It is part me, part KZ and TRN are not sending out as many sets as they did in the past. It looks like some reviewers stopped the budget sets, but some of it is just they aren't being sent out.
Awesome review as usual Paul! Its price is really what makes this such a likeable set because of how well balanced it it compared to other sets in the price range. It's also nice they went back to the D-Fi style tuning because I still think D-Fi is the best tuned KZ to date. Cheers man!
@@PaulWasabii i watch you and akros then russian channels on top of that. and read reviews on head-fi. i starting my researching on KZ ESX then goes upper till Castor. ended up buying QKZ x HBB. my final list is QKZ x HBB, KZ ZVX and EXS. for hip-hop and rap. im not bass head im new. budget was around max 20$.
Would you prefer this or the original "old" CCA CRA? I have an original CRA and really like it, but the treble is a bit to bright sometimes for me (is the only iem that I have, and I was wondering if the polaris would be an upgrade) Thanks.
Yeah someone mentioned it was well below that at the $10usd level. Again, if you have a few IEMs, probably not the target for this set, but it is a bunch of fun.
@@PaulWasabii I buy some of the cheap sets to try other tunings, and the kids / grandkids get them if I am disappointed. I was expecting this to be more like the Castor, but the bass is totally different.
I don't have Nord Plus buds, but generally tws have a large bass curve assuming there will be some bass leakage. They tend to over do the bass which is fun but it is the opposite of most IEMs that require a sealed fit .
For me yes, but it is subjective. I prefer a bit less treble which you get in Polaris. You can just get the cheaper one as they are similar, but not the same.
The cheaper one? I actually thought the small tweaks to Polaris are better but both are similar and I wouldn't buy both. I think Polaris has the price advantage.
Lyra is not bad actually, but goes back in history quite a bit. KZ's drivers, tuning methods, and the switches are things that didn't exist in Lyra time. I like Polaris alot, would definitely take it over Lyra simply because you can tweak the bass level.
The overall sound is not as bright as Zero, its closer to Zero:2, more bass, relaxed treble. Take a look Crinacle's video on Zero:2 and that will give you a feel for Zero vs Polaris
Castor bass with kbear07 tips. 1000 or 1010 settings and it’s time for fun. It has pretty great techs for the price, they are on par with the truthear zero as far as techs, but imo sound better than the blue.
Both of those are quite good. Polaris was super cheap for a while and I would say give it a try at $12. If you look at the post release hype period on Piccolo, it is a nice set that didn't get as much hype as it deserved. Just lots of competition at the same or lower price.
That is where KZ rarely specifies it so hard to know if that is the case or not. Now you see the super linear DD mentioned. Is that the same unit or do they now have multiple super linears.
ESX loses coherence in the treble at volume.. It's a fun set.. Bass bleeds a bit to the mids, but that give a good authoritive timber to acoustic instruments in the lower range, viloas, acoustic guitars, etc.. It's nice, needs the right tips..
@@НИИВВ That's a hard one. I have both.. They are different use case scenarios, hbb maybe more of an all-rounder, use kbear07 tips if you want to refine the treble a bit. On the other hand, if I were to dive into my low end collection I would probably pick up the ESX.. But only for specific things.. So ya I would lean towards the hbb if it has to do everything, the only problem with ESX is if your source is not strong and your files are not top quality, it sounds awful at very high volume. I know this is unhelpful. So if your files and source are very good maybe the ESX. If there is a question about that, or some of your library is lower resolution, the hbb. ESX wants the KBear 07 as well.. Don't use a straight copper cable if you can avoid it, it will reduce the treble. Use silver coated, I think it comes with one like that. Don't buy expensive cables, just get the materials you want. Silver coated ofc for this. ESX is more fun. Hbb is reliable at everything. The tips that come with the ESX are usable, don't worry too much about it..use the black ones.
I never heard Castor Harman but many people didn't like the Castor treble level which is probably more noticeable on Standard, so I would personally got Polaris as I don't like brighter sets.
Not better, but D-Fi tweaked tuning which was right on, more low end than Castor, and not a specialist like Castor bass. If you don't know what to get, Polaris is the one. If you want lots of bass, Castor bass.
Castor bass is a must have imo. I have a lot of sets and it is in my rotation. If you wanted the legato, but don’t want to spend $100, this is a good choice.
