In this article, I’m checking out the 7Hz x Crinacle Diablo IEM. The Diablo has a third-generation 14.5mm planar magnetic driver and a 12dB bass boost. It’s priced at $149 USD.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Linsoul for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
7Hz x Crinacle Diablo
Inside the Box
- 7Hz x Crinacle Diablo IEMs
- Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin OCC cable
- 6x pairs of silicone eartips
- Zipper carrying case
Design
Diablo features electroplated, CNC-machined aluminium housings with a matte black finish. The faceplates are bare apart from a silver 7Hz logo. There’s a pinhole vent near the base of the nozzle and three more behind the 2-pin sockets. These vents help prevent pressure build-up in the ears and give the planar driver the airflow it needs to move freely.
The shells are fairly small with rounded contours (aside from the flat faceplate). I found them very comfortable, and they provide a respectable level of passive noise isolation.
The included high-purity single-crystal copper 2-pin cable feels premium but is almost comically thick. The stiffness means it doesn’t drape particularly well, although it isn’t prone to tangling, which is a definite plus.
Sound
Sources used for testing include the SMSL RAW-MDA1, iBasso DX180 and FiiO QX13. Diabo is easy to drive, so you don’t need any special gear to get the most out of them. Plug them into whatever you have and you’ll be good to go.
The 7Hz x Crinacle Diablo leans more towards a warm, musical tuning rather than an analytical one. It works well for casual listening and suits genres like pop and hip-hop. The bass is elevated but it’s not a full-on basshead IEM, and overall it performs well as a general daily driver.
Bass
Diablo’s bass has solid impact with good texture and fullness. It’s not the cleanest bass and does add a bit of colour, but the planar driver’s speed keeps it from getting messy. The sub-bass reaches deep with some light rumble, while the mid-bass is punchy, if slightly on the thick side.
Midrange
The midrange has good clarity but has a slightly thick note size and added warmth. Transients are crisp, however, and vocals come through cleanly without sounding veiled. Instruments have a nice body to them, too, giving the mids a grounded, lifelike feel.
Treble
The treble has a nice timbre to it and there’s enough air up top to keep things feeling open. It comes across smooth and easygoing, which works well with vocals and brighter instruments. The downside is that this softer approach doesn’t bring out the finer details and micro-nuances, so its overall detail retrieval ends up being below average. Due to its relaxed highs, the Diablo is good for treble-sensitive listeners but it creates a darker presentation.
Soundstage & Technicalities
The soundstage reaches fairly wide from left to right, but it doesn’t have much forward depth. Despite that, the imaging is quite pinpoint, making it easy to determine the position of elements within the stage. Where Diablo falls short is in its detail retrieval, which is below average at best; some micro-details are simply absent, even though you can clearly hear them on other IEMs.
Kiwi Ears Aether ($169)
The Aether has a leaner and slightly brighter sound signature. Its bass transitions more evenly from the sub-bass to mid-bass, giving it more perceived sub-bass than the Diablo. The Aether’s midrange is thinner but still has enough body to sound natural, whereas the Diablo’s mids are on the thicker side.
The Aether’s treble is more pronounced, and when paired with its leaner bass, it brings details to the forefront. It’s better at picking up micro details, while the Diablo tends to mask or miss them.
The Aether’s soundstage is also more expansive compared with Diablo’s more intimate presentation. It reaches further in all directions, giving it a grander sense of scale. Both IEMs have good instrument separation, but the Aether sounds more spacious and open.
Verdict
The 7Hz x Crinacle Diablo has a warm, musical tuning that’s well-suited to casual listening. Its relaxed treble makes it a good choice for anyone sensitive to high frequencies, though it may leave fans of strong technicalities and detail wanting more. The shells are fairly small and comfortable to wear, though the overly thick cable isn’t the best match. Although I do enjoy listening to this IEM, I think it doesn’t stand out from the competition.
Specifications
Impedance: 18Ω
Sensitivity: 107dB/V @ 1kHz
Frequency Response:10–20,000Hz
THD: <1% @ 1kHz
Driver Type: 14.5mm planar magnetic driver
Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-pin