7Hz Salnotes Zero vs 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2

Short answer: the 7Hz Salnotes Zero. It ranks #15 of 467 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $22.99; the 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 ranks #360, rated 3.6/5, and costs $24.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.

The 7Hz Salnotes Zero is the better-sounding option. A Harman score of 84 from a single 10 mm dynamic driver at a bargain price is remarkable. Watch for: Presence and treble run about 2.1 to 2.2 dB under target, and a 6.2 dB dip near 10 kHz leaves cymbals and breath detail muted.

What the 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 does well: Bass and sub-bass both run 1.5 to 1.8 dB above target in hobbyist measurements, giving a warm, full low end that suits listeners who like some extra weight. Watch for: Presence falls about 4 dB below target with a 5.9 dB dip near 6 kHz, so vocals and cymbals sound recessed and a bit dull.

Buy the 7Hz Salnotes Zero. It is rated higher for sound quality than the 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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• Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED vs 7Hz Salnotes Zero
• 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs Truthear Gate
• 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs KZ ZSN Pro X
• 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 vs Moondrop Aria 2
• KZ EDX vs Sony MDR-EX15LP

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Headphones In Full

7Hz Salnotes Zero: $22.99 Amazon $22.99 eBay

Newer model: the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2, ranked lower, rated 3.9/5, released Nov 2023. See every 7Hz Zero generation.

Pros: A Harman score of 84 from a single 10 mm dynamic driver at a bargain price is remarkable. Bass and mids sit within about 0.3 dB of the target, so vocals and instruments are balanced naturally with a 1.31 dB deviation. It runs from a phone without difficulty at 32 ohms and 108 dB per volt. It beats the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 on rating at a similar cost.

Cons: Presence and treble run about 2.1 to 2.2 dB under target, and a 6.2 dB dip near 10 kHz leaves cymbals and breath detail muted. Sub-bass is about 1.5 dB light, so the deepest rumble in electronic music is understated. The sensitivity is lower than many rivals, so it needs a bit more volume headroom from weak sources.

Full 7Hz Salnotes Zero review and specifications →

Released	Jul 2022 (4 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	1.31 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 10mm dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	32 ohms
Sensitivity	108 dB SPL/V
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.4 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -2.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	-0.4 dB	0.70
Peak	7,148 Hz	+2.5 dB	1.39
Peak	186 Hz	-1.3 dB	1.35
Peak	65 Hz	+1.7 dB	1.11
Peak	1,677 Hz	-1.1 dB	1.82
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-1.3 dB	0.70
Peak	857 Hz	+0.9 dB	1.64
Peak	9,824 Hz	+0.9 dB	1.98
Peak	3,316 Hz	-0.6 dB	2.50
Peak	1,261 Hz	-0.7 dB	3.34

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the 7Hz Salnotes Zero (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs Truthear Gate
  • 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED
  • 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs KZ ZSN Pro X

7Hz Salnotes Zero 2: $24.99 Amazon $24.99 eBay

Pros: Bass and sub-bass both run 1.5 to 1.8 dB above target in hobbyist measurements, giving a warm, full low end that suits listeners who like some extra weight. The 32 ohm load is easy for a phone or laptop to drive. It earns a higher rating than the CCA CSN at a similar price.

Cons: Presence falls about 4 dB below target with a 5.9 dB dip near 6 kHz, so vocals and cymbals sound recessed and a bit dull. A preference score of 69 means the tonality is noticeably colored. The KZ ZST rates slightly higher for less money, and there is no microphone.

Full 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 review and specifications →

Released	2023 (3 years ago)
Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.11 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 10mm dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	69 (median of 15 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ)
Impedance	32 ohms
Sensitivity	108 dB/V
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.2 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Frequency response measurements of the 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 by 15 squig.link measurers
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 vs Moondrop Aria 2