TANCHJIM Zero Ultima

General/Packaging/Build/Comfort
Tanchjim is back with another budget banger this time with Zero Ultima, a single dynamic driver. There are two variants of Zero Ultima, one is the standard 3.5mm and another one is with the Type C’s cable with DSP. Packaging is well within expectation given the asking price, the bundled accessories are quite generous for the asking price in my opinion, build quality is good and in terms of comfort, the nozzle is more or less similar with the OG Zero, hence a little too short for me and i resort to using Spinfit’s Neo for better seal and fit.



Gears used for this review

• Fiio JM21
• iPod Classic 4
• Dunu DTC 480
• Aune S9c Pro Reference Dac Amp
• Tanchjim Zero Ultima with Spinfit Neo Eartips

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far



Sound Impression
Zero Ultima is quite a fun sounding set compared to OG Zero.There are some who find that the Zero is too flat but there are also certain audiences who like the neutrality that Zero offers. I would say the Ultima’s sound profile is slightly U shaped with good note weight and natural timbre



Bass

• Bass quality is good on the Zero Ultima and has adequate quantity for me
• The sub bass does rumble when it’s called for but nowhere near basshead territory
• Mid bass has good slam and punch to it and it is really really very commendable for its price point
• Good texture and speed as it is evident on tracks like Slipknot’s People = crap, it’s keeping up and doesn’t sound muddy at all, it doesn’t even bleed into the mids
• This is for 3.5mm version, i do not have the Type C’s version, but i am sure that Tanchjim has taken that into consideration and the Type C’s version is able to extract everybit of performance out of the Zero Ultima with a certain degree of customisation

Mids

• The mids has good note weight to me when listening to Imperial March by Wiener Philharmoniker, John Williams
• Vocal positioning is slightly recessed but not to the point where it sounded very far away from you
• Both male and female vocal has pleasant texture and weight to the vocals, they’re not thin sounding
• Upper mids are safe and nowhere near shouty

Treble

• Treble has got enough energy and never harsh nor sibilant, not overly smooth and certainly not peaky
• Extension is alright for the asking price
• Nothing much to comment here as the implementation is generally good
• Something’s got to give right? Well, detail retrieval is average i would say, not really a con but rather nitpicking

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is slightly out of your head, good depth and height for the asking price.
• Imaging is good with the ability to pinpoint instruments easilyw

Driveability

• Zero Ultima is not hard to drive but of course when you feed it with a better source, it does perform better in terms of bass control and dynamics

Comparison (7Hz Zero 2)

• More bass quantity and slightly more focused on mid bass, Zero Ultima has slightly better sub bass response
• Slightly better treble response, in terms of quantity and extension, whereas Zero Ultima’s treble is more on the smoother side of the spectrum
• Timbre quality and note weight are more or less on par for both
• Soundstage sizing is more or less similar on both
• Overall, the Zero 2 and Zero Ultima are quite close in terms of sonic performance, edging out each other slightly from the bass, treble, mids as well as technicalities, it all boils down to fit and comfort which i think most will also be looking at, Zero 2 and Zero Ultima both have short nozzle which might not fit well for some

Final Thoughts
Not gonna say much but if someone asks me if they should get Tanchjim’s Zero Ultima as their first starter IEM or even a daily driver? I’m more than happy to tell them yes, even seasoned audiophiles will like this I'm sure. I for one like them, I take em out and just put them on with my DAP and listen to music without caring much for technicalities or seeking to hear every single detail in that particular track. It is just something that I wear and I listen to music and completely indulge myself into it. An easy rec for Tanchjim Zero Ultima in terms of sound and high price performance ratio.

