Today, I review the Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Blue2 IEMs. The Zero:Blue2 features dual dynamic drivers and 3D-printed resin shells. It’s priced at 65 USD.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Shenzhen Audio for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Blue2

Specifications

Driver: 10mm + 7.8mm dynamic drivers
Impedance: 5.8±15% @1kHz
Sensitivity: 119.5dB/Vrms @1kHz
Effective frequency response range: 20Hz-20kHz

In the Box

• Zero:Blue2 IEMs
• Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable
• Storage pouch
• Silicone eartips
• 5Ω impedance adapter

Design

The Zero:Blue2 features lightweight, 3D-printed shells finished in a glossy black. The faceplates have a textured blue pattern with a leaf-like design. For an IEM in this price range, the build quality appears and feels satisfactory.

I’m sure many people will be glad to know that the nozzle size has been reduced compared to the original. This makes the shells much more comfortable for longer listening sessions.

The Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Blue2 sees an upgrade in its stock cable, which is now much thicker, smoother and less prone to tangling. It’s still fairly generic but is fitting for this price point.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the iBasso DX180, FiIO KA17 and the SMSL RAW-MDA1. It’s worth noting that, despite what the specs might suggest, I found these IEMs to be a tad more demanding to drive than your typical IEM, even without using the included impedance adapter.

Beyond the individual frequency ranges, the overall sound of the Blue 2 is clear and spacious, which is a definite plus, offering a good sense of instrument separation. Detail retrieval is also above average for this price point.

A short note on the impedance adapter: The included impedance adapter increases the bass quantity significantly but, in my opinion, it takes things too far and compromises the overall clarity. Moreover, it doesn’t address the upper treble issue (see the treble section below) and it makes using the IEMs more cumbersome. The following sound description is based on the IEMs without the adapter.

Bass

The low end on these IEMs is a highlight. The sub-bass extension is genuinely excellent, reaching way down and giving you that satisfying rumble when the track calls for it. As for the mid-bass, it’s tight and punchy, without getting muddy or overpowering. You can feel the impact here, especially in the subs but they also create a kind of dark undertone.

Midrange

This is where things get a little more nuanced. While vocals are brought forward in the mix, they unfortunately lack a certain vibrancy that would make them shine. There’s a bit of dryness to the overall midrange presentation, particularly in the lower mids, and the notes can feel a touch thin. For instance, when listening to tracks with violins, you get the sense of the strings, but the rich resonance from the instrument’s body seems to be somewhat diminished. It’s like the focus is there, but the energy and fullness aren’t always quite what you’d hope for.

Treble

Moving to the higher frequencies, the treble on the Zero:Blue2 is undeniably crisp and present. You get good clarity up top. However, similar to the midrange, the treble notes seem to lack a certain weight behind them. Additionally, there’s a noticeable sharpness and even a hint of brittleness in the upper treble that can become a bit fatiguing during longer sessions or when you bump up the volume.

Comparisons

Truthear HEXA (80 USD)

The Truthear HEXA has a 1DD+3BA quad-driver configuration. It’s a lot more linear than the Zero:Blue2, with significantly less bass quantity and less lift in the presence region. HEXA’s sub bass is more restrained, resulting in a very light rumble that’s heard more than felt.

HEXA’s lower midrange is more forward, giving male vocals and string instruments more fullness and body. The upper mids and presence region are more subdued on the HEXA, yet despite that, vocals sound more dynamic and vibrant.

The upper treble falls off more naturally on the HEXA, resulting in a more natural timbre and less sharpness. HEXA has better instrument separation and a wider soundstage but it has less stage depth.

Truthear Zero:Red (65 USD)

The Zero:Red has dual dynamic drivers. In a nutshell, you could say it’s the HEXA with with more bass. Red’s sub and mid-bass are similar to the Blue2 in weight and impact. However, the Zero:Red has more lower midrange body and less in the presence region. In addition, the Red has less upper treble.

The result is an IEM with a sub-bass and midrange focus plus a rolled off treble. Its tonality sounds more even compared to the Blue2 and it doesn’t suffer from the Blue2’s edgy treble but it sounds bottom-heavy. The Zero:Red has a narrower soundstage and less detail retrieval but a less fatiguing sound signature.

Verdict

In conclusion, while the Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Blue2 offers impressive sub-bass and overall clarity, its midrange lacks saturation, and the treble can be off-putting. Because of these characteristics, I wouldn’t recommend it as an all-rounder for every genre. However, it’s worth noting that the Blue2 responds quite well to EQ, so if you enjoy tinkering with your sound, these IEMs might just have the potential to work for you after some personalized tuning.