Intro:
Looking for a warm, punchy sound without breaking the bank? The Truthear Zero Red IEMs might be your perfect match. These budget-friendly earphones boast a bass-forward sound signature with a smooth, non-fatiguing treble. Let's see if they live up to the hype!
Context:
Truthear Zero Red is entertaining and lively, with enhanced bass that does not detract from the gloss of the mids or the treble. Zero Red is a lovely, neutral-sounding set.
I tried the Zero Red with the Xduoo XD05 Basic, ddHiFi Tc44c and the LG V60, in regular configuration and with pure copper, mixed cable and numerous tips such as Divinus Velvet, Spinfit W1, 145, and 07. I enjoyed it best with Velvet and 07 tips. And I used a
Nicehck Mixpp &
Stardream cable.
Disclaimer:
I acquired the apartment with my own money and interest. There is no monitoring transaction with Truthear. So, my review is absolutely unbiased and based on my listening experiences over the previous 2-3 months.
Note: I use this set of iems with this cable, eartips, and sources. That is the basis for my overall review.
If you want to buy this iem, visit
Shenzhenaudio. If you are from Bangladesh, you may visit
GeekMart.
Technical Specification:
Driver: 10mm+7.8mm Dynamic Driver
Diaphragm: Polyurethane Suspension LCP Liquid Crystal Composite Diaphragm
Impedance: 17.5Ω±15%
@1kHz
Sensitivity: 117.5dB/Vrms
@1kHz
THD: < 1%@1khz
Frequency Response Range: 20-40.5kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
Effective Frequency Response Range: 20-20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
What’s in the box:
- 1. TRUTHEAR [ZERO:RED] * 1
- 2. Four Stands of High-quality Silver-plated Cable
- 3. Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Wide Bore)
- 4. Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Narrow Bore)
- 5. Foam Ear-tips * 1pair (M)
- 6. 10Ω Impedance Adapter
- 7. Manual * 1
8. Warranty card * 1
Build Quality:
The Truthear Zero Red's construction is a case of "good enough" for the price. Made of lightweight plastic, they feel great in hand, although some people will find them a bit cheap-looking. The comfort component shines here, too, with the light weight and tight fit enabling for lengthy listening sessions without weariness. The provided cable is functional with a removable design for future updates, but it's simple overall. While they won't win any beauty competitions, the Zero Red's construction gets the job done for the budget-minded audiophile
Fit & Comfort:
Zero Red shines in the comfort department. Their lightweight plastic design makes them easy on the ears for longer listening periods, and the tight fit many users feel gives superb sound isolation. However, obtaining that precise fit might be important. The default ear tips might not be appropriate for everyone, and the nozzle size is a bit long. Experimenting with different-sized tips or opting for aftermarket solutions is suggested to create a pleasant seal and an excellent sound experience.
Sound impressions:
The Truthear Zero Red carves its space in the affordable audiophile arena with a sound characteristic that tends towards the warm and bass-forward. Bass lovers rejoice! The low-end is the star of the show, giving a punchy and gratifying presence that gives a robust foundation to your song. Genres like hip-hop and EDM come alive with a robust bassline that doesn't leak into the mids. Vocals and instruments stay clear and distinct, however they take a somewhat backseat to the bass. This can be a godsend for people who find overly-present mids fatiguing during protracted listening sessions.
The treble is when things become interesting. It keeps clear of roughness and sibilance, making the Zero Red a wonderful choice for fatigue-free listening. This softer presentation can lack the sparkle and detail that treble-heads want. However, for those who seek a pleasant and non-fatiguing sound experience, the Zero Red reaches the perfect spot.
Sub-Bass:
The Truthear Zero Red gives a fantastic sub-bass experience, appealing to bass enthusiasts, but the supplied 10-ohm impedance adaptor adds a minor modification. Without the adaptor, the sub-bass presence is still excellent. It provides a powerful foundation for genres like hip-hop and EDM, with a pleasing rumble that supports the music without dominating it. This makes them attractive to casual listeners who love a warm sound.
