7Hz - 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2

7hz zero 2 or kiwi ears cadenza are good allrounders, i'd take them over the mentioned iems

I just got mine yesterday. Love them. I have more expensive headphones but these are great. https://preview.redd.it/a56aevox5hne1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ec8f2a35dda7f9cb6954b45189ca7e247da9b64

What tips do you recommend? I am kind of high jacking here. I just got mine yesterday and use the light blue and light pink tips. The smallest.

My fav is the Zero 2, but the Kiwi Ears Cadenza is also gorgeous in all colors.

Same here lol I started off with the 7hz ZERO 2 last January then months later made the jump and ordered the Truthear Zero RED and a week later ordered the Truthear Hexa which ended up arriving before the REDs 😂

I'd say the difference between the Truthear Zero RED (55usd) and the 7hz ZERO 2 (25usd), my first IEM, is very noticeable.

It's nice to hear your impression of them, given you have experience with other sets. I have been using them since Jan 4, swapping between the ZERO:2, Truthear Gate, Zero RED and Hexa and the Moondrop MOCA. At first I was reluctant about placing them above the Zero RED, and got blasted in the comments for saying they sound better than budget wired IEMs. But honestly yes I agree with you. The ROBIN have excellent sound presentation.

zero:2 imo

I also own the Zero2, Ew300, and Eml6. I agree with your comments completely. Not just for FPS but general gaming they are great. I am going to test the MP145 because the soundstage is amazing on other media like YouTube. I will also throw in to the mix for you the Kiwi Quintet. You can get it used for a great price. It has great detail, separation, and directional audio. Worth a try for sure.

If you like the sound from the Zero2, then you'll love the EW300. I have the HBB version. Imagine the Zero2 but with much better detail separation. I've compared the Zero2 with other sets before, and it's always amazing for the price until tracks get very busy. The Ew300 is one of my favorite sets even though I own a few totl IEMs. The ew300 is incredible for the price. It performs way above expectations. Edit: forgot to mention the improved soundstage as well.

I will try to compare the zero2 and 300 to see how the vocals differ. I remember the zero having forward vocals which sound great. I think the 300 spreads the sound to a wider space, so it might not be as forward as the zero. But I'll confirm a little later.

https://preview.redd.it/i93k3cl1e0le1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c1a8592c5f91eaf65b71fe3c35ddc26c5d0fa2a Hey dude! So I spent a little while going back and forth between them. The Zero2 is a very competitive IEM for being only $20. What the EW300 does great is taking that same awesome W sound signature and stretching it to a nice wide soundstage. I chose a track like this one which has lots of different instruments (layers) playing at the same time during certain parts. With busier Metal songs, the Zero2 struggles to separate instruments for sure. Something more laid back like this helps to compare with other sets. The EW300 has more clarity in the vocals and instruments. It's like taking a filter off of the Zero2 that makes everything clearer and wider. It's a great upgrade. Especially if you can get it used for a good price. Or on sale 👍🏻

sub bass and punchy...out of those 3. Perhaps go with the x Crin Zero 2s. I have them and I EQ to get my desired sound There's enough rumble way down there as well as good clean hits. Chu2 is slightly V shaped...has bass, not dull or flat. But it doesn't have the rumble when I want that (EQ couldn't get it there😅) No opinions on the Wan'ers because I don't own those

I got a set of zero 2s in right now...Hexa and Aria2 are both on my shopping list. The Reds were on the list...but I'm not sure of that nozzle size. I might grab the Blue 2s that just release. IEMs are fun...but I still prefer my planar cans😅

giving Zero 2s a bump... they're better with EQ

I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE WITH YOUR POINTS: https://preview.redd.it/vwxf7i53neye1.jpeg?width=2377&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9aafdf70e38f01e9e6e88692e4c7f79caca103d8 This is MY collection...and I'm very early in the journey. I don't have the budget, knowledge or experience to blind buy a 500USD+ set of in ears that may or may not fit my ears or my preferences. While my journey doesn't completely fit OP's blueprint...I have/had the same thought process regarding purchasing IEMs. Not pictured are the Moondrop Chu 2 and 7Hz Sonus. I started with the Chu 2, 7Hz Zero 2 and Kiwi Ears Cadenza. From listening, watching and reading reviews...I was able to learn about all the terms, labels, and vocabulary to describe what I like or don't like. I threw money at the Wyvern Abyss...I mean...LOOK AT THEM😂. The Kz Castor Bass was a curiosity buy...want to hear if a set touting bass response was really that bassy. My next steps were the NiceHCK F1 Pros, Kiwi Ears Canta and the 7Hz Sonus. The F1 Pros and the Sonu were on sale at the time of purchase...good value and able to narrow things down more for myself. I knew I liked the planar sound...I have a set of open ear planar cans. The F1s felt disappointing (until I tip rolled) The Sonus was about much for my taste (in the mids) The Cantas were quite nice for me. By this point...I had a good grasp of what I was looking for and the direction (s) I want to go in. AFUL Performer 5+2 is currently my go-to...for all around listening. Sourced from R2R DAC lined out into a desktop tube amp. It's like a warm blanket on crisp bright and snowy winter day. I picked up the Hexa because I wanted to hear the hype...and yes...they definitely fulfill the hype and then some. I've EQed my IEMs... especially the planar. They can mimic the sound...but it's only a part of the equation. I now rotate through 3-4 sets at my desktop listening station. The cheapo ones all have 3.5mm out for around the house or for bed. If they break...ill decide if I want to replace. Tip rolling is a journey of itself. Some tips can dramatically change an IEM and rescue it from the bottom of the pile. My Planars now sport foam tips...easing off the treble was huge. Anyway...long post...if you got this far thanks for sticking with my diarrhea of words. TLDR: I agree with the OP

I have zero 2. Thinking of returning them to get 7hz g1. I am a bit treble sensitive though. Would you suggest I do that or stick to zero 2 for now. Also in terms of mids which one do you feel is good. ?? Wonderful review by the way.

These are v shaped and the zero 2 are warm and neutral tuned. So where does the difference come here? What sets them apart in terms of sound?

So I am also in the same boat as you op. I saved enough money for a good gaming iem and got the zero 2 after lots of research. Found them perfect. Except for one small thing. The fit is a hit or miss. Unfortunately for my tiny ears it's a miss. Then I returned them and just 2 days later I found out about the 7hz G1. They are especially made for fps gaming. And then this youtuber named crincle also gave them a really good review. Look into those once as well.

Yes. Please. I have been asking this to everyone. My first iem was the zero2. Wonderful sound and good for gaming. It was perfect but unfortunately they hurt in my tiny ears. So I had to return them. I had only 25 dollars worth of money so for my needs ( good music + gaming ) these were perfect. I could not find anything else , and eventually I found the 7hz G1. It is going to available for sale here locally by the end of this month. I want to know how well they fare against the zero2. I am confident they will blow the zero2 in terms of gaming. What about their sound? Are the mids in g1 as good as zero2 ? I know everything else is going to be just fine. What about the mids and vocals?

I can give you opinion on gaming iem. Either the zero 2 or vivace. Some prefer the zero2 more for its overall tuning but either is good. I strongly think it's going to either of these 2 for you eventually. I have personally used zero2. Top notch for the price. Just make sure you get the fit right.

Do you own any IEMs? Do you know what your preferred overall sound signature is, and how to describe it? If not, simply start with the very inexpensive Zero 2. A ton of us have this nice budget IEM. You can listen to the Zero 2 and then you can talk about what you want more or less of in the various regions of the overall frequency response. All four IEMs which you included in your post are very nice IEMs in terms of overall performance. Yet each of these IEMs have a different overall sound signature. An IEM can have extremely nice technical performance, yet if that IEM's overall sound signature is not what you want, then that IEM likely will be rejected by you. So again I suggest starting with the Zero 2 so that you have a reference IEM to talk about in terms of what you want. And again, many of us have this IEM and this allows us to relate to whatever you describe in terms of what you want.

The only reason why I mentioned the Zero 2 is that you might want to try them when watching movies. Some movie audio tracks are somewhat poorly mixed and can be too intense. I find that the Zero 2's relaxing overall sound signature makes the Zero 2 a nice IEM to use when watching movies since the Zero 2 takes away the sharp edges in the audio for movies.

I love the 7Hz Zero 2 for watching movies. The Zero 2 smoother bass since the leading edge attack of the bass notes is softened. Even though I hear all of the bass, the smoother bass makes it much easier for me to focus on and enjoy the midrange. There is a nice dip in the Zero 2's upper midrange / lower treble region. This dip makes the upper midrange and treble sound more enjoyable for me when watching movies since this reduces any harshness in the movie's audio mix. Once again, this makes it easier to focus on the midrange. The Zero 2 is a budget IEM which you might want to try. Another more expensive IEM which I really enjoy when watching movies is the Aful MagicOne.

I really like the Zero 2 since it has decently detailed yet relaxing musical sound signature which I can enjoy for hours. I will be honest about the stock cables. The stock cables are crap, as in the worst stock cables which I have ever encountered on any IEM including KZ IEMs. Thank goodness that I had a pair of spare third party cables to put on these IEMs.

I enjoyed reading your review. I wish that regular people who are not reviewers would have the courage to write reviews. I have a lot of IEMs. I enjoy listening to the Zero 2 when I want to relax since the Zero 2 has a relaxing sound signature. I particularly enjoy listening with the Zero 2 when I am watching movies since other IEMs can make the movie listening experience too intense.

DaVinci when I'm in the mood for a more fun sound KE4 when I want a more neutral sound Salnotes Zero 2 when I want the best comfort

Hey man, curious between the Zero 2 and the EW300, would the EW300 be a good upgrade if I liked the tuning on the Zero 2? Looking for something natural yet with good tonality and clarity (not too warm). I tried the Vivace recently and it actually sounded a touch warmer than the Zero 2 which I didn't care for.

Chu 2 and Zero 2 are very close in tuning with the Chu 2 being a bit brighter. I've tried 3 of these IEMs (not the Wyverns) and I personally like the Chu 2 the most.

I prefer the 7Hz Zero1 vs Zero2 for those eventually going to appreciate high-end stuff. Most high end have enough bass but clearer highs similar to the Zero1. The Zero2 is a more... Harman-tuned sound for the majority of non-highend listeners. Maybe for pop music, electronic, rap, hiphop, etc The Zero2 may sound better. For the usual Audiophile music samples such as vocals, acoustics, decay, layering, etc the Zero 1 is the better choice. Its closer to Diffuse Field too.

I'd go zero 2 or zero red for beginner iem, had zero 2 and really enjoyed them, I think they are a nice introduction to iems

I went from some Hyperx Series headset to the 7Hz X Crinacle Zero 2's, and the sound quality is just better and stronger everywhere and they get far far louder. Paired them with an Apple Usb-c to 3.5mm dongle, they are very good for gaming and listening to music, especially for the price. Of course at this point it's probably good to say that the headset only cost around 70-80€ brand new, and the iems were just 25€. So not very high-end stuff on either side. So I guess it depends on what you're comparing them to. At 25€ the value for your money is incredible.

These were my first and currently only IEMs so my opinion is biased and uneducated but as far as sound quality goes most definitely get them. As far as fit and comfort I don't have any issues with them but some complain about the nozzle size and overall shape. Maybe not the best choice if you have smaller ears

For reference, I have an EW200, CCA CRA and KZ Castor Bass. I really love each of them and how bass heavy they sound. I also have the Zero 2 and although there is not a lot of bass, I love how wide it might sound with the right song. So would the EW300 be a substantial upgrade over the EW200 or would the DZ4 bring something new to the table? (I'd also shamelessly admit that I buy them mostly based on looks, so Celest Wyvern Abyss, BL03 and Truthear Nova are also in the cart for now)

I’m surprised to see the Original 7 Hz Salnotes Zero on the list but not the Zero 2. The Zero 2 is the one I see recommended most on here, with TANGZU Wan’er and Moondrop Chu II very close seconds.

a 20-50$ iem will sound much better than any non audio brand 10$ earphone and even rival 100-150$ wireless earbuds like a samsung or oneplus. an 200$ iem will sound better than an airpods, these are just logically normal things. when it comes to actually comparing against over ear headphones or speakers. under 100$ generally iems will be the best but there are some good like 70-80$ headphones that rival them. around 100-500 or even 1000$ you really cannot beat over ear headphones for sound quality, once you spend multiple thousand dollars then speakers rule. but these categories arent really comparable since they are used in different situations most of the times. people mostly use iems outside, headphones in front of a computer and speakers in the living room. I can say that on well mixed tracks you can definitely hear a difference, it does not make the song different or anything like that but you pick up on new details when comparing a 30$ iem to a 150$ one, but usually the more important one is the sound signature of it, some are very flat and neutral some are made for bass some are made to be the most clear and detailed some are focused on male or female vocals its all depending on your personal preference. personally when listening to just popular rock songs I do notice that 150$ ie200s have more detailed guitar sounds and more separated drums than 25$ 7hz zero's in terms of really high end iems, they arent really supposed to be competing with normal headphones or speakers but trying to get as close to them while still being portable and private so you can use them anywhere. at home I would not use my iems since I already have decent over ear headphones that are much more comfortable and are open back, but ofc I cant use them on the train so I use my iems. going into iems its probably a good idea to not spend a ton of money, 20-30$ options like 7hz zero2 or tangzu waner will sound much better than what you have in every way you can imagine for not much money, if you go up to like 80$ they will become more detailed and technically better but the general sound of the music wont change much. in the end they are just a piece of tech not anything elite or smart or whatever, like 1000$ iems and such are a niche and stuff most people wouldn't care about them, but more affordable ones are just objectively great value if you care about sound.

a 20-50$ iem will sound much better than any non audio brand 10$ earphone and even rival 100-150$ wireless earbuds like a samsung or oneplus. an 200$ iem will sound better than an airpods, these are just logically normal things. when it comes to actually comparing against over ear headphones or speakers. under 100$ generally iems will be the best but there are some good like 70-80$ headphones that rival them. around 100-500 or even 1000$ you really cannot beat over ear headphones for sound quality, once you spend multiple thousand dollars then speakers rule. but these categories arent really comparable since they are used in different situations most of the times. people mostly use iems outside, headphones in front of a computer and speakers in the living room. I can say that on well mixed tracks you can definitely hear a difference, it does not make the song different or anything like that but you pick up on new details when comparing a 30$ iem to a 150$ one, but usually the more important one is the sound signature of it, some are very flat and neutral some are made for bass some are made to be the most clear and detailed some are focused on male or female vocals its all depending on your personal preference. personally when listening to just popular rock songs I do notice that 150$ ie200s have more detailed guitar sounds and more separated drums than 25$ 7hz zero's in terms of really high end iems, they arent really supposed to be competing with normal headphones or speakers but trying to get as close to them while still being portable and private so you can use them anywhere. at home I would not use my iems since I already have decent over ear headphones that are much more comfortable and are open back, but ofc I cant use them on the train so I use my iems. going into iems its probably a good idea to not spend a ton of money, 20-30$ options like 7hz zero2 or tangzu waner will sound much better than what you have in every way you can imagine for not much money, if you go up to like 80$ they will become more detailed and technically better but the general sound of the music wont change much. in the end they are just a piece of tech not anything elite or smart or whatever, like 1000$ iems and such are a niche and stuff most people wouldn't care about them, but more affordable ones are just objectively great value if you care about sound.

I would rec the salnotes 2 if you think they'd fit you (they have a weird shape), otherwise, the Gates If you like them, consider getting an endgame upgrade, but it definitely doesn't need to be super expensive; just a set that you like

Already ordered mine Those and the 7hz zero 2 I have the chu 2 They’re amazing The wan er too And the 7hz zero (original)

I will get them today, i hope won't disappoint, because everything on them seems good. I hope for low distortion in highs (non fatiguing) and good bass extension, thats all what an budget iems should have

I have them, not perfect but i am impressed because it doesn't suck (just a little) i will post a review They are great, man, makes me listen to the whole song every time, with eq

7Hz G1 for gaming, the elevated treble region helps with details when gaming. It is basically the Zero2 without the dark treble. Vivace is good for music, i dont think it has the positional detail extraction for gaming in the way the G1 does. Same is true of the QKZ x HBB, good for music, not exactly a detail extraction IEM.

To answer your requirements, Balanced or Original sound is subjective. Some people think that the flat sound is the original sound, how artists listen to their music at production, but it's purely for analytical purposes. Music is produced in a way, everyone can enjoy the music with their subjective preference. Some people might want a bit of bass, some might want treble or both for some. It's just like how food is consumed. That being said, Balanced or Neutral sound is subjective, but this is the latest standard from IEF. https://preview.redd.it/nqngdf78xfle1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=ca464cfee18d97408f095ea9142a72b4e6739ea7 Hexa is considered as a neutral bright IEM. While Zero: Red is balanced. Ofc, you can EQ your Zero: 2 to match the requirement while not spending money, but that is up to you.

It's mild V-shaped in my opinion. https://preview.redd.it/k1tbhykaegle1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=317c81de3668f382773769828dabddfa42077e1b This is the definition of V shaped sound signature. Salnote Zero 2 is more like someone laying in bed, meanwhile Castor Pro is like a mountain.

