7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

[SteveL]

The following graph shows the comparison of 7Hz-Salnotes Zero (average of 18 samples from squig.link sites) & Zero:2 (average of 11 samples from squig.link sites).

View attachment 338296

Harman Predicted Preference Report:

7Hz-Salnotes Zero:
* STDEV OF ERROR: 1,18 SLOPE OF ERROR: -0,05 AVERAGE ERROR: 1,05 Predicted Preference: 86,06

7Hz-Salnotes x Crinacle Zero:2:
* STDEV OF ERROR: 2,01 SLOPE OF ERROR: -0,82 AVERAGE ERROR: 1,54 Predicted Preference: 72,12

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Note that I am not suggesting that one is better than the other. ;-)

I have the Zero:2 and it's great (very low THD), but I prefer it with EQ.
I don't have the Zero, but I think it should sound good without EQ, but the peak at 13KHz (9dB over Harman), I don't know, maybe it's annoying, maybe it's not.

-------------------------------------------​

THD%, from Amir's measurements (100m = 0.1):

View attachment 338309

Zero 1 sounds damn near perfect to me without EQ. I do a couple of very minor touch-ups whose effect is probably mostly imaginary, only because I need to use RE Equalizer anyway for its volume boosting function to overcome Google's idiotic software voltage limitation (I still have a phone- Pixel 5a- and tablet with headphone jacks.)

 

[otseiTiesto]

Looks like both of them would sound better than Harman IE 2019 (listen for a long period, not just immediate impressions), with some listening to each to develop a preference.


I have the original Zero and the measurements are similar; it sounds better and more listenable with a cut to the 6-9 kHz region. Also the exact position of those resonances shifts per person.

I don't know, I don't have both, and it would just be my personal impression anyway.

 

[Chromatischism]

Zero 1 sounds damn near perfect to me without EQ. I do a couple of very minor touch-ups whose effect is probably mostly imaginary, only because I need to use RE Equalizer anyway for its volume boosting function to overcome Google's idiotic software voltage limitation (I still have a phone- Pixel 5a- and tablet with headphone jacks.)

What. I use a Pixel 4a 5G and it gets loud enough to be annoying at only 50% with the Zero. How can you not be getting enough volume?

 

[SteveL]

What. I use a Pixel 4a 5G and it gets loud enough to be annoying at only 50% with the Zero. How can you not be getting enough volume?

It would be enough, but in some cases (the Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert has audio at particularly low levels) only *just* enough with the volume almost maxed out. Since it's easy to defeat the stupid limit, I do.

 

[Jimbob54]

Got my pair today. Spent 10 minutes with them. As expected , they sound fine out of the box, reasonably comfy, nice and light so dont yank tips out.

I'm not sure the fit is quite for me though. I will update if I have any revelations.

 

[otseiTiesto]

In the squig.link samples I found two samples with infra-sound information.:

Does anyone know of something to listen to with these infra-sounds (10-20Hz)?

 

[TurtlePaul]

In the squig.link samples I found two samples with infra-sound information.:

View attachment 338351

Does anyone know of something to listen to with these infra-sounds (10-20Hz)?

That one scene in Blackhawk Down with Helicopter blades in slowmo? Google it, it is the one thing all those home theatre nuts use to show their sub can do 18 hz.

 

[otseiTiesto]

Maybe also the next soundtrack: Dune

 

[olieb]

That one scene in Blackhawk Down with Helicopter blades in slowmo? Google it, it is the one thing all those home theatre nuts use to show their sub can do 18 hz.

Or you can use REW generator and produce 6 Hz. Great experience. ;-)

 

[otseiTiesto]

Or you can use REW generator and produce 6 Hz. Great experience. ;-)

You're right! But 6Hz is almost imperceptible to me, but from 9Hz and above.

Edit: Well, if I turn the volume up enough I hear 6Hz, but at normal volume I start to hear from 13Hz without problems (9Hz very weak).

 

[muza_1]

The following graph shows the comparison of 7Hz-Salnotes Zero (average of 18 samples from squig.link sites) & Zero:2 (average of 11 samples from squig.link sites).

