Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.9/5 (#298 and #297 of 450 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($20.99 vs $20.89), so choose on features and fit.
What the CCA CRA does well: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and its deviation from target of only about 2 dB is a smooth result for such a cheap set. The catch: In squig.link measurements a 7 dB peak near 8.1 kHz and about 4 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy, while a 3.5 dB dip near 3.1 kHz sets vocals slightly back.
Buy the CCA CRA or the KZ Castor on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| CCA CRA | KZ Castor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20.99 | $20.89 |
| Ranked | #298 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #297 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 73 (median of 11 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.98 dB standard deviation | 2.01 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.29 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 2 x dynamic |
| Impedance | 23.5 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB | 105 dB |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
CCA CRA: $20.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and its deviation from target of only about 2 dB is a smooth result for such a cheap set. Across 34 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, bass sits about 3 dB above target from 20 to 200 Hz, so it suits listeners who want extra punch and rumble. At 23.5 ohms and 111 dB it plays loud from any phone or dongle, and it rates level with the KZ ZSN Pro and 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 while costing a little less.
Cons: In squig.link measurements a 7 dB peak near 8.1 kHz and about 4 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy, while a 3.5 dB dip near 3.1 kHz sets vocals slightly back. The KZ ZSN Pro X rates a bit higher at a similar price.
Full CCA CRA review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.98 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 183 Hz | -2.3 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 818 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.03 |
| Peak | 3,058 Hz | +2.5 dB | 2.13 |
| Peak | 1,484 Hz | -1.5 dB | 1.88 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,654 Hz | +2.4 dB | 2.57 |
| Peak | 6,044 Hz | +3.0 dB | 5.11 |
| Peak | 66 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.30 |
| Peak | 4,821 Hz | -2.0 dB | 5.10 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KZ Castor: $20.89 Amazon eBay
Full KZ Castor review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.01 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 2 x dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (median of 11 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.29 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons