Castor Pro (Harman Target Version)

KZ Castor Pro Silver (Balanced) KZ M2 Type C Cable with built in "EQ Tuner" For the above mentioned setup that is a great start in this hobby -- All in $15 to $20 depending on where you are geographically located in this beautiful world. Considering you're starting out, it will allow you to take a dive into the water without fear of drowning yourself into just 1 IEM blind buy @$100 etc... With the tuning switches and options KZ Castor Pro Silver provides and the preset EQ options of the M2 cable, this will give you an idea of what sound profile you are most comfortable with -- And in turn, make a sound profile on "experiential knowledge" based purchase for a future set of IEMs. In my opinion -- For gaming, particularly FPS games -- They are punching above their price. Edit: Also get the DUNU SS Eartips (price varies from $2 for 1 pair or 3 pairs for $7) to enhance your sound experience with a tight seal on your IEM. If you've made it this far into my response, then please look into "IEM burn in time for KZ Castor Pro" as this will help set initial expectations for sound out of the box if you decide to go the KZ route.

Hey there... I do not have experience with KZ PR1 for gaming, however, below mentioned is a post I've made before highlighting a great KZ branded setup. KZ Castor Pro Silver (Balanced) KZ M2 Type C Cable with built in "EQ Tuner" For the above mentioned setup that is a great start in this hobby -- All in $15 to $20 depending on where you are geographically located in this beautiful world. Considering you're starting out, it will allow you to take a dive into the water without fear of drowning yourself into just 1 IEM blind buy etc... With the tuning switches and options KZ Castor Pro Silver provides and the preset EQ options of the M2 cable, this will give you an idea of what sound profile/signature you are most comfortable with -- And in turn, make a sound profile on "experiential knowledge" based purchase for a future set of IEMs. In my opinion -- For gaming, particularly FPS games -- They are punching above their price. Edit: Also get the DUNU SS Eartips (price varies from $2 for 1 pair or 3 pairs for $7) to enhance your sound experience with a tight seal on your IEM. If you've made it this far into my response, then please look into "IEM burn in time for KZ Castor Pro" as this will help set initial expectations for sound out of the box if you decide to go the KZ route.

Hi everyone. I am seeking an IEM that would be optimal for Call of Duty Mobile - Battle Royale. Some of the key things I am looking for in an IEM is soundstage and the ability to pick up with accurate detail directional cues such as foot steps and gun fire. I've went ahead and attached some images of IEMs that caught my eye. Side note, as an entry to IEMs from my Hyper X Cloud Alpha, I recently bought the KZ Castor Pro (Silver Balanced) and it has been tremendous for game play in Battle Royale while utilizing UUUU, and it's arguably better than the Hyper X Cloud Alpha paired with a DAC. Is stepping up to any of the pictured IEMs from the KZ Castor Pro (Silver) going to make any if at all better user experience and difference? Any suggestions of different brands or input will be greatly appreciated.

You brought up a crucial point: "The IEM won't matter if the game's audio quality can't harness its full potential." My take on that above mentioned quote is; an expensive IEM bought for gaming but tuned for the best possible spoken word or music experience may not be any different compared to a budget $10-50 or $50-150 price range IEM. The game I play isn't really complex in terms of sounds (eg. footsteps, gun fire, reload, vehicles, grenades, enemy classes activated etc). One thing the KZ Castor Pro (Silver) is falling short on is the "vibrations" or bass of the footsteps. For lack of better audio terms footsteps sound like a high toned click clack instead of click clack plus thuds. 🤣 As for those brands you've suggested, the KBEAR KB03 looks nice and the specs appear to be the best in what a gaming IEM should be for Call of Duty Mobile - Battle Royale.

