The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are the first pair of in-ear monitors (IEMs) designed collaboratively by TRUTHEAR, a newcomer among Chi-Fi (Chinese High-Fidelity) manufacturers, and high-profile audiophile and IEM tuning expert Crinacle. They're designed to provide audiophile-quality sound at a more wallet-friendly price than in-ears from more established manufacturers. Their sound profile is tuned with the Harman 2019 IEM target curve in mind, aided by a design that makes the most of two dynamic drivers.
Our Verdict
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are okay for sports and fitness, although they're not designed with this use case in mind. They're comfortable, lightweight, and stable enough to stay in place during moderately intense head movements. However, they lack an IP rating for protection against water and dust, and their wired design means it's easy to get the cable snagged on something while in motion.
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Comfortable and stable design.
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No controls.
The TRUTHEAR ZERO are middling headphones for commuting and travel use. The passive isolation provided by their in-ear design does very little to block out low-frequency sounds like engine rumble. They come with a carrying pouch to help keep your cables tangle-free, but it won't protect the buds from substantive damage. On the upside, they have a comfortable fit and leak almost no audio, so people around you won't hear what you're listening to.
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Comfortable and stable design.
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Struggle to block out low frequency noise.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are bad for office use. They're comfortable enough for long listening sessions and can isolate you from noise like office chatter and the hum of computer fans. However, they lack a mic, so you'll need to find another solution like a standalone mic or a replacement cable with an integrated mic if you want to use the earbuds for calls or virtual meetings.
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Comfortable and stable design.
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Struggle to block out low frequency noise.
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No integrated mic.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are wired IEMs; you can't use them wirelessly. That said, you can always pick up an adapter that will allow you to use them wirelessly separately, though most wireless solutions introduce significant latency.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are mediocre gaming headphones. Their strong bass response adds realism to sounds like explosions, and their mids and highs make dialogue and environmental audio sound detailed. However, they don't have an integrated mic, so you'll need a standalone microphone to communicate with your teammates. As expected from in-ears, the earbuds don't stimulate your pinna for a more immersive listening experience. While you'll hear footsteps and other audio cues coming from the left or right, it can be tricky to locate them more precisely.
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Great peaks/dips performance.
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No integrated mic.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO have very good audio reproduction accuracy. Their frequency response doesn't deviate much from the earbuds' V-shaped Harman IEM tuning. Both drivers are amazingly well matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase response, reproducing transparent transients all with minimal distortion across the measured frequency spectrum. That said, notches in the group delay indicate a phase shift in the high-bass of both drivers, ultimately leading to notched dips in the headphones' frequency response in the same frequencies. Fortunately, the deviation isn't large, and most listeners likely won't perceive significant coloration of the earbuds' sound. Because of their design, these in-ears bypass the pinna, so your immersion won't be improved through outer ear interaction.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are passable for noise isolation. Although they don't have an ANC system, their foam ear tips provide solid high-mid and treble noise attenuation, cutting down on some office chatter and whirring mechanical noises aboard aircraft. On the other hand, the earbuds don't leak much sound, bleeding a full-bodied version of your audio that barely surpasses the noise floor of a calm room. It's also worth mentioning that we haven't tested the silicone ear tips, but you can expect their noise isolation to be less effective than the foam tips.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO don't have a microphone. That said, you can find third-party 2-pin cables with integrated microphones
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO's frequency response consistency is excellent. If you take the time to find the right ear tips from the many options included with the headphones, our frequency response measurements will be indicative of the headphones' behavior.
- 6.8 Sports And Fitness
- 6.8 Travel
- 4.9 Office Work
- 4.2 Wireless Gaming (In Development)
- 6.2 Wired Gaming (In Development)
Performance Usages
- 7.8 Audio Reproduction Accuracy
- 6.3 Noise Isolation
- 0 Microphone (In Development)
- 8.6 Frequency Response Consistency
Changelog
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Updated May 20, 2025:
This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.0, which adds the following tests: Stereo Mismatch, Group Delay, Cumulative Spectral Decay, PRTF, Harmonic Distortion, and Electrical Aspects. We've added new performance usages and updated the text throughout the Sound tests and side-by-sides.
