7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

[Jean-Paul Petrosyan]

4-8K is identical on both, but the Hexa has 5dB less bass and slightly more treble extension (drops at 16k vs 14k):
View attachment 465910

Try a single PEQ filter at 20Hz, -4.6dB, Q 0.19 on the Zero2, that'll give it the same bass response as Hexa, removing the dull and muffled sound (I don't believe the treble difference is consequential).

Edit:
Personally, here's how I prefer EQing my Zero2: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-zero-2-iem-review.50534/page-59#post-2005646

Zero 2 has ~7 dB less energy at 15 kHz, ~11 dB less at 15,5 kHz, ~13 dB at 16 kHz and ~10 dB at 16,5 kHz. That's quite a massive difference if your hearing goes that high, which would be true for a significant number of listeners.

That's very much worth the extra ~$60 in my book Though the differences in perceived sound quality will also depend on anatomy dependent factors in practice. Lower treble and upper mids difference also isn't inconsequential, though that shouldn't be seen in terms of "absolute quality".

 

[Kopavi]

on this page you can do a lot of tests to check your IEM (and - of course - your hearing): Audio Check

I appreciate you posting the Audio Check site. After taking the hearing test I likely will need to adjust Zero 2s to match my hearing deficiencies.

I've had these for two months and am really amazed at the sound I'm hearing. The complete soundstage opens up and makes the listening experience one of life's simple pleasures.

 

[kckwong723]

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

For me it works a lot better than both Amir's and Maiky's filter designs. It adds that last 10% of realism without any noticeable drawbacks.

I've put the required preamp into the file name, but not into the actual filter settings.
That way, you can setup your EQApo config like this and only toggle the EQ on/off, without a change in overall volume:
View attachment 375830

I'm using MH755 eartips in S and an Apple dongle at 44.1kHz (keep in mind that filter response is Fs dependent).

Of course I'm aware of issues regarding HRTF and insertion differences, as well as good old unit variation, but thought that some of you may still enjoy the preset

Can you modify it to one with 10 filters as UAPP limits to 10 filters only?

 

[SergeiF]

I'm looking at headphones in a store, is there a usb type c version? Then I don't need an adapter

 

[staticV3]

I'm looking at headphones in a store, is there a usb type c version? Then I don't need an adapter

There are USB-C 2pin cables which can replace the Zero:2's stock cable so you get USB without an adapter.

Most readily available on AliExpress, Shenzhenaudio, HiFiGo, Linsoul etc.

 

[zonk]

I'm looking at headphones in a store, is there a usb type c version? Then I don't need an adapter

For example Moondrop offers USB-C DSP cables that can be purchased separately.
MOONDROP Free DSP Headphone Upgrade Cable

Or some IEMs are available with USB-C cable, for example:
- Moondrop Chu 2 DSP
- Moondrop May
- Simgot EW300 DSP

 

[Ropeburn]

Well well well. Thanks ASR, for making me spend money again. I hate you all...

...not. Never tried proper IEMs, been using an old Sony MDR-1A. This should be good. 22€, nice. You think that Fiio KA13 I got specifically for power will be good enough to drive these loud?

 

[staticV3]

You think that Fiio KA13 I got specifically for power will be good enough to drive these loud?

An Apple dongle is already plenty for these, so yes

 

[Ropeburn]

An Apple dongle is already plenty for these, so yes

It was a rethorical question

 

[Ropeburn]

So... errrrr. Ouch. These are getting outright painful real quick at somewhat higher volumes.

Great bass definition, very clear overall. Could use more subbass for my taste, but still enough.

High minds awful, shouty, painful. Will need to fiddle with EQ just to make them bearable. Never ever had that before with any head- or earphones.

If this is near top performance, maybe it's just not for me? Thinking about giving these away for shipping within Germany.

 

[Grobbelboy]

The combination of perceived painful treble and lack of sub bass really makes it sound like a fitting issue. I would strongly suggest to experiment with the different sizes of included earbuds and make sure they close off the whole ear canal (whilst still feeling comfortable) before selling them off.