*Zero Ultima is sent to me from Tanchjim in exchange for this review. I am in no way under any influence nor do I receive any monetary compensation for this review. All thoughts are of my own

Unboxing​

Design and Build Quality​

The Tachjim Zero Ultima is a bullet-style IEM with a non-detachable cable. It uses a single dynamic driver that features “DMT 4 Ultra” technology. The diaphragm has a titanium-plated dome composite, and a PU suspended edge. Overall, the driver unit is a technological evolution of the original Zero. Here, the driver is sat in a dual rear chamber, and it even borrows the waveguide from the flagship Origin! I didn’t find this info on Tanchjim’s official product page, but I did manage to dig out that this IEM uses a patented inner-wall design, and this is most likely airflow related.

The shell is made of clear, glossy plastic. It's high-quality and feels nice to the touch. Tanchjim markets it as medical-grade polycarbonate. I’ve had positive experience with polycarbonate in the past, it stands the test of time and is pretty darn durable. The shell has a circular shape, and an angled nozzle. It has three “sections”: the first half which is wider in diameter, the second half which is smaller in diameter, and a small lip which is also wider in diameter. The nozzle features a standard metal grill. The rear of the shell is flat and has a metal faceplate. One side features Tanchjim’s angel of prosperity logo, and the other the model name (Zero).

Before you move down to the cable, there is an extension of the shell, serving as a protective measure for the cable. The cable is an 8 strand silver-plated OFC, and I must say that its quality was a pleasant surprise despite being non-detachable. It’s both flexible and soft, and it doesn’t put up a fight when you’re trying to put it away. It’s especially worth mentioning that there is an in-line microphone that has a quality of 24-bit/94kHz (DSP version).

The biggest advantage of the DSP version is that it directly communicates with the Tanchjim App. The DSP version uses two DAC chips that support up to 24-bit/94kHz PCM audio streams.

Comfort​

To make an uncomfortable set of bullet-style IEMs, you would really have to mess up hard. The Zero Ultima is very comfortable. They haven’t left my ears for several hours when I took them with me on walks. There’s no driver flex because there is a vent at the bottom of the shell, so that’s nothing to worry about. Maybe it’s just me, but I would’ve preferred it if the silicone ear-tips were a tad softer. I should say that I have a very sensitive ear canal, and that could explain why I prefer very soft and thin ear-tips. Most people complimented the stock ear-tips, so you’ll likely enjoy them too.

Sound Performance​

Lows​

There is a moderate amount of bass. Those who can appreciate a more tame and lean bass response will enjoy the Zero Ultima. As for myself, I never had a problem enjoying a properly tuned bassy sound signature or a balanced sound signature, where the bass quantity is kept at minimal levels. Here, bass retains its intensity without overpowering the mix. Although in most tracks it doesn’t call attention to itself, there are tracks where bass really comes through. I found that the in-ear fit affects the definition of the bass. If the stock tips don’t get the job done, I strongly encourage you to take your favorite tips and use them! SpinFit is usually the way to go.

I like to listen to IEMs at quieter volumes, just for the sake of my ears’ health. This said, even at lower listening volumes, I was satisfied with the bass performance. Sub-bass is just barely there, and this is one aspect that could be worked on. Even with the correct fit, I found there to be a lack of definition. It’s too dispersed, in a way.

Once again, I think that the fit is something you want to play close attention to if you want to get the most out of its bass response

Mids​

Straight away, the vocals sound excellent. It’s such a pleasure listening to vocal-heavy music, and that’s what I ended up listening the most. The upper mid-range is pushed forward, and whether this is a plus or a minus will depend on the type of music you listen to. In some tracks, vocals sound a little essy. Those sounds are more forward in the mix, but they don’t sound piercing or sibilant.

Instruments are average. Texture is the key to authentic instrument reproduction, and speaking from experience, that’s usually achieved in a higher price bracket—not saying that it is not achievable in the budget IEMs! However, that didn’t stop me from enjoying instrumental music on the Zero Ultima.

The mid-range is light and airy, it has a “spacious” quality to it.

Highs​

The treble was surprisingly lively even at low listening volumes. I wouldn’t call it bright, but there’s definitely an elevated amount of energy in the top end. It’s the most forward in the mix, but just like the lows, it doesn’t overpower it. I listened to a great variety of genres, and in all of them, treble was something that remained consistent when it comes to its quality. The transient response is fast and snappy. For example, acoustic guitar sounds commendably stringy. Percussion pops and has detail.

