Truthear x Crinacle Zero:RED IEM Review

[markanini]

Absolutely. And good ones can extend well below this, even down to ~0Hz if they have a pretty much perfectly sealed front volume once inserted resulting in near-complete pressure chamber conditions.
View attachment 301585

Also consider that filter you're referencing is only centered at 20Hz, with a low Q-factor, so will affect frequencies significantly above (and below) this.

It's hard to see the "feat" of an unvented front volume. I'm more impressed by sets that achieve bass extension without compromising on full venting, which is the the standard since at least five years. Otherwise non-front vented is a dated way to construct DD IEMs in 2023. The unequalized pressure makes consistent seal more difficult, it also stresses the driver diaphragm.

 

[Chromatischism]

The chances that others are going to prefer even more severely deficient ear gain than the Zero Red are pretty slim.
View attachment 301594

No...we've been over this. Quite a few people liked it and thought it was a major improvement over the original. You then tweak the rest of the way to your own ears.

And I do not agree with your classification of "severely deficient". I don't think you understand how frequency response works. The only reason the Harman IE target has such ridiculous highs is because it also has ridiculous bass. One area vies for our attention at the expense of the rest. In this case you have both bass and treble fighting for your perception. The V-shaped nature of the Harman IE target gives an unnatural scoop in the midrange which results in a sound that is lacking.

 

[Sucama]

Hello, I want to know if this Truthear Zero red can be driven by both, Topping DX3 pro+ and by Topping E50-L50 combo.
Any particular recommendation with one of the two devices in low impedance headphones (17ohms) and 117db of sensitivity.?.. Thank you so much . Greetings

 

[deni]

Received mine today and have been listening to them for a few hours. By far the most accurate IEM I've heard. Absolute no brainer at this price.

 

[half_dog]

Just received mine and sadly it has a little channel mismatch (around 1.2dB - measured and tested) almost all across the spectrum. I have ordered two pair (one as a gift). Now or I will have to wait a few weeks again or someone might not receive his gift at his birthday

 

[staticV3]

@half_dog it's possible that it's just a bad cable and the IEMs themselves are OK. If you have a 2nd 2pin cable laying around, give that a try.

 

[half_dog]

@half_dog it's possible that it's just a bad cable and the IEMs themselves are OK. If you have a 2nd 2pin cable laying around, give that a try.

I was hoping that was the cause but nop. I've tried everything that could influence it without voiding its warranty. The measurements were done using the same 2 pin side, same tip - different cable were used as well. I even reversed the grills and black filters but no significant change. 1.2dB is not big but it is across the spectrum. I'll post the pics later.

 

[half_dog]

Here are the measurements... As soon as the other pair arrives I'll compare them to see if it is possible mix them and prevent a return (I'm not a big fan of returning products).

 

[GaryH]

No...we've been over this. Quite a few people liked it and thought it was a major improvement over the original.

Read my post again. We're talking about whether people are likely to prefer your EQ on the original Zero to the Red's stock response. Considering the latter already has significantly less ear gain than the target found to be most preferred in scientifically controlled, blind tests, and your EQ on the originals has even less still, the chances of it being preferred to the Red are slim. And yes we have been over this, and you're still failing to understand the unreliability of uncontrolled, anectodal sighted impressions, bias-primed no less by your completely unfounded claims that your EQ will sound better for most people, so even your statement that many find your EQ to be a 'major improvement' over the Zero is not substantiated by valid data.

And I do not agree with your classification of "severely deficient".

It's not my classification, it's a description of the frequency response difference of the Zero with your EQ to the most preferred / neutral response on average found according to our best science:

That's up to a massive 6-7 dB less energy over a broadband range from the upper-mids to mid-treble where our hearing is best. So yes, severely deficient is an accurate description. If you have valid science or data otherwise, present it.

I don't think you understand how frequency response works. The only reason the Harman IE target has such ridiculous highs is because it also has ridiculous bass. One area vies for our attention at the expense of the rest. In this case you have both bass and treble fighting for your perception. The V-shaped nature of the Harman IE target gives an unnatural scoop in the midrange which results in a sound that is lacking.

I don't think you understand how science works. The Harman IE target was preferred / perceived neutral in controlled, blind listening studies conducted by leading acoustic scientists in the field. Yet again you're boldly throwing around unsubstantiated conjecture (regurgitated from YouTube influencers/’reviewers' like Crinacle) and sweeping preference generalizations and presenting them as fact. And we have independent evidence of Harman IE target preference from companies like USound where Oratory works, who's stated Harman IE is preferred in blind tests to his own IE target in non-noisy environments (which are the conditions audiophiles and reviewers judge sound quality under). He's also said the Sony MH755 does "enormously well" in their blind tests, which puts paid to your 'theory' that Harman IE is too 'v-shaped' with 'ridiculous bass/highs' and an 'unnatural midrange scoop', as this IEM's response is in fact slightly moreso than Harman in these departments:

Yet more recent independent blind tests corroborating Harman's in-ear research conducted by Danish scientists found listeners ranked tested IEM frequency responses (measured using the claimed more accurate 5128 for all the B&K fanatics) in non-noisy environments in the order predicted by their adherence to the Harman IE target as calculated by Dr Sean Olive's algorithm. And what valid preference evidence do you and all the other Harman Science Deniers have to offer to back up your bold claims? Absolutely nothing.

