TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Review

[posvibes]

Not sure if I agree 100% (yet)

If you have Spotify, check out a track called "Strive" by Amber Rubarth. I came across it when listening to Chesky Records list.

For me with the IEM's I get a lot of outside the head and mainly towards the back and above the crown as well as down below ear level between the lobes and shoulders. I get this with headphones as well but not as dramatically as with these. The really middle of my head sensation I get but even then it is more ambient than that if there is a kind of suffusion of deep bass.

But I don't know how to explain it but my head seems to disappear and I feel as if I am in the midst of the music, this goes to the fact that there is no headband or cups or weight I think as you do tend to get with headphones.

 

[Blorg]

84% think they are great, 11% think they are fine, 95%, that is an overwhelming number from people who appreciate objectively good sound. So, you are more than likely to recover from whatever mistake you made that lead you to not getting a great experience with those.

And how many of those voting have actually even heard them? Most of the votes on ASR reviews are done by people based on reading the review and looking at the graphs, not because they actually own the things. Many commenters here think actually owning or listening to the thing is unnecessary in any case, use of their fallible earthly senses would only possibly compromise their objectivity.

Some of this stuff may be good, some of it may be terrible. But either way, most voting haven't heard it.

I don't think this is a bad IEM, either, although it does seem to have some QC, unit variance and channel imbalance issues. I have this opinion owning the thing, I don't vote on ASR polls on stuff I haven't heard. (Voting "fine", disregarding price, if I was considering the price, I think it could be "great".) I think I'm an outlier here, many will argue blue in the face in the threads about stuff they are proud to admin they have never heard. You cannot make any logical conclusion from the votes on an ASR review because on most, the voters haven't heard the item and they are just expressing their agreement with the review.

While I do think it is a very good IEM, and especially for $50, I'm not totally on board with the circlejerk that IEMs are now dead as the Truthear Zero is "objectively" better than anything else in existence. Someone isn't "mistaken" if they don't particularly like these, they just don't particularly like them. Several people find them shouty or bright. Maybe they are shouty? Having said that, it is a good idea with something new, particularly if it has a signature you are not used to, to try to acclimate to it over a period of time, you may find you come to like it. So good point there.

Interesting comment, I have a question, not just about those particular IEM, in this thread, all IEM in general. If I understand your post, you are saying that insertion depth will affect the frequency we hear, much more than the IEM actual FR, if this is the case, is it just not easy for every one to insert those IEM, just so they sound great to them.

Insertion depth does significantly affect frequency response, primarily in relation to the insertion resonance, which is conventionally placed at 8kHz on graphs but on most people, with most IEMs, is probably lower than this, mine is usually around 7.5kHz with most IEMs, but it can go to 9kHz or higher with IEMs I specifically try to get a deep insertion with (like the Sony IER-Z1R). Many have much lower than this, Oluv of Oluv's Gadgets for example did a poll of his viewers where most got between 6-7kHz. Deeper insertion will move the resonance higher. This is one of the big advantages of Etymotic, their very deep insertion pushes this very far up (and also reduces it) where to many people it will be less apparent.

It does make a big difference to IEM tonality. You can find your own resonance using a tone generator, just sweep up and find the peak around 6-8kHz, it should be pretty apparent. Then when you have found the peak, with the tone still playing, push your IEM in a bit- and you'll find the tone immediately gets much quieter. If you hold it in that position, you can sweep up and you'll find your insertion resonance has moved higher. This is very easy to test for yourself without any measuring rig because it's not a remotely subtle effect, it's very obvious.

This is my Zero (Right, Moondrop Spring Tips) with a "standard" 8kHz insertion and also a shallow and deep insertion, you can see how the insertion resonance moves and the effect it has on the rest of the FR. Medium on 8kHz and deep, a different (large) tip for the shallow insertion, so as to still get a seal.

No alignment:

Aligned at 500Hz:

H

 

[Cote Dazur]

And how many of those voting have actually even heard them?

Good question, nobody really knows, but in the case of those, since they are relatively affordable, the proportion of people who actually have purchased the Zero is probably higher than most, so around 95% is indicative of a very high level of satisfaction.

Insertion depth does significantly affect frequency response, primarily in relation to the insertion resonance,

Thank you for the precision’s about the resonance, IEM as opposed to headphones, but in common with speakers are very susceptible to proper placement. When new to IEM it is a little disconcerting, but as experience builds up, placing the IEM right with the good tips for our ears become easier.
I will be eternally grateful to @amirm to enticed me, with this review, to give IEM a real shot at active listening with IEMs. Before, I only considered them as a practical but somehow limited option to listen to music. Since the Zero, they are getting a fair share of my listening time.