 

[Ropeburn]

The combination of perceived painful treble and lack of sub bass really makes it sound like a fitting issue. I would strongly suggest to experiment with the different sizes of included earbuds and make sure they are insterted deep enough (whilst still feeling comfortable) before selling them off.

Of course I can see my comment sounded like that. But the fit is good - I tried four different tips and mostly they all work fine to varying degrees as far as I can tell. Good seal, still comfortable, and the bass is good and strong, just not compared to the MDR-1A, which are infamous for insane amounts. So "could use more for my taste" is highly relative here. The bass is good, so is isolation from outside noise. The overall tonality is the same with all tips.

 

[Gitfiddle]

High minds awful, shouty, painful. Will need to fiddle with EQ just to make them bearable. Never ever had that before with any head- or earphones.

If this is near top performance, maybe it's just not for me? Thinking about giving these away for shipping within Germany.

I had to really tweak my truthear gate's before they sounded right to me. They feel so unforgiving compared to my headphones.

 

[Ropeburn]

Better:

Ignore bass, that's for taste. Very nice though.

Much less shouty and painful now, with surprisingly little correction (-2dB).

Trying to understand what's going on here, the target curve these evidently adhere to so nicely, has a huge bump exactly where ears are particularly sensitive, especially mine. It's always been like that for my ears, they would painfully distort rather early in that range when other people still seemed to be fine. And an old hearing trauma at the army didn't make it better.

So this is essentially hearing aid style correction, that appears to not be neccessary on other gear because the 1-3kHz bump isn't that pronounced.

As you guys may have gathered, I had a rather strong initial reaction yesterday when first trying these. Not so much disappointment, although some, but mainly pain. Highly unpleasant.

Better now. Thanks for the encouragement to try out more. I need that sometimes.

 

[kckwong723]

For my personal taste, I found this EQ profile suggested by Resolve was very good, leaning to the sound signature and timbre of HD6XX. No more shouty and uncomfortable treble. Better than the EQ profiles shared in this thread so far for my taste.

This IEM made me not to use my Edifier S3 any more as my daily drive on street, and make me to reuse USB Audio Pro Player and resubscribe Tidal.

 

[Bernard23]

I own both these and the Zero: Reds. Both sets are as close to the same measured performance (probably within the uncertainty of the measurement system etc) so arguably identical. They don't sound the same to my ears even after EQ, but that is probably likely to HRTF rather than hardware differences.

So if you can only choose one, what's the general concensus, the Zero 2 or the Reds?

 

[sharock]

I own both these and the Zero: Reds. Both sets are as close to the same measured performance (probably within the uncertainty of the measurement system etc) so arguably identical. They don't sound the same to my ears even after EQ, but that is probably likely to HRTF rather than hardware differences.

So if you can only choose one, what's the general concensus, the Zero 2 or the Reds?

The one that fits/seals best and is most comfortable.

 

[Bernard23]

The one that fits/seals best and is most comfortable.

Both same for me in that respect

 

[Berwhale]

I own both these and the Zero: Reds. Both sets are as close to the same measured performance (probably within the uncertainty of the measurement system etc) so arguably identical. They don't sound the same to my ears even after EQ, but that is probably likely to HRTF rather than hardware differences.

So if you can only choose one, what's the general concensus, the Zero 2 or the Reds?

The left bud of my second set of 7hz x Crinacle Zero:2s has failed the same as left bud of the 1st set (volume is lowered and sound is muffled). I'm back using my TruthEar x Crinacle Reds. I had a small preference for the sound and fit of the Zero:2, but I won't buy another pair due to failures. I have a pair of TxC Blues if the Reds fail.

 

[zonk]

The left bud of my second set of 7hz x Crinacle Zero:2s has failed the same as left bud of the 1st set (volume is lowered and sound is muffled). I'm back using my TruthEar x Crinacle Reds. I had a small preference for the sound and fit of the Zero:2, but I won't buy another pair due to failures. I have a pair of TxC Blues if the Reds fail

I know a few people that use the 7Hz Zero 2, and no one had an issue so far. I have one by myself that works perfectly, but I don't use it very often.