I'm not going to confuse myself more and will get the Zero2 as it seems the safer choice. My cousin have Gate so when I get the chance I will test it and see if it's something that worth getting. Btw correct me on this if im wrong, for open world games like zelda, halo or any mmo I think mind v-shaped IEMs will provide better experience and for competitive games like counter strike, neutral sounding IEMs like Zero or Gate will perform better than V-shaped ones. How much does it holds true?

Gate was my first iem and there was zero bass like none for me, didn't liked sound, but still good iem if you looking for detail, soundwize still not as good as 7hz 2 and tangzu I would say, than I jumped to EW200 and It opend a lot, I can feel bass well, vocals sound way better, great for gaming and feels premium cause metal shell overall really good set, but there is one con on ew200 and that's the treble as lot of people complain, on some musics can't listen on more than 50,60 volume it hits way to lound and bright, I still need to get used to sound.

FWIW the Zero:2 is a solid upgrade from the Zero imo. I haven't touched my Zero since I got the Zero:2.

1. Truthear Hexa - a little bit too thin bright. I'm using mine with Final Audio Type E eartips and the cable from Truthear Hola 2. Sony MDR-1AM2 - best treble in over-ear headphone for me so far. It's pretty muddy, but also quite fun for some music. Comfort is also great, and it doesn't need a lot of EQ to sound amazing 3. Nothing Ear (2024) - default tuning is too thin and too bright, but it's easy to EQ with built-in PEQ. 4. 7Hz Zero:2 - it's fine, very light and comfortable, but sound-wise there's nothing to talk about 5. Galaxy Buds 3 Pro - big improvement from Buds 2 Pro, but they have no midrange. I like that they moved to superior design, but they made the buds way too heavy. 6. Galaxy Buds 2 Pro - treble peak at 9k was a dealbreaker for me, they hurt after 2 hours, use stupid shell design 7. Hifiman Sundara - atrocious treble, no midbass, heavy, uncomfortable. The only 2 good things about this headphones are bass extension and imaging (which is barely better than Hexas or Sonys)

If you can, get the zero 2.

Between these IEMs I'd choose the Zero 2. If you can get the Tanchjim Bunny DSP, get one.

I'd take the Wyvern or look at the 7Hz Zero2. The Wan'er sounds like a paper cone speaker in the mids. No real detail despite having volume there. The Cadenza costs double the Wan'er and sounds worse. Muddy bass with no texture, blurry mids, and peaky treble that still manages to not get in the way. All cymbals sound the same. Just a slow driver overall. I own them all and I've tried them all with many different sets of tips.

The Wyvern's mids are aggressive, and has a great amount of sub bass. I'm a mid-head. I love clean, clear, accurate mids. These are just a bit of all three but at the price point, I can't complain. Divinus Wides and the mids get *real* aggressive. Melodic death metal guitar work... hell, any distorted guitar just pops. So do electronic synths that are meant to bite and dig. Energetic treble without being harsh or piercing. The 7Hz Zero2 are, I feel, a more universal recommendation in terms of signature. V-shaped enough to capture a TWS enjoyer, but not so sucked out that the mids feel like an afterthought. It's a minor revelation to the beginner hobbyist while also being a pretty well performing unit at its price and beyond. The Tripowin Vivace is worth considering. One of my favorites, the KBEar KB01, is a no-brainer.

I'd say at that point op may as well grab the 7Hz Zero2. It's a better sounding unit and doesn't really cost much more. It's still going to knock the socks off an ath-M20 (what a pos)

The Zero2 is my choice. If you're looking at the Cadenza specifically for the beryllium driver, the KBEars KB01 does it better and is cheaper. The Cadenza sounds like a plate of hot, wet shit.

Recently upgraded from the zero:2s. The bottom line is that they sound great. IF you can get them to fit. The shells are oddly shaped, so they simply can't rest in your ears in the proper position for the seal. So you lose out on the bass and treble. And if you do somehow get them in, they slowly pop out after a while. Spinfit W1s can remedy this issue, but if the shape of your ear collides with the shell, it's a hard pass. You're better off entering the 50+ dollar price bracket. I upgraded to the Pula PA02s and haven't looked back since. Way more comfortable and sound better to me without the fatigue of several hours of long-term listening on my computer.

oh, i like hate bass tbh hence i bought 7hz and they had the perfect bass for my ears like wont mind a bass upgrade of 10-15% but its great as it wins on clarity

Welcome to the IEM world! 🎉 The **Zero:2** is an *insane* value for rock and metal—great instrument separation and clarity for the price. Love that you modded them with your Marshall tips for the best fit! 🤘 If you ever decide to experiment down the line, the **7Hz Zero Red** or **KZ PR2** (if you’re okay with planars) might be worth checking out too. Enjoy your new setup! 🔥 What’s been your favorite track to rediscover with them so far?

Hello, i've been using kz zsn pro and 7hz zero:2 for years. I decided it was time to upgrade since i got bored but don't wanna spend 200$ out of the blue without deciding what i like, so trying to go fairly cheaper with different iems. I am thinking about getting this set, do you recommend this or what would you recommend about this ? For more info, i listen to metal music generally. Otherwise some jazz, rock, hiphop and watch movies. Thank you

I was actually look between Castor, Chu and Zero 2. But since a lot recommend Zero 2 for gaming, i choose to buy this with tripowin mic cable.

I got the 7hz Salnotes Zero. They are good, I like the detail in the treble (which some might find bright/sibilant) but the bass is anemic. I ordered the 7hz Zero:Two during lunch today. I understand it has a V-shape tuning, which should boost the bass I felt was missing in the original Zero. I also think a V-shape should work better for me, because I don’t like to listen at loud volumes. 65db is as loud as I ever get, so a V- shape tuning should mimic the “loudness” button that vintage receivers used to have for listening at low volumes at night. I’ll let you know what I think of the Zero:Two when it gets delivered last this week 🤜🏻🤛🏻 TL;DR I’d skip the Salnotes Zero (unless you hate bass 😝)

I got the 7hz Salnotes Zero. They are good, I like the detail in the treble (which some might find bright/sibilant) but the bass is anemic. I ordered the 7hz Zero:Two during lunch today. I understand it has a V-shape tuning, which should boost the bass I felt was missing in the original Zero. I also think a V-shape should work better for me, because I don’t like to listen at loud volumes. 65db is as loud as I ever get, so a V- shape tuning should mimic the “loudness” button that vintage receivers used to have for listening at low volumes at night. I’ll let you know what I think of the Zero:Two when it gets delivered last this week 🤜🏻🤛🏻 TL;DR I’d skip the Salnotes Zero (unless you hate bass 😝)

Awesome! Glad we came to the same decision over lunch 😆 enjoy your Zero:Twos when they arrive!

Just got my Zero:Twos from Amazon. I’m three songs in and I’ve got a smile on my face. They sound exactly like I was hoping, even at low volumes. Hope you enjoy yours in good health 👍🏻

Whenever someone pops up here asking which $100 IEM they should buy, my standard response is to spend $60 on a Wan'er 2, Zero:2, and Chu II, $10 on a dongle DAC, and spend the other $30 on something else (or save for upgrade). EQ is cool, but it's not magic. And finding something close to your preference and starting there goes a long way. Also, not for nothing, but I used a different tunes of IEMs at my desk (Wan'er) vs. working in a loud office (Chu II) vs. walking my dog (Zero:2), and playing with multiple tunings helps you figure that out.

If you go for a budget one (and many people might hang me for saying this), you can equalize a bit more bass for them. Wan'er 1 are warm and pretty solid, Chu II are more shouty but have good performance and Salnotes have a nice sound stage.

hands down the zero 2

Well, u don't have to spend so much, I found that the zero 2 are so good with notice cancellation. To give you an example, yesterday I was at university studying, in the corridor next to me they started celebrating the graduation of a boy; Shouts and applause, the noise was almost deafening. I put on zero 2, I put light music on 10 out of 100 volume and all that disappeared. I also use them to watch movies while my sister watches loud TV in the room, no disturbances of any kind. They have done wonders in this respect. They cancel the sound better than my hexa (70€) and kiwi quintet (250€). It doesnt make sense to spend so much for just notice canceling, so zeros are perfect for u, they are 15/20€ with stock tips and u r done

Just got mine, and they sound pretty dmn good. And unlike others, they fit my ear basically perfectly with the blue ear tips

Zero 2 sounded like it had little note weight and I couldnt improve it with eq Gate was too bright at high volume

Add the delci, T10, zero 2, zero red, S08, chu 2, gate. I haven't heard it but the hexa is "light on bass," but I heard they're excellent otherwise. Personally I would get the T10 or S08 because they're planars. I have a zero red, gate, chu 2, zero 2. In terms of out of the box sound I find the Chu 2 to be the most exciting and lush and the most comfortable (it's absolutely TINY). I found gate too bright and the zero 2 kinda weak in note-weight but all of these things are "well tuned". If bass is your thing the zero red with some mucking around with PeaceAPO on PC (like matched to a singularity) absolutely *delivers.*

If it's not critical listening then no need to spend that much. Zero 2 are great, nice sound quality and easy to drive. Nice all-rounder and great value.

My other IEMs are the Hidizs MP145, KZ PRX and ZAR, Rosefinch, Zero Red, Zero 2, and ancient Ety ER4S. I mostly just listen to the Punch, MP145 and ZAR for portable. I love classic rock the most like Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, Beatles, Dylan, Zeppelin, etc. But I listen to everything, love classical and jazz, and EDM and Hip-hop and bassy pop, soul.

I love the Ziigaat Odyssey, clean and balanced yet still strong mid-bass punch and sub-bass slam. Totally immersive experience, a true pleasure with special sauce tuning. More modest entry level would be the 7hz Zero 2. Decent but not spectacular, it's balanced with good bass. Also there's the default Truthear Zero Red and Blue 2. I have the Red, which is neutral with bass boost, again decent but not too exciting.

I would avoid KZ altogether. They're outdated in the Chifi IEM market. They're also a scummy company for a plethora of reasons. There's new shit coming out every month. Best budget recommendations are the Truthear Gate, 7hz Zero:2, and Tangzu Wan'er, imo. The Gates are like $15, the other two are about $25. Personally I have the Zero:2 and love them. The treble is toned down, and the mid bass is much better. You get a fuller sound without the peak-y high end of most cheap single dynamic drivers.

Love my 7HZ Zero:2s. The Truthear Gates and Tangzu Wan'er are the other two cheap cheap options I would look into. Truthear Zero Red or Blues would be good if you want to spend closer to $50. Most of the KZ options are out of date with the speed of the Chifi IEM market. You can get better for the same price. Any of the Shure and Sennheisers are overpriced compared to what's coming out of China. I wouldn't even bother personally.

Most tips will fit, but will require a bit of effort to get on because the nozzles are so big. In some cases (e.g., Render Tips) these will permenently stretch them out, so they might then be a bit loose on if transferred to another IEM afterwards. Personally I only like the Tang Sancai Wide Bore version on the 7Hz Zero 2 (another Crinacle collab) because it lacks upper treble and sounds a bit "flat" (in the bad sense) with other tips. I don't think the Red really needs the extra treble, but YMMV because everyone's ears are different. I prefer the Balanced version on every other IEM I've tried them on. The WB just tends to add too much treble and messes up the timbre. The only tips in my collection (of about 30 or 40 types) that flat out won't fit on the Red are Dunu Candy. There are a few tips specifically designed for large nozzles like Spinfit CP-155 and TRI Clarion, both of which can help *a bit* with comfort issues, but won't eliminate them completely unless you already have slightly bigger than average ear canals. The Clarions are another treble-oriented tip that I don't think complements the warm tuning of the Red very well, so the CP-155 is what I'd recommend most people start off with if buying specifically for the Red.

I'm interested but going to wait for reviews, even though I suspect like most previous Crinacle collabs there will be an intense wall of hype that doesn't necessarily reflect the reality. I have all 4 of the Crinacle Zeroes and don't really listen to any of them as they are all just "OK", but in each case I have at least one other IEM that I prefer in some way. The main thing that interests me about these though is that the Blue/Red are both very close to something I'd listen to a lot, were it not for the massive nozzle. My thoughts on them all: * 7Hz Zero - for this tuning I prefer the original Chu, other than the crappy fixed cable. Chu sounds more resolving. Both have issues with some treble grain so I don't think either is objectively better than the other in that respect. * 7Hz Zero 2 - sounds a bit blunted to me, for this kind of warm tuning it feels a bit too "safe" and I find the QKZ HBB beats it in every way other than looks. * Truthear Zero (OG Blue) - Was innovative in some ways but it's actually only about 70% target-compliant not "full Harman". The HBB Khan is basically the same IEM made slightly better (jftr, it literally *is* the same IEM, from the same factory, with a different faceplate and tweaked tuning - I believe even the drivers are identical). * Truthear Zero Red - This one stands out in that there still isn't anything with quite the same tuning around the same price, but I find it pretty meh in terms of technicalities. It causes far too much ear canal discomfort without a sufficient payoff to be worth it, so I basically gave up on trying to listen to it. I have enough other IEMs at similar price of just above that are better such as the Artti T10, Kefine Delci and Dunu Titan S - in fairness to the Red, none of these were available at the same price point when it released and none of them has quite the same tuning. Closest thing to a direct upgrade I have is the Juzear 41t, which is nearly 3x the price and has [venting problems](https://old.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1insj4z/some_thoughts_on_the_juzear_clear_and_myer_audio/). From what I've seen of the Blue 2 graphs, it sits somewhere between the OG Blue and the Red. The tweaked eargain is similar to the Khan, but it takes bass in the opposite direction, which looks more like the Red. It's also been said by some people that the Aoshida E20 is "the Khan with a smaller nozzle" Although personally I don't hear anything like that. It's a lot more neutral, so that's another comparison I'd like to see as it may be quite similar. In fact out of these, the E20 graph is the one that looks the most like the Blue 2. Now that Crinacle has his own IEM brand, I wonder if these will be the last ever Crinacle collab? What's interesting is that despite all the effort to make the nozzle smaller on these and Crinacle himself clearly acknowledging that it was a problem, people who have tried the 3 new CrinEar IEMs say that they all have huge nozzles.

I'm interested but going to wait for reviews, even though I suspect like most previous Crinacle collabs there will be an intense wall of hype that doesn't necessarily reflect the reality. I have all 4 of the Crinacle Zeroes and don't really listen to any of them as they are all just "OK", but in each case I have at least one other IEM that I prefer in some way. The main thing that interests me about these though is that the Blue/Red are both very close to something I'd listen to a lot, were it not for the massive nozzle. My thoughts on them all: * 7Hz Zero - for this tuning I prefer the original Chu, other than the crappy fixed cable. Chu sounds more resolving. Both have issues with some treble grain so I don't think either is objectively better than the other in that respect. * 7Hz Zero 2 - sounds a bit blunted to me, for this kind of warm tuning it feels a bit too "safe" and I find the QKZ HBB beats it in every way other than looks. * Truthear Zero (OG Blue) - Was innovative in some ways but it's actually only about 70% target-compliant not "full Harman". The HBB Khan is basically the same IEM made slightly better (jftr, it literally *is* the same IEM, from the same factory, with a different faceplate and tweaked tuning - I believe even the drivers are identical). * Truthear Zero Red - This one stands out in that there still isn't anything with quite the same tuning around the same price, but I find it pretty meh in terms of technicalities. It causes far too much ear canal discomfort without a sufficient payoff to be worth it, so I basically gave up on trying to listen to it. I have enough other IEMs at similar price of just above that are better such as the Artti T10, Kefine Delci and Dunu Titan S - in fairness to the Red, none of these were available at the same price point when it released and none of them has quite the same tuning. Closest thing to a direct upgrade I have is the Juzear 41t, which is nearly 3x the price and has [venting problems](https://old.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1insj4z/some_thoughts_on_the_juzear_clear_and_myer_audio/). From what I've seen of the Blue 2 graphs, it sits somewhere between the OG Blue and the Red. The tweaked eargain is similar to the Khan, but it takes bass in the opposite direction, which looks more like the Red. It's also been said by some people that the Aoshida E20 is "the Khan with a smaller nozzle" Although personally I don't hear anything like that. It's a lot more neutral, so that's another comparison I'd like to see as it may be quite similar. In fact out of these, the E20 graph is the one that looks the most like the Blue 2. Now that Crinacle has his own IEM brand, I wonder if these will be the last ever Crinacle collab? What's interesting is that despite all the effort to make the nozzle smaller on these and Crinacle himself clearly acknowledging that it was a problem, people who have tried the 3 new CrinEar IEMs say that they all have huge nozzles.

It's very good. The Zero 2 is borderline neutral (but definitely warm tilted) whereas the HBB definitely has more bass than neutral. But it still sounds very natural. It's relaxing & non-distracting at low volumes, fun at higher volumes. BTW, if your Zero:2 doesn't sound warmer than the Wan'er then there's probably something wrong with it, you didn't get a good seal with the tips, or you have a Zero 1 not the Zero 2. If you're looking for a punchy style of bass, none of these do that. They're all the relaxing, warm style of tuning, just with different amounts of bass & low mids.