 

[Cars-N-Cans]

Good question, nobody really knows, but in the case of those, since they are relatively affordable, the proportion of people who actually have purchased the Zero is probably higher than most, so around 95% is indicative of a very high level of satisfaction.

I have them as well, and really like them

As with any IEM, tip selection and insertion will make or break the experience, so care is always needed.

 

[Blorg]

Thank you for the precision’s about the resonance, IEM as opposed to headphones, but in common with speakers are very susceptible to proper placement. When new to IEM it is a little disconcerting, but as experience builds up, placing the IEM right with the good tips for our ears become easier.
I will be eternally grateful to @amirm to enticed me, with this review, to give IEM a real shot at active listening with IEMs. Before, I only considered them as a practical but somehow limited option to listen to music. Since the Zero, they are getting a fair share of my listening time.

The point is there isn't really a defined "right" for insertion depth. Or a "right" for tip choice. There's getting a seal, which is basic, but seal vs no seal is a dramatic difference with the bass dropping off completely. This is the first basic step with IEM fit, you need to get a seal and that one is sort of a "right" or "wrong".

The other stuff though isn't right or wrong, it's different. What insertion depth you get is dependent on tip choice and size and how far you push them in, but it also depends on your individual ear anatomy, give the same IEM and tip to someone else and they'll get a different insertion depth relative to their eardrum. This isn't right or wrong, it's just how it works. But this also means that the sound is going to be different for different people as well, even before unit variation which is often substantial with cheap IEMs and is with this one (I have substantial variation between my left and right never mind different batches).

If you look at that Oluv video, there was a huge range in terms of his viewers insertion resonances. From below 5,200Hz to above 8,500Hz, even more of a range than I show in my chart for the Zero. All of those people are going to hear this quite differently. It's also worth noting that most people have an insertion resonance very different from the 8kHz standardized on by most measurebators. Amir's GRAS45 rig dampens the insertion resonance, this doesn't mean it's not there, it is a feature of the human ear, but his rig deliberately removes it. Not sure what he's doing to standardize insertion depth. But this is just something to consider when looking at a single FR graph, it's probably not actually representative of what most people hear. So someone saying "the lower mids are very laid back and the upper mids too pronounced ... after 20 minutes of listening my ears get tired" isn't necessarily "wrong", they may be hearing them differently to you. For that matter even Amir's own measurement has them as much as ~3.5dB over Harman in the upper mids, and Harman is already too much in the upper mids for a lot of people.

 

[posvibes]

Could someone please recommend an inexpensive non-microphonic extension lead for the Crinacle Truthear Zero x IEM's?

Preferably from Amazon or the like, I am in Oz.

At the moment they have replaced all my headphones as my go to listening set.

My turntable/cd and listening chair set up is a little awkward and an additional one meter of cable would do the trick?

Is there anything I should aware of, or beware of?

Much thanks.

 

[SiW]

I’m using these: Linsoul Tripowin Petrichor 4 Core... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09TKH4QNH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Seems good as they have a smooth coating.

I like the changeable ends for if I’m at home on the big amp or out with the portable amp.

For extension I use Amazon Basic or Ugreen with the 3.5mm SE.

For balanced I could only find this but works well: Delock 85796 Extension Cable Jack... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZNZPR8N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[Trell]

And how many of those voting have actually even heard them? Most of the votes on ASR reviews are done by people based on reading the review and looking at the graphs, not because they actually own the things. Many commenters here think actually owning or listening to the thing is unnecessary in any case, use of their fallible earthly senses would only possibly compromise their objectivity.

I've a pair of them but I'm not so fond of IEMs in the first place and use them seldom, so take what I write with that in mind.

They come with a nice selection of tips so I could find one that fit well for me, and there is even four extra metal grills to replace the existing one if/when they become dirty/uncleanable. They fit securely in my ears and are comfortable. The cables does not become a rats nest when using them or take them in/out of the carrying pouch.

They sounds nice. The bass is great and I've disabled the dynamic loudness on my REM ADI-2 DAC FS as the present bass is enough for me. Have enough volume for me on an iPhone using the inline Ligthening DAC (EU version).

