How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• Koss UR23ik — biggest strength: A true full-size over-ear design with a D-shaped earcup that mimics the ear for a better seal, plus an in-line mic and remote for calls, track control and voice assistant use.
• Koss UR23ik — biggest trade-off: It's a wired 3.5mm-only headphone with sound isolation rather than active noise cancellation, so it won't silence a loud environment the way ANC gear does.
• YINYOO KZ ZS12 — biggest strength: A hybrid driver setup (1 dynamic driver + 5 balanced armatures) with a built-in electronic crossover board, aimed at clarity, layered bass and precise imaging for gaming and critical listening.
• YINYOO KZ ZS12 — biggest trade-off: It's an in-ear monitor, not an over-ear headphone, and this version ships without a microphone, so it's for listening and monitoring rather than calls.
• Who each pick is for: Koss UR23ik for commuters, students, office workers and casual gamers who want one wired over-ear headphone for everything; YINYOO KZ ZS12 for gamers, musicians, singers and audiophiles chasing detail and imaging from an in-ear.
The Koss UR23ik is a full-size, over-ear wired headphone with a 3.5mm jack, and its whole personality is built around being easy to live with. The D-Profile earcup is shaped to follow the curve of the ear, which the spec sheet says gives a better seal for sound isolation. In practice, that means a closer, more enclosed fit than a flat round pad, so a bit less outside noise leaks in and a bit less of your music leaks out. It won't compete with active noise cancellation, but for a busy office, a library or a train seat, that seal does real work.
Audio-wise, Koss rates it from 18 Hz to 20 kHz with a 32-ohm impedance and a dynamic driver. The lower end of that range means the low bass has somewhere to go, and 32 ohms is friendly to phones, laptops and tablets without needing a separate amp. The bigger draw for a lot of buyers is the in-line microphone and remote: you can answer and end calls, pause, play and skip tracks, and trigger your voice assistant without reaching for your phone. If you take meetings or calls from a laptop all day, that single cable does the job of two.
Comfort is the other headline. It's described as durable and ultra lightweight, with plush leatherette cushions and an adjustable headband. At 9.6 ounces it's not featherweight, but the over-ear cup spreads that weight across the side of your head rather than pressing into your ear canal. That's the classic argument for over-ear headphones over in-ears for long sessions: nothing is jammed into your ear for hours.
YINYOO KZ ZS12: Who It's For
The YINYOO KZ ZS12 is an in-ear monitor, and it's unapologetically technical. Each side packs four 31736 ultra-high-frequency balanced armatures plus a 30019 mid-high unit, alongside a single 10mm ultra-low-frequency dynamic driver. That's a 1DD + 5BA hybrid configuration, and the point of stacking that many drivers is specialization: the dynamic driver handles the deep, physical bass, while the balanced armatures handle the upper mids and treble where detail and air live.
The spec sheet also calls out a built-in electronic crossover board. This is the part that matters more than the driver count for a lot of buyers. A crossover divides the frequency range between drivers so each one only plays what it's good at, which reduces overlap and interference. The result, as described, is cleaner separation across the spectrum — treble that stays open, vocals that stay natural, and bass that keeps its texture instead of turning into one blunt thump. Impedance is 35 ohms with 109 dB sensitivity, and the frequency range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
The gaming angle is explicit. The sheet highlights precise sound imaging, fast transient response and strong dynamics as the reasons it helps you locate opponents quickly in FPS titles. That's the classic IEM advantage: an in-ear sits deep and seals well, which tightens the sense of direction in a mix. For musicians, singers and audiophiles, the same traits translate into monitoring — hearing reverb tails, breath, bow noise, and small mix decisions that a bass-heavy consumer headphone tends to smear.
The build is a metal faceplate with a resin shell, which is a common combination for durability without excess weight, and it ships with a cable, eartips and a user manual. It carries a 12-month warranty. Note this particular version is listed without a microphone. If you need to talk to teammates or take calls, that's a real limitation — you'd be listening only, or handling audio separately.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for all-day comfort → Koss UR23ik. Over-ear leatherette cushions and an adjustable headband spread pressure across your head instead of your ear canals.
• Best for calls and voice assistant use → Koss UR23ik. It has an in-line microphone and remote; this version of the ZS12 is listed without a microphone.
• Best for detail, separation and imaging → YINYOO KZ ZS12. Six drivers per side plus an electronic crossover board is a fundamentally more elaborate audio design.
• Best for competitive FPS gaming → YINYOO KZ ZS12. The sheet specifically cites sound imaging and transient response for locating opponents.
• Best for musicians, singers and monitoring → YINYOO KZ ZS12. The hybrid tuning and 109 dB sensitivity suit critical, close listening.
• Best for a single wired headphone for everything → Koss UR23ik. One 3.5mm cable covers laptop, tablet and gaming device, with controls on the wire.
• Best for noise isolation by fit → Koss UR23ik for an over-ear seal, but YINYOO KZ ZS12 if you want the deeper seal an in-ear tip provides. Both list sound isolation, not active noise cancellation.
• Best for people who hate in-ear tips → Koss UR23ik. No contest here; it's the whole reason over-ear headphones still exist.
In my opinion, most people shopping this pair should buy the Koss UR23ik. It's the safer, more versatile choice: over-ear comfort, a mic and remote for calls, and one 3.5mm cable that works with laptops, tablets and consoles. It fits more of a normal day. I'd only steer you to the YINYOO KZ ZS12 if you specifically want an in-ear monitor — for FPS gaming, for stage monitoring, or for chasing detail and imaging that a single-driver over-ear can't really match. If you already know you prefer in-ears, the ZS12 is the more interesting piece of engineering. If you're not sure, the Koss is the one you'll actually keep using.
FAQ
how should over ear headphones fit
how long do over ear headphones last
That depends on build and care more than anything in a spec sheet. The Koss UR23ik is described as durable and ultra lightweight with leatherette cushions, and leatherette pads are usually the first thing to wear out on any over-ear. Cable and pad condition will decide most of its lifespan, so treat the 3.5mm cable gently.
are over ear headphones worth it
For long listening sessions, yes — in my opinion the Koss UR23ik's over-ear fit is the main reason to pick it over the YINYOO KZ ZS12, since nothing sits inside your ear canal. If your priority is detail, imaging and a deep in-ear seal instead, the ZS12 is the more rewarding pick. It comes down to which comfort trade-off you'd rather live with.
are over ear headphones waterproof
Nothing in either spec sheet lists water resistance, so treat both the Koss UR23ik and the YINYOO KZ ZS12 as not waterproof. Don't wear them in heavy rain or around sweat-heavy workouts expecting protection. If moisture is a regular part of your day, that's a genuine reason to look at models explicitly rated for it.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: PROHEAR 033 vs KLVCUPQ Bone Conduction Headphones, TOZO HT3 vs ANSTEN Swimming Headphones, Bawjog KZ AS16 vs StudioMan HPA, L LTGEM Replacement Ear Pads vs Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads