Truthear x Crinacle Zero:RED IEM Review

[zachary80]

Has anyone tried equalizing the Crinacle Zero Red to be the Blue, or vice versa? It seems like it could be a fun version of "Will X sound like Y with the right EQ?". I have both on hand but I'm not skilled at EQ design.

I found these two AutoEQ parametrics, which would theoretically bring them to a similar sound (not Red=Blue):

AutoEq/results/crinacle/Bruel & Kjaer 4620 in-ear/Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED/Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED ParametricEQ.txt at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

AutoEq/results/crinacle/Bruel & Kjaer 4620 in-ear/Truthear Zero/Truthear Zero ParametricEQ.txt at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

 

[staticV3]

Has anyone tried equalizing the Crinacle Zero Red to be the Blue, or vice versa? It seems like it could be a fun version of "Will X sound like Y with the right EQ?". I have both on hand but I'm not skilled at EQ design.

You can use https://autoeq.app/ to create such an EQ:


Search for your target headphone, then set the target to Flat and click on the headphone symbol in the sound signature window.
That sets that headphone's frequency response as target response.

Next, search for your source headphone (the one you're trying to EQ) and choose an equalizer App.
The default 10-band PEQ is called "EqualizerAPO ParametricEq".

Once done, the program will compute an EQ preset.

Btw, this only works because both measurements come from the same rig (Crinacle's B&K 4620).

 

[GaryH]

Has anyone tried equalizing the Crinacle Zero Red to be the Blue, or vice versa? It seems like it could be a fun version of "Will X sound like Y with the right EQ?". I have both on hand but I'm not skilled at EQ design.

I found these two AutoEQ parametrics, which would theoretically bring them to a similar sound (not Red=Blue):

AutoEq/results/crinacle/Bruel & Kjaer 4620 in-ear/Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED/Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED ParametricEQ.txt at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

AutoEq/results/crinacle/Bruel & Kjaer 4620 in-ear/Truthear Zero/Truthear Zero ParametricEQ.txt at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

Yes, I have EQed my Blue to the Red, and I did not think the Red's frequency response sounds good at all, see comments in my previous post. From AutoEQ:

Preamp: -2.58 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105.0 Hz Gain 5.1 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 49.6 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 0.52
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 96.9 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 0.71
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 182.0 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 2.00
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 297.6 Hz Gain 1.7 dB Q 0.38
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 2644.1 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 2.00
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3633.9 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 2.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 5189.5 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 1.99
Filter 9: ON HSC Fc 10000.0 Hz Gain -1.9 dB Q 0.70

 

[chips666]

Got mine yesterday They sound fantastic as is with my Concero HD dac...

 

[ehabheikal]

Now what i really want is a true wireless buds with this performance and LDAC.

 

[enricoclaudio]

I have the BLUEs and two weeks ago got the REDs. I gave them yesterday to my Worship Pastor to try with Comply T-600 foam tips. Long story short, I placed an order today for 6 x Truthear x Crinacle Zero:RED. He was in shock with the clarity and bass these guys put out. BTW, he uses 64 Audio 4 Drivers Custom IEMs.

 

[isostasy]

Do any Zero:RED owners have the Etymotic ER2XR to compare to? (edit: or other Ety models which you can EQ to match bass levels)

On crin's 5128 the ERX, which I think is basically the same as an ER4XR, measures very similarly to the Zero:RED in the mid-range. Here it is with a peaking filter to boost the bass up to the levels of the ER2XR (this is obviously pretty hacky, bear with):

711 measurements of Etymotics show a bump between 1.5-2.5kHz of a few dB above the Zero:RED, however (and most other IEMs at that).

So does the Zero:RED sound like a slightly bass-boosted ER2XR, or are the 711 measurements more informative in this regard? Thanks

 

[Matias]

Even without the adapter I found the subbass too much. These cheap tips below reduce the bass somewhat. They were tight to fit though, very hard, but eventually I managed it.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNSnPgY

7Hz H-08 option.

PS: btw digital piano is great for testing.

 

[markanini]

Do any Zero:RED owners have the Etymotic ER2XR to compare to? (edit: or other Ety models which you can EQ to match bass levels)

On crin's 5128 the ERX, which I think is basically the same as an ER4XR, measures very similarly to the Zero:RED in the mid-range. Here it is with a peaking filter to boost the bass up to the levels of the ER2XR (this is obviously pretty hacky, bear with):

View attachment 296619

711 measurements of Etymotics show a bump between 1.5-2.5kHz of a few dB above the Zero:RED, however (and most other IEMs at that).

