KZ - PR2 (1st Version)
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 15, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
1632
60
"Literally couldn't think of any pair of IEMs + dongle dacs could sound as analytical as the C3P+ for around $70. ... detail is just sooo much better. The C3P+ is just leagues ahead the I5 in terms of detail and resolution. ... the C3P+ is actually the closest sounding one to really expensive iems or headphone that I have."
"Crazy good from the jump! ... When you factor in they're only $99 and go toe-to-toe with Bose QC Ultra at $299, this is the deal of the year!"
"Can't recommend them enough for the value, sound like $200 earphones."
202
79
"I went on an 18 mile hike today on technical trails and they felt like air on my feet"
"Regarding the treble, definitely an improvement compared to the ZS10 PRO X; They are not sharp like their ancestor, they are well detailed, but they do not penetrate your ear causing that characteristic discomfort. It's so soft to hear the cymbals sizzle after the beat, but without that feeling of penetration."
"The audio is also 20% better with OpenDots One, as they have dual drivers on each side. ... At 50% volume and below, I would say I could not distinguish the audio quality compare to my semi in ear buds. ... If you are just listening to podcast and non heavy bass music, even at high volume, the quality is very good and it could easily drown the surrounding noise (somewhat ANC). ... it's far better in sound quality and comfort compared to the C40i. ... these are worth the upgrade based on audio, comfort and call quality."
8
9
"The PR2 issue was interesting. First run had an additional filter between the driver housing and nozzle, which tamed the treble a bit and gave the tuning a more well-balanced and natural timbre. It was a $30 planar with an excellent tuning that was easy to recommend to new hobbyists."
"U just gotta EQ. With planars EQ can match physical tuning so you can just get the cheapest one, the pr2's driver isn't that different from pr3 or PRX ... Also if you're not gonna give them proper amplification you're better of with a dynamic driver. Jcally jm12 is good and has EQ but trn black pearl is better and has 10 band peq with less limits and more headroom ... Also kz's planar drivers aren't far off from any that letshuoer, hidizs, campfire or 64 audio use, so if you're gonna EQ and know what you want, you can get a lot of value"
"KZ PR's could have cost 500$ if they came out in 2008."
3
0
"I really like the almost-too-harsh clarity of the planar drivers for gaming."
"its very good positioning for fps"
"Sits in the same case as an EM6L as one of my gaming IEMs."
6
1
"The PR2 issue was interesting. First run had an additional filter between the driver housing and nozzle, which tamed the treble a bit and gave the tuning a more well-balanced and natural timbre. It was a $30 planar with an excellent tuning that was easy to recommend to new hobbyists."
"the KZ x HBB PR2 is the best price/performance planar iem under 50 usd IMHO."
"one of them was only 8 bucks!!?!? 8!!! Planars for under 10? Wuh? Yeah ... For EQ the PR2 is better cause it's cheaper ... I'm talking endgame at 8 bucks, let that sink in, fight me"
Disliked most:
7
8
"That EQ takes care of the Quintet's sibilance around 6K, too."
"I can EQ my Tea Pro or Kiwi Ears Quintet to match the FR graph of my Monarch Mk3, but they will not reach the levels of detail retrieval, attack and decay, separation, imaging, etc of the Mk3."
"Unbearably peaky"
3
10
"Mine just arrived… and I found it weak as hell. ... Max volume on both my phone and PC, and the headphones just don’t deliver. ... the bass adapter just makes it more bass tuned but also even lower volume. ... I don't understand how these new IEMs needs a external amp to get even closer to what those old Razers could deliver with just the power of an 3.5mm jack lmao"
"Mine just arrived… and I found it weak as hell. ... Max volume on both my phone and PC, and the headphones just don’t deliver. ... Even my girl’s cheap QKZ AK6 is WAY louder. ... the iem is like weak even on max volume, the bass adapter just makes it more bass tuned but also even lower volume. ... I don't understand how these new IEMs needs a external amp to get even closer to what those old Razers could deliver with just the power of an 3.5mm jack lmao"
"I found them lacking sound strength and volume when using onboard audio or an average soundcard."
0
3
"Unbearably peaky"
"They’re an older set, and they’ve been retuned from the original version so now they sound noticeably worse."
