Shure SE425 vs Linsoul KZ ZS10 at a Glance
• Shure SE425 strength: Sound-isolating sleeves are specified to block up to 37 dB of ambient noise. Trade-off: Its dual-driver design is simpler than the KZ’s five-driver configuration.
• Linsoul KZ ZS10 strength: Four balanced armatures and one dynamic driver are designed for a bright, dynamic presentation. Trade-off: Its listed isolation is up to 26 dB, less than the Shure’s stated figure.
• Shure SE425 suits listeners who prioritize a secure over-ear cable, multiple sleeve sizes, and stronger stated isolation.
• Linsoul KZ ZS10 suits listeners who want a wired, multi-driver earphone and are interested in an energetic sound profile.
• For calls, check the exact cable version: The Shure has remote-and-mic versions, while the supplied KZ listing is marked without a mic.
• For either pick, fit matters: Both use in-ear designs, but their stated isolation figures depend on getting a suitable seal.
The SE425 pairs two high-definition drivers with a sound-isolating in-ear design. Its stated frequency range is 20 Hz to 19 kHz, and its sleeves are specified to block up to 37 dB of ambient noise. For a student listening in a busy common area, on a commute, or in a shared study space, that isolation is its clearest practical advantage—provided the ear tips fit properly.
The over-ear wireform is meant to keep the earbuds secure and the cable out of the way. The cable detaches, and its MMCX connector is designed to rotate and lock into place. The included fit kit has small, medium, and large flex and foam sleeves; the package also includes a 3.5 mm cable, a carrying case, and a quarter-inch adapter. Those details make the Shure a considered choice for someone who wants a stable wired setup rather than a minimalist earbud with a fixed cable.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-09 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
The SE425 may also fit students who want a mic for calls, but there is an important version distinction: the supplied SE425-CL configuration is listed with a standard cable, while the product description identifies separate remote-and-mic versions. Don’t assume every SE425 package includes a mic. I’d skip this model if your priority is having five drivers per earphone or a mic-equipped cable in the exact configuration shown without checking first.
The KZ ZS10 uses a hybrid five-driver arrangement: four balanced armatures and one dynamic driver. Its listed frequency range is 7 Hz to 40 kHz, and the supplied description characterizes the tuning as bright and dynamic, with an emphasis on detail. Those specifications and design choices may appeal to a student who listens to varied music or wants an immersive wired earphone for games, rather than a simpler two-driver setup.
Its shell combines a stainless-steel faceplate with a resin cavity, and its cable is detachable. The stated noise isolation is up to 26 dB. That can help reduce surrounding sound when the fit seals well, though the figure is lower than the SE425’s stated maximum. For someone considering gaming headphones for college students, the KZ’s wired connection and multi-driver design are relevant, but the sheet does not establish gaming performance, microphone quality, or compatibility with every gaming device.
There is a caveat for calls: the supplied version is explicitly listed as without mic. The product description mentions that a mic cable option exists, but that does not mean it comes with this configuration. I’d choose the ZS10 if the five-driver hybrid design is the draw and a mic is not essential—or if you have confirmed you’re getting the separate mic cable version. If you need calls without checking cable variants, this listing is not the straightforward pick.
• Best for stronger stated noise isolation → Shure SE425. Its sleeves are specified to block up to 37 dB, compared with up to 26 dB for the KZ. These are stated product figures, not a guarantee of the same result for every wearer.
• Best for a five-driver hybrid design → Linsoul KZ ZS10. It combines four balanced armatures with one dynamic driver; the Shure uses two high-definition drivers.
• Best for a secure over-ear cable arrangement → Shure SE425. Its wireform is designed to help keep the earpieces in place and the cable out of the way.
• Best for a bright, dynamic sound profile on paper → Linsoul KZ ZS10. Its supplied description emphasizes that character, while the Shure is presented around accurate, natural detail.
• Best for a detachable cable → Both. The Shure uses a detachable 3.5 mm cable with an MMCX connector; the KZ also has a detachable cable.
• Best when you need a mic-equipped setup → Check the exact version of either. The listed Shure configuration is a standard cable, and the listed KZ configuration is without a mic. Both product descriptions refer to other cable options.
• Best for multiple included sleeve sizes → Shure SE425. Its fit kit specifies small, medium, and large flex and foam sleeves. The KZ listing describes an ergonomic fit but does not specify an equivalent range of included tip sizes.
• Best for gaming or music where driver configuration is a priority → Linsoul KZ ZS10. Its design may interest someone seeking a wired, multi-driver earphone, but the specs alone can’t promise a gaming advantage or a particular listening preference.
In my opinion, I’d choose the Shure SE425 for a college student who values stronger stated isolation, a secure over-ear cable, and a fit kit with multiple sleeve sizes. Those features make it the more clearly specified everyday option for listening around other people.
I’d choose the KZ instead if its five-driver design and bright, dynamic presentation are the main appeal. For a headphone for college students that also needs to handle calls, verify the mic cable version before deciding.
I’d lean toward the Shure for students who prioritize stated noise isolation and an over-ear cable arrangement. The KZ is the more obvious match if the five-driver hybrid design and bright, dynamic sound profile matter more.
The specific SE425-CL configuration is listed with a standard cable, while separate Shure versions are described with a remote and mic. The supplied KZ configuration is marked without a mic, although a mic-cable option is mentioned separately.
The SE425 is specified to block up to 37 dB of ambient noise, while the KZ is specified to isolate up to 26 dB. Actual isolation depends on fit, and the stated figures don’t guarantee the same experience for every listener.
Both are wired in-ear options with 3.5 mm connections, and the KZ is described as a gaming earphone. The provided specifications don’t establish performance with a particular console or device, so check connection compatibility—and confirm whether you need a microphone.
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