Introduction:
Truthear, a recently established brand from China, has made waves with its affordable and high-performance IEMs and portable DACs. Today, we delve into the collaboration between Crinacle and Truthear—the Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED, featuring a dual dynamic driver configuration of 10mm and 7.8mm.
Design and Build Quality:
The RED's faceplate boasts an adorable design with red feathers and glitter, creating a visually appealing product. The inner shell is crafted from high-quality, skin-friendly resin material. However, the cable's build quality is average, with a tendency to harden quickly in certain weather conditions. While the IEM shell design is excellent, the cable could use improvement.
Comfort and Fit:
The IEM shell, of medium size, caters to most users, but the wider bore size may cause ear fatigue, especially for those with smaller ear canals. Despite experimenting with different ear tips, the discomfort persisted. Users with smaller ear canals may find this IEM less suitable. The inner shell's resin material, although harder, has posed challenges in terms of comfort during extended use.
Sound Quality:
Reviewed using a MacBook Air > Questyle M15 > Stock Cable > SpinFit W1 (S) Eartips setup, the Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED impresses with its powerful sub-bass, natural midrange, and clean treble, delivering a wide soundstage with a silent background.
Bass: The sub-bass-focused tuning offers a powerful and clean experience, satisfying bass enthusiasts within the 5K budget range.
Midrange: Despite the powerful bass, the midrange remains thick and natural, showcasing excellence in male and female vocals. The forward midrange, tonally realistic, avoids sibilance in female vocals.
Treble: The treble is crisp and clear, though a touch dry. A more musical touch could enhance its liveliness, but the holographic presence remains a highlight. Decent separation and layering contribute to clear nuance reproduction.
Soundstage & Imaging: The soundstage is wide and holographic, with excellent imaging for its price.
Value and Competition:
Priced around Rs. 5000 INR, the Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED competes with models like KZ ZS10 Pro X, KZ PR2, and 7HZ Sonus IEM.
Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED VS KZ ZS10 Pro X: While the ZS10 Pro X is energetic and thicker sounding, the RED offers a more mature and controlled tuning, especially in the midrange. The choice between the two depends on the listener's preference for tuning and comfort.
Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED VS KZ PR2: Recognizing the technological differences, the PR2 and RED vary in their bass, midrange, and treble presentations. The PR2 requires more power but offers a more emotional midrange, while the RED boasts a holographic soundstage.
Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED VS 7HZ Sonus: Similar in many aspects, the RED edges slightly ahead in bass power and soundstage, while the Sonus excels in treble sparkliness and detail. Both are easy to drive and comfortable.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Adorable Faceplate | Large IEM bore size |
| Bass-heavy and midrange-centric tuning | Average cable build quality |
| Wide soundstage | Treble performance could be more musical |
| Holographic treble presentation |
Conclusion:
The Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED IEM, priced under Rs. 5000 INR, offers a unique tuning with a compromise on treble musicality but a wider, holographic soundstage. The downside is the discomfort caused by the wider bore size, making it essential for users with wider ear canals. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Sameer Tangri for graciously providing us with the review unit. Should you require any further assistance, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more insightful reviews.
