TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED Review (1) – Perfect C

The $55 Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red (upgrade of the original 2022 Zero) is a good sounding, very well-accessoried dual-dynamic driver but overmarketed/overhyped earphone that is rather an evolution than the revolution claimed by some.

The Truthear x Crinacle Red Zero was provided by SHENZENAUDIO for review by my request – and I thank them for that. You can purchase it exclusively from SHENZHENAUDIO.COM.

Introduction

First was the written word. Then came YouTube. Then YouTube took over as there is more money to be made. YouTubers reach more viewers for bigger product sales and for ad revenue. Next, YouTubers and manufacturers/sellers increasingly entered symbioses, known as collaborations. Prominent YouTubers (“influencers”) lend their names (and some work) to companies to maximize sales to the (joint) fan base through hype generation.

This happens in all categories, not only in audio.

The problem is that this creates conflicts of interest and distorts the market. Better products with less exposure may not get the respect they deserve. On the other hand, the consumer wants that “hot product” quickly in their hands….until he/she moves on the the next big thing…rather fast.

Whereas each YouTube video has only a short a shelf life till the next one crops up, written reviews last, especially when filed well. The user can go back quickly and have yet another look – and he/she can compare easily between the different write-ups. Written material is for discerned readers who want to get in-depth information. A smaller market segment, but the one with the deepest pockets. That’s who we cater to.

The Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red project has been in the making for quite some time. Corin Ako alias Crinacle had already a sneak peek setup at CanJam NYC 2022, and he also appeared at High End Munich 2023, where he talked to co-blogger Kazi.

It was not clear to the public what Project Red was about until the day of release. Rumours of a $200 iem were circulating. In the end, Project Red is “just” an update of the original Truthear x Crinacle Zero from 2022. Consumers could have the flaws of the original fixed – by buying it for the second time. Not that this is something new…

In order to hide the general disappointment, (somewhat) glowing reviews of the Red appeared on the day of its release. Coincidence? We at audioreviews.org were added to the second tier of reviewers, the ones that can’t do any damage as the main sales have been done when this is published.

To make this clear: the hype everybody is talking about was not generated by the early adopters but entirely by the marketing machine. It is completely artificial and may have made you feel you need to have this…before a serious independent analyst could get their hands on a pair. So you may have been sucked in again, just like a few reviewers who could not detach themselves from the peer pressure.

Specifications Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red

Physical Things and Usability

The Red comes with excellent accessories: a generous set of eartips, extra filters, a really imaginative storage wallet, even a 10 Ω adapter for increasing bass/sub-bass, cable and the paperwork. The earpieces – same shape as the original Zero – are rather large with very thick nozzles that may accept may third-party tips, which is actually not necessary as the stock tips work very well…for me.

Fit, comfort, and isolation are good (isolation is actually exceptionally good). The Red can be driven with a phone but benefits from amplification.

Tonality and Technicalities

The Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red delivers a bottom heavy, warm-neutural tonality with a focus on sub-bass at the expense of midbass and lower midrange whilst being safe towards the upper end of the frequency spectrum.

The low-end is the Red’s most distinct and probably most discussed tonality feature. It delivers a relaxed, silky subwoofer-type listening experience that can be really nice and fluffy on the ear. A subtle, pleasant, thick, dampened rumble with a warm tilt underlying the melodies. This works very well for classical music.

But the very low end is boosted at the expense of the mid bass and lower midrange. This means, in some music, the bass lacks punch, kick, and tightness as the emphasized sub-bass is rather fuzzy and it lacks definition. Adding the 10 Ω adapter shifts the tail end of the graph some dBs up: mid-bass and sub-bass responses are raised…however this makes the shelf too thick and syrupy for my liking. Not so great for powerful music.

Continuing without the adapter, the lower midrange is therefore somewhat lean, vocals are recessed and the sub-bass may paint over it in some instances and muffle the lower mids (“Sennheiser veil”). Both female and male vocals are recessed, lean, but articulate and much more neutral than the low end. Midrange notes are well defined and articulate. This works well when listening at moderate volumes…contributes to the spatial cues.

The upper midrange is being balanced by the sub-bass so that there is no shoutiness. An early rolloff provides a safe treble experience but you have to dig somewhat for cymbals.

Soundstage is wide and tall but not overly deep. Separation, layering, imaging, and resolution are average for this class.

Timbre is expectedly reasonably natural but midrange decay is relatively fast (in contrast to the bass and sub-bass): string instruments can sound a bit scratchy.

In summary, the Red has no real weaknesses considering its price. I quite like using it as a “beater” on the go. The good isolation works in favour of this. It is more of a “fun” iem than an audiophile revelation.

Comparisons

The question is whether the Red is that revelation at the $50 price point as claimed. A comparison with our own $50 favourite, the final E3000 [Crinacle rating: C+] will give answers. It was introduced in 2017 and has been holding strong since. The E3000 has much more prominent mid-bass, lesser upper midrange and more treble. It sounds therefore bassier and punchier than the Red but relies on stronger amplification.

E3000 scales with source and has superior imaging (also compared to some $200 models) and a more organic timbre. The Red works better with a phone or small dap, it has a detachable cable and is much better accessorized. The E3000’s piston-shaped shells are much simpler looking and much smaller and are therefore more comfortable. In summary, the Red does not beat this 6-year old model.

Comparing the Red with the $150 Sennheiser IE 200 at three times the price is unfair but interesting (as the IE 200 are my personal discovery of the last year). For my ears, the IE 200’s vocals are more in the foreground and the low end is subtle where’s its higher treble energy makes for a more vivid performance. The IE 200 have a fluidity and organic timbre that is hardly found in their category.

Concluding Remarks

The Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red, an upgrade of the original 2022 Zero, is certainly a decent iem that is worth its asking price. But, other than that it has been carefully curated/marketed/hyped and is well accessorized, it is by no means as special as the internet’s echo chamber makes it – and it is outright underwhelming considering the expectations created by Crinacle’s marketing machine over a long time. Alone the sub-bass emphasis is unique in this class. Nevertheless, the Red will please most mainstream consumers.

Applying his own audiophile scale, influencer Crinacle has released yet another average iem, one of the kind he used to rip apart with vigour in his previous reviewing career. How times change.

Until next time…keep on listening!