The 10-ohm adaptor opens up a significantly deeper sub-bass experience. It provides a bit of extra low-end rumbling, producing a more dramatic foundation for your music. This can be a game-changer for bass aficionados who need that additional bit of booming depth. The increase is slight. Some users could find it scarcely apparent, while others might feel a tiny trade-off. The enhanced bass can occasionally hide some subtleties in the mids, perhaps reducing the overall clarity for some listeners.
The decision to use the adaptor or not ultimately boils down to personal taste. The adaptor opens an additional level of delight if you choose the deepest, most intense sub-bass imaginable. If you like a more balanced sound or find overbearing bass tiring, the regular option can be the sweet spot for you.
Mid-Bass:
With its mid-bass performance, the Truthear Zero Red takes care not to muddy the whole soundstage while nonetheless giving a strong presence. Whatever the impedance setting with or without the 10-ohm adapter the mid-bass is still well-controlled. Your music acquires a sturdy base from instruments like bass guitars and kick drums, which come through with pleasant weight and clarity. They are extremely popular in genres like pop and rock, where a clear and tight mid-bass is crucial.
But the 10-ohm adapter could bring about a small modification in the mid-bass tone. The basic balance isn't substantially modified, however some users perceive a tiny uptick in mid-bass warmth. For others who prefer their music deeper and more enveloping, this could be a positive. Instruments and vocals sound a bit richer and with a little more body added. This warmth, however, may be too much for listeners who would prefer hear something more analytical or impartial. In sophisticated mixes in particular, the increased mid-bass presence may hide certain upper mid-midrange information.
Male vocal:
Zero Red's slightly squashed mids, compared to the noticeable bass, ensure that male sounds stay clear and simple to understand in the mix. They don't overpower the instruments or become fatiguing during long listening sessions. This is a big plus for those who find highly forward sounds harsh or sibilant. Their depth also means they may lack the ultimate accuracy and closeness that some audiophiles crave. If you prefer a super direct and thorough voice presentation that puts the speaker right in front of you, the Zero Red might not be the best pick.
With a touch of warmth, the Zero Red offers Mark Knopfler's singing in "Darling Pretty." The deep middles keep his speech clear and easy to listen to for long stretches, avoiding any roughness or sibilance. However, this slightly laid-back approach might mean you miss some of the finer details and minor variations in Knopfler's famous delivery. So, if you crave an ultra-detailed and open voice experience, the Zero Red might not be the best pick. But for those who value a smooth and fatigue-free listen where Knopfler's voices stay clear and enjoyable, these IEMs will do the job.
Female vocal:
With female voices, the Zero Red walks a medium ground. The slightly depressed middles ensure they stay clear and pleasant to listen to, avoiding roughness or sibilance that can cause listener tiredness during long sessions. This makes them a reasonable choice for sitting and loving your music. However, this focus on ease might come at the cost of final clarity and sharpness. If you crave a super open and light voice presentation that stresses every detail, the Zero Red might not be the best fit.
Belting out Laura Branigan's "Power of Love" on the Zero Red can be a rewarding experience. The slightly compressed mids ensure that her vocals stay clear and upfront without becoming fatiguing or harsh, making it easy to sing along. However, some viewers might find they lack the ultimate crispness and detail that can bring out the full power and subtlety in Branigan's performance. If you crave an ultra-detailed and light voice presentation, the Zero Red might not be the best fit. These IEMs will give a powerful performance for those who value a smooth and enjoyable listen with clear and engaging sounds.
Instruments:
Zero Red has an unconventional approach to playing the instrument, it leans toward softness but requires certain compromises. Instruments often retain their accuracy and clarity due to their controlled and crisp tone. Rock and pop music genres appreciate the satisfying punch that drums and bass instruments deliver. The comparatively compressed mids in intricate arrangements can distort the sound of certain instruments, such guitarists and singers. They could sound a little more laid back and have less separation and accuracy than more focused IEMs. If you're looking for a warm, smooth sound with instruments that are recognizable but not overly detailed, this will work well. If, on the other hand, you're the kind of person that needs an extremely accurate and detailed representation of every instrument, you might want to look into lighter options.
