I have a pair of 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2. They're fantastic but I'm using the red tips (the largest) and I need to constantly push them in to get a good seal otherwise the base starts to fade away. Is there a recommended replacement I can use? How will I know any given pair will fit this IEM? I have the feeling these ones would be fine if they were more rubbery/sticky!
My tried and tested ear tip recommendations
1. TRI CLARION
1st ear tips, that I have no problem recommending are the TRI Clarions. They cost typically less than $5 for a set of three pairs, on AliExpress.com, and usually less than $3 including tax, for a set of three pairs. You can either get these as 3 sets of the same size, or 3 sets of 3 different sizes. The available sizes are Small, Medium and Large.
The inner bore is wide enough to, without too much effort, fit all the IEM's I have owned. And note most ear tips have a decent amount of stretch in the inner bore, and there is a technique of slipping them on one side first, and then sliding the other side over, rather than trying to slip the entire ear tip on at the same time. This technique works especially well for IEMs with a larger nozzle diameter.
Every ear tip will change the frequency response. From my experience, subjectively the TRI Clarion attenuates the sub bass and bass, a bit, enabling focus on the mid frequencies, it also appears to attenuate the scratchy high frequencies, delivering a "smoother" listening experience, in bass, mids and highs, somewhat reversing the boom and tizz of V shaped frequency responses, such as the 7hz Zero 2, is a bit prone to.
The net result is, to my ears, brighter than the stock red tips on the 7hz Zero 2.
Nevertheless, when I use the Tri Clarion Large ear tips, I get a really good fit. Decent, satisfactory, but not overblown bass. And a very clear intelligible response, especially listening to spoken word. Music is pretty decent with the pairing of the Tri Clarions and the 7Hz Zero 2's and in my opinion a minor cost, for a pretty significant improvement on the stock ear tips. So great fit, and improved balance of frequency response and clarity on the Zero 2's. A very comfortable non fatiguing listen.
I think the Tri Clarions, may attenuate the overall loudness a bit, in comparison, due to the different fit, and change in distance from the ear drum or absorption of sound, so you may need to bump up the volume compared to the setting you use with the stock red tips.
Finally a slight bit of pressure may be needed with the Tri Clarion Large ear tips, cos they are definitely shorter than the stock red tips of the Zero 2's.. So that extra bit of firm pressure to seat them properly, may be needed. I'm assuming you will need something like the Large size.
I find them excellent for long term listening on the Zero 2's. And better, in my opinion, than the outcome with the stock red tips.
2. Moondrop SPRING
This comes in 4 sizes, Small, Medium, Large and XL(Extra Large). I use the XL's., which are a bit difficult to find, but HifiGo.com sells them. The other sizes are available from lots of online stores, including AliExpress.com, as well as from Hifigo.com
They are typically about $12 to $15 for three pairs of each size.
The advantage of the Moondrop Spring over the Tri Clarion, is they are larger and even better fitting, in my opinion, comfortable. But they also open up the entire frequency range, from deep bass to upper treble. That may be a good or a bad thing. Depending on your preferences. This opening up of the top and bottom of the audible frequencies, may throw up even more anomalies, if they exist, with the IEM,. in this aspect.
While the Clarions smooth the bass and treble extremes over, for a comfortable listen, the Moondrop SPRINGS reveal, by smoothing even more the harsh frequencies, for a more comfortable presentation of vocals, very smooth, and deep natural bass and mids. Some may find the SPRINGS a bit too smooth, attenuating the high frequencies, just a bit too much. In my opinion, it smooths out transients a bit too much, robbing the end result of a bit of its edge/subjective clarity. But this makes for an even more comfortable non fatiguing listen, which is sufficiently clear.
I find both of these ear tips an improvement on the stock Red ear tips, in overall fit, with a more even, less harsh frequency response.
I think I prefer the Tri Clarions, on the 7Hz Zero 2's, just a bit more than the Moondrop SPRINGS. They tease out a certain clarity and emotional connectiveness with vocals, which are slightly brighter and more engaging on the Clarions. With the SPRINGS, vocals seem closer and more intimate, like someone singing close to your face.
So there you have it. Two good options. In my opinion.
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