7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

[caught gesture]

I have a 17 now but it’s pretty new to me. Had a 14 pro for awhile and use the Zero2 weekly. Sometimes I use the Apple us dongle, a JCally JM20 Max (which is hot), or a Hi Max something or other and I don’t experience your issue with any of them. I can get to a low volume with any of them, the Max steps much more per “click”. My phone asks me headphones or other device, I choose headphones and have set that up in the settings menu for my preferences. Do you get that headphones or other device prompt? I’m thinking it’s in one of the settings in your phone somewhere that the issue lies, I don’t think any dongle is hotter than the Max?

I just tried a lightning us dongle in my ancient iPad and could achieve a low volume.

Thanks for the response. When I plug the lightning to headphone adapter in to the charging port I get no prompt. I’ve scoured the settings menu looking for any setting that I can change. With either the volume up/down buttons or the drop-down on screen, the volume does not get quieter gradually in a normal way. It’s very loud to quite loud to then silence! I’ll investigate further. Perhaps it’s the adapter, a cheap one, supposedly Apple certified.

 

[staticV3]

Thanks for the response. When I plug the lightning to headphone adapter in to the charging port I get no prompt. I’ve scoured the settings menu looking for any setting that I can change. With either the volume up/down buttons or the drop-down on screen, the volume does not get quieter gradually in a normal way. It’s very loud to quite loud to then silence! I’ll investigate further. Perhaps it’s the adapter, a cheap one, supposedly Apple certified.

That's the issue. Cheap noname Lightning headphone adapters (even certified ones) can have those sort of idiosyncrasies.

Try the original Apple headphone adapter.

It's just $10 and works great.

 

[caught gesture]

That's the issue. Cheap noname Lightning headphone adapters (even certified ones) can have those sort of idiosyncrasies.

Try the original Apple headphone adapter.

It's just $10 and works great.

You are right! I just remembered that my wife had had an original one with an older iPhone. She found it for me and the problem has gone away!

 

[caught gesture]

Count me very much impressed by these IEMs. So much detail and tight bass. Amazing value for money. I’ve been listening through Beyerdynamic DT250 for years. These 7Hz are cheaper than a replacement cable for them and are so much better!

 

[PortalKeeper]

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.

Do you by chance know if these 2pin cables with microphone have DACs built in to them. I plan to use it with my iPhone 17 pro and I’m not too sure if my phone outputs digital or analog or both depending on what you hook up. I couldn’t find any information on the moondrop. Thanks in advance.

 

[CedarX]

Do you by chance know if these 2pin cables with microphone have DACs built in to them.

Yes they do: at the USB-C connector, the audio signal is digital …… at the 2-pin connector, the audio signal is analog. There must be a digital to analog conversion in between—a DAC.

*To be correct, there is an audio ‘analog standard’ included in the USB-C specifications, but it’s not used on the digital devices we deal with, such as your iPhone…

 

[staticV3]

Do you by chance know if these 2pin cables with microphone have DACs built in to them

Yes.

I plan to use it with my iPhone 17 pro and I’m not too sure if my phone outputs digital or analog

The iPhone 17 only outputs digital.

 

[IndieSynth]

I have had these IEMs for a while and enjoy the sound, but can't get over the poor fit. The sharp edges dig into my ear. What would be the best option for a similar sound profile but more comfortable? Under £50 ideally. Thanks!

 

[CedarX]

I have had these IEMs for a while and enjoy the sound, but can't get over the poor fit. The sharp edges dig into my ear. What would be the best option for a similar sound profile but more comfortable? Under £50 ideally. Thanks!

Tough to answer as fit is very important and very personal. You may need to try a few cheap IEMs first to see what works for you.

 

[zonk]

I have had these IEMs for a while and enjoy the sound, but can't get over the poor fit. The sharp edges dig into my ear. What would be the best option for a similar sound profile but more comfortable? Under £50 ideally. Thanks!

The fit is something very personal.
- Moondrop Chu II has a small metal shell without sharp edges
- Simgot EW300 has a small metal shell, but need probably a bit of EQ

 

[PortalKeeper]

Yes.

The iPhone 17 only outputs digital.

Oh I see, do you have any idea how the dac performs inside them?

 

[staticV3]

Oh I see, do you have any idea how the dac performs inside them?

They perform just like the adapters that they replace.

Many of them have been measured here, by Amirm as well as by ASR members.

 

[Robin L]

I got the Zeros this week, am comparing them to the Zero 2s right now. I don't know how much my observations have to do with how the IEMs are sealed in my ears. I've been making PEQ adjustments as described by Amir for the Zero 2s, no EQ with the Zeros. It seems like the Zero 2s have a lot more bass than the measurements would suggest, even with the cut in the mid-bass. I can clearly hear the difference in the upper registers between the two, and that seems to favor the Zeros, but have to admit that the extra bass in the Zero 2s really works for me. Both are equally comfortable; both seem to have the same sort of fit.