KZ PR1 Pro ($40 Planar IEM). Too good to be true?

Submitted by GuitarHentaiMan t3_z06gln in headphones

KZ PR1 Pro are currently on sale for about $40, making them the cheapest planar IEMs on the market right now.

https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-pr1-pro

(Code: PR1PRO)

They are a revised version of the original PR1. The OG PR1 had the typical KZ tuning with an aggressive V-shape and muddy midbass. For their initial retail price of $80 other IEMs were a better option.

The new version though has been retuned and is available for half the price this week.

I couldn't find any reviews yet but I saw that Paul Wasabii graphed them on squiglink. And I have to say the FR looks pretty reasonable for a KZ tuned IEM. Actually up until 2k Hz it's prettty much identical to the Letshuoer S12. I guess the treble can easily be EQed if needed.

Frequency Response:

https://preview.redd.it/1r9ptq63g41a1.png?width=2304&format=png&auto=webp&s=33d4b2f4f15937490a4eda74ad3bdcac61ceb672

No clue about technical performance, but being a planar, soundstage and details should be fine for their price. It's not the same 14mm OEM planar driver that 7Hz, Moondrop or Letshuoer use though.

I'm very interested in getting my first planar IEMs and this offer looks almost too good to be true, but I am still reluctant to order because of the lack of reviews.

What do you guys think?

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Comments

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blorg t1_ix42vkb wrote

I have them on order. The OG PR1 is not bad at all technically, it's just the tuning, too much bass and too much high treble. With a simple 2-band EQ dropping both it was substantially better.

This one seems to substantially address those two points. Like you say, bass now looks same as the S12 (or Timeless) which is fine.

It still has A LOT of treble, but from the look of it, it's basically what I EQ the OG to, around -3dB high shelf, and for me, it's actually OK, it's certainly bright but I don't find it offensive. The treble on the Pro also looks particularly smooth on Paul's graph.

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CelltonCelsius t1_ix43d7i wrote

Paul measured them with the included foam tips, which should tame the upper treble a bit.

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thms0 t1_iycc9x7 wrote

Did you get them ?
Just got mine, is a deffo fun tuned to me but I enjoy it :).

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blorg t1_iycccs5 wrote

I haven't got them yet, they have left China but not here yet.

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AlternativeClothes43 t1_ix4esvx wrote

where did you order from?

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blorg t1_ix4fq9b wrote

KZ's own site, with the discount code (I already had bought the OG PR1).

They are same price, even slightly cheaper with $40 off coupon from "KZ Franchised Store" on AliExpress for that matter.

[AliExpress] /item/1005004966718640.html - add coupon for $40 off once in your cart, I get price of $40.17 with coins.

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TheJohnny346 t1_ix6pk46 wrote

Where do you find the coupon for $40 off? It’s in my cart but I can’t seem to find it. Do I have to have already bought the OG Pr1 on either site as I never have.

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blorg t1_ix6u9fa wrote

I just checked again myself, coupon is gone now, it was there yesterday.

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CelltonCelsius t1_ix40393 wrote

Paul Wasabii's first impressions are that it's competitive with the other planars, despite only being $40. Smokes everything in the $40 range in technicalities.

Here's another set of first impressions: https://youtu.be/6YAY2Am_LI8

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xler8r t1_ix51ynu wrote

It’s exciting to see a planar for $40. I was saving for the $130 S12 planar sometime in the future.

I was about to order the $8 EDCX for a fun budget treat, but then I hear how great the $18 Tangzu Waner sounds. And now I’m wondering if I should get the $40 pr1 pro to hear what planar is all about. Lot of great IEMs out right now.

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CelltonCelsius t1_ix78ttz wrote

Better decide quick because the discount is about to expire in a couple days. $80 is the regular price.

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xler8r t1_ix79a1q wrote

Indeed. I am thinking I will hold off. I want to see more reviews and learn more about whether I’d notice / be bothered by any deficiencies.

I think I’d enjoy the S12 more in the future. I want to try something new still though, so I’m thinking of ordering the Tangzu Waner. I’ve never heard planar, so it’s still an unknown. The Waner might be a better fit.

