Linsoul 7Hz Salnotes Zero HiFi 10mm Dynamic Driver in-Ear Earphone IEM with Metal Composite Diaphragm Stainless Steel Faceplate Detachable 2Pin OFC Cable (Black, with Mic, 3.5mm)

I was surprised by these, these are my entry into IEM's. The sound is very neutral and a bit on the bright side, there's a decent amount of details in songs I've listened to for years where I could now hear some stuff more clearly that I didn't know was originally there or was possibly masked by generic off the shelf bass heavy tunings on wireless or JLab/skullcandy earphones. These took a little getting used to since I normally leaned towards warm sounding headphones ..but these made food analytical listening IEM's, the soundstage does sit slightly in back rather in center. The cable was ehh, but I can't really complain, be careful splitting the wire because there's a possibility of cracking the cable sheath, I also got the Zero 2 and use that cable instead since it's thinner and doesn't mess with my glasses. Unfortunately I have some sort of allergic reaction to generic silicone tips so I used 2 different pair of Spinfit W1 tips which are an anti allergenic medical grade silicone, occasionally switching from Medium-small to the small tips ...yes they do make a difference, the small sit deeper in my ear, while the medium-small sit more securely against my canal entrance, I noticed the difference in the fit changed the soundstage a bit, the outer fit expanding the stage a bit.. and they also helped boost the bass a small bit for those that feel the bass is a little too underemphasized, it's nothing drastic though, it's more like a subtle boost. Overall these are great, I'd use these for FPS games since the response time is tighter than the zero 2, zero 2 is more or less the same but a bit bassier, if you have the money I'd say test them both out, I like both for different use cases. I wish the cable was a little longer, but I can't complain too much at this price point. If the sound is too sibilant for you, I recommend using foam tips to absorb some of the sharper frequencies while also bumping the bass a bit. They fit pretty well in my ear, I can't complain about build quality but I do like the design, they don't come with a case so I recommend getting a travel case or something, I got a linsoul tin HiFi case which holds both sets the thinner zero 2 cable and my FiiO KA11 dongle. Wired has become my go to again, I can't speak for the mic quality cause I got the no-mic cable version.

The 7Hz Salnotes Zero directly competes with the similarly priced Moondrop Chu.Overall, the Zero and the Chu are neck-and-neck in terms of sound quality. They each have certain strengths and weaknesses compared to the other, but both put other options at the price point to shame. The two IEMs also make different trade-offs in terms of build and accessories. While buyers will need to weigh which characteristics they value more in choosing between the two, both are solid buys for $20.SOURCES:I have used the 7Hz Salnotes Zero with the following sources:Qudelix 5KHidizs S9E1DA 9038DPACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:The 7Hz Salnotes Zero comes in a small white cardboard box. The packaging features pictures of the Zero on the front and back covers.In addition to the IEMs and detachable 2-pin cable, the Zero includes six pairs of silicone eartips in several varieties. These appear to be the same varieties described in my Dioko review:The red, blue, and orange pairs are squatter and more conical in shape and feature wider nozzles. The light blue and yellow eartips are more round with narrower nozzles. The pink pair is also round but with wider nozzles than the other round eartips.The pair of eartips resembling AZLA SednaEarfit Crystal eartips included with the Dioko is not included with the Zero. The Zero includes a product information card and a user manual written in English and Chinese, as well as a small velcro tie. The Zero does not include a carry pouch or case.BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN:The 7Hz Salnotes Zero has a two-part plastic chassis with a stainless steel faceplate. The faceplates have a jagged, angular outline. “SAL♪NOTES ZERO” is laser-etched at the base of each faceplate. There is a small circular rivet at the top of each faceplate. The faceplates have developed minor scratches over the course of my review.There is a small circular recession on the inside of each chassis with an embossed “L” or “R” indicator. There is also a pinprick vent at the base of the nozzle. The nozzles have the same metal and paper nozzle covers as the Dioko, and have extruded lips to secure eartips.The 2-pin connectors are very snug and quite difficult to remove. The 2-pin connectors fit flush with the surface of the IEM housing body. Each 2-pin entry site is marked with a small red dot to indicate polarity.The included 2-pin cable has two strands that are joined in parallel below the Y-split. The cable uses a mix of metal and dark plastic hardware. The cable jack has a straight form factor. “SAL♪NOTES” is printed in white along the length of the jack housing. There is strain relief above the jack housing but none at the Y-split. The cable has pre-formed earguides without memory wire and a rubber chin-adjustment choker. The curved 2-pin housings have faintly raised “L” and “R” markings. The cable is mildly microphonic.COMFORT, FIT, AND ISOLATION:The 7Hz Salnotes Zero is intended to be worn cable-up. The earpieces have a shallow insertion depth. I found the Zero to be very comfortable. However, secureness of fit is below average and the housings required occasional readjustment with most eartips I tried the Zero with. Isolation is fairly poor. There is mild driver flex.SOUND AND COMPARISON TO THE MOONDROP CHU:The 7Hz Salnotes Zero is tuned very similarly to the Moondrop Chu.Like the Chu, the Zero has a Harman-ish sound that emphasizes sub-bass over mid-bass, features a robust pinna gain region, and slopes downward from the pinna gain region through the upper treble.The biggest tonal difference between the Chu and the Zero is that the Zero’s pinna gain region peaks later than the Chu. The Chu’s pinna gain region is centered around 3 kHz, while the Zero’s peaks later at around 3.5 kHz. This is a subtle difference, but depending on your ear physiology, may impact which of the two IEMs vocals sound more natural with. The Zero has a twinge more measured sub-bass than the Chu, although the difference between my samples is so small that this may be a question of unit variation rather than intended tuning. Subjectively, I feel that percussion actually has a greater impact on the Chu than the Zero. The Chu also has a hair more upper treble extension than the Zero.The Zero’s sub-bass shelf is mild in its amplitude, and sub-bass extension is average. Bass articulation and resolution are both very good. The Zero’s bass is well-textured for the price but is lacking in impact. The result is a clean but underwhelming bass tuning. After hearing the Chu and now the Zero, I have come to believe that if an IEM opts for a pure sub-bass shelf, the amplitude of that shelf needs to be greater than what either of these IEMs displays. The bass does not bleed into the lower mids.The Zero’s midrange is on the cooler side. Male vocals have grit but are slightly lacking in warmth. The amount of body to male vocals is somewhere in between these two other qualities. Female vocals are slightly more forward than male vocals, though both are very intelligible. Female vocals do sound more natural on the Chu than the Zero. On the Zero, there is a hint of strain and sibilance. On the Chu, female vocals are just slightly more grounded. With that said, the Zero’s midrange clarity is astonishing for an IEM of this price. The level of presence is essentially perfect for heavy rock genres. Timbre is slightly dry but natural sounding overall.The Zero has slightly less lower treble energy than the Chu, which I prefer. Like the Chu, the Zero has a noticeable drop-off in the mid-treble which deprives cymbal hits of sparkle. While the Chu has better upper treble extension than the Zero, the Zero has slightly crisper treble transient delivery. The Chu has a larger soundstage and slightly better detail retrieval. Imaging between the two is comparable. The Zero has the best instrument separation I have heard on an IEM at this price.AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING:The 7Hz Salnotes Zero does not need a powerful source to reach a usable listening volume. I did not notice hiss with any of my devices.