For my A12t I'm currently using the Fir Audio Yellow Atom module (17db isolation) along with 64 Audio Silver cable which seems to lift the mid range. I don't seem to be losing any dynamics and staging but have much more weight on the low end. It's a been a great set of modifications for me.
Precog's IEM Reviews & Impressions
- Thread starter Precogvision
- Start date
I've had the U12t for a couple of months, and the S12 since it came out (I was one of the first to buy it).
I find the U12t quite bland and boring. I only listen to progressive rock and metal, and I tend to like fun profiles and especially with a DD bass. The U12t is very good technically, but it didn't mean anything to me emotionally.
Try the Softears RSV if you have the chance,
it's a beast for metal, and if you like it LOUD !!!
Truthear x Crinacle Zero Impressions
Configuration: 2DD
Price: $50
Unit kindly provided for review by @shenzhenaudio: https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/truthear-zero-earphone-dual-dynamic-drivers-pu-lcp-composite-diaphragm-in-ear-headphone
The Zero is more or less a good illustration of both my praises and my reservations with the Harman in-ear target.
The bass response of the Zero is its calling card; there are few IEMs at this price point with a bass shelf as impactful yet adequately controlled. Regarding the minor sub-bass roll-off observed under ~30Hz, this is mostly a non-issue in practice. In fact, it's rare for me to hear an IEM that does not extend adequately, and it should be noted that most music does not even token lower than 30Hz. That in mind, I mostly hear this roll-off as subtly increasing perception of the 60-100Hz frequencies. This makes the Zero's bass sound inflated and slightly dampened for a sense of leading slam; it's a more impactful bass response where it sounds like air is being pushed. Basslines on the Zero are also somewhat messy to me (it sounds like kick drums with a longer decay bloom into one another), likely partially due to the absence of the characteristic 200Hz notch seen on the Harman over-ear target. But I'd say this is decent bass overall for $50; it sounds like an average DD with a good tuning.
Moving upwards, the Zero adheres more closely to the Harman in-ear target. Unfortunately, this is also where my main issues with the target actually crop up. The target has slightly too much presence in the 3-4kHz region for my HRTF, begetting a sense of forwardness to female vocals. The subsequent lack of energy to the upper-treble lends to a gritty decay which is made more apparent by said forwardness in the upper-midrange. This is more or less the effect that I hear going on with the Zero. Female vocal are slightly too shouty, too raspy for my tastes (and yes, the lack of upper-treble does affect the timbre of vocals). The Zero's lower-treble falls into the same vein of "slightly excessive" as the upper-midrange. It's gritty and somewhat clack-y; it doesn't fly with tracks like Brett Young's "Here Tonight" where you have a combination of kick drums, electric guitars, and cymbals crashing. It all just starts becoming a blurred cacophony of too much crunch, too much reverb, and not enough staging. The treble issues also become more apparent on brighter sections of tracks that don't have a bassline to balance out the 5kHz emphasis; of course, this perception is exacerbated by the lack of air over 10kHz.
Overall, I hear the Zero's presentation as coming across as mildly V-shaped. It's decently fun, decently balanced, but also not quite there in the tuning department for my preferences. For a sense of technical performance, I likewise find the Zero to be mostly average, but that's par for the course at this price point - in fact, some would say it's almost desirable. Some brief comparisons to similarly priced IEMs:
Bias Score: 4.5/10
All critical listening was done off my iPhone 13 Mini and iBasso DX300 with the stock ear tips.
Configuration: 2DD
Price: $50
Unit kindly provided for review by @shenzhenaudio: https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/truthear-zero-earphone-dual-dynamic-drivers-pu-lcp-composite-diaphragm-in-ear-headphone
The Zero is more or less a good illustration of both my praises and my reservations with the Harman in-ear target.
The bass response of the Zero is its calling card; there are few IEMs at this price point with a bass shelf as impactful yet adequately controlled. Regarding the minor sub-bass roll-off observed under ~30Hz, this is mostly a non-issue in practice. In fact, it's rare for me to hear an IEM that does not extend adequately, and it should be noted that most music does not even token lower than 30Hz. That in mind, I mostly hear this roll-off as subtly increasing perception of the 60-100Hz frequencies. This makes the Zero's bass sound inflated and slightly dampened for a sense of leading slam; it's a more impactful bass response where it sounds like air is being pushed. Basslines on the Zero are also somewhat messy to me (it sounds like kick drums with a longer decay bloom into one another), likely partially due to the absence of the characteristic 200Hz notch seen on the Harman over-ear target. But I'd say this is decent bass overall for $50; it sounds like an average DD with a good tuning.
