Castor (Harman Target with Improved Bass Version)

Look at KBears Rosefinch for a bass monster. QKZ x HBB is pretty bassy as well...but nothing to the level of the Rosefinch. KZ Castor Bass Edition (the one with switches) can't touch the Rosefinch for unapologetic bass either.

I just suggested for them to look at them. ive owned the Castor Bass...wasn't for me. It might be for them🤷🏻‍♂️ Yeah...$30 is not a lot for some...but $30 is a lot of money for many. There is literally an IEM at every price point for everyone. I threw out possiblities at that price point. One person can listen to the Diablo and think these are basshead enough...when they likely should save up for the Scarlet Mini (tho that is RENT money or a month or twos worth if FOOD money)

I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE WITH YOUR POINTS: https://preview.redd.it/vwxf7i53neye1.jpeg?width=2377&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9aafdf70e38f01e9e6e88692e4c7f79caca103d8 This is MY collection...and I'm very early in the journey. I don't have the budget, knowledge or experience to blind buy a 500USD+ set of in ears that may or may not fit my ears or my preferences. While my journey doesn't completely fit OP's blueprint...I have/had the same thought process regarding purchasing IEMs. Not pictured are the Moondrop Chu 2 and 7Hz Sonus. I started with the Chu 2, 7Hz Zero 2 and Kiwi Ears Cadenza. From listening, watching and reading reviews...I was able to learn about all the terms, labels, and vocabulary to describe what I like or don't like. I threw money at the Wyvern Abyss...I mean...LOOK AT THEM😂. The Kz Castor Bass was a curiosity buy...want to hear if a set touting bass response was really that bassy. My next steps were the NiceHCK F1 Pros, Kiwi Ears Canta and the 7Hz Sonus. The F1 Pros and the Sonu were on sale at the time of purchase...good value and able to narrow things down more for myself. I knew I liked the planar sound...I have a set of open ear planar cans. The F1s felt disappointing (until I tip rolled) The Sonus was about much for my taste (in the mids) The Cantas were quite nice for me. By this point...I had a good grasp of what I was looking for and the direction (s) I want to go in. AFUL Performer 5+2 is currently my go-to...for all around listening. Sourced from R2R DAC lined out into a desktop tube amp. It's like a warm blanket on crisp bright and snowy winter day. I picked up the Hexa because I wanted to hear the hype...and yes...they definitely fulfill the hype and then some. I've EQed my IEMs... especially the planar. They can mimic the sound...but it's only a part of the equation. I now rotate through 3-4 sets at my desktop listening station. The cheapo ones all have 3.5mm out for around the house or for bed. If they break...ill decide if I want to replace. Tip rolling is a journey of itself. Some tips can dramatically change an IEM and rescue it from the bottom of the pile. My Planars now sport foam tips...easing off the treble was huge. Anyway...long post...if you got this far thanks for sticking with my diarrhea of words. TLDR: I agree with the OP

I've heard good praises for this but there's a catch. People say these iem's are good for their price but nobody recommends them. I guess they're cheap for a reason. If you want excellent sound on a low budget, get the Sennheiser cx80s. They're not iems but are excellent earphones under 1000. Waay better than some of those ugly boat earphones that come under 200-300. If you can spare a bit more cash, then there's the Salnotes Zero 2 that I personally use. It's kinda neutral with slight V shape sound signature and a bit of bass emphasis. But nothing is overdone and sound clarity is excellent. They are slightly on the larger side though. There's also the super popular KZ Castor (bass enhanced edition) with lot's of bass (for an iem) but those are chonky and uncomfortable for long use in my ears. Even bigger than Zero 2.

Then ignore all of those and get yourself a KZ Castor (Bass Edition). They're incredibly cheap & pretty good.

Yo hace más de un año que estoy usando los KZ Castor Bass Edition con cable QKZ T1 y estoy encantado. Voy con un FIIO KA11 y estoy esperando que llegue el ECHO Mini. Le estoy dando vueltas a adquirir otros IEM pero más neutros y estoy valorando los Tangzu SG JAde o los SG2...

Enhorabuena por la reseña. Soy usuario de KZ desde el año pasado que me compré mis primeros IEM: Los Castor Bass Es. Hace unos días compré los Castor Pro Harman... y menuda decepción para mi gusto. Súper brillantes en agudos hasta el ounto de molestar. Quería algo menos basshead y no lo acerté. Devolví y me compre los Wan'er Jade. Espectaculares. Tengo en mente estos q reseñas, pero me frena el hecho que sean abiertos.... los uso en transporte público...

I have to say, they have improved a lot over the years. Now i have in daily use the KZ PRX and the KZ Castor bass edition, they sound great even on high volumes, but last weekend i tested the first IEMs i bought from KZ, the EDX PRO and, wow, what an evolution, at low volume they sound ok, but you put some volume there and they sound awfull to say the least. I had too the KZ ZS10 PRO X, they are better than the EDX but they have too shrill high notes on high volumes, thats why i have gone to the Castors and now the PRX, they sound fantastic for the price in my opinion.