Yep, that's the 2. It should definitely be bassier than the Wan'er. The tuning is almost identical except it has more sub-bass and a tiny bit less eargain: https://squig.link/?share=Harman_Adjusted_Target,Tangzu_Waner,7Hz_Zero_2 This is how mine sound too, so it's not just a misleading graph. Of course it's also possible you have an abnormally bassy Wan'er due to unit variance, or the tips you're using are making a big difference.

Not really in order, as different tunings: * Moondrop Chu 2 - mild v-shape, great IEM * QKZ HBB - warm/bassy, great IEM * Blon BL03 - fun v-shape (but the fit is terrible) Bright neutral has a few options - I prefer the original Chu but the crappy fixed cable lets it down. The 7Hz Zero is a bit better in that regard, but I don't think it sounds quite as good. Arguably it's better to pay the extra for the Moondrop LAN for this signature because it's the best one until you go up significantly, but OTOH it's also kind of overpriced for what it is (I think it's around $40 normally, but it's basically just a Chu 2 with less bass). The 7Hz Zero 2 is OK as well but I personally find it a bit of an overly safe middle ground between other, better IEMs. Like the QKZ HBB, if you want warm but don't want to go quite that warm. It's probably the one that's the closest competitor to the Wan'er, as a better all-rounder. Although I find the Wan'er has a stand-out feature in its vocals while being weaker elsewhere, but the Zero 2 doesn't have a single stand-out thing it does better than anything else. It could maybe get the award for the okayest $20 IEM, as it doesn't do anything bad, but nothing stands out as particularly good either. You also have things like the KZ EDC Pro as probably the best beginner IEM, for around $5. It's very close to the Chu 2 but a bit bassier and slightly less refined in the treble. Probably more comfortable than the Chu 2 and less prone to condensation issues. The KZ Castor Bass, around $15, is good for a really hard-hitting bass tuning, although it's not an all-rounder and the tuning is a bit grainy.

Not really in order, as different tunings: * Moondrop Chu 2 - mild v-shape, great IEM * QKZ HBB - warm/bassy, great IEM * Blon BL03 - fun v-shape (but the fit is terrible) Bright neutral has a few options - I prefer the original Chu but the crappy fixed cable lets it down. The 7Hz Zero is a bit better in that regard, but I don't think it sounds quite as good. Arguably it's better to pay the extra for the Moondrop LAN for this signature because it's the best one until you go up significantly, but OTOH it's also kind of overpriced for what it is (I think it's around $40 normally, but it's basically just a Chu 2 with less bass). The 7Hz Zero 2 is OK as well but I personally find it a bit of an overly safe middle ground between other, better IEMs. Like the QKZ HBB, if you want warm but don't want to go quite that warm. It's probably the one that's the closest competitor to the Wan'er, as a better all-rounder. Although I find the Wan'er has a stand-out feature in its vocals while being weaker elsewhere, but the Zero 2 doesn't have a single stand-out thing it does better than anything else. It could maybe get the award for the okayest $20 IEM, as it doesn't do anything bad, but nothing stands out as particularly good either. You also have things like the KZ EDC Pro as probably the best beginner IEM, for around $5. It's very close to the Chu 2 but a bit bassier and slightly less refined in the treble. Probably more comfortable than the Chu 2 and less prone to condensation issues. The KZ Castor Bass, around $15, is good for a really hard-hitting bass tuning, although it's not an all-rounder and the tuning is a bit grainy.

The Zero 2 is more of a down-slope than a v-shape per se. I'd call it warm-neutral. It's bassier than neutral and some people will call anything with extra bass a v-shape, but it's not really. The Chu 2 and Gate are both mild v-shapes as they have more bass *and* more treble. but the Zero 2 actually has slightly reduced eargain and rolled-off upper treble, while the Zero 1 is more of a bright-neutral. If you are mainly planning to EQ, the Zero 2 is probably your best bet as it has the smoothest treble response - it just lacks extension in the stock tuning, so it can sound a bit blunted. You should be able to fix that easily by adding a treble shelf to taste, and maybe bring down the bass a bit. The Zero 1 stock tuning has more treble extension, but it's a bit peakier and that's the region where it's harder to make fine-grained EQ adjustments.

It's not 100% flat neutral (but nothing is in that price range), more U-shaped, but the Tin C2 is very good. It gets closer to neutral with Spinfit CP-100+ tips since those roll off the extra upper treble that they have, leaving it as pretty neutral with a slight bass boost. But they have very clean, well extended treble that IMO puts them quite ahead of the 7Hz Zero or Zero 2 for technical performance. Similar to the Simgot EW200 but that's a lot more v-shaped. Also the C2 has the best build quality out of any of those. The older one (which is now around $20) is closer to neutral than the 2025 version, which has a bit more sub-bass and sounds slightly more v-shaped. Both are very similar though. You probably wouldn't know there was a difference if you listened to them a day apart rather than A/B them side-by-side. If you want more of a bright-neutral with flatter bass, the Moondrop LAN is pretty good (around $40).

It's not 100% flat neutral (but nothing is in that price range), more U-shaped, but the Tin C2 is very good. It gets closer to neutral with Spinfit CP-100+ tips since those roll off the extra upper treble that they have, leaving it as pretty neutral with a slight bass boost. But they have very clean, well extended treble that IMO puts them quite ahead of the 7Hz Zero or Zero 2 for technical performance. Similar to the Simgot EW200 but that's a lot more v-shaped. Also the C2 has the best build quality out of any of those. The older one (which is now around $20) is closer to neutral than the 2025 version, which has a bit more sub-bass and sounds slightly more v-shaped. Both are very similar though. You probably wouldn't know there was a difference if you listened to them a day apart rather than A/B them side-by-side. If you want more of a bright-neutral with flatter bass, the Moondrop LAN is pretty good (around $40).

They all perform pretty similarly. I'd have to A/B to remind myself but I *think* the Chu 2 is slightly ahead of the rest. The Gate might be a bit wider sounding actually because it's a bit brighter than the Chu 2, but IMO it's not as well tuned as the others and can sound a bit "scratchy" at times. If you want to avoid too much bass, you will probably prefer the 7Hz Zero as it's a bright-neutral tuning (Chu 2 & Gate are both mild v-shape, Wan'er & Zero 2 are warm-neutral). With that said, none of these are basshead. Bear in mind that soundstage is a psychoacoustic effect anyway, so what sounds wider to one person might not sound like that to someone else. Very broadly, a slight v-shape with a lean towards more treble and less mid-bass will sound wider, but there's no guarantee everyone will hear it that way.

Had it, value for money. Also check out Zigaat Nuo, I think much better sound for the same price range. And much more comfortable.

So I finally got my Zero 2 and I'm impressed by its tuning. I'm rocking a KZ Castor Silver before buying this and Zero 2 is definitely an upgrade for me in terms of bass and sound quality. Since I want a variety of iems to experience eargasm, what IEMs do sound like Zero 2 or even better under $50?

I purchased qkz hbb out of curiosity. I prefer warm or warm meutral. Im a bit treble sensitive. I have ew300 in my cart. I want to purchase it but i was wondering about the treble. Can any one recommend any other warm or warm neutral set with smooth treble and no sibilance. I already have 7hz zero 2 (perfect for my ear, no eq) final e3000, and blon bl03 (eq the treble). Kz zs10 pro (huge amount of eq)

These sound perfect to my ear. These are my first iem that i didn't have to eq. Everything is clear and non fatiguing. They are well balanced and little bit of warmth that i love.

Hey I never got to try the davincis out, I ended up finding a hype4 during a good sale so I got them along with the dusk and listened to them for a while, the hype4 were far more of my preference but they had a sharp spikey upper treble at times that I found to be too much for me, I realize I could have eq'd that out, but I felt for the price I should not have had to do that. plus the nozzles were a bit big for my ears making them slightly uncomfortable. Going off graphs which doesn't tell the whole story the davinci seem to be very close to that without the spike but I don't believe in graphs alone so i'm not sure if it would have been a different story. For that type of music genre though if you like a thicker bottom end the hype4 were better in my opinion - the dusk are highly detailed but lack the thickness that I prefer in that style of music. I do miss the hype4 at times and still going off those as a reference here were a few iems that I wanted to try at some point: Davincis, Mangird Tea Pro, Estrella and QoA Adonis but never got around to trying them, I just use a cheap pair of zero 2s at the moment and im happy with them so I quit looking down the rabbit hole. I realize im probably going to get slaughtered for saying these things since they don't fit what most would say about these iems but just letting you know my opinion.

Are you referring to the flat head AirPods? They’re not easy to compare against an IEM. While flat heads can sound quite good, and there are some higher end ones on the market, in general, because the canal is no occluded, bass is markedly decreased and obviously external sounds intrude. So a zero 2 with a well fitting ear tip will be a more satisfying experience, so long as you are in situations where ambient sound isn’t important (I wouldn’t walk down a busy street, let alone say cycling on city streets where you need to listen to your environment as well as your music). Of course they now offer an AirPod 4 that includes ANC. I can’t figure out how that works without a sealed ear canal, and I’ve never listened to them to see if they work. But AirPods do offer you the advantage of being wireless, which for casual listening can be more convenient than a cable. If your goal is to sit and listen to music as a primary experience, the zero 2 would be a better choice. Just understand the different form factor, wireless and interactions with your environment should be understood.

Agreed, I tried my friends OG Zero and it wasn't living up to my needs. Good thing I took the risk and bought the Zero 2.

Agreed, it's really comfy to wear for hours and it's not fatiguing, really good sound quality for its price. Yeah, the cable is just sad, feels like it can break anytime.

The Zero 2 cost around $18 and the cable was $9. For what I spent, I am already very satisfied with my purchase. The main reason I bought the Tripowin cable cause it had a mic and the stock cable didn't have one.

Agreed! I guess they poured most of their efforts in the iem and not in the cable, good thing it's detachable.

I actually did buy the Prestige LTD lol. To me they have been absolutely worth it and I'll never be buying another set. But you're absolutely right, I could happily listen to my 7hz Zero 2 and still be perfectly happy, the bang for the buck is immense. In fact that's exactly what I recommend to people when they are looking for IEMs. No need to overcomplicate things, they just sound fantastic.

Just got my zero:2 yesterday, hooked it up to a USB c cable for my phone, and I had a blast. Highly recommend spending the extra 8 bucks for Spin fit W1 ear tips, giant improvement over stock

They're definitely a little warm in the audio, but I think the frequency response leads people to believe it's a bass haven. It's not, just a little punchy. These are great dailies cuz they're cheap and fun to listen to IMO if course

Im very happy with the zero 2's

KZ ZSN Pro X, QKZ x HBB, and 7hz Crinicle Zero 2. The QKZ x HBB were my favorite of the bunch, and the KZ were the worst imo.

Zero 2 any day of the week.

I agree. I like my Zero 2. Great bassy sound. But I find the EDC Pro's sound to be better. That extra added treble agrees with my sound preference better, without being too harsh. I find the Zero 2's treble to be lacking a little.

7Hz Salnotes Zero is better for gaming than Zero:2, if you want something for gaming $30 Tripowin x 0diBi: Vivace blows them away

7Hz Salnotes Zero is only usable one in that price range, but $40 Moondrop SSR is so much better, try getting that on some sale or something if you can

most of these $20-ish IEMs are pretty much all same sound quality, detail level, QKZ Odin, Moondrop CHU II, Truthear GATe, 7Hz Zero, 7Hz x Crinacle Zero: 2, Wan'er SG, Wan'er SE but for what you are looking for QKZ Odin will imo be the best choise, Wan'er SG is also good but their build quality is step or two below everything else on the list

most of these $20-ish IEMs are pretty much all same sound quality, detail level, QKZ Odin, Moondrop CHU II, Truthear GATe, 7Hz Zero, 7Hz x Crinacle Zero: 2, Wan'er SG, Wan'er SE but for what you are looking for QKZ Odin will imo be the best choise, Wan'er SG is also good but their build quality is step or two below everything else on the list

Beautiful setup you got there, congrats! I’m a bit further down the rabbit hole as I started with entry level ones (Chu 2, Zero 2, GATe) but upgraded recently to the RED. Waiting for the upgraded cable to arrive, in the meantime the GATe’s cable is just fine https://preview.redd.it/ndz2f2sys35e1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9067996897e9b48c51f8bc034f4516e9dc4b017c

While I feel it’s an improvement over the Chu 2/Zero 2, the RED’s fit is not for everyone and I wouldn’t recommend it as a starter IEM unless you know there’s a possibility of comfort being an issue. And the good (and bad) thing about this hobby is that there’s something new every week so there’s plenty of choices. I haven’t tested them myself but many say the Kefine Klean is an absolute steal for around the same price as the REDs.

It might sound funny, but 7Hz Zero 2. I've tried a lot of cheap and expensive IEMs, and I decided to main these for 2 simple reasons: 1. The best EQ potential out of all budget IEMs right now 2. The perfect fit with pink tips, I can easily sit with them for 5+ hours. It's basically the "All you need" IEM, if you know how to EQ, that's why I sold my EM6L and decided to stick to this one. Probably the best budget IEM ever, and one of the best IEMs to EQ

Soundwise the zero 2 probably has one of the best tonalities even under 50$, but the accessories are kinda meh. The wyvern has some good ergonomics and build quality and it also has a mic, but the sound is kinda just "ok". So I would choose between these 2 options, it just comes to what plays the leading role for you in IEMs: the comfort, build quality and accessories or sound.

Zero 2 can be a really good choice, but ONLY if you know how to EQ. If you don't, it would be better to use something else. I don't think that EW300 is a worthy IEM, because there are stil the EA500LM and EM6L, which I think are better than EW300

none of them are any extra airy, i have all of them and i would pick zero:2 for hiphop stuff

please don't make the mistake of buying kz iems. just get the 7hz zero or zero 2. or you can buy truthear gate (best gaming iem under 2k). all of these are much better value than kz iems. kz iems have a terrible cable + they only give 3 pair of eartips inside the box & nothing else. while, tangzu wan'er or truthear gate or zero/zero 2 give you 6-7 pairs of eartips + a cleaning cloth or case to carry your iem + truthear gate has the best cable quality of any iem under 3k.

please don't make the mistake of buying kz iems. just get the 7hz zero or zero 2. or you can buy truthear gate (best gaming iem under 2k). all of these are much better value than kz iems. kz iems have a terrible cable + they only give 3 pair of eartips inside the box & nothing else. while, tangzu wan'er or truthear gate or zero/zero 2 give you 6-7 pairs of eartips + a cleaning cloth or case to carry your iem + truthear gate has the best cable quality of any iem under 3k.

if you listen to both english & hindi songs, and prefer balanced sound then - truthear gate. but if you want a little bass heavy sound signature then 7hz zero 2. now, if you only listen to hindi songs, then tangzu wan'er 2. (note skip og wan'er sg as wan'er 2 is the upgrade & has better cables, better sancai eartips & better build.) these all sell for around 1.5k - 2k and skip everything else such as moondrop chu 2, any kz iem (dont ever buy a kz iem), skip og 7hz zero as well. SPECIAL: if you can spend around 3k, then just blindly go for 7hz G1. currently the best budget iem. proper v shape fun sound signature, with great clarity & separation. metal build. truly fantastic if you dont want reference grade & just wanna enjoy & vibe to your music with great clarity.

I really like my zero 2s. And the kz castors are good too.

Yeah. I think I prefer the zero 2 between these two…but my dac probably isn’t letting the castors bass really shine.

Zero 2s are pure bliss ✨

Yes, to my taste Zero 2s are better than Kz Castor. Good layered seperated music experience, good balanced bass, not too overpowering or fatiguing the ears, good vocals.

I am a beginner audiophile using the KZ Castor Bass Edition and 7Hz Crinacle Zero 2 with a Headphone Zone X ddHiFi Hi-Res DAC Pro and balanced cables. I prefer the Zero 2s due to their layered sound signature, good amount of bass, and comfortable fit for long listening sessions. I listen to all kinds of music. I’m planning to upgrade to the Simgot EW300 DSP Edition soon. What should I expect in terms of an upgrade from my Zero 2s and KZ Castors? Also, do you have any other upgrade suggestions within an $80 budget?

Yes the Zero 2s are more layered and nuanced. I have the blue variant. I love the look as well 🙌

1. The bass guitar is audible in a few parts throughout the album. I don't remember which, but it's there. 2. Better quality headphones reveal audio better. Wearing good in-ear headphones over cheap crap will make things like the aforementioned bass more audible.

Really good sound is subjective and on iems isn't solely based on price. Ive got really really cheap ones that sound amazing good at like 2 bucks a set. The zero 2 arent bad especially around $20 and even the red/blue sound good when paired with a good dac or dap. The $50 Juzear Clears sounds great too. Its not set in stone to be at that $200 range, but just more available at that price range that sound good.

Im a true believer in the zero blues and the zero 2. I do own higher end bass iems but these are solid for sub $100.

Try the crinacle red 2 first. A fraction of the price is great amounts of bass, overall they sound great. I have the deuce as well. I think the red 2 sounds just as good, bass is maybe a little tighter and faster, but Im pretty impressed with the zero 2.