"The second time fixed the terrible treble of the first retune but the overall sound signature still wasn't as good as the original release."
0
6
"The PR2 issue was interesting. First run had an additional filter between the driver housing and nozzle, which tamed the treble a bit and gave the tuning a more well-balanced and natural timbre. It was a $30 planar with an excellent tuning that was easy to recommend to new hobbyists. Blew up because HBB got behind it. Started selling like hotcakes. KZ decided to pull out the filter, wither to save costs, labor, or both. Totally changed the tuning. It was shrill, sibilant, and a tinny, metallic mess. They pulled the rug out to save a few bucks, and then reframed the change as a “retune.” It was a whole thing."
"KZ goofed it up so bad when the units we received did not match the review units that were sent ahead of time, as KZ decided to remove a mesh piece that dampened the extreme treble spikes (to save on production cost) and claimed that "nothing has changed, we did nothing wrong and we're not going to take the product back"."
"For the PR2 I can't let that slide. The main change was the black mesh that acted as a filter. Later batches didn't got that black mesh and it was obviously more sibilant, it could also be seen on graph (PR2 without black mesh)."
kz planars specifically are some of the most power hungry iems out there. you need a good source to power these properly
r/iems • Planars under 20$ , Am i missing something? ->ive seen mixed things about the budget ones like applle dongle and jm6 pro not having enough power for kz planars. blackpearl i'd take though
r/iems • Planars under 20$ , Am i missing something? ->Shozy P20 is on 50% off at linsoul at the moment and would be my planar pick. It's excellent, my favourite planar I have tried (I had the KZ PR2 (poor tonality/timbre) and nicehck F1 pro (better than KZ but way too much treble, really zizzy)).
r/iems • SGOR Luna, TRN Rosefinch, NiceHCK F1 pro, KZ PR3, KZ PRX, which one to buy? ->Interested to hear your take. I also have the shozy P20 and rate it highly (much better than kz PR2 and nicehck F1 pro)
r/iems • What's an IEM related purchase you do not regret splurging for? ->I'm holding out for the Qinying. The successor to the Symphony, with a slightly larger dynamic driver (7mm) and hopefully better tuning. I never heard the Symphony, but did have a PR2 for a while, which was fine, but too treble-heavy (I had the OG version with mesh too)
r/iems • What was your first IEM, and do you still use it? ->Idk, KZ PR2 are pretty solid at half that price.
r/iems • Best iem under 100 dollars ->No. This is a normal sale price for the PR2s They’re an older set, and they’ve been retuned from the original version so now they sound noticeably worse. If you’re willing to EQ them, I’d say go for it.
r/iems • Planars under 20$ , Am i missing something? ->I had kz pr 2 pr 3 the planar driver is inferior
r/iems • Suggestions for first planar magnetic driver iem ->I have them and love em. Pr2 are my first planars and I like them over Castor pro, Vader, Vader pro, Libra and maybe a bit over Am16. You supposedly need an Amp but with a CX31993/max97220 you should have enough juice to drive and enjoy them. It is a good buy. I'm curious about the sgor luna and the prx. I believe it's important to find the eartips that work for you for every iem too, with the wrong eartips any equipment will sound awful.
r/iems • Planars under 20$ , Am i missing something? ->After owning and adoring the KZ PR1 Pro, I found the PR2 to be a massive disappointment. Unbearably peaky and much harder to drive.
r/iems • Which IEM made you go 'nope' instantly? 😆 ->The PR2 has been retuned twice. The first time ruined the stellar original sound signature by making the treble unbearable. The second time fixed the terrible treble of the first retune but the overall sound signature still wasn't as good as the original release. If you want a very good budget planar set, just get a KZ PRX. It's the most recent planar release by KZ and has a newer, updated driver.
r/iems • Planars under 20$ , Am i missing something? ->Was using KZ ZAX now using PR2. I really like the almost-too-harsh clarity of the planar drivers for gaming.
r/iems • Best iems for gaming ->I prefer my beyerdynamic headphones over my iems for discord calls so that I can hear my own voice better but for listening to music i prefer my eq/modded kz pr 2
r/iems • What do you guys prefer for casual listening? -headphones, iems, speakers ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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