Thanks so much! Probably my favorite planar right now! I use them now while jogging and they work beautifully lol. I’ll have to get a dedicated video out about them because they’re truly great for music
i'm excited for the new Raptgo HBB hook x to come out, curious of they'll replace the original hook x on your wall hack tier list. The finish on the newer edition is bangin
I wanna thank you brother for your videos. I'm from argentina and here economy is pretty tough. I ended up buying the Truthear Crinacle Zero fom USA after two months of indecission and watching videos and I'm so happy with this purchase. Positioning in gaming is excellent. I ended up buying a IFI UNO DAC to use it because the sound was pretty low on the pc jack. It ended up impoving a lot my sound. A great combo... and changed the entire sound experience while gaming and listening to music. Again thank you. I will trust you 100% for recomendations and future purchases.
So glad I found your channel! I was about to get the Hook but my focus is 20% games and 80% music. Now I will probably just go with the Tangzu since it's significantly cheaper and seems better for music. You should definitely create some kind of ranking system that includes all the IEMs you have tested - just give it a simple grade. Keep up the good work!
Yeah pulling the trigger on the truthear crin zero’s - first pair of IEMS for gaming, don’t want to drop $200+ on my first pair for tac shooters. Ty fresh !!
Oh no... the search isn't over XD! ( I'm the guy who didn't like Truthear, btw, and I'll tell you now that I've tried QkzxHbb I'm hardly using them anymore, then I remember that my main FPS is Apex and there Truthear are back...and they always leave me with that unsatisfied feeling in my mouth) Thank you very much indeed as you have skimmed quite a few iems off my list that I should have tried out of my own pocket. In a few days I'll be getting the Aria SE (at a ridiculous price...) and who knows... maybe I should just get the Hook x (or the new Hbb x model), but it has become a personal challenge to find a God-tier gaming iem for cheap (besides I don't want to spend so much money all at once, as there are a lot of interesting mice and mouse pads coming out, you know... puahahahahaha what a great time to be living in) .
I copped the zero's when you first reviewed them and do not regret it... played overwatch 2 and modern warfare 2 and they are amazing. I'm curious to see which IEM's crack the wallhack tierlist from $100-$200
Quality control is quite a bit of problem for IEMs within this range. It's a good reminder to take advantage of the free replacement/ return policy for these IEMs if you guys do notice any defects which I also ran into using the Crinacle Zeros.
the driver for the higher frequency on my right zero died a month after i got it. i requested a free replacement and received it within a week or two. just today the same exact thing happened with the replacement ones they sent me. thats why im watching this video now lol
i got the KQZ x HBB and they are good for gaming , i tried them and i got a wonderful experience with them in music they sound very good with its bass , thank you bro
just finished the video man. definitely upgrading to the crin zero then move on to the raptgo hook x in the future or whatever takes its place then (love its "open back" style). job well done and thank you!
Thanks for all your work man! Helped me a lot. I can't decide which one I will buy ( QKZ x HBB or Truth Zero). And heared about the KZ ZST and ZSN Pro. Couldn't find any videos of you about KZ IEMs. What do you think about those? The ZSN Pro got a relative good mic and costs the same like the QKZ x HBB. Have to mention that I need a mic for gaming.
Great reviews as always. The FIIO FH3 IEMs should be added to the wall hack list. They are an incredible value and sound amazing for gaming and music. Audio queues are also great, but not as good as my 64 Audio U12Ts.
@@TreSwayy I used to use my high end motherboard (Asus Dark Hero VIII) and it worked fine. I now use the Topping E50/L50 combo. I honestly didn't notice much of a difference after upgrading to the Topping setup.
@@killdahoe7729 I haven't tried those. Honestly the bass on the FH3 is great! I think more bass would make it bad for gaming (too much bass can make pinpointing sounds difficult when explosions and other loud sounds are happening at the same time).
suprised a moondrop iem wasnt in that under 50 category. i would like to suggest the moondrop ssr for next time around. other than that, great video and suggestions!
I've been waiting for this video let's goo. The truthear zero is like $36 for me rn is it a big enough improvement over the dioko (valorant)? Also got the qkz to compare it to my salnotes zero (stock and eq) that should be fun.
Great content you've been putting out, man. Are you planning to review any of the topping gear you've been through? Really curious to hear your thoughts on their product lines. Seems like you have tried quiet a spread of their gear but no reviews. Would be great timing with these 11.11 and black friday sales. Trying to figure out if i should go for the e50/l50 or spring for the a90d stack. Keep it up!
E50&L50 would be a good choice. I can assure you, you will not hear the difference between $100 or $3000 DACs, they can only be on paper. Audiophilia is mostly marketing.
So I already have the QKZ HBB's which I do like (Bass can be a bit boomy, great for EDM) as they do have good positional audio, though I wish the sound stage was a tad larger. Are the Truthear Crinacle Zero's worth the upgrade? Also do you have a recommendation on your preferred ear tips? Great video BTW, I appreciate all the work you have been doing for both the IEM and gaming mouse community!
Would you ever consider reviewing the Quarks DSP (USB-C)? I know FR isn't everything but they have an insanely similar frequency response to the Zero for $15.