Moving upwards, the Zero adheres more closely to the Harman in-ear target. Unfortunately, this is also where my main issues with the target actually crop up. The target has slightly too much presence in the 3-4kHz region for my HRTF, begetting a sense of forwardness to female vocals. The subsequent lack of energy to the upper-treble lends to a gritty decay which is made more apparent by said forwardness in the upper-midrange. This is more or less the effect that I hear going on with the Zero. Female vocal are slightly too shouty, too raspy for my tastes (and yes, the lack of upper-treble does affect the timbre of vocals). The Zero's lower-treble falls into the same vein of "slightly excessive" as the upper-midrange. It's gritty and somewhat clack-y; it doesn't fly with tracks like Brett Young's "Here Tonight" where you have a combination of kick drums, electric guitars, and cymbals crashing. It all just starts becoming a blurred cacophony of too much crunch, too much reverb, and not enough staging. The treble issues also become more apparent on brighter sections of tracks that don't have a bassline to balance out the 5kHz emphasis; of course, this perception is exacerbated by the lack of air over 10kHz.
Overall, I hear the Zero's presentation as coming across as mildly V-shaped. It's decently fun, decently balanced, but also not quite there in the tuning department for my preferences. For a sense of technical performance, I likewise find the Zero to be mostly average, but that's par for the course at this price point - in fact, some would say it's almost desirable. Some brief comparisons to similarly priced IEMs:
- CCA CRA+: the Zero doesn't touch this IEM for a sense of clarity or treble extension, but the Zero's bass is more focused, impactful, and the general frequency response is more palatable.
- Moondrop Chu: I don't really like the Chu at all even if its tuning will likely appeal to listeners who want a leaner, brighter sound. I prefer the Zero obviously.
- Tripowin Mele: from memory, this is darker and more muddied. I would go for the Zero.
Bias Score: 4.5/10
All critical listening was done off my iPhone 13 Mini and iBasso DX300 with the stock ear tips.
But the RSV doesn't have a DD for bass either, like the U12t...
DaveStarWalker
Headphoneus Supremus
You should try the Fh9.
I say that and I say nothing...
I say that and I say nothing...
o0genesis0o
Headphoneus Supremus
You want loud metal? E5000 with a powerful amp is the way to go, at least for me. I have yet to hear similar thunderous kick drums on any IEM, maybe besides Trio.
I will tryYou should try the Fh9.
I say that and I say nothing...
The E5000 is too warm for me taste. I like the bass, but I like the treble even more
o0genesis0o
Headphoneus Supremus
That’s why you need to turn up the volume. That IEM has no piercing peaks anywhere, so you can go loud. And when you go loud, treble details pop out. That micro driver is quite competent with treble. Midrange is above aria but below Blessing 2.
Anyhow, you should try FH9. No point to go after an ancient IEM in this day and age.
Regrets415
Also known as JLP415
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2013
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I always am debating if I want to grab the CRA(p). Seeing how the Zero scores, the price of the CRA(p), and the tuning make me want to finally pull the trigger.
Have you tried the Trió? I think it is for your tasteI will try
The E5000 is too warm for me taste. I like the bass, but I like the treble even more
No, I have not tried it, and yes, it is one of the IEMs that most attracts me, if not the most, currently.
But "testing it" is going to be very complicated for me. In Europe it is difficult and especially expensive to get a 64audio, and very few people have one, even more to find someone who has it and let me try it. And a "blind" purchase of something so expensive does not appeal to me today.
DynamicEars
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2019
- Posts
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I will try
The E5000 is too warm for me taste. I like the bass, but I like the treble even more
Then the answer is Z1R superb bass and wonderful treble
Gan Sheng Kai
New Head-Fier
I think you might love itsfit lab fusion (custom version, more bass and treble more smooth compare to universal). Perfect for metal and rock. But the mid is super dry.I will try
The E5000 is too warm for me taste. I like the bass, but I like the treble even more
I have tried the Z1R, not my cup of tea. I tested it a year ago and still am looking for the mids, and the treble was too spicy for many of my music (metal from the 80's).
I didn't really like the Fusion. I had the universal version for a couple of weeks and it didn't tell me anything special. Precisely the treble I noticed too relaxed in this case, so I would not look for something with even softer treble at all.
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