IEMs cables can be swapped to many other 3rd party cables no matter if( 2 pin 0.78mm or 0.75mm) S pin/QDC or MMCX Or others I have adapters for my Sennheiser ie200 ie600 that allows 2 pin 0.78mm cable to be used with them. TBH all my IEMs use different cables and different tips than what they came with as my own preference. Tips are very important for the sound of IEMs to get a proper seal in your ears. The tips and seal can make a huge difference between each person using the IEMs the better the seal the better the sound. Watch YT review Audio monk is a good iem and dap reviewer Gizaudio is another Super reviews is also ok The DUNU titan X looks good dual drivers metal shell 37 $ AliExpress YT review... https://youtu.be/JMjY45C6a0I Cheaper single Dynamic driver IEMs would be the TRN Conch to dip your toes in the water decent quality for cheap price also a lot of extras included for the QDC cable. I got mine for 13usd from AliExpress You just need to try a few different IEMs and pick up a few different types of cheaper IEMs to find what you like driver and tuning wise. More mids more treble or lower Along with a selection of IEMs tips to get the best seal you can the seal can help make IEMs sing So you find your preferred sound profile of IEMs I started with a couple of cheap kz IEMs like the Castor bass edition IEMs Then I tried a few TRN IEMs TRN Conch IEMs TRN crinnical zero red IEMs good bass Attri T10 planar IEM planar Planar only driver IEMs is too peaky to many ears For me it's fatigue which gives me a headache after a short while micro planar as part of a multi driver setup in IEMs can give great details retrieval combined with Dynamic driver and BA drivers. Everyone is different to what tunings or drivers they like prefer or what their own ears can stand. Planar can give a fast punchy pace with fast bass, high treble more detail retrieval. But so can a combo of Dynamic driver & BAs combos. Then i tried some more expensive multi driver IEMs some can be found cheaper in sales. I don't think I paid full price for any IEMs after the zero reds due to sales or discount codes from AliExpress and it's games login daily to build up coins that give money off once you have items in basket. For a good bass the QOA Adonis new IEMs I really like They are great also have nice details for instrumental music. EPZ P50 IEMs = Crystal clear sound. Awful performer 5+2 great alrounder good details good bass. Shanling Me600 are a warmer IEM to my ears like old 70s fuller warmer speakers and Amps metal shells gives nice bass and details. PULA PA02 IEMs to me gives fast punchy sound great alrounder as well Sennheiser ie200 tape modded f With memory foam tips good for acoustics MTV unplugged music Sennheiser ie600 better sound than the ie200 but for the price I think some of the ones above do sound better but the fitting cannot be beaten these can sit in your ears all day night with zero discomfort at all. But are pricey for a single 7mm Dynamic driver. Cables Lots of cheap decent OCC cables to be had for cheap. Yongse makes some cheap but decent quality IEMs cables depending on if you want a braided thin or thicker cable in different materials terminations. Most expensive cable I own are DUNU hulk IEMs cables can buy in either MMCX or 2Pin and have a modular connection so can swap terminations to type C 2.5mm 3.tmm 3.5mm pro or 4.4mm. I buy from AliExpress during sales discounts and wait for a week or more sometimes Because it's much cheaper if you're buying during a sale. You can look up the connection of your IEMs type and then buy in 3.5mm or 4.4 some cables have switchable plugs For 3.5mm to 4.4mm. So you can swap over from 3.5mm to 4.4mm. depending on what you are hooking them into Sometimes the manufacturers can make the IEMs and offer them in different connections MMCX or 2Pin 0.78mm You can pick which IEMs sound profile you prefer Then look for alternative cables and tips The QDC/ S pin connections tends to be the Cheaper IEMs mostly like KZ offerings. They sell a lot bectthey are cheaper than most but quality control can be a little off from set to set. Whilst other manufacturers Of the more expensive IEMs tend to use either 0.78mm 2 Pin Or MMCX or both As it's terminations into IEMs anything usually over 30 or 40 USD tends to use MMCX or 0.78mm. It is all trial and error for IEM sound profile Or watch a lot of reviews on YT to get a feel for what they say about said IEMs A single Dynamic driver can produce some great sound alone So not always the need to jump up to multi driver IEMs with BAs (balanced armatures) Or planar magnetic drivers or micro planar drivers which can range from a few USD to hundreds depending on it's manufacturer the coating used or tunings until you find your preferred sound profile. I would start with YouTube and watch a few reviews look up what sound profile you are wanting from your IEMs. Using IEMs on stage you may just want a neutral plain sound profile Whereas most music listeners many enjoy a more fun engaging sound that performers do not want whilst performing

I only have the kz castor bass edition and I've been looking for a substantial upgrade. Do these offer more bass than those? I'm an IEM noob btw.