Okay... Update regarding this post... Giving it a shot, I've recently bought the KZ - M2 Type C cable and connected my KZ Castor Pro (Silver Balanced) to it... This cable brought out the entirety of life for my purposes within the KZ Castor Pro (Silver Balanced). It added body to the whole sound profile and tamed the airy tin treble. It transformed the sound so much so that it is like having "ear radar" for getting the drop on enemies within Call of Duty Mobile - Battle Royale. There are three presets in the DAC of that cable and they can be toggled on the fly for music or gaming purposes. I chose the "Green Light" for my purposes of fps gaming... (Image Attached) So now what is my next step? It is just hard to grasp if there could be something better, yes there is praise for the Kefine Delci AE in fps games but is the step up to it going to really be a night and day difference? https://preview.redd.it/khgld2zx1txf1.jpeg?width=1220&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ed725e413ccfc1f184f995645871b9419ae4da6

i enjoy castor pro balance, thinking about getting duonic but missed good sale on it, would wait for good deal

They are nice, eartips and cable while not being great are ok to use, but if you feel like updating them, cheap kbear 07 eartips and qkz t1 would be good budget options, also if duonic is in your budget you better get it instead, it's overall improvement compared to castor albeit not as big

kz duonic (bass version with switches, it's better than castor pro if you're taking about it), moondrop chu 2 (if you don't live in humid environment), tangzu wan'er 2 red lion, trn dolphin (if you want bright iem) Also get cheap cx31993 dac without additional amp chip, it should be enough for any of those

Try kz castor pro bass/kz duonic or kz decet And you better never use something like dolby atmos, it usually destroy iem sound https://preview.redd.it/shhwv66i42eg1.jpeg?width=1438&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4498c30b3c890c5a755b34227fecad09a58d86b0

I think so, they are easy to drive and sound good, you better get version with tunning switches and try different presets

**Welcome to the IEM community!** Congratulations on getting the **KZ Castor Pro Harman (Silver)** and **KZ M2 DSP Cable**! ***Good luck on your IEM journey as well!*** **Some things to remember:** * Make sure you have a case for your IEM, and place your IEM(s) there when not in use. * If you live in a tropical/humid country or is planning to use the IEM(s) in a gym or exercise routine, make sure to firmly secure the IEM on your ears and put silica gel on the case. (So any moisture on and in the IEM(s) are being absorbed) * DAC/AMP is not super necessary, but recommend to avoid any issues arising from using the IEM(s) directly to your devices. * Like any other sensitive and electronics, make sure you are careful not to damage or drop your IEM(s). **COMPETITIVE GAMING** * Avoid too much bassy sets, where the bass overpowers the midrange a lot. Most footsteps are focused around the mid bass and lower midrange (especially Valorant). Or you can EQ the IEM you have to control the mid and high bass. (150-350 Hz) * Some games have bad sound engines where no IEMs will help you on directional sound like Warzone and Rainbow Six Siege. In the contrary, games like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant has decent sound engines to deliver directional sound. * Make sure to also check reviews for good to wide soundstage and instrument separation (hearing sounds around you, ie. directional), better hearing on competitive games footsteps. * Make sure you get the best eartips and sound feel for you to avoid fatigue especially in long gaming sessions. **SINGLE-PLAYER GAMES** * Any IEM you like will work, as long as you love its general sound. * Here bass is definitely necessary, makes the game more enjoyable especially with explosions, effects, and music. As long as its the best sounding for you. * Directional sound here is dependent on your preference. * Same with competitive gaming, best eartips and sound feel to avoid fatigue. There are a few more tips and tricks at my [*Beginner's guide through the world of IEMs*](https://www.reddit.com/u/NinjaSiren/s/hcJFvBX0hM)*.*

>How well do these work for gaming and for listening to house/pop music? And if there are any tips, alternative suggestions, or tuning recommendations, I’d love to hear them! Gaming wise, Castor Pro Harman should be fine for the most part, decent-ish enough soundstage and instrument separation for at least getting sound cues while playing Valorant or CS2. But with house/pop music (I am a house/bass/EDM music producer), this is fine if you like a neutral-ish bright experience, but if you wanted more bass punch and power: * Castor Pro Improved Bass * Saga Bass * Vader Balanced * Vader Pro Bass * QKZ x HBB Though a more bassy set will compromise on gaming, especially on sound cues and footsteps, so a warmer-ish all-rounder something like: * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 * Kiwi Ears Cadenza * Truthear Gate * Inawaken Dawn Ms * Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss * GK Kunten

