Castor Pro (Harman Target with Improved Bass Version)

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 vote Castor Pro Bass Edition out of that list. I own both the Castor Pro and the Zero 2. To me...the Castor Pro in UpUpDownDown setting...is a budget bass monster. The mids and treble aren't bad. I find the Zero 2 muddier in the mids...and treble is a bit dark. I needed to use some Divinius Wide Bores on the zero 2 to brighten things up. The Castor Pros (on narrow bores) still have some detail...while providing good sub-bass rumble mid bass hits

I have the Legato....they are definitely bassy. I use wide bore ear tips which allows the treble to come through. They're not muddy...but these aren't for details and shimmer. Great for hip hop, edm, brain rumbly sub-bass. The Castor Pro Bass Edition is definitely more muddy than the Legato. The mid bass is tighter on the Legato as well. Legato is not bad at it's price point...and probably even better if you can find them on sale (I did😉)

Out of the sets you've listed. I own(ed) The Cadenza and the 7Hz Zero 2. For a first IEM...I can say either one is a good choice. IEM shape and size between those two...the Cadenza is slightly more compact and contoured. The Zero 2 "looks" uncomfortable...but it was actually isn't. If you have concerned with it's angular look and you can't reliably return the product...perhaps stick with the Cadenza. I have had a Castor Pro Bass Edition (the one with switches) I was not a fan...as my unit had driver flex (hearing the driver flex when the IEM is being adjusted in ear due to lack of proper venting) Have since read about various QC issues mentioned...but most seem to be in the past. I choose not to purchase their IEMs...because there are many others to choose from😉 Last thing to mention...ear tips. Aside from the sound and IEM fitment...ear tips is a consideration as well. Most IEMs will come with an assortment of tips. Take your time going through ALL the tips the set comes with. Even to the point of mismatching sizes between left and right. Human anatomy is funny like that as we are NOT symmetrical😂😂 You will want to get a good (eartip) fit and seal into the ear canal. You will know if you're not properly fitted if the IEM sounds "tinny" or "there's no bass" Super*review has many helpful videos if you get deeper into IEMs. This one will be useful when your first set arrives: [https://youtu.be/ZcEzrA2SzbU](https://youtu.be/ZcEzrA2SzbU) He also has another regarding ear tips. I'll let you find that one...it's on the same channel.

tell me you didn't buy them. don't listen to the other guy. i don't know what games you play but i play VALORANT and the castor pro (bass edition) for VALORANT is BULLSHIT. i originally bought them for music and they do pretty fine but

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.

Let's simplify this... What you have is the KZ Castor Pro (Bass Enhanced Version). These in a nutshell are really a good IEM for a balanced and bass heavy experience, and are arguably better than TWS Bluetooth earbuds, you just need to set them up for success. What you need to bring them to life and wake 'em up inside... ✓ DAC/Amp combo (eg. KZ AM02). This will drive your Castor Pro across any device and there are EQ presets for bass, clarity, and gaming. ✓ Adjust all switches to UUUU or UUDD. These are essentially your manual stick shift for a novel iem with switches. Learn the gears avoid finding it and grinding it. ✓ Get new eartips. You aren't going to get a good seal to unleash all of its glory for sound profile with the stock eartips of KZ. It is crucial to upgrade this area and should be a priority. I suggest something with a narrow bore like the Penon Liqueur Orange or Black. After you have completed the 3 imperative objectives above... Report back here and tell us all if there is any difference. Bonus: You can try an EQ app to further tailor your sound should you choose.

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.

I’m actually a pretty big fan of kz so far. I have castor pro bass edition and kz zs10 pro, and so far I’m loving both of them. My mind was blown at the quality of both, especially for the price. I’ve only had both for a little over a month, but as of right now. I’m a fan 👍🏻

I have castor pro bass edition and love it, I’m somewhat new to the iem community as well. I’ve been switching between my castor pro and kz zs10 pro for the last coulple of weeks, love them both. Welcome aboard the iem train. 👍🏻

So I just ordered the Duonic a few days ago, should arrive in a week or two. I’ve been listening to the castor pro Bass enhanced version for a couple months now. It’s one of my favorite iem’s right now. You say duonic is pretty much superior, man I can’t wait to hear these. 👍🏻

Just started listening to the Duonic. IMO I’d say Duonic is definitely superior to the castor pro. Now castor pro is good, but I think Duonic has a wider soundstage and much more detail than the castor pro.

my castor pros bass edition. I got them a nice cable and haven't even browsed for new models. My quest is complete.

Are the kz castor pros available in your area? They're $25 USD where I'm at and they're great for final fantasy, apex legends, palworld, counter strike, returnal, and cyberpunk 2077. If not, the zero blue 2's are a great pick.

Yes the kz castor pro has fairly low power requirements and they sound great. Oh and they come with DIP switches so you can adjust the tone to suit your preference. There's a graph on the kz website that shows all the different modes you can set.

No problem when you get them try the switches on the headphones and check https://kz-audio.com/kz-castor-pro.html for a graph on each of the switch settings so you can set them to how you want them to sound

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

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

Owner of a KZ Castor pro improved bass here, people say KZ has muddy mids so I'm thinking of trying something better and actually looking for 2nd hand costly IEM cos I don't wanna spend more money without the assurance that the audio output will be an actual upgrade.

I believe it will be a small difference but the rabbit hole of IEM is all about chasing that small difference 😅. If nothing else I'll have 2 IEMs lol. If your first IEM is KZ Castor pro then get the bass version with mic and the best audio quality download FLAC songs and listen to the songs on an Iphone or Laptop. Also. People say that Type C earphones and IEMs don't perform as well as a 3.9mm IEM with a USB C DAM AMP. Get the amazon one now and see how they perform in terms of ergonomics and if you can live with a wired Audio device. The. Upgrade slowly I guess.

Same, I got my affordable KZ Castor Pro Bass with that bomboclat-level bass and great directional sound—if that’s the right word for it. I’ll also buy KZ’s USB DAC with a built-in EQ, so I’m basically set until they break. Tho i will say these IEMS are wayy better than what i had back then for way cheaper as well. I legit started hearing new sounds on my fav songs its like im listening to them the first time.

So I've had my Castor pros for about 3 days now and I've got them to where I am happy with the tuning. For mostly classic rock, metal, stuff not extremely bass heavy. So now I am once again on the hunt, this time I was wondering what a good not pricey (I'm poor) lol, more bass heavy but still punchy. I listen to some rap also but mostly hardcore techno 155+bpm, but I still want it to be punchy. Any recommendations will help. Thx guys😊.

Castor pros, silver is the Harman curve, the black ones are the bass enhanced.☺️ I bought them as my first and I'm very happy.

Castor pros, silver is the Harman curve, the black ones are the bass enhanced.☺️ I bought them as my first and I'm very happy.