Closer Examination

While there isn't a lot of information provided about the cable that comes with the Truthear x Crinacle ZERO, it doesn't take long to realize this is a pretty good cable. In fact, the design and construction reminds me a lot of some cables which themselves cost more than the price of the entire IEMs package we saw on the previous page, and is one of the many times over the course of this review where I thought to myself that these IEMs are somehow coming off as costing less than the sum of the individual parts. You get a quad strand cable in all black with a right-angled 3.5 mm TRS connector headed to the source, and the cable uses silver-plated OFC (oxygen-free copper) as the conductor for low resistance and capacitance alike. The splitter has the Truthear logo on one side and the name spelled out on the other, with an actually functional cable cinch helping ensure the two individual channels are securely held in place whether you route the cable down your back or the front of your face. The braiding past the splitter is slightly loose, but there were no microphonics perceived in use and the entire cable to this point was a pleasure to work with in not tangling by itself and being easy to re-shape as needed. Then we get to the pre-formed ear hooks and the only issue I have with the cable whereby it's too firm and aggressively curved. I was okay with it, but chances are you may have to take a hairdryer and open it up slightly. The opaque sheath also makes it look cheap unfortunately, and then we get to two straight housings that host 0.78 mm two-pin connectors headed to the IEMs. There are L/R markings to help distinguish the left and right channels and all the metal contacts are gold-plated for oxidation resistance, and perhaps the aggressive ear hooks are to help compensate for the lack of angled housings on this end.


The shells make a strong statement the first time you see them, and then you realize there's more to note each time you observe them carefully. These are made for Truthear by Heygears, a 3D printing design and manufacturing company that has worked with more established brands including FiiO and MOONDROP when it comes to resin shell IEMs. Indeed, Heygears uses DLP (digital light processing) 3D printing of various different resins to get the same detailed prints that SLA printing offers but at a much faster rate enabling true mass volume production. These shells are translucent black in color and form the cavity for the driver assembly to slot into with the rest added akin to a sandwich with the face plate glue-dropped onto for capping. Once glued in place, the shells are hand-polished and varnish sprayed to give a glossy finish that allows the decorative face plate to literally shine through. Branding comes in the form of the Truthear printed on the upper side and this is not really visible in use. I would still not classify this as a minimalist design given the face plate is striking and iridescent, and shifts from blue to purple depending on the incident light.


Keep a microfiber cloth handy to wipe off dust that will get on the shells, as they may also obstruct your view from the fascinating face plate design that has physical inserts which look at peacock feathers from one angle and something out of Hans Ruedi Giger's universe from another. The dye application and finishing done makes these seem higher-end in execution than they really are—at least from a price perspective—thus further supporting my synergy argument from earlier. If you manage to get your eyes off the face plate, then you will notice the translucent shells allow for a teaser preview of the sound signature to follow courtesy both dynamic drivers being visible from the side, with the smaller of the two placed closer to the nozzle. The inner side facing the ear concha has no vent surprisingly, but this does allow you to better appreciate the diaphragm and suspension used on the larger driver. There is thus a single vent on the side shared not only by both drivers, but also acting as both the front and back vent too. L/R markings are found alongside to help indicate the left and right channels respectively, and a protrusion helps cover the 0.78 mm pins the cable fits into a recessed connector. The side profile also shows a longer nozzle than average with a thick bore at ~6.2 mm in diameter. There are retaining notches built-in to help secure ear tips in place, and a pre-installed metal filter prevents contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber.


Fitting the different ear tips will require you to slightly stretch the inner bore to fit over the nozzle before pushing them in and going around to ensure they are not at an angle. The notches in the nozzle help with this process and provide a hard stop to indicate the ear tips are in all the way. Seen above are each of the included size M silicone and foam ear tips installed on the Truthear x Crinacle ZERO. Try out the various tips and sizes, and keep in mind that both ear canals don't need to have the best seal with the same size or set, either.


Regardless of which tips you pick, the next step is to connect the cable by carefully identifying the matching channels and orienting the ear hooks around your ear when connecting the IEMs. Doing so is simple as you just push the pins on the cable into the receptacle on the IEMs, and the recessed connectors in the shells helps further by avoiding any unnecessary extension on the cables too. The black on black color scheme also keeps things clean here and makes for continuous aesthetic from the shells to your source. Speaking of which, now use the 3.5 mm TRS single-ended plug with the source of your choice. I know there are many who prefer using IEMs throughout, but I like to use over-ear headphones when sitting down and IEMs on the go. I paired the Truthear x Crinacle ZERO with many of the tested portable DAC/amps to date and personally like the cleaner profile and handy EQ options of the Qudelix-5K. Seen above is the set draped around the Truthear Virgo display stand too, and this also helps show how the face plates go from blue to purple based on the incident light.