The $55 TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:RED has been a budget reference for more than a year, while the newly released $35 Simgot EW200 already has taken a solid position as an excellent alternative in the lower price ranges.
The Zero:RED utilizes a dual-dynamic driver setup, with a 10mm driver for the bass and a 7.8mm driver for the mids and treble. This is more complex compared to the single driver of the EW200. That doesn’t necessarily make it better; many flagships in the world of IEMs use single dynamic drivers. The two drivers does, however, make the Zero:RED significantly larger than the EW200.
TRUTHEAR x CRINACLE ZERO:RED SPECIFICATIONS
- Two dynamic drivers: a 10mm for the bass and a 7.8mm for the mids and highs.
- Diaphragm: Polyurethane Suspension LCP Liquid Crystal Composite Diaphragm
- Impedance: 17.5 Ω +/- 15% @1KHz
- Sensitivity: 117.5 dB/Vrms @1KHz
- THD: < 1%@ 1khz
- Frequency Response Range: 20-40. 5kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
- Effective Frequency Range: 20-20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
Check the price on Amazon: ZERO:RED
SIMGOT EW200 SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: 10mm Dual-Magnetic Circuit & Dual-Cavity Dynamic Driver
- Diaphragm: Double-Sided Vapor Deposited Silicon Crystal Diaphragm
- Impedance: 16Ω±15% (@1kHz)
- Sensitivity: 126 dB/Vrms (@1kHz)
- Frequency Response Range: 10Hz-50kHz
- Effective Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Earphone Connector: 0.78mm 2-Pin
- Cable: High-purity silver-plated OFC cable
Check current prices here:
LISTENING COMPARISONS
I used the Topping A90 as an amplifier and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source. The RME sounds excellent by itself, but it’s more practical for me to use the Topping. It is worth noting that Zero:RED is less sensitive and needs more volume, but both work well with portable gear.
Jambi by Tool
The EW200 has a excellent bass performance. The midrange and treble are good but not equally great, and the complexity of the track makes it feel a bit rougher than more expensive IEMs. The tonal balance is good.
The Zero:RED sounds somewhat similar, but with less bass presence. It’s a bit flatter and less dynamic sounding.
The Tunnel by Tord Gustavsen Trio
This jazz trio piece sounds very good on the EW200. It has a very nice warmth and great dynamics. All the instruments have their place, and none of them dominate too much.
The Zero:RED sounds good too; it’s nice and spacious. The frequency response isn’t too far away from the EW200, but again, I feel the EW200 sounds more alive and organic.
Some Day My Prince Will Come by Coryell-Coryell-Vitous
With the EW200, the bass is powerful but very well defined, still giving some room to the electric guitar. The sound is warm and slightly lush, with good definition.
The Zero:RED does nothing wrong, but once again, it lacks that small dose of extra glow and organic presence of the EW200.
Black Crow by Cassandra Wilson
This sounds very good on the EW200. There are few IEMs that render this track in such a nicely balanced way. It is really amazing, especially at this price point. The bass has the perfect amount of quantity, and it’s very nicely defined with just the right amount of bloom. The vocals really come true and shine. There is plenty of space between the instruments, and the imaging is excellent.
The Zero:RED sounds very good too. It’s spacious with nice separation. The sound is well balanced, the bass is nicely controlled, and it doesn’t drown out the vocals.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The cajôn drum is perfectly rendered on the EW200. It’s got the punch and body it needs, but it doesn’t dominate the track or camouflage the vocals.
The Zero:RED is very nice. It has slightly less bass, but it’s enough. The vocals are present, but not as organic as with the EW200.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
A very dynamic jazz improv track, and the EW200 doesn’t disappoint with a quite warm, snappy, and punchy delivery.
The Zero:RED sounds very good too, it’s also snappy and spacious.
Bored by Deftones
This metal track can sound bright and harsh with many IEMs, but the EW200 does an excellent job. The bass is not overwhelming but definitely present, the vocals stand out nicely; and the guitars have both crispiness and body.
The Zero:RED also balances this track very nicely, and it’s even smoother than the EW200. There’s enough bass presence; it’s not bright or harsh.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
Also here, the bass is balancing perfectly between two little and too much. It has great definition and allows the vocals to really come through. This track can induce sibilance with certain IEMs, but it’s not a problem with the EW200.
The Zero:RED also sounds nice. The bass has slightly less quantity, but it is well controlled. The vocals are clear and present.
Smile by Pearl Jam
This is another track that can induce sibilance. The EW200 passes the test. The track is very crowded, and it is handled decently, but not with the same ease as significantly more expensive IEMs.
The Zero:RED sounds smoother, which makes this track sound less crowded. Somehow, it separates the main elements and smooths out the rest in a nice way.
Summer 3 – Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Starting with the EW200, the tonality is very nice and appealing. It’s warm and full bodied while retaining crispness. However, it’s an orchestral piece and quite busy. Compared to more expensive IEMs, the EW200 struggles a bit with restraining full control.
The Zero:RED handles the complex parts of this track in a better way, sounding smoother. However, I prefer the timbre of the EW200. It also sounds more energetic.
Young Vivaldi Violin Concerto RV 813 III by Ensemble Modo Antiquo
This is a less busy-sounding classical piece, and the EW200 handles it very nicely. There’s good separation between the instruments with this smaller ensemble. The tonality is very nice, with great timbre.
The Zero:RED sounds good too; it does nothing wrong, but the EW200 has a more organic timbre and a more dynamical presentation.
Limit To Your Love by James Blake
This track is not very busy, but it has an extreme bass. The EW200 handles it well. The vocals are very nicely rendered, with great timbre, and it feels very alive.
The Zero:RED handles the bass at least as well as the EW200 and generally performs well. The EW200 did, however, sound more organic.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The Zero:RED sounds even more neutral than the already quite neutral sounding EW200. The EW200 has slightly more bass presence and a slightly more energetic treble.
Treble
Even though it’s not particularly bright sounding, the treble is more articulate and pronounced with the EW200, and slightly smoother with the Zero:RED.
Midrange
The midrange is nicely pronounced with both earphones, and it’s given a good amount of room. It sounds more organic and alive with the EW200 and somewhat flatter with the Zero:RED.
Bass
The bass is slightly more pronounced with the EW200, but it is nicely rendered with both earphones, with a good balance between warmth and definition.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage is pretty similar on both earphones and typical for IEMs, which means it’s not huge. The imaging is also on par between the two.
Detail, Dynamics and Timbre
When it comes to detail retrieval, they are in the same ballpark, but they render the detail differently. The Zero:RED sounds less energetic and articulate. In other words, there are better microdynamics with the EW200. The flip side of this is that Zero:RED is smoother, which can sometimes be a good thing depending on the track.
Macrodynamics are generally better with the EW200; it offers more dynamic contrast.
With regards to timbre, I find the EW200 to sound more natural and organic. The Zero:RED has a very even but also somewhat flat way of presenting the music. It sounds like it plays safe. That sometimes results in better renditions, but mostly I find the EW200 to feel more musical.
CONCLUSION
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:RED and the Simgot EW200 are two great performers. I find the EW200 to be more engaging, whole the Zero:RED is slightly more neutral. Personally, I prefer the EW200, which is also the less expensive of the two.
Purchase links:
- Amazon: ZERO:RED
- Linsoul: Simgot EW200
- Amazon: Simgot EW200
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