difference is more into maturity, general sound experience, and refinement. but it definitely depends on your preference tuning(s). I previously came from the original KZ Castors (both Bass and Silver Harman), then jumped to KZ AM16 Balanced, but I have already experienced few higher end IEMs around 50-200 USD. AM16 Balanced, especially if bought on a discount or at low price (just like mine at $33 locally here in the Philippines, but in the US it might be around $50-60). Better terms of detail retrieval, instrument separation, and "soundstage" vs the Castors (even if I EQ them to a similar preference EQ I like) But with a little bit more pricy set than the AM16 Balanced, because of its deep V-shape tuning and a little bit more refinement on those more expensive sets, those sets sound better overall. (specifically Ziigaat Odyssey 1) Though personally the AM16 Balanced with PEQ is getting there, sounds wonderful, though definitely those two sets are better, But definitely I know now what to upgrade to and most likely I know what are my end game sets. Until I don't need to EQ. My Mild-V/U shape EQ is around the Xenns Mangird Tea Pro and Ziigaat Odyssey 1. https://preview.redd.it/enkhr59aqhyf1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=35e8f417e92d2acc4f2be3885944fbb1a67f9a52

The original EDX Pro is really more on the V-shaped bright tuning, and many don't like its bright tuning. If you really like bass, Castor Harman is not your IEM. I would either suggest going to like Saga Bass or Castor Bass, or Dawn. Castor Harman (1100 switches), Gale, EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga Balanced is more leaning towards balanced-ish tuning. Castor Harman (0000 switches) is more leaning to mild-V shaped bright, (0011 switches) neutral bright tuning Terms of improvement or any differences, if you want versatility and easy to adjust to almost any tuning, go for the Castor Harman (tuning switches and EQ) If you want to not fiddle with switches and/or EQ, go for the EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga series.

The original EDX Pro is really more on the V-shaped bright tuning, and many don't like its bright tuning. If you really like bass, Castor Harman is not your IEM. I would either suggest going to like Saga Bass or Castor Bass, or Dawn. Castor Harman (1100 switches), Gale, EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga Balanced is more leaning towards balanced-ish tuning. Castor Harman (0000 switches) is more leaning to mild-V shaped bright, (0011 switches) neutral bright tuning Terms of improvement or any differences, if you want versatility and easy to adjust to almost any tuning, go for the Castor Harman (tuning switches and EQ) If you want to not fiddle with switches and/or EQ, go for the EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga series.

Castor Pro (Silver) might be touch bit brighter (abit more leaning towards neutral bright) than the OG Castor Silver, OG Silver seems to have a little bit more smoother sound experience than the Pro Silver. OG Silver, even in FR graphs is more versatile from neutral bright to a Mild-V warm-ish tuning. On the Tangzu Wan'er SG 1, yes its really warm and chill sound experience, though same with your guess it sounded abit too relaxed. Wan'er SG 2 changed that, so you can definitely go for that one as well. If you like bass, then Castor Bass definitely. Imaging wise its better than Tangzu Wan'er SG 1, though male vocals gets drowned, female vocals does not get affected as much. This based on my own personal experience on all 3 https://preview.redd.it/pq76zelzj8xf1.jpeg?width=9720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e9a811c03703d0c885fd03d7a806392ba2ec491 Though in the end, these are just subjective and personal opinions, everything will end up on your own preferences, likes, and dislikes.

The original EDX Pro is really more on the V-shaped bright tuning, and many don't like its bright tuning. If you really like bass, Castor Harman is not your IEM. I would either suggest going to like Saga Bass or Castor Bass, or Dawn. Castor Harman (1100 switches), Gale, EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga Balanced is more leaning towards balanced-ish tuning. Castor Harman (0000 switches) is more leaning to mild-V shaped bright, (0011 switches) neutral bright tuning Terms of improvement or any differences, if you want versatility and easy to adjust to almost any tuning, go for the Castor Harman (tuning switches and EQ) If you want to not fiddle with switches and/or EQ, go for the EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga series.

EDX Pro 2 and Saga Bass would definitely be a slightly more warmer set than EDC Pro. EDC Pro would be similar-ish in bass and mids with the EDX Pro 2, but a brighter treble, abit closer to balanced than warm or bright. But the EDC Pro was original reference tuning for many newer KZ IEMs, like the EDX Pro 2 and Saga Bass. They just refined the sound overtime, Zenith was the pinnacle of that tuning, especially alot of people really preferred the warmer sound. Even other KZs have been tuned to a tamer treble than classic KZ sets. Though recent new new releases have been using the Castor and Castor Pro Bass tuning with refinements on treble, and bass for the bass versions of the new KZ IEMs. https://preview.redd.it/rwodxqaqc3yf1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=cef5c06819544d7d3340234c1640b7dc24e72474

