The BIGGEST RIP-OFF in IEM History

o father, where be the king's robes?
Ad read sponsored by linsoul.com
~~~
PATREON: / crinacle
TWITTER: / crinacle
DISCORD: / discord
SUBREDDIT: / inearfidelity
HOODIE: merch.crinacle.com
~~~
00:00 Intro
01:27 The Emperor's New Clothes
02:59 What are "Balanced Armatures"?
03:43 The Quirks of the Prelude
04:24 Driver placement
06:02 Driver... angle?
06:49 Off-the-shelf drivers
07:55 The Reviews
11:36 Reviewer Curation
13:11 The Levels of "Overpriced"
14:53 Interviewing FatFreq
15:29 How much does it cost to make a single-BA custom IEM?
15:56 How much does the typical BA driver cost?
16:07 What is the typical pricing for a single-BA custom IEM?
16:20 Would you charge $1,000+ for that?
16:42 Any benefit to using just a single BA driver?
17:18 Where is Warbler now?
~~~
A CAM: Sony a7 III + FE 35mm f/1.8
B CAM: Sony a7S III + FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
MIC: Sony UWP-D27

[@shyamkrishnansuresh7283]

We definitely need a story time about the scams in the audio world

[@VQR420]

I'd love a vid on the Furutech wall outlet plug covers, or how BS the Chord M-Scaler is. I can imagine Crin suffering a major heart attack from them.

[@XiaOmegaX]

He'd be sitting there for years.

[@SusanIvanova2257]

You could make that a weekly fixture and have content for years...

[@extremeloader7471]

YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@new1412]

@@scorpioassmodeusgtx1811 This is new to me. I'm not into the dac/amp but have heard of dragonfly for years. Never thought it was gonna be like that.

[@ram3n515]

That campfire looks so good, it almost looks fake...

[@lareveur6094]

Too good to be tru

[@edenem]

he didn't use the screen overlay mode 😭😭😢😢🥺🥺

[@lordlopes2424]

Damn that campfire is kinda mid

[@kimiko3811]

this is what i call suspiciously real

[@bobcoco6047]

It's an Audiophile campfire, it *Feels* so good, it almost looks slamingly fake

[@hammyjammies]

So what I'm understanding from the Emperor's New clothes analogy is that to fully appreciate the Prelude, I need to use them naked

[@MapleAddictZX3]

😂

[@UNSCPILOT]

*While parading threw the streets, with the person who sold them to you, while being rich or powerful enough no one can arrest you for indecent exposure* Sure it'll take some work but it can totally be done XD

[@NBFL]

To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand the Prelude. The tuning is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of acoustical engineering most of the technicalities will go over a typical listener's head. There's also Warbler's nihilistic outlook, which is deftly woven into its design - Warbler's philosophy draws heavily from Narodnaya Volya literature, for instance. The fans understand this stuff; they have the intellectual capacity to truly appreciate the depths of these tuning choices, to realise that they don't just sound good- they say something deep about LIFE. As a consequence people who dislike Prelude truly ARE idiots- of course they wouldn't appreciate, for instance, the insight in Warbler's existential tagline "Be Moved," which itself is a cryptic reference to Turgenev's Russian epic Fathers and Sons. I'm smirking right now just imagining one of those addlepated simpletons scratching their heads in confusion as Warbler's genius wit unfolds itself in their ears. What fools.. how I pity them. 😂 And yes, by the way, I DO have a Hi-Res Audio sticker tattoo. And no, you cannot see it. It's for the ladies' eyes only- and even then they have to demonstrate that they're within 5 IQ points of my own (preferably lower) beforehand. Nothin personnel kid 😎

[@noragrettispaghetti]

classic

[@mjodyh]

wubbalubbadubdub

[@watermelon1221]

warblerwarbwarbwarbler

[@nemurerumori5855]

i'm going to pretend you're serious just for comedic effect

[@lilpain1997]

This comment is pure gold lmfao

[@MINDTHEHEADPHONE]

Damn, the man is unstoppable. Such a great video! Your channel is going to surpass mine in subscriber count in no time, even though it's much newer. But well, as a fan first and foremost, can't say that I'm surprised!

[@tsuchii5213]

Man the way you tell stories is pretty immersive and definitely informative! tbh I didnt even noticed the vid was 20 minutes long. Do something like this again!