The crinacle zero 2 by 7hz I think. The cheapest of his line, like around $30. I have the red and blues too. Both have alright bass, but the zero 2 hits the hardest. Lots of people think it's got too much bass, like they say about the deuces. The only iems Ive ever tried that I can say that maybe has a little too much would be the scarlet mini, but that was a long time ago.

Neither are the best. Zero 2 has less issues, but sounds a bit basic overall. Gate is a bit shouty and the bass quality is quite poor. Chu 2 DSP, probably Nuo and many others are better overall.

At these prices QC and longevity can always be an issue, but I'd day Gate is better suited for EQ than Zero 2.

For old J-pop, classical, and hip-hop?, Tangzu Wan’er, my friend. Smooth tuning, nice vocals, and enough detail to catch those background strings and classic beats. The ZS10 Pro's got punch but might be too shouty for the gentler stuff. And the 7Hz Zero:2? Clean and technical, good for hip-hop layers but might lack a bit of soul for J-pop vibes.

I have zero 2 using it for BGMI (for India) / Pubg Mobile (Global).. Sometimes sound gets overlapped. I don't hear footsteps and even car sound. So I was thinking about upgrading any recommendations???

Samsung wired earphones tunned by AKG. This is one option The other one is to get an IEM. I own zero 2. It's a good pair but not the best. Sometimes I don't hear footsteps clearly because of the soundstage or so many things happening at the same time. You can check the fresh reviews of the youtube channel for a better options

imo the salnotes zero 2 and 1 both are really shit, very cheap plasticy iems with good? sound i guess, I have the same kiwi ears cadenza from hpz, and they are really really good, they are better in bass and build quality for sure, the overall sound stage is also very good, if you can increase 500 INR more to your budget the truthear x crinacle zero blue are great choice

My first purchase was the zero 2s. Just got the zs10 pro and man what a difference. More bass than you could need, I turned my switches down to just 1. Super detailed and much more spatial.

Not a big fan. I have these and the Celeste Wyvern Black and I much prefer the Wyvern Black's Much more balanced and clear

Hey y'all, Recently picked up my first IEM: the 7Hz Zero 2. I really enjoy the form factor and experience of them but don't find the sound to be too mindblowing (they are, however, mindblowing considering the \~$20 pricetag). I have a nice mobile DAC/AMP (Questyle M15i) that I use with my HD6XX. Would love an IEM that takes advantage of the DAC/AMP and provides comparable fidelity and quality to my over-ear setup. As far as sound profile goes I don't think I have a specific preference and I listen to just about every genre (Rap, Indie, Jazz, Classical, Electronic, Rock, Bluegrass, etc.) Would love to find a pair that is a great, high-quality, excellent sounding all-rounder in roughly this price range. All recs appreciated! Thanks!

theyre cool, i like them, lucky they fit me well. they should alot better then app2

Un, yeah I had that nice red one, but gave it to my gf.. she won't return it 😂🤗

I might be little biased in this because I use Wan'er longer than my Castor so I will pick Wan'er because of how comfortable it is with long time gaming and also Wan'er is much more fun to be EQ. Actually 7hz Zero2 might be a better choice if you comfortable with their design. If you have more budget for IEM, Sennheiser IE 200 can do better but with that price might just go for Simgot Supermix 4

I got the Zero Red, Hexa and Zero 2 as well. Hexa is my favourite among them. Haven't tried the Aria.

Zero2 was my 1st budget iem, also simgot ew200 is great vaule.

My start into IEM was with the 7HZ x Crinacle Zero 2 and now I have bought the KZ ZSN pro2. Like the zero 2 more.

My first set was the Zero:2. I bought a set for my girlfriend and my buddy bought two sets for him and his wife…we all love that set!

cable is fine, I have them, a good buy

Tangzu Wan’er - Overall balanced sound signature with slightly forward vocals. Good for any type music plus vocals heavy songs sound rich and natural. 7hz Zero 2- Overall balanced sound signatures with better bass than Tangzu Wan’er. Good for any type of music and gaming as well. You can also try: Moondroo Chu 2- These are More balanced than other two with good bass balanced vocals and treble.Good for any type of music. If this is you first IEM i would suggest you to go with Chu 2 or Zero 2. I have Wan’er and l love them but forward vocals not for everyone.

The Zero 2 is my first iem, I've had it for almost a year now and I love them. They sound better than any other headphone or earphones I've had before. I love the bass, but I do see others say the bass it outputs is not that good. I would recommend ordering a different cable with it, because my cable broke and I had to order a new one.

I got the Zero 2 as my first IEM a day ago and I think they sound very good. I Haven’t played around with EQ yet but with its base sound it makes any genre honestly sound really good. Very balanced sound when it needs to be and has a good amount of bass due to the sub bass coming in on tracks that prioritize it. I’d personally highly recommend this pair if you’re looking for bass, but keep in mind the cord is somewhat short. If you’re not arms length where you’re plugging your device in you’re cooked.

salnotes zero 2 😁😅

salnotes zero 2!

kung di ka basshead then this is the best

I liked the sound of the zero:2 but it hurt the out parts of my ear with that little hump.

$20 to $35 is now good price point for this I’ve tried and recommend: - 7hz Zero 2 - Tangzu Wan’er - Tanchjim Bunny - Tripowin Vivace Out of these, I use Zero 2, Bunny, and Vivace the most because they’re very fun.

They’re smoother than I initially expected. Unfortunately, it’s not my preferred sound signature.

the sound quality is fine but the cable is not very durable. I would not recommend buying zhese

Of those, I have the Zero:2 and Chu 2. Curious to hear your thoughts on those in comparison. For me, the fit on the Chu 2 is incredible. Sound wise compared to the Z2 it’s a little less sub bass-ey (but not a ton — it still hits with good intensity) with just a bit more treble that can bug me on certain songs (“Dumb” by Nirvana comes to mind).

Based on our somewhat similar tastes, Zero:2 and EDC Pro (I can only speak to budget options).

Zero:2 and Chu 2 are both good starter sets. They sound sort of similar (imo) and both have a good, comfortable fit. I find myself using the Zero:2 most often, but would be happy with the Chu 2 if that’s all I had.

Zero 2 is a safe choice. Quite cheap, it has warm tonality so it is non fatiguing for long sesions.

Yes, it is my 2nd iem

That’s what I almost did. Then I gave a quick try and refitted them and it has been really good since

7hz Salnotes Zero:2 are great as well, super neutral. And the Truthear Gate. Both very cheap and neutral.

Out of the options I think 7hz Salnotes Zero is great

Truthear x Crinacle Zero(blue) is best for gaming around that range and if it exceeds your budget then just go for 7hz Zero 2 which is the best budget gaming iem

Get the 7hz salnotes zero: 2 instead of the og, they should cost the same, iirc. I currently use them, and they're amazing.

Zero 2s easily. Great midrange, great subbass, solid treble extension. Just try out all of the tips cause the nozzle is on the bigger side

Then go for 7hz x crinical zero I personally use tangzu waner sg they are good but i think the cable could have been of a better quality

Go with Tangzu Wan'er SG or Tangzu wan'er SG Studio edition, use the EQ by Timmy (from Gizaudio & now Hangouts.audio), or just use ur own EQ (which is best). They r so good. I EQ'd my wan'er studio on the Hola signature, and it is so good. Alternatively, Zero and Zero 2 are pretty great. I personally prefer zero 2 over zero but some prefer the opposite. Chu ii is a very safe bait too. Lastly I'd say take a look at Truthear Gate, tho I'm personally not the biggest fan. I heard KZs here and there from others , not a big fan of the signature. Haven't experienced any of simgot IEMs, tho heard a lot of good things about them. If u end up going with the simgot one, pls do tell your experience with it, I'm interested on them.

Try 7hz x CRINACLE Zero 2. They are surprisingly good for its price and can easily compete with more expensive IEMs.

Me too, left Zero 2 and Reds as my beaters, Hexa is all you need

I have the Salnotes Zero:2 and Simgot EM6L, the EM6L are ok for EDM (my main music I listen to as well) but separate really well and have tons of detail, so you can hear each synth and sound super well. However they are light on bass. The Zero:2 have more bass but can be a little muddy, I wouldn’t say they are overpowering bassy though. I recently had a chance to listen to the Kiwi Ears Cadenza and the QKZ X HBB. The HBB have crazy amounts of bass that never felt overpowering to me, I really enjoyed them for heavier bass EDM. However, for overall I really really really enjoyed the Cadenza for basically anything and everything. Solid bass for EDM with a surprising amount of detail for a single dynamic driver, good separation, decent soundstage, and it handled every other genre well (I also listen to classical, country, rap/hip-hop, rock, and R&B). I am highly considering selling my Zero:2 and getting Cadenza because it sounds super similar but technicalities are way better on the Cadenza. 7hz Dioko is pretty solid as well if you want to try planar, they sound BIG! It’s the only way I can think to describe them.

Gate is a tad bit better than the wan'er but a bit worse than the zero2, imo.

😿😿😿 Maybe try the truthear zero:red with adapter or the 7hz zero 2

Personally, at 2k INR. None will have the clarity and details for some and many audiophiles. It kinda starts at least at the 4k-5k INR or above. If you want some details in this price range, go with a bright sound signature or V-shaped with prominent bright or trebles. Neutral Warm * Tangzu Wan'er SG \*\* * Tangzu Wan'er 2 \* Neutral Bright * 7Hz Salnotes Zero * KZ Castor Silver (Harman tuning, DDUU switches) \*\* * KZ Castor Pro Silver (Harman tuning, DDUU switches) \*\* * KZ x Angelears Libra X V-shaped * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 \* * Tanchjim Bunny 3.5mm \* * Tanchjim One 3.5mm * KZ Castor Silver (Harman tuning, UUDD switches) \*\* * KZ Castor Pro Silver (Harman tuning, UUDD switches) \*\* U-shaped * Tanchjim Bunny DSP \* * Tanchjim One DSP * DUNU Titan S2 \* (\* recommend | \*\* personally owned)

Personally, at 2k INR. None will have the clarity and details for some and many audiophiles. It kinda starts at least at the 4k-5k INR or above. If you want some details in this price range, go with a bright sound signature or V-shaped with prominent bright or trebles. Neutral Warm * Tangzu Wan'er SG \*\* * Tangzu Wan'er 2 \* Neutral Bright * 7Hz Salnotes Zero * KZ Castor Silver (Harman tuning, DDUU switches) \*\* * KZ Castor Pro Silver (Harman tuning, DDUU switches) \*\* * KZ x Angelears Libra X V-shaped * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 \* * Tanchjim Bunny 3.5mm \* * Tanchjim One 3.5mm * KZ Castor Silver (Harman tuning, UUDD switches) \*\* * KZ Castor Pro Silver (Harman tuning, UUDD switches) \*\* U-shaped * Tanchjim Bunny DSP \* * Tanchjim One DSP * DUNU Titan S2 \* (\* recommend | \*\* personally owned)

tbh in the end, it boils down to 1. Tuning 2. Looks/Visuals 3. Accessories 4. And your music library or genres you listen 5. Treble sensitivity = sensitive, go to Safe tuning Kiwi Ears Cadenza is the safest tuning out in the two, but the tuning might not work with some music genres especially if you want a tad bit more analytical or technical. 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 is a bit more technical-ish than Cadenza and with a tad bit more treble. The safe tuning is also up there with the Tangzu Wa'ner SG/2, which is fine for me but I still ended up with KZ Castor Silver because of abit more technical sound experience and generally abit more brighter feel. In the end its hard to say one is better or the other until you hear the difference between the two or atleast if you have a headphone then EQ it to either, or test your treble sensitivity via speakers or headphones. Personal experience based on my collection https://preview.redd.it/u014mhatspue1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fba3241ae9d71167d526093ed0d263afe39ad07

Based on your selections: 7hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 \- A decent IEM overall, tuning is based on Crinacle's preference. If you want to follow Crinacle's tuning and other IEMs then this is the best bet for you. \- This has a weird shape for an IEM, idk if your ear would work for it. KZ Castor Pro Bass (best go for the OG, if small ears, and go for the Silver version much more versatile than the Bass version) \- If you said you have small ears, and still wants to include the KZ Castor in the list, go for the original KZ Castor Bass as the Pro version is abit more larger in both the IEM and nozzle size vs the original. \- Also this is a 2DD IEM, some phones can have issues with lower volume and inadequate power required (small margin of phones). But still easy to drive than a planar or a multi-driver hybrid IEM. \- The both this and the original uses a much more common and smoother IEM shape than the Zero 2, though will be heavier than the Zero 2 having 2 DDs inside. 7Hz G1 \- This is seems a abit more safer tuning IEM vs your other selections, much closer to Kiwi Ears Cadenza or Tangzu Wan'er SG/2's tuning of good sub-bass, and a more mellow treble. \- Some people didn't like the cabling and accessories that comes with the G1. \- Metal case, pebble-like appearance might work for small ears. SGOR Luna \- This is one of the decent planar sets that is at the budget range. Also this is a planar IEM not a DD IEM, so recommended to use a USB-C DAC to power it. \- More leaning to a U-shaped tuning vs the rest of the IEMs of your selection. \- Planars are usually large, therefore its shell might also be large as well. Might not work for some people. Kefine Klean \- Has 2 tuning nozzles for either a warm abit more bassy tuning, and a more v-shaped brighter feel. Has better accessories and unboxing, maybe on par to Tangzu Wan'er SG/2 standards. From your selection, I would either go (personally) \- Kefine Klean \- KZ Castor Silver Or try (smaller or more smoother shaped IEMs) \- Moondrop Chu 2 \- Rosetechnics Aurora Ultra \- Kiwi Ears Cadenza In the end though its your own preference on what IEM you prefer and weigh in their pros and cons. Tbh all of your selection are good selections, just that it depends on your tuning preference, IEM design preference, accessories, and general feel about the IEM. Hope this helps! Also don't forget to at least read my [beginner's guide into IEMs](https://www.reddit.com/user/NinjaSiren/comments/1jil8re/beginners_intro_guide_to_iems/), general guide before, while, and after using the IEM and gaming stuffs. My IEM Collection: https://preview.redd.it/u7hrt5cbdsue1.png?width=8100&format=png&auto=webp&s=143abf7fcc2940c5cf7c29c0048017f201b60a61

- KZ Castor/Castor Pro Silver - KZ EDC Pro - Tangzu Wa'ner SG/Wan'er SG 2 - 7Hz Salnotes Zero/Crinacle Zero 2 - Truthear Gate - Tanchjim Bunny

Salnotes Zero 2, yeah its good choice for the music genres you want to listen

no worries! Salnotes Zero 2 is Neutral warm-ish

All under 3k INR (based on ConceptKart website) Neutral (including warm and bright) * Tangzu Wan'er SG (neutral warm) \*\* * Tangzu Wan'er 2 (neutral warm) \* * Tanchjim Bunny DSP (neutral bright) \* * Tanchjim One DSP (neutral warm) * Moondrop Chu 2 DSP (neutral bright) * 7Hz Salnotes Zero (neutral bright) * Truthear Gate (neutral balanced) \* * Kinera Celest Wyvern Qing (neutral balanced) \* * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Silver (v-warm-ish to neutral bright) \*\* V/U-shaped (including warm and bright) * Tanchjim Bunny 3.5mm * Tanchjim One 3.5mm * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 (mild v-balanced) \* * ND Planet (v-warm) * Rose Technics (Roseselsa) Aurora Ultra (v-warm-ish) \* * Moondrop Chu 2 3.5mm (mild v) * DUNU Titan S2 (v-balanced) \* * BLON BL-03 (v-warm) * BLON BL-03 II (v-warm) * Kiwi Ears Dolce (u-bright) * TRN Conch (mild v-bright) * Moondrop Chu 2 3.5mm (mild v-balanced) \* * Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss (mild v-warm) * Tangzu Shimin Li (mild-v bright) * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Silver (mild v-warm-ish to neutral bright) \*\* * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Black Improved Bass (v-bass to v-bright-ish) \*\* * KZ EDC Pro (u-warm) \*\* * KZ EDX Pro (v-bright) (\* recommend | \*\* personally I own)

All under 3k INR (based on ConceptKart website) Neutral (including warm and bright) * Tangzu Wan'er SG (neutral warm) \*\* * Tangzu Wan'er 2 (neutral warm) \* * Tanchjim Bunny DSP (neutral bright) \* * Tanchjim One DSP (neutral warm) * Moondrop Chu 2 DSP (neutral bright) * 7Hz Salnotes Zero (neutral bright) * Truthear Gate (neutral balanced) \* * Kinera Celest Wyvern Qing (neutral balanced) \* * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Silver (v-warm-ish to neutral bright) \*\* V/U-shaped (including warm and bright) * Tanchjim Bunny 3.5mm * Tanchjim One 3.5mm * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 (mild v-balanced) \* * ND Planet (v-warm) * Rose Technics (Roseselsa) Aurora Ultra (v-warm-ish) \* * Moondrop Chu 2 3.5mm (mild v) * DUNU Titan S2 (v-balanced) \* * BLON BL-03 (v-warm) * BLON BL-03 II (v-warm) * Kiwi Ears Dolce (u-bright) * TRN Conch (mild v-bright) * Moondrop Chu 2 3.5mm (mild v-balanced) \* * Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss (mild v-warm) * Tangzu Shimin Li (mild-v bright) * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Silver (mild v-warm-ish to neutral bright) \*\* * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Black Improved Bass (v-bass to v-bright-ish) \*\* * KZ EDC Pro (u-warm) \*\* * KZ EDX Pro (v-bright) (\* recommend | \*\* personally I own)

