7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

[Jean-Paul Petrosyan]

Budget kings come and go every few months, but this one has a pretty unique stand out feature to me, which is the treble that won't be killing your hearing in the higher frequencies basically no matter how hard you try to achieve that (unless they won't fit properly). Most other, if not all sets in this price range seem to have narrow resonance peaks in the treble that show up on every measurement graph. That's a total no-go for me personally.

 

[Chromatischism]

Budget kings come and go every few months, but this one has a pretty unique stand out feature to me, which is the treble that won't be killing your hearing in the higher frequencies basically no matter how hard you try to achieve that (unless they won't fit properly). Most other, if not all sets in this price range seem to have narrow resonance peaks in the treble that show up on every measurement graph. That's a total no-go for me personally.

If you're talking about the 8 kHz peak, that's caused by the depth of insertion and is why it's in the same place on all the measurements using the same coupler. Your ears have it too, but it will move a bit depending on your ears and the fitment of tips.

 

[Jean-Paul Petrosyan]

If you're talking about the 8 kHz peak, that's caused by the depth of insertion and is why it's in the same place on all the measurements using the same coupler. Your ears have it too, but it will move a bit depending on your ears and the fitment of tips.

Thank you, but I'm aware of that. What I'm talking about is a second peak which is typically located somewhere in the 12-14 kHz range (can be seen in measurements of Moondrop Chu, Lan, 7hz Zero, Truthear Hola, for example; as well as many other much more expensive and "higher tier" IEMs). Typically I can hear it, which also results in perceptibly unnatural/wrong sounding and "brittle" and/or strangely sharp or "abrasive" treble. Considering it's nature that contributes to it shifting in both frequency and amplitude (and maybe even bandwidth?) hence making it very hard if at all possible to effectively remedy with EQ, it's the biggest FR related flaw an IEM can have in my opinion.

 

[phoenixsong]

Thank you, but I'm aware of that. What I'm talking about is a second peak which is typically located somewhere in the 12-14 kHz range (can be seen in measurements of Moondrop Chu, Lan, 7hz Zero, Truthear Hola, for example; as well as many other much more expensive and "higher tier" IEMs). Typically I can hear it, which also results in perceptibly unnatural/wrong sounding and "brittle" and/or strangely sharp or "abrasive" treble. Considering it's nature that contributes to it shifting in both frequency and amplitude (and maybe even bandwidth?) hence making it very hard if at all possible to effectively remedy with EQ, it's the biggest FR related flaw an IEM can have in my opinion.

I get you; I am sensitive to treble peaks/resonances too. Hence the reason I love pairing the spring fit tips with these, as later proven by peak-free measurements shared by another member

 

[Chromatischism]

I get you; I am sensitive to treble peaks/resonances too. Hence the reason I love pairing the spring fit tips with these, as later proven by peak-free measurements shared by another member

Are you saying the Moondrop Spring tips can eliminate the 11-13 kHz (varies) resonances that most IEMs have? Can I see these measurements?

 

[staticV3]

Are you saying the Moondrop Spring tips can eliminate the 11-13 kHz (varies) resonances that most IEMs have? Can I see these measurements?

Here's the post that phoenix was referring to: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/post-1867085

More graphs here:

 

[Chromatischism]

Here's the post that phoenix was referring to: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/post-1867085

More graphs here:
View attachment 347856View attachment 347857View attachment 347858

Ahh I see. I remember seeing that on my phone but not being able to make heads of it.

 

[mc.god]

TRN claims similar results for their T ear-tips, that have a somewhat similar structure as Springtips:

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005001304899571.html

I bought some of them and find them nice and comfortable but still didn't try them thoroughly and I'm not sure I'll be able to tell the difference in an unbiased way.

For the price it's worth a try.

 

[Cote Dazur]

Here's the post that phoenix was referring to: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/post-1867085

More graphs here:
View attachment 347856View attachment 347857View attachment 347858

Fascinating, I always wondered if measurement would back the comments on how different tips alter the perceived sound of IEMs, thank you. This shows evidence it does.
Now, I would love to read a review/measurement conducted by @amirm with maybe the next IEM test and his opinion on the subject.
Additionally, I find very interesting, the graphs show that the treble is very affected, but from the same graph, the different tip
apparently do not change anything to bass. Interesting and surprising, different tip usually do affect seal, a major factor on perception of bass in any IEM.

 

[MacClintock]

Thank you, but I'm aware of that. What I'm talking about is a second peak which is typically located somewhere in the 12-14 kHz range (can be seen in measurements of Moondrop Chu, Lan, 7hz Zero, Truthear Hola, for example; as well as many other much more expensive and "higher tier" IEMs). Typically I can hear it, which also results in perceptibly unnatural/wrong sounding and "brittle" and/or strangely sharp or "abrasive" treble. Considering it's nature that contributes to it shifting in both frequency and amplitude (and maybe even bandwidth?) hence making it very hard if at all possible to effectively remedy with EQ, it's the biggest FR related flaw an IEM can have in my opinion.

