We’ve gone through all kinds of trends so far in chifi, and this Truthear Zero is the last example of it. Contrary to all Zero iems before it, it comes with multiple eartips and a foam tip as well. Let’s see its detailed first impressions or mini review which are exclusive to our website.
Source
The iPad Pro, Apple Music, and 50/100 sound level are used to provide initial impressions. Narrow M tips are used.
Sound
Timbre is dark and balanced in Limehouse Blues, with a glimpse of warmth. 3D imaging is nice. Extensions are fantastic. It’s good to see the value of extensions being considered. HOWEVER this volume level is clearly not enough for it. I don’t know why (drivers, silly) but 100/100 isn’t hurting either. This is a solid example of its power need. It won’t be a problem at all since the review will be performed with dx300 as the source. The bass performance is faithful to the record too.
Feel Good INC is helping it show its low end capacity. The bass is punchy and the clarity is high. Albarn’s vocal tonality is just what he was looking like. The clarity through all the track is high like 80/100.
Last Garrison is screamin’ fun and there is no space for vocals in its mix. The synthesizer I exalt (well, you have to hear the synthesizer line in Enter Shikari) is somehow hard to hear. And it looks like it’s squeezing the soundstage IN. This compressed feeling might be because of its lack of soundstage height.
The Electro Suite has the sub bass we expect, although the recording doesn’t have bass that is diving down. You feel their weight. And with the help of high clarity, you can hear the whispers below. The drum’s treble surfaces are easy to hear as well. But sadly, not shaking bass with narrow bore eartips. But the last bass drum line can be tactile if the right conditions are proven.
Slipshod is its BASSIEST moment so far. It’s punchy and you can feel it, but they aren’t bleeding. You only have what its dark timbre and low ceiling in the soundstage bring. And two heads arguing is clear.
Skrillex’s (Scary Monsters) is an excellent example of its bass limit too. The thunderous and shaking (vibrating) bass is here, even in a simple ipad Apple Music recording. Other effects aren’t sacrificed to the bass either.
<Now the exception card is shown here. I am rolling to wide bore tips and want to see the change.> The bass became more impressive! And the overall sound is a little bit tightened up.
The Hobbit of Blind Guardian is another example of its bass control and the comfort it brings. Hans K.’s vocal isn’t that disturbing and distorsions aren’t resulting in muddy sound in power metal. Their back vocals are well separated from the front line, and guitar licks/change of tones plus solos are easily heard in this nostalgic song.
Truthear Zero Mini Review Conclusions
Although dx300, gaming and maybe comparisons and cable change are reserved for its complete review, I have to say that I am satisfied with the performance it brings to the table. Kudos for Truthear.
PS: We all acknowledge that eartips change the sound you hear. But witnessing a true display of potential with only some mm wider eartips is fascinating