[@hufranklin9925]

actually i'm more interested in single BA IEM, i just wonder which one on the market right now is the best single BA🤔

[@FrantaBina701]

One more funny thing about Prelude - some people were saying they were superior thanks to skipping any inner cables, just having direct pin connection to connector.

[@TR-qf2gt]

they be the same type of people who think placing some weird crystals/geodes on their amps and dacs will make their speakers sound better lol 😂😅

[@6HoleOnTheShirt]

@@TR-qf2gt stickers 💀💀

[@maegnificant]

​@@6HoleOnTheShirt stickers?

[@tangyboi386]

@@maegnificant hi res audio stickers, probably 💀

[@6HoleOnTheShirt]

@@tangyboi386 negative ion-absorbing, rare earth material stickers 💀💀

[@kittyfriend7689]

Prelude: “I use a one balanced armature” Crinacle: “what did it cost” Prelude: “everything”

[@TheTrenya]

Literally..

[@SkeledroMan]

We need the Trinity and LH storytimes too.

[@Jorj57]

PLEASE do more storytime videos like this dude!

[@HeadphoneHangover]

Loved this story time video, and OMG please don't remind me of the mindless times of being on audiophile forums in the past with people who hated any scientific/quantifiable approach of any kind towards audio in general. Wait did I say please don't remind me of those times, lol there are still forums filled with snake oil products and dubious reviews to this day. But thankfully, we no longer have to put up with them being everywhere or being the only prominent voices in this industry.

[@rudeskalamander]

Audiophile SSD lmao

[@raspucin70]

"You are not paying 1,100 usd for average driver with a long audio tube bend at 90º. You are paying 1,100 usd for the knowledge WHERE to bend that tube" - a guy that used to work for Beats marketing

[@304290]

That reminds me of the story of a plumber who charged someone 500 to come out the uncloge a pipe. All he did was tap it a couple of times with a hammer. The home owner was like you charged me 500.00 just for that. The plumber replied, for the act of tapping the pipe with a hammer, that was only 10.00. But knowing where to tap it, cost 490.00.

[@goldenoodles6281]

​@@304290except the difference is that you should even bend that tube 😭

[@Wfgming-ko3wn]

10:05 The placebo was so strong that he was tasting "...bitter, sour salty and spicy all in one."

[@JLa748]

This is so healthy to know. To our pockets as well as to the industry. Please keep coming more stories of this kind to scare, entertain and educate the children. I know there are sets that made their way to my collection, that have successfully made the hype and made me spend way more for the sound quality i got.

[@joolibreakingmore]

I’d love to listen to more story time, especially about audio scams in the hifi world!

[@ValorZeroAdvent]

I really like this format, looking forward to more

[@audi5747]

I really wasn't expecting crinacle to make this type of video but honestly now after watching it, I really wish in the future for him to make more story time vids

[@DHRME]

Yes uncle Crin, story me please. (Edit: reading out the reviews in a semi-English accent was the best bit!)

[@donindiana8504]

When I reached that point in the video, I stopped to leave a like.

[@user-eb4ne2hw6f]

11:05 I wish my Asian parents would tell me that getting 85-90 is "almost perfect" instead of "a disgrace to the family" :P

[@OrinSorinson]

Not even 50 likes... Disappointing. I had hoped for so much more from you.

[@ProjectExteria]

emotional damage?

[@fleetingsound]

Who's to say that they even DID 5 years of research, let alone any. It feels like it was a quick-buck type scheme and they made off with a lil bit of money. I'd love to see more talks about the snake oil products in the scene. LTT has touched a couple already and that's been fun and insightful.

[@MiGujack3]

Oh boy there's a never ending supply of that.

[@Natsukashii1111]

Tech moan did some too, on shaving your cd audio so they sound better lmao

[@MLWJ1993]

​@@Natsukashii1111 oh god, that THING... 😂 It's kind of difficult to believe anyone would even think that'd do anything positive at all...

[@OrinSorinson]

@@MLWJ1993 It makes the bits more binary. That's simple stience. Up to 30% better than magic.

