Truthear x Crinacle Zero:RED IEM Review

[AudioKC]

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of Truthear x Crinacle Zero:RED IEM. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $55

I own blue one from day one. I heard opinions that red one has a better bass and mid range balance.

I bought Truthear Hexa which I believe superior iem to Zero from Crinacle, but to be fair, it’s more expensive. If you love blue version, give it a try for Hexa IEM from Truthear

 

[Aperiodic]

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.

Yeah, that 'does not compute'

 

[amirm]

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.

It is possible that the IEM moved a bit either as a result of excitation or me touching something post 94 dBSPL. I don't understand your second sentence. The only measurement in the absolute level is at 94, not 114:

 

[GPJ]

I own blue one from day one. I heard opinions that red one has a better bass and mid range balance.

I just received my Red and do believe the bass to to have better definition and less bloom than my blue. The mid range seems the same, and the treble is definitely tamed. They are a bit darker than I expected but nonetheless an excellent listen. They do seem to match the red/blue comparison graph I posted previously. Overall, I am satisfied with the red and they compliment the blue very nicely.

FWIW, the comparison was made using the same tips, cable, and Onkyo DP-X1 DAP volume level matched using the same tracks, all settings identical and no EQ.

 

[Jimbob54]

I just received my Red and do believe the bass to to have better definition and less bloom than my blue. The mid range seems the same, and the treble is definitely tamed. They are a bit darker than I expected but nonetheless an excellent listen. They do seem to match the red/blue comparison graph I posted previously. Overall, I am satisfied with the red and they compliment the blue very nicely.

FWIW, the comparison was made using the same tips, cable, and Onkyo DP-X1 DAP volume level matched using the same tracks, all settings identical and no EQ.

When you say volume level matched do you mean you used the same volume setting on the DAP for each iem or you adjusted between blue and red to account for different sensitivity (think the red is slightly harder to drive)?

 

[Black98]

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.

You observed very carefully because. in fact, the driver itself is different from BLUE ZERO, and the resonant frequency is different. Therefore, I adjusted the frequency divider. In addition, the sound resistance rate of damping is also slightly different, so it is necessary to adjust the size of some pores to adapt to this change.

 

[Venrix]

I just received my Red and do believe the bass to to have better definition and less bloom than my blue. The mid range seems the same, and the treble is definitely tamed. They are a bit darker than I expected but nonetheless an excellent listen. They do seem to match the red/blue comparison graph I posted previously. Overall, I am satisfied with the red and they compliment the blue very nicely.

FWIW, the comparison was made using the same tips, cable, and Onkyo DP-X1 DAP volume level matched using the same tracks, all settings identical and no EQ.

Have you tried the Red EQ on the Blue?
How accurate the sound is compared to the real Red? Curious to know since I already have the Blue and I really love the Red tuning on it.

 

[GPJ]

Have you tried the Red EQ on the Blue?
How accurate the sound is compared to the real Red? Curious to know since I already have the Blue and I really love the Red tuning on it.

Negative. I can't accurately EQ therefore I don't bother. I really like the Blue as is with certain mastering and no EQ. It's really great having 2 excellent, affordable, and different IEM's for my usage scenario.

 

[SalutaryGraveness]

This looks like a cheaper alternative to iems like the Moondrop Starfield/Aria with a lower fc for the low shelf. That helps to clear up the sound.

 

[icey.seri]

Just got this, and it sounded crushed at first, like the dynamic range was very limited. I fixed it with a +4db 10KHz high shelf at 0.71q, otherwise, it sounded genuinely unacceptable. Which is strange, because, graphs suggest that it has more air frequencies than my current IEM, the seeaudio Yume 2.

 

[posvibes]

Mine were delivered today, two hours in.

WOW! Beautiful.

WOW!

 

[markanini]

Just got this, and it sounded crushed at first, like the dynamic range was very limited. I fixed it with a +4db 10KHz high shelf at 0.71q, otherwise, it sounded genuinely unacceptable. Which is strange, because, graphs suggest that it has more air frequencies than my current IEM, the seeaudio Yume 2.

Which tips are you using?

 

[GaryH]

Just got this, and it sounded crushed at first, like the dynamic range was very limited. I fixed it with a +4db 10KHz high shelf at 0.71q, otherwise, it sounded genuinely unacceptable. Which is strange, because, graphs suggest that it has more air frequencies than my current IEM, the seeaudio Yume 2.

Which graphs? As measured on the B&K 5128 with its (purportedly) more accurate upper treble response, the Zero Red has poor treble extension (which contributes to perceived 'detail'), worse than $10 earphones:

As well as worse than the original Zero:

 

[sharock]

Which graphs? As measured on the B&K 5128 with its (purportedly) more accurate upper treble response, the Zero Red has poor treble extension (which contributes to perceived 'detail'), worse than $10 earphones:

The $10 earphone that you can't buy anymore?

 

[GaryH]

They come as bundled freebies with several of Sony's cheap Bluetooth receivers which you can still get. The point is the Red has worse treble extension than 10-year-old cheapo earphones, as well as the original Zero.

 

[sharock]

They come as bundled freebies with several of Sony's cheap Bluetooth receivers which you can still get. The point is the Red has worse treble extension than 10-year-old cheapo earphones, as well as the original Zero.

So buy a bluetooth device we don't need to get some cheap earphones that look like they isolate so badly you can't hear the extra treble extension?

You just seem to roll out this MH755 dead horse to beat everywhere.

That being said, if I could get a pair for £10 I definitely would try them out.

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

They come as bundled freebies with several of Sony's cheap Bluetooth receivers which you can still get. The point is the Red has worse treble extension than 10-year-old cheapo earphones, as well as the original Zero.

Considering I sometimes find the Red a bit bright/shouty without the impedance adapter, I'm okay with the reduced treble extension.

I should clarify that this is only with some songs at higher volumes. The Reds are unquestionably my the best iems I've owned. Some of that probably has to do with the amazing fit I get with them.

 

[markanini]

Which graphs? As measured on the B&K 5128 with its (purportedly) more accurate upper treble response, the Zero Red has poor treble extension (which contributes to perceived 'detail'), worse than $10 earphones:

View attachment 290754

As well as worse than the original Zero:

View attachment 290755

Crinacle says consistent insertion is challenging. BK5128 can't be that reliable for direct treble comparisons.

 

[GPJ]

They come as bundled freebies with several of Sony's cheap Bluetooth receivers which you can still get. The point is the Red has worse treble extension than 10-year-old cheapo earphones, as well as the original Zero.

How about a buy and try and then giving an honest assessment? Could add some credibility to the discussion.

 

[crinacle]

How about a buy and try and then giving an honest assessment? Could add some credibility to the discussion.

As per every single interaction I had with this guy, it's pretty clear that he's only interested in badmouthing and insulting anything that I do. I can predict that if he does buy one, he'll do so for no other reason than to trash it. Guaranteed.