7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

[herr.jemine]

Amon Amarth, I think that's because of the music you're listening to, there's not much in the way of fine imaging, resolution and separation and dynamics, it's basically grunting and noise

 

[Curupira]

Amon Amarth, I think that's because of the music you're listening to, there's not much in the way of fine imaging, resolution and separation and dynamics, it's basically grunting and noise

In my very subjective experience, I find the opposite to be true: most transducers sound good on audiophile™ recordings like vocal jazz, where there are only two instruments playing at the same time, but only the really good excel in dealing with busy tracks like metal and classical.

Moreover, the busier the track, the more important the frequency response coherency becomes: the two former genres are really good test tracks for EQ changes for this reason, if there's a change in the FR, you'll hear it. Changing something while listening to Diana Krall, on the contrary, hardly ever registers.

A necessary addendum to what I just said is that classical is better recorded than metal, with better stereo mixing and, most importantly, better (actual) dynamic range. These two factors in iems, however, are highly relative. Stereo imaging reproduction in most iem's excellent because they often have superb channel matching, and the other 10% is made of intangible and/or highly personal instances, like insertion depth, HRTF reconstruction etc; and dynamic range, on the other end, is highly lackluster in headphones/iems in relation to speakers, for example. This last one is a bit personal for me though.

 

[Chromatischism]

Whenever I read descriptions like detail, imaging, resolution and separation I wonder how these things could be measured. My pet hypothesis is that the frequency response could be an answer, where descriptions such as detail and resolution probably can be found more often for IEMs with more power in the treble, compared to IEMs that do not get that description. Personally I find IEMs with more treble than the Zero:2 to have a charming effect at first, but listening to such IEMs at length is fatiguing and eventually annoying.

For what it is worth I too find the Zero:2 a bit messy out of the box, but bringing down the upper bass with a gentle peaking filter helps to clear things out. With that filter (175hz, -1db, 0.71q) the Zero:2 still have that impressive sub bass, but songs like Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God sound clearer to me (and very close to what my stereo sounds like).

Agree and For Victory or Death sounds very good as well once you EQ the issues out of these cheaper IEMs. That's one of my tests due to the range it has.

 

[herr.jemine]

Amon Amarth - Victory or Death, no sub bass at all in the recording, little dynamics, compare it with this:

 

[Honken]

Amon Amarth, I think that's because of the music you're listening to, there's not much in the way of fine imaging, resolution and separation and dynamics, it's basically grunting and noise

To each their own, but it is hardly the only thing I listen to (for example, Ane Brun is in my library). It was just an example of a song where without EQ, the upper bass was too hot for at least my tastes.

I agree with Curupira in that busy metal tracks make for good test tracks. And Victory or Death does sound great on the Zero:2 indeed.

 

[ehabheikal]

3

To each their own, but it is hardly the only thing I listen to (for example, Ane Brun is in my library). It was just an example of a song where without EQ, the upper bass was too hot for at least my tastes.

I agree with Curupira in that busy metal tracks make for good test tracks. And Victory or Death does sound great on the Zero:2 indeed.

To each their own, but it is hardly the only thing I listen to (for example, Ane Brun is in my library). It was just an example of a song where without EQ, the upper bass was too hot for at least my tastes.

I agree with Curupira in that busy metal tracks make for good test tracks. And Victory or Death does sound great on the Zero:2 indeed.

I like metal but is there any speaker or iem that does not make it sound like a mush? Will try some iron maiden on these

 

[herr.jemine]

I like metal but is there any speaker or iem that does not make it sound like a mush? Will try some iron maiden on these

No, the recording really sucks - a little noise on the right, a little noise on the left and a little grunting and roaring, the benchmark track is ready
Oh no idea, everyone is fine as they like

https://dr.loudness-war.info/:

 

[scolfaro]

Contrary to some, I don't think these need to be EQd. They also don't sound as good as the Hexa, which does need 1db up and down somewhere (which I find to be already the closest to reference mark that I have). Still, for a fourth of what the Hexa costs, and 1/40th of what my lcd-2c costs, this is a no brainer purchase. Along with the Hexa.

 

[Chromatischism]

Amon Amarth - Victory or Death, no sub bass at all in the recording, little dynamics, compare it with this:

They don't really do sub bass. There are other tests for that.

Starset, for example.

 

[Chromatischism]

Contrary to some, I don't think these need to be EQd. They also don't sound as good as the Hexa, which does need 1db up and down somewhere

Contradictory statement: if they don't sound as good as IEM X, then they do need EQ to sound better.

 

[ehabheikal]

To each their own, but it is hardly the only thing I listen to (for example, Ane Brun is in my library). It was just an example of a song where without EQ, the upper bass was too hot for at least my tastes.

I agree with Curupira in that busy metal tracks make for good test tracks. And Victory or Death does sound great on the Zero:2 indeed.

Did not know Ane Brun now i do. Thanx.