 

[alumnicesar]

Yup preference score is king.

I was surprised to see the the zero red has a higher preference score than the regular zero tho

 

[Jimbob54]

Yup preference score is king.

I was surprised to see the the zero red has a higher preference score than the regular zero tho

Where are you seeing that?

 

[alumnicesar]

Where are you seeing that?

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:RED IEM Review

But I JUST got the Blues... I returned them. :D

www.audiosciencereview.com

82.4 and 82.5 with the 10 ohm dongle

The regular zero is 81 according to this: https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/blob/master/results/RANKING.md

 

[GaryH]

The accuracy of those figures is unknown, and potentially off, due to not using the exact same measurement set-up as Harman did when developing their target (and so the preference rating formula based on it). Resolve's measurements result in a predicted preference rating of 77.5 for the Red, and 87.7 for the original Zero. But those figures are likely also off due to...not using the exact same measurement set-up as Harman did either. See here for details. It is notable however that both approximately agree on the difference in slope value (one of the preference formula variables that indicates overall tonal balance) between the original Zero and Red of ~0.1, with the former having a higher value indicating a brighter tonality (reflecting its overshooting of the ear gain relative to Harman), and the Red a lower slope value indicating a significantly duller sound (due to its deficiency in the treble).

 

[markanini]

Resolve's measurements

Made on a Gras RA0402, not RA0045 if you wish to strictly use the same setup as Harman.

 

[GaryH]

As already stated in my post linked above.

 

[alumnicesar]

The accuracy of those figures is unknown, and potentially off, due to not using the exact same measurement set-up as Harman did when developing their target (and so the preference rating formula based on it). Resolve's measurements result in a predicted preference rating of 77.5 for the Red, and 87.7 for the original Zero. But those figures are likely also off due to...not using the exact same measurement set-up as Harman did either. See here for details. It is notable however that both approximately agree on the difference in slope value (one of the preference formula variables that indicates overall tonal balance) between the original Zero and Red of ~0.1, with the former having a higher value indicating a brighter tonality (reflecting its overshooting of the ear gain relative to Harman), and the Red a lower slope value indicating a significantly duller sound (due to its deficiency in the treble).

hmm this is unfortnate

 

[Power Pop 23]

Amazon USA is selling this earphone for $39.99 - as I type

Amazon.com

edit: now I see a price of $54.99

 

[PurpaSmart]

Just got mine today. So far I really like em!

 

[half_dog]

Yep, my first pair has a little but audible channel mismatch. The second pair arrived this afternoon and its channel matching is very good. This IEM is quite bulky compared to others, although it doesn't hurt my ears canals I can't insert it as deep as I usually do with other IEMs (Starfield, Kato, Hola, Salnotes Zero...).
About how it sounds... It reminds me a lot the Hexa but less fadigating and little more punch bass. But the end Kato stills my fav. I can perceive more sub bass (infrasound?) extension and its "forward" mid bass makes musics more enjoyable.

 

[Crashtest33]

Well this thread had been an interesting and at times, entertaining read!
So, I’ve just purchased the @crinacle Red-tuned version of this IEM. Waiting on delivery and excited to see how it tickles my ear drums.
Bit of back story as to why I’m here; I managed to get over an hour privately in two separate sessions with the HE-1 at HiFi Lounge in the UK and posted my thoughts on the various FB groups I’m a member of inc. Head-Fi.
At which point one member said they were poor, caused monetary bias, emotional bias and, based on their response curve, “didn’t need to listen to them to know what they sounded like”.
I played along and listened to his ‘Harman fan boy’ argument. It made theoretical sense and he recommended I put down my UE-RR & LCD-3 and buy the Quarks, Zero, Etymotic, and if I could stretch, the Variations.
I’m a mech eng by trade and ‘think’ I understand what I’ve researched about all this so far,…
My main take on it all is the lack of regard for simple personal taste. What excites our mind.
Surely, if there’s no harsh peaking, troughing or masking, very slow, smooth changes in the curve will not be represented by veiling or lack of clarity, just simply a different sound signature which may excite some people more than the Harman target?
I spent many hours auditioning CIEM’s with Paul at CustomIEMCo and the UE-RR just had the least veiled, most lush sound. No overbearing bass or sibilant treble.
My ‘Friend’ on Head-Fi has assure me that they don’t sound very ‘good’.
Anyway, the Quarks are very good. The bass is a little bloated and the mids not as ‘exciting as my UE-RR.