7Hz Salnotes Zero IEM Review

[Oso Polar]

con: the closed ear canal does seem to sound a bit unnatural

It is not closed ear canal, it is foam. For some reason foam tips always change sound signature, that's why I never use any foam tips anymore despite their better sound isolation.

 

[SteveL]

I guess you've never used Etymotic IEMs? IMHO in fact it is very easy to answer this question - no, they will not isolate nearly the same as Etymotics, no matter the tips. In fact AFAIK this can be safely said about virtually any IEMs of any other brand, except for the ones with active noise cancellation (and even then Etymotic may still win). Etymotic IEMs will also not fall out, ever - unlike many, many other IEMs (in particular pretty much all true wireless ones which tend to have very shallow insertion).

That's why I keep my trusty old HF5 around- really comes in handy when I need maximum isolation. I've tried really hard to EQ it to sound as good as the Zero (adding a similar bass shelf, bringing the response at 4 kHz down a bit where Etymotic's target overdoes it a bit for my taste, modest boost at 10 kz to compensate for their mediocre treble extension) but while after equalization they sound more than acceptable, they're still not as good as the Zero. And I get tired of having something shoved that far into my ears.

 

[Matias]

Confirmed that Zero 2 was bought and Amir will eventually review it. Should be interesting to see both his reviews and compare with the several other squig databases.

 

[Somafunk]

I had the etymotic er4-p way back in 2005 to use with my iriver H340 dap, they didn't sound that good to my ears as I didn't think much of the flat frequency response.

 

[zonk]

As an owner and longtime user of Etymotic, I agree—the “Christmas tree”-style silicon ear tips will not fall out, period. The key is that you need to tug on your earlobe while inserting and removing them so that your ear canal is slightly deformed. Otherwise, just pressing the tips in isn’t going to get a good seal.

Shure has "Christmas tree"-style ear tips too and some aftermarket sellers offer it too, it's not only Etymotic.

And not everybody wants to have something so deep in the ears.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

These are all extreme subjectivist terms with no technical basis and foremost characteristics of the music, not the reproduction. So basically you are saying nothing.

This insight into subjectivity is not really new.
So if the distortion is extremely low, and the FR matches the target, it practically doesn't matter what we buy. So everything is said.

 

[restorer-john]

Perhaps it's been explained before but why do these and similar IEMs have that notch around 100-200hz?

Most likely a problem with measurement in this case. The common connection having some contact resistance which resolved itself as the frequency went up. Happens all the time with sweeps across relay contacts and dubious connections like a 3.5mm plug/socket.

The fact both channels jumped at the same time, exactly, in the sweep is an indicator.

 

[staticV3]

Perhaps it's been explained before but why do these and similar IEMs have that notch around 100-200hz? The Truthear red have a similar sort of notch too.

They're rocking modes. Literally the membrane movement provoking a resonance in the IEM housing which is suspended only by the silicone ear tip.

They usually only occur on ear simulators with an artificial pinna, or ones with just a steel coupling. Human ears generally provide better damping so this does not happen.

Diligent/thorough reviewers would use some Blu tack upon seeing rocking modes in their measurements to provide measurements that more closely represent real world usage.

Most of them can't be bothered though.

 

[anphex]

The sad thing is, no person ever - not even most ASR fans - would believe that this 20 $ headphone is a record breaker.
We are spoiled with good audio tech nowadays, aren't we? Not having to spend a fortune for a perfect system.

 

[Videoteque73]

I am a heavy IEMs user. I love foam tips, in the years I went from Shure somethings, to Beyerdynamic Byros (which I loved), several cheap Senheinsers, Thruthhear Zero Blues (I have a broken pin which I can't take out) and now the 7Hz Zero. For my ears I prefer the Blues, but I think it has more to do with anatomy. Wouldn't it be great if someone tested the Apple dongle dac?

 

[Berwhale]

Wouldn't it be great if someone tested the Apple dongle dac?

Review: Apple vs Google USB-C Headphone Adapters

This is a review, detailed measurements and comparison of Apple's USB-C adapter to the current and last version of Google Pixel headphone adapters. The Apple adapter costs just $9 including one day shipping for free. The Google dongle costs $12. Not that any of these are large by any stretch...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[SteveL]

This insight into subjectivity is not really new.
So if the distortion is extremely low, and the FR matches the target, it practically doesn't matter what we buy. So everything is said.

Yes. Now you understand. The rest is the human brain's outstanding talent for fooling itself.

 

[oleg87]

Here is my take:

View attachment 332566

There will always be a place for something you don't have to stick into your ear canals.

 

[SteveL]

There will always be a place for something you don't have to stick into your ear canals.

I thought that when all I had was Etys. Shallow fit IEMs are a new discovery and a revelation for me. Almost anyone, with a bit of effort, should be able to find a shape (the large bulk of many multi-driver designs is generally a negative) and a set of tips that would be more comfortable than any of the many full-sized cans I have owned over the years. (I will never buy another one.) I got lucky with the Zero out of the box.

 

[olieb]

Yes and no. I think that a lot of megabucks headphones are in trouble since IEMs seem to be easily able to go very low and have a very favorable frequency response for less than $100.

But there is always going to be a segment of the population who just can't stick things in their ears. I get ear infections and headaches occasionally which lead me to use no headphones or over-ears for a while.

If this part of the population would be the only one to buy headphones these companies would be in big trouble.

Also, IEMs used to be the king of sound isolation, but I think there is now a place for over-ears with ANC which seem to provide the best isolation for planes and subways. As an active business traveler, I have a set of WH1000xm4, even knowing that their frequency response is suspect (even after using the EQ app). I don't think that IEMs are quite as good yet for this.

In respect to achieved isolation I do not think any ANC headphone can compete with earphones inside of something like this.

And while this seems rather awkward it is not uncomfortable (to me) in a plane as it fixes the head somewhat in the head rest and keeps it from falling sideways during sleep. I used to fly with a smaller pair during 10h-flights.
Not everybody's cup of tea, though. And you will sweat under those cans.

 

[mc.god]

Not everybody's cup to tea, though. And you will sweat under those cans.

This is one of the point that led me to focusing only on iems now. Yaer after year we get longer and hotter warm seasons, my ears are sensible to temperature and rapidly start itching and feeling uncomfortable when too much warm, so window for over ear cans usage is constantly narrowing. Furthermore i often listen in not quiet environment, so I should use closed cans, worsening the situation. IEMs can be used all year, in every condition, and reached an incredible price-performance ratio, so, since I prefer spending money in the most effective way, they are the natural and perfect solution.

 

[otseiTiesto]

Not far from the 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2:

And pretty close to the Moondrop CHU 2:

Even THD:

Intriguing!

 

[oleg87]

Intriguing!

Where are the harmonic distortion measurements from?

 

[otseiTiesto]

Where are the harmonic distortion measurements from?

From here: https://www.hypethesonics.com/iemdbc/

 

[Dmitri]

Way late to the party. Unbelievable performance for the money. It’s killing me to know that I’ve spent gobs of green on my system, only to find it can be blown away for what amounts to beer money.

“Thanks” for the review Amir!