- Updated May 14, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.0, which updates our sound tests and adds performance usages. You can read more about this in our changelog.
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Updated Oct 18, 2024:
We mentioned the MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK in the App Support section of this review.
- Updated Sep 13, 2024: We referenced the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII in the Bass Profile: Target Compliance box.
- Updated Sep 12, 2024: The following test groups have been updated following Test Bench 1.8: Sound Profile, Raw Frequency Response, Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance, Peaks/Dips. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the product comparisons to match these results.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO IEM come in one colorway: blue and black. There's also another pair of IEMs called the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED, which come in a black and red colorway and have a slightly different sound profile. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The TRUTHEAR ZERO are the first pair of IEMs produced by this manufacturer in collaboration with Crinacle. Their budget-conscious price and dynamic sound make them popular within the audiophile community. They pack a lot of punch and thump in the low end, but if you're looking for a pair of affordable IEMs with more tapered bass, it's worth trying the MOONDROP Aria. Their sound profile follows our Harman-adapted curve well. They also sport a sleek metal design. The collaboration between TRUTHEAR and Crinacle has also yielded another IEM: the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED. This model has a similar wired, dual-driver design but with a more balanced sound and distinctive red finish. The RED also come with a 10-ohm impedance adapter that can boost the bass, a feature that the original ZERO lacks.
If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best wired headphones.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are better than the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO, though it depends on your needs. The HEXA have a more balanced frequency response and do a better job blocking out sounds like A/C hum. That said, neither pair have ANC; they both do a poor job isolating you from bassier noise like engine rumble. On the other hand, the ZERO put out a lot more bass than the HEXA. It can get a little boomy, but if you like your EDM to have extra oomph, the ZERO are worth considering, especially as they're also cheaper than the HEXA.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO and the MOONDROP Aria are both wired audiophile IEMs. The MOONDROP feature a single-driver design and have less bass emphasis than the dual-driver TRUTHEAR, with their dedicated sub-bass driver. Unfortunately, the MOONDROP's treble performance is recessed and lacking in detail compared to the TRUTHEAR. Both feature sleek designs with a detachable audio cable, but depending on personal preference, you might opt for the metal construction on the MOONDROP over the TRUTHEAR's plastic resin design.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are, by and large, the same pair of IEMs, albeit with different tunings and a slight difference in noise isolation performance. They're both comfortable, well-built, and stable-fitting, but the RED variant aligns more closely with our target curve, with a more controlled bass in particular. They're also better at isolating mid-range frequencies, like the chatter of your colleagues in an office setting. On the other hand, the RED have a recessed treble that will be less appealing to people who like a more excited sound with a bit more sizzle. It's worth noting that the RED variant comes with a 10-ohm impedance adjustor, so you can always purchase this variant and use the adjustor if you prefer a more bass-heavy sound.
The MOONDROP Blessing 3 are better in-ears for audiophile listening than the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO. These premium IEMs feature a hybrid driver design with two 10 mm dynamic and four balanced armature drivers. As a result, they have an extremely balanced sound across the board. They also have a better build quality and a high-quality case, so they're more suitable as an on-the-go option. That said, fans of a bass-heavy sound will likely prefer the TRUTHEAR's over-emphasized bass response.
The Shure SE215 and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are in-ear monitors with over-ear cabling. The Shure use more sturdy MMCX connectors for their removable cable. They include six sets of ear tips, including three memory foam ones, which provide better noise isolation. Their sound is warm with boomy and cluttered bass and mids. The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle are similarly well made, but they have two-pin connectors to the buds. Their sound is an excited V-shape with more bass and treble emphasis, which you might prefer.
The 7HZ Timeless and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are both IEMs designed for audiophiles. Depending on your preferences, you might opt for one over the other. The 7HZ feature a single planar driver that delivers extremely accurate bass and mids with a veiled treble response. By contrast, the TRUTHEAR feature a dual-driver design with an over-emphasized bass and prominent treble. The TRUTHEAR are the slightly more comfortable of the two, though, so they're a better choice for longer listening sessions.
The MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO target different segments of the IEM market. Fans of EDM will appreciate the full but well-balanced sound of the MOONDROP's low-end, while their mid-range presents vocals and instruments with detail and accuracy. The much more affordable TRUTHEAR can't match the MOONDROP for bass and mid-range compliance, but their treble range is more detailed, presenting drum cymbals with more sizzle and presence. The MOONDROP sound a little dull by contrast. But one person's dull is another person's smooth, and you can customize the MOONDROP via EQ presets applied via their DSP cable.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO and the Razer Moray are wired, dual-driver IEMs designed for different uses, and their features reflect this. The Razer are geared towards streamers and content creators who need all-day comfort, and as a result, they have a more comfortable fit than the TRUTHEAR. They also reproduce sound differently, using an armature driver to ensure that speech and dialogue reproduce in detail. Their sound profile boosts the high-mids and treble range for the same reason, but this adds a harsh, hollow quality to mixes. As a result, the TRUTHEAR are a better choice for bass enthusiasts.
The THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are targeted at different segments of the IEM market. The THIEAUDIO are much more expensive than the TRUTHEAR, but the two share a somewhat similar sound profile with a prominent bass response and balanced mids. That said, the THIEAUDIO's treble response skews the overall frequency response towards sounding warm, while the TRUTHEAR have a brighter treble response. If you're a bright trap triplet hi-hats fan, you might find the THIEAUDIO too dull.
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Test Results
The TRUTHEAR ZERO have a V-shaped sound profile, tuned to follow the Harman IEM target released in 2019. As expected, their sound signature more closely resembles the Harman target than our in-house curve. That said, there ZERO have an emphasized bass and cuts in the mid compared to the Harman curve. While they don't come with a 10-ohm adaptor to increase the earbuds' bass response, as with the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED, this seems largely unnecessary given the already strong emphasis in the low-end.
These IEMs have amazing frequency response consistency. Once you find a good fit with the right ear tips, you'll get consistent audio delivery across different listening sessions.
These in-ears have great bass-range target compliance. The response is overemphasized across the entire bass range but features a particularly prominent peak in the mid-bass that adds boom and slam to bass-range instruments. There's also a slight roll-off in the high-bass, likely due to the crossover from the sub-bass driver to the mid-high driver. As a result, lower frequency sounds, like the kicks and bass synth in songs like Kaytranada's 10%, sound more punchy than boomy. If you prefer a less rumbly sound profile, the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII have a more even bass response.
These headphones' target compliance in the mid-range is excellent. That said, the lower part of this frequency range is slightly thinned out compared to the overemphasized bass range, meaning there's a minor loss of definition in guitar and piano chords. There's also a slightly boosted response in the high-mid that ensures vocals and lead instruments are intense and clear. In songs like Sunset by Caroline Polachek, the lead vocal is present and detailed, while the nylon guitar strums sound slightly hollow and muted in comparison.
These IEMs have fantastic treble target compliance. The low-treble is slightly overemphasized, which adds a nice presence and sparkle to vocals. In contrast, the mid-treble follows our target curve more closely, so sibilants are generally clear and detailed. Overall, the treble range sounds bright and detailed without being fatiguing.
These in-ears have a great peaks and dips performance, so they deviate little from their V-shaped sound profile. Most of the deviations occur in the treble range, but they're fairly minor. Depending on the pitch, minor fluctuations can cause sibilants to sound dull or piercing relative to one another. Meanwhile, the highest frequency deviations can render harmonics of higher-pitched instruments closed off, though this can be harder to hear due to our loss in sensitivity to the range over time.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO's L/R drivers are amazingly matched with minimal frequency, amplitude, and phase mismatch. That said, you may notice minor deviations in the high-bass to low-mids, which can manifest as vocals shifted slightly off-center depending on their pitch.
