KZ Castor in Ear vs Technics EAH-AZ100
KZ Castor in Ear
Technics EAH-AZ100
What Buyers Say
KZ Castor in Ear
These budget IEMs are widely praised for their impressive sound quality, especially the clarity and punchy bass, making them a great value for the price. Users highlight the comfortable fit, durable build with a detachable cable, and versatility from built-in tuning switches. While a few note the highs can be harsh and the fit may require adjustment, the overwhelming sentiment is that they outperform expectations for the cost.
Pros
- Excellent sound clarity and detail
- Punchy bass without being overwhelming
- Comfortable for long listening sessions
- Durable build with detachable cable
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Highs can be harsh for some users
- Fit may require adjustment
- Bulky design for some
- No active noise cancellation
- Defective units reported occasionally
Technics EAH-AZ100
The Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds are overwhelmingly praised for their exceptional sound quality, with users highlighting deep bass, clear highs, and immersive audio. Comfort, battery life, and noise cancellation are also frequently commended, though some users note the price is high and volume could be louder. A few minor issues like Bluetooth LE disconnects and initial multi-device pairing were mentioned, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Deep immersive bass
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- High price point
- Limited maximum volume
- Bluetooth LE disconnects
- Initial multi-device pairing issues
- Plastic exterior
Scores
Specifications
| KZ Castor in Ear | Technics EAH-AZ100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | — | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | S, M | 5 x Eartip Pairs |
| Weight | 0.07 kg | 0.01 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 10 mm | 10 mm |
| Drivers | 2★ | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz | 20 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz | 40 kHz |
| Impedance | 31 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | KZ Castor in Ear Monitor Headphones with Mic, HiFi Improved Bass Earphone Sound Tunable Noise Isolating IEMs, Dual-Dynamic Driver Wired Earbuds, 2PIN-C Detachable Cable for Singers Musicians | AAC, LC3, LDAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | — | ✓★ |
| ANC Type | — | adaptive |
| Transparency | — | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3★ |
| Profiles | — | AVRCP, A2DP, HSP, HFP, TMAP, PBP |
| Multipoint | — | ✓★ |
| Wired Connector | — | Bluetooth |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | — | 8 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | — | 2.5 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | — | 15 min. for 90 min. playback |
| Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | — | 28 hrs★ |
| Case Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Wireless Charging | — | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | — | 6★ |
| NC Mic | — | ✓★ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | — | Google Assistant, Siri |
| Touch Controls | — | ✓★ |
| App | — | Android & iOS |
| Volume Limiting | — | ✗ |
| Gaming Mode | — | ✗ |
| Bone Conduction | — | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | — | IPX4 |
Pros & Cons
KZ Castor in Ear
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong sound (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong comfort (70th percentile)
- Below average connectivity (11th percentile)11th %ile
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Technics EAH-AZ100
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong sound (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong mic (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average affordability (3rd percentile)3rd %ile
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 16 of 39 specs.