7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

[digitalfrost]

Ordered these because I was bored. Just wow. 1st of all the packaging is very nice, you open it you see them in there and it's just so high quality. The IEMs themselves. Very lightweight, very small they fit my ears perfectly and most important they stay in place and do not move around. Sound ouf the box is almost perfect. Like I would maybe like a little less treble.

But really...the fitment. I put them in and I barely notice them. And they seal well. For the ergonomics alone these are a buy for me.

edit: Did a quick EQ. Done. This is amazing. https://graph.hangout.audio/iem/5128/?share=JM-1_Target,Zero2_S1&bass=6&tilt=-1&treble=1&ear=0

 

[spigot]

Right earpiece started to get quieter after a year, seen this from a couple of comments here and Amazon. I bought for 30% less on Aliexpress, still a good purchase. I have a second pair, if it fails hopefully it's the other side so I can still make a good pair.

 

[Tito]

dam was just about to get these today on amazon
and now in a span of 24 hours respectable users @

spigot​

and @

Berwhale​

claim that one earpiece gets quiter after a while..

berwhale even claims that he had to buy it three times and failure happened to each one!!!?

should i just get truthear gate?
eh..

i always told myself wait a year from release of a product to see if it has qc problems.. it is good that problems are revealed now.

 

[Johnny2R]

Poor QC isn't great, of course. But the sound of mine is so good I'd be happy to buy a new set every year, no problem.

 

[multiformous]

Typically these single DD IEMs will have tuning filters on the nozzle that get clogged up over time. If you are experiencing this, try removing the filter and see if it 'gets loud' again (though this will affect the frequency response). Here's a graph of when my Moondrop KATO had one side with a clogged filter. With this IEM, they sold replacement nozzles that had the filter behind the grill in the nozzle. For other IEMs you can just replace the filter -- provided you are able to get the right ones from the manufacturer or know the correct 'density' of the stock filter for correct amount of damping.

 

[Robin L]

dam was just about to get these today on amazon
and now in a span of 24 hours respectable users @

spigot​

and @

Berwhale​

claim that one earpiece gets quiter after a while..

berwhale even claims that he had to buy it three times and failure happened to each one!!!?

should i just get truthear gate?
eh..

i always told myself wait a year from release of a product to see if it has qc problems.. it is good that problems are revealed now.

I used a Zero 2 right after a shower. I guess water got to one of the earpieces. I now use the good side of that as a personal monitor when playing my guitar for school assembly. I bought another set, have been careful about keeping my ears dry when using. Haven't had any further problems.

Edit; If you're on the fence, get this headset. With the right eartips they are the best audio headgear I've heard so far, including some pricey Stax "Earspeakers". Amazing bass.

 

[Tito]

I used a Zero 2 right after a shower. I guess water got to one of the earpieces. I now use the good side of that as a personal monitor when playing my guitar for school assembly. I bought another set, have been careful about keeping my ears dry when using. Haven't had any further problems.

it is good to know these are mostly clutter and moist related problems..

since they are this good it is not problem even if they last for a year. i will not be using them as primary source after all..
will be using them along with my speakers and open back phones at home .. r when i am on my bike i will get wireless jbl closed backs.

dont want to get all that sweat inside zero2 on bike

 

[AMDfanTO]

I've had my Zero 2 for 2 years without issue. I use them for walks and doing chores around the house. YMMV

 

[Johnny2R]

Having got my initial seal problems sorted out, I'm loving these. They're wonderful with classical music (what I mostly listen to), accurately reproducing the timbre of the instruments and giving a great feeling of space around them. I would say in terms of overall sound quality they're now the best things I have, although I don't have anything high end - only AKG K702, Hifiman HE400SE and Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 headphones and a bunch of IEMs including the once highly regarded BLON BL-03 and Tin Hi-Fi T2 Plus.

They're having that effect of making me listen to all my favourite recordings again, always a good sign.

 

[Tito]

k bought em from linsoul website for 17 euros. free shipping.

don't think i ever seen something ship for free from another country for item under 20 euros.

bet if they were available in retail in my neighbouring village .. shippin would be 5 euros at least.

ah balkan, may you never change!

