Truthear Zero Review/Appreciation post - I have legit found my IEM endgame.

Submitted by SavageSam1234 t3_zab9l2 in headphones

You read that right. I have settled on the Crinacle Truthear Zero as my endgame IEM. (for now, lol). Just some background info, I have owned many IEMs including:

Moondrop Variations

Moondrop B2

Moondrop Kato

Moondrop Chu

Moondrop Quarks

Tin T2

BLON BL-03

Etymotic ER2SE

Etymotic ER2XR

Etymotic ER3SE

Salnotes Zero

FiiO FH3

KZ ZS10 Pro

Galaxy Buds

Galaxy Buds+

Galaxy Buds Pro

Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

AirPods (eww)

WF-1000XM3

Liberty 2 Pro

Other random TWS sets

And many other over ears.

​

So, what do I think about the Zero? Spectacular for $50. I have two of them, if that tells you anything. (one permanently wired, another I plan to use with a FiiO UTWS5.)

As for the non-sound aspects, they are great for the money. Tip selection is excellent, the carry pouch is nice, and the cable is decent. Not the best cable but passable. It kind of coils up sometimes and is not the most durable, as the cable from my older Zero has started to fall apart a bit. (2 months approx.) Cables are cheap though.

Sound is where it excels. Near complete compliance with the Harman target. I really have no complaints until the upper treble, where it is not as smooth as I would like it. Not bad by any means though. Everything just sounds..... right. I have never been this happy and unoffended with an audio product, ever. This review from ASR highlights the sound well, it fits the target and is nearly the IEM counterpart of the $4K DCA Stealth. And yes, I do know that many people here are not particularly fond of Amir, but I personally love his work and this review is spot on.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/truthear-x-crinacle-zero-iem-review.37380/

Out of everything I have heard, including all over-ears, these have the best frequency response and tonality that I have heard. I can't stop listening to them. The Harman target just seems to click with me. Compared to my previous daily drivers, the Variations, the area between 3.5k - 7k is slightly more in compliance, which I personally love. I know that many people have a problem with this particular area of Harman in particular, but I personally love it. Also, the overall less bass that the Zero has compared to the Variations, especially below 50Hz and around 150Hz give it a "cleaner" sound to my ear. The bass on the Variations could be a bit overpowering and "pillowy" for my tases. This lack of bass and higher clarity in the upper mids also contributes to a more "open" stage with the Zero. Elements in the mix feel more distinct and spread out.

However, I feel that the Variations was superior in some tracks where the 3.5k - 7k area caused some sibilance and harshness with the Zero. This is a minority of cases, but still worth mentioning.

Overall, these are stupid good for $50, and will probably remain my daily drivers until something better comes out. The Quarks DSP look tempting, but they have problems. (build quality, attached cable, being DSP, aka no 3.5mm)

18

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

KilgoretheTrout55 t1_iylhdph wrote

It's not your end game. You're addicted to IEMs and you're going to buy more!

23

SavageSam1234 OP t1_iyn3tht wrote

You're definitely right, when something new and shiny comes out that seems to fit my preferences I'll probably whip out my credit card!!

2

Jaxxmono t1_iyljg13 wrote

Now try the Z1R 😈

3

Fidelius_VT t1_iylif05 wrote

How many of those IEMs do you still currently own?

2

SavageSam1234 OP t1_iyn3xsx wrote

Only the Chu, 7Hz Zero, and Variations. Currently in the process of selling the Variations though.

1

CDanny99 t1_iylm0q8 wrote

A Harman village person! From the fabled village of Harman people! Someone call Resolve. J/k just mad jealous you've managed to find satisfaction.

1

tubby8 t1_iylry3x wrote

The sub $50 category of IEMs have some incredibly good choices at the moment.

My personal faves at the moment sub 50 dollars are the QKZ HBB - love that bass along with all the rest of the tuning and technicalities.

Rest would be:

2: Truthear Crin Zero 3: CCA CRA (original not the plus) 4: 7hz Zero (loved them at first but then realized they were a bit too light on the low end )

1

coptician t1_iyo360c wrote

To me they sound a little shrill, which is also an area that's harder to measure.

Foam earplugs make the problem less annoying to me.

1

SavageSam1234 OP t1_iyo3cm1 wrote

Yep, the foam tips they come with tone down the upper registers a bit. I use them on my 2nd pair for better isolation, and having a more chill sound is nice.

1

Due_Passion_920 t1_izv2zve wrote

That's because they're 2-3 dB above Harman over a broad range of frequencies right where our ears are most sensitive (upper midrange / lower treble).

1

Dantalily t1_iyp7siy wrote

Now buy Hexa and tell me which one to decide

1

Veil_Of_Mikasa t1_iyrjlp9 wrote

I have both and can make this easy. Do you want bass or do you not want bass. The Hexa has good "neutral" bass with a little added sub bass, but the mid bass slam of the Zero is the star IMO. To the point I EQ'd my Dusk sub bass to match the zero and I enjoy it more cause I found I love mid bass. It also comes down to what music you listen to. I listen to a lot of deathcore and that sort of thing, so I highly prefer the Hexa tuning cause it keeps the bass tight and I can hear everything surprisingly well. Personally, the zero is fun, but I prefer the Hexa, but I've also found I like a big of sizzle to my treble and would rather have less bass then more so, hope that helps

1

Mayank_j t1_izcn0um wrote

I wanna make these my endgame too but I eventually wanna have them in a tws format. I looked at your recc but it's frankly Outta my budget.

Would you suggest something like a bluetooth DAC or TWS adapter when I eventually have money to buy one? Like Fiio BTR5 vs UTWS5

1