Soo, I got the Qkz hbb today, initial impressions - cable's a bit filmsy, buds are a bit big so fitting might be issue for some people, for me the fitting is just fine, neither good nor bad.. Now the sound quality regarding listening music is average, my experience with them was similar to my OP bullets, if you're buying these for listening to music, look for some other alternatives.. Now coming to Valorant, everything said in the video is true, they provide good Imaging and mapping for the surroundings, works even better when you're alone on site or lurking.. you can clearly hear the ques around you and easily map your opponent.. while using vandal I also faced the same issues listed in the video, when stacking bomb sites or too much going around you might have trouble locating the enemies or listening to footsteps... To sum things up, this comparison is accurate regarding Qkz Hbb 10/10.. Now my personal observations: For music- 7/10 (look for other music centric IEM's) For Valo- 9/10 Mic quality- 8/10 Stock cable- 6/10 Fitting- 8/10 These were my opinions on these IEM's feel free to try them if you want..
Could you test out some earbud style earphones like the Fiio FF3? Earbuds generally provide a more 'open-back' feeling compared to iems so I wonder how they would perform for gaming.
Hey man, I really appreciate your videos, they’ve helped me a lot. I am currently looking for a dac/amp. Im looking to purchase a raptgo hook-x and was wondering what I can pair it with. Preferably 250$ or below because I’m on a budget. I mainly play valorant and would like to hear your recommendations.
@@FreshReviewsYT thank you again! Your videos have been really helpful and I’m glad I came across your channel as I was searching for IEM’s and audio related stuff that caters to gaming, more so for competitive fps gaming!
Can you do a Just Chatting episode on in game and operating system audio settings for competitive? Like do you use Windows Sonic for surround, Steelseries Sonar, or something else? Is more audio dynamic range better or worse? (e.g. Call of Duty has settings for this)
I use equalizer apo and hesuvi (for virtual surround sound 7.1) I can finally hear on my right despite it's muffled due to hearing disability. But it's better this way because due to my disability, I can't hear on my right ear, hrtf in game on valo and csgo were too low for my right ear. Now it's similar to my left ear. It can hear now but not as good as my left ear due to the software.
Now rocking Truthear ZERO and enjoying it a lot. However i must say that the stock cable on them is absolute garbage. 1.3 Ohm impedance loss just on a cable alone is wild. (for me it is 1.3 Ohm, it may vary but it is bad in any case) Now using them with my KBEAR 8-core cable which definitely makes midtones pop out quite a bit more. I strongly advise buying a good cable to use with ZEROs
I've been waiting for this.. i decided to buy the dunu vulkan after watching the video💪quick question..will they perform just as good plugged into the motherboard? I've no amp..
Hey Fresh, Meze 109 pro just dropped & most reviews strongly recommend it for gaming. Don't know if u gonna give it a try soon? Thx for the reviews bro🙏
haven’t watched this yet but i’m excited . I got the qkz x hbb off your word and they were great , i ended up impulse buying the truthear x zero because I seen them in stock on amazon again a few days after buying the qkz and just got them today, still testing them out in different games. Excited to watch this vid tho, been waiting on it
I am planning to test out the SHP9500 to check on how open back headsets work. For competitive shooter. How does it compare to Truthear Zero in terms of Imaging and soundstage. Should I go straight for Zeros? I've always used IEMs for gaming. Been using Tin T2's
For gaminng KZ ZS 10 PRO are better than KZ ZS 10 PRO X. I just got the 10 pro x hoping it was going to be better that the regular pro's since I accidentally stepped on the IEM and broke it. Now I've got another pair of the regular pro's and at least for gaming (mainly valorant) they are a must. Though Would like to try the Truthear x Crin Zero (the blue one) to see how it goes.
Hey, a question that really interests me and I would appreciate it if you could answer it for me here would be what is your current opinion on the Cerapad KIN? also in comparison to the raiden.
I have the Dunu Vulkans, Raptgo Hook-X, QKZ HBB, Truth Ear Zero (coming lol), and the ZS10 pros and agree with everything said here. However the differences in tonality between the top two i can’t overlook. The Vulkans are without a doubt the best for imaging purposes but are pretty mid for mid me with a broader use case than just competitive gaming. I actually prefer the Hook-X for that tbh, it provides a warmer sound signature but without bloat or muddiness that doesn’t overtake the mids at all. And I love the open back nature of them. The Dunus are really not very comfortable either. Im always trying to jam them into my ears because they constantly want to fall out. I’ve tried many different eartips from azla to spinfits etc. I guess from just the shear weight of them. I wish they were more comfortable then I’d probably enjoy them much more 😂. This is completely subjective though, so if you want a more analytical sounding IEM just go buy the Vulkans. If you prefer more sub bass with less upper treble 16k extension then go buy the Hook-X. I’m also very sensitive to those frequencies, mileage may vary. Definately excited for the Zeros. (ZS10s are trash). Don’t know why that trend ever caught on 😅
@@TOM7952 They are some of the best looking IEM's out there, and they are certainly built like it, Just wish they weren't so heavy in the ears. They are the one pair I have that just doesn't stay put in ear unfortunately.
To jump on this thread, I play a lot of Rainbow Six Siege and wonder whether an HD800s is significantly better in a game that doesn't have large distances (Battlefield, for instance) or a Dunu Vulkan? Is an open-back better than an IEM in a game that needs superb imaging in smaller corridors and such (especially vertically)?
