7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

[khensu]

I'm curious if anyone using stock Equalizer APO would like to give my EQ a try.

I gave it a try. I’m using the stock tips, and it sounds quite good to me. I did lower the amount you were taking off the sub bass as it seemed anemic otherwise. Nice work!

 

[Chromatischism]

The EQ seems to lower the sub bass and shift the emphasis toward the highs > 4-5 kHz. I bet @staticV3 would like the Blessing 2 or 3.

 

[staticV3]

The EQ seems to lower the sub bass and shift the emphasis toward the highs > 4-5 kHz. I bet @staticV3 would like the Blessing 2 or 3.

B2 doesn't look that close. Less bass, more upper mids/treble:


B3 is pretty close:


As is the B2 Dusk:


IIRC, common complaint with the B2 Dusk was lack of air/treble extension, so looks like I'm right on the money

 

[Chromatischism]

The Dusk is for people who find the Blessings too bright and high-focused.

 

[delta76]

There have been a sale on Aliexpress with this one as low as $15, even with higher VAT included for EU

 

[pallas]

Aftermarket tips - what do you recommend?
Thought of trying SpinFit? What type does fit?

Anyone knows the diameter of the included red ear tips? Couldn't find any informations...

 

[Jimbob54]

Aftermarket tips - what do you recommend?
Thought of trying SpinFit? What type does fit?

Anyone knows the diameter of the included red ear tips? Couldn't find any informations...

For the Zero 2 I have great success with the XL Moondrop Springtips (of course the size you need depends on your ear size and shape) - but for me the Zeros being quite a shallow fit need wide but stubby domes on the tips- the Springtips dont extend much further into the ear than the end of the nozzle.

 

[pallas]

For the Zero 2 I have great success with the XL Moondrop Springtips (of course the size you need depends on your ear size and shape) - but for me the Zeros being quite a shallow fit need wide but stubby domes on the tips- the Springtips dont extend much further into the ear than the end of the nozzle.

The supplied red tips fit my ear well and the SQ is good, so the isolation must be good.
But it feels like the Zero2 could pop out at any moment. So I'd like a tip with a bit more grip. But not a tip to change the SQ.
Will check out the Moondrop Springtips.

 

[Mungo]

For the Zero 2 I have great success with the XL Moondrop Springtips (of course the size you need depends on your ear size and shape) - but for me the Zeros being quite a shallow fit need wide but stubby domes on the tips- the Springtips dont extend much further into the ear than the end of the nozzle.

Literally just found this out myself...stubby with wide opening - out of the box/didn't come with the Zero 2. I had some tips lurking at home, wow. Next level. Is it one and done???

 

[Jimbob54]

Literally just found this out myself...stubby with wide opening - out of the box/didn't come with the Zero 2. I had some tips lurking at home, wow. Next level. Is it one and done???

In theory, yes . Sadly I am somewhat addicted to trying new ones. That said I would explore your personal preferences by exploring EQ on the Zero. Once you get a get a better idea what your preferences are in terms of the frequency spectrum and tonal balance it makes looking for new IEMs a far easier prospect.

 

[JediMa]

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM. It was kindly donated to me by a member and costs US $24.99.
View attachment 335107
The cable is soft and longer than typical which I like. They take fair amount of effort to push it but then they make a reassuring soft click. The tips look cheap and are quite soft. You may need aftermarket ones. I tested and listened using the default red ones you see in the review picture.

Compared to 7Hz Zero IEM that I reviewed recently, these supposed to have a bit more bass and less treble. Let's measure to find out if that is the case.

7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Measurements
Let's start with our standard measurement on GRAS 45CA measurement fixture. I was pleased that they fit instantly and generated the predicted results:
View attachment 335108
At high level, this is excellent compliance with our target leaving enough room for manufactures to tune and owners to decide based on their taste. Getting specific, ignoring sub-bass, we have a bit of lift between 100 and 300 Hz and some short fall from 4K to 8K. So overall I expect these to have a bit more bass and more closed in/less sparkle than the original Zero. Here is the relative response for EQ development:
View attachment 335109
While the differential is not great, developing precise filters may be bit challenging due to their shape. Then again you may not need to modify the response anyway.

The distortion measurements made my jaw drop:
View attachment 335110
As you see, even 114 dBSPL generates negligible distortion by transducer standards. It was so low that I decided to zoom way in. You see noise on the blue 94 dBSPL indicating corruption due to measurement noise. So in reality performance is better than that (SINAD of nearly 80 dB). This is one clean sounding IEM.

Absolute levels also show the same:
View attachment 335111

Group delay shows no news which is what we like to see (and is typical of IEMs):
View attachment 335112

Impedance is flat and low which is as expected:
View attachment 335113

Combined with average sensitivity, just about any source can drive it:
View attachment 335114

7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Listening Tests and EQ
First impression was that familiar sound I hear from accurate transducers with two differences: the highs were a little recessed and at times I was hearing bass I didn't even know was there! I went after the former with EQ:
View attachment 335115
The measured shortfall in treble is 5+ dB. I started there and while that brought fantastic amount of detail and great improvement in spatial qualities, after some listening, I realized it is too bright. I pulled it down to 3 dB. Listening to bass heavy tracks I started to be bothered a bit about the extra upper bass. I dialed in a filter for that which solved that but them made the sound bright. I took down the treble EQ to what you see and reduced the amount I had taken down the Bass. These values are basically 40% of what measurements indicated. AB tests of EQ and no EQ showed preference for EQ.

Then I sat back and listened. That deep, impressive sub-bass is there and is now so clean. The highs are to die for. I have no immediate comparison but I kept getting surprised by the clarity up high in tracks that I have listened to hundreds of times for review. As much as I have had the pleasure of listening to some really great headphones and IEMs, I continue to be startled by moment to moment level of fidelity as I continue to listen to them. I think this IEM will likely make you not like your regular speaker system unless it is of highest caliber! The sound is just so good.

