7HZ Timeless IEM Review

 

 

Introduction:

7HZ is a Chinese brand that has been established in 2012, which is located in Qingdao which is a province in Mainland China. However since their products have been mainly sold in China, the company didn’t get much attention till the release of the Timeless that I will now review for you.

The Timeless features a miniaturized 14.2mm diameter Planar Magnetic Driver, which shows a combination of an Ultra-Thin Diaphragm + Strong Double-Sided Neodymium Magnet that is located inside a CNC Machined Aluminium Alloy Monitor Shell.

 

 

Disclaimer:

This sample has been provided to me for review purposes. I am not affiliated with any brand or person beyond this review and all these words reflect my true, unaltered and subjective opinions about the product.

 

  

 

Price & Availability:

The actual price of the 7HZ Timeless Universal IEM is 224.99 US$. More information’s can be found under the link below;

• 7HZ Timeless Universal IEM         

  

 

 

Package and Accessories:

The 7HZ Timeless comes inside rectangular white box with some brandings on the top, which was wrapped with a glossy cardboard sleeve in black colour that sports the illustration of the Timeless IEM and some product related banding on its surface.

 

Inside the box are the following contents/accessories; 

• 1 pair x 7HZ Timeless Universal IEM
• 1 pcs x Detachable Cable with MMCX Connectors
• 4 pairs x Semi Transparent Silicone Ear Tips
• 3 pairs x Silicone Ear Tips with large opening
• 3 pairs x Blue Silicone Ear Tips with small opening
• 1 pair x Spare Filters
• 1 pcs x Metal Protective Case
• 1 pcs x Print Material (Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, etc.)

 

The Timeless comes with solid looking protective storage case that seems to be made of a solid piece of aluminium material, which is a bit heavy but of very high quality.

The case has a nice textured surface in silver colour.

The protective case sports a pretty strong magnetic closure system that protects against unwanted openings.

On the top right corner is the 7HZ brand logo that adds the case a pretty stylish look.

 

 

Detachable Cable:

The 7HZ Timeless is comes bundled with a high-purity cable made with a combination of single-crystal copper and silver-plated single crystal copper wire cores.

The cable features a transparent PVC insulation that is thick but pretty soft, which shows only a very low amount of microphonic effect.

The MMCX connectors do have a stylish protective housings made from plastic & metal material with a slightly curved design that do have L (Left) and R (Right) markings on the top.

Near the connectors are transparent PVC heat-shrink ear guides that offers extra comfort especially on the go.

The chin slider has a black finish, while the y-splitter that sports the 7HZ branding shows a combination of black and red colours.

The detachable cable of the 7HZ Timeless is available with a 3.5mm Single Ended (TRS) and 4.4mm Balanced TRRRS) headphone plug options that you can chose on your purchase. The headphone plug has a very stylish metal housing design like the chin slider with red and black colour areas and the 7HZ branding on the top.

 

 

 

 

 

Design, Fit and Build Quality:

The 7HZ Timeless is a Universal In-Ear Monitor with a pretty unique looking shape and design that is made from CNC machined “Aviation Grade Aluminium Alloy” material, which shows a black anodized finish.

The Timeless utilizes a pretty large 14.2mm Planar Magnetic Driver that is equipped with an ultra-thin 2mm diaphragm coil. Moreover, the driver features also a powerful dual-sided neodymium magnet that is able to produce a great magnetic flux, in order o create a natural and balanced sound reproduction with ultra-low distortion in the output.

The faceplate has a circular shape and each earpieces sports a laser engraved 7HZ Timeless branding on the top.

The surface has a surface that reminds me to a vinyl record that looks pretty stylish.

At the rear side of the monitor is an angled sound nozzle with a stylish looking metal mesh on the top, which is on the front to a filter that prevents the insertion of particles such like dust or earwax. Here are also 3 additional openings and the L (Left) & R (Right) markings.

Near the sound nozzle is a small vent to balance the pressure inside the monitor.

On the top of the monitor housing is the MMCX female connector that offers a tight and sturdy connection with the male connector on the detachable cable.

The build quality of the monitors is decent and fulfils my expectations from a product at this price level. It doesn’t shows any visible imperfections such like burr or gaps.

 

 

Fit, Comfort & Isolation:

The 7HZ Timeless has a fairly lightweight monitor housing with a shape that fits quite comfortably in to my ears with an average ear concha. I didn’t have had any comfort issues even after longer listening periods.

When it comes to the passive noise isolation of 7HZ Timeless, I can say that it is on an average level, which is efficient enough for the use in relative noise environments such like public transportations including bus, metro, or trains.

