General Info (Packaging/Build/Comfort)
I believe Tanchjim needs no introduction to anyone reading my review? They’re very famous for their Oxygen, a single DD IEM which is considered by most as one of the best single DD iem, I have not had the chance to hear it yet and hopefully one day I will be able to.
Packaging for Zero is quite good considering its asking price. It carries the usual Tanchjim styled packaging with the anime waifu as front cover. You get eartips and the IEM itself and a storage pouch, which is fair for the asking price if you ask me. Nothing to complain about.
Most people should have no issue with the fit for Tanchjim Zero, the nozzle is quite wide and a little short, so you might need to spend some time tip rolling if you’re having issues with the fit/seal. Overall, works well for me and no discomfort throughout the long listening session (3-4 hours in ear).
Source
Macbook Air M2 Apple Music/Tidal -> Tanchjim Zero
Macbook Air M2 Apple Music/Tidal -> iFi iDSD Nano Black Label -> Tanchjim Zero
Tempotec V6 -> Tanchjim Zero
Macbook Air M2 -> Earmen Angel -> Tanchjim Zero
Sound
Zero’s sound signature is leaning towards neutral and it is certainly not for basshead. I am using the stock eartips with narrow bore L sized, had to up size in order to achieve good seal and fit. Note weight is pretty good, however, if you switch the stock eartips to FInal Type E eartips, it has got thicker note weight and slightly meaty low end, also slightly wider soundstage and a little better in instruments separation
Bass
Bass on the Zero is fast and tight, no trouble keeping up in Slipknot’s People = Shit! It never sounded muddy nor bleed into the mids
The bass quantity is definitely lacking but i am not a basshead, so it doesn’t really concern me and it works well with my library (Metal, Rock, Nu Metal, Jazz, etc etc)
Sub bass rumble is there but lacking a little extension, it might not be that suitable for EDM track, something like the bass that’s coming out from a full range speaker without a dedicated subwoofer if you get what i mean
The bass has got good enough texture but i do wish if there’s a little bit more in terms of quantity for the fun factor
Mids
The mids sounded quite lush to my ears, timbre sounds natural to my ears and i’m honestly surprised that this is a 15$ IEM, Tanchjim’s tuning is no doubt doing an excellent job here
Vocal positioning is not too forward nor recessed, just slightly few steps away from your face
Male’s vocal does lack a little texture to my ears, female vocal on the other hand, sounded sweet and has got good texture, Anita Mui’s vocal sounds very sweet and pleasant to listen to
Instruments in this range has got good note weight to it and i have to repeat that this is a 15$ IEM and i’m really surprised in terms of its performance
The lower to upper mids transition is also pretty smooth and there is no noticeable harshness on the upper mids
Treble
The treble response is never harsh yet it has got a good amount of energy to it
The extension is quite good to my ears, plenty of air
Detail retrieval is good enough for this price, anything else will just be nitpicking
Overall the treble on Zero is very pleasant to listen to
Soundstage/Imaging
Soundstage on Zero is good, slightly out of your head, a little lacking in terms of height but good depth
Imaging is surprisingly very good, especially at this price point, i don’t have any issue identifying the instruments and good layering as well
Driveability
Zero is easy to drive but it does benefit from a good source to squeeze out that last few bits of performance
It sounded good straight out from my Macbook Air M2’s audio jack, however when fed with Tempotec’s V6 DAP and iFi iDSD Nano Black Label, it exhibited better control in terms of bass and also slightly bigger soundstage
Doesn’t seem to benefit much from extra amping power
Comparison (KBear Little Q)
Slightly pricier than Zero
It has got more bass quantity compared to Zero but still nowhere near to be classified as basshead IEM
In terms of technicalities, they are more or less on par but the difference is more on the tuning and sound signature, Zero is more on neutral bright while Little Q is slightly warm and fun sounding
Little Q is a bullet styled IEM so it can achieve a slightly deeper insertion, no issue on the comfort, as for Zero, the stock tips doesn’t work for me, but i guess it’s just my ears, so your experience might vary
Which to go for if you ask me? Zero if you’re a purist, Little Q if you prefer your music to be more musical
Final Thoughts
There are several Zeroes in the market currently, namely the Truthear Zero, Salnotes Zero, and this Tanchjim’s Zero, i have reviewed both the Truthear Zero and Salnotes Zero and i like the two of them, the same can be said for Tanchjim’s Zero as well. It looks like it will be my default recommendation for those with tight budgets yet looking for a neutral signature with good technicalities.
*A big thanks to HifiGo for setting me up with the review sample in exchange for this review. All thoughts are of my own and I am in no way under any influence to produce this review.
Head over to the store if you’re interested in getting a pair Tanchjim Zero - Non Affiliated
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