Joined in 2023 
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Details are surprisingly clear. I'm a real detail-head, so this is a huge part of my enjoyment of listening to recorded music. I'm going to do some more comparative listening against some of my more detail-oriented sets to see just how well it does. I think it is delivering more detail and microdynamic contrasts than the Truthears Zero. More testing to come on that... Technically, the Chu are a hair behind, showcasing slightly worse imaging, instrument separation, and soundstage. I wanted to write an initial impressions summary of the KZ ZS10 Pro X that I just received today, compared to the Salnotes Zero because I've spent the last couple weeks researching the KZ and found surprisingly little. It's not all rosy, the high mids can be a bit emphatic in certain songs. To control this, I found the eartips with the narrow hole quite useful. It is not a totally harsh earphone but I understand that some people are sensitive to these frequencies. With a moderate volume, we will also manage to control this problem. Well, considering the Zero cost less than many restaurant meals, we can’t complain too much about the spread of accessories provided.
Timbre is slightly less natural on the Zero, and the Zero may be more uncomfortable due to perpendicular edges in the shells. Vs. Moondrop CHU The product is easy to amplify, even without a dongle. Of course, it is always advisable to use one to make them shine a little bit, otherwise they remain as a fairly regular product.I tested the 7Hz Salnotes Zero with an SMSL DO200 MKII feeding a Drop THX AAA 789. 7Hz Salnotes Zero Star Child Someone recommended this song to me, and I like how funky it sounds and has nice vocals and a mix of music and things going on. The treble in this IEM is free from those harsh frequencies that can sometimes get very irritating. It’s not as shouty as the MoonDrop Chu, which is a good thing as it reveals details quite nicely in the form of an even sound signature. I have tested them with Questyle M15, Cayin RU6, Hiby FC4, Hiby FC1, and soon with iBasso DC04PRO. Haven’t tested them without DAC but with any DAC they sound great (so no huge difference between 35 usd dac and 250 usd dac) The HOLA is sub- bass focused, and the quantity is north of neutral but not at bonafide basshead levels. Sub-bass extends moderately, with some rumble. The mid-bass isn’t the most emphasized, so the HOLA does not fair that well with mid-bass focused genres such as EDM and hip-hop.
The Heart Mirror has better technicalities (micro-details, imaging, instrument separation, bass tightness), comes with better accessories and has better fit/build. The Heart Mirror has greater treble extension, air and sparkle also.
Specifications
Bass is clean, tight, and fast, with zero mid-bass bleed (pun intended). Texturing is decent, and the Zero handles complex and rapid bass movements with aplomb. The cable was also acceptable in terms of comfort. Some people may want to upgrade to a better cable, but I’ll keep mine since I have no problems with it. Sound Quality
The Salnotes Zero is tuned neutral bright. It is more sterile and analytical, with a thinner note weight. The Zero has a more extended treble and is brighter in tone. Timbre is less organic on the Zero, and the Zero is less comfortable due to perpendicular edges in the shells. In contrast, the HOLA is a cut above in timbral accuracy and fit.Timbre : HOLA Timbre sounds OK but again, it has that edginess to the overall sounds like the Aria OG. Anyone want me to compare it with anything else in particular? Any song in particular? Here's my list of IEMs currently: Although some may not be fond of the bite the treble shows, I believe the Zero to have a gratifying high-end spark. It’s admirable for an IEM to show some extended detail in the highs without being overtly bright, but some should be aware of the peaks that do cut through the timbre at times. I’ve always been okay with a bit of peakiness in my treble, so I never found it to be a problem here. I enjoyed its height and flavor, appearing crisp and refined for a twenty-dollar IEM. Summary The ear tips that came with it were okay, and if it ever became an issue to me in the future, it’s an easy swap.
Still, the Salnotes Zero beats the Chu for me as it has more features, such as the detachable cable that makes room for future upgrades. After all, the Salnotes Zero has the reputation of being an upgraded alternative to the MoonDrop Chu. How much would I pay for this cable if it was sold separately? Well, cables have come a long way, but I think you would be happy if you spent 10-20 dollars… so how is this possible? I ask again.I listened to several different singers to have a good reference for this frequency range. Freddie Mercury, Billie Eilish, Adele, and Calamaro - all these artists sounded correct here.
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