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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wired in-ear monitor built around a dual dynamic driver setup with a detachable cable and a genuine focus on sound detail, choose TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2; if you need waterproof, wire-free earbuds that keep playing music while you swim, choose BeatH2O S36. These two share almost nothing at the design level, so the right pick comes down to one question: are you chasing audio quality, or water resistance?
• TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2 — biggest strength: A dual dynamic driver architecture (10mm + 7.8mm) with a DLP-3D printed cavity, a copper silver-plated coaxial cable, and a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin design. This is a music-first IEM.
• TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2 — biggest trade-off: It's wired and not waterproof, so it's a poor fit for pools, heavy sweat, or anyone who wants zero cables.
• BeatH2O S36 — biggest strength: IPX8 waterproofing submersible to 6 m, an 8GB built-in MP3 player, and up to 10 hours of Bluetooth or 8 hours of MP3 playback. Built for the water.
• BeatH2O S36 — biggest trade-off: Underwater it can only play from its own memory, not Bluetooth, and its tuning prioritizes durability and clarity over deep bass.
• Who the TRUTHEAR is for: Listeners, monitors, and gamers who want detail and resolution and don't mind a wire.
• Who the BeatH2O is for: Swimmers, lap trainers, and anyone who needs music that survives being submerged.
The ZERO:BLUE2 is the audio-first pick here, and the spec sheet explains why. It runs two dynamic drivers: a 10mm solid silica gel suspension composite liquid crystal dome with an N52 magnet handling the low end, and a 7.8mm polyurethane suspension liquid crystal dome with an N55 magnet handling mids and highs. The 7.8mm driver got a redesigned internal structure — a roughly 25% larger magnet diameter, about 50% more dome area, and an improved high-frequency conductive structure. In plain terms, that's engineering aimed at smoother, more extended treble and better resolution.
What I find genuinely interesting is the construction. TRUTHEAR uses a DLP-3D printing process for the cavity and a silicone capping technique — methods the brand says are usually reserved for high-end multi-driver and custom earphones. The cable is equally serious: a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin two-strand, 294-core copper silver-plated coaxial design, with an optional oxygen-free copper mic cable for calls and gaming. Impedance is rated at just 5.8 ohm and the frequency range spans 20Hz–41kHz.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants a wired IEM for music, monitoring, or gaming and cares about driver design, a replaceable cable, and a mic option. Who should skip it: swimmers, and anyone who wants wireless freedom — there's no Bluetooth here. If you live in the pool, this isn't your product.
The S36 is a completely different animal: a waterproof sports earbud built around movement and water. Its headline claim is IPX8 waterproofing, submersible up to 6 m (20 ft). Because Bluetooth signals can't travel through water, the S36 carries an 8GB built-in memory — enough for over 1,500 songs — and you switch to MP3 mode for underwater listening. Out of the water, Bluetooth 5.4 handles the connection as normal.
The fit is clearly designed for swimmers. You get stretchable, 30° rotatable ear hooks and soft skin-friendly silicone, plus two sets of eartips in S/M/L: dual-layer waterproof tips for swimming and single-layer tips for everyday use. BeatH2O also recommends wearing a swim cap over the earbuds during flip turns and intense workouts to keep them locked in.
Audio-wise, the 12mm dynamic drivers are tuned for underwater acoustics, prioritizing clarity and stability over heavy bass — a deliberate trade-off, since the waterproof seal comes first. Battery life is solid for the category: a 2-hour recharge via USB magnetic charger, then up to 10 hours of Bluetooth or 8 hours of continuous MP3 playback.
Who should buy it: swimmers, lap trainers, and gym-goers who want music that survives water and won't fall out. Who should skip it: critical listeners chasing maximum detail, and anyone who'd rather not manage a separate MP3 library.
• Best for swimming → BeatH2O S36. IPX8 and 6 m submersibility are simply not something the TRUTHEAR offers.
• Best for sound detail → TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2. Dual dynamic drivers, an upgraded 7.8mm mid/high driver, and a 20Hz–41kHz range point to a resolution-focused design.
• Best for wireless freedom → BeatH2O S36. Bluetooth 5.4 with no cable at all.
• Best for cable versatility → TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2. The detachable 0.78mm 2-pin design lets you swap in the mic cable for calls and gaming.
• Best for a stable workout fit → BeatH2O S36. Adjustable, 30° rotatable ear hooks plus swimming-specific dual-layer eartips.
• Best for long sessions away from a charger → BeatH2O S36. Up to 10 hours Bluetooth or 8 hours MP3 on a 2-hour charge.
• Best for gaming and monitoring → TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2. A wired 3.5mm connection plus the optional mic cable suit both.
• Best for underwater bass → neither, honestly. The S36 openly prioritizes safety and durability over heavy bass, and the TRUTHEAR isn't built for water at all.
If I had to pick one, it depends entirely on where you'll use it — and that's not a cop-out, it's the whole point of this comparison. For music, monitoring, and gaming at a desk or on a commute, I'd buy the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2: the dual driver design, the DLP-3D printed cavity, and the detachable 294-core cable are exactly what I want in a wired IEM. But if you swim, there's no contest — the BeatH2O S36 is the only one of the two that can go underwater at all. Buy for your environment, not for the spec sheet.
FAQ
how to put in ear earbuds
how to fit in ear earbuds
Fit comes down to tip size. The S36 includes dual-layer waterproof tips and single-layer everyday tips in S/M/L, so try each size until the seal feels secure — BeatH2O also suggests a swim cap over the earbuds for intense swimming. The TRUTHEAR ships with eartips as well, so experiment until the seal is comfortable and stable.
how to clean in ear earbuds
Wipe the tips and housings with a soft, dry cloth after use and remove any earwax from the nozzle gently. The S36's waterproof build tolerates rinsing far better than the TRUTHEAR, which is a wired, non-waterproof IEM — keep moisture away from its connectors and cable.
how to ear earbuds
If you mean getting them to stay put: the S36's adjustable ear hooks and dual-layer tips are engineered for that, while the TRUTHEAR relies on a good tip seal and its over-ear cable routing. Neither is complicated — it's mostly about matching the tip to your ear.
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