Current testing methodology is v1.2
July 21, 2022
$22.99
2.57 oz
4.02 x 2.91 x 1.38 in
A Bit of Background
The 7Hz Salnotes Zero is made possible by the collaboration between 7Hz sub-brand Salnotes and Crinacle, which is one of the most respected hi-fi audio reviewers.
7Hz got in touch with Crinacle to help design and tune what would become the Salnotes Dioko. 7hz decided to approach Crinacle again, offering a collaboration for a more budget-friendly IEM, later known as the 7Hz Salnotes Zero.
Crinacle was initially hesitant with the offer since he thought the hi-fi community was getting fatigued over the different IEM collaborations he was involved in.
Still, he accepted the request under the condition that 7Hz will not market the product as a collaboration with him.
As Crinacle mentioned in his video titled “Why I Won’t Review the Most Hyped $20 IEM”, he said, “All the market needs is a good product” and the 7Hz Salnotes Zero definitely lived up to this sentence.
7Hz Salnotes Zero in-ear Monitors
One of the most talked about IEM releases that live up to the hype.
TL:DR;
The 7Hz Salnotes Zero is one of the most hyped-up budget IEMs in the market right now. Many users were surprised by the sound quality that the Salnotes Zero offers, which was quite hard to come by in the $20 price bracket.
For a $20 IEM, the 7Hz Salnotes Zero can easily go toe-to-toe with other IEMs way above its price.
If you’re in the market for a great-sounding IEM with a neutral sound signature, consider looking at the 7Hz Salnotes Zero and you might also be surprised by how they sound.
The Specs
- Driver: 10mm dynamic driver
- Pin Type: 0.78mm dual-pin
- Frequency: 10Hz-20000Hz
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: 108dB
What’s in the Box?
- 7Hz Salnotes Zero earphones
- Detachable 2-pin cable
- 6 x pairs of silicone eartips
Stuff I like
- Great build quality
- Unique design
- Affordable Price
- The sound quality is superb, way better than I expected
- Great balance in sound
Stuff I like less
- The Bass is substantial, not recommended for bass heads
- Ear hooks were quite uncomfortable at first
- Sound Imaging
Where to get it
Comparable products to consider
Affordable, well-built IEM with solid accessories and a neutral bright sound signature.
First Impressions
The 7Hz Salnotes Zero came in a standard box similar to what KZ has with their products.
The Salnotes Zero comes with 6 pairs of silicone ear tips in varying sizes, a detachable cable, and a product manual.
Out of the box, the design of the 7Hz Salnotes Zero really caught my attention. It’s built from a strong plastic material with a metal piece serving as a face plate, which really added quite a nice touch to the earphones.
Its blocky shape was unique. I was initially worried about how it would feel in the ears but to my surprise, they were comfortable. I didn’t encounter any problems with how they fit my ears.
The detachable cable that came in the box was quite impressive. Although it’s not comparable to what you can get from expensive IEMs or aftermarket cables, it’s undoubtedly an upgrade and is quite surprising to come by for a $20 IEM.
Comfort and Fit
I’ve been using the Salnotes Zero for a week now and so far, I haven’t encountered any issues regarding comfort.
They’re comfortable in the ear, and since they’re made of a hard plastic material, they feel lightweight.
The ear tips that came with it were okay, and if it ever became an issue to me in the future, it’s an easy swap.
The cable was also acceptable in terms of comfort. Some people may want to upgrade to a better cable, but I’ll keep mine since I have no problems with it.
Sound Quality
When I started testing the Salnotes Zero, I was impressed and surprised at how good it sounded.
It has a balanced tuning and the right amount of Bass, which you don’t usually get with IEMs in the same price point, and the mids are just right.
Its sound quality can be compared to IEMs in the higher price bracket, such as those in the $100 price range. Comparing it with the MoonDrop Chu, which is in the same price range, their tuning is identical.
Still, the Salnotes Zero beats the Chu for me as it has more features, such as the detachable cable that makes room for future upgrades. After all, the Salnotes Zero has the reputation of being an upgraded alternative to the MoonDrop Chu.
The 7Hz Salnotes Zero also has good sound imaging. The sound layering and separation are better than most of the other IEMs I’ve tried at this price point.
Overall it does not lack the details needed for an IEM to sound good, making it capable of competing against IEMs five times its price.
Bass
The Salnotes Zero’s bass has a balanced punch and a quick response. It also has a good amount of sub-bass extension that appears when necessary.
Since the 7Hz Salnotes Zero is not designed to be bass-heavy, I wouldn’t recommend this for bass heads as it may seem lacking in that area.
But overall, the Bass in the Salnotes Zero is substantial in context to its mids and treble, providing a balanced and natural sound.
Mids
The mids on this IEM are surprisingly smooth but also have a body to them. It’s not as pronounced, but it’s really organic and has a warmth to it.
Concerning the Bass and the treble, it blends well. For me, it makes up for a great selling point for this IEM.
Treble
The treble in this IEM is free from those harsh frequencies that can sometimes get very irritating. It’s not as shouty as the MoonDrop Chu, which is a good thing as it reveals details quite nicely in the form of an even sound signature.
Although the 7Hz Salnotes Zero lacks the brightness that some chaps may be looking for, I like how the treble sits and blends pretty well in a mix, making it sound more natural in the ears.
Since the treble is not tuned to be bright, it provides an easy listening experience for users.
Build Quality
I’ve been heavily using the 7Hz Salnotes Zero for about a week and so far, it’s showing no signs of damage or wear whatsoever.
Its shell is quite strong for a plastic material. The cables are also pretty sturdy though I won’t dare pull them from each end to test out how they handle abuse as it’s not very realistic.
I feel like these will last a long time in terms of day-to-day use as long as they are well taken care of.
Final Thoughts
I’ve had a blast using this IEM and was extremely satisfied with how well it turned out. I’m glad that I got curious about the hype on 7Hz Salnotes Zero because if not for that, I wouldn’t have purchased them in the first place.
The design aesthetics are unique. It’s built well, the accessories that came with it were great, and the sound quality is balanced and quite pleasing.
It has been a long time since an IEM got me excited. This, for me, is a game changer.
The quality that it offers at such a low price of $20 totally changes my perception of the hi-fi budget market.
The market has definitely come a long way from where it started and is ever-evolving, and this IEM is an excellent example. It’s a good-quality product that punches way above its given price point.
I’m excited about how this impacts the market and how other brands will reply to the release of the 7Hz Salnotes Zero.
The 7Hz Salnotes Zero is a must-have. So if you want to try out new IEMs in the market, I highly recommend this because trust me, you’re doing yourself a favor in doing so.
A man of many interests, Querho is passionate about discovering new things that stimulate the mind. When he is not writing about the things he is passionate about, Querho can be found making music at his home studio.
This post was last updated on 2024-11-03 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.