@@nanobreaker you wouldn’t benefit from a broader soundstage in a game like rainbow six, you really want a tight but not narrow soundstage so you’re not hearing unnecessary sounds unless you like immersive singleplayer games. If you’re paying over 1k for headphones , by they for the imaging and separation not the soundstage
Great video has always! Ordered the zero's and the qkz's has my first iem's for gaming. Can't wait to try them I usually game with open back headphones. What makes you prefer iem's over open back headphones for gaming? Are there any good budget open back iem's for gaming? Thanks for the amazing and very informative reviews!
I really enjoy IEMs because there are so many options to choose from to pick a tuning that really suits what you enjoy for gaming and music. If you love open back headphones you might really love the raptgo hook x. I like IEMs right now because I don’t have the bulk of headphones on my head etc.
@@FreshReviewsYT I prefer open because of the better soundstage and because I need to be able to ear my daughter if she wakes up in the middle of the night. I have seen your review of the raptgo hook, but for that price I think I rather buy some good open back headphones like the DT900 ProX's. Do you know any budget option for open back IEM's?
do we need to have an amp to maximize its potential or you can just use it out of the box and do very well in games? solid video btw, liked the video too
Hey, great review, and you've earned a subscriber! I wrote this in a reply, but I wanted your direct take. I play a lot of Rainbow Six Siege and wonder whether an HD800s is significantly better in a game that doesn't have large distances (Battlefield, for instance) or a Dunu Vulkan? Is an open-back better than an IEM in a game that needs superb imaging in smaller corridors and such (especially vertically)?
I wouldn’t say it’s substantially better. I do think the 800s will provide more spatial imaging, but the sound cues from the vulkan will be very strong and provide a comparable competitive experience. 800s would take the cake in most games for sure, but for more money and it’s just a different experience overall. Do you want something on your head or in your ears for instance. But IEMs, surprising to me, have really come a looooong way.
@@FreshReviewsYT Any chance you’ll be reviewing the ThieAudio Clairvoyance and the ThieAudio Monarch? Curious to know how much better, similar, or worse those are for competitive fps games with a need for games such as an R6.
QKZ X HBB is the best by far, right? cuz it costs 20$ and the Truthear Crinacle Zero who is almost double the price (currently it's listed as 55$) soo i would pick QKZ X HBB if u're a casual gamer or even a pro but has a low budget
Same thoughts here. And i have KSC75 right now and don't know how they compare to HBB. There are a lot of people on youtube talking that IEMs are much better for gaming, iem is life, so i got curious. But i don't want to spend more money than on HBB just to find it out
@@SaladHate same, i didn't like that much iem, i mean, dont get me wrong, It is good, but after long sessions (i mostly play games/programming, sooo i spent a lot of time on PC) they start to feel a lil bit boring/bad, i stick with my headset and actually bought an hyperx, but sometimes for gaming i use them (HBB) but when i know i'll be on PC for like 8, 10, 14 hours theres no shot, 100% an headphone with good earpads
What is your opinion on the IEM tips? Do you think the tip material (silicone or foam) can alter the sound and the confort? Which ones do you use? Thanks
Would you consider reviewing the Steelseries Arctis Nova pro Wireless? Almost everyone says that they have superb imaging in fps games. Would be interested in your take.
Awesome video as usual. Love the in depth reviews. I've got a pair of t2 pros that I got from drop when they were pretty heavily discounted. I don't have any complaints other than comfort, they stick out a lot and I'm not really one for rubber tipped IEMs. I often find myself just going back to my HD58X's. Which other than a less than ideal headband, I find them great for gaming. Also curious if you've played any Overwatch 2 yet, any thoughts on it? It's now took second place from Val in my rankings, but hasn't took Apex's top spot for me.
One thing i find that is misleading is that the people using these specialty IEM's dont just plug it into their computer and play. They seem to use things like Apple dongle (which is just a headphone jack to USB-C adapter, also known as a DAC), Amps, soundcards, etc etc. This video seems aimed at budget, so most likely someone just getting into the hobby that doesnt want to spend much. So they buy the Truthear Crinacle whatever, plug them in, and wonder, "wtf these sound so low and weak???", Yeah, because you need a bunch of other accessories to go along with it.
Not a fan of the original zero, the bass is strange like it’s a subwoofer far away. Red does a much better job now. Also sounds correct for music and entertainment. Blue sounded kinda dark or bloated yet shouty.
I would love a video comparing your thoughts on headsets vs iems and which one you would prefer for competitive gaming. Love your videos. Keep up the good work!!!
You should specify fps gaming instead of just gaming because you only ever talk about fps games when there’s games out there with amazing sound tracks that people would benefit knowing which IEMs are good for them. Other than that, good videos
Do you find the Crinacle Zero kinda quiet? I moved over from the ZS10 Pros to the Zero from your reviews, but my zs10s are way louder than the Zero, which I find odd since supposedly the impedance is lower on the zero. Should I get a DAC?
I am currently using S12 for Valorant and it was pretty decent. I just ordered the Raptgo Hook X and wanted to now how big of a difference ingame is it compare to the S12
Imo it’s massive. Especially in those intense scenarios or scenarios where people are above or below. You’ll notice a big difference with depth perception also. Let me know what you think!