Now there is the downside, which so many IEM suffers from for my usage: I can hear my own breathing which is reduced by using my mouth instead of the nose. As they have a tight seal the sound of my own voice is awful when speaking so for voice/video calls it's only suitable in dire needs for something, and here the stock iPhone ear-buds are better (no seal, though). But at home I do use a pair of nice closed-back over-ears for video-calls.

So for me IEMs is only used when in a noisy environment and I want to listen to something.

 

[MayaTlab]

Now there is the downside, which so many IEM suffers from for my usage: I can hear my own breathing which is reduced by using my mouth instead of the nose. As they have a tight seal the sound of my own voice is awful when speaking so for voice/video calls it's only suitable in dire needs for something, and here the stock iPhone ear-buds are better (no seal, though).

Have you tried ANC TWS IEMs with a feedback mic (ex : AirPods Pro 2) ? They can reduce the occlusion effect.

 

[Trell]

Have you tried ANC TWS IEMs with a feedback mic (ex : AirPods Pro 2) ? They can reduce the occlusion effect.

Nope, I’ve not tried any of those.

As for using closed-back over-ear headphones during video calls I mix in my voice from the microphone using the audio interface as closed-back is not that pleasant either without that.

 

[Berwhale]

Could someone please recommend an inexpensive non-microphonic extension lead for the Crinacle Truthear Zero x IEM's?

Preferably from Amazon or the like, I am in Oz.

At the moment they have replaced all my headphones as my go to listening set.

My turntable/cd and listening chair set up is a little awkward and an additional one meter of cable would do the trick?

Is there anything I should aware of, or beware of?

Much thanks.

2.5mm balanced Linsoul Tripowin Zoine in silver and gold for TxC Zero and my Moondrop Starfield connecting to a Qudelix 5K...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07ZQD54XR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They go up a down in price, I paid £15 for the silver and £14 for the gold when I bought them, but £20 is still reasonable for both cables.

 

[SSA]

If you are genuinely thinking of another and like more bass, consider getting the QKZ HBB Khan for variety, it's basically the exact same IEM tweaked with slightly more bass and slightly less in the 1-3kHz region. And for $10 less. I have both, the Khan is very good.

View attachment 268143

I've had the truthear since Amir's review and recently purchased the Khan as was intrigued by the same sound signature and more bass... I was very disappointed with the Khan and returned them. To my ear, lots of distortion, perhaps similar sub bass but far less mid range bass.

 

[Blorg]

@SSA could be unit variation, or a fit issue, the Khan has more bass. Maybe you perceive less mid-bass because there's more sub-bass relatively?

Could be unit variation either though, my Zero has quite a lot of variation even between left and right, and has much less bass on the left than most units. Certainly with mine, the Khan has a lot more both sub bass and mid bass, and I don't get distortion, it sounds even more coherent to me. But I think I maybe have a relatively bad Zero.

 

[Maiky76]

Here are some thoughts about the EQ.

Notes about the EQ design:

• The average L/R is used to calculate the score.
• The resolution is 12 points per octave interpolated from the raw data (provided by @amirm)
• A Genetic Algorithm is used to optimize the EQ.
• The EQ Score is designed to MAXIMIZE the Score WHILE fitting the Harman target curve (and other constrains) with a fixed complexity.
  This will avoid weird results if one only optimizes for the Score.
  It will probably flatten the Error regression doing so, the tonal balance should be therefore more neutral.
• The EQs are starting point and may require tuning (certainly at LF and maybe at HF).
• The range around and above 10kHz is usually not EQed unless smooth enough to do so.
• I am using PEQ (PK) as from my experience the definition is more consistent across different DSP/platform implementations than shelves.
• With some HP/amp combo, the boosts and preamp gain (loss of Dynamic range) need to be carefully considered to avoid issues with, amongst other things, too low a Max SPL or damaging your device. You have beed warned.
• Not all units of the same product are made equal. The EQ is based on the measurements of a single unit. YMMV with regards to the very unit you are trying this EQ on.
• I sometimes use variations of the Harman curve for some reasons. See rational here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pro-review-headphone.28244/page-5#post-989169
• https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pro-review-headphone.28244/page-6#post-992119
• NOTE: the score then calculated is not comparable to the scores derived from the default Harman target curve if not otherwise noted.
• Occluding IE devices generally must have very good fitting/seal in the user's ear canal for best performance.
  please spend a few minutes to pick up the best ear tip... Be sure to perform this step otherwise the FR/Score/EQ presented here are just worthless.
• 1. more bass = better seal
  2. More isolation from the outside world = better fit
  3. Comfort

Good L/R match.

