Pros: Bass is an experience, Excellent Build Quality and Stock Cable, Comfortable, Accessories, Uniquely Coloured yet Enjoyable tuning
Cons: Niche sound signature is not for everyone, Not versatile in all genres
Driver Setup: Dual Dynamic Driver – 12 mm Woofer Driver + 6 mm Tweeter/Midrange Driver
Price: US$109
Intro
Disclaimer: The 7HZ Legato was provided to us at no charge courtesy of Linsoul. However, this was done in understanding I was to give my honest thoughts and opinions of the Legato. The 7Hz Legato is available for purchase here should you find yourself interested in a pair, or feel free to use your own links.
The 7HZ Timeless is one of my personal favourites in my humble collection of headphones and I often find myself reaching for it for my listening sessions at my desk. Subsequently, I had my mind blown by what they did with the Salnotes Zero. Hence, when Linsoul reached out for a review of the Legato, of course, I was excited! I did not know what to expect, going in blind, but expectations were sky-high right from the start. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Accessories (Score: 8.5/10)
7HZ didn’t disappoint in this aspect. I’ve noticed they are experimental with their design choices and accessories. Still, they do make notable steps in the right direction, based on my experience with the Timeless and Salnotes Zero. The case this time is a huge zippered case that has a plush soft cushioned interior designed to store IEMs that elevate the unboxing experience. I honestly thought the Legato was a much more expensive earphone and was surprised when I searched up the retail price after opening the IEMs.
The stock tips are nothing special but work well with the IEMs based on my own experience so no issues there.
Build Quality and Fit (Score: 8.5/10)
The build quality of the Legato is quite impressive, be it from the cable, to the shells themselves, and even the case. I have no complaints, and I have no doubts they can take a beating, given how tanky the buds feel in the hand. The braided cable also feels very sturdy, but yet flexible enough to not cause comfort issues and can also be coiled easily for storage.
Despite an all metal build, the Legato is surprisingly comfortable to wear, even for longer listening sessions. It is slightly on the heavier side, but with a snug fit from an appropriately sized silicone tip, the weight isn’t really felt. The Legato also doesn’t threaten to slip out, as I have experienced was the case with some metal shell earphones.
Sound (Score: 8.0/10)
The frequency response of the 7HZ Legato
Sources
- Lotoo Paw S2
- SMSL M200/Schiit Magnius
- Fiio BTR7
Music listened to
- BORNS – Blue Madonna
- Kanye West
- The Vamps – Cherry Blossom
- Englishman in New York
- Queen
- Aladdin Original Broadway Cast Recording
- Noah Kahan – Stick Season
- NEEDTOBREATHE
- Kygo
- etc
Bass
It’s been a while since I found myself with a bass-centric earphone in my hands. I didn’t know what I was to expect with the Legatos but the extension on these certainly blew my mind. The emphasis in the lower regions also stands out starkly and pops up stronger than your typical bass boost settings on your devices. However, it does sound very intentional and I wasn’t repulsed or turned off by the copious bass. There is a very satisfying rumble in the sub-bass. The emphasis continues into the midbass, with plenty of punch and presence. Yet I was amazed how there never threatened to become a muddy mess. The bass was also airy and textured, giving it a sense of space and not too claustrophobic/intimate.
Mids
Vocals come out very melodiously, and they have a very natural feel to them, not forced, not boosted, and never shouty. What I especially liked was how distinct the vocals were layered from the rest of the sound, and never once did I find myself worried about the vocals being drowned out by the bass. That said, on more typical EDM or Pop songs, don’t expect the vocal melodies to take centre stage and they certainly wouldn’t be the first thing you notice. Mids here does well to do its part to complement the overall tuning and plays a more supporting role to keep the bass empasis at the forefront.
Treble
The treble of the Legato extends naturally and helps give the tuning more perceived soundstage, and the crash cymbals and synths are able to sound abit airier, giving it a less claustrophobic tuning, which I really appreciate. The treble definitely sits comfortably below the already tame upper mids, and does well to complement the overall timbre of the Legato. It contributes to the rich and full sound that the Legato puts out, giving the earphone a more premium sounding tuning.
Overall
The Legato will never be your go-to for accurate tuning or an earphone you reach for a more sterile and serious listening session. However, it offers a fun and guilty pleasure of an experience that few in the market can rival, especially within the price bracket it sits at. The Legato also has a rather wide soundstage, but it can get a little distorted or unnatural sounding due to its tonal balance. Be prepared for a new perspective when listening to your orchestral tracks. Detail retrieval is respectable for its class and overall it feels like a well-polished product.
Conclusion
The Legato is an interesting product, and almost feels like an experimental product. I love that 7Hz readily attempts to break out of the mold, even if it may very well not be everyone’s cup of tea. The Legato is a prime example of that. It pushes the boundaries of what is being explored in the industry and still tries to do it as best it can. I enjoyed my time with the Legato, and for the genres it excelled in. It was certainly a “I’m in the mood for it” kind of earphone and not a versatile daily driver. Moreover, it tends to excel with better, more powerful sources. Who would I recommend the Legato to? Bass lovers definitely should consider checking out the Legato, and beyond that, everyone who wants to try something new, and has space in their collection for something close to what I’ve described.
Overall Grade: B
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