7HZ ELUA ULTRA: A Redefinition of Harman-esque Tuning

The name ELUA means two in Hawaiian language which signifies its dual driver configuration. The word “Elua” itself sounds quite similar to the Tagalog word “Dalawa” which has the same meaning within its cardinal number order as both languages share the same Austronesian family language. And most of us in the audio community knew that HBB came from Hawaii and some of his product naming conventions have some strong connotation with his country of origin in that US island state.

The name 7Hz is somewhat synonymous with its infamous product that is called the “Helen of Planar Magnetic IEMs”, The 7Hz TIMELESS as it is the main instigator of the Battle of the Planars in which most  audio companies did launch their own planar magnetics in the market until today. But this audio company's initial success isn't just a fluke as they also release some solid products like the superb bass cannon set like 7Hz LEGATO and a pretty-balanced sounding 7Hz Zero II.

And now what we have here is their latest entry-level set, The 7Hz ELUA ULTRA and it is a dual driver configuration IEM. This product is more of a variant of a previous model of the same namesake but without that adjective term which is a collaboration project with HBB, an influential figure in the audio community with his audio product reviews on YouTube.

The 7Hz ELUA ULTRA's dual driver set up consists of two dynamic drivers of varying sizes, one is a 10mm and the other one is an 8mm in a dual-chambered magnetic structure with an imported voice coil (most likely source from Daikokudensen) and all of them employs a three-layered LCP (liquid crystal polymer) composition on its diaphragm with a soft circuit suspension on it as this material is known its precision, responsiveness and low distortion for a clear, detailed and full range sound. The large dynamic driver will handle both of the low and midrange frequencies for a deep bass and rich and smooth midrange, while the smaller dynamic will act as a tweeter for clear and detailed highs. The ELUA ULTRA equips with an electronic crossover for improving its efficiency as it reduces distortion for a cleaner and more dynamic sound that enhances clarity and detail of its overall sound quality, and also to improve a separation of frequency parts.

The drivers were encased in a medium-size composite shell chassis as its cavity base is made of polycarbonate plastic with a medium length nozzle while the faceplate panel is a gold-plated aluminium alloy with an embossed design of stylised number 7 to signify 7Hz brand in which I find it quite charming. Like all previous 7Hz models, it still features a 0.78mm bi-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism for its detachable cable.

The wearability of the ELUA ULTRA is quite nifty as its shells are ergonomically-designed as it offers a stable fitting that it rests comfortably on my lugholes with any discomfort issues that I could have for a long listening session. On how the earpiece latched well into my ears, it provides an excellent passive noise isolation that is able to block some unwanted external noises from the outside surroundings.

The included stock cable seems decent for its price as it is flexible enough as it is made of strands of OCC copper wiring conductors that were sheathed with PVC insulating coating. The quality of copper will ensure a seamless transmission of lossless audio signal for a pristine sound quality and it also greatly reduces distortion and microphonics. On its termination end, it has a gold-plated 3.5mm plug for better conductivity and corrosion resistance.

The product packaging of this one is quite minimalist given its asking price as it offers a good amount of inclusions inside of its small rectangular packaging box.

The following contents inside of the 7HZ ELUA ULTRA packaging box:

• A pair of 7HZ ELUA ULTRA transducer earpieces.
• Stock cable,
• Six (6) pairs of coloured silicone eartips with a balanced bore in different standard sizes.
• User's manual.

As for its driveability, it appears that the ELUA ULTRA will sound fuller and more dynamic if it has amplified with a better source with at least a medium gain mode as pairing like the portable USB Hi-Fi DAC/Amp dongles or DAPS as pairing it with a devices like smartphones and tablets that were usually set in a standard gain mode with a volume output in a medium level will not give that optimal performance for satisfying listening experience.

The 7HZ ELUA ULTRA has a quite familiar tonal profile that we in the audio community frequently encountered this target curve for the past few years as it follows that Harman target tuning curve which is a type of a U-shaped sound signature albeit with some slight modification to make it sound more balanced. It has more emphasis on the lows and upper mids to give that distinctive tonal profile.

LOWS/BASS:

Rumbly, a bit tight and tactual, those are the inherent characteristics of the bass response that this set has. It has a clear sub bass presence as it is capable of producing that deep reverberating and rumbly sound that were usually generated from synthesisers, drum machines and low tuned strings like bass guitars and double-basses. The mid bass section has enough note weight to give an adequate body on the bass-clef instruments and low octave male vocals.

