TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Review

[Somafunk]

More to the point, whichever demographic this imagine does target shouldn’t be catered to in this context.

More to the point, whichever demographic this image does target should be placed on a watch list

 

[digitalfrost]

Please help me guys! Moondrop Chu, as it happens. First time iem user.
Can't actually get the tips onto the "speaker". Any tips on softening the rubber collar or anything? These clumsy fingers are threatening to destroy the earphone, before I have got round to trying them out!

I had the same problem. You need to roll them on. Like put them onto the side and then just turn and push. It takes a few tries.

e: Also while I didn't need to do this: When I have a hard time putting bike tires on, I just put them in front of a fan heater that softens the rubber right up. Just make them warm.

 

[Somafunk]

The two versions on Amazon come with exactly the same presentation box with the waifu on the cover, the option available is to get your very own plastic waifu model with the earphone.

 

[Astoneroad]

Please help me guys! Moondrop Chu, as it happens. First time iem user.
Can't actually get the tips onto the "speaker". Any tips on softening the rubber collar or anything? These clumsy fingers are threatening to destroy the earphone, before I have got round to trying them out!

I've found the same thing. However, the tips with the smaller diameter were counterintuitively easier and the larger diameter tips were frustratingly difficult. Fortunately, after trying different tips, the ones that worked for me were the ones that went on easier. You're not alone, for whatever "misery loves company" you may derive from that. Persevere, it will be worth it.

 

[Chromatischism]

I don’t get it. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

It's simple: if you don't care for it, you aren't the user that they created the art for.

It should be more understated, though. Plastering it all over is obviously polarizing.

 

[Madlop26]

Arriving in 5 days, as I mentioned I will do an ABC comparison between the Truthear zero, 7 Hz timeless and the Monarch MKII, I am open to suggestions about the methodology:
I plan to Connect all 3 EIMs to my topping A90 amp, ( previously I connected 2 IEMs at the same time to my A90 with no issues , I hope 3 is not a problem, right?) these way I can swap IEMs rapidly, listening each for 15 seconds or so, i will use the Harman songs, Volume matching is the major problem here. Previously what i would do is; before each swap I would put volume to zero, make the swap, then rise the volume again to a reasonable listening level, and do it again and again. but variability still may be an issue.
can you think any better way to solve the volume matching bias?

 

[enricoclaudio]

Here are some thoughts about the EQ.

Notes about the EQ design:

• The average L/R is used to calculate the score.
• The resolution is 12 points per octave interpolated from the raw data (provided by @amirm)
• A Genetic Algorithm is used to optimize the EQ.
• The EQ Score is designed to MAXIMIZE the Score WHILE fitting the Harman target curve (and other constrains) with a fixed complexity.
  This will avoid weird results if one only optimizes for the Score.
  It will probably flatten the Error regression doing so, the tonal balance should be therefore more neutral.
• The EQs are starting point and may require tuning (certainly at LF and maybe at HF).
• The range around and above 10kHz is usually not EQed unless smooth enough to do so.
• I am using PEQ (PK) as from my experience the definition is more consistent across different DSP/platform implementations than shelves.
• With some HP/amp combo, the boosts and preamp gain (loss of Dynamic range) need to be carefully considered to avoid issues with, amongst other things, too low a Max SPL or damaging your device. You have beed warned.
• Not all units of the same product are made equal. The EQ is based on the measurements of a single unit. YMMV with regards to the very unit you are trying this EQ on.
• I sometimes use variations of the Harman curve for some reasons. See rational here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pro-review-headphone.28244/page-5#post-989169
• https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pro-review-headphone.28244/page-6#post-992119
• NOTE: the score then calculated is not comparable to the scores derived from the default Harman target curve if not otherwise noted.
• Occluding IE devices generally must have very good fitting/seal in the user's ear canal for best performance.
  please spend a few minutes to pick up the best ear tip... Be sure to perform this step otherwise the FR/Score/EQ presented here are just worthless.
• 1. more bass = better seal
  2. More isolation from the outside world = better fit
  3. Comfort

Good L/R match.

Might not need an EQ, nevertheless, I have generated one EQ, the APO config file is attached.

Score no EQ: 80.9%
Score with EQ: 96.2%

TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero Full APO EQ Flat@HF 96000Hz
September142022-145558

Preamp: -3.9 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 20.00 Hz Gain 3.88 dB Q 0.90
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 81.44 Hz Gain -2.05 dB Q 1.46
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1205.00 Hz Gain -1.23 dB Q 2.55
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2175.35 Hz Gain -1.65 dB Q 0.85
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4795.73 Hz Gain -2.97 dB Q 2.97
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 6699.00 Hz Gain 2.57 dB Q 2.64
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 13229.75 Hz Gain -4.98 dB Q 5.00

View attachment 230828

You just nailed it with this EQ. I got my Truthear Zero today and they sound Good without EQ, with EQ, they sound Fantastic.