Wait for your brain to get used to one IEM first, this happened to me. My original IEM was the QKZ AK6 Pro like yours (just the pink and blue one). I have used that for years as my daily driver abused IEM. Still works haha, until I end up buying the KZ Castor Bass. After few weeks, I noticed the QKZ sounded duller and has less clarity. It gotten way way worse as soon as I swapped to the KZ Castor Harman, which has way less bass than both. I ended up liking the Castor Harman vs both the Castor Bass and AK6 Pro. Now the QKZ just sounds like mud for me, too much bass.

Taurus is really tuned for a more neutral-ish or neutral bright preference. Its close to my JM-1 +10 dB bass shelf PEQ of my AM16 Balanced. But for my mild-v preference, ill rather pick OG Castor Harman at 1100 or Castor Pro Bass for more bass-focused tuning. Or just use my AM16 Balanced with no EQ, Taurus would just be a side or downgrade personally. But I know some will buy this set as their first.

>How well do these work for gaming and for listening to house/pop music? And if there are any tips, alternative suggestions, or tuning recommendations, I’d love to hear them! Gaming wise, Castor Pro Harman should be fine for the most part, decent-ish enough soundstage and instrument separation for at least getting sound cues while playing Valorant or CS2. But with house/pop music (I am a house/bass/EDM music producer), this is fine if you like a neutral-ish bright experience, but if you wanted more bass punch and power: * Castor Pro Improved Bass * Saga Bass * Vader Balanced * Vader Pro Bass * QKZ x HBB Though a more bassy set will compromise on gaming, especially on sound cues and footsteps, so a warmer-ish all-rounder something like: * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 * Kiwi Ears Cadenza * Truthear Gate * Inawaken Dawn Ms * Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss * GK Kunten

The original EDX Pro is really more on the V-shaped bright tuning, and many don't like its bright tuning. If you really like bass, Castor Harman is not your IEM. I would either suggest going to like Saga Bass or Castor Bass, or Dawn. Castor Harman (1100 switches), Gale, EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga Balanced is more leaning towards balanced-ish tuning. Castor Harman (0000 switches) is more leaning to mild-V shaped bright, (0011 switches) neutral bright tuning Terms of improvement or any differences, if you want versatility and easy to adjust to almost any tuning, go for the Castor Harman (tuning switches and EQ) If you want to not fiddle with switches and/or EQ, go for the EDC Pro, EDX Pro 2, and Saga series.

I have seen a comment (maybe from Audio Amigo) where the Soundbrenner might just be a rebadged TRN ST2 shells with an additional BA driver. Seen frequency response graphs of it somewhere from ASR Forums, wacky and maybe shouty and shrilly graph. https://preview.redd.it/05hgzaaiqxqf1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=bc1d239095b5772b4ab21beb2e973abb64f6a65d I would personally stay away from the Soundbrenner if this is the actual graph, I would rather personally use my KZ Castor, AM16 Balanced, or my EDC Pro over this. In your case, go ahead and buy the Kefine Klean!

I would recommend kz castor silver(4k) or kz gale specifically for gaming(5k for type c variant). Don't get an edx pro for 3k it's not worth it at all. Another option is the gk kunten. Don't buy from temu or AliExpress tbh. Buy from a local seller. I can the contact info of the guy I bought my kz castor from if you want.

I bought the KZ Castor thinking they were all the same, I didn't know that the version with more bass only came in black, I bought it in silver after I saw it was the Harman Kardon version 🤦‍♂️

Thx for your response. I havent found a source that compared Duonic silver to castor Hamrnan, Castor bass, castor pro harman or castor pro bass. Would you define Duonic silver as a slight superior castor/ castor pro? I guess a fit for taste woild be somowehat kz castor pro with toned down excessive bass and very slighlty improved mid frequnecies. Does Duonic silver has somewhat similair impeovement over older castor models in your opinion? I genuinely hated the castor silvers . Castor silvers always sounded very high pitched but lacking real bass response. Kz completely ruined the castors with silver edition. Id'like to hear your opinioins slight differences between Duonic bass, duonic silver, duonic with switches, castor pro silver, castor pro black, castor silver, castor black? There are so many varient that it becomes a challenge to remember.