Great video as always, thanks! I would really love a deep dive into Final Audio line of IEMs, in particular the VR3000 vs A4000, for gaming related purposes. I know most IEMs are made for music, and only a select few are engineered for gaming in mind, such as the VR3000. The Japanese company Final Audio does research for decades into binaural spatial audio and I heard the VR3000 is especially good in that regard and houses a gigantic soundstage and superb imaging, sound and tonality aside. I wonder if you have had the chance to look into them. I know you said in your video that you do not like the highs, and that they are quite thrill or sibilant, but I know it's easily fixable with some EQ or AMP & DAC, I am particularly interested in their soundstage and imaging vs other IEMs for gaming.
@@FreshReviewsYT Oh, well...that's too bad. To be fair, Final Audio has little to no marketing whatsoever, unlike say, Moondrop with their insane anime waifu marketing and weeb word-of-mouth hype, lol. I think what Final Audio get are the testimonials from users. If you don't do serious research, you wouldn't even land on their products. I just bought Truthear x Crin Zero today. Feels good.
@@FreshReviewsYT holy shit I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought they were total ass. Bought some because everyone on Reddit praised the great soundstage and imaging. Hated them. Thought I was crazy or something.
What is your recommendation for competitive valorant and CSGO under $200? Going through your tier lists I'm trying to gauge the best for my use case. 🙏 Thanks!
We appreciate the review! We're glad you liked our TangZu Zetian Wu! Looking forward for your future reviews of our IEMS! 😃
Thanks so much! Probably my favorite planar right now! I use them now while jogging and they work beautifully lol. I’ll have to get a dedicated video out about them because they’re truly great for music
Been waiting for this comparison before pulling the trigger on the truthear x crinacle zero. Thank you.
same here but i might just bite the bullet if the raptgo hook x gets a good deal on linsoul sale on the 11th
Thank you for the help, i was wondering between zs10 and the truthear and your made the decision much more clear. Love.
i'm excited for the new Raptgo HBB hook x to come out, curious of they'll replace the original hook x on your wall hack tier list. The finish on the newer edition is bangin
I have a pair coming =D
@@FreshReviewsYT absolutely lit
@@FreshReviewsYT damn bro, what don't you have? lol 😅👍
I wanna thank you brother for your videos. I'm from argentina and here economy is pretty tough. I ended up buying the Truthear Crinacle Zero fom USA after two months of indecission and watching videos and I'm so happy with this purchase. Positioning in gaming is excellent. I ended up buying a IFI UNO DAC to use it because the sound was pretty low on the pc jack. It ended up impoving a lot my sound. A great combo... and changed the entire sound experience while gaming and listening to music.
Again thank you. I will trust you 100% for recomendations and future purchases.
So glad I found your channel! I was about to get the Hook but my focus is 20% games and 80% music. Now I will probably just go with the Tangzu since it's significantly cheaper and seems better for music. You should definitely create some kind of ranking system that includes all the IEMs you have tested - just give it a simple grade. Keep up the good work!
Ty!
The truthears are a stunning value for $50, great choice for the under $200 segment. 🤝
❤️
Yeah pulling the trigger on the truthear crin zero’s - first pair of IEMS for gaming, don’t want to drop $200+ on my first pair for tac shooters. Ty fresh !!
I recommend you to change the thumbnail to a photo of an IEM with a nice background, instead of just plugging a 3.5mm cable.
lol
TH-cam thumbnail police 🚨🚓
Let's see you do better then
No
Oh no... the search isn't over XD! ( I'm the guy who didn't like Truthear, btw, and I'll tell you now that I've tried QkzxHbb I'm hardly using them anymore, then I remember that my main FPS is Apex and there Truthear are back...and they always leave me with that unsatisfied feeling in my mouth) Thank you very much indeed as you have skimmed quite a few iems off my list that I should have tried out of my own pocket. In a few days I'll be getting the Aria SE (at a ridiculous price...) and who knows... maybe I should just get the Hook x (or the new Hbb x model), but it has become a personal challenge to find a God-tier gaming iem for cheap (besides I don't want to spend so much money all at once, as there are a lot of interesting mice and mouse pads coming out, you know... puahahahahaha what a great time to be living in) .
So many goodies to test and so little time
I copped the zero's when you first reviewed them and do not regret it... played overwatch 2 and modern warfare 2 and they are amazing. I'm curious to see which IEM's crack the wallhack tierlist from $100-$200
Do you use ampdac with it?
@@fabuloustheking2753 no I have it plugged into my audio interface
Quality control is quite a bit of problem for IEMs within this range. It's a good reminder to take advantage of the free replacement/ return policy for these IEMs if you guys do notice any defects which I also ran into using the Crinacle Zeros.
the driver for the higher frequency on my right zero died a month after i got it. i requested a free replacement and received it within a week or two. just today the same exact thing happened with the replacement ones they sent me. thats why im watching this video now lol
@@krypt what did you decide to replace them with?
true, fortunate enough i didnt had to with mine
i got the KQZ x HBB and they are good for gaming , i tried them and i got a wonderful experience with them
in music they sound very good with its bass , thank you bro
just finished the video man. definitely upgrading to the crin zero then move on to the raptgo hook x in the future or whatever takes its place then (love its "open back" style). job well done and thank you!
Ty!!
The rapgo hook has a new blue 💙 version with upgraded components and tuning.
Wait for reviews of that one before jumping in.
@@8020Alive niceeee! hope they also release a red one in the future lol
Bought Crin Zero with your links, watched about a thousand reviews of headphones and IEM this week but I'm finally done, thanks bud
Enjoy!
