7Hz G1: Familiar Tuning Unexpected Remarkable Technical Performance

7HZ products are one of the most featured product reviews in my review articles that I publish annually and most of them, I find them quite compelling. And now, they have just released their latest entry-level set in which they claim they are especially made for gamers that are also looking for high fidelity sound on their gaming activities and also, for their casual listening on their favourite music or podcast.

Entering the 7HZ G1, this one is a single driver In-ear monitor earphone sports a 10mm dual-chambered high grade neodymium magnetic dynamic driver with a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) - diaphragm which is known for its strength and elasticity for better depth on its bass quality and treble air extension, clear and detailed midrange, a high resolution and good transient response on its overall sound quality.

The drivers were then encapsulated in a solid aluminium alloy shell chassis in a compact size in which underwent an anodised process and sandblasting to achieve that matte-like finish with some scratch-resistant on its surface. Like almost all 7HZ products, this one has a 0.78mm 2-pin connector which is  a proven and more stable design on its interlocking mechanism with its detachable cable.

When it comes to its stock cable, it has a 2-core structure oxygen-free copper cable that ensures a clean crystal clear audio quality that delivers vivid sounding vocals and instruments without any distortion. This one has a standard 3.5mm single ended termination plug on its end and for its overall build quality, the cable is quite supple and flexible and I didn't encounter any microphonics issues at all.

In regards of fitting, I find the earpieces quite comfortable on how they rest well into my lugholes without any discomfort but its passive noise isolation is rather average as I still hear some unwanted external noises from the outside surroundings.

As for product packaging, the 7HZ G1 is pretty-packed with accessories inside of their small packaging box with a minimalistic presentation.

Here are the following contents inside of its packaging box:

• Pair of 7HZ G1 IEM transducers.
• Stock cable
• Three (3) pairs of 7HZ H07 coloured stem silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
• Three (3)) pairs of 7HZ H07 white silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
• A rubberised carrying case
• User's manual

The G1 IEM is a fairly sensitive set that can be driven by devices like smartphones, dongle adapters, laptops and tablets with a usual normal gain power output. But pairing it with better sources will truly show its optimal performance to sound more fuller and dynamic.

In terms of tonal performance, the G1 has a U-shaped sound profile that somewhat aligns closely with the Harman target curve as it has more emphasis on the sub bass on its low frequency and on the upper-midrange section.

LOWS/BASS:

The bass quality of this one is more focused on the sub bass presence rather than mid bass texture. It is clearly perceivable to feel its rumbling and reverberations from certain instruments like low tone bass guitars and double-basses, synthesisers and drum machines.

Mid bass texture appears to be less full bodied that gives a more tighter and precise bass response that some bass-clef instruments will sound a bit lean. Both bass guitars and double-basses sound mellow and wafting, while bass kick drums sound a bit soft and hollow. And then on male vocals like basses and bass-baritones, they have a less darker timbre, lack of fullness and less punchy to portray those voices in an correct manner.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange of this one is definitely recessed as it shows some leanness and hollowness particular on the lower mids section that affects the note weight on most male vocals, brass instruments and some percussion instruments. But it gives an energetic, transparent and clean midrange presentation that will benefit on female vocals and most instruments like some strings and woodwinds.

On male vocals, baritones sound less warm yet light which is quite ideal for light baritones, tenors sound a bit spicy and dazzling but somewhat lack weight, and the countertenors have that fiery and golden sound on their vocals. As for female vocals, contralto sounds less rich, plush and full on their distinctive chesty modal voices, mezzo-sopranos are somehow similar to countertenors but a bit lighter and bright, and sopranos have a gleaming, crystalline and sweet vocals from them which is quite excellent on tracking lyric and coloratura sopranos

The certain classes of instruments, especially strings and woodwinds will surely benefit from this type tuning as it sounds more organic on those ones. On string instruments, guitars sound bright, crisp and a tad dry, violins have that metallic and thin sound, and cellos sound soft but sometimes a bit shrilly. Then on woodwinds, concert flutes sound bright and light, piccolos have a clear yet a tad shrilly, clarinets sound incisive and saxophones have a lively and reedy sound. As for brass instruments, trumpets sound vivid and metallic while trombones sound brilliant yet soft and horns have these smooth, bright and bit piercing sounds on them. The percussives like snare drums, tom-toms, tenor/field drums and kettledrums, snares drum sounds bright, tom-toms have penetrating and resonant sound yet it has that lack of warmth, tenor/field drums have a hard, precise but less booming sound, and kettledrums have a rumbling sound but it has a hollow and dry sound on them. Pianos seems on the brighter side of sound as it sound brilliant and clear but a tad tinny in some instances.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

The treble response of this one is on the brighter side due to the accentuated upper-mids up to presence section that gives that clear and definition in vocal clarity and delineating attack on instrument. Although there are some instances of shrillness and a tad sibilances especially on sibilant-laden tracks.

For a single DD, it has a good airy extension and an intense sparkle on it. Cymbals have a bright sound while hi-hats have that short sizzle sound, glockenspiels have this thin and a tad piercing sound, and then celestas have these glistening sound on them.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

This set is capable of projecting an audibly reasonable sound/speaker stage width above-average width on its lateral span, good height reach and depth within my aural sphere.