On the selected instruments, the bass guitars have resonant and sustaining sound, while the double-basses have a bit broader sound with some raspy and a bit hollow tuned on their note strings, and the bass kick drum seems to have soft and resonant sound on every stroke. In regards to male vocals on how the bass and bass-baritones sound, it is certain that they have a deep resonance voice but it seems that it is a bit lacking of heft and dark timbre that it could deliver that dense and woolly sound that these vocal types should have.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange presentation of this one is definitely recessed on its overall frequency range but it still has an ample warmth not to sound too lean with some elevation on the upper mid section to give an energy for more vivid and open-sounding vocals and a crisper, glowing and airy sound on instruments like strings, percussives and woodwinds. In general, the midrange quality of this one is transparent, clean and energetic.

The male vocal part while it has enough warmth to give some body vocal texture as the baritones have a smooth and mellow sound, while tenors have a clear and dazzling sound and countertenors have mild, sweet and tender from their falsettos. Meanwhile on female vocals, contraltos have some rich chesty vocals although a bit lacking of that heavy and strength, mezzo-sopranos sound quite coppery and glowing, and sopranos have shimmering and gleaming vocals.

As for instruments on how they sound with this IEM's tuning,  the strings ones like guitars, violins and cellos, guitars have a bright and sustaining sound, while violins have a vibrant and clear sound on their bow strings, and cellos have a lively and sweet sound. On the woodwinds, piccolos have a brilliant and intense sound, concert flutes sound and silvery and saxophones sound mild and lively. When it comes to brasses, trumpets have a vivid and bit metallic sound, trombones give a blaring and brilliant sound and horns have a bright sound with some hint of shrill-y tone. About the percussives, snares have bright and precise sound on every beat on its drum head while the tom-toms have sharp and resonant sound, field drums sound more sonorous and kettledrums have that hollow, resonant and dry sound. On pianos, they sound rich, clear and vibrant on every  press on its note keys on its keyboard.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

It seems that treble quality on this one is a bit on the brighter side of treble tuning on how it conveys a lustrous and inoffensive treble tuning with a sufficient amount of air. It has an elevation on the upper mids up to presence section to highlight clarity and definition on the vocal articulation and a  sharp attack on instruments without having any sibilance nor strident sound.

The brilliance section on this set has an ample airy presence given that it came from a dynamic driver that serves as a tweeter with a good amount of sparkle. Cymbals have a brilliant and glistening sound and the hi-hats have that undulating and resonant tone from its distinctive chick-y sound.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING & OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

The perceived sound/speaker stage dimensions of this one projects an above-average sound field but somehow it is quite proportionate which makes it reasonably roomy as it has a median lateral span, a good height reach and a somewhat fair and middling sound when it comes to its soundstage depth. On its stereo imaging, a presents a standard two-dimensional stereo presentation in which I was able to tell that it has a fairly-layered soundscape with a good separation of musical elements in which I was able to locate their exact placement within its auditory space.

The dual dynamic driver configuration offers a cohesive performance as each type of dynamic driver also capable of delivering a fast transient speed response on reproducing a full range sound with a seamless smoothness and delineating on some musical elements to sound organic as possible on each respective frequency response part that they handle without any distortion at all (as long as it was properly amplified as these drivers aren't that power efficient as it seems). As for its resolution capabilities, it has a firm macro-dynamics as it is able to highlight the varying degree of loudness down to quietest level on both instrument passages and chorale sections, while on its micro-dynamics, it has enough sharpness on retrieving some details, grain and nuances from an audio track like instrumental reverb tails and notational attacks.

PEER COMPARISONS:

CCA DUO

• An old entry-level model from CCA and it is a dual dynamic driver set-up IEM earphone.
• Unlike the ELUA ULTRA, the dynamic drivers feature a uniform size  as each dynamic driver has a diameter of 7mm and they are encased in a compact polycarbonate plastic shell.
• The inclusions inside of its product packaging is pretty rudimentary.
• It has a mild U-shaped sound signature as it has a punchy and reverberating bass response, less midrange with warm and energy as they sound quite well-balanced and natural on both vocals and instruments, and smooth to a bit intensely bright treble response (depends of ear tips that you are using).
• On its technical aspects, it has similarities with the ELUA ULTRA from head stage size up to the resolution capabilities with the exception that this one is easier to drive with ample power output from the source.