So does the Zero:RED sound like a slightly bass-boosted ER2XR, or are the 711 measurements more informative in this regard? Thanks

I owned ER4S a decade ago. If you like Etymotic for the smooth treble you will like Red. All other aspects are improved like a less colored mid range and pleasing bass quantity.

 

[isostasy]

I owned ER4S a decade ago. If you like Etymotic for the smooth treble you will like Red. All other aspects are improved like a less colored mid range and pleasing bass quantity.

The apparent similarity of those aspects in the 5128 measurement are what I was getting at though. Most 711 measurements show Etymotics have a bump in the 1-3khz region, so 'colored mid range' as you say, but that's not apparent on the measurement I shared above of the ERX against the Zero:RED. Additionally, Crin's 711 measurement show the ER2XR and Zero:RED having almost identical bass response, besides the 200Hz dip which isn't apparent in the Ety:

But the the midrange and treble are completely different, unlike what you see on the 5128 graph.

So 711 measurement would suggest what you say about mid range would be true, but not bass; 5128 would suggest the opposite.

 

[Dazerdoreal]

I think some of you underestimate what big differences seemingly "little" differences in tonal balance make in practice. Not the first time I see this on this forum.

 

[markanini]

The apparent similarity of those aspects in the 5128 measurement are what I was getting at though. Most 711 measurements show Etymotics have a bump in the 1-3khz region, so 'colored mid range' as you say, but that's not apparent on the measurement I shared above of the ERX against the Zero:RED. Additionally, Crin's 711 measurement show the ER2XR and Zero:RED having almost identical bass response, besides the 200Hz dip which isn't apparent in the Ety:

View attachment 296646

But the the midrange and treble are completely different, unlike what you see on the 5128 graph.

So 711 measurement would suggest what you say about mid range would be true, but not bass; 5128 would suggest the opposite.

I assumed you were looking for a subjective comparison, as you had demonstrated being able to look up the graphs before. Anyway, that's why I have have nothing to say beyond my subjective impressions. It's not meant to be compared to graphed responses in any way. Feel free to ignore if that was your expectation.

 

[ehabheikal]

Got mine across the ocean. Bass yum! Can anyone tell them we want this performance in a true wireless format with ldac.

 

[ehabheikal]

The profile of red on wavelet the bass is reduced by 5db while the graphs here show that bass should be increased by 2.5db or so.

 

[khensu]

IMO, bass on the Red is exactly where it should be. It’s taken me a while, but I now know that Harman is not my preferred target.

 

[GaryH]

What specific EQ with what IEMs have you used to come to this conclusion?

 

[khensu]

What specific EQ with what IEMs have you used to come to this conclusion?

I’ve tried just about every setting I could find on the original Truthear Zero and at least a couple each against the QKZ HBB Khan and the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. Someone here (it may actually have been you) recently posted settings to eq the TCZ to the Red and I have to say, those sounded far better to me than any of the ones I had tried previously (Oratory, crin, some posted by users here).

That said, I wouldn’t call any of what I’ve done scientific in any way. It’s kind of like circling the drain, asymptotically approaching the point where it no longer matters whether I reach “perfection”.

 

[GaryH]

I’ve tried just about every setting I could find on the original Truthear Zero and at least a couple each against the QKZ HBB Khan and the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. Someone here (it may actually have been you) recently posted settings to eq the TCZ to the Red and I have to say, those sounded far better to me than any of the ones I had tried previously (Oratory, crin, some posted by users here).

Have you tried this EQ for the Red I posted earlier in this thread?

Preamp: -3.1 dB
Filter 1: Peak Fc 33 Hz Gain 2.8 dB Q 0.27
Filter 2: Peak Fc 8344 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 0.82

That said, I wouldn’t call any of what I’ve done scientific in any way.

That's the problem, true preference can only really be determined with proper blind, level-matched testing.

 

[Jimbob54]

The profile of red on wavelet the bass is reduced by 5db while the graphs here show that bass should be increased by 2.5db or so.

Possibly the auto eq profile (that feeds wavelet) is taking the measurements with bass adapter? Suspect there will be a non adapter version profile too. Also, I think auto eq target is a couple of dB lower on the bass shelf than true Harman.

 

[khensu]

Have you tried this EQ for the Red I posted earlier in this thread?

Yes, I tried it. I hear what you're going for, but I still prefer no EQ. To me, those settings left the mids too dull and removed some of the life in the bass. I could probably tweak it a bit and eke out some improvement, but I think it'd be too small to be worth the effort.

That's the problem, true preference can only really be determined with proper blind, level-matched testing.

The preference is mine, so if I say I found it, who's to argue?