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r31ya t1_ixbho9n wrote

Multiple early impression is pretty positive from Paul Wasabi and Hifri.

i won't take it for $80, but for $40 with that graph? i'll take the blind dive.

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Aevum1 t1_ix4zxi2 wrote

I wanted to try a planar, and if its good for 40 bucks, i can take the hit, i just dont want to have a collection of 200 KZ´s

IS it just me or im getting a ZEX Pro vibe from this ?, that KZ releases them without declaring the collab and a few days later someone like Crinacle, or Zeos comes out and says "yea, those are mine".

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r31ya t1_ixbhjw7 wrote

oddly enough this thing hits several reviewer target graph, PaulWasabi and Practiphile target sound sig.

Those two are pretty active on KZ-Discord and share the EQ for OG PR1 to be closer to their target, maybe KZ take a look and their preferences

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Aevum1 t1_ixbz4e1 wrote

i think i misunderstood you,

KZ is publishing different graphs depending on the target of the reviewer or many reviewers have a similar graph to which this IEM gets close to ?

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r31ya t1_ixc1v4c wrote

Basically these reviewer have asking for a more balanced planar sets since PLA13 is out. they note the driver is capable but the tuning ruining it. They also shared their EQ preset for Pla13 to make it closer to their prefered sound sig. among these reviewers are PaulWasabi and Practiphile.

PR1 Hifi later released with sound sig that was closer to the reviewer demand but still dig deep in fun v sound. So the reveiwer continue to ask for more balanced sound sig as well as sharing the EQ preset for it.

and now KZ finally released the more balanced PR1, the PR1 Pro who apparently straddles PaulWasabi and Practiphile prefered sound sig.

---

One thing they lament is KZ have EDA-balance and EDA High-res which are quite the darling in their community. but their decision choose not to continue the balanced sound sig bloodline is beyond me.

this hits back to KZ as one of the new budget kings TangZu Wan'er is basically TangZu takes on Eda-Balance tuning. There is also SGOR Venus who apparently using the same driver but tried to improve the tuning of Eda-Balance who are also have their little hype.

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Me_MeMaestro t1_ix3rv6p wrote

I got the pr1 with the plan to just eq, then this came out so I got it too, with the same eq first idea but it would seem like the stock tuning is improved along with the sensitivity. I'll probably let one of the go but a planar for these prices is quite a deal, even if just got the ew potential

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c0ng0pr0 t1_ix59ecm wrote

I’ve had the PR1 for a day now… they are wonderful in terms of detail, and separation.

Because these things need more power than DD/BA drivers I run it 6db higher to feel the music the same way.

I think the bass is fine. I haven’t heard any problems with vocals at all.

I was able to make out specific kinds of distortion effects used in a track that I like for the first time with IEMs.

Atmos stuff sounds weird on them… too much separation maybe 🤷🏻‍♂️

Pri1 Pros are in the mail.

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r31ya t1_ixbhtwf wrote

too much air apparently. somehow

haven't listen to PR1 but some reviewer state it, it was tuned down in PR1 Pro. My PR1 Pro is in the mail but free delivery will take its sweet time to arrive.

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c0ng0pr0 t1_ixcai6j wrote

I wonder what “too much air” means. Some Atmos tracks I listened to sounded like things were far apart or had too much space between the sounds… but I think those are artifacts of the way those tracks were mixed/designed.

You can really hear bad studio mixing on the PR1. A lot of new hip-hop/rap sounded like crap audio design/mixing.

I’m going to get in a studio with another music producer or two soon. Hopefully once my PR1 Pros arrive we’ll go do a full demo to explore.

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r31ya t1_ixcdbby wrote

well, early impression if PR1 Pro said its a bit more intimate than PR1 in soundstage.

And yeah, with relatively higher resolution/details that Planar could give, you will hear bad mixing easier.

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xler8r t1_ix5ngts wrote

Here’s a review of the PR1 Pro from a FB group by BL. He has some interesting notes from a side-by-side comparison of the PR1 Pro to the S12 Pro. There is mid-bass bleed and clarity loss in the PR1 Pro.

