7Hz Salnotes Zero vs Truthear Gate

Short answer: the Truthear Gate, if you are buying new. The 7Hz Salnotes Zero measures as well as it (#4 vs #5 of 68 in-ear headphones, 4.8/5 vs 4.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Truthear Gate is still sold new at $21.99. The 7Hz Salnotes Zero’s replacement, the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2, is rated 3.9/5 at $24.99.

What the 7Hz Salnotes Zero does well: 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.

The case for the Truthear Gate: A Harman score of 83 from a single dynamic driver at a very low price gives accurate bass and mids, with bass and upper mids within about 0.2 dB of target. Watch for: Treble is the weak point, with a deep 10.8 dB dip near 11 kHz and air about 3 dB under target.

Buy the Truthear Gate, since the 7Hz Salnotes Zero is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 Discontinued Amazon 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. Discontinued.

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
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 x Crinacle Zero RED
  • 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs KZ ZSN Pro X

Truthear Gate: $21.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: A Harman score of 83 from a single dynamic driver at a very low price gives accurate bass and mids, with bass and upper mids within about 0.2 dB of target. The 28 ohm impedance with 122 dB per volt sensitivity makes it easy to drive from any phone. The warm tilt suits listeners who want a smooth, non-fatiguing sound. It earns the same rating as the 7Hz Salnotes Zero at a similar cost.

Cons: Treble is the weak point, with a deep 10.8 dB dip near 11 kHz and air about 3 dB under target. Cymbals, hi-hats and the sense of space on recordings sound dulled as a result. Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is also about 1.9 dB down, which takes a little bite off vocals.

Full Truthear Gate review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	1.39 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 10mm dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	10Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	28 ohms
Sensitivity	122 dB/Vrms
Tonal Tilt	-0.23 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -4.9 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	+0.1 dB	0.70
Peak	9,538 Hz	+4.7 dB	0.99
Peak	2,074 Hz	-1.3 dB	0.65
Peak	196 Hz	-1.1 dB	1.34
Peak	698 Hz	+1.2 dB	1.31
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-2.1 dB	0.70
Peak	72 Hz	+0.8 dB	1.77
Peak	4,992 Hz	+0.3 dB	2.04
Peak	126 Hz	-0.4 dB	2.34
Peak	8,647 Hz	+1.3 dB	5.95

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Truthear Gate (oratory1990 measurement)