

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KZ Duet User Reviews

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