[@ChrisStoneinator]

It really bugs me when people use “let alone” backwards

[@LordChimkin]

props to you Crin for exploring new video format cuz this is great

[@jesustyronechrist2330]

Wow, Crin's dedication to set up an open fire in his living room just to make us feel cozy.

[@edisonl1756]

I listened to the full video while I was working. I hope you can produce more of these stories!!!

[@LordofDiamondsMetal]

10:46 that exasperated "Gee, I wonder why!" sounded almost out of character for crinacle when compared to his usual calm voice... I love it

[@maanga888]

I really enjoyed the video. Making connections to common children stories and having someone like ben's input made it very immersive. I would love to see more storytelling videos like this.

[@kshitijvarshney]

More of these if possible!! I know nothing about any of music or audio tech history and would love to know!

[@TheRuddegga]

deffo give us more stories like this crin, best vid in a while.

[@MrBlitzpunk]

I'd definitely love to see more crinacle audio story time

[@kittencaboodle8124]

The tonal whiplash between "and that, my children" and "... fuck off" is so clean

[@catdampawshaker2735]

Nice video, interesting to peer back to a strange time. Looking forward to your future videos and your tierlist update

[@BOOGA97]

this is wonderful, id love it if you would story time us on the audio world, and i will ask about the new space, i like the openness it brings so far, preciate all you do crin

[@HybRidChrome]

I'm pretty new to this world of audio, it's been really interesting so far!

[@1974UTuber]

I loved this story time. I have always been suspicious of rave reviews full of sunshine, lollipops and ranbows. It's like a wine review that describes things as having Notes of this and that. It's a drink, not a Beethoven concerto.

[@Simon-er2zx]

These videos are great as there are so many scams in the audio market. It can be difficult for so many beginners to know what is and isn't a good product. More of these please!

[@legenjerry96]

I've been watching Crinacle for a good year now. Anytime I watch a video, I always watch until the very end because for some weird reason, I like to be told "don't die" and "fuck off" in that specific order.

[@MechFrankaTLieu]

we need more of these kind of stories

[@cloaca1234]

Loved this type of video!

[@ogrefree]

Awesome content! I'd love to see it more regularly

[@Mishael_Agyei-Boamah]

Not you casually interviewing FATfreq CEO😂. Their Maestro Mini holds a special place in my heart

[@Eysc]

More of this format please

[@KornersquaredMike]

Definitely enjoy this type of video crin

[@guilhermeprovezi]

200 k. Congratulations crina!!

[@TainoNZ]

Absoultely love this style of video

[@fclp67]

MORE OF THIS PLEASE

[@MatBoni]

Great video would love more story time vids in the future

[@ShaneCutting]

Absolutely need more "Story Time". Super informative

[@Beedulgi99]

More storytime please!! this is so interesting to hear

[@lc1565]

I would love to hear more stories of scams in the audiophile space.

[@Seanweekhaizhen]

See every single campfire audio iem

[@lordjimenez5660]

Dayum, I was just thinking about how I've been missing some Crin vids

[@Xerpocalypse_]

I would love to see a video on Trinity and LH or other scams. Being a keyboard hobbyist, I’m familiar with the scams that have happened in that scene (Team Redline, etc) but not in audio.

[@CyberTuxedo]

I know the LHLabs one, they produced some good small-scale products (portable DAC-AMP) and ran multiple crowdfunding for full-sized DAC & AMP (costing couple thousand dollars each) And hasn't delivered still - almost 10 years now

[@maegnificant]

MQA is still going strong, too

[@user-vh9cs8yx1g]

Love this channel so much

[@keplers_dog]

14:52 „Let me know if…“ - „YES!!11“

[@johnnytiong8947]

Love story telling, very insightful for new hobbyists.

[@UNSCPILOT]

Most entertaining thing I've seen in a while, even regardless of my adoration of affordable hifi IEMs and ect, learning the story of the emperor's new cloths was just a cherry on top, *so many good old stories people can still learn from from so many cultures*

[@user-vh9cs8yx1g]

Thanks for sharing it!!

[@Sonatafade]

I really enjoyed the story time style video. You mixed story with technical learning for the audience.