Bassy IEMs: Under $5 * QKZ AK6 Pro $25 and lower (bass-focused) * KBEar Rosefinch \* * QKZ x HBB (OG version) \* * BLON BL-01 * KZ Castor Bass \* $25 and lower (neutral warm) * Tangzu Wan'er SG/Wan'er 2 \* * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 \* * Moondrop Chu 2 * KZ Castor Silver (UUDD switches) $25-60 (bass-focused) * BLON BL-03/BL-03 II \* * BLON x HBB Z300 * TinHiFi C3 Mk2 \* * 7Hz x HBB Elua * Kinera Celest Gumiho * KZ Castor Pro Bass \* * CCA Rhapsody \* * CCA Trio \* $25-60 (neutral warm) * Kefine Klean \* * Inawaken Dawn Ms \* * Kiwi Ears Cadenza \* * Tripowin x 0DiBi Vivace \* * Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss \* * Tangzu YuXuanJi * KBear KB02 * KZ Zenith (UUDD switches) \* * KZ Castor Pro Silver (UUDD switches) Special mentioned * Truthear x Crinacle Zero Blue 2 \* * QKZ x HBB Khan (\* recommend)

$25 and lower * Tangzu Wan'er SG/Wan'er 2 * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 \* * Moondrop Chu 2 * KZ Castor Silver (UDDD switches) \* $25-60  * Kefine Klean \* * Inawaken Dawn Ms \* * Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red \* * Truthear x Crinacle Zero Blue 2 \* * Kiwi Ears Cadenza * Tripowin x 0DiBi Vivace * Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss * Kinera Celest IgniteX Beast \* * Tangzu YuXuanJi * KBear KB02 \* * KZ Zenith (UUDD switches) \* * KZ Castor Pro Silver (UDDD switches) \* Or any other neutral warm IEMs, but the two Truthear Crinacle are the closest one with minimal mid-bass. Or go for planar IEMs, which their bass is speedy decay enough to be not too much mid bass: * SGOR Luna * Artti T10/T10 Pro * NiceHCK F1 Pro * Shozy P10/P20 * Letshuoer S08

Unironically have actually owned each of these except tgw 500LM but never touched the LM because of its tuning. Imho just get Zero 2

Go for zero 2 or moondrop chu 2.. and if ur into smooth sound like relaxed then go for tangzu waner S.G

Smart move — the Cadenza is a great baseline for a relaxed-but-clear sound, but if you want to explore different tunings before investing more, here are 3 budget IEMs that each take you in a *distinct* direction: **1. 7Hz Zero 2** – Neutral-bright and analytical. Much flatter in the bass than the Cadenza, with crisp upper mids and clarity-forward tuning. Great for vocals and detail, less warmth. **2. KZ Castor (Bass side)** – V-shaped and bassy. This gives you that fun, punchy low end with some extra energy up top too. Totally different presentation from the Cadenza — more contrast, more spice. **3. Tangzu Wan’er SG** – Mid-centric and warm. Smoother treble, fuller mids, and soft bass. Not as technically sharp as Zero 2, but excellent for chill listening and vocals. Each of these emphasizes a different part of the spectrum, so trying all three gives you a decent “flavor map” to figure out what you want more (or less) of in a future upgrade. Also, if you're interested in a more strategic deep-dive on how to actually *learn* what you like and avoid wasting money as you climb, I wrote this breakdown you might find helpful: [How to Actually Learn What You Like in IEMs (and Stop Wasting Money)](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1kd6j1t/how_to_actually_learn_what_you_like_in_i)

Don’t buy any KZ, but the zero 2 probably

I was impulsively writing "yes, you absolutely made an error", then I stopped. Why? Because I think you never go wrong if you buy something and that helps you understand what you like and what you don't. The 7Hz Zero 2 and Wan'er would probably more refined in terms of overall tuning, but the fact is that you may like the ZS10 Pro as well. Listen to it, then buy something else when you're ready on when you feel something is not sounding right to your ears with your ZS10 Pro. Best judges are your own ears

I like my pair of 7hz Zero 2s, slightly bassy but ok

I initially thought the ARTTI T10, was so much better than the other IEM's I owned, which are not that fantastic - mostly inexpensive KZ/CCA things, but even these were a revelation compared to some Sony and JVC ear bud things, and definitely better than Apple's Earpod. Then one day, I was challenged by a video by Akros(youtuber IEM reviewer), to compare the ARTTI T10 with the other IEM's I own. I was so shocked to discover that the ARTTI T10 was adding an artificial smear/sheen to the audio, making it exaggerated. It ended up being more of a distortion (i.e actually degrading the listening experience, cos the audio was NOT as focussed with the T10), and it was such a huge shock to me, that the Zero 2,, which I had sent into retirement, not initially being as pleased with it, turns out to be better than the T10. That's why I want to hear from others, who are unbiased, about how the T10 compares, with other IEMs. I feel there has been a hype about planar magnetics, which when I eventually listened critically, comparing for several hours, over a few days, came to the conclusion, that there is something not properly implemented on the only planar magnetic I have ever owned. The T10. Almost like it had been a mirror that deceived me. I almost forked out the almost £200 to get the S12 2024 Limited Edition, out of FOMO, and I am so glad I did not. I may have been disappointed. After this experience , where I bought the T10 based on a phenomenal recommendation, of another Youtuber/Influencer, I think the entire industry needs a whole new batch of really authentic reviewers, cos I was wondering, how could I have been so misled, for teh 1st few months of owning the T10, almost also upgraded to the recently released T10 Pro.. I feel a bit jaded about the industry, one ends up spending so much money on products that are hyped by so many, which as I have discovered, may not be as good as reported, by so many reviewers. I was deceived, and maybe, they are also deceived, or are really not that good at listening. Evaluating with their eyes and measurement tools, rather than with their ears. Huge shock that a $15 (when on sale) Zero 2, beats the T10 which costs typically $50 to $70., and on teh best sale at least $40. That kind of shocking truth should be out there in the open, but it seems those who may know, are not saying anything.!! And lots of people are misled. Sad. Too much hype. Too many products in the market too. Way too many., and the only way, for most of us, to thoroughly evaluate the product, is to buy it and listen to it., cos so many of the reviews online, based on my experience, cannot be trusted.

Here's what I own in IEM's. - CCA(CRA and Polaris), KZ (ZVX, EDC Pro, Libra X, SAGA Balanced), 7Hz Zero 2, ARTTI T10. I finally bought the SAGA Balanced not too long ago. It is definitely the best KZ/CCA, in my stable, no contest. But with a caveat, which also applies to other IEMs, but more so to KZ/CCA IEMs For me, the stock tips that come with KZ/CCA IEMs do not result in a good sound or a good fit, they end up having less bass than desired due to a poor fit, and I think their stock tips have narrow bores which produce a tinny unpleasant sound. It could be that my ear canal is not a good fit for their stock tips. To improve matters, I have had better success with the TRI Clarion tips. And even more success with the Moondrop SPRING tips. I tend to use the largest of these tips, the SPRING has an XL option larger than the usual Large, with a very tight but not to uncomfortable fit, for me. With the right 3rd party tips, the KZ SAGA Balanced delivers a commendable result, if a bit bright, in the top end. Its almost futile trying to describe a sound. I'll try. Decent bottom and top, with mids recessed. V-Shape. The bass is really good, and for me I am sure I do not need any more bass. If you are savvy with an EQ, this provides an opportunity to get even more value for this budget priced IEM, that delivers a truly commendable result., that takes the sound from Decent to Pretty Good. A low Q boost in the mid, of about +1.5dB to 2dB centered about 1K, and if you want, you may add or subtract from the high frequencies with a high shelf filter. Just one or two bands of EQ, are needed, to deliver a more than decent result cos the fundamental sound of the SAGA Balanced is all there, just a pity that the default tuning recessed the mids. Fortunately easily improved via simple EQ. SAGA Balanced + Moondrop SPRING Silicon tips + One or two bands of EQ = really balanced sound, with dynamics, fun, enjoyment, really great sound. Best I have ever heard on a KZ/CCA IEM. The EQ is simply to take an already commendable product to almost perfect, for an IEM at that price. A highly respectable listen. Actually a very good listen. I find that the Zero 2 also improves wih the TRI Clarion tips, and even further with the Moondrop SPRING tips. Where the ARTTI T10 takes the cake, is a level of just that extra refinement, microdynamics, balance, clarity, resolution, realism, just a more accurate more precise, driver, and an obviously more effortless delivery. Some people may be overwhelmed with the level of low level detail in the T10., and a delivery that I would find difficult to attempt to improve with EQ, cos its really good. Less sibilance, and man that bass drum sounds like a cannon went off. DEEP. I think the SAGA Balanced is the best budget($30 and below) IEM, I have heard. which is significantly improved with better eartips like the Moondrop Spring, and just that bit more, with a bit of EQ. A phenomenal result that is far above its suggested price. A really really good IEM, made better by the suggested enhancements. On the EQ, please do your own research, my suggestion here is a quick and dirty EQ suggestion, not one based on an analysing the frequency response. For casual listening, I have no problem replacing the ARTTI T10, with the SAGA Balanced, cos the SAGA sounds really really good, and punches far above its weight. Sometimes, you do not want all the detail of something like the ARTTI T10, which draws your attention to everything, and that is where the SAGA comes in, with a less detailed but more relaxed presentation, that really really should be heard, to be appreciated. Very Very Solid bass, needing absolutely no EQ, if anything an EQ cut, but definitely not a boost., in the low end. At this level of performance, the SAGA, once EQ'd and with a better tip, just sounds like a variant, of some of what I hear on the T10, another perspective on pretty good. Very hard to fault the SAGA balanced, it is very very good. and EQ/tip changes make it even better. Highly commendable. , especially for an inexpensive dynamic IEM. For bass heads, the bass of the SAGA Balanced, with all the caveats expressed here., is more than sufficient for almost anyone. Any more bass, would be a bit overblown in my opinion.

The challenge with IEM's today, is there are simply way too many of them. Way too many. I really wonder how many of these IEM businesses will survive, over the next few years. Too much competition between them. I already own 5 budget IEM's, and have two more waiting to be delivered. And may buy one or two more, that will be a total of 9 IEMs. For one person. Ridiculous. It's actually 10, because one of my IEM's is faulty, and irreparable. Clearly it is so easy to go overboard, in the quest to find the right IEM. At some point in time one has to stop and say - no more reading and following reviews, and maybe every 2 years, decide to buy maybe one more just to see how things have improved. This hobby can become addictive and consuming, No more IEM's - to any newbies, I would say all you need is : 1. A 7Hz Zero 2 2. A good dongle DAC, such as the TempoTec Sonata BHD 3. A collection of additional eartips, so you can try out different sound signatures 4. A collection of a good variety of reference music, containing both music with few elements, as well as music with lots of elements, so you can appreciate how good the Zero 2 is. It is more than good enough for most people, at a very fair budget price. We spend too much time thinking about the gear, rather than listening to the music.

Idk whats the price of both of those but assuming you have a $25 budget, you can: 1.) Get the 7hz zero 2 (has better bass, simmilar price as 7hz zero) 2.) Wait for the tangzu wan'er 2 3.) Chu II/wan'er 4.) Get a new csble for your kz Any of those listed above are good picks for $25 in my oppinion.

Had the 7Hz Crinacle Zero:2 here - was super unimpressed - they sounded cheap AF(on pc, iphone and DAP) - the EW300 should come today. I will write an update on which are the better choice. Other question - does another cable change that much, that it is worth an addtional 25$?

From my personal experience, waner would be the better pick, with the smaller eartips you should get a good fit, and sound is pretty safe overall, the Zero 2 would also be good but the nozzle is pretty large so would be a problem, waner, in my opinion, is the better pick.

The main possible cons is that some find the bass being too much, and some would like a bit more bass. Also, the fit is not the most confortable, since the nozzle is on the larger side, but still most people are able to wear them fine enough. ps: it also should work for gaming.

For the price both are fairly good, but is possible that Zero 2 would have the technical edge over castor by a tiby bit, and also, the Harman version isnt that impressive to begging with, the bass version is usually recomended for its really good bass quality despite lower price, Harman is just fine-ish, either way, the biggest differences would be that: Zero 2 would have a more bassy and warm sound while the Castor Harman would feel brighter (more focused on vocals and treble) that could help with details, but also make it feel more intense than needed, and even with the tuning switches, bass on the harman castor wont be as especial or good as on the Castor Bass version*. that said, given that you also want to do some gaming, Zero2 is more commonly used for that as it works quite decently, so yeah, all in all, Zero 2 is the safer option here in terms of your use case.

G1 for a focus on clarity and Vivace for a focus on comfort. Speaking about gaming. the others are fine, BUT not as good for gaming specially. Zero 2 is not bad for gaming tho, but Vivace is an small upgrade.

if you already have the Zero 2, which is pretty good, ill recomend to save up and directly jump to the $80 price bracket btw xd, hope you enjoy those tho :D

The usual rec for gaming for cheap Is the Salnotes Zero, if you also want it for music, and want some bass, then the Salnotes Zero 2.

Here you go brother: https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/WfhfLLl0np Most picks from this list (that i made) are around $20 or under, you have plenty to pick from based on the general sound profile explained in it. As for your 2 options, both are great, but work better for different things, waner is a bit more relaxed, balanced option, works pretty fine for most music genres, but maybe wont be the best for everyone, as for the Zero 2, is a bit more bassy and energetic, but it sure focuses more in the bassy sound, specially good for bassy music genres like electronic music, Hip-hop, R&B and so on, but in the end, it also should work for other music genres as long as you like the type of sound. that said, The zero 2 might work a bit better if you are planing on gaming with those. As for KZ, they just have mediocre QC, but more often than not you should be fine, in the list there are just a few options that have mostly decent reputation from them.

for hip-hop Zero2 if you enjoy variety of music regularly, QKZxHBB if you wang all the bassy and rumbly sound in your music. edit: kz castor bass is a very good pick, but for mostly and energetic replay and bass slam, for hiphop i assume you also want nice enought vocals, castor bass is better if you also like electronic music.

Gate is a lot more balanced and focused to sound clean, if you compare them, Zero2 would sound less clean than gate, but being realistic, for less than $20, only the castor bass could sound as clean as the gate, but the bass would be noticeably more aggressive and will have more presence over the sound, either way, is hard to find "tight bass" under $20 that is from bassy iems, i guess castor does get closer to that, but i think Waner would do the tight bass a bit better, but It also might sound muddy too vs the gate. Zero2 cant say for sure, but i suppose that the bass should be similar to the zero in terms of control but maybe not as tactile as you would like.

i see the typical divided comment on those, ill recomend you to check my list for a more indeep description, but the TLDR is: yeah, they are good, they arent that bassy, but have a pretty good amount of bass, and a lot of people with more neutral preference might find them a bit too much in the bass. Technically speaking, they are as good as most other $20 iems. Nozzle is a bit on the larger side tho, but (sadly) still average in terms of most iem's nozzle sizes List: https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/RboevPbnrw

There are other gems out there, but Zero 2 is one of the safest picks out now, so yeah, if you ever interested on other budget stuff, i personally Made a whole list of similar picks.

you can use it, but it honestly is not the best option for gaming, if you care about amplification or sounds quality, most iems around $30 or less would be fine for it, but if you plan on do some gaming, other options could be better like QKZxHBb if you like bassy sound, Salnotes Zero 2 for a something overall pretty good sounding for music and nice for gaming, if you can do the strech, at around $30 bucks, the tripowin vivace would ensure a better comfort than Zero 2 and is really well liked around here for gaming.

I wont call the Zero 2 neutral bright, is actually just balanced, and even a bit on the bassy side, if you want a balanced, kinda neutral iem, actually Tangzu waner is closer to that, also focusing on vocals, its a good middle groun, if you want to test bassy, you can either go for the KZ Castor Pro Bass (there is normal and Pro verions, both with bass and harman verions, you want to go for the bass version) to test a bassy V-shaped iem, more energetic, nice punch, and then you can check the Salnotes Zero original for something actually more neutral bright, leaning to vocals and treble. Also, you have alternatives like the Tanchjim Bunny to the Waner, the Kbear rosefinch for a "bass canon", or the QKZxHBB for a bassy relaxed very warm set, for better or for worse tho, there arent that many "bright" options on the budget bracket.

7hz Zero:2 (with a cable replacement because you can tell from looking at it that it isn’t going to last.)

