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TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Review

Rate this IEM

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 13 2.2%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 21 3.5%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 73 12.2%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 493 82.2%

  • Total voters
    600

amirm

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This is a review, listening tests and measurements of the Truthear Crinacle Zero IEM review. It was sent to me by @crinacle as he has been a consultant on the project. It costs US $50.
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Review.jpg


I like that it has a bit of "bling" but not too much. The cord is just the right length for me (many IEMs are too short for my use). It is super flexible with very little microphonics. You get two sets of silicone pads in three different sizes which suites me fine. I wear the largest one and it stays nicely put.

The claim to fame of this IEM is that it complies with the Harman target. Let's see if that is the case.

EDIT: These are the included tips and the ones used for measurement and listening tests:
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Tip Silicone.jpg


Truthear Crinnacle Zero IEM Measurements
Let's start with our frequency response measurement:
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Frequency Response Measurement.png


I must say I was not prepared for such a tight fit to our target! Other than a hair droop at 20 Hz and a bit deviation here and there, the response hugs our target a wet towel! Very nice. This renders our difference frequency response kind of useless:
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Frequency Relative Response Measurement.png


Distortion is good enough at lower levels but gets a bit much at maximum SPL:
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Relative THD Distortion Measurement.png

TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM THD Distortion Measurement.png


Group delay is not revealing for IEMs and such is the case here:
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Group Delay  Measurement.png


Impedance shows evidence of some tuning in bass frequencies:

TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM THD Impedance Measurement.png


The low impedance means many amps and sources can drive it but it is very low. Sensitive is on the low side as well for an IEM:
most sensitive IEM review 2022.png


Truthear Crinnacle Zero IEM Listening Tests
As usual I start with my female vocals. My first reference track had excellent warmth courtesy of proper low frequency response. This continued from track to track with tonality that was just delightful. It not only sounds "right" but also enjoyable. The sound you get is like the best speaker in best room with no room modes. Of course there is no tactile feedback so deep bass doesn't sound the same but you get the picture.

I cranked up the volume on it and it kind of gets loud but I thought the bass started to gradually get distorted. Not a practical problem as you are not going to want to listen at those unsafe volumes.

I am sitting here typing this review and listening to it and marveling how nice every track sounds!

Conclusions
What on earth are you doing reading the rest of this review? Go and buy one of these! I don't care if you don't listen to IEMs normally. You want this IEM so you know what correct tonality is, when you listen with other transducers such as headphones and speakers. Think of it as the tuning fork that a musician uses! This IEM needs to be in your arsenal.

For those of you who use IEMs as I do in summer months (headphones wear too hot), you are in for a treat for peanuts out of your pocket. The science works. Kudos to @crinacle for advocating this execution. We are indebted to you for your contribution here.

I am happy to strongly recommend the Truthear Crinnacle Zero IEM. It brings that incredible harmony of technical excellence and superbly low purchase price.

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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
 

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AudioJester

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Brilliant!
I bought iems for almost $1k a few years ago and even with eq wont match this.

@amirm one of the criticisms of this iem is that although tonally correct, it misses out on "detail retrieval/resolution" compated to more expensive iems. Is there any truth to this?
 

USER

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Very nice! Everyone wins when we accept and demand measurements.

Would it be right to think that these would make excellent IEMs with which to test out different tips such as Comply ones?
 
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amirm

amirm

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@amirm one of the criticisms of this iem is that although tonally correct, it misses out on "detail retrieval/resolution" compated to more expensive iems. Is there any truth to this?
It "naturally" does that as the emphasis shifts away from high frequencies where impression of detail and spatiality exists. You get the warmth and balance that good bass brings.
 

Fregly

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So why would one get the expensive Moondrop Variations etc (also very Harman) over this? I am genuinely asking, with all the cheap iems coming out now that have coherent graphs and low distortion. Why spend 500 - 700 on Thieaudio, Yanyin and all the rest of them. Will the Moondrop S8 sound better?
 
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amirm

amirm

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Would it be right to think that these would make excellent IEMs with which to test out different tips such as Comply ones?
The challenge with different tips is that if it loses seal on the test gear, the measured response falls apart. So a tricky thing to test.
 
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amirm

amirm

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So why would one get the expensive Moondrop Variations etc (also very Harman) over this? I am genuinely asking, with all the cheap iems coming out now that have coherent graphs and low distortion.
I think there is some room left to excel in playing louder with less distortion. it is my theory anyway. :)
 

AudioJester

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So why would one get the expensive Moondrop Variations etc (also very Harman) over this? I am genuinely asking, with all the cheap iems coming out now that have coherent graphs and low distortion. Why spend 500 - 700 on Thieaudio, Yanyin and all the rest of them. Will the Moondrop S8 sound better?

You could extend this question and ask why buy expensive Genelec/Revel/Neumann etc.?
Seems like you only miss out on tactile bass.
 

PeteL

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Surely great frequency response but I have to say, if it may be acceptable for full size headphones to be insensitive (It's a metric that matter to me but I can get how it's OK for some) Now really for IEMs I find that really hard to justify. Isn't mobility the whole point, the most important point, I'd even go as far as the only point of going IEMs?
 

Suppa92

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Kudos crinacle & truthear. amazing
 
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Logged into Amazon and it said 18 in stock. Added it to cart and it dropped to 14. Just ordered and now there’s 11 left. There’s a run on!

Would love a review on the Tin T2, my only other IEMs.
 
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