On this evaluate, we decide whether or not the 2nd coming of the 7Hz Timeless II IEM – promoting for $223 USD – has fastened the drawbacks of the first version.
Disclaimer: Linsoul just isn’t associated to Headfonia. They despatched me the 7Hz Timeless II freed from cost to be featured on Headfonia.com.
7Hz was based in 2012 as a staff of engineers and audio fans who got here collectively to check their expertise within the realm of audio. The enigmatic firm title 7Hz stands for the Theta Wave, a frequency of neural oscillations present in most mammals.
7Hz largely makes a speciality of IEMs however has additionally launched a lot of dongle DACs. Their best-known work is the earlier Timeless, which proved to be one of many higher planar IEMs of 2021. The extra inexpensive Zero IEMs provide a sound that’s very compliant with the Harman curve for an inexpensive value.
Enter the Timeless II
To raised perceive the context of the 7Hz Timeless II, we now have to start out at its predecessor – the unique Timeless. It was one of many first inexpensive IEMs to make use of a correct large-format magneplanar driver. Earlier than that, you’d should shell out large bucks and get Audeze IEMs for comparable tech and deal with the truth that they’re open-back.
The unique 7Hz Timeless was well-received and shortly different Chinese language IEM makers rushed to embrace the comparatively uncommon driver expertise. Hidizs MP145 and Letshuoer S12 are the well-known rivals to the 7Hz IEM which prompted the event of an improve to the Timeless. A particular version Timeless AE was launched however the followers yearned for a correct improve which was slated for late 2023.
Come October 2023 and the primary evaluate models began rolling out for the 7Hz Timeless II. The primary impressions weren’t too promising. Shouty higher mids and never sufficient of an enchancment over the unique had been the principle complaints. 7Hz took the suggestions to coronary heart and stopped the rollout to get again to the drafting board. Greater than a yr later we now have the erm… second Timeless II!
In line with 7Hz they’ve applied the world’s first planar diaphragm with each side coated. The precise sort of coating isn’t specified, nonetheless, the corporate claims that it improves the responsiveness of the diaphragm. Might or not it’s that we now have voice coil traces on each side? Could possibly be. Each the within and the skin of the driving force enclosure have been redesigned as effectively.
7Hz have opted to bundle the Timeless II with a premium cable. It seems to be similar to the 7Hz Bohea cable which retails for roughly $140. Not dangerous for a $223 IEM! Kitted along with the Timeless II are 10 pairs of varied ear suggestions and 4 pairs of tuning nozzles.
Options:
- 14.5mm planar driver
- twin ported acoustic enclosure
- Impedance: 15.2 ohms
- Connector Sort: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Sensitivity: 108dB/V@1KHz (90dB/mW)
- Connector: flush-fit 0.78mm 2-pin
- Weight per IEM: 5g
- Frequency Response 5 – 40 000Hz
Design, Construct & Haptics
Casing
The 7Hz Timeless is shipped in a regular-sized cardboard field. The shiny sleeve exhibits off what’s inside and on the again we see the exploded view of the intricate planar driver. It lets me know that the Timeless 2 makes use of a push-pull design with the diaphragm sandwiched between two N52 neodymium magnets. There’s a small error within the spec sheet which claims the IEMs use an MMCX connection when in actuality we now have the extra frequent 0.78mm 2-pin.
Getting the sleeve off is kind of simple and the lid slides off to disclose the rationale why the package deal appeared unusually heavy. Each the IEMs and the cable are stored in a large aluminum cylindrical case. A separate tray shows the spare 3 pairs of tuning suggestions. Whereas the case is undoubtedly strong, it’s additionally heavy, and unscrewing the lid makes a fairly grating sound of metallic rubbing towards metallic. Neglect about taking your IEMs out stealthily!
Below the froth cutout, we get a smallish paper field that holds just a few plastic luggage with ear suggestions. In whole, we get 10 pairs of ear suggestions. I like that they’re saved in zip-lock baggies which makes closing them up easy. A transparent clear bag maintain three S/M/L pairs of rectangular flange suggestions while the opposite has 7 pairs of varied rubber single-flange suggestions. I’d actually like some extra variation between the guidelines or possibly as a substitute of 30 okay ones, producers ought to only get three pairs of first rate Spinfit suggestions.
Construct High quality
Like its predecessor, the 7Hz Timeless II retains a big spherical faceplate which dominates the look of the IEM. It provides an phantasm that the driving force inside is that enormous, nonetheless trying on the ear facet we see {that a} portion of the circle is only for the seems to be because the planar driver isn’t really spherical.
The ears hell physique is made out of a mixture of solid and CNC-milled aluminum elements. It’s surprisingly mild at 5g for an all-metal IEM. The black end on the metallic makes some elements really feel a bit like polymer. The checkered knurling on the faceplate is a putting design alternative and makes the 7Hz Timeless 2 a definite standout from the remaining. The same sample may be seen on the lid of the storage case.
The construct high quality of the entire metallic elements is impeccable, with no sloppy machining or coating. A becoming addition to the entire package deal is the cable. It boasts 7N single-crystal copper wires in a paracord braid. After the Y-splitter, the cable makes use of twist braiding. Each the splitter and the jack are product of milled aluminum with a darkish brown shiny end. It seems to be nice if a little bit of a fingerprint magnet in every day use.
For connecting the supply, we get a replaceable tip jack which is terminated within the common miniature 4-pin connector. The information in fact are proprietary and are held on by the screw-on sleeve. Along with the three.5mm SE jack, we get a pleasant 4.4mm balanced tip as effectively.
Consolation and Ergonomics
When it comes to optics the 7Hz Timeless II look large. The big round faceplate contributes to that even when the precise measurement of the ear shell is much less grand. My ears are a bit on the big facet and I can match multi-driver flagships just like the ThieAudio Monarch MK3 with relative ease. The Timeless 2 doesn’t really feel significantly giant within the ear, I’d name it M-sized. The nozzles are chunky and have a retention lip to securely maintain the guidelines. Petite ear canals would possibly relatively have issues with these.
I’ve no actual qualms concerning the cable. It’s not too eager on tangling up and microphonics are very effectively managed, so even on the go it stays out of the best way of having fun with music. Being a 4-conductor, it retains the load down, so there’s not a lot pressure on the ear hooks. After I tried different cables, I seen that the faceplate circle makes it a bit exhausting to unplug the 2-in connectors.
After I put the Timeless II in my ears, I’d hear some crinkle of the planar diaphragm flexing. The ports stop high-pressure pockets from forming however I’d watch out about jamming them in with power lest you injury the driving force. The entire included ear suggestions had been in a position to present an excellent seal with my ears so long as I used the M-size suggestions. With the proper combo, I had no drawback sporting the 7Hz Timeless II for a complete day.
Isolation
With the 7Hz Timeless II well-seated and sealed the isolation is about what I get from different ported IEMs. With none music taking part in, a few of the commute or workplace din will seep into your listening to, however all it takes is to hit play in your favourite tunes and the noise turns into a non-issue. I’ll solely add that once I was consuming with the Timeless 2, my chewing would create stress modifications within the ear canal that prompted the planar diaphragm to flex audibly.
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