The Zero 2 is a fantastic starting iem because it is very slightly v-shaped with a slight bass boost. I have them and they a good starting point. I also have the Castor Black, and the configuration you were probably looking for was UUDD. That said, they lack the clarity that the Zero 2 has. The Zero 2 is definitely lighter in the ears, but the stock cable is garbage. Like cables-you-find-on-free-headphones bad. Personally, I put on a pair of Tripowin Zonies on them. Lucky for you, the Zonie comes in pink and would make a MAGNIFICENT match. More importantly, the Zero 2 simply made music fun. Good luck with whatever you decide!

After posting earlier, I was able to listen to the demo sound samples of the 7Hz Zero:2, the successor to the Zero:1. Using the original sound as heard through the DT-770 Pro as a reference, I did a deeper comparison between the Zero:1 and Zero:2. The Zero:1 had great resolution and a natural tone, but its bass response felt lacking, which made it a bit disappointing in terms of accurately conveying the original sound. In contrast, the Zero:2 seems to have effectively addressed that weakness. (The mids were actually better represented on the Zero:1.) I had the chance to listen to the original Wan’er version, but I haven’t been able to find a demo for the SE (Studio Edition), so I’m unsure how it performs. Just as the bass performance was improved on the Zero:2, I’m wondering—does the Wan’er SE also offer more accurate bass reproduction, closer to the DT-770 Pro?

ZS10 Pro is an amazing IEM to step into this foray and trust me it is all subjective. I also own the Zero 2 and ZS12 Pro X. While I also really like the Zero 2, it’s a milder V shape than the ZS10 Pro. So they both have uses in my music genre preferences. You’ve made an excellent choice for now, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Then later you can also experience the Zero 2 or waner in your collection as well

Glad the rankings helped! Dual Drivers can be better, but it is not necessarily always the case. I'd highly recommend either picking up the Cadenza or the Zero 2 as those are both safe options that are great for someone starting out! The Castor has a ton of bass and might not be for everyone

They're overall quite similar in terms of drivers and tuning. The Zero 2 has slightly more bass, but that's about it. I'd say pick the one you think looks cooler or something especially as it's your first IEM

I have the Cadenza's and they are very nice comfy iems both fit-wise and sound-wise! However, they're not exactly neutral since they have an elevated high region as well as a lowered mids region. However however, they are still an absolute joy to use for music and can also be EQ'd very well to be more neutral (and more enjoyable for me). I used Squiglink to compare it's frequency response to the Kiwi Ears KE4 (cool neutral "meta tune" iem) and did auto-EQ to get values for a parametric EQ (which i used on Equalizer APO and the Peace UI on windows, it lets you change gain and Q value for specific frequencies!). Alternatively, for android because it is good enough, the generic slider: 63: +1 dB ### 125: -1 ### 250: 0 ### 500: +2 ### 1k: 0 ### 2k: -2 ### 4k: -2 ### 8k: 0 ### 16k: 0 (### just for formatting to make them easier to read cuz mobile formatting idk :)). The only other iems i know are: 7Hz Zero 2: a pretty good budget neutral option actually! Just too bass-boosted for me so it is unpleasant to use for a long while (7Hz Zero 1 as a less bassy version?). I absolutely hate how it fits though because it has a large-ish blocky shell and short nozzles, so it doesn't feel like they insert properly. Also, it somehow does feel more boring to listen to vs my other "neutral" iems. Tangzu Wan'er Studio Edition: idk how they compare to the normal ones, but they are also a good budget neutral but without the bass boost of the Zero 2! I also hate their fit for the same reason though. Edit: I tried the Wan'er SE's again recently and I do love their tuning a lot actually! Like my EQ'd Cadenza's but less bass so it also sounds cleaner. --- but the Cadenzas are still better overall >:D. Also, the fit isn't bad though, it just takes more effort to make it good, whereas the Cadenzas are effortless to insert properly :) Simgot EW300: a bit pricier, but basically has the same-ish sound as the Cadenza's but with all the other technical parts of the sound being better! Also comes with different nozzles and foams to adjust the sound further, so I used one foam in each nozzle to reduce the treble a bit (tuning is like my EQ'd Cadenza's now) and now its perfect for me :) I also heard the Simgot EW200 would be a good option, but they're especially bright sounding

I feel like a big thing for fit is also how the nozzle is angled when protruding out from the iem shell, and how much it protrudes out by. I had the zero:2 and tangzu wan'er studio edition and their nozzles both were short and at a 90 degree angle to the body, which made it hard for me to consistently get a good fit and seal with them both. Eventually, even if I got a good seal with them by angling them in my ear in a slightly awkward way, I got headaches or a sore ear from wearing them. I now mainly use the Kiwi Ears Cadenza and Simgot EW300 and the both of them have nozzles that protrude out further and are also angled a bit too. With these, its super easy to get a nice fit (with the right tips, especially on the cadenzas because their stock tips were not good for me) and they fit so snugly and without any discomfort. It could also be that they have small shells too though, so they can actually reach my ear canals properly.

Have you tried using the gold nozzles? They're supposed to be bassier and also have a tamer treble, but i've eventually come to prefer it's tune significantly more since it sounds much more natural than the default silver nozzles, which to me sound cold, lifeless, and empty but with a bunch of bass. As a result, while the bass with the gold nozzle is more present, it feels to me like it doesn't overwhelm the other sounds as much and thus is significantly more pleasant to listen to music with. Also other fun side note, i originally had a 7hz zero 2, but to me, it was too bassy and made it harder to hear the higher notes clearly. The EW300 with gold nozzle sounds similar in tuning, but it is a whole lot more resolving and thus doesn't sound as bad! :D

So. I started trying to get a bunch of sets to see how much the difference is between the low range and the middle range ( my middle is probably a lot of people’s low range ! ). These are like a quick comment on the sets. (Spoiler : the zero 2s were awesome ) Super mix 4 - perfectly neutral Green dragon - neutral, less dynamic range Black lightning- flat, no dynamic range , uncomfortable fit Zero2 - balanced, touch more silky smooth bass. Hyper comfortable. Kiwi ears - zero2 , bass a bit more direct

They are a bargain. If you have never heard iems before then they will blow you away. You will end up telling everyone you know to buy them, and spend ages trying to explain to them how a pair of £20 earbuds sound so bloody amazing... They will of course not believe you. OK I don't have extremely high end cans, but I have DT990s, Marshall V, Sennheiser TW4, BASN Mix-PD, Earfun air pro 4, and yet here I am with the Zero 2 in my ears.. Different headphones reveal different parts of the music, so they all have a place in my collection. Pop them on, and play a bit of Tipper or Shwamp, and sit back and relax... £20 well spent. Sure you can do better, but at this price they are wonderful.

I have the Zero 2 in my ears right now, and I own a fair amount of high end buds, and these sound better than all of them. (sennheiser TW4 and edifier stax spirit s10 included) I do EQ them with wavelet though, it's one of the auto EQ settings. I think if I had to keep just 2 headphones it would be my hifiman edition xs and the Zero 2. They are both amazing quality for the price. I tend to swap between the Zero 2 and a pair of BASN Mix-PD IEMs depending on music The Zero 2 are for EDM and the BASN for vocal stuff.

Yeah for the price they sound good definitely. I think they were a bit more bassy then the hexas and arias but still had detailed sound didn't find them muddy. That being said I definitely rank them hexa/arias>zero reds>zero 2. I was listening to earth wind and fire September to compare the IEMs and some gorillas and I found the bass more pronounced then the other IEMs but I found the other 3 more enjoyable. Still I enjoyed the zero 2s but need some more time to test them but that's my initial thoughts.

Out of those 4 pairs I really like the fit of the arias but all fit my ears fine. The arias are alot smaller than the hexas and zero reds and I find them the most comfortable. The zero twos are also 2nd smallest and fit very comfortably. At least out of these 4 the smaller ones seem to fit better / be more comfortable for me.

For the sake of this thread I just compared my cheaper IEMs to each other (tangzu wan'er, moondrop chu, salnotes zero 2) to the dusk and the difference was night and day. The bass response, the soundstage the finer details I literally missed with the cheaper ones. The cheaper ones don't sound bad but yeah switching to the dusk is like going from McDonald's to a steak.

I have all 3. I definitely prefer the wan'er 2 and zero 2 but the kzs don't sound bad by any means. Especially for your first IEMs you will probably enjoy them a lot. My first pair of iems blew my mind with how good they sounded for how cheap they were. The nice thing about this hobby is the entry level is so cheap you can try out a few IEMs and find a tuning you like and explore other options. There are some great entry level IEMs I still listen to even owning 500 dollar sets. I'm still pretty new to IEMs but I've tried like 16 sets in 3 months. I went kinda of nutty with buying and trying IEMs. I've always been into audio gear and collecting headphones but now I love IEMs way more than headphones to be honest. I do have pairs of headphones I love but for the value IEMs bring they can't be beat.

It's true. Open back headphones are superior to iems or closed back headphones in terms of sound stage/imaging. I would recommend you get something budget like the usual tangzu wan er/truthear gate/ 7hz zero 2. If you like how it sounds and fits then go ahead and actually spend and find something that you want. All those are 20 and under

Hello from India too! I would suggest going for a IEM like 7hz Crinacle Zero 2 or G1, Also Salnotes Zero but i would spend a little more and get the USB DAC as well which would make a world of difference in PUBG.

salnotes zero 1 has a clean, bright and neutral sound.. salnote zero 2 has a same tuning with a bass boost and slightly lower upper mid.. which one to pick??? its all depend on what u need and what kind of music in your playlist.. kz edx pro is an old model so its not relevan for today standard but for someone who want iems with a tight budget, go for kz edc pro.. so much better driver quality, doesnt have an agresive v shape like edx pro which make it more balance (especially in vocal)..

Re: 1, I personally think the <$30 7hz zero 2 is a much better deal than the >$50 truthear zero red, even though they both target the same signature.

I have the Wan'er and the Zero:2 and generally prefer the tuning on the Zero2s. But the fit of the Wan'er are better for me. I still have the Zero2s as my office headset but I might switch if there's better bass on the Wan'er 2. I'm not expecting it to compete with better sets but be at least way better with music and fidelity than your typical office headset.

Ive owned Zero 2 for 5 months now and although directional ound on those iems are nothing that can be compared to my EW300 that i use rn for gaming it still gets the job done! i really liked the v shaped sound on those iems too the bass is clean and i just felt a lil bit of trebble was missing. definately worth the money! specially compared to chu2 and castor

Hello! This would be my first post on this Subreddit let me get straight to the point. I have owned a 7hz Zero 2 before and i liked the tuning on that iem and after seeing some reviews found out its V Shaped so i think i will like that. I want to upgrade from my Zero2s and get something that would Sound marginally better and not something i would feel later i wasted my money on. My main con with Zero2s were the lack of details in that iem i really felt that trebles could have been a little more present i play music and love the high hats on drums and also the sound stage, Okay i am not expecting mind blowing Soundstage but i would want something that feels airy and the instruments separated. The products that i am considering rn are Hexa, Aria 2 and Dioko

Thanks for taking your time to write all that info down! I really thought Zero2 were Vshaped and probably contrary to whatever i wrote in the post i felt the bass was a lil over powering for me on that iem while still being on the okayish region what i felt lacking was the trebles i felt the drum cymbals were not very clear or ended abruptly do you think i would enjoy hexa? I have currently no way of testing the hexas i just want to know how well the treble response on those are because i think i can live with neutral bass definately

There are so many, but the standard "try them" sets seem to be: Tangzu Wa'ner (2), 7hz Crinacle Zero 2, Kiwi Ears Cadenza, Truthear Zero Red, Truthear Hexa.

Out of these the Zero red (personally I prefer the blues over the reds, regardless they are both good). The Zero 2's are good for the price, I havnt tried the KZ's

I agree, they're not even big bass, thing is they're very treble recessed. They can be used as a back up when you want something relaxed but yes your right. They're cheap though!

Simgot ew100p ftw or the 200 series if you can increase your budget. Don't buy kz if you're treble sensitive yet the kz zs 10 pro 2 should be the best in kz ones Moondrop chu 2 is also great 7hz zero 2 is better than moondrop chu 2 ig but zero 2 doesn't have a mic so boo Never heard of the kinera so no comments on that

It's less about being worth the upgrade if you already own one of the other sets, to me at least. I find that the question is more about just spending the little bit of extra money to begin with if it's within your budget. If it's not then an upgrade would also be out of the question either way, so that's not the focal point. As you said, the Cadenza just take EQ really well and have solid technical performance for their price, so even if you don't enjoy the tuning, they can be a really good deal. From there, newbies can easily play around with different signatures and AutoEQ other IEMs onto the Cadenza to get a fairly good impression of what they enjoy. I consider the Cadenza to be a great starter IEM for that reason and would argue that if you're looking to eventually upgrade or expand your collection, they are a top notch recommendation. Where I agree with you is that they are not ideal as a standalone one-of product. As part of an arsenal or as a first entry point they can shine but if you're only ever planning on one "do-it-all" IEM, then the 7hz Zero:2, Tangzu Wan'er and (as much as I dislike them) KZ Castor Pro are better in that regard. One last thing too, and this is a very minor criticism: Since you mentioned the Truthear Gate, which are considered very treble forward and the sharpest sounding non-KZ IEMs in their price range, I think it's a moot point to argue about the perceived sharpness of the Cadenza, especially given that a simple tip-roll can solve that issue entirely. I agree that the problem exists, I just wouldn't outright fault the Cadenza for that when other IEMs that people might be upgrading from had even sharper treble, even with better tips. Still, the default upgrade path here would go through the Truthear Zero:Red, not the Cadenza for most people and I'd levvy a lot of the same criticism against those as well (nozzle size -> stock tips, good technical performance, minor price difference to other entry level IEMs). I think it's more of an issue with ultra-budget and budget IEMs just not being all that different from one another and the most notable differences only coming once you invest more, which many people want but can't do. Then they opt to make marginal upgrades and end up disappointed at the lack of a difference. It's more of a customer behavior issue, not a product issue inherently if you ask me. Other than that, great stuff, appreciate the attention to detail.

For neutral I’d recommend chu 2 or tangzu wan’er (new one releasing soon btw) a bit more exciting would be 7hz zero 2 and even more (ideal for hip hop) would be Blon x HBB Z300

Zero 2. A perfect first IEM. Gave it away so I could have new experiences.

Salnotes zero 2 are comparable to the wan'er in terms of price to performance. For me it's more of a personal preference of wan'er over the zero 2.

It depends on your tuning preference. I’m not a fan of the tuning of the APP, so I even most of my budget IEMs (Zero 2, Chu 2, Wan’er, etc.).

Maybe the Zero 2 or the Chu 2. There’s a chance you’ll hate them both. Sampling different sets until you find your tuning preference is a reality of the hobby that people don’t normally tell newbies. You could get lucky and like your first set, but there’s a chance you won’t. There’s really a lot of trial and error until you find what’s best for you.

Zero 2 probably

Yeah

Cloud 2 is kinda terrible. I used it for a bit for gaming where I needed a mic. But I recently tried using it with Dying Light, and it literally hurt my ears when Rais started talking. I don't know if sibilance is the right word, but it was literally painful to listen to. I've used things like Truthear Zero Reds for gaming, and they were fantastic, though the nozzles are a tiny bit too big for me. But even Salnotes Zero 2 are probably better than Cloud 2. I never realized how bad it was until I tried better stuff.

the gate isn't bad but is in no way good, I recommend for budget get the tangzu wan'er or the 7hz zero2. but honest at this price range it won't be any really bug upgrade if you wanna hear major difference you gotta bring your budget to around 50 with things like the simgot ew300, crinicle project red or the tangzu Xuan nv

My personal fav of these would be the Zero 2, but really any of these would be a good choice as a budget option. I wouldn’t fret too hard on the decision!

zero 2s are great and very cheap

The Chu 2 and Zero 2's at \~25USD are pretty good entry level ones but if you can afford better ones, HEXA seems to be the common favorite although are $80.

I like the salnotes zero 2, and the wan'er. Truthears are decent as well, which I know weren't comfortable for you but they're supposed to be coming out with a newer version with smaller nozzles soon if that's of any help to you and you aren't in a hurry.

I used the em6l for a bit, but thought it was lacking some bass, so I went to the supermix 4s, and I've been pretty happy with them. I'm not a sweat or anything, but been using them for overwatch, valorant and Apex for multiplayer comp titles, and an assortment of other multiplayer fps games and am thoroughly pleased. That said, I also have used the Truthear Crinacle reds, and outside of them being uncomfortable I would have stuck with them. I do think the SM4 and EM6l are a bit better with their imaging, but the price jump doesn't match the performance increase. I also have the salnotes Crinacle Zero 2 and would throw them in the same spot as the more expensive Truthear reds in terms of soundstage/imaging, though my gaming time on both of those is pretty short compared to the em6l and SM4

There are a lot of good options for gaming under $50. I personally use moondrop LAN, OG 7Hz Zero, new 7Hz Zero 2. I've even used the Sgor Luna and Artti T10 (planars) for gaming. From your music choice I would suggest something along the zero 2 which has decent but not overpowering bass.

Zero 2 is quite nice for the price. I have both the OG Zero and the 2 and find myself using the 2 much more often.OG Zero was the first item I bought, and they keep coming.

