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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Cianyyee's biggest strength: true USB-C connectivity with an advanced UAC2.0 DAC chip, an inline remote with mic, and a two-pack so you always have a backup.
• Cianyyee's biggest trade-off: it's a half-in-ear design that deliberately doesn't seal off your surroundings, so it won't isolate much noise.
• Piluyaa KZ Castor's biggest strength: a sealed in-ear monitor design with swappable tips that blocks up to 36 dB of noise, plus 16 tunable sound profiles via four switches.
• Piluyaa KZ Castor's biggest trade-off: it terminates in a 3.5 mm jack, not USB-C, so newer phones without a headphone jack need an adapter.
• Who should pick Cianyyee: anyone with a USB-C-only phone or laptop who wants simple wired audio and call controls without fuss.
• Who should pick Piluyaa KZ Castor: listeners who want deep isolation and want to shape their own bass-and-treble balance.
The Cianyyee set is built around convenience. It plugs straight into a USB-C port — no dongle, no adapter — and the UAC2.0 chip handles the digital-to-analog conversion internally, which is the reason these can deliver clean, lossless-style audio from a phone or laptop that dropped the old 3.5 mm jack. The frequency range runs a standard 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz through a dynamic driver, and the ABS build with rounded tips keeps the weight down to roughly 0.06 kg for the pair.
What it does best is the everyday stuff. There's a button remote on the cable: play/pause, volume, skip tracks, and answer or reject calls without touching your phone. That makes it a genuinely useful commuting or driving companion. You also get two identical black pairs in the box, so losing or breaking one doesn't leave you stranded. It covers a huge list of devices too — recent iPhone 15 and 16 series, most Samsung Galaxy S and A phones, Galaxy Z Flip and Fold, Google Pixel, OnePlus, iPad, and MacBook Pro with USB-C ports.
Who should buy it: someone who wants wired headphones that just work on a modern USB-C device, values the mic and inline controls, and likes the reassurance of a spare pair. Who should skip it: if your priority is blocking out a noisy train or open-plan office, this isn't the tool. The half-in-ear shape is intentionally open so you stay aware of your surroundings — safe, but not isolating. Note one quirk: if you get no sound on a phone, you may need to switch off "Disable USB audio routing" in developer settings.
The KZ Castor is a different breed entirely — a wired in-ear monitor aimed at people who care about sound. Its headline trick is tuning: four switches, each with two-stage low and high frequency adjustment, giving you 16 distinct audio profiles. You can dial in a bass-heavy signature for hip-hop, then flip switches for something more neutral. That's rare flexibility at this end of the market.
Isolation is the other big story. Because it's a sealed in-ear design with detachable silicone tips that reach into the ear canal, it creates a physical seal capable of blocking up to 36 dB of external noise. This is passive noise cancellation, not active electronics — no battery, no chip, just a good fit. The stacked cavity structure keeps the housings smaller and more comfortable than the spec sheet might suggest, and the build uses eight strands of silver-plated wire that resists interference and wear. There's a condenser microphone with one-click pause and multi-click track controls, and you can swap the cable for a Bluetooth adapter to go wireless later.
Who should buy it: commuters, students, and anyone who wants their music to actually sound like something, with the option to tune it. Who should skip it: if your phone only has USB-C and you don't want to carry an adapter, this 3.5 mm-jack IEM adds a step. It also expects you to be comfortable seating tips properly — the isolation only works if the seal is right.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for USB-C devices without a headphone jack → Cianyyee USB C Headphones. No adapter required.
• Best for call controls on the move → Cianyyee USB C Headphones. Inline mic plus answer/reject and volume buttons.
• Best for sound customization → Piluyaa KZ Castor. 16 tunable profiles beat a fixed tuning every time.
• Best for a spare set / shared household → Cianyyee USB C Headphones. Two pairs are included.
• Best for upgrade path to wireless → Piluyaa KZ Castor. Swap the cable for a Bluetooth adapter.
• Best for a secure, awareness-friendly fit → Cianyyee USB C Headphones. The open design keeps you tuned into traffic and surroundings.
• Best for critical listening at a desk → Piluyaa KZ Castor. The sealed IEM and silver-plated cable suit focused sessions.
In my opinion, these two barely compete because they solve different problems. If I were buying for a phone or laptop that only has USB-C, I'd take the Cianyyee USB C Headphones — the built-in mic, remote, and spare pair make it the more practical daily driver. But if my goal were shutting out the world and getting bass that hits the way I want, I'd pick the Piluyaa KZ Castor without hesitation. The 36 dB of isolation and 16 tuning profiles are the kind of features that actually change how you listen. Buy based on your port, not the specs.
how to noise cancelling headphones work
Active noise cancelling headphones use microphones and electronics to cancel outside sound. The Piluyaa KZ Castor doesn't do that — it uses passive noise cancellation, meaning the sealed in-ear tips physically block up to 36 dB of noise. Cianyyee's half-in-ear shape lets sound in on purpose.
how to use noise cancelling headphones
how to test noise cancelling headphones
Play steady background noise and note how much disappears once the tips are seated. With the KZ Castor, a good seal should noticeably drop surrounding sound. With the Cianyyee earbuds, expect to still hear your environment — that's by design, not a defect.
Do I need an adapter for the KZ Castor on a USB-C phone?
Yes, if your device has no 3.5 mm jack. The KZ Castor terminates in a 3.5 mm plug, while the Cianyyee connects directly over USB-C. If you'd rather avoid an adapter, the Cianyyee is the simpler choice.
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