Also amazing is the level of instrument separation/spatial qualities. So, so satisfying. I can't say enough good things.

Conclusions
You have to shake your head when you see and read about the performance of this $25 IEM. It displays a level of performance with a bit EQ that is world class. Feed it some well recorded music and you are there: the pinnacle of high fidelity sound. I don't care if you don't want to use an IEM. Get one of these (or the original Zero) and get calibrated on what good sound is.

As to whether to get the zero or zero:2, I would say that with the above EQ, Zero:2 sounds more to my liking than the original 7Hz Zero. That one though sounds more correct without EQ. Your opinion may vary.

I am happy to recommend the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM.

------------
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/

I'm trying to set my Shangling M1s eq with these settings, but on the 10 bands I've different value, what I should set please? 32 64 125 250 500 1k 2k 4k8k 16k

 

[staticV3]

I'm trying to set my Shangling M1s eq with these settings, but on the 10 bands I've different value, what I should set please? 32 64 125 250 500 1k 2k 4k8k 16k

You can use https://autoeq.app/ to calculate EQ parameters with custom GEQ values.

However, you'd have to find out which Q value Shanling use for their GEQ implementation.

If you'd like, give my Zero:2 EQ preset a try as well. To my ears, a clear step up compared to Amir's settings:

7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

OMG I got them recently and they were just ok but with these EQ settings they are fantastic.. BASS ftw!

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[JediMa]

You can use https://autoeq.app/ to calculate EQ parameters with custom GEQ values.

However, you'd have to find out which Q value Shanling use for their GEQ implementation.

If you'd like, give my Zero:2 EQ preset a try as well. To my ears, a clear step up compared to Amir's settings:

7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

OMG I got them recently and they were just ok but with these EQ settings they are fantastic.. BASS ftw!

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thank you!!!

 

[Curupira]

B2 doesn't look that close. Less bass, more upper mids/treble:
View attachment 376047

B3 is pretty close:
View attachment 376046

As is the B2 Dusk:
View attachment 376048

IIRC, common complaint with the B2 Dusk was lack of air/treble extension, so looks like I'm right on the money

The B3 pinna is not to be understated, while the Zero's have a somewhat harmany and forward 3khz peak, the B3's is more reminiscent of Diffuse field for me personally as it seems to be a anticlock-wise tilted Zero2. This is contradictory to what it measures, as it hugs Harman pretty closely, but it's the sentiment I've always gotten when comparing it to my other Harman inspired iems like the Simgot EW200 and Zero blues.

I've always had to tame it down with this EQ to be enjoyable with everything except classical since its launch, lo-and-behold, it's almost exactly the same thing as Crinacle did in its DUSK DSP, so I wholeheartedly agree with the revision

 

[WOLFAGRAM]

1) I don't need IEMs
2) I don't like IEMs
3) I ordered these IEMs

Me too

 

[Ktacos]

Ordered some, gf wanted to get into singing with my band and this seemed like a cheap way to get some IEM's on someone.

I really don't know how the big money IEM companies plan on existing long term. I have some other IEM's, mostly stuff that performed well on here, and the price just keeps coming down for excellent performance. These were $20 and they sound great, at least with foams (no iem sounds good to me with silicone and if you sing, you need foams because otherwise your voice will ring in your head).

I ordered another pair in case these break, I mean they cost as much as some packs of tips lol. These things just confirm that 99% of audio gear is just BS and marketing. I think our lizard brains are what keeps high dollar poor performing stuff alive, I've been victim to it. More money = better right? Even when you know better it's so hard to over ride.

 

[staticV3]

Ordered some, gf wanted to get into singing with my band and this seemed like a cheap way to get some IEM's on someone.

I really don't know how the big money IEM companies plan on existing long term. I have some other IEM's, mostly stuff that performed well on here, and the price just keeps coming down for excellent performance. These were $20 and they sound great, at least with foams (no iem sounds good to me with silicone and if you sing, you need foams because otherwise your voice will ring in your head).

I ordered another pair in case these break, I mean they cost as much as some packs of tips lol. These things just confirm that 99% of audio gear is just BS and marketing. I think our lizard brains are what keeps high dollar poor performing stuff alive, I've been victim to it. More money = better right? Even when you know better it's so hard to over ride.

IEMs for studio/stage work generally require good noise isolation, where the Zero:2 really doesn't do so well.

It sure sounds amazing though.

 

[phoenixsong]

IEMs for studio/stage work generally require good noise isolation, where the Zero:2 really doesn't do so well.

It sure sounds amazing though.

This 100%

 

[Ktacos]

IEMs for studio/stage work generally require good noise isolation, where the Zero:2 really doesn't do so well.

It sure sounds amazing though.

They isolate as well as any other iem to my ears. There's a limit on isolation one can even get, so far every IEM I've tried with foams isolates well enough to stand next to a drum kit and still hear. I find silicone all but useless for isolation and always sounds bad to me. My drummer and myself tried customs and were pretty disappointed that they didn't offer much better isolation. Seem there is a limit one can achieve. If we want something more extreme just toss some headphones over top.

 

[staticV3]

They isolate as well as any other iem to my ears. There's a limit on isolation one can even get, so far every IEM I've tried with foams isolates well enough to stand next to a drum kit and still hear. I find silicone all but useless for isolation and always sounds bad to me. My drummer and myself tried customs and were pretty disappointed that they didn't offer much better isolation. Seem there is a limit one can achieve. If we want something more extreme just toss some headphones over top.

I'd suggest giving Shure or Etymotic a try.
Their isolation is a cut above the rest.