I would be interested how you'd rate the Olina SE. Also thank you for this great review
I’ve tried a couple of iems and apple earbuds but I always come back to the AKGs that came with my Samsung phone lol
Thanks for all your work man! Helped me a lot. I can't decide which one I will buy ( QKZ x HBB or Truth Zero). And heared about the KZ ZST and ZSN Pro. Couldn't find any videos of you about KZ IEMs. What do you think about those? The ZSN Pro got a relative good mic and costs the same like the QKZ x HBB.
Have to mention that I need a mic for gaming.
just bought the te0 for $35, thanks for the reviews again, will be watching your mousepad vids now 👀
Do you think you could do a vid on aftermarket cable and 3rd party ear tip (Silicone/foam/hybrid/etc) recommendations?
Great reviews as always. The FIIO FH3 IEMs should be added to the wall hack list. They are an incredible value and sound amazing for gaming and music. Audio queues are also great, but not as good as my 64 Audio U12Ts.
What about the FHE Eclipse? Its a bass boosted FH3
what do you use to drive those? (the 64 Audio U12Ts)
@@TreSwayy I used to use my high end motherboard (Asus Dark Hero VIII) and it worked fine. I now use the Topping E50/L50 combo. I honestly didn't notice much of a difference after upgrading to the Topping setup.
@@killdahoe7729 I haven't tried those. Honestly the bass on the FH3 is great! I think more bass would make it bad for gaming (too much bass can make pinpointing sounds difficult when explosions and other loud sounds are happening at the same time).
Thanks for recommending the Raptgo Hook X, loving these things to death in game and music surprisingly
Enjoy!!!
suprised a moondrop iem wasnt in that under 50 category. i would like to suggest the moondrop ssr for next time around.
other than that, great video and suggestions!
Idk if they're good for gaming nessesarily... I have the ssp's and they have terrible imaging for gaming
@@Pikachu123OP +1 - they are tuned towards smooth comfortable listening vs object isolation. Kevo is correct.
Thank you for the video. Almost bought the kz zs10 pro's before I saw this.
Glad I could help
My question: is the truthear hexa better in wallhacks than the zero?
Because the zero is more affordable for me
If you love the Hook-X, I wonder if you'll love the Hook-X HBB collab since I know you really like the HBB collabs so far
I've been waiting for this video let's goo. The truthear zero is like $36 for me rn is it a big enough improvement over the dioko (valorant)?
Also got the qkz to compare it to my salnotes zero (stock and eq) that should be fun.
i think it is yea! it will be a nice upgrade for gaming
How they compared to each other, the 7hz zero and Qkz x Hbb, are mids muddy in Qkz x Hbb?
@luis_lantano how did the comparison go?
i want to buy the truthear zero but they are not available in my country. went for the qkz hbb instead
I'll miss the wooden countertop. New one looks good too tho.
Great content you've been putting out, man. Are you planning to review any of the topping gear you've been through? Really curious to hear your thoughts on their product lines. Seems like you have tried quiet a spread of their gear but no reviews. Would be great timing with these 11.11 and black friday sales. Trying to figure out if i should go for the e50/l50 or spring for the a90d stack. Keep it up!
E50&L50 would be a good choice. I can assure you, you will not hear the difference between $100 or $3000 DACs, they can only be on paper. Audiophilia is mostly marketing.
been testing out the Tanchjim OLA Bass version for gaming. I think it's a steal for $50. might slightly prefer them over the Crinacle Zero.
What about Tin T3 Plus Fresh?Will you do review of that?
bought the rapto go hook-x, they're on sale now because of 11.11 so got them for $200 instead of $240
Huge
How are you liking the Dunu SA6 Ultras? I must say, I am a bit obsessed with mine. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
So far so good!
Can you review the Salnotes Zero
So I already have the QKZ HBB's which I do like (Bass can be a bit boomy, great for EDM) as they do have good positional audio, though I wish the sound stage was a tad larger. Are the Truthear Crinacle Zero's worth the upgrade? Also do you have a recommendation on your preferred ear tips? Great video BTW, I appreciate all the work you have been doing for both the IEM and gaming mouse community!
I actually liked the default tips on both, but my go to third party tips are the azla sednaearfits
@@FreshReviewsYT how about the moondrop spring ear tips? Are they good? Had moondrop chu and was wondering if i could just reuse their ear tips.
Would you ever consider reviewing the Quarks DSP (USB-C)? I know FR isn't everything but they have an insanely similar frequency response to the Zero for $15.
Soo, I got the Qkz hbb today, initial impressions - cable's a bit filmsy, buds are a bit big so fitting might be issue for some people, for me the fitting is just fine, neither good nor bad.. Now the sound quality regarding listening music is average, my experience with them was similar to my OP bullets, if you're buying these for listening to music, look for some other alternatives.. Now coming to Valorant, everything said in the video is true, they provide good Imaging and mapping for the surroundings, works even better when you're alone on site or lurking.. you can clearly hear the ques around you and easily map your opponent.. while using vandal I also faced the same issues listed in the video, when stacking bomb sites or too much going around you might have trouble locating the enemies or listening to footsteps... To sum things up, this comparison is accurate regarding Qkz Hbb 10/10..
Now my personal observations:
For music- 7/10 (look for other music centric IEM's)
For Valo- 9/10
Mic quality- 8/10
Stock cable- 6/10
Fitting- 8/10
These were my opinions on these IEM's feel free to try them if you want..