I totally agree, that is really the only major disadvantage of many otherwise fine budget IEMs. Notably the Moondrop Chu and 7hz Zero, are in the top ten of the infamous Harman compliance rating, yet having these horrible peaks.

 

[carpman]

TRN claims similar results for their T ear-tips, that have a somewhat similar structure as Springtips:
I bought some of them and find them nice and comfortable but still didn't try them thoroughly and I'm not sure I'll be able to tell the difference in an unbiased way.

For the price it's worth a try.

@mc.god I think I saw your post a while back on those TRN tips and having embarked on the pilgrimage to find tips that actually seal my fussy ear canals (having failed with every silicone tip prior) I bought the TRN T Ear Tips (size Large, also tried Medium) and they actually worked ! So to date, the only two tips I've got to work on my ears (via Zero 2s and also Tanchjim IEMs) are the Sonicfoam SF1 Mediums and the TRN tips (Large). Don't know what that says about my ears, but thought I'd post it here as it's so hit and miss getting tips that seal well and are comfortable, but I have to say, when you do, it really is worth it.

In terms of sound (and here I'm not trusting my ears or brain), but I felt that the foam tips were a little more "rounded" and "warm" (nicer for my preference), the TRNs seemed less warm and a little more bright. But that could be total bull crap - just my intuition after a good while listening. I'd be more than happy with either, if I could choose one I'd go with the foam tips and I really like the TRNs on my Tanchjim Zeros.

I'd love to see real measurements on the Sonicfoam vs silicone TRNs just to see what actual effect they have on the sound.

C.

 

[pk500]

I just can't decide.. I have the Zero reds, but these get some great reviews too.. I may have missed them, any good comparisons?

The Zero Reds are $55; the Crin Zero 2's are $22. That's less than $80. I would venture that nearly the cheapest over-ear in nearly everyone's collection here costs more than these two IEMs combined.

But if money is that tight, then screw the reviews: Go with what your ears and brain like the best.

 

[Obizzz]

Bought a bunch of tips to try and find what works best. I’ve found that the deeper insertion on the Zero Reds means I have to go down a size compared to the 7hz.

For the Zero 2:s my favorites so far are the Fiio HS18 and Spinfit W1.

While the medium W1 worked well I had a feeling a size down would be even better so I ordered the MS version as which arrived today and I was right. They seems less prone to slip out now.

Sound wise the HS18 probably worked best but I get a bit more isolation with W1 and almost the same sound so I think those might be the winners for now.

I suspect these won’t be my last IEM:s so a collection of tips will come in handy. In general I seem to be around a medium for shallow insert IEM:s and small when you go a bit deeper. On my Etymotics I use one of the smaller double flange tips to go really deep.

 

[Obizzz]

Got a second pair as a gift for my partner because at this price why not?

Went with a more colorful combo this time, which she loved. We spent a good few hours yesterday listening to music separately but together.

 

[bleedinear]

15% off on Amazon USA flash deal = $21.24

Amazon.com

 

[Rottmannash]

Hello.
You can try this one see if you like it, no pre-amp and all filters 3dB or less.

View attachment 341350
View attachment 341351
Edit. If the DSP doesn't accept 1Hz increments the first filter should be 20Hz/-3dB/Q 0.5.

is this the profile on the Qudelix 5K for this IEM?

 

[staticV3]

is this the profile on the Qudelix 5K for this IEM?

No. That is a custom-made preset created by muza_1.

The Zero:2 preset that's built into the Qudelix 5K is this one:

AutoEq/results/crinacle/711 in-ear/7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

Edit: possibly this one as well:

AutoEq/results/crinacle/Bruel & Kjaer 4620 in-ear/7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

Not sure how up-to-date Qudelix's database it.

 

[Rottmannash]

No. That is a custom-made preset created by muza_1.

The Zero:2 preset that's built into the Qudelix 5K is this one:

AutoEq/results/crinacle/711 in-ear/7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

Edit: possibly this one as well:

AutoEq/results/crinacle/Bruel & Kjaer 4620 in-ear/7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

Not sure how up-to-date Qudelix's database it.

Thanks. Listening to these w/ this profile and sounds quite neutral, if a bit bass shy.

 

[muza_1]

is this the profile on the Qudelix 5K for this IEM?

This I created with Crinacle measurements but after some experimentation with different measurements I think the ones posted by Armin or the ones used in AutoEq are more acuarte, EQ using them sounds more natural to me.

 

[AdamG]

Please keep the conversation about the product reviewed and the test results and take any side conversations to a separate thread. A few off topic posts were deleted.

Please inform Moderation if this off topic posting continues. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.