 

 

 

Some Technical Specifications:

• Model                          : Timeless
• Driver  Configuration  : 14.2mm Dia. Miniaturized Planar Magnetic Driver
• Frequency Range      : 5 Hz – 40 kHz
• THD                            : <0.2%/1kHz
• Sensitivity                   : 104dB/1kHz
• Impedance                  : 14.8Ω
• Connector                   : MMCX
• Cable Specs               : High-purity single-crystal copper & silver-plated single crystal copper
• Cable length               : 1.2m
• Weight                        : 6 grams (single earpiece)

 

 

 

Pairing & Drivability:

The 7HZ Timeless is a relative easy to driver In-Ear Monitor, especially compared to other IEM’s that are equipped with a Planar Magnetic Driver.  It shows a pretty low impedance of 14.8Ω and a sensitivity of 104dB, which makes is compatible for sources like Mobile Phones, USB DAC/Amplifier Dongles and Tablets.

However, the Timeless shows its true potential when you pair it with more powerful sources like DAP’s (iBasso DX300, DX240) or DAC/Amplifier (iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon).

 

 

 

Equipment’s used for this review:

• IEM’s              : 7HZ Timeless, 7HZ Eternal, TiNHiFi P2
• DAP&DAC’s   : iBasso DX300, iBasso DX240, iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon, Palab M1 Mini

 

 

  

 

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
• Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
• Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• B.B. King – Riding With The King (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Really Slow Motion – Deadwood (Deezer HiFi)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Photek – The Hiden Camera (Spotify)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush – YYZ (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Rush – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)s
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

 

 

 

 

The Sound:

The 7HZ Timeless shows immediately a very easy to like dynamic presentation, which explains why it is very popular now in the audiophile community. The Timeless has a slightly tad warmer than neutral tonality and pretty clean overall presentation form the lows to the highs.

When it comes to the frequency response I can say that it offers a highly dynamic and fast bass notes with decent level of clarity and control. The midrange on the other hand is detailed, transparent and airy, while the treble region shows a nice sense of clarity and definition with above average level of extension.

 

The 7HZ Timeless review has been written after a burn-in period of 80 Hours since this shows in general a positive effect for IEM’s that are equipped with Planar Magnetic Drivers. I have used the Stock Semi Transparent Silicone Ear Tips and the stock cable that are included to the package. My sound impressions below are mainly based on pairings with sources like the iBasso DX300, iBasso DX240, Palab M1 Mini and iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon.

  

 

Bass:

The 7HZ Timeless shows a very exiting bass response with its highly dynamic, clean and fast character. The tuning of the bass makes the Timeless to a very entertaining In-Ear Monitor for a wide variety of genres.

The 14.2mm dia. Planar Magnetic Driver of the 7HZ Timeless is able to produce a decent level of subbass depth and rumble without to lose the sense of clarity and control, when I do listen to songs like Lorde’s “Royals”, Massive Attack’s “Angle” or Bro Safari, UFO! “Drama”.

When it comes to the midbass character, I can say that the Timeless sounds tight, fast and controlled, without to shows any negative conditions like muddiness and mixings. For example, instruments like bass guitars, cellos are reproduced with decent level of fullness and weight, while percussions are impactful and countable even in fast and complex passages like Charly Antolini’s “Duwadjuwandadu”.

The general bass presentation of the 7HZ Timeless that shows a decent level of authority, speed and control, makes it to a very versatile In-Ear Monitor in this area. It will satisfy you while listen to a wide variety genres that includes pop to classic, from rock to jazz music.

 

 

Midrange:

The 7HZ Timeless will impress you with its highly transparent and airy overall midrange presentation, which offers an above average clarity and resolution. The tonality of this area is mildly warm and nicely bright.

The lower midrange of the 7HZ Timeless is full bodied and has just the right amount of depth when I do listen to male vocals like Barry White, Dave Gahan or David Bowie. Instruments on the other hand are reproduced in a pretty musical, clear and detailed. For example, acoustic guitars and violas are reproduced with a mildly bassy, sweet and musical tonality.

Female vocals on the other hand do sound quite detailed, lively and transparent thanks to the well-tuned upper midrange character. Female voices from Adel to Sertap Erener, from Diana Krall to Sarah McLachlan are represented in a pretty intimate, emotional and detailed manner.

The upper midrange tuning of the 7HZ Timeless creates an atmosphere where instruments like pianos, violins or flutes do sound nicely bright, vivid and detailed, with good sense of extension, without to show any remarkable negative conditions like sharpness.

 

Treble:

The 7HZ Timeless shows a pretty energetic yet controlled treble tuning that is moderately bright, fatigue free and quite detailed from the lower register up to the upper treble area.

The transitions from the upper midrange towards the lower treble area are fairly controlled for example when instruments do play with higher level of distortion. The lower treble area is nicely emphasized yet controlled when I do listen to soprano voices or to instruments like hi-hats, snare drums or violins, which are reproduced with a decent grade of clarity and definitions.

This upper treble region shows an audible peak around the 8 kHz region, which is a popular adjustment these days. This adjustment adds the 7HZ Timeless a good sense of energy, dynamism and sparkle in this area, especially when I do listen to percussions like cymbals and snare drums, brass instruments like trumpets or woodwinds like side flutes.