Treble:
The treble of the Truthear Zero Red strikes the right mix of smoothness and detail. Furthermore avoiding any harshness or sibilance are hi-hats and cymbals, so you won't notice the really sharp ring you may with brighter iems. Long stretches of time can be enjoyed listening to them because of this, especially the voices, which can sometimes get old from too much treble strength. The in-kind price? There might be occasional muted detail in those high-pitched instruments. Take a high note that a vocalist hits. There will still be some shimmer and breathiness visible, but less so. All things considered, the treble is an excellent option for those who want a peaceful and enjoyable listening experience; nevertheless, you might want to go elsewhere if you need the greatest amount of detail and sparkle in your music.
Soundstage & Instruments separation:
Remarkably good soundstage for a low-cost IEM is provided by the Truthear Zero Red. Not the largest, but it does a respectable job of giving your music some breathing room. Picture yourself in a small jazz club with the instruments grouped around you. Though not too far apart to seem far away, you can hear them all plainly. Staying front and center, the vocals make it easy to follow the words and interact with the performer. The mid-range instrument separation is the show stealer, though. Even with intricate mixes, percussion sections and guitars don't blend into vocals. This spares you from having to listen to a song's many parts blend together.
Remembering the pricing point here is crucial, though. Even if the separation is respectable for the price range, some audiophiles may find it insufficient in comparison to more expensive IEMs. The Zero Red might not be your best option if you're looking for a really broad soundstage with well placed instruments across a large aural landscape. The Zero Red offers a gratifying experience for casual listeners or those who want a warm and clean presentation with distinct but not isolated instruments.
Gaming Performance:
Though their performance may change based on the game you play, the Truthear Zero Red IEMs are an affordable choice for gamers. The possible success of them in several well-known games is broken down here:
Competitive First-Person Shooters (Valorant, CS:GO)
Positives: These games can profit from the powerful bass sound of the Zero Red. Strong explosions and shooting can be good for realism and maybe help with auditory cues like footsteps close (though some people may find the bass a little too much).
The softer treble might be a downside. These games might need exact localization of footsteps or far-off gunshots, and the lack of sparkle in the treble may make such high-frequency elements a little less clear. Moreover, although being acceptable for the money, the soundstage isn't the biggest. This can make it more difficult than with wider soundstage IEMs to gain a decent idea of the general battlefield layout.
Big Battle Royales (Warzone 2, Battlefield):
Positives: For these games' general music, the Zero Red sound signature might be nice. Nice rumbling from the car engines, powerful blasts, and engaging overall sounds.
Negatives: The triple might be a drawback, much like in professional first-person shooters. The bass adds to gunshots and explosions, although it may be a little unclear about things like far-off enemy talk or the direction of coming cars. Here the platform also becomes important. Better understanding of the vast settings in these games may be gained on a bigger stage.
All things considered:
Casual gamers that value a warm and rich audio experience may find the Truthear Zero Red to be a decent choice. Playing is made more exciting by the powerful bass, which gives blasts and gunshots more effect. But competitive players who count a lot on accurate sound cues to place and be aware of their surroundings might discover that they require a more wide and detailed soundstage.
The main lesson is that the Zero Red may be worth giving a try if you're a cheap player that values a lively, bass-heavy audio experience. But you may want to look at IEMs with a wider soundstage and stronger treble for professional gamers who require every aural detail to rule the fight.
Conclusion:
The Truthear Zero Red IEMs make a place for themselves in the budget audiophile world. Their calling card has a warm and bass-forward sound. Bass lovers, joy! The low-end is the star of the show, providing a punchy and pleasing presence that adds a powerful base to your music, especially styles like hip-hop and EDM. The mids stay clear and detailed, but they take a slight backseat to the bass, making for a fatigue-free listening experience.
The treble is where things get interesting. It values smoothness, avoiding sharpness and sibilance. This is a big plus for long listening sessions. Trebleheads might find it a touch missing in sparkle and detail. The Zero Red's success relies on your sonic taste. If you crave a warm, smooth, and bass-centric sound quality at an unbeatable price, these IEMs are a tempting choice. If you value critical listening with a bright and airy sound, you may want to keep looking.
Thanks for joining me on this deep dive into the Truthear Zero Red! I hope this review helped you decide if these versatile IEMs are a good fit for your listening preferences. Happy listening!