 

[julian_hughes]

It would be nice to separate the talk about culture from talks about the IEM.

Well, they arrive together. If you buy the IEM you get both, like it or not. If you just want the eroticised images of children there are supposedly specialist web sites you can visit.

 

[LugsyTL47]

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?

Simple, to satisfy the two most influential audio components: brain & eyes.

 

[Robbo99999]

I'll probably have to show the lady at the mail delivery point that it's IEM I'm picking up. We usually flirt a bit with each other when I pick up packages. I don't want to burn my possible chances with her by making her think I'm some kind of pervert.

This seems interesting:

Tailored earplugs for better sound

Shaped specifically for your ear
Here, a niche has popped up to manufacture earbuds tailored just for your ears. The result should both provide a perfect fit on the earbuds and better music sound if the manufacturers are to be believed.
There are different ways to accomplish this, but the principle is that you somehow get your ear canal measured, and then a plug is made to match it. There are several manufacturers that mold the ears with silicone, but we try Ilicon, which 3D scans the ear canals and prints plugs with a 3D printer.

Probably costs a lot. I don't know if it's worth it, maybe.

Skräddarsydda öronpluggar för bättre ljud

Ett sätt att få bättre ljud i headsetet är att låta göra in-earsnäckor som är formskapade efter dina öron, men är det en bra idé? Vi har kollat närmare på hur det kan gå till.

www.mobil.se

View attachment 231550View attachment 231551View attachment 231552
Edit:
Maybe it's not possible to tailor tips like that to TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero? I know I know nothing about that. But I thought it sounded exciting. Base leakage is minimal and they are comfortable to use, to have in the ears (according to the manufacturer should be added).

Just ask her out man or ask if she'd like to swap numbers......but be sure you don't unpackage your IEM in the delivery office!

 

[Robbo99999]

Arriving in 5 days, as I mentioned I will do an ABC comparison between the Truthear zero, 7 Hz timeless and the Monarch MKII, I am open to suggestions about the methodology:
I plan to Connect all 3 EIMs to my topping A90 amp, ( previously I connected 2 IEMs at the same time to my A90 with no issues , I hope 3 is not a problem, right?) these way I can swap IEMs rapidly, listening each for 15 seconds or so, i will use the Harman songs, Volume matching is the major problem here. Previously what i would do is; before each swap I would put volume to zero, make the swap, then rise the volume again to a reasonable listening level, and do it again and again. but variability still may be an issue.
can you think any better way to solve the volume matching bias?

You'd probably have to work out what dB you listen at theoretically for one of your IEM's (and then set all IEM's to that dB level), which is what I did before I purchased a measuring rig, following is a link to a post where I explain how I worked it out (you'd use manufacture reported sensitivity values in the calculations e.g the 110dB/V type figures you see in the specs of your headphones or IEM):

*NEW* AKG K702 has been measured by Oratory!

Hi, like the title says, Oratory measured my K702 I sent him, I've got two pairs and I sent him my old pair from year 2015 (made in China, not Austria). Yes, so Oratory published the result today: https://www.dropbox.com/s/033kxyf8a0o3iv6/AKG K702.pdf?dl=0...

www.audiosciencereview.com

So you'd basically carry out that procedure to make sure each of your IEM's were at the same theoretical dB output - you'd end up with different negative preamps set for each IEM which you would flip between before you start your subjective listening of each IEM.

EDIT: make sure you don't blow up your IEM, because you could easily put 2V through it at Unity Gain if you don't reduce the Negative Preamp first! So make sure you put your negative preamp to a large negative dB amount first then gradually increase it as you listen to your reference tracks - until it gets to your normal listening volume. (You'd have your Windows Volume at 100% and be using the Negative Preamp in EqualiserAPO).

 

[DanTheMan]

It’s really unclear to me why this is a big deal. You can see the Harman Curve is not a neutral curve. All available evidence refutes it—even Harman’s own. It doesn’t even look like it would be a preferred curve if the initial curve had been from a stereo source. Again, Harman’s own data refutes it. This is what appears to be a well executed replication of a huge mistake that took many redoes to make it useful. It seems to have been derived from a mono source which I’m sure most of us would agree is not how music is mixed or mastered (though often checked in mono traditionally). It doesn’t include the 9kHz notch that should be there as well…. What am I missing?

 

[julian_hughes]

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?