[@scorn6060]

Loved this so much

[@Saitama07]

More storytime with crinacle would cure me of everything 😂❤

[@plainseed]

Woo this is gonna be a rabbit hole as audio product in general is very subjective in terms of sound quality. We need to hear more stories but at the same times your channel will stay alive when you touch some sort of controversial topic or company

[@absolutezero11385]

Great video! More storytime vids please c:

[@albertomangia755]

Definitely like this format, please deliver more!

[@taidee]

Come on man, do more of these stories 🙏🏽

[@ildar0709]

Yes to more vids like this

[@Tanktaco]

I love these stories!

[@roadeoh]

I’m so damn lucky I wasn’t an audiophile in 2017 because that review had me at SULTRY

[@UNSCPILOT]

Aye, started in 2020 so I missed all this, got Fiio FH3's and just kinda got hooked from there

[@richardshevkun7871]

Fantastic vids. Would like to see more of them

[@Problematist]

10:00 It really makes you _feel_ like you're listening to music

[@peterduffy271]

I bought a trinity audio as one of my first like..."audiophile" things and it broke after not very long. Tried to get it repaired and the company didn't exist anymore by the time I reached out lol. I'd love to hear you talk about it

[@tomcruz3774]

I still have my trinity audio atlas somewhere lol

[@privateer2584]

Love this format! More please!

[@vvraithz]

I enjoyed this story time. Do more of these.

[@TheJo4an]

I would love MORE storytime with Uncle Crin.

[@GregDunn123]

Superb, Crin. Sadly, a large part of the current audio market is still propped up by marketing hype and sycophantic reviewers - whether for transducers or electronics. Kudos for puncturing the balloon and sharing facts. Of course, the audiophools will dismiss this and go on believing whatever their egos need to have.

[@dnb5661]

Even saw some "HiFi" Ethernet switch. Just get Cat-7 cable if you are worried about EMI or whatever. Ethernet devices already have isolation inductors too.

[@Shekefie]

Need that story time for trinity and LH labs. I’m not an audiophile but I love learning about the space.

[@theomen1590]

love this format, definitely need more of it

[@yanec2501]

I really liked this kind of video. Keep it up Crinacle!!!

[@TexelGuy]

I'd love a video on PSB/NAD's "RoomFeel" tech for their headphones. Apparently it's built to sound like speakers in a room for a more "natural" listening experience. It sounds great on paper and is actually something I'd be interested in if I knew how well (or if) it worked.

[@giannisapostolopoulos9217]

Great video mate! Please do more of these unless they are keeping you from finalizing project red!

[@maxstueven1965]

I always love your reviews

[@tubbu90]

Love this format.

[@barryrubin11]

Brilliant presentation. Thank you.

[@terratenientesalgo2511]

a series of videos where crin just thanos every overpriced hypebeast IEM could be nice.

[@carlton9523]

Loved the video. Please do more of these.

[@ElvenSpellmaker]

Love the _"High Rez Placebo"_ XD

[@btfr5129]

IEM history videos are quite intriguing, would love to see more!

[@Icemanz666]

More story time content please. This was a very gripping story.

[@koofle]

I am loving these storytimes!!

[@minanotake9659]

Loved the video as always big man

[@BarabasKarabas]

I need more of this in my life

[@ThaFedejp]

Must confess, your videos are a great watch while I'm high and story times are even better for it so, please, go on 😅

[@jcudejko]

Yes, I really want to hear about both of those - Trinity and LH labs subbed, will look forward to it sir!

[@joelmcghee5265]

like the new editing form

[@_innerscape_]

5 years on R&D? They ment 5 years of reading on head-fi...

[@dennyaaa]

The world needs more story time with such a great content creator.

[@Sweety008007]

yes i want other storytimes :) great video btw

[@Deebee37]

More story time videos!! They are really interesting and entertaining.

[@szn00]

Love your videos🤍 Subscribed :)

[@matthewdelaney5366]

We need more and more stories.

[@bomb00000]

Im down for more of these story time stuff its very interesting

[@eugenelacouture3222]

Hey, great viedo ! have you planned on reviewing the MEE MX pros ? thx

[@C4yne]

Nice vid! I'm actually pretty interested on trinity audios and LH labs!

[@Optic8]

I liked this style of video