Truthear x Crinacle Zero:RED IEM Review

[Glen20]

Just got mine. I've been playing around with tips on my Zero since the Red got reviewed and I ordered and yup, for me, for most robust seal I still prefer the Spinfit CP155 (Large/ blue) for my ears but these are definitely IEM for sitting with, not walking around- no chance of staying put. They are definitely not the most comfortable I own so I can imagine this deterring many users.

They do sound great though. Not played with the adapter but absolutely know I could happily listen without EQ. Decent bass thump. Oh, and for anyone asking for power requirements- without EQ my EU Apple dongle (so 0.5v max) can go as loud as I would like with 5db on the slider in UAPP to spare. Not sure why anyone would want to slap 5-10 db of eq peaks on these but if you did, you might need a 1v or 2v dongle.

I am having success with using wax behind the tip for better and more comfortable seal on my Zero v1.
.

 

[Jimbob54]

Aside for the more secure fit, do the CP155 sound the same as stock? Thanks for you impressions.

Cant say I spent much time with stock to form that impression as I couldnt keep the seal. My guess would be as the 155 go deeper in, the response likely would change but can't offer any input as to what freqs or by how much.

 

[Jimbob54]

Look the same to me. Physically identical shells, cables and tips I would say.

Actually- noticed one difference on the shells- the vent between the 2 pin socket and the L/R marker is a small hole on the Zero , its a 3mm slot on the Red.

 

[sharock]

Any pictures of the bass adapter?

 

[Matias]

From AliExpress right now:

It took 11 months for the original Zero to reach 1600 units sold, and 12 days for the Zero Red to reach 550!

 

[staticV3]

Any pictures of the bass adapter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYLv4qKK36E&t=357s

 

[GaryH]

Weirdly though, it sounds bassier to me than normal Zero's. And I do not have the adapter on.

What are you plugging them (both) into?

 

[Jimbob54]

Any pictures of the bass adapter?

Not very exciting. 10 ohm bass+ truthear embossed on it.

 

[sharock]

View attachment 289774
Not very exciting. 10 ohm bass+ truthear embossed on it.

Great, my dongle's dongle now has a dongle for its dongle.

 

[C. Cook]

Definitely considering these based on this review. How long is the cable? I'm assuming it's between 3 and 6ft long which isn't going to reach from my DAC/HPA to my desk. I'd need at least 10ft.

Any ASR IEM regular users have a recommendation for an extender cable? Are there any considerations for IEM cables that are different from regular headphones?

 

[Aperiodic]

Just ordered direct from Shenzen after seeing delivery estimates as far out as late July on Amazon.

I own the Blue and the only real quibble I have that seems to betray the price is that the eartips I selected from the provided selection stretched, lost their grip on the nozzle, and stayed behind in my ears a few times. Solved by substituting the Spinfit CP155 tips suggested earlier. Still at a 'steal' price even considering that added cost. Buying these because I'm pretty sure the adjustments to the signature will be right up my alley and the considerable improvement in distortion behavior doesn't hurt. Only concern I have buying the Red is it looks like it might be a challenging load for the $9 phone dongle that we don't name despite the fact that it got a recommendation. (If anyone has tried it, how well did it work?) Have other options in case that doesn't work out. Looking forward to these,

 

[Jimbob54]

Definitely considering these based on this review. How long is the cable? I'm assuming it's between 3 and 6ft long which isn't going to reach from my DAC/HPA to my desk. I'd need at least 10ft.

Any ASR IEM regular users have a recommendation for an extender cable? Are there any considerations for IEM cables that are different from regular headphones?

Not got it with me but yes it's more 3ft than 10 ft. I'd get an amazon basics or ugreen extension at whatever length you need. No special cable needed. I'm an ideal world you'd know the impedance was below 1 ohm and low crosstalk but not sure you will get those specs from any manuf or retailer

 

[Zim]

Is the comparison using the same set of tips on both red and blue?

Yeah I use the same tips for both. Probably wear and age on the Zero's tips vs. the Red's which are still fresh and new.

It's definitely a different bass profile. Zero peaks at 50 Hz then rolls off. Red doesn't roll off and has a bit more energy below 50. I reckon with a good seal that would translate as more "thump" depending on music genre.

Quite possibly that in combination to the age of the tips.

 

[Zim]

What are you plugging them (both) into?

Apple USB-C Dongle or a Topping DX1, which easily powers both.

 

[asrUser]

Definitely considering these based on this review. How long is the cable? I'm assuming it's between 3 and 6ft long which isn't going to reach from my DAC/HPA to my desk. I'd need at least 10ft.

Any ASR IEM regular users have a recommendation for an extender cable? Are there any considerations for IEM cables that are different from regular headphones?

I bought several cables from XINHS store on AliExpress and got some of them customized. Just talk to them and they make your cables longer for not much more.

 

[Aperiodic]

Definitely considering these based on this review. How long is the cable? I'm assuming it's between 3 and 6ft long which isn't going to reach from my DAC/HPA to my desk. I'd need at least 10ft.

Any ASR IEM regular users have a recommendation for an extender cable? Are there any considerations for IEM cables that are different from regular headphones?

Measured the cable on my Blue as 4'-4" (~1.3m)- longer than average for an IEM. So a 6' extension gets you to your 'at least' number.

6 feet is the most common length but Amazon has at least one eight-footer: https://www.amazon.com/Extension-Ruaeoda-Shielded-Adapter-Headphone/dp/B07FQ7755S/ref=sr_1_3?crid=PLP3P8Z9EMQU&keywords=8+foot+headphone+extension&qid=1685796524&sprefix=8+foot+headphone,aps,108&sr=8-3

Unless you buy into 'magic cable' mythology, any decently made cable should work. Nothing different about an extender for an IEM vs one for a full size set. If a vendor tells you otherwise, they are blowing smoke up your a**.

 

[Peter Chuang]

I was happy to see nice reduction in distortion:
View attachment 286743

That's incredibly low distortion even at 114 dBSPL! Love it....
View attachment 286744

Hi @amirm ,
The distortion result seems weird. At 80Hz, how can 94db level have higher distortion than 114db? At 114 dbpsl figure, distortion at 80Hz is a hump exceeding 40db that can not be found in THD% figure.

 

[IAtaman]

My pair got delivered a few days ago. Only had the chance to listen to them for a longer period today. Actually I had an opinion formed earlier, but thought maybe a longer listening session would be helpful. It did not change my opinion.

If you have the original, blue version and access to EQ, I don't see any point of buying these earphones as an average audio consumer. Better get yourself some tasty lunch.

If I did not have the Blue or the Red, I'd get the Red, and see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

 

[staticV3]

Hi amirm,
The distortion result seems weird. At 80Hz, how can 94db level have higher distortion than 114db? At 114 dbpsl figure, distortion at 80Hz is a hump exceeding 40db that can not be found in THD% figure.

External noise probably.

 

[Aperiodic]

Cant say I spent much time with stock to form that impression as I couldnt keep the seal. My guess would be as the 155 go deeper in, the response likely would change but can't offer any input as to what freqs or by how much.

Aside for the more secure fit, do the CP155 sound the same as stock? Thanks for you impressions.

I didn't notice much if any difference apart from the Spinfits staying on the IEM's nozzle rather than in my ear.

I don't know where one would find replacement OEM tips so it is good to know about the Spinfits. Thanks to whoever originally shared that,