@@PaulWasabii, thank you very much Mr Paul. I just got the Castor bass just today. Using it on some of my music. I really like it suprised that that the Castor Bass was soo clean that it doesn't muddle up the mids with how much the bass have. I am really liking it. I really liking this than the headphone I have which is the Ath M20xbt. I guess I am a basshead. But this bass is quality bass.
Thanks for not losing sight of the budget gear. Paul. Cheers..
It is part me, part KZ and TRN are not sending out as many sets as they did in the past. It looks like some reviewers stopped the budget sets, but some of it is just they aren't being sent out.
Hope they sent you Paul also CCA Rhapsody. This might look really interesting.
They did and I happened to open Polaris and figured I would not like it and pick up Rhapsody. Rhapsody still unopened but will get to it soon.
@@PaulWasabii Looking forward to your review of the Rhapsody.
Awesome review as usual Paul! Its price is really what makes this such a likeable set because of how well balanced it it compared to other sets in the price range. It's also nice they went back to the D-Fi style tuning because I still think D-Fi is the best tuned KZ to date. Cheers man!
I don't know who at KZ appeared and tuned it, but he needs to do more sets.
They look great
your review is refreshing after bunch of russian channels. i like how you explained on graph.
Yeah when you start associating what you hear in your ear so some graphs or graph concepts, it almost starts to make more sense.
@@PaulWasabii i watch you and akros then russian channels on top of that. and read reviews on head-fi. i starting my researching on KZ ESX then goes upper till Castor. ended up buying QKZ x HBB. my final list is QKZ x HBB, KZ ZVX and EXS. for hip-hop and rap. im not bass head im new. budget was around max 20$.
Would you prefer this or the original "old" CCA CRA? I have an original CRA and really like it, but the treble is a bit to bright sometimes for me (is the only iem that I have, and I was wondering if the polaris would be an upgrade) Thanks.
Yes, that original CRA had some wicked peaks. Polaris is a more generally appealing sound, closer to the modern sound a couple years after CRA.
This seems like a solid pick for < $15
Yeah someone mentioned it was well below that at the $10usd level. Again, if you have a few IEMs, probably not the target for this set, but it is a bunch of fun.
@@PaulWasabii I buy some of the cheap sets to try other tunings, and the kids / grandkids get them if I am disappointed. I was expecting this to be more like the Castor, but the bass is totally different.
@@PaulWasabiistocking stuffer approved? Coerce my peers into the rabbit hole.
@@JohnClarkWthe castor black surprised me, that set is legit amazing for $15. They could sell it for $50.
I hope youll do a review of the trn conch with how similar it graphs to the ea500
I'll see about that
Ew200 with low pinna (red)
Hello Paul, it may sound silly but how is the bass presence in polaris in comparison with one plus nord buds.
I'd like to get your views on this
I don't have Nord Plus buds, but generally tws have a large bass curve assuming there will be some bass leakage. They tend to over do the bass which is fun but it is the opposite of most IEMs that require a sealed fit .
Hello paul, is this better than chu 2? I get confused when choose between these two
For me yes, but it is subjective. I prefer a bit less treble which you get in Polaris. You can just get the cheaper one as they are similar, but not the same.
@@PaulWasabii thanks a lot, I decided to buy the polaris instead of chu 2
Which is better between kz dfi switch and cca polaris?
The cheaper one? I actually thought the small tweaks to Polaris are better but both are similar and I wouldn't buy both. I think Polaris has the price advantage.
I guess KZ has a different tuner for the CCA lineup
Something different but lately you can tell by the treble levels and that D-Fi curve.
Cca Polaris vs edx pro which one is better????
Polaris
@@PaulWasabii reason???
How is Polariz compared to Lyra? Which one is more fun on bass/midbass?
Lyra is not bad actually, but goes back in history quite a bit. KZ's drivers, tuning methods, and the switches are things that didn't exist in Lyra time. I like Polaris alot, would definitely take it over Lyra simply because you can tweak the bass level.
@@PaulWasabii sorry didn't reply earlier, no notification. Yes, I've got polaris, nice one for its price. Thx a lot.
how is this compared to the salnotes zero? they look similar in the treble
The overall sound is not as bright as Zero, its closer to Zero:2, more bass, relaxed treble. Take a look Crinacle's video on Zero:2 and that will give you a feel for Zero vs Polaris
So KZ D-Fi is obsolete already, do you think?
