I got around to trying out the Zero today. I think they just nullified the other choices in the market at the ~$20 price point. I'm really impressed with these.
Minimal adjustments needed for an otherwise highly enjoyable listen. For a quick start, just boost the bass and go!
It's not worthwhile to nitpick some areas that could be a bit better, not at $20, and not with what you get already for it with the Zero.
I see where you're coming from. I used to shop via FR graphs. And I've definitely avoided some whose FR graphs looked objectionable to me. But with regard to IMR IEMs, I've found that their descriptions of the IEM sound signatures are pretty accurate. I would also check the reviews over on the IMR thread. For me, the EDP ACE was a blind buy based on the fact that it incorporated a planar driver, and the original EDP was highly regarded, so I suspected the new one might meet my needs. It exceeded my expectations by a longshot. So I bought a Zenith II. It also exceeded my expectations, maybe even more so than the ACE. So now I'm an IMR fan boi apparently. I can't get the Zenith II out of my ears at the moment. But in any event, I've found their descriptions to be accurate. If the description sounds like it would suit you, then go for it. If you don't like it, I'm sure you could re-sell it for at least the price you paid.
There is a lot of chatter on the IMR thread about both. Bottom line is the Ace is crisp and lighter in the bass although the Ace has great bass texture and range, just less oomph. The Zii has a fuller sound, with the biggest stage I've heard in an IEM, yet amazing instrument separation and detail. Tonality is superior on the Zii, although my Ace only has maybe 50 hours on it, so that might change.
Both are terrific, but the Zii takes the lead for pure sonic enjoyment.
There is a lot of chatter on the IMR thread about both. Bottom line is the Ace is crisp and lighter in the bass although the Ace has great bass texture and range, just less oomph. The Zii has a fuller sound, with the biggest stage I've heard in an IEM, yet amazing instrument separation and detail. Tonality is superior on the Zii, although my Ace only has maybe 50 hours on it, so that might change.
Both are terrific, but the Zii takes the lead for pure sonic enjoyment.
I am at around 100+ hours of burn-in with my EDP and I begun experimenting with tuning filters. The difference is extraordinary from the black filters with which the IEMs came with.
Now about soundstage I really enjoy that as aspect as it confers to separation of the different musical elements. But one thing I noticed is that this (meaning having expansive soundstage) does not always come with good stereo imaging.
I really like the soundstage of Timeless eg but I noticed that my Shure SE846s while having a more narrow stage they excell in imaging, easily beating Timeless. After that I observation I became sceptical about mere 'expansive soundtage'. If it does not bind with good stereo imaging it doesn't mean much to me.
EDP ACE perform great on imaging plus above average soundstage by the way. I don't know if it has to do with the bone conduction driver but the sense of placement is remarkable.
I really like the soundstage of Timeless eg but I noticed that my Shure SE846s while having a more narrow stage they excell in imaging, easily beating Timeless. After that I observation I became sceptical about mere 'expansive soundtage'. If it does not bind with good stereo imaging it doesn't mean much to me.
EDP ACE perform great on imaging plus above average soundstage by the way. I don't know if it has to do with the bone conduction driver but the sense of placement is remarkable.
For staging, Zii beats Timeless by far. IMO so does Ace, to a slightly lesser degree. Imaging, Zii might actually beat Ace by a little bit. Both beat Timeless noticeably. Clarity and crispness is where the Ace shines. The stage is very intimate, as are the vocals. Super clear and textured.
Timeless might be neck-and-neck with them with regard to cohesiveness and FR, but it's a tough call. In terms or which ones I would choose to put in my ears, it would be Zii, then Ace, then Timeless. This pains me to say, since I've been a Timeless fan for almost a year now. But these two IMR IEMs are just spectacular. Very dynamic, very balanced, very detailed and crisp. As I said, the Zii is just pure sonic enjoyment from top to bottom.
Crosspost from Discovery Thread (sorry about table formatting):
Tanchjim Zero vs 7Hz Salnotes Zero
Putting these two little budget set head-to-head it's closer than I first thought in terms of technicalities but tonally there's a winner for me - the Tanchjim Zero. This little driver can sing. However this choice it's not without caveats.
The best choice for prospective buyers will depend on:
Genre preference / versatility demanded - the Tanchjim plays better with instrumental acoustic/jazz/classical, it doesn't do any favours to rock/metal/electronic due to its flat (but wonderfully detailed) bass. The Salnotes Zero plays everything to a 'good' standard but for those former genres the Tanchjim Zeros tonality and resolving power makes for a much more rewarding and musical listen (imo).
Pinna sensitivity - the Tanchjim Zero has a strong mid-forward presentation between 2-5kHz that offers heaps of clarity but is as it's not balanced by a bass lift can be quite invasive and overexposed, with some instruments e.g. electric guitar presenting as shrill. On the other side of the coin the aforementioned clarity 'vitalises' nearly every acoustic instrument and I'm willing to accept some shrill replay from the more intense instruments that make up little of what I listen to. There is so much detail and thanks to great extension either end everything sounds complete in it's tonality, if only slightly less balanced than the Salnotes.
Fit - the shell on the Tanchjim Zero is shallow fitting with little length for deeper ear canals/concha and the plastic shell can be abrasive unless you get the fit right. The Salnotes has no such issues and has a detachable cable.
Source - the Tanchjim Zero benefits from power more than the Salnotes. It's not as ludicrously demanding as Final E series bullet IEMs but as with most smaller DDs they benefit from power to play to their best. This last point should be a secondary factor in your decision because the difference in driveability isn't significant.
Compared on Cayin RU-6, NOS, 3.5mm stock cables, KBear 07 tips on both
Parameter
Tanchjim Zero
Salnotes Zero
Tonality
Bright-neutral
Bass-boost 'balanced'
Bass
Neutral without roll-off, expansive and textured, more natural quality
Warm, impactful with greater subbass but overall a less dynamic and 'expressive' presentation with what feels like greater driver dampening
Midrange
Vocals are pushed forward. Male vocals are a little thin. Despite this, noteweight feels more natural with better macrodynamic swings that makes a big difference. Sibilance well controlled but shout a distinct possibility if you're listening at loud volumes
Warmer, less clarity. Vocals are more balanced between male and female but can still venture into sibilance in the uppermidrange. Midbass and low mids feel less 'full'. Less shouty.
Treble
Less air but greater lower treble presence and sparkle
Vice versa
Soundstage
Narrower, taller
Wider
Imaging
Better layering, greater dimension
Directionally more informative but less dimension and flat at its extremes
Resolution
Noticeably greater resolution from bass to treble
No slouch and still good for $20
Timbre
More revealing tonality and expressive driver. More natural note decay
Not inaccurate but muddied by it's lower resolution, less clarity and less expressive driver properties
The Tanchjim Zero reminds me alot of my favourite earbuds in terms of its presentation. It sounds open, detailed and midcentric, prioritising clarity over all else. I reach for the Tanchjim almost every time and by comparison the Salnotes Zero sounds boring. My preference on this occasion is largely to do with (a) my prioritising instrumental clarity and resolution and (b) the Tanchjim Zero driver just displaying better dynamism and a more natural timbre. YMMV!
