7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 Review: A Budget IEM Worth $22.49?

Quick overview

The 7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 is the follow-up to one of the most talked-about budget in-ear monitors ever made, and it currently sits at the top of Linsoul’s own Best Sellers list. The original Zero, tuned in collaboration with well-known IEM reviewer Crinacle, built a reputation as one of the best-performing budget IEMs on the market — the Zero:2 keeps that collaboration and adds a redesigned driver. With 267 reviews and a 4.5-star average on Linsoul’s site, we went through the listing, specs, and variant options to see what’s actually changed.

Key features

  • New 10mm dual-cavity dynamic driver with a PU+Metal composite diaphragm, tuned for a frequency range of 10Hz–20kHz — 7HZ says this makes the driver more responsive with faster diaphragm movement.
  • Crinacle-guided retuning — the original Zero’s tuning is refined further using Crinacle’s frequency-graph expertise, aimed at improved bass impact/extension and a slightly fuller midrange without bass bleeding into vocals.
  • Upgraded cable — a high-purity oxygen-free copper cable with silver plating in a coaxial structure, removable via a standard connector so you can swap it out later.
  • Four colorways — Silver, Orange, Blue, and Pink shells, each available with three cable/connector options: 3.5mm without mic, 3.5mm with mic, or USB-C with mic.
  • Full accessory set included — multiple sizes of ear tips, a user manual, and the detachable cable ship in the box along with the earpieces themselves.

Who it’s for

This is aimed at someone getting into higher-quality in-ear audio without spending audiophile money — the whole point of the original Zero was proving a sub-$25 IEM could compete with far pricier gear, and the Zero:2 is built to extend that reputation. The four color options and three cable/connector configurations (including a USB-C mic option) make it flexible for people who want it as a daily-use earphone with calls, not just a dedicated listening set. If you already own the original Salnotes Zero and were fully satisfied with its tuning, the Zero:2’s changes are focused on bass texture and midrange body — worth checking the description details rather than assuming it’s a dramatic overhaul.

7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 earphones in orange colorway showing the detachable cable and ear tips

Pricing

The 7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 starts at $22.49 for the Silver, 3.5mm no-mic configuration, marked down from $24.99 at the time of writing. Moving up to a 3.5mm cable with mic brings it to $24.29, and the USB-C with mic option is $26.09 — pricing is consistent across all four color options (Silver, Orange, Blue, Pink). Linsoul backs purchases with a 30-day returns/replacements policy, and pricing may fluctuate during the site’s periodic sales events.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Direct successor to one of the most acclaimed budget IEMs in the category, with the same Crinacle collaboration
  • 267 reviews at a 4.5-star average on Linsoul’s own listing
  • New 10mm driver targets improved bass texture and midrange fullness over the original Zero
  • Detachable, upgraded cable with three connector/mic configurations to choose from
  • Under $27 across every color and cable combination

Cons:

  • Mic and USB-C cable options cost more than the base 3.5mm no-mic configuration
  • As a budget dynamic-driver IEM, it’s a single-driver design rather than a multi-driver hybrid, which shapes the kind of detail retrieval you can expect at this price
  • If you already own and like the original Salnotes Zero, the Zero:2’s changes are a refinement rather than a completely different sound signature

7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 retail box, earpieces, cable, ear tips, and user manual laid out

FAQ

What’s different from the original 7HZ Salnotes Zero? The Zero:2 uses a newly developed 10mm dual-cavity dynamic driver with a PU+Metal composite diaphragm, plus further Crinacle-guided tuning aimed at improved bass impact/extension and a slightly warmer, fuller midrange.

Does it come with a microphone? Only on the mic-equipped cable variants — the base configuration is a 3.5mm cable with no mic; 3.5mm with mic and USB-C with mic are also available at a small premium.

Is the cable replaceable? Yes — it uses a detachable connector, so the included cable (or a third-party replacement) can be swapped if it wears out or you want a different termination.

What colors are available? Silver, Orange, Blue, and Pink, all priced identically across the three cable/connector options.

Close-up of the 7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 earpiece shells and cable connectors

Bottom line

The 7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 is following up on a genuinely well-regarded budget IEM, and the changes — a new driver, refined tuning, and an upgraded detachable cable — are aimed squarely at improving on what already worked rather than reinventing it. At $22.49–$26.09 depending on cable and mic choice, with strong review numbers backing it on Linsoul’s own site, it’s a reasonable entry point if you want a well-reviewed IEM without spending audiophile-tier money. You can check current colors, cable options, and pricing on Linsoul’s site here.