Note: This post was shared publicly, so it can be viewed if you don’t have a FB account or want to use your browser’s incognito mode.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/393894122913366/permalink/447532620882849/?mibextid=S66gvF

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r31ya t1_ixbi41o wrote

it is noted that its equal in Bass with S12, there is slight veil in Mid and treble compared to S12. but ended with for $40 is still good

someone in headfi noted the reviewer might prefer cold analitical sounds, he might take points out for warmth.

tough that slight veil could be treble tuning difference or simply planar driver capability differences. one is $80 ($40 on discount) and the other is $150 ($100~$120 on discount)

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xler8r t1_ixbiho7 wrote

I know it’s the current “new toy”, but these early reviews all sound great, esp at $40. I can’t believe how close they are to the S12. I expected a long way to go to that level.

Btw - looks like no tax if you buy from the KZ store instead of Ali 🙃

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r31ya t1_ixbtr2r wrote

Technically its their Fourth Planar within half a year. They are evolving in pretty fast pace.

the KZ rep noted that they have experiment with SPD (the one Gumiho uses) but didn't like it and choose to fully invest in Planar instead. So they might release few others next year.

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justpostd t1_ix5tyxe wrote

I bought these to replace my ZSX Terminators that I had lost. But then I found my ZSX Terminators today! So was able to test these back to back, admittedly biased towards wanting the PR1 to sound better to justify the purchase.

Happy to report that they are a significant upgrade. Much clearer and fuller sounding, I often found myself smiling when switching back to the PR1 because the music was just more engaging, less brash. Almost as if there was more going on, filling the spaces. They have somewhat ruined the ZSX for me now, which I was perfectly happy with before. They in turn had ruined the ZSN Pro for me. You don't know what you're missing until you hear the next step up.

They are currently about the same price at the moment, so a total bargain in my book.

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xler8r t1_ixgjdxl wrote

Fyi - The PR1PRO code no longer works on the KZ site. The AliExpress one similarly.

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GarenYondem t1_ixjhy37 wrote

I was planning to get one on Friday. It sad that they disabled the code. I wonder if they will ship it to others now.

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31337hacker t1_ixylcv6 wrote

I’m seeing it for $100.80 CAD on AliExpress. That’s about $75 USD. Is it worth it at that price?

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xler8r t1_ixz94ww wrote

Dunno. It’s a tough call. At that price, I feel like saving a lil more for the S12. It’s $119 USD right now. I think Pr1 pro price will drop again.

Or maybe I’d be tempted to get the Pr1 (non-pro) for $40 on AliExpress. The non-pro model’s tuning isn’t as good as the Pro, but would still be enjoyable, cheap way to experience planar.

Pr1 vs pr1 pro https://youtu.be/APwsx2rChtY

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31337hacker t1_ixz9w3t wrote

Thanks. I found one for about $68 USD and ordered it. I’m totally new to this kind of earphone so I wouldn’t have spent more than $75. If I end up liking it, then I’ll consider the S12 or whatever else is better. I wasn’t aware that the PR1 was that much cheaper. I would’ve went with those instead.

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xler8r t1_ixzb4mg wrote

That’s more what I was hoping to see them for. I’ll bet you like them. This thread has a lot of good comments about the details you can hear with the PR1. Hearing new parts of songs is my favorite part of this hobby RN. I’ve been spending my time with my AirPods Pro 2 just amazed at the way the instruments are separated around my head. I have their spatial audio off and Atmos off, so it’s not that. I’ve never heard the separate elements of songs before like this.

I don’t even like the Beatles that much, but “Here comes the sun” (remastered) came on and I couldn’t believe how I could hear all the layers of it.

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31337hacker t1_ixzqht0 wrote

Lol, someone really went through the effort to downvote our comments. Anyway, I miss the joy of enjoying music with good quality earphones/headphones. I'm glad I stumbled across this new model recently. What's funny is that I considered it because I didn't want to get my current headphones sweaty during the summer.

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Empole t1_ix723p4 wrote

Have never used planar anything before, but I believe that you need an AMP for planar over ears.

Is the same true for planar iems? I still have phones with headphone jacks.

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bithalver t1_ix76y8u wrote

I am using KZ PR1 Balanced with Qudelix 5k: no problem to drive it. I tried 3.5 (works well) and using 2.5bal now.

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FastGecko5 t1_ix7ahxg wrote

You'll be fine. Even some full-size planars will do okay off a phone.

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