Quantity-wise, there’s just the right amount of it. It’s neither in the bright range nor in the warm range, there’s jut enough detail and edge to give music excitement.

Soundstage​

Although the sound image is congested and dense, the width reached some 15cm (5.9”) outside the IEM shell. In general, elements are pleasantly scattered across the sound plane. Don’t expect nothing crazy in terms of positioning and layering.

Conclusion​

It’s amazing to see how far budget IEMs have progressed! I remember purchasing the Brainwavz Delta for $20, and I went through three pairs of those… They were so flawed, but they got the job done. Now, you have so many options, many of them outperforming the more expensive stuff. With Tanchjim’s DSP offerings, you have the convenience of using their mobile app with access to a proprietary EQ app & community. The latter is what makes it especially nice. You can share your own presets, or you can download others’. The Zero Ultima gives you options; if you want to use it with your phone, grab the USB-C DSP version, and if you want to get the most out of it and try to scale it up with gear, grab the standard 3.5mm version. A detachable cable would’ve been a great addition, but at least the stock one is well built. The quality of the shell is also nice, regardless of it being plastic, and most important of all: it’s comfortable!

With so many EQ presets available , it’s hard to complain about the sound. I only judged it based on the stock preset, and I enjoyed it a lot. Wait for Amir (AudioScienceReview) publish his review if you want to snatch his EQ settings. If you don’t have patience for that, you can play around with Crinacle’s Hangout Audio website (https://graph.hangout.audio/iem/5128/). The EQ tool is very powerful, so I strongly recommend you give it a try.

The Zero Ultima is now in my daily rotation, as I continue to primarily use it with my smartphone.

Tanchjim are a company I'd not been aware of. They got in touch with me and asked if I'd put a few of their products through their paces. I said yes. This is therefore a review sample and should be read as such.
The Tanchjim Zero Ultima is a single driver IEM. It is a dynamic driver. It retails at around £21-25 in the UK. It is available in 2 formats. The first format, which I chose to have sent to me, is the 3.5 mm jack termination cable. The 2nd option is the all in one usb C termination. This then puts the Zero into the USB Dac Dongle category, and adds a not too huge £4 to it's retail price.
I'm going to tell you all about my adventures with the Zero Ultima. I have 100s of IEMs and full size headphones. We all know that. Maybe you share a similarly massive collection? I don't turn my nose up at a product because it is in the budget category. Many such products are a highly enjoyable listen. I've found that this end of the market is where the most improvements have come from, value for money is simply awesome for so many things out there nowadays. If you are going to go for an IEM in this bracket, often a single dynamic driver will fetch the least problems. There are no crossovers to be concerned with; therefore no crossover distortion issues. You only have to fit 1 driver into the headshell, so you can keep down size and weight. All you have to find, put simply, of course, is a driver that does what you want it to and tune it to you and your customer's tastes.



The Zero has had a redesign from it's 2022 counterpart, which was a good seller for the company. The new version performed ably through the snazzy Starlight II Dac Dongle and rather less well on it's own when plugged int my smartphone, but nonetheless both were a pleasant listen. The Bass was not annoying, the mids and highs gave no glare and were not fatiguing. The angled drivers were a comfortable fit which didn't need contant adjustment, further anchorage was obtained using the chin strap attached to the cable, and settling down to an extended music listening session was firly effortless as these things are s light in your ears that you soon forget you have them in.
These compare favourably to the like of CVJ and CCA competition, given that each has a little bit of extra roughness or edginess in 1 or more of the frequency bands which I couldn't detect in the Zero's.
Ok, so I am reviewing a budget IEM, so the caveat here is that I am saying this is better than my HiFiMan Susvara Headphones, or any other flagships, come to that. What I am saying is, as is typical in the Chi-Fi market these days, you will marvel at the sound they can get from such a simple looking device as this. You like? You won't be disappointed.