OG zero is really good for orchestral music, or as I like to use it, phone calls for work. I use my Zero 2 for gaming mostly as I have many other IEMs for music that suits my tastes better.

Out of those zero 2 ngl

I know there's a quite a few people who have been waiting for me to finally make this post. I apologize for the delay, I was still waiting for an iem to be delivered. A little background: I've been an fps gamer all my life. I used to play cod semi-profressionally and participated in both online and LAN tournaments for money. The main fps games I play today are apex, cod and siege. Ever since I discovered the audiophile world with studio headphones I was amazed how much better headphones sounded compared to gaming headsets. Fast forward to present day and I am now into IEMs and discovering which ones are the best for gaming. As a disclaimer my thoughts and opinions are my own. I understand there are YouTubers such as Fresh Reviews, Ryan Ho, and Gadgetry Tech that may or may not agree with my takes. So please take my thoughts and opinions with a grain of salt as I am just a chill guy who likes to game competitively. The way I determine if an iem (or headphone) is good for gaming is by 3 main categories: soundstage, imaging, and sound separation. A good and accurate soundstage has good width (x), height (y), and depth (z). Imaging, or stereo imaging, is the spacial perception and ability to perceive the precise placement of sounds. Essentially directional audio. I.e left, right, center, back, top left, etc. Sound separation in a iem or headphone is the ability to pick up different sounds at once without it overlapping each other. So the ability to hear explosions go off, gun shots, gadgets, footsteps, etc without distorting the other sounds. With that being said here's the list of iems that I've tried each with a short review and a rating out of 5 for gaming (3 is usable, anything less is not): CCZ BC01 Pro (1) - way too bassy, bad vertical directional audio. Better options CCZ BC04 Pro (2) - same issue as the BC01 but a much more tolerable bass. Better options Moondrop Chu 2 (1.5) - sound is okay, soundstage felt narrow to me. Imaging was okay. Sound separation was below average. Premium feel and build but I didn't like how heavy they were on my ears. Better options Truthear Gate (2) - sound great but not good for gaming. Narrow soundstage, imaging is okay, below average sound separation. Better options Truthear Zero Red (?) - literally couldn't fit in my ears properly without severe pain. So I couldn't test the IEM and returned it. Will be testing the zero 2 tho Truthear Hexa (4) - comfort is not that good, better than the zero reds tho, soundstage and imaging is okay, sound separation is decent. Also not a fan of how they sound tbh. Too neutral for me Tripowin Vivaci (3) - nearly identical to the zeros 2 in technical performance but I like the zero 2 more in terms of overall sound. And for $5 more you can get the 7Hz G1 which is better than both 7Hz Zero (2.5) - a bit too bright, zero 2 is better 7Hz Zero 2 (3) - average soundstage, decent imaging, below average sound separation. Best $20 iem imo, better options as you continue to go up in price 7Hz G1 (4.5) - a Klean but cheaper with a more fun v-shaped sound signature, get this if you're on a budget 7Hz Sonus (4.5) - the most underrated iem for gaming, great imaging and great soundstage but average sound separation. EW300 is a bit better cuz it has better sound separation Kiwi Ears Canta (3.5) - a bit too bright for most people, good imaging, okay soundstage, below average sound separation Kiwi Ears Quartet (4) - best soundstage imo, super comfy fit, imaging is okay and sound separation is average Kefine Klean (4.5) - a better Delci, better sound separation and arguably better sound signature imo Kefine Delci (4) - good soundstage and imaging, slightly above average sound separation Simgot EW300 (4.5) - nearly endgame but still needs better sound separation. Simgot EM6L (5) - endgame, great soundstage, great imaging, great sound separation. Can't recommend it due to it's nozzle QC issues. Otherwise I probably wouldn't use any other IEM for gaming but this Simgot Supermix 4 (3.5) - not endgame. Might get some hate for this but I was really not impressed by this iem for gaming. It had a narrow soundstage and okay imaging, good sound separation tho. EM6L is way better Other IEMs I am planning to review: ND Planet, Tangzu Waner 2, KZ EDC Pro, Truthear Zero 2 Blue, and Kiwi Ears Airoso Note - in the end I recommend the 7Hz G1, 7Hz Sonus and EW300. The DT 900 Pro X and 770 Pro X are my reference headphones for directional audio for competitive fps games. Those headphones essentially make me feel like I have wall hacks and the iems perform 85-90% as good. The best was definitely the EM6L where I felt nearly no difference in performance with my headphones but I can't recommend it because of the nozzle QC issue. It is an easy fix by super gluing it back on but that shouldn't even happen for an iem worth $110 in the first place. With that being said I will still review iems (and headphones) above and below the respective prices but I feel that you will be perfectly happy with the performance of the iems I recommended. Side Note: I'm currently in the process of building a website with the best gaming peripheral recommendations which includes not only iems but headphones, keyboards, mice, monitors, even pro controllers and more. Hope you all have a blessed day and find this helpful in your purchasing decision!

I know there's a quite a few people who have been waiting for me to finally make this post. I apologize for the delay, I was still waiting for an iem to be delivered. A little background: I've been an fps gamer all my life. I used to play cod semi-profressionally and participated in both online and LAN tournaments for money. The main fps games I play today are apex, cod and siege. Ever since I discovered the audiophile world with studio headphones I was amazed how much better headphones sounded compared to gaming headsets. Fast forward to present day and I am now into IEMs and discovering which ones are the best for gaming. As a disclaimer my thoughts and opinions are my own. I understand there are YouTubers such as Fresh Reviews, Ryan Ho, and Gadgetry Tech that may or may not agree with my takes. So please take my thoughts and opinions with a grain of salt as I am just a chill guy who likes to game competitively. The way I determine if an iem (or headphone) is good for gaming is by 3 main categories: soundstage, imaging, and sound separation. A good and accurate soundstage has good width (x), height (y), and depth (z). Imaging, or stereo imaging, is the spacial perception and ability to perceive the precise placement of sounds. Essentially directional audio. I.e left, right, center, back, top left, etc. Sound separation in a iem or headphone is the ability to pick up different sounds at once without it overlapping each other. So the ability to hear explosions go off, gun shots, gadgets, footsteps, etc without distorting the other sounds. With that being said here's the list of iems that I've tried each with a short review and a rating out of 5 for gaming (3 is usable, anything less is not): CCZ BC01 Pro (1) - way too bassy, bad vertical directional audio. Better options CCZ BC04 Pro (2) - same issue as the BC01 but a much more tolerable bass. Better options Moondrop Chu 2 (1.5) - sound is okay, soundstage felt narrow to me. Imaging was okay. Sound separation was below average. Premium feel and build but I didn't like how heavy they were on my ears. Better options Truthear Gate (2) - sound great but not good for gaming. Narrow soundstage, imaging is okay, below average sound separation. Better options Truthear Zero Red (?) - literally couldn't fit in my ears properly without severe pain. So I couldn't test the IEM and returned it. Will be testing the zero 2 tho Truthear Hexa (4) - comfort is not that good, better than the zero reds tho, soundstage and imaging is okay, sound separation is decent. Also not a fan of how they sound tbh. Too neutral for me Tripowin Vivaci (3) - nearly identical to the zeros 2 in technical performance but I like the zero 2 more in terms of overall sound. And for $5 more you can get the 7Hz G1 which is better than both 7Hz Zero (2.5) - a bit too bright, zero 2 is better 7Hz Zero 2 (3) - average soundstage, decent imaging, below average sound separation. Best $20 iem imo, better options as you continue to go up in price 7Hz G1 (4.5) - a Klean but cheaper with a more fun v-shaped sound signature, get this if you're on a budget 7Hz Sonus (4.5) - the most underrated iem for gaming, great imaging and great soundstage but average sound separation. EW300 is a bit better cuz it has better sound separation Kiwi Ears Canta (3.5) - a bit too bright for most people, good imaging, okay soundstage, below average sound separation Kiwi Ears Quartet (4) - best soundstage imo, super comfy fit, imaging is okay and sound separation is average Kefine Klean (4.5) - a better Delci, better sound separation and arguably better sound signature imo Kefine Delci (4) - good soundstage and imaging, slightly above average sound separation Simgot EW300 (4.5) - nearly endgame but still needs better sound separation. Simgot EM6L (5) - endgame, great soundstage, great imaging, great sound separation. Can't recommend it due to it's nozzle QC issues. Otherwise I probably wouldn't use any other IEM for gaming but this Simgot Supermix 4 (3.5) - not endgame. Might get some hate for this but I was really not impressed by this iem for gaming. It had a narrow soundstage and okay imaging, good sound separation tho. EM6L is way better Other IEMs I am planning to review: ND Planet, Tangzu Waner 2, KZ EDC Pro, Truthear Zero 2 Blue, and Kiwi Ears Airoso Note - in the end I recommend the 7Hz G1, 7Hz Sonus and EW300. The DT 900 Pro X and 770 Pro X are my reference headphones for directional audio for competitive fps games. Those headphones essentially make me feel like I have wall hacks and the iems perform 85-90% as good. The best was definitely the EM6L where I felt nearly no difference in performance with my headphones but I can't recommend it because of the nozzle QC issue. It is an easy fix by super gluing it back on but that shouldn't even happen for an iem worth $110 in the first place. With that being said I will still review iems (and headphones) above and below the respective prices but I feel that you will be perfectly happy with the performance of the iems I recommended. Side Note: I'm currently in the process of building a website with the best gaming peripheral recommendations which includes not only iems but headphones, keyboards, mice, monitors, even pro controllers and more. Hope you all have a blessed day and find this helpful in your purchasing decision!

Nice, I also settled during my lunch on the 7hz x Crinacle Zero:Two 😂 Got a lot of suggestions for them and i like the price point a lot!

Sent them back within 5 minutes of listening. That doesn't mean they are not good IEM's but for me bass takes the top priority and they're just not there.

I also found the Castors to be a little bass lacking. If you want a head rattler, I would recommend the KB Ear Rosefinch. Great for my taste. As for Zero 2's, like I said, they're not bad and they do have some bass presence (naturally) but they sounded like the thinnest set of IEM's I've ever experienced. Just not enough for me and definitely less than Castors.

7hz zero 2 is 20$ and probably miles ahead of this

It might not be underrated or less known, but since I got it I haven't been able to take the 7hz zero 2 out of my ears, the tuning works so well for me that it made me prefer it to all my other sets most of the time. I haven't been using my delci, s12 pro, s08, Hexa, ew200, because none to me sound as natural as the zero 2. Technical performance isn't even that bad either, and comfort works very well for me. All this with stock tips! I must have won the ergonomics lottery with this lol

The closest to me is the Hexa with eq, I just ad a peak filter at 60hz, +4db, 0,4 Q, and even then the treble and the vocals don't sound as smooth as with the zero 2, but the Hexa has a bit more clarity. Adding to this that I paid just 17€ for the zero 2, I'm both happy and frustrated at the same time lol

no mention of staples like Wan’er, Gate, or maybe Zero 2 for the low budget end. Aria 2 is outclassed by newer releases and the cadenza isnt even 50, its 35 and should be in the higher end of the low budget end. No mention of other mid range staples like Crinnacle red/blue, artti t1, ew300, and especially the hexa which should be close to your pref. Even the Titan S is outdated with the Titan S2 and other competition stated High end is plagued with the same issue, lack of explanation and choice Honestly, the list is outdated and you would be better off just going to r/iems and looking at their list or doing your own research

i had them, they are hella bass-y. i did not try the original zeros, but it’s flatter. like 2 or 3db less bass than it. i’d say give it a shot.

lol. yeah, you don't actually need THAT much bass to play competitive shooters. ceirtanly if anyone is coming from any kind of logitech or razer headphone they will likely feel a difference.

The Wan’er is sort of a novelty with emphasized vocals while the Gate is a more neutral all rounder. I recommend the Gate for handhelds because it comes with a great cable plus good tips and it’s hard to tell a difference in sound quality when connected to these budget devices. When listening to music from a high quality source I’d rank the budget IEMs as follows: 1. 7Hz Zero 2 (Best Sound) 2. Moondrop Chu 2 (Best Total Package) 3. Truthear GATe (Best Accessories) 4. Tangzu Wan’er (Vocal Emphasis) 4. KZ Castor (Bass Emphasis)

Zero 2 is very good

Zero 2 is a good beater at $20

The best options IMO are:. - Zero:2. - Blue2. - HBB Deuce. And the endgame basshead; - HBB Punch.

The Zero 2, for sure.

A month and a half ago, I shifted from my old Marshall earbuds, which I have been loyal to for years, to an in-ear monitor (iem) which has been all the rage with audiophiles in the past half decade or so. I chose a budget iem, the 7hz Salnotes Zero:2, as my first iem as it was reportedly a good iem for rock and metal music. And when I listened to it, I was blown away with the quality of sound, especially the separation of the instruments. And this was just an entry level iem priced at just 25 USD. Two weeks after I have been enjoying the Zero:2, I listened to the And Justice For All album. I found myself pausing in the middle of Blackened. Was that Jason Newsted's bass guitar I am hearing? So I played it again, and sure enough I can hear a faint bass guitar. I finished the whole album and I can not believe it but I heard the bass guitar the whole album. Especially the Shortest Straw, which even in my old earphones I already heard some bass guitar but this time its sound is unmistakable. Later I decided to make an EQ adjustment when I listen to AJFA, boosting 62Hz by 4 db, and the 125Hz by 10 db (LOL), and then reducing 500Hz by 3 db while listening to my Zero:2. And now the bass guitar is not faint anymore even if it is still low in the mix. What the freaking black magic is this? I have a new better iem coming in a couple of days and I am looking forward to hearing more Jason Newsted. :p

I like mine, kinda bassy, but overall not bad, definitely worth the price.

Elysian Annihilator 2023. The only other stuff I own is KSC75 and Salnotes Zero 2 but thise are $20. I used to have an IE 600 that was pretty nice.

Zero:2 is the only I’d probably choose, but detail wouldn’t be on the same level as the Hexa

I'm in the same boat. Love the zero2 to death. I just wish they were a tad more comfortable. But it's still the only wired iem I use nowadays. I'm gonna wait for the new hexa 2, see if it's good. Kiwiears ke4 look like a similar signature, and should be a huge upgrade too (pretty expensive tho)

I'm a drummer & I did a gig with the 7Hz Zero 2, they worked well. If you find your IEMs fatigue your ears, talk to your engineer and get him to reduce the frequencies you're most sensitive to (usually 3kHz onwards). I'm speaking from the perspective of a drummer (we need bass - LOTS of it) but I'm sure as a singer your monitoring needs are slightly different.

https://preview.redd.it/xfvpoe6h4wre1.png?width=2159&format=png&auto=webp&s=c8248047276a8c5016030a5b5478e7e8c475dbf0 7hz salnote zero2 for me !! I do have as well the Truthear hexa which I prefer when at home (better sound although a bit too big for my ears )

KZ Castor/Krila, Tangzu Wan er, 7hz Zero 2. No EQ needed (for me at least) or if you want EQ, search AutoEQ for available setting and tweak it to your own liking. Great audio doesn't require money these days (in IEM space at least)

No mostly less expensive than this, this was my splurge. I’ve had the Explorer (still love these), the Nova, Supermix 4, Performer 5, S12 Pro, T10, IE200, Hexa, EA500 LM, and a host of the popular budgets, like the Cadenza, Wan’er, Zero 2 (still use these with a Bluetooth adapter), and EW200. Before switching tips I was about to return them and just stop at the Explorer.

Odd question: would you think these are about as easy to drive as the Zero 2s? I have a pair of those I use on the KZ AZ09 bluetooth adapter and it works well because they're easy to drive, but the adapter can't power more demanding IEMs. I'm thinking since it's a single DD it should be able to handle it. Thanks for the review! Sounds like a winner.

Ooo DA, clar, 7Hz Zero 2 le bate grav, până și KZ Castor sună mai bine

Got mine today as well, build quality is so good. I had bought Salnotes Zero 2 before these which I returned, due to fit issues and flimsy wire. Whereas these feel so good to hear and the build is amazing. Loving these so far! https://preview.redd.it/vkx1blrv38oe1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbe0d6499f202388c651cbb2b3fb81972db5bfd0

I'm using salnotes zero. I'll probably get these for the cable (mine is pretty messed up) and eartips, if they sound better I'll use them if not it's win win either way.

7hz zero:2 better than all of these imo …. However, If you’re budget-minded KZ EDX Pro X is like $4 & an insane value…. Sound quality not much different than the $20 stuff.

I have small ear cavities. I recommend the Simgot EW300, BLON x HBB Z300 or the 7hz Salnotes 2

Unless you're playing multiplayer, you don't need a iem specifically designed for gaming, even some 20 dollars ones would work fine for you. You should look out for comfort as it'd be needed for long gaming sessions. You need to measure your ears To get the best iem for it. Not every iem will be good for every ear type, and the tip also matters in terms of comfort. Foam tips are usually more comfortable. My personal choice would be zero 2. It's a great all rounder.

