7Hz Zero update: I'm lovin' it

Submitted by External_Gazelle_645 t3_zzl0so in headphones

4 months later... The sound of "no bass" speakers, has changed my perception. I gaze upon the 7hz Zero with new eyes. Now as I approach the earbuds, and reunite with an old friend, I shall post my thoughts below:

Bass: Frequencies I haven't heard in months come back. Bass mainly plays a more supportive role in the songs I'm listening to, which I appreciate. It is much better than the lack of bass I encounter with my phone, tv, and computer speakers. However I do believe that I would like the zero more if it had a 10db bass shelf. With EQ, that is very possible.

Midrange: Normal. Nothing to complain about. It is clean, clear, and well tuned. Which says a lot. My headphones, the shp9500 have a 6khz peak which affects the timbre and brings on a harshness to some tracks. It is not present in the zero. However, when I first heard the zero, I found the midrange to be shouty. Nevertheless, this is very, very well tuned.

Treble: I think the treble does quite well. It is sufficient. It adds sparkle and spice to tracks, and I don't see anything wrong. However, I heard that treble quality gets better if you have deeper insertion, and the 7hz zero has a shallow fit. How much better could it be with a deeper fit? Much better, I believe.

Balance: As it stands, other earbuds I have lean towards the warm, or no bass, or no vocal side. This sits in the slightly "colder" side, which is an audiophile term I don't see often in this community. I think so because of the lack of bass. I think if this earphone had a 10db bass shelf, I would've ranked this neutral. But once again, EQ.

Comfort: good. Good for an IEM. My criticism is that it does not flood my brain with serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. Otherwise, I find no problems. There are no points of discomfort in terms in interaction with my outer ear, and the fit is shallow, which is comfortable. It's good!!!

Overall: This is a well tuned earphone. However I believe this could sound much, much better with better treble extension. Unfortunately it lacks that, so unfortunately I will have to buy a 2000$ earphone to get good treble extension. Or perhaps I could try different eartips to improve treble extension. Maybe both!!!!???

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External_Gazelle_645 OP t1_j2c85li wrote

Staging: Yes. Close to my head. That's all I can really say. I don't know what type of staging this is, but it can certainly immerse me in the music if the track is well mastered.

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Gofa_Kirselph t1_j2c8dlf wrote

If you really want to see what more treble sounds like, try the Moondrop Chu. I got both and literally returned it because the treble was too much for me. But for my ears, Beyerdynamic headphones are much too shrill. So take my advise with a grain of salt lol

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External_Gazelle_645 OP t1_j2c8ysq wrote

According to the graphs, the chu has more 3-5khz treble, but most reviewers think that both the chu and the zero have the same amount of upper treble (8-20khz) treble extension. I'm talking about the really high frequencies, the 4-6khz harshness in the chu (as I can see in the graph) is probably what caused the "too much treble" phenomenon.

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Gofa_Kirselph t1_j2cbfuj wrote

You can just EQ that if you really wanna try it. Most headphones start to roll off around 10khz anyway. Also, most “information” is below 10khz. Not saying it’s completely unimportant since cymbals and synths still reach those frequencies and you’ll lose that sense of air if it sharply rolls off after 10khz.

The only headphones I can think of at the moment (that I’ve owned) with high treble extension are the DCA Aeon and Beyerdynamic DT 990. Take out the tuning inserts on the Aeons and they’re treble monsters. Beyers can be found for relatively cheap ($129 for the DT 990 Pro on Amazon) if you wanna check them out.

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au-dm t1_j2d2nps wrote

I recently got the 7Hz Salnotes Zero myself. I had been using KZ-ZSN Pro X before that. I immediately thought the Zero was too bright though it was slightly better in many other aspects from the ZSN Pro X. It kind of grew on me and has become my primary unit when I go on my walks, etc.

But the comfort? Ugh. I have large ears and it still hurts my ears unless I insert it at a specific angle and pull my earlobe down while doing it. My glasses pushing down on the wire or any cap touching the wire, or god-forbid, pushing the earpiece even slightly so causes it to hurt. I have mastered the art of inserting it so it doesn't hurt but man, if I am in a hurry, my ear gets sore quickly! Makes me wonder if I am doing something wrong...

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Rengoku_demon_slayer t1_j2dxc22 wrote

The more i read about this iem the more i eager to mine finally be delivered and be in my hands/ears.

I think it will be a solid upgrade from my old KZ EDX(my first iem) since i now interested in the more neutral and well tuned sound of the Zero.

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External_Gazelle_645 OP t1_j2e30cv wrote

I would suggest to buy the tangzu waner. It's the new 20$ budget king, it almost the same tuning as the Zero except with better treble extension.

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doublejay1999 t1_j2f56mz wrote

I just picked these up today. They seems fast and accurate with good detail.

To my ears, the mids are all too pronounced. The bright treble is bright, but survivable - but with the mids pushed as they are, the combination is, as you put it "a bit shouty"

i like them, but they are a bit clinical - the bass pacey and accurate, but under represented in the overall sound - they dont quite hit hard enough down stairs.

would be interested in your other budget ideas. I'm a BLON guy - but looking for slightly better build and fit.

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