Wow this is a tour de force of a review! Thanks for putting in all this time!
I'm so incredibly surprised at how well the CRA are being received by reviewers. Looks like this new driver tech they used is a keeper. I hope it gets put into a slightly less cheap-feeling shell with a 2pin and gets sold at a slightly higher price. Or, stick three of the types (varying sizes), and make an upgrade DQ6?? anyway, thanks again!

@ttorbic Thank you very much!

Yeah, if they released a pro version with better build (still 2pin) and maybe with my mod already applied, that would be awesome. (I am trying to get them to do a collaboration like that with me.)

Extremely well written with excellent comparisons. Some may think that the "S grade" is a little bit over the top, but it's really believable and I totally agree with your outcome. I'm even having a hard time justifying the BLON BL07 over the CRA's, since they have more in common than they are different in sound alone. And even though the construction of the new BL07's are in another level, the CRA still has a leading class sound signature with better extended treble and sub-bass as well that definitely competes with much higher IEM's at a fraction of the cost. The CRA's totally blew me away!
Cheers!

-Clear

GD3A is my current favorite set so seeing that comparison explains why I liked the CRA right away

Noted and bookmarked for future updates maybe

@RikudouGoku We agree. Well done.

The CCA CRA driver is awesome, and their choice on filters makes all the difference (vs the KZ EDS). I'm going to have to break down and do your tuning mod since you have taken the time to create such a fantastic breakdown. The tuning package is more than IEMs, but I suppose it is enough to mod five sets.

I wish there was a way to tame the upper treble a little more as well (that 5KHz and past). The CCA CRA are super easy to drive but can be a bit fatiguing despite being politely tuned. When a song has sub bass, you hear it, and you understand why Rikudou has his target the way it is.

The CRA is fun and cleanly detailed, but can be glassy and artificial at times. It may be far from perfection, but the CRA is perfect for under $20. The driver doesn't seem to miss any beats on fast electronic or metal tracks. When RikudouGoku mentions TOTL tuning, he means it. When mulling over the KZ DQ6 and Zex Pro/KZ CRN, get the CRA first.

Excellent review!

I want to try your mod out but I have a few questions: what filter mm size is best fit for the nozzles? can I swap back the stock filler and filter? would the same filler and filter fit the DQ6? and what would be your CRA grade umodded? thx!

@atlatl Thanks!

I use 4.5mm but that covers the whole nozzle (sits on top), I would try the 4.2mm option.

The stock filter is very fragile, which means that when you remove it, it is likely to be damaged. So no, it is likely to not be reversible.

The DQ6 has the same nozzle size or might be a little bit smaller than the CRA, but it should work on both, as I have tried bigger filters on the DQ6 before and they worked so it should not be a problem with the 4.2mm size.

The stock CRA is S- since I am annoyed by the treble more.

The AliExpress links seem broken, they only go to the front page.

@Toastybob Weird, because it looks ok for me. Could you try a different browser or incognito mode?

Mark me a believer, the 500 mesh + Sony General Foam mod worked well to soften up the sound in a way that makes it sound a bit more natural and fuller than the FR graph changes from stock would suggest: like putting sheets up for room speakers. The mod doesn't seem to affect detail in a negative way.

The 4.2 mm size is still a tiny bit larger than the inner lip of the CRA nozzle but I pressed around the edge of the mesh until it stuck. I didn't order any 4.0 mm to compare, but that may go in easier.

The CRA really shines for instrumental, and electronic (ESS ES9218 DAC, [notbyVE Abigail] CX31993 Dongle DAC). The CRA is not without its faults, but it offers definite value.

@RikudouGoku, for the 500 mesh, is it the 4mm,4.2, or 4.5? And for the foam, is it the regular or high density one? Thank you very much.

@Paul MichaelT (as per RikudouGoku's hifiguides post)
Sony earphone damping sponge, General Version (Item 1005003707507573)
500 mesh 4 mm (Item 1005002875037663)

what's the density for the sony foams?