I own the same but the seal is lackluster... cant lock in deep enough

HBB is a scumbag whose name you may not want on any gear you own. I don't. Get the Salnotes Zero:2s

I've only gotten the 800's heard that modding them makes them into a psudo 1000. never heard of the xba-z5. I'll have to look at them. Right now I'm using koss porta pro I've been having inner ear problems.i have 5 IEM's now, 2 being the 800's, a set of blessings 3 , linsoul zero:2. Used to have Shure 215 but they legit fell apart and the plastic wouldn't stay together.

I have the zero 2 and recommend them although I don't play csgo. The 7hz g1 and vivace might be better for gaming though.

Preorder the tangzu wan er 2 off the tangzu website or aliexpress. It has really good value. I have the castor pro and its ok but nothing crazy. I prefer my 7hz crinacle zero 2 instead.

These are currently my go to for casual music listening and watching YouTube and twitch streams. I break out my xenns mangird tea pro for gaming and when I'm using my pc though. Also when I want to do some serious music listening since I don't want to keep switching my 4.4 mm to 3.5 mm connection repeatedly. That being said, the zero 2 are amazing for their price.

I have the castor pro and I prefer my zero 2 instead of it as well.

7hz zero 2 or tangzu wan er 2 if you can but tangzu wan er og is also good. I heard good things about the truthear gate as well.

Go the kiwi ears since that is a special edition you can't get everywhere. I do like the crinacle zero 2 as well though ngl.

I have 10-ish different models in the 10€ to 150€ range, mostly for PUBG and about 3000 hours in the game. Here are my top picks: - Tripowin Vivace 35€ - Simgot EM6L 120€ - Truthear Crinacle Zero blue 60€ (need AMP&DAC) - QKZ x HBB 20€ In that order. For other games, the Simgot and Crinacle Zero jump higher. The next ones can do, but not competitive: - Moondrop Quarks DSP 15€ - 7Hz Salnotes Zero 25€ - Apple earpods 3.5mm 20€ - KZ Zex Pro Crn 40€ Can't recommend for PUBG: - Moondrop Chu 25€ - Brainwavz Omega 15€ I recommend checking Fresh Reviews on Youtube, he checked many pricier models...

Iem user for over 10 years now. Never had any issues with iems. Wanted to tey hps anf got Lcd2c. Sold it off and went back to my iems. Speakers are still king followed by iems to me. Budget ones that you can look into are: Waner Zero/Zero 2 Chu ii Gate Blon 03 i/ii

Honestly? I love my 7HZ Salnotes Zero from Amazon. 10mm driver and they are comfy af

Agree with everything. These are $20 iems that comes with $9 eartips that Compete with $30 iems. I put it on the same level as kiwi cadenza and 7hz zero. Competition keeps heating up with a race to the bottom

Top 10, didn't bother to list more 1. HD6XX: After getting my hands on the HD6XX years ago, I don't get that "wow" feeling again no matter what I try. "Thanks to" the HD6XX whenever I try every HiFiMan, Meze, AKG, etc, I was like, 'That's it?'. HD6XX had ruined my headphones upgrade journey. 2. FiiO FT1: About a few months ago, I went to a Headphone Expo in Guangzhou, China. There I tested the FT1, it has that "oh this is nice" vibe to it which I haven't had since the Moondrop Cosmo. They offered a discounted price that I simply couldn't refuse so here I am. 3. Sennheiser Momentum 3: My travel/outdoor companion. Still one of the best built and sounds wireless over ear, no argument allowed. 4. Moondrop Kadenz: I got it at a decent price in China when released because of my membership of '客亭', a Chinese HiFi retailer.(Cheaper than KATO MSRP). My daily IEM whenever I don't feel like using my Anker A40. Sounds good, came with a nice dongle (ECHO-B), comfortable to me. 5. Sony MDR CD900ST: I bought second hand in Japan. Mainly for it's heritage and look. I use it for my studio as a secondary monitor at times. Sounds good, meh comfort and the The First Take scandal. 6. Sony MH750: My first ever "monitor", always got a soft spot for this IEM and goes back to listen to music with it. Sounds great, good comfort, compact. A bit bassy but overall sounds correct. Used it for mixing and composing in the past. Maybe it's nostalgia for it to be in the top 10. 7. Moondrop Chu 2: An IEM for testing equipment and arcade gaming. 8. 7Hz Salnotes Zero: A backup IEM for testing equipment 9. Nicehck DB2: I always use this to show people the disadvantage of BA driver. Sound good in the mid and bass because of the decent DD, missed the mark because of the BA driver handling the treble. 10. Soundcore Anker A40: A TWS for me to trash around. Sounds ok after EQ. Tbh, who needs HiFi audio quality when you're on the street or watching normal YouTube videos.

Man, that last paragraph is gonna make you a pariah on “audiophile” subs. Hell, the 7Hz Zero is as technically exemplary as the Truthear for half the price.

I honestly don't get all the amazing reviews the Supermix 4 get. my first pair of iem were 7hz Zeroes, which for 20ish euros price are really impressive. With nothing to compare them with, I couldnt find anything to fault them but this being an audio hobby, I had to get something better but what ? So looking around, I eventually found Jay's iem rankings and saw that he recommended Simgot ew300 as a beginner set...so I looked at some more reviews, all of them being very positive, so I bought them for 80e. It's hard not to be impressed by the build quality and looks of the EW300. Soundwise, it is a step up from the Zeroes, in term of mids clarity which is enough for me to the justify the purchase. All in all I have been very happy with them. I still think the Zeroes are quite close sound and comfort wise but they are just not as beautiful an object. But, I had to get something better, so I went back to Jay's list. I obviously was not ready to spend 300+e on a pair, so looked at what he had as great value....which led me to the Supermix 4. Here it gets extremelly confusing. I don't like overpowering bass. I want bass extension along with great mid clarity, and so many opinions of the SM4 mentioned how bassy they were, so that put me off and had me looking for an alternative....read some more, confronted them with more expensive alternatives Elysium, Shure s12...then I started to get a sense that a lot of opinions are completely off base and contradictory. Saw some EW300 video reviews that were completely at the opposite of my experience soundwise....After much back and forth, I eventually decided to get the SM4. If Jay's list brought me to the EW300 that I really enjoyed, how could I not like the SM4? Today they arrived.....and oh boy am I disappointed. First thing, the comfort level is terrible, They re quite thick with a short nozzle, therefore they don't fit nicely in my ears like the EW300 do. But what about the sound? First of all, the stock cable they come with is quite thicker than the EW300's which anyone would assume is a sign of greater quality...I put on a first song, and I'm taken aback at how tiny they sound, whereas the EW300 and Zeroes sound expansive. Do they requite burn in? probably but my other iem sounded pretty good right away. Is it the cable? so I exchanged it with the EW300's cable. That improved drastically the sound, making it more open and expansive but still, it didnt sound as good and one question popped up right away....where is all that bass people were talking about? There is no meat on the bones when listening to them. Such a lean sound. The EW300 has a lot more bass without ever being bassy. So, I'm not exactly sure what are all these reviews about.... As for the equipment I used them with. Directly wired to an Audio GD r11 mk2 Dac/preamp/Headphone amp. I also used them wirelessly with a Fiio btr3k bluetooth dac/amp. Anyway, even if they had sounded great, they would have been returned because the comfort is really bad. I guess I'll stick with the EW300 a long long time because I dont see myself spending 500-1000e for a marginally better sound at the probable expense of comfort. These more expensive iems all seem to me to be quite bigger.

honestly, if I'm being dead serious I could have probably stopped at the 7hz Salnotes Zero for $25 just for something to play games with. Currently rocking the Ziigaat x Fresh Reviews Arete, with Spinfit W1 tips and Drop cable. I mostly use iems for gaming, since I don't have to worry about pressure on my glasses, and if I'm just listening to music I have cans that I prefer for better sound stage/bass.

No joke. I just got some 7hz Zeros and man... I am impressed with how they sound. They remind me of my old AKG K612 Pro cans, but in an IEM...for $20 dollars lol.....I think I paid like $140 or something at the time for the K612s, and then almost $400 for my Audio Technica r70xs, but these $20 dollar IEMs man...where were these 6 years ago? IEMs have improved massively over the past 5 years and I'm all for it.

My fucking ears were already small when I was 10 and still they decided to stop fucking growing, so I'm stuck with these small abominations that make it hard to properly choose IEMs and earbuds. I already own a pair of Samsung Galaxy buds 2 which fit fairly well with the smallest nozzles, still not great but good enough. I've also tried the 7hz Salnotes Zero but they definitely feel too big both with the smallest tips and in general with the body itself, making them quite uncomfortable after several minutes. I know already that the Moondrop Chu II get recommended quite often as a cheap option in this category, but I also wanted to know what are other good options in more expensive tiers Edit: thank you all for the many helpful responses, I definitely have plenty models to check out now

I've purchased a couple budget IEMs over the past few months as I introduced myself into this hobby. I started with the 7hz Salnotes Zero, then got the Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red, and most recently the Simgot EW300 DSP. I have been listening to all kinds of music from various genres (mainly different EDM, rock, and a few others). I have also been using them for gaming as I previously use the Steelseries Arctis Pro. The difference in sound and the shear level of detail I hear in the music is remarkable. I have been trying different ear tips for the EW300 as I find the fit to be not that comfortable compared to even the Zero:Red which I think are quite large for my ears and stick out quite a bit. I love the sound of all of them but the profile for the EW300 is just great. I got into EQ a bit to see what all the hype is about and started AutoEQ to other IEMs I have been interested in. Doing research on everything, it has become quite an obsession I must admit. I understand the graphs and enjoy being able to visualize sound. I'm still learning about DACs and why they are important. I plan in the future to get another IEM that is more economic than the EW300 and have been looking into the ZiiGaat Odyssey as well as the Xenns Mangird Tea Pro. I set my EQ for the EW300 to match the Tea Pro and the sound is just that much better. The bass is clear and punchy and the miss and highs are detailed and accurate. There's not much of a point to this post. I'm not looking for information or suggestions really. Any information is always great, but I more just wanted to say thank you to the entire community for making this hobby one that is enjoyable and easy to get into. It has become my new obsession and I plan to stick with it for as long as I live. Music is my life and without it I'm sure I would be lost in this crazy world.

As someone who yas 7hz g1 and 7hz zero. I can only say by exp im not a expert person for iem But for a game like cs2 i prefer the 7hz zero(not zero2) than the g1. Ecample footsteps in the g1 gets overwhelmed a little when theres like a lot of sounds compared to the zero. Overall i dont mind the g1. Just saying since a lot of people suggesting the g1. 7hz zero tho than the kz castor for cs2 also.

Yes 7hz salnotes zero.

Hi and thanks for the amazing write up, I feel like I’ve learnt a ton from reading it! Sorry to butt in with a noob question, but when you say “EQ’ing up to a graph,” does this mean doing it with a headphone measurement coupler? Or is this something you do by ear? I fell into this rabbit hole after attempting to EQ my Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW2s to not sound like a puddle of mud and haze (read: Harman target because that’s all I knew of at the time). I managed to successfully do it with sine sweeps, and then some refinement purely by intuition and A/B tests with my Linkbuds S with AutoEQ. Essentially, I’m just wondering if this method you’re talking about is something I can do, or if I should just stick to sine sweeps+pink noise (I’m gonna have to look into the pink noise). And in case you’re wondering how I ended up on this subreddit, I’m now the proud owner of a set of 7hz Zeros and Kiwi Ears Airosos :) Edit: And yeah, I was genuinely shocked at the result I got with the SQ1s after about few sessions of tweaking and listening. They’re quite an enjoyable pair of earbuds now, with some oddly satisfying details that I can hear without all the haze

Have you considered 7 hz zero ? The imaging on them is immaculate and hence I would say they are better for your purpose. Another good choice is final vr2000 though a bit over budget. I have these and nothing comes close to them in gaming

Why don't you consider the zero again ? The gate is also said to be really clean sounding.

I really love my 7hz Salnotes Zero, I always produce when I travel with them, they are not expressive and powerful like some other options, but in fact they have great quality in equalization

I would say ZSN pro 2 that has v shape signature instead of these if you like energetic music to get you pumped up. For melodies 7hz salnotes zero is a much balanced iem. Also these are usually much cheaper on headphonezone.

If you are really keen on being scrutinous in determining the sound you like most, I highly suggest getting something in the $20 range and go up from there. Getting something neutral like the Tanchjim Bunny, Tangzu Waner (any edition), Salnotes Zero (1) or MoonDrop Chu II would be a great start. BUT just get one pair. So for example, you get the Tanchjim Bunny first. Listen to it for at least a month, then if you find anything in the frequency lacking or copious, then find your upgrade from your findings. I hope this makes sense. My biased answer is for you to get the Hexa or 7hz Zero as these are 2 of my favorite IEMs right now. Cheers.

Imo buying zero again would be the best choice, because from what I've seen from all the reviews they are good for clarity and detail when it comes to budget options.

Glad to help, I found it just now while searching, listening trough my lets say neutral sounding 7Hz zero, and those Kiwi Ears Quintet sound really good, but don't know if its thier proper presentation, but the midrange and actually also the bass is also deecent, but in comparison to other more bashead iem's they sount rather on the more neutral side, also a bit bright and the upper sounds are lacking something. Was listening to the comparison between ikko OH10s vs Kiwi Ears Quintet, that part with the elctronic music was bass on the OH10s really nice, then came the Quintet wit that bright signituere and after that my ears just cudnt addapt or something because the OH10s sounded way different, and that wasnt only on one track, also the jazz part good for OH10s, other parts were in favour for Quintet. Wold need to listen to more of those.

This is the way. I've been using IEM for like 20 years now, with pretty good ones for like 15 years. I still bought these KZ when the chifi-hype really kicked in. Didn't like them at all compared to my UE900 or Etymotic, but how would I know if I don't try things? My UE900 have been broken for 6 or 7 years now, but I never replaces them with IEM in that price bracket. One thing is that I like Hexas way more already and don't need to pay more, but it's also fun to explore. Before I pay 400€ again I'd rather buy a bunch of 20€ IEM, like I did with the 7Hz Zero, even if they're worse than others I own. I still have to try Wan'ers and the Bunny, I think, I never tried planars as well, stuff like that. It's a hobby, and everyone should do whatever is fun to them within that hobby. There's no "wrong".

I'd pair a Simgot EW200 or 7hz Salnotes Zero with a USB C to 3.5 dongle dac (Apple's is good and $9), and that will give good sound for a mobile setup. The dac gives better sound, and you can also use different cables or iems if you get more.

Zero red ♥️

Update: I ended up deciding to buy 7hz salnotes zero. The decision was based on if I would like how a larger nozzle would fit in my ear. I can say that for the $20 they costed it was well worth it. I am leaning towards the truthear hexa as my next pair. Thanks all for the advice

Well only you can really answer that. The last mind-blowing IEM I’ve heard was a $20 7hz Salnotes Zero. Bought that literally on a whim. Mainly because of the 20% off Amazon coupon. Couldn’t believe how good that was for the money.

For a planar maybe your source device isn't as powerful as it might need. Getting a dac will help but you'd need to use it in dac exclusive mode otherwise it'll still be the phones DAC driving it (which lacks power) And to use this mode (bit perfect also is what it's called) you'd need a paid app like UAPP or download some MP3 and use Hiby music player which is free (there's usb exclusive mode in it). Id recommend trying Hiby with download music files (320 kbps MP3 or flac) and use a dac with it like the Abigail pro, conexant cx-pro ( i had this), or any dac with a cx31993 chip (just don't get kensound or such from Amazon ig). They cost around 1k. And most importantly you just need time to settle in to the sound signature.... Planars are resolution baddies, and besides the lstshoer s08 is quite well regarded as a planar. I'm positive with a dac in exclusive mode and some time to adjust to the tuning will change your view. I have the 7hz zero as well but I know quite well how much difference it and my dunu Titan s has that I still despite liking the zeros tuning more, always love listening with the Titan.

I love the 7HZ Zero but I feel like I could only recommend them to someone who already has a bit of experience with bright IEMs. I would recommend you to start Tangzu Wan'er or its studio edition. They are more of a completely neutral or neutral warm sound. If you want something fully warm without many treble Tachjim Bunny is a good option.Finally, if you want a good IEM with a V-shaped sound, I recommend KZ Saga Bass, KZ ZVX Pro or KZ Libra Balanced.

Sgor Luna at below $30 is a great option. Truthear Zero at around $45 (2 DD) is a great starting point. It has plenty of bass quality and quantity (one driver acts as subwoofer, the other handles mids and highs). T10 (single large planar driver) is awesome too, but it isn't great to look at. Planar bass packs a tight punch. It's different than bass from dynamic drivers though. At around $65-$70 (on sale): S08 and Aful Explorer. I've been using the 7hz zero on the road while maining Truthear Zero at home. I have Dioko for when I want brightness and that planar sound. Recently I went shopping for something new and ended up with: 1) KZ Castor Bass (good bass, fun, connector for KZ Az09 pro bt adapter). 2) Waner 2 (to try the new release and for Sancai tips) 3) Letshuoer S08 (expecting this dark planar to be my new main IEM. Also has a bunch of accessories I wanted). 4) Aful Explorer (similar to S08 in sound signature but with different, multi-driver tech). Plus I like its shell design. Have fun with your pick.