 

[scolfaro]

Contradictory statement: if they don't sound as good as IEM X, then they do need EQ to sound better.

Definitely contradictory, but not illogical.

What makes them Hexas sound better isn't necessarily their tuning, or in other words, considering what I expect from a reference monitor, they are already so close that only a touch more mid-bass and highs are enough to nudge them there (whereas the Audeze needs 5db boosts and cuts) and I know that when they sound that way it's accurate enough that I can make critical decisions with them on and it's going to be accurate.

The 7Hz isn't as technical, it has some graininess to it and the separation isn't nearly as good, BUT, the tuning is so good for a "fun" listen that it doesn't make sense trying to make it "reference" grade, because it won't be that and because it's more useful to me like a top-notch consumer grade "check."

 

[misterdog]

What makes them Hexas sound better isn't necessarily their tuning

Everyone has their opinion, this from elsewhere.

I put the Hexa in the box and sent them back while listening to the Zero 2s. This is the sequel to another day in my life titled, “When I Tried The Moondrop Arias”.

 

[scolfaro]

Everyone has their opinion, this from elsewhere.

I put the Hexa in the box and sent them back while listening to the Zero 2s. This is the sequel to another day in my life titled, “When I Tried The Moondrop Arias”.

Oh definitely, Zero 2's are shockingly good, they just lack that "clinical" edge and cleanness the Hexa has, the first thing I thought when I first put them on was "HD600 in my ears"

The zero 2s are their own thing, so much so I also didn't feel like I needed to bring them closer to anything. I'll put them on once I'm "done" working to check if things are musically working. Btw I sent the Zero Reds back exactly for the same reason, the 7Hz offering just sounded altogether better to my ears...

 

[phoenixsong]

Whenever I read descriptions like detail, imaging, resolution and separation I wonder how these things could be measured. My pet hypothesis is that the frequency response could be an answer, where descriptions such as detail and resolution probably can be found more often for IEMs with more power in the treble, compared to IEMs that do not get that description. Personally I find IEMs with more treble than the Zero:2 to have a charming effect at first, but listening to such IEMs at length is fatiguing and eventually annoying.

For what it is worth I too find the Zero:2 a bit messy out of the box, but bringing down the upper bass with a gentle peaking filter helps to clear things out. With that filter (175hz, -1db, 0.71q) the Zero:2 still have that impressive sub bass, but songs like Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God sound clearer to me (and very close to what my stereo sounds like).

--

My primary pair just had a channel go very quiet on me. I figured it might have been something with the filter but that looked clean after prying it apart. I don't recall when I got mine but it was shortly after launch. Read of others' dying in the same fashion, seems like ****** build quality. Perhaps you do get what you pay for? I am now listening to my backup pair and have another pair on the way as a new backup. Apparent QC issues aside, these are still my favorite set that I own. Sounds great, in my opinion.

I recently encountered the same issue and washing the affected filter with mild hand foam solved the problem. It cannot be detected by any visual means

 

[phoenixsong]

Oh definitely, Zero 2's are shockingly good, they just lack that "clinical" edge and cleanness the Hexa has, the first thing I thought when I first put them on was "HD600 in my ears"

The zero 2s are their own thing, so much so I also didn't feel like I needed to bring them closer to anything. I'll put them on once I'm "done" working to check if things are musically working. Btw I sent the Zero Reds back exactly for the same reason, the 7Hz offering just sounded altogether better to my ears...

"they just lack that 'clinical' edge and cleanness the Hexa has"
I guess a measurement review of the Hexa here would reveal the whole story

 

[staticV3]

"they just lack that 'clinical' edge and cleanness the Hexa has"
I guess a measurement review of the Hexa here would reveal the whole story

Hexa has less bass and slightly more treble extension:


Naturally, it'll sound more clear.

 

[Jimbob54]

"they just lack that 'clinical' edge and cleanness the Hexa has"
I guess a measurement review of the Hexa here would reveal the whole story

Some clues (EDIT- Ninjad by Static)

 

[scolfaro]

It's not all FR, although that is certainly a factor. Same as using coaxial, 2-way or 3-way speakers, or a 2.1 system. Heck, the same speakers, once I hooked a sub to them (DSP controlled with excellent linearization, but still) just improved in clarity an insane amount even though I was extending the bottom 40Hz down from where it was before.

Once the two drivers in the boxes didn't have to deal with anything under 80Hz anymore, they just opened up and showed their true potential. Then the question left is system Integration and crossover quality, which is a given since it was a proprietary system.

Comparing the Hexa to a 1-DD iem is certainly similar. The crossovers are excellent and unnoticeable, and every driver quite definitely simply needs to work less to output its part, every single BA unencumbered from low frequency content.

 

[frix]

whenever I cycle through my IEM collection with much much more expensive IEMs I'm angry at how good the zero:2 are.
Ruining the hobby for me, lol

I can recommend spinfit w1 tips for a good fit.