Might not need an EQ, nevertheless, I have generated one EQ, the APO config file is attached.

Score no EQ: 80.9%
Score with EQ: 96.2%

TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero Full APO EQ [email protected] 96000Hz
September142022-145558

Preamp: -3.9 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 20.00 Hz Gain 3.88 dB Q 0.90
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 81.44 Hz Gain -2.05 dB Q 1.46
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1205.00 Hz Gain -1.23 dB Q 2.55
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2175.35 Hz Gain -1.65 dB Q 0.85
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4795.73 Hz Gain -2.97 dB Q 2.97
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 6699.00 Hz Gain 2.57 dB Q 2.64
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 13229.75 Hz Gain -4.98 dB Q 5.00

View attachment 230828

@Lieglein

Here is the "nitpicking" version of the EQ i.e. probably not necessary and sample/measurement dependent...

Score 98.2%

TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero Full APO EQ [email protected] 96000Hz
March082023-152519

Preamp: -3.8 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 19.75 Hz Gain 3.88 dB Q 0.88
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 84.69 Hz Gain -2.19 dB Q 1.25
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 145.05 Hz Gain 1.37 dB Q 4.28
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 314.17 Hz Gain -0.85 dB Q 3.26
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1220.13 Hz Gain -1.23 dB Q 2.35
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 2264.62 Hz Gain -1.69 dB Q 0.80
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4832.48 Hz Gain -2.79 dB Q 2.97
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6552.14 Hz Gain 2.66 dB Q 3.43
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 13182.07 Hz Gain -5.51 dB Q 5.50
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 10011.16 Hz Gain 1.48 dB Q 5.31

And for those willing to give it a try an EQ for the Knowles target:
More info here:

64 Audio tia Trió IEM Review

It would have been better if you have done both listening test and measurements with the same tips.

www.audiosciencereview.com

This can be compared with the Harman target Score EQ in the original post. The scores are not comparable though.
Please report your impressions here...

TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero Knowles EQ
March082023-153645

Preamp: -9 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 21.16 Hz Gain 3.93 dB Q 1.10
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 81.12 Hz Gain -2.05 dB Q 1.65
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1215.98 Hz Gain -1.03 dB Q 2.45
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2427.34 Hz Gain -1.84 dB Q 0.66
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4926.49 Hz Gain -2.81 dB Q 2.48
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 6399.38 Hz Gain 2.52 dB Q 3.54
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 12729.23 Hz Gain -2.19 dB Q 6.44
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 14973.86 Hz Gain 9.36 dB Q 1.04

 

[Lieglein]

@Lieglein

Here is the "nitpicking" version of the EQ i.e. probably not necessary and sample/measurement dependent...

Score 98.2%

Haha.
Thank you, that's great!

 

[markanini]

This LG USB set challenges TCZ in Harman LI IE compliance.

LG USB-C타입 이어폰 측정 리뷰 [댓글 이벤트] - 영디비

영디비 회원 제보로 LG USB-C 타입 이어폰을 테스트해봤습니다. 리뷰 목적으로 테스트한 것이 아니었는데, 이건 유튜브 각! LG 마케팅 혼쭐을 내줘야...Specification BHS307-W0 20mW 24OHM 97DB 20HZTO20KHZ 1.15M W...

www.0db.co.kr

 

[dougi]

This LG USB set challenges TCZ in Harman LI IE compliance.

LG USB-C타입 이어폰 측정 리뷰 [댓글 이벤트] - 영디비

영디비 회원 제보로 LG USB-C 타입 이어폰을 테스트해봤습니다. 리뷰 목적으로 테스트한 것이 아니었는데, 이건 유튜브 각! LG 마케팅 혼쭐을 내줘야...Specification BHS307-W0 20mW 24OHM 97DB 20HZTO20KHZ 1.15M W...

www.0db.co.kr

Yes that response does look nice, but not really an apples to apples comparison, given USB vs purely passive. Then again, even cheaper. Retail price in the video was 23000 Won, about A$25! Not sure you can purchase it anymore. Model in English appears to be LG EAB65817201.

 

[posvibes]

And for those willing to give it a try an EQ for the Knowles target:

The Knowles seems to me not to be so clean in the deeper bass as the original EQ you supplied. But that may be my imagination and or hearing.