The general treble performance of the 7HZ Timeless in terms of resolution, separation and extension surpasses my expectation from an In-Ear Monitor at this price level, thanks to the precise adjustment and the highly capable Planar Magnetic Driver that was used inside the monitor.

 

Soundstage & Imaging:

The 7HZ Timeless shows a decent sense of airiness and headroom that creates good conditions for a precise placement of instrument and vocals, which are also shown with a good level of separation. The soundstage of the Timeless has an efficient grade of wideness, while the depth of the stage is on a moderate level.

 

 

 

 

Some Comparisons: 

 

7HZ Timeless versus 7HZ Eternal:

Both the 7HZ Eternal and Timeless are close in terms of tonality, while the Eternal has in general a more relaxed, balanced and less coloured/saturated presentation, compared to the Timeless which is the one with a more energetic & dynamic tuning.

Both the Timeless and the Eternal do offer a decent performance in terms of bass control, clarity and resolution, while the Timeless shows more subbass depth and rumble and a faster decay. The Eternal offers a more linear bass response with slightly better sense of authority and layering, while the Timeless has the edge when it comes to the depth, impact and quickness in this area.

The midrange of both In-Ear Monitors sounds pretty airy, transparent and detailed, while the Eternal shows a tad more neutral and bright tonality in this register, while the Timeless shows a bit more warmth and fullness. The lower midrange tuning is pretty similar in terms of depth and body when I do listen to vocals like Barry White or Isaac Hayes and to instruments such like guitars, cellos or trumpets.

The Eternal shows a bit more dynamism in the upper midrange and lower treble register that adds slightly more clarity and headroom, especially when I do listen to female vocals or to instruments like mandolins, violins and pianos.

The Timeless shows a more energetic/dynamic treble tuning especially in the upper treble register, while the Eternal offers a smoother and overall relaxed presentation. The lower treble region of the Eternal is a bit more highlighted and detailed, while the Timeless has the edge hand when it comes to the upper treble tuning. The upper treble region of the Timeless shows a higher sense of resolution and a better level of extension, especially when I do listen to instruments like hi-hat and cymbal.

The soundstage of the both In-Ear Monitors is pretty similar in terms of airiness and wideness, while the Eternal has a slightly advantage when it comes to the depth of the stage.

 

 

7HZ Timeless versus TiNHiFi P2:

The TiNHiFi P2 shows a slightly warmer tonality and is more energy loaded towards the upper treble register, which is the most audible weakness of this otherwise good sounding Planar Magnetic Driver IEM.

The 7HZ Timeless has the upper hand in terms of subbass depth, extension and intensity and offers also a slightly faster level of decay, while both IEM’s are pretty similar in terms control and resolution in this area. The midbass region of the P2 is more impactful and full bodied compared to those of the Timeless, while the Timeless offers a better sense of clarity and detail retrieval.

The TiNHiFi P2 shows a slightly warmer midrange tonality and is focused to the lower midrange compared to the 7H Timeless. The Timeless on the other hand has a brighter tonality and offers a better sense of airiness and transparency in this area. The lower midrange of the P2 is more highlighted, which means more depth and body created for male vocals and instruments like acoustic guitars and cellos. The P2 has an audible roll-off in the upper midrange region, which makes the Timeless superior in terms of clarity, extension and resolution in this area, which is noticeable when I listen to female voices and instruments like pianos, violins and flutes.

Both IEM’s do offers a very different treble tuning. The TiNHiFi P2 shows a very audible roll-off in the lower treble register, which makes it sound somewhat diffused in this area. The 7HZ Timeless offers a better level of clarity and definition in the lower treble register and has also the upper hand in terms of extension. Both IEM’s do have an audible peak around the 8kHz region, while the TiNHiFi P2 continues to rise the peak in this area, which makes it sound unnatural and over-shaped.

When it comes to the soundstage performance, I can say that 7HZ Timeless has the upper hand in terms of airiness and wideness, while both IEM’s are pretty equal when it comes to the depth of the stage.

 

 

Conclusion:

The 7HZ Timeless is a solid piece of audio equipment that is accessible for a quite affordable price in respect to its overall sound performance. It will immediately impress you with its very easy to like highly dynamic and versatile presentation, which also explains why it is very popular now in the audiophile community. Moreover, the rich set of accessories that includes a wide variety of ear tips, a rock-solid storage case with a nice industrial design and a decent cable are some great additions.

Highly Recommended!

 

 

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Versatile Tuning with Decent Sense of Clarity
• + Dynamic Bass Response with Good Level of Speed & Control
• + Transparent & Detailed Midrange Presentation
• + Energetic & Well Extending Treble Tuning
• + Overall Resolution & Separation of Instrument
• + Rich Set of Accessories (Various Ear Tips, Solid Storage Case, Good Cable)

 

• – Average Soundstage Depth
• – Moderate Passive Isolation
• – Not an ideal choices for those who are looking for a reference type of tuning

 

 

Thank you for the Read!