How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-04 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
can live with all day, choose CCA KZ ZST X; if you need earbuds built specifically around competitive FPS gaming with
footstep-focused tuning, a fixed mic and multi-platform connections for PC and PS5, choose AZLA AIM8.
• CCA KZ ZST X — biggest strength: a 1BA + 1DD hybrid driver setup (10 mm dual-magnetic dynamic + 30095 balanced armature) with a V-shaped, sub-bass-boosted signature and a detachable 0.75 mm 2-pin cable you can replace or upgrade.
• CCA KZ ZST X — biggest trade-off: it's a music/audiophile-leaning IEM first. There's no USB-C or USB-A option in the box, and no mention of console compatibility — it's a 3.5 mm wired set aimed at phones, players and 3.5 mm sources.
• AZLA AIM8 — biggest strength: it's purpose-tuned for FPS. The audio profile is explicitly aimed at footsteps, reloads and directional cues, and it ships with 3.5 mm, USB-C and USB-A connections for PC, PS5, Switch, laptops, tablets and phones.
• AZLA AIM8 — biggest trade-off: the microphone is built in and non-detachable, the driver is a single 8 mm dynamic, and the cable setup gives you less tinkering room than a 2-pin detachable design.
• Pick CCA KZ ZST X if you want one wired IEM for music, calls and general listening, and you like the idea of swapping cables down the road.
• Pick AZLA AIM8 if you mainly play shooters on PC or PS5, want voice chat handled out of the box, and want to plug into whatever port your device actually has.
The ZST X is the successor to KZ's well-known ZST, and the headline change is the driver package. You get a hybrid
configuration: a 10 mm dual-magnetic dynamic driver handling the low end, paired with a 30095 balanced armature for the
upper frequencies. In practice that's a bass-forward, V-shaped tuning with a noticeable sub-bass lift, clear mids and a
treble that stays lively rather than rolled off. The stated frequency range runs from 20 Hz to 40 kHz, and impedance is
listed at 12 ohm — low enough that a phone or a controller's headphone jack can drive it without a dedicated amp.
Where this set makes sense is as a do-everything wired IEM. The cable is four-strand silver-plated with a 3.5 mm gold-plated
plug, and because it terminates in a 0.75 mm 2-pin connector, it's detachable — so a damaged cable is a swap, not a
without extra gear. The ergonomic, rounded-tip housing is described as lightweight and built to sit tightly in the ear,
with sound isolation cited at blocking at least 90% of external noise — useful on a plane, on a run, or in a noisy room.
The set ships with a metal case and a leatherette carrying case, and it's listed in a cyan finish.
Who should buy it: listeners who want an energetic, bass-rich wired IEM for music first, plus calls and casual gaming,
and who value a replaceable cable. Who should skip it: anyone who needs USB-C or USB-A connectivity for a laptop or
console, or who wants a tuning explicitly built around positional audio in shooters. The ZST X gives you a wide,
engaging soundstage — but it's a music monitor's stage, not a footstep-locating tool.
AZLA AIM8: Who It's For
The AIM8 is unambiguous about its job. AZLA tunes it with FPS audio profiles intended to push footsteps, reloads and
directional cues forward, while still keeping the overall balance usable for everyday gaming. That's the core pitch, and
it's why the product is styled and themed as gaming-oriented rather than as a general-purpose music IEM.
The connectivity is the other half of the story. In the box you get 3.5 mm, USB-C and USB-A connections, which covers
PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, laptops, tablets and smartphones. If you've ever owned a great-sounding wired earbud that
simply wouldn't plug into your console or a USB-C-only laptop, that's the problem this solves. Sound is handled by a
precision-tuned 8 mm dynamic driver — a single-driver design, so expect a cohesive, straightforward presentation rather
than the hybrid layering of a 1BA + 1DD setup.
The microphone is built in and non-detachable, which keeps setup to zero: plug in, talk. AZLA positions it for
multiplayer chat, Discord, meetings and calls, and because it's wired and passive there's no battery to charge and no
pairing to fight with. Noise control is passive only — the ergonomic in-ear seal does the work, reducing outside
distractions without any electronics. The earbuds are described as lightweight and comfortable for extended sessions,
which matters when you're three hours into a ranked match. The package includes eartips, a protective case and a user
manual, all in black.
Who should buy it: PC and PS5 players who want one wired set for competitive shooters, voice chat and streaming, and who
want to stop worrying about which port they're plugging into. Who should skip it: anyone who wants to swap cables or
upgrade the wiring later, or who wants a hybrid driver configuration for music listening.
• Best for competitive FPS and positional cues → AZLA AIM8. Its tuning is explicitly built around footsteps, reloads and directional audio.
• Best for music-first listening → CCA KZ ZST X. The 1BA + 1DD hybrid with a sub-bass boost is a music tuning, not a gaming one.
• Best for console and multi-device use → AZLA AIM8. 3.5 mm, USB-C and USB-A cover PC, PS5, Switch, laptops, tablets and phones.
• Best for cable longevity and upgrades → CCA KZ ZST X. The 0.75 mm 2-pin detachable cable means a broken wire is a cheap fix.
• Best for built-in voice chat → AZLA AIM8. The mic is integrated and non-detachable, so there's nothing extra to set up.
• Best for isolation on the move → CCA KZ ZST X. It's cited as blocking at least 90% of external noise, with a tight, lightweight fit for travel and workouts.
• Best for low-impedance, easy-to-drive listening → CCA KZ ZST X. At 12 ohm it's built to run off a phone or controller jack without extra gear.
• Best for a single no-fuss wired set for gaming and calls → AZLA AIM8. One plug, one mic, no battery, no pairing.
If I were buying for competitive gaming, I'd take the AZLA AIM8. The FPS-focused tuning, the built-in mic and the
3.5 mm / USB-C / USB-A trio make it the more complete gaming tool — it removes the "will this even plug in?" question
entirely, and the tuning is aimed at exactly the sounds that matter in a shooter. I'd choose the CCA KZ ZST X instead if
my priority were music: the hybrid driver setup, the sub-bass lift and the detachable cable give you more to work with as
a listening IEM that happens to handle calls and casual gaming fine. Two different jobs, two different answers — pick the
one that matches what you'll actually do most.
what is gaming earbuds
Gaming earbuds are in-ear headphones designed or tuned with gaming in mind — usually with a microphone for voice chat and
a sound profile that emphasizes cues like footsteps and direction. The AZLA AIM8 is a clear example: it's explicitly
tuned with FPS audio profiles and includes a built-in, non-detachable mic.
what is best gaming earbuds
There's no single answer, because it depends on your platform and priorities. If you play shooters on PC or PS5 and want
one wired set with a mic and 3.5 mm, USB-C and USB-A connections, the AZLA AIM8 is the more purpose-built choice. If you
want a hybrid-driver IEM with a detachable cable that doubles as a music monitor, the CCA KZ ZST X fits better.
what gaming earbuds are good
Good gaming earbuds give you clear positional audio, a usable mic and a connection that matches your hardware. The AZLA
AIM8 ticks all three with FPS-tuned audio, an integrated mic and three connection types. The CCA KZ ZST X is good in a
different way — a 1BA + 1DD hybrid tuning, strong isolation and a replaceable 2-pin cable, though its focus is music
rather than positional gaming audio.
what is the best gaming earbuds for pc
For a PC setup, connectivity decides a lot. The AZLA AIM8 supports PC via 3.5 mm, USB-C and USB-A, so it works whether
your machine has a headphone jack or only USB ports, and its FPS tuning is aimed at competitive shooters. That makes it
my pick for PC gaming specifically; check the current price on Amazon before you decide.
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