As always love your work!

 

[phoenixdogfan]

The point is there isn't really a defined "right" for insertion depth. Or a "right" for tip choice. There's getting a seal, which is basic, but seal vs no seal is a dramatic difference with the bass dropping off completely. This is the first basic step with IEM fit, you need to get a seal and that one is sort of a "right" or "wrong".

The other stuff though isn't right or wrong, it's different. What insertion depth you get is dependent on tip choice and size and how far you push them in, but it also depends on your individual ear anatomy, give the same IEM and tip to someone else and they'll get a different insertion depth relative to their eardrum. This isn't right or wrong, it's just how it works. But this also means that the sound is going to be different for different people as well, even before unit variation which is often substantial with cheap IEMs and is with this one (I have substantial variation between my left and right never mind different batches).

If you look at that Oluv video, there was a huge range in terms of his viewers insertion resonances. From below 5,200Hz to above 8,500Hz, even more of a range than I show in my chart for the Zero. All of those people are going to hear this quite differently. It's also worth noting that most people have an insertion resonance very different from the 8kHz standardized on by most measurebators. Amir's GRAS45 rig dampens the insertion resonance, this doesn't mean it's not there, it is a feature of the human ear, but his rig deliberately removes it. Not sure what he's doing to standardize insertion depth. But this is just something to consider when looking at a single FR graph, it's probably not actually representative of what most people hear. So someone saying "the lower mids are very laid back and the upper mids too pronounced ... after 20 minutes of listening my ears get tired" isn't necessarily "wrong", they may be hearing them differently to you. For that matter even Amir's own measurement has them as much as ~3.5dB over Harman in the upper mids, and Harman is already too much in the upper mids for a lot of people.

View attachment 268986

I have a tool I think I can use to get the in ear resonance correct. Since I have a Smyth A16 Realizer, it has something to EQ phones called manLOUD which is an equal subjective loudness tuning and meassurement at various frequency bands. I think if I get the Zeroes I could do the manLOUD, note the correction I need to get them to display equal loudness at each fr band on the A16 and then use that as my correction curve with any parametic EQ I employ for OTG like Toneboosters. Think it ought to work.

Ultimately, all of these IEMs are going to sound different to every person because of the ear canal resonance, and that is why all these tunings are IMHO just approximations of the individual's required tuning. Using a tool to do an equal loudness EQ will, I think, make any of these IEMs sound much closer to the ideal individualized tuning.

After that, it becomes a question of whether the set is efficient enough to play with sufficient volume with whatever amp is available to drive them (most likely a phone), and also whether the set's distortion level is low enough to enable the required corrections.

I think the Truthears look promising on the distortion, but it looks like they need a fair bit of power to make them sound their best. Perhaps that's one of the reasons who some reviewers are finding them to be less than ideal.

 

[Robbo99999]

I have a tool I think I can use to get the in ear resonance correct. Since I have a Smyth A16 Realizer, it has something to EQ phones called manLOUD which is an equal subjective loudness tuning and meassurement at various frequency bands. I think if I get the Zeroes I could do the manLOUD, note the correction I need to get them to display equal loudness at each fr band on the A16 and then use that as my correction curve with any parametic EQ I employ for OTG like Toneboosters. Think it ought to work.

Ultimately, all of these IEMs are going to sound different to every person because of the ear canal resonance, and that is why all these tunings are IMHO just approximations of the individual's required tuning. Using a tool to do an equal loudness EQ will, I think, make any of these IEMs sound much closer to the ideal individualized tuning.

After that, it becomes a question of whether the set is efficient enough to play with sufficient volume with whatever amp is available to drive them (most likely a phone), and also whether the set's distortion level is low enough to enable the required corrections.

I think the Truthears look promising on the distortion, but it looks like they need a fair bit of power to make them sound their best. Perhaps that's one of the reasons who some reviewers are finding them to be less than ideal.

I don't really agree with Equal Loudness EQ. For a start you're not supposed to hear all frequencies to the same loudness, due to Fletcher Munson, so the A16 would have to take that into account. Also Equal Loudness will EQ out your natural hearing deficits you have in some areas, which is probably useful if you need a hearing aid, but otherwise I don't agree with EQ'ing out natural hearing degredation or born individual hearing quirks (as long as it's not severe) - because we get used to what "normal" sounds like with our non-perfect ears, so straying from that would be unnatural sounding.