Yes, D-Fi was the first set to get the pieces right, and then they got refined in Polaris or Trio.
I can't decide between this and kz castor bass. 😵💫should i just get them both?
Yeah, there isn't really overlap and Castor bass is a special one. Polaris is more like a general purpose fun set.
Castor bass with kbear07 tips. 1000 or 1010 settings and it’s time for fun. It has pretty great techs for the price, they are on par with the truthear zero as far as techs, but imo sound better than the blue.
Hi Paul, CCA Polaris vs Tripowin Piccolo which one you'll choose! Thanks
Both of those are quite good. Polaris was super cheap for a while and I would say give it a try at $12. If you look at the post release hype period on Piccolo, it is a nice set that didn't get as much hype as it deserved. Just lots of competition at the same or lower price.
This or kz edx pro??
If you are just getting into IEMs, Polaris or KZ EDC Pro.
Does the CCA Polaris use same driver as KZ D-FI ?
That is where KZ rarely specifies it so hard to know if that is the case or not. Now you see the super linear DD mentioned. Is that the same unit or do they now have multiple super linears.
Which one is better CCA polaris or CCA Lyra?
Polaris or KZ EDC Pro
@@PaulWasabii so, polaris would be best for me
i find KZ ESX cheaper than cca polaris, tangzu wan'er sg, kz castor bass and trn mt1 max... they costs couple $ more
ESX loses coherence in the treble at volume.. It's a fun set.. Bass bleeds a bit to the mids, but that give a good authoritive timber to acoustic instruments in the lower range, viloas, acoustic guitars, etc.. It's nice, needs the right tips..
@@wahid-lg1kk RIGHT NOW CHOOSING BETWEEN QKZ X HBB AND ESX
@@НИИВВ That's a hard one. I have both.. They are different use case scenarios, hbb maybe more of an all-rounder, use kbear07 tips if you want to refine the treble a bit. On the other hand, if I were to dive into my low end collection I would probably pick up the ESX.. But only for specific things.. So ya I would lean towards the hbb if it has to do everything, the only problem with ESX is if your source is not strong and your files are not top quality, it sounds awful at very high volume. I know this is unhelpful. So if your files and source are very good maybe the ESX. If there is a question about that, or some of your library is lower resolution, the hbb. ESX wants the KBear 07 as well.. Don't use a straight copper cable if you can avoid it, it will reduce the treble. Use silver coated, I think it comes with one like that. Don't buy expensive cables, just get the materials you want. Silver coated ofc for this. ESX is more fun. Hbb is reliable at everything. The tips that come with the ESX are usable, don't worry too much about it..use the black ones.
Polaris and Castor harman. Which one better??
I never heard Castor Harman but many people didn't like the Castor treble level which is probably more noticeable on Standard, so I would personally got Polaris as I don't like brighter sets.
I cant decide between cca cra and cca polaris ...plz help
The current CRA is not as good as the old one which is why no one talks about it now.
@@PaulWasabiiok and between cca polaris and kz edx pro X
does it have noise cancelling?
Nope, just passive
So this is better than KZ DFI, Castor, Castor bass and Krilla.
Not better, but D-Fi tweaked tuning which was right on, more low end than Castor, and not a specialist like Castor bass. If you don't know what to get, Polaris is the one. If you want lots of bass, Castor bass.
Castor bass is a must have imo. I have a lot of sets and it is in my rotation. If you wanted the legato, but don’t want to spend $100, this is a good choice.
@@PaulWasabii, thank you for taking your time on your input Mr Paul. Sorry for the late reply. I just saw this message today.
@@Hijynx87sure thank you for your input Mr Hijynx. I do sure love Bass.
@@PaulWasabii, thank you very much Mr Paul. I just got the Castor bass just today. Using it on some of my music. I really like it suprised that that the Castor Bass was soo clean that it doesn't muddle up the mids with how much the bass have. I am really liking it. I really liking this than the headphone I have which is the Ath M20xbt. I guess I am a basshead. But this bass is quality bass.
Which is better, this CCA polaris or the Tin Hifi C0 ELF ??
you are asking about tinhifi co elf in late Nov 2023 ?!?!
Polaris definitely. ELF is basically a warmer Chu with the same non-detachable design (I know Elf has a detachable version but that costs much more)