 

[svisner]

Something kicked in. Have been using them a lot since I replaced the tips. Now realize there's plenty of treble, it's just that the realistic levels of bass and lower midrange push it further back into the mix. There's greater clarity in the upper registers than I've heard from other IEMs or headphones, including some Stax "Earspeakers" that pushed the upper octaves to the top of the mix, but also mixed in a little distortion to the treble register.

If you aren't experiencing the bass that these IEMs can produce, look for something bigger than what you have been using. I could sometimes hear the tonal balance properly but the buds would work themselves out of my ear canals, resulting in a loss of bass. The blue tips from Sony earbuds maintain a better seal. They also have wider holes so none of the driver is blocked.

Edit: here's a picture:

View attachment 513809

Still having difficulty with seal, even with aftermarket tips. Is there a larger tip one might try?

 

[Robin L]

Still having difficulty with seal, even with aftermarket tips. Is there a larger tip one might try?

Don't know. Like I said, got mine from an old Sony IEM, seems as though the metal guard over the diaphragm is a little more exposed, it's clear that the tips are larger than the largest stock tips supplied with the Zero 2. I'm not sure what sort of aftermarket tips you got or if they are any bigger than the stock tips.

 

[Johnny2R]

I have a pair of EarFun Air Pro 4 IEMs and the large tips from those work well with the Zero 2.

 

[BeeKay]

Still having difficulty with seal, even with aftermarket tips. Is there a larger tip one might try?

Search (magnifier icon) for ear tips in this thread. Lots of recommendations.

 

[Sukie]

Still having difficulty with seal, even with aftermarket tips. Is there a larger tip one might try?

When it comes to IEM tips, bigger is not always better. You want to be able to insert the tips pretty deeply, but without them "folding". Folding takes place when the tip is too big. When it folds you will get a reduction in bass frequencies. I've had great success with Tri-Clarion tips and TRN T tips. When you get the correct fit then you'll experience a higher degree of isolation than before. Both the tips I suggested are readily available at AliExpress.

 

[typericey]

Speaker hobbyist and IEM noob here reaching out for help. I'm looking for an affordable "ASR-approved" pair and this 7Hz is in my shortlist, alongside the Truthear x Crinacle Zero (the OG) and Moondrop Chu II. I hope to get some input on what to get, factoring in considerations outside amirm's measurements i.e. durability, comfort, QC, issues etc. Price is not a factor (anything between $25-50 is okay).

This may come across as lazy but the 100s of pages of ASR forum threads for these 3 IEMs combined is a bit much to comb through.

​

 

[inselwissen]

Don't know about the Chus, but the 7Hz Zero:2 are significantly more comfortable to me than the Truthear Zero series because of the (frankly ridiculous) nozzle size on the Truthears.

That's a pretty subjective thing, though. I know some people who really like the Truthear Zero series for comfort.

If EQ is an option, also consider the Truthear Gate. Those are compact and very comfortable, but they need some love in the low end to really shine, while the Zero:2's stock tuning is very good already.

Truthear IEMs also have the best stock cables in the budget segment. Low microphonics, very pliable, nice handfeel. Leagues above the 7Hz cables.

 

[typericey]

Also save up for a Truthear Zero Red and you should appreciate them even more.

You seem to imply that the Truthear Zero Reds are superior or that you prefer them more? If yes, in what way?

 

[Matias]

You seem to imply that the Truthear Zero Reds are superior or that you prefer them more? If yes, in what way?

I feel they are more effortless with complex music, probably lower IMD because of the multiple drivers. I also like the tonality better (FR). Truthear Pure even better.

 

[typericey]

Mine arrived today. First impression is mind blowing, considering the price. But I'm an IEM noob so what do I know? I find it pleasantly non fatiguing, maybe due to the 5k-7k dip? Kinda similar effect to the "BBC dip" in loudspeakers.

Ordered a Fiio KA11 dongle which also did very well on amirm's test bench. I'm anticipating the Zero:2 and KA11 combo is all the kit I'll ever need. Wired portable endgame for ~50USD? What a time to be alive as a music lover.