View attachment 338296

Harman Predicted Preference Report:

7Hz-Salnotes Zero:
* STDEV OF ERROR: 1,18 SLOPE OF ERROR: -0,05 AVERAGE ERROR: 1,05 Predicted Preference: 86,06

7Hz-Salnotes x Crinacle Zero:2:
* STDEV OF ERROR: 2,01 SLOPE OF ERROR: -0,82 AVERAGE ERROR: 1,54 Predicted Preference: 72,12

-------------------------------------------​

Note that I am not suggesting that one is better than the other. ;-)

I have the Zero:2 and it's great (very low THD), but I prefer it with EQ.
I don't have the Zero, but I think it should sound good without EQ, but the peak at 13KHz (9dB over Harman), I don't know, maybe it's annoying, maybe it's not.

-------------------------------------------​

THD%, from Amir's measurements (100m = 0.1):

View attachment 338309

The measurements differ a bit form Amir ones I tried equalizing to Harman with both Amir and Crinacle (which are similar to the average) measurements, Crinacle one ended sounding too bright and thin to me, Amir one ended sounding more balanced and natural (still a bit bright).

Crinacle:

Amir:

This is the EQ I use now (based on Amir measurements) after some time experimenting with other targets and bass/treble levels:

Between the original and this one without EQ I prefer the Zero:2 also originals caused me fatigue after a short period even equalized.

What EQ do you use?

 

[naagratrax]

Can someone tell me if the Spinfit work with Zero 2 ?

 

[otseiTiesto]

The measurements differ a bit form Amir ones I tried equalizing to Harman with both Amir and Crinacle (which are similar to the average) measurements, Crinacle one ended sounding too bright and thin to me, Amir one ended sounding more balanced and natural (still a bit bright).

Crinacle:
View attachment 338363

Amir:
View attachment 338364

This is the EQ I use now (based on Amir measurements) after some time experimenting with other targets and bass/treble levels:
View attachment 338365

Between the original and this one without EQ I prefer the Zero:2 also originals caused me fatigue after a short period even equalized.

What EQ do you use?

I have not tried to use Amir's file, but I will do so later.
Try here: https://listener800.github.io/iems (I attach the curves for both).
These files are also compatibles with: https://autoeq.app/

 

[muza_1]

I have not tried to use Amir's file, but I will do so later.
Try here: https://listener800.github.io/iems (I attach the curves for both).
These files are also compatibles with: https://autoeq.app/

I tried equalizing to the average and Harman target and end up way too bright.

I meant the parameters, I like to try other EQs to see how my preference differ form other people.

 

[TK750]

I never tried any megabuck IEMs, but I did try the Blessing 3 Dusk and came out utterly unimpressed. Not because its bad per se but I'm not gonna pay 20-30x over Zeros etc just for a bit more treble.

Anybody who tries to argue price isn't the most important factor of all is deep into some serious cope.

Did you try them at his place in Singapore or something? I'm pretty sure they aren't released yet. Or maybe you meant 2 Dusk? It appears the 3 will include some form of DSP too.

 

[Palladium]

Did you try them at his place in Singapore or something? I'm pretty sure they aren't released yet. Or maybe you meant 2 Dusk? It appears the 3 will include some form of DSP too.

It was the 2 Dusk, I stand corrected.

 

[Dmitri]

So…not going through 22 pages of commentary…too much to keep up. Just got mine from Amazon today, and I‘m floored. Flat out freakin’ floored.
Wow.
My overall system investment has to be north of 15k, and I’m sitting here rocking out with $25 earbuds and an iPad.

Thank you AmIr for opening up for me a whole new world of sonic goodness. Seriously. These damn things are amazing.

 

[Stiffmeister]

Speaking of protection, I also bought this along with the ZERO:2 for $0.65.

View attachment 337378

IEM old-timers will probably be laughing, but I’m not even sure I will like using an IEM if I do I will be looking for a better one.

Got this exact case for almost 8 years now. Perfect size and didnt fall apart. Highly recommended

 

[Laserjock]

Got this exact case for almost 8 years now. Perfect size and didnt fall apart. Highly recommended

Link?

 

[Matias]

So…not going through 22 pages of commentary…too much to keep up. Just got mine from Amazon today, and I‘m floored. Flat out freakin’ floored.
Wow.
My overall system investment has to be north of 15k, and I’m sitting here rocking out with $25 earbuds and an iPad.

Thank you AmIr for opening up for me a whole new world of sonic goodness. Seriously. These damn things are amazing.

This kind of reaction is what made it worth donating the sample IEM for review. It's a pleasure to spread the love of cheap and excellent IEMs to audiophiles and music lovers all over the world. It really makes us question our other more expensive systems indeed, been there... and still am there lol.