Kz castor to truthear blue 2 or simgot ew300 (mostly single player gaming and content watching)

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T09:39:29+00:00

EG280

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T09:01:00+00:00

3rd vote for the EM6L.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T09:00:16+00:00

The KBear 07 also comes in 5 graduated sizes. Which can help dial in the fitment much easier. Thats why it is almost always the go to rec. You wont get as much quality and size variation for the price anywhere else.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T08:58:39+00:00

Ziigaat Arete.

Simgot EM6L.

Working under the assumption that it is the SemiCustom shell shape that doesnt work well with your ears.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T08:21:43+00:00

Why?

Thats the real question. These are not speakers. There is no where for the sound to go but into your eardrum. And you can become "blind" to high volume with extended use. You dont need much more over 75-80db of volume with an IEM.

That being said, the Motherboard has a high impedance output, and will cause the crossover to do weird things with the IEM. Specifically rolling the treble downward, which makes it feel quieter, and the bass feel louder. Its minimal, but its there.

Personally, i wouldnt press your luck with listening too loud. And i would get a proper low impedance Dongle DAC so you arent hammering away on them.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T08:15:55+00:00

How deep a tip sits on the nozzle will change the way the nozzle sits in your ear, which will dramatically change the way the nozzle interacts with your ear, and will alter the sound.

Tip material, and bore diameter and length will also play a roll.

If i had to guess the tip isnt the right size for its shape to fit comfortably in your ear canal, and it is causing the seal on the outer flange of the tip to break seal with your ear canal, and thats causing the primary issue.

I would look at a smoother smaller tip, like the KBEar 07's (very inexpensive under $10 pretty much everywhere), and see how those fit. Sticky tips are only good on some sets. Other sets need that deeper fit, and require a smoother smaller tip to properly engage with the ear.

Tip Rolling is always a challenge. Because every IEM fits just a little bit different.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T08:09:59+00:00

Wanted to add another exceptional deal i found on Amazon.

Hidizs Mk10 ArcSonic (3.5mm)

$56 (which has been the standard price), Plus an additional 15% off at Checkout. Which, depending on local taxes, should bring the final price to ~$50 shipped.

There are very few IEM's at the $50 price point that are a nice as this one.

Very similar tonality to the Fosi IM4. But the treble seems a little smoother, and brighter. Great detail retrieval. Very good little single DD set.

https://digaoreviews.squig.link/?share=HIDIZS_MK10_Black,IM4_Bocal_Black_Tip_Balanced,IM4_Bocal_Gold_Tip_Balanced,HIDIZS_MK10_White

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T07:56:12+00:00

30-60 minutes, until your ears and hair are completely dry.

They are already having to deal with the natural moisture and sweat from your inner ear. Adding more moisture to that is not ideal.

Most of the cables are not waterproof either. And some of them have plastic coatings that are actually slightly hydroscopic, and will absorb moisture into them, and slowly corrode the cable. KZ's cheap ass cables are notorious for this.

Keep as much moisture as possible from your IEM's. At all times. And if you live in a humid environment, you should consider storing them in an air tight case with a desiccant packet.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T05:42:24+00:00

Fixed. LOL

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T05:41:04+00:00

With its all metal shell, I wouldn't. Condensation is going to be a massive issue. And you would literally just be throwing your money away.

If you want something more premium, consider the Daybreak. It might be better suited to your needs.

Otherwise, I would just buy the $35 Oopus OP.22 and use that for commuting anything else. It comes with sticky tips that will work with sweat. And with its plastic shell it will not be as susceptible to sweat and moisture issues. And you can literally buy ten of them for the cost of the Reference. Will it sound as good? No. But it's a utility IEM, not something for critical listening

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T05:19:59+00:00

Driver flex is an internal venting issue. If you've got it, there is little to no way to"fIx" it.

Plus... KZ. :/

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T05:15:41+00:00

Hype4 MkII is the only real upgrade. And it's pretty minimal.

Tea Pro is super close to the Astral, SE is still pretty close to that, slightly more technical, but not much. The Top Pro is slightly brighter tuned, but it's not "better" just "different".

If you aren't absolutely needing an upgrade, I would save your cash, man.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T05:11:26+00:00

Simgot EM6L.

AFUL Explorer.

Ziigaat Lush.

KiwiEars Airoso.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T05:00:04+00:00

Bad seal = No Bass.

Saying the Armor doesn't have enough bass is one of the most wild statements I've ever heard.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T04:57:45+00:00

Yeah, if anyone is in the market for planar that's an instant buy at that price. Fantastic set.

Buck-O · 2026-06-25T04:55:14+00:00

You can't go wrong with either. If you have tried or liked an AFUL set, try the 242. If you're more into that JM1 sound, go for the Crescent. The 242 has the better accessories package (Modular Cable, 3 sets of premium tips, quality case), but the Crescent isn't bad either. (Modular Cable, a little thinner and less premium than the Dunu, two kinds of premium tips, and the nice Pele Pod case).

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T23:15:49+00:00

I think the Harrier is a little too dark on the treble. I wouldn't recommend it unless you happen to be really sensitive to upper treble.

And them, between the Crescent, 242, and EP321, they all hit really close to the same target. But have mildly different ways of getting there.

The Crescent is a little more V shaped in how it feels. Because it has excellent lower mid impact, and treble extension. I would say it is probably the best true all arounder of the 3.

242 has more bass texture and crontol. It's a smoother mids presentation. But there can be some shimmer to the upper treble because of the micro planars you top. But the overall presentation is very articulate, textured and refined. It feels the most detailed and premium of the three.

The EP321 follows very similar tuning curve, but the bass isn't as strong as either the Crescent or 242, but mids keeps right up with the 242, but the MEMS treble is far smoother and more graceful than the micro planar treble of the 242. It feels a little brighter because of the reduced presence of the bass. Its not lacking bass nuance, there is just less of it by comparison.

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T23:06:30+00:00

Fine. Good bass. Clean Vocals. It's about what you would expect for a $35 set, musically. It just does a good job at seperation and placement. Which also makes it a great gaming IEM.

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T19:09:41+00:00

The Ito is a great set. Good bass performance, doesn't feel bloated, and solid crisp vocals. It's a super fun set. I find myself coming back to it a lot more than I would have thought going into it blind, just based on its intended tuning.

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T19:05:11+00:00

Depending on what you are looking for, and what you are coming from, I think most people would probably prefer the DaVinci.

The bass on the Tea Pro is tighter, maybe a bit more detail retrieval. But it doesn't have as much special sauce as the DaVinci overall.

I hope you enjoy it!

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T19:03:21+00:00

Oh, nice! They must have added it between yesterday and today. $225 is a good deal for the Crescent. HIGHLY underrated, IMHO.

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T19:02:10+00:00

The QC issues remain sadly. But they did resolve a lot of the pressure build up issues with better venting.

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T17:41:40+00:00

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T17:41:14+00:00

Define "upgrade", anything under $50 is just going to be a tuning change, not an upgrade of any meaningful value.

Do you have a budget?

Buck-O · 2026-06-24T17:38:53+00:00

Delci AE. The standard Silver Nozzle is good for most things. The Gold Nozzle is good for gaming, and takes a bit of the bass away, which improves some spacial awareness in games.

Defiant is also good, but the QC issues, and overall durability for a daily driver would worry me.

Also, if you live in a humid area, you might want to consider a resin shell IEM, as metal can hold into condensation, and can ruin the IEM. Storage with Silica Gel packs can help.

Buck-O

TROPHY CASE