KZ MERGA

• CCA DUO's cousin and it also has a dual dynamic configuration and it was priced way cheaper than the ELUA ULTRA.
• Like the ELUA ULTRA, it has an asymmetrical-sized dual dynamic drivers as the larger 10mm handles the bass response while the smaller 8mm serves a midrange and tweeter transducer and these drivers were housed in a polycarbonate shell.
• Like all budget entry-level sets from KZ and CCA, its product packaging is quite spartan with a meagre amount of accessories that were included.
• It has a bright V-shaped sound profile as it has a tight, rumbly and incisive bass response, a recessed midrange presentation as it has lean and energetic sound as it will fares well with vocals and instruments, and a bright and with a bit sharp treble response as it is more susceptible to sibilance.
• Technical performance-wise, it has an intimate soundstage size, less layered soundscape and less refined macro-dynamics aspect compared to the ELUA ULTRA but this one is a bit better on power efficiency that makes this set easier to drive.

TANGZU XUAN NV:

• This is TANGZU's entry-level model but it is a bit more pricey than the ELUA ULTRA and it is also a  collaboration project with HBB in which the first ELUA model is also one of his projects with 7Hz and it also has a dual dynamic driver configuration.
• It features two dynamic drivers with varying sizes as the larger 10mm is a ceramic-type dynamic driver and the smaller 8mm one has LCP diaphragm and these drivers were encapsulated in an acrylic resin shell chassis.
• This one is fully-packed with accessories as it also includes TANGZU's proprietary ear tips, The Sancais.
• It has warm U-shaped sound profile as it has more punchy and impactful bass response, a bit recessed but it has a warm midrange as it has smooth, lush and rich sound for a more natural sounding vocals and instruments, and then, smooth and even treble response with a modest airy extension.
• On technical performance, this one has somehow more of an above-average as it is fairly average soundstage size with a concave-like stereo imaging presentation and solid macro-dynamics but less sharp definition on retrieving micro-details and other nuances. And also, compared to the ELUA ULTRA, this one is even harder to drive due to its ceramic-type dynamic driver that requires more power output.

To conclude this review, it seems that 7Hz is trying to explore any possibilities of a modified Harman target curve on how they will sound more refined from its standard target curve as it sounds as fairly balanced as possible. While I'm not the biggest fan of the later Harman target curve on IEMs as I find them sound lean, a bit shouty and shrill-y  and unnatural to my ears especially on the mids, but with the ELUA ULTRA's take on its slight modifications, it somehow became more pleasant to listen on as it has addressed some of my complaints on that target curve as it has an added body on its dynamics, more presence and a firmer note definitions on vocals and instruments.

Overall, I think that 7Hz ELUA ULTRA is a solid choice that I would recommend to an audio enthusiast that is a fan of the Harman-style target curve but also wanting a bit warmer tonality on it and also an affordable one. But take note that it has meagre inclusions and the quality stock cable is rather a bog-standard.

7Hz ELUA ULTRA is now available on LINSOUL official store, Check out the link below.

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

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: 7Hz ELUA ULTRA

IMPEDANCE: 19Ω

SENSITIVITY: 108dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz – 20kHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S):  (2) DYNAMIC DRIVER

PROS:

● It offers an affordable pricing for a tight budget audio enthusiast.

● It seems that its composite shell chassis has substantial built quality.

● That gold-plated metal alloy faceplate with an ornate design looks elegant.

● Rumbly and tighter bass response 

●  Fairly balanced midrange presentation as it has an ample warmth and a bit more energetic tuning with clean and transparent sound

● Good for most female vocals as they sound gleaming, sweet and emotive.

● Crisp and vibrant sound on guitars and violins, delicate and brilliant sound on flutes, piccolos and saxophones. 

● Smooth with a hint of vividness on its treble response

● It has a capable enough technical performance for its asking price.

● Good definition on its macro-dynamics.

CONS:

● A sparse amount of contents that were included inside on its packaging box.

● It doesn't even have a carrying case nor storage pouch.

● A bit hollowed mid bass presentation with some ever slight bass bleed. (more of a nitpick)

● Recessed midrange.

● Need some additional volume level or more power output to drive this set to its well-optimised sound performance.

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.