Agreed re: Music. For the price point fantastic though
@@FreshReviewsYT yep, satisfied with the product..
Could you test out some earbud style earphones like the Fiio FF3? Earbuds generally provide a more 'open-back' feeling compared to iems so I wonder how they would perform for gaming.
Awesome! Now we only need budget headphones and mice ultimate battle!😁
Hey man, I really appreciate your videos, they’ve helped me a lot. I am currently looking for a dac/amp. Im looking to purchase a raptgo hook-x and was wondering what I can pair it with. Preferably 250$ or below because I’m on a budget. I mainly play valorant and would like to hear your recommendations.
I have the Zen dac/amp v2. He even has a video on it and i love it. I'm running exactly the combo you talk about
Dx3 pro+ would work wonders
@@anthrazeno1126 thanks man, will check that out!
@@FreshReviewsYT thank you again! Your videos have been really helpful and I’m glad I came across your channel as I was searching for IEM’s and audio related stuff that caters to gaming, more so for competitive fps gaming!
Those IEMs are more Worth to buy even for gaming, than buying earphones with gaming gimicks
For sure
Can you do a Just Chatting episode on in game and operating system audio settings for competitive?
Like do you use Windows Sonic for surround, Steelseries Sonar, or something else?
Is more audio dynamic range better or worse? (e.g. Call of Duty has settings for this)
I use equalizer apo and hesuvi (for virtual surround sound 7.1) I can finally hear on my right despite it's muffled due to hearing disability. But it's better this way because due to my disability, I can't hear on my right ear, hrtf in game on valo and csgo were too low for my right ear. Now it's similar to my left ear. It can hear now but not as good as my left ear due to the software.
What about the tanchjim OLA? How does it rank against these iems?
I’d say the qkz and truthear surpass it by quite a bit
Now rocking Truthear ZERO and enjoying it a lot.
However i must say that the stock cable on them is absolute garbage. 1.3 Ohm impedance loss just on a cable alone is wild. (for me it is 1.3 Ohm, it may vary but it is bad in any case)
Now using them with my KBEAR 8-core cable which definitely makes midtones pop out quite a bit more.
I strongly advise buying a good cable to use with ZEROs
I've been waiting for this.. i decided to buy the dunu vulkan after watching the video💪quick question..will they perform just as good plugged into the motherboard? I've no amp..
It would be better with a dac/amp. You could look at the dx1 or dx3 pro+
@@FreshReviewsYT thanks for the reply, I'll have a look at those recommendations. Thank you
Hey Fresh, Meze 109 pro just dropped & most reviews strongly recommend it for gaming. Don't know if u gonna give it a try soon?
Thx for the reviews bro🙏
haven’t watched this yet but i’m excited . I got the qkz x hbb off your word and they were great , i ended up impulse buying the truthear x zero because I seen them in stock on amazon again a few days after buying the qkz and just got them today, still testing them out in different games. Excited to watch this vid tho, been waiting on it
after watching the video it seems like i made a good decision
😂
how's the qkz x hbb on valorant?
what is the white thing above his mouse? looks pretty nice
I am planning to test out the SHP9500 to check on how open back headsets work. For competitive shooter. How does it compare to Truthear Zero in terms of Imaging and soundstage. Should I go straight for Zeros?
I've always used IEMs for gaming. Been using Tin T2's
Which has bigger soundstage in gaming - the 900pro x or the 1990 ?
For gaminng KZ ZS 10 PRO are better than KZ ZS 10 PRO X. I just got the 10 pro x hoping it was going to be better that the regular pro's since I accidentally stepped on the IEM and broke it. Now I've got another pair of the regular pro's and at least for gaming (mainly valorant) they are a must. Though Would like to try the Truthear x Crin Zero (the blue one) to see how it goes.
theres COD Warzone that has a lot of sound cues and audio language; might be a good test
Hey, a question that really interests me and I would appreciate it if you could answer it for me here would be what is your current opinion on the Cerapad KIN? also in comparison to the raiden.
I have the Dunu Vulkans, Raptgo Hook-X, QKZ HBB, Truth Ear Zero (coming lol), and the ZS10 pros and agree with everything said here. However the differences in tonality between the top two i can’t overlook. The Vulkans are without a doubt the best for imaging purposes but are pretty mid for mid me with a broader use case than just competitive gaming. I actually prefer the Hook-X for that tbh, it provides a warmer sound signature but without bloat or muddiness that doesn’t overtake the mids at all. And I love the open back nature of them. The Dunus are really not very comfortable either. Im always trying to jam them into my ears because they constantly want to fall out. I’ve tried many different eartips from azla to spinfits etc. I guess from just the shear weight of them. I wish they were more comfortable then I’d probably enjoy them much more 😂. This is completely subjective though, so if you want a more analytical sounding IEM just go buy the Vulkans. If you prefer more sub bass with less upper treble 16k extension then go buy the Hook-X. I’m also very sensitive to those frequencies, mileage may vary. Definately excited for the Zeros. (ZS10s are trash). Don’t know why that trend ever caught on 😅
Agreed lololol
The Vulkan is fucking gigantic lol. I love the look though.
@@TOM7952 They are some of the best looking IEM's out there, and they are certainly built like it, Just wish they weren't so heavy in the ears. They are the one pair I have that just doesn't stay put in ear unfortunately.