This is an excellent question. Good luck on getting an excellent answer. According to many people here, any IEM with sufficiently low distortion can be equalized to sound identical. Such IEMs can be bought for $20. Yet they are also rushing to buy an IEM for $50 to add to their already existing collection of IEMs which allegedly can all be made to sound identical. And many own and prefer or use IEMs costing many times more. Weird huh? Their actions undermine the proposition rather brilliantly. It reminds me of the old aphorism "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice - in practice there is". In my experience you can EQ all kinds of IEMs to sound somewhat similar but not so alike you'd think they were identical. So that matching FR graph is not fully describing the audible experience. Some of the obvious potential causes of difference are different fit in the ear (measurement rigs are not human ears!), different impedance and phase, different distortion characteristics which may be more or less apparent after eq, different impulse response. My suggestion is to try two or three IEMs which can supposedly be made to sound the same and try it for yourself. Use the well known AutoEQ measurements and an eq or playback app which imports them. You can level match quite easily if you have a sensitive mic by playing white noise and making sure each IEM is outputting at the same level. If you find that they all sound the same with music then congrats, you will only need to buy one IEM and replace it when it fails. Or, if you are an ASR forum warrior you will find that they all sound the same but you will buy twenty different IEMs and rave about each anyway (yes, the last bit was a joke - and funny because it's true). I will be brave and suggest the merest possibility that you conclude that they do not all sound exactly the same and you may find you have a preference.

edit: typos

 

[julian_hughes]

It’s really unclear to me why this is a big deal. You can see the Harman Curve is not a neutral curve. All available evidence refutes it—even Harman’s own. It doesn’t even look like it would be a preferred curve if the initial curve had been from a stereo source. Again, Harman’s own data refutes it. This is what appears to be a well executed replication of a huge mistake that took many redoes to make it useful. It seems to have been derived from a mono source which I’m sure most of us would agree is not how music is mixed or mastered (though often checked in mono traditionally). It doesn’t include the 9kHz notch that should be there as well…. What am I missing?

Nobody claims that the Harman curve is neutral. If you assume that to be the claim then everything built on that misunderstanding is what leads you to saying "it's really unclear".

 

[Robbo99999]

It’s really unclear to me why this is a big deal. You can see the Harman Curve is not a neutral curve. All available evidence refutes it—even Harman’s own. It doesn’t even look like it would be a preferred curve if the initial curve had been from a stereo source. Again, Harman’s own data refutes it. This is what appears to be a well executed replication of a huge mistake that took many redoes to make it useful. It seems to have been derived from a mono source which I’m sure most of us would agree is not how music is mixed or mastered (though often checked in mono traditionally). It doesn’t include the 9kHz notch that should be there as well…. What am I missing?

Nobody claims that the Harman curve is neutral. If you assume that to be the claim then everything built on that misunderstanding is what leads you to saying "it's really unclear".

Fundamentally, it started off based around neutrality. It's based on an Anechoic Flat speaker being measured at the eardrum of a dummy head in the Harman Listening Room to emulate an equilateral triangle stereo listening position. They then allowed study participants access to tone controls in bass & treble to manipulate the target curve (which was created from the process in the previous sentence), to adjust the sound to their preference whilst listening to a variety of reference music tracks. The Harman Headphone Curve is an averaged result of that process. That's my understanding. So, the Harman Targets do have neutrality as their fundamental, but then there is some preference added on top of that - and for good reason because you lack the tactile bass response that you get from speakers and to a lesser degree from over ear headphones - which is why you have more bass than "neutral" in headphones and even more bass in IEM's vs headphones (as it compensates for the lack of "tactile" bass). So it's based on neutrality and then converted for preference......but there's a good argument to say that this preference is also a reflection of true neutrality/experience as of course you increasingly lack the tactile element of bass as you progress from speakers through to headphones & then through to IEM's. The way I see it, the Harman Curves for both speakers/headphones/(and yet for me to try IEM's) are actually our best possible current reference for neutrality as well as preference.

 

[someguyontheinternet]

Well, they arrive together. If you buy the IEM you get both, like it or not. If you just want the eroticised images of children there are supposedly specialist web sites you can visit.

I would generally expect of people to have the mental capacity to separate concerns and attributes even if they come from the same product.

 

[USER]

I would generally expect of people to have the mental capacity to separate concerns and attributes even if they come from the same product.

People aren't robots. That goes both ways or else we wouldn't be having this discussion.

 

[Dialectic]

I was about to buy these IEMs but declined on the ground that I don't want to be misidentified as a pedophile.

 

[DMill]

I was about to buy these IEMs but declined on the ground that I don't want to be misidentified as a pedophile.

The packaging is truly among some of the all time worst I’ve ever seen for audio. I honestly can’t think of worse. Keep the IEMs throw away the box just out of principle. Fortunately the Amazon wrapper will cover it so my neighbors don’t have me reported to authorities.

 

[Dialectic]

And speaking of which, yeah, the whole Waifu thing is embarrassing. I hope the makers of these headphones see the sales potential that they have on their hands. Don't blow it! These should compete with the establishment such as JBL, Samsung, Apple, and AKG. Obviously, they are now distinguishing themselves with advanced tech such as noise reduction and EQ--rightly--but this is still an opportunity.

Case in point: I have an adult female friend that asked for headphone and IEM recommendations. I would certainly bring these up but I am not looking forward to having to embarrassingly explain the whole incel vibe of IEM culture.

I was not aware of the IEM culture before, but the incel- and pedophile-adjacent IEM culture is one that I find even more distasteful than the Veblen goods culture of mainstream audiophiles!