These headphones have alright group delay performance. While both drivers reproduce tight bass, defined transients, and transparent treble, the notch in the high-bass of the earbuds' group delay indicates a phase shift, which translates to dips in the frequency response in the same band.
These headphones are in-ear monitors and bypass the outer ear by design. As such, there's no sonic interaction between your pinna and the earbuds.
These earbuds have superb harmonic distortion performance. At typical listening levels, they reproduce audio cleanly across the frequency spectrum. Higher bass harmonic distortion, while present, likely isn't perceivable due to our lack of sensitivity to lower frequencies.
These earbuds don't require an amp to drive them. You can play audio at high listening levels when connected to mobile devices and laptops.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
The TRUTHEAR ZERO have a smooth, teardrop-shaped design made from 3D-printed resin. They have a black base and a deep blue, iridescent exterior. They feature a detachable, braided audio cable, meaning you can swap them out based on your preferences. These buds also have a dual dynamic driver design, with one 10mm driver that reproduces bass frequencies and another 7.8mm driver that handles the mid and treble ranges. This combination ensures that mixes have ample boom in sub-bass frequencies while maintaining mid-range clarity and treble-range sparkle.
The TRUTHEAR ZERO have a comfortable fit. They come with a wide range of silicone and foam tips of different sizes. They're lightweight, and the cable wraps around your ears to provide a stable fit. While the shape is ergonomic and can give the impression of being molded to your ear, it's worth checking out the Razer Moray if you're looking for a more natural fit that will suit a variety of ear sizes.
These buds are extremely portable. They won't take up much space in your bag or pocket and come with a carrying pouch to store them when they're not in use.
The included pouch is of decent quality. It's made from faux leather with a velvety, multi-fiber material lining the interior. It doesn't offer much protection against drops or bumps but helps keep the buds from getting lost and prevents the cable from getting tangled. The pouch is secured via two clasps that don't feel as secure as a zipper design.
Their build quality is good. The plastic body and braided cable are of good quality and feel durable. However, the foam tips don't feel as high quality as the silicone ones. They also started to tear and fall apart after minimal use. If you prefer foam tips and have a pair you've used in the past, it could be worth switching out the default foam tips and using your own instead. The pins that attach the cable to the buds themselves are also prone to breaking if they're not properly taken care of. However, it's easy to swap out the cable for any other one with two-pin 0.78mm connectors.
These buds have a very stable fit. When using the right size tips for your ears, they won't move around too much during moderate head movements. The wrap-around cable design also helps keep them secured around your ear. It's possible to snag the cable on something while doing more intense movements, like headbanging, but the two-pin connector will detach before the buds get yanked out of your ears.
- TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO headphones
- Detachable cable
- 3x sets of thick diameter silicone eartips
- 3x sets of thin diameter silicone eartips
- 1x set of foam eartips
- Documentation
- Carrying pouch
- Filters
The TRUTHEAR ZERO's noise isolation performance is acceptable. These IEMs don't have an ANC feature, and their in-ear design means that any isolation is provided passively through the seal they create in your ear canal. They block almost no low-frequency noise, like engine rumbles if you're on the go, but they do a better job of cutting out higher-frequency sounds like office chatter and fridge hum.
These headphones have trouble blocking out the common sounds you'll hear daily. They can't adequately block out sounds like rumbly airplane cabins or busy streets. They also struggle to cut down the sounds of an office, like coworkers talking.
The leakage performance is superb. Most leakage is concentrated in the bass range, meaning audio bleed is full-bodied. That said, the amount of escaping audio is very low, and others won't hear what you're listening to, even if you listen at very high volumes.
These headphones do not come with a companion app. If that's important to you, you'll want to consider the MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK.
These buds come with a detachable braided audio cable. There's no integrated mic, but you can purchase a cable with a mic separately.
These IEMs are compatible with PCs via their AUX cable. There's no mic, though.
These buds only support audio when plugged into your PlayStation controller's AUX port via the included audio cable.
These headphones only support audio when connecting their 1/8" TRS cable to your Xbox console's controller. If you want to send audio in addition to receiving it, you'll have to use an external microphone.