To jump on this thread, I play a lot of Rainbow Six Siege and wonder whether an HD800s is significantly better in a game that doesn't have large distances (Battlefield, for instance) or a Dunu Vulkan?
Is an open-back better than an IEM in a game that needs superb imaging in smaller corridors and such (especially vertically)?
@@nanobreaker you wouldn’t benefit from a broader soundstage in a game like rainbow six, you really want a tight but not narrow soundstage so you’re not hearing unnecessary sounds unless you like immersive singleplayer games. If you’re paying over 1k for headphones , by they for the imaging and separation not the soundstage
Any chance you got to test the new Truthears Hexa to compare to the Truthear x Crin Zero before I pull the trigger on the Zero? Thanks :D
Possibly!
@@FreshReviewsYT looking forward to it, thanks a lot and love your content. I was really looking for a competitive POV on IEM
any updated list? mainly looking for good imaging (vertical is important) since I mainly play flight games
My spreadsheet can be found in my most recent video
Thanks, been waiting for this video!
Finally the video is here
so maybe i need more than 1 lol. great video fresh!
Great video has always!
Ordered the zero's and the qkz's has my first iem's for gaming.
Can't wait to try them
I usually game with open back headphones.
What makes you prefer iem's over open back headphones for gaming?
Are there any good budget open back iem's for gaming?
Thanks for the amazing and very informative reviews!
I really enjoy IEMs because there are so many options to choose from to pick a tuning that really suits what you enjoy for gaming and music. If you love open back headphones you might really love the raptgo hook x. I like IEMs right now because I don’t have the bulk of headphones on my head etc.
@@FreshReviewsYT I prefer open because of the better soundstage and because I need to be able to ear my daughter if she wakes up in the middle of the night.
I have seen your review of the raptgo hook, but for that price I think I rather buy some good open back headphones like the DT900 ProX's.
Do you know any budget option for open back IEM's?
@@Patife_PT no, only the raptgo and they’re worth it.
Plz after testing them, is the bass too much that u cant position the enemy?
Nice video friend. Do they apply to Cs2? Thanks.
All my recs do apply
About time for this video! Solid video as always.
do we need to have an amp to maximize its potential or you can just use it out of the box and do very well in games? solid video btw, liked the video too
Imo it really depends on how good your onboard audio is. I personally think good amp dacs far surpass onboard audio
Hey as this video is 8 months old and truthear hola is out what will be your recommendation for games like csgo/valorant in this budget
BOJI I LOVE UR WALLPAPER
Hey, great review, and you've earned a subscriber!
I wrote this in a reply, but I wanted your direct take. I play a lot of Rainbow Six Siege and wonder whether an HD800s is significantly better in a game that doesn't have large distances (Battlefield, for instance) or a Dunu Vulkan?
Is an open-back better than an IEM in a game that needs superb imaging in smaller corridors and such (especially vertically)?
I wouldn’t say it’s substantially better. I do think the 800s will provide more spatial imaging, but the sound cues from the vulkan will be very strong and provide a comparable competitive experience. 800s would take the cake in most games for sure, but for more money and it’s just a different experience overall. Do you want something on your head or in your ears for instance. But IEMs, surprising to me, have really come a looooong way.
@@FreshReviewsYT Any chance you’ll be reviewing the ThieAudio Clairvoyance and the ThieAudio Monarch? Curious to know how much better, similar, or worse those are for competitive fps games with a need for games such as an R6.
QKZ X HBB is the best by far, right? cuz it costs 20$ and the Truthear Crinacle Zero who is almost double the price (currently it's listed as 55$) soo i would pick QKZ X HBB if u're a casual gamer or even a pro but has a low budget
Same thoughts here. And i have KSC75 right now and don't know how they compare to HBB. There are a lot of people on youtube talking that IEMs are much better for gaming, iem is life, so i got curious. But i don't want to spend more money than on HBB just to find it out
@@SaladHate same, i didn't like that much iem, i mean, dont get me wrong, It is good, but after long sessions (i mostly play games/programming, sooo i spent a lot of time on PC) they start to feel a lil bit boring/bad, i stick with my headset and actually bought an hyperx, but sometimes for gaming i use them (HBB) but when i know i'll be on PC for like 8, 10, 14 hours theres no shot, 100% an headphone with good earpads
What is your opinion on the IEM tips?
Do you think the tip material (silicone or foam) can alter the sound and the confort?
Which ones do you use?
Thanks
Hey there, thanks for reviewing. I wanted to know whether the Salnotes Zero is better than the Zero 2 in terms of gaming, I play Valorant mainly.
It is not.
Would you consider reviewing the Steelseries Arctis Nova pro Wireless? Almost everyone says that they have superb imaging in fps games. Would be interested in your take.
Just bought the Crinacle zero thanks to you
Enjoy
@@FreshReviewsYT will do :D fave review channel this year dude
Truthear will be releasing HEXA soon, its the OG blessing 2 tuning on a budget. You plannin on reviewing that set?
Maybe’
Hello, great video as a gamer, what about Moondrop Aria or DUNU Titan S?
Don’t like the aria. Haven’t tried the Titan.
What about the KZ castor?
Awesome video as usual. Love the in depth reviews. I've got a pair of t2 pros that I got from drop when they were pretty heavily discounted. I don't have any complaints other than comfort, they stick out a lot and I'm not really one for rubber tipped IEMs. I often find myself just going back to my HD58X's. Which other than a less than ideal headband, I find them great for gaming.
