7HZ Salnotes Zero IEM Review - A Better Budget Earbud

The Salnotes Zero earbuds by 7Hz represent a significant jump in quality for budget earphones. With an RRP of under $20 when purchased online, we think they are one of the best options because of their blend of good quality, sound, and accessories. Plus, they also look really cool, which is an added bonus.

Pricing and Availability

Pros

• Excellent tuning that balances bass and energy better than other cheap earbuds

• Price to Performance is unbeatable

• Comfortable for small ears - traditionally, monitor-style earbuds only suit larger ears

• Color options and eartips add an element of fun to the design

• Detachable cables are a useful addition and not commonly seen at this price

Cons

• The cable is prone to retaining memory, making it hard to use and prone to tangles

• Availability for most countries will be through online channels only, so there is no option to test before buying.

Things to Consider Before Buying

• While they represent good value for money, spending a little more provides a significant jump in technical performance and materials

• Buy these from a respected reseller. 7Hz is an unknown company and, as is the case with many Chifi companies, does not offer product support. Buying through a good reseller provides recourse to you as a buyer if anything goes wrong with your purchase.

7Hz Salnotes Zero

Build Quality and Styling

The styling of the Salnotes Zero is fun and makes them look like a far more premium product than the price suggests. It’s a monitor-style earphone that you should wear over the ear as this will significantly help to cut down on microphonics from the cheap feeling cable.

They come in three color options (Blue, Black, and White), all of which look great and are complemented by the many multi-colored eartips you find in the box. The eartips are good quality and able to provide a good seal and seat well with a medium depth insertion. I see no need to recommend you upgrade the eartips because the stock ones are good enough.

The build material is mainly plastic, including plastic nozzles, but it feels well made and robust. The metal faceplate adds a touch of strength to the chassis, and the inclusion of detachable 2-pin cables means they can be replaced if they fail through general use.

Im impressed with both the style and the quality of the build. It’s a fun design that is eye-catching but at the same time functional. They are comfortable to wear for long periods and offer some passive noise isolation to the listener.

Sound Quality

The sound is good not because of technicalities but because of its tuning. It’s a delight to listen to and gives users a taste of what more expensive earphones will sound like when tuned well. It’s a balanced-sounding earphone with a DB (decibel) bump on the low end to make them fun and versatile sounding.

The use of a small 10mm dynamic driver made from metal composite over a traditional cheap bio cellulose model shows thought has been put into how the Salnotes Zero will sound. This extra rigidity in the cone keeps them very low on distortion which in turn lets the bass remain punchy and tight without distortion.

The smoothness in the midrange made them versatile performers. They sound good with many types of music and never really struggle in any area. They make the best of what they have and really come into their own when you listen to some of the competition. It’s true companies like Blon and KZ offer competitive earphones, but when putting the Zero against big names like Sony and JVC, they come out clear winners.

To offer an alternative option, I would suggest looking at the KZ ESX 10th Anniversary earphones; they are also solid performers with good tuning. Personal preference in styling should be the reason to choose one over the other as they both sound similar.

Conclusion

7Hz is a new company and seems to release hit after hit. What they do best is value for money; they create earphones that are at the top of the best in their specific price points. The Salnotes Zero is their most budget earbud, but it too punches well above its weight and represents excellent value for money for the budget audiophile.