Intro
The scene starts in a dim, musky room. Outdated carpet, grungy wallpaper, and a few pieces of once plush living room furniture inhabit the room. A figure in the dark sits down in a Lazy-Boy, releasing a series of loud grumbles and joint cracking; noises that would make grown men fear for their next birthday.
“Back in my day,” the mysterious figure blurts out too loudly,” it was hard to find anything remotely decent under a hundred dollahs. Hell, most things like the Shure SE115 were about the best you could get and they still had absolute dog-shit tuning. Anything under 20-bucks was a complete gamble, but at least you knew yah knew for sure it was going to be utter crap no matter what. Tuning? Fahgitabout’ it. A decent driver that didn’t flex in your ear…” he laughs and as it turns into a chest-rattling cough. “The only thing good about a $20 set of earphones was that you knew you were throwing your money away…might as well light that Jackson on fire.”
Dramatic reenactment over, the point still remains – when I got started in IEMs back 10-15 years ago, cheap IEMs were absolutely terrible. There wasn’t tuning, the cheapest and worst drivers were being used, and all they were good for was throwing money away. Even IEMs in the $100-$300 range weren’t a whole lot better and were a complete gamble as well.
My, how things have changed.
About a year and a half before the writing of this review, the 7Hz Salnotes Zero came out and changed everything for $23. Then very recently, the Zero 2 came out for $25. And you know what? They’re both bangers for the price range. While ChiFi has its good and bad points, it has been pushing the IEM market to be better for the consumer in tuning, driver quality, and price. Back in the olden days, either of these Zero’s would have dominated the $100-$300 price range.
This review will be different and much shorter than usual. So, let’s get on with comparing Crinacle’s Zero and Zero 2.
Tech Specs
Zero
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Sensitivity: 108db/vrms@1kHz
Impedance: 32Ω
Frequency Response: 10 – 20 KHz
Connector: .078mm 2 pin
Price: $23
Zero 2
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Impedance: 32Ω
Frequency Response: 10 – 20 KHz
Connector: .078mm 2 pin
Price: $25
Sound
Overall
Zero
The original Zero has very neutral and yet slightly niche tuning. What makes the tuning so niche is the 1-4 extra db in the upper mid range and lower treble (presence region). The rest of the tuning is safe, but neutral. This really isn’t a tuning that fits into the average sub-$50 IEM buyer’s taste. However, if you’re looking for a great budget neutral IEM, this is the choice for you.
Zero 2
The Zero 2 takes the tuning signature from the original, adds 2-4db of bass, and calms down the extra emphasis in the presence region. This creates a very light v-shaped sound signature that is warmer, more fun, and fits more into the mainstream consumer’s preferences. The Zero 2 is a better “all-arounder” than its predecessor in terms of styles of music that sound good on it.
Bass
Zero
While the original Zero has less bass than its younger brother, it’s objectively not by much. In contrast with the extra few db in the presence region however, the original Zero sounds like it has much less bass comparatively. There is nothing wrong with the bass here, it’s just less pronounced and much more neutral than the Zero 2 – it’s definitely there, you just have to listen harder for it.
Zero 2
With the slightly amped up bass and slightly lowered presence region, the Zero 2 sounds much more full and rich when it comes to the bass. It’s not punchy or boomy, but the bass is noticeably bigger and has more sub bass extension.
Mids
Objectively, there isn’t a whole lot of difference between the Zeros when it comes to the mids. In fact, on a frequency response graph, they look darned near identical. However, the Zero 2 sounds a little warmer here from the extra bass and less presence region surrounding the mids. Just as the Zero 2 sounds warmer, the original Zero sounds thin in comparison, but on its own sounds very neutral and balanced.
Instruments and vocals in this area sound great, smooth, and have good timbre on both sets.
Treble
Zero
The extra bite that the original Zero has in the presence region helps the original feel slightly more hi-res and retrieve details more than the Zero 2. However, some might find the treble in this area to be too spicy and painful if they are sensitive to treble.
Zero 2
While the original Zero sounds slightly more resolving in this area, the Zero 2 sounds smoother and more natural.
Technicalities
While the Chi-Fi scene has pushed boundaries in terms of tuning and price, it has also incredibly increased the overall quality of drivers as well. With both of these Zeros coming in under $25, they certainly do a great job of detail retrieval, soundstage, and are perfectly acceptable in the price range for instrument separation. Again, IEMs from 10-15years ago wouldn’t be comparable, even at prices well over $300.
Compared to today’s market, these are somehow in the middle end of things technically speaking. It takes going into the $80 price range before detail retrieval and instrument separation become a lot better in something like the Truthear Hexa – which it should for 3 times the price.
Conclusion
While the two Zeros aren’t going to compete with IEMs well over their price range, it’s hard not to recommend either of these based on the overall package you get. The grumpy old man in the beginning of this review wouldn’t be quite as grumpy if he had the equivalent of either of these Zeros in his day. They offer a whole lot of value for the money (price, tuning, and driver quality).
So which Zero should you get, if you’re in the market for a sub-$25 IEM?
If you want neutral-bright tuning with a hint of extra resolution, get the original Zero. It won’t disappoint.
If you’re looking for a jack-of-all trades with a little bit of extra bass, the Zero 2 will be in your ballpark.
I would choose a Zero based on what I was feeling at the current moment. However, if I had to choose only one, it would be the Zero 2 as it’s just a little more fun to listen to. Even if I’m the grumpy old (hey, not that old!) man in this story, these Zeros make me smile and feel glad that the $25 price range is actually good now.