Also curious if you've played any Overwatch 2 yet, any thoughts on it? It's now took second place from Val in my rankings, but hasn't took Apex's top spot for me.
OW is fun for me! I don't think I can main it though
@@FreshReviewsYT Same here, lots of fun but it can be kind of overwhelming and repetitive after a while.
One thing i find that is misleading is that the people using these specialty IEM's dont just plug it into their computer and play. They seem to use things like Apple dongle (which is just a headphone jack to USB-C adapter, also known as a DAC), Amps, soundcards, etc etc. This video seems aimed at budget, so most likely someone just getting into the hobby that doesnt want to spend much. So they buy the Truthear Crinacle whatever, plug them in, and wonder, "wtf these sound so low and weak???", Yeah, because you need a bunch of other accessories to go along with it.
Not a fan of the original zero, the bass is strange like it’s a subwoofer far away. Red does a much better job now. Also sounds correct for music and entertainment. Blue sounded kinda dark or bloated yet shouty.
I would love a video comparing your thoughts on headsets vs iems and which one you would prefer for competitive gaming. Love your videos. Keep up the good work!!!
bro please take a review on logitech g333 or asus rog cetra ii - these are gaming headphones, how they sound in games)
Hey, bro. Is there new a IEM that dethroned the OG Truthear x Crin: Zero in $50 bracket for competitive gaming?
Negative not yet
@@FreshReviewsYT Thanks, bro! Ama grab this pair tomorrow on 11/11 sale lol. Subbed!
You should specify fps gaming instead of just gaming because you only ever talk about fps games when there’s games out there with amazing sound tracks that people would benefit knowing which IEMs are good for them. Other than that, good videos
Hi, Which one will you recommend for games like valorant and apex between Kz zs10 pro vs Simgot ew200 vs Truthear zero blue?
With the new Kz Castor and Qkz Hbb which one do you prefer for games and music..
What about the new Tangzu wan'er?
It's not for gaming
Do you find the Crinacle Zero kinda quiet? I moved over from the ZS10 Pros to the Zero from your reviews, but my zs10s are way louder than the Zero, which I find odd since supposedly the impedance is lower on the zero. Should I get a DAC?
They’re not low for me. I use an amp dac
Same here. My on-ear headphones Hyperx Cloud Revolver sounds much louder at 100% volume than Crinacle Zero. I think i need to replace stock cable.
For Dedicated Competitive gaming Which IEM is the best to choose from these two?
QKZxHBB vs Tangzu Wan'er SG ?
11-11 sale is going on right now so many of these are discounted
Hi Fresh! would you recommend the kz castor over QKZ X HBB for gaming?
Hey man, what about moondrop chu ii, is recommended for valorant ?
Hey Fresh! Do you have an additions to the headphone wall hack tier list?!
Nothing regarding headphones 🎧
@@FreshReviewsYT the disappointment lol just kidding. I flip flop between IEMs and headphones. Just curious if you had any other recommendations 🤷🏻♂️
As I'm on very limited budget and want to try out iems for the first time, Moondrop Chu or Qkz x HBB , which one will be good for gaming?
Hbb
I am currently using S12 for Valorant and it was pretty decent. I just ordered the Raptgo Hook X and wanted to now how big of a difference ingame is it compare to the S12
Imo it’s massive. Especially in those intense scenarios or scenarios where people are above or below. You’ll notice a big difference with depth perception also. Let me know what you think!
keyboard?
Great review and comment. Thank you for your hard work and enlightening us...
Great video as always, thanks!
I would really love a deep dive into Final Audio line of IEMs, in particular the VR3000 vs A4000, for gaming related purposes.
I know most IEMs are made for music, and only a select few are engineered for gaming in mind, such as the VR3000. The Japanese company Final Audio does research for decades into binaural spatial audio and I heard the VR3000 is especially good in that regard and houses a gigantic soundstage and superb imaging, sound and tonality aside. I wonder if you have had the chance to look into them. I know you said in your video that you do not like the highs, and that they are quite thrill or sibilant, but I know it's easily fixable with some EQ or AMP & DAC, I am particularly interested in their soundstage and imaging vs other IEMs for gaming.
The vr3000 is awful. All marketing hype and nonsense hehe
@@FreshReviewsYT Oh, well...that's too bad.
To be fair, Final Audio has little to no marketing whatsoever, unlike say, Moondrop with their insane anime waifu marketing and weeb word-of-mouth hype, lol. I think what Final Audio get are the testimonials from users. If you don't do serious research, you wouldn't even land on their products.
I just bought Truthear x Crin Zero today. Feels good.
@@FreshReviewsYT holy shit I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought they were total ass.
Bought some because everyone on Reddit praised the great soundstage and imaging. Hated them. Thought I was crazy or something.
Linsoul TANGZU x HBB XuanNv are they good for CS2?
Bro can i get the link to that exact mouse pad, the one I'm finding don't have the same black to white ratio
What is your recommendation for competitive valorant and CSGO under $200? Going through your tier lists I'm trying to gauge the best for my use case. 🙏 Thanks!
Dunu kima for tacs, raptgo hook x if you can jump up
Have u tried tangzu wanner sg? Did it good for gaming ( especially valorant)?