Stereo imaging is quite impressive for its driver configuration where it projects a concave-like presentation with a noteworthy layering and separation capability in which the instruments and vocals were well-placed in a soundscape without any worrying of congestion issues on playback.

Driver coherency is also impressive on this one that its DLC-coated diaphragm dynamic driver is able to perform a fast transient response without any distortion. Resolution capability is relatively pretty resolving on macro-dynamics and a sharp definition on micro-detail retrieval as it highlights some details and nuances from audio tracks like vocals ends, reverb tails and notation attacks of instruments.

PEER COMPARISONS:

TRIPOWIN VIVACE

• TRIPOWIN's latest entry-level single driver IEM with a dynamic driver inside.
• The dynamic driver's diaphragm is a titanium-coated and it was encapsulated in a composite shell chassis.
• Unlike the G1, the Vivace’s product packaging is rather minimalist and the inclusion are rather sparse in quantity.
• The Vivace follows a U-shaped sound profile as it has more mid bass texture on its overall bass response, a tad warmer and smoother presentation but less brighter treble response compared to the G1.
• On technicalities, the Vivace is a quite more intimate in terms of sound/speaker stage projection, a rather two-dimensional stereo imaging presentation and less resolving compared to the G1.

SIGVA QUE

• The potentially entry-level IEM of the year in my opinion and like the G1, this one is also a single driver configuration.
• It uses a dynamic driver with a beryllium-coating on its diaphragm, and it was encased in a composite shell chassis with metal alloy on its cavity base and a wood panel on its faceplate.
• The Que is well-packed with quality accessories like premium-grade stock cable, hard-bound leatherette case and two choices of ear tips to choose from.
• This one has a U-shaped sound profile with a warmish-balanced tonality as it has a more mid bass texture on its bass response, a clean and energetic midrange and then, a bright and airy treble presentation.
• On the technical performance, the Que has moderately spacious perceived soundstage size, a decently-layered yet offers a good separation of instruments and vocals on its soundscape and a sharper definition on its micro-detail retrieval.

TANGZU WAN'ER S.G. STUDIO EDITION

• The latest version of the TANGZU's best selling IEM of all time, and this one has some extensive changes that differentiate itself from the regular version.
• It still has a PET dynamic driver technology  and it was encased in a polycarbonate plastic shell albeit it was slightly modified for some improvement of its overall tonality.
• On its product packaging, it doesn't have any carrying case but rather some basic inclusions aside from IEM earpieces and stock cable like ear tips and cleaning cloth.
• The WAN'ER S.G. Studio Edition has a neutral sound signature which will be more excellent on audio works as it has a tighter bass response, a neutral, transparent and clear midrange and a slightly bright treble response with good airy extension.
• The technicalities of this one is quite comparable with G1's as it has almost on par with its technical attributes from soundstage size, layering and even resolution capabilities.

The 7Hz G1 is another interesting entry-level set that 7Hz is able to release this year. As I can't really offer any capabilities in terms of gaming performance as I rarely play games like FPS that utilises spatial cue performance and the quality of its sound effects, but as an audio enthusiast, if you are looking a well-tuned set that is an incremental improvement over casual gaming earphones/headphones, this set is good choice that I can recommend to you for listening your favourite music artist and also, for podcast as you will clearly understand the host's narration.

7HZ G1 is exclusively available on LINSOUL, you can purchase it via the non-affiliated link that I'll provide below.

LINK: https://www.linsoul.com/products/7hz-g1

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: 7Hz G1

IMPEDANCE: 18Ω

SENSITIVITY: 107dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz – 20kHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S):  (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Solid metal alloy in a compact-sized shell chassis.

● Offers a comfortable fitting. 

● Fairly well-accessorised for its asking price.

● Its U-shaped tonal profile will be a delight treat for Harman-aficionado audio enthusiasts.

● Tight and precise bass response which sounds cleaner.

● Clear and transparent midrange presentation.

● Bright and energetic treble response with sufficient amount of air.

● Above-average sound/speaker stage size

● Good layering and separation.

● It has an exceptional detail retrieval capability for a single DD set-up.

CONS:

● Definitely not for an adherent bass head due to lack of weight and volume on its bass notes.

● Lean and recessed midrange presentation.

● While it offers a comfortable fitting, its passive noise isolation is rather mediocre.

● Instances of sibilance and shrillness on some of its vocals and instruments.

TRACKS TESTED: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *

Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **

Mountain - Mississippi Queen *

Queen - Killer Queen **

Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*

Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'

Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'

Pearl Jam - Daughter **

Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *

Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*

Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *

New Order - Blue Monday *

The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *

The Madness- Buggy Trousers *

Metallica - Motorbreath **

Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *

Destiny's Child - Say My Name *

Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *

Mozart - Lacrimosa *

New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *

Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*

Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *

Exciter - Violence and Force *

Diana Krall - Stop This World **

Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*

The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

Lauren Christy – Steep *

Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *

Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*

Type O Negative - Black No.1 *

Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **

Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *

Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *

P.S.

I am not affiliated to 7Hz nor receive any monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to Kaitlyn Wu of LINSOUL AUDIO for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.