In this feature, Kurt reviews the 7Hz Timeless II, a 2nd-generation dual-sided 14.5mm planar driver universal IEM with a tuning nozzle system. It is priced at $229.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in return for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank the team at Linsoul for giving me this opportunity.
Click here to read more about 7Hz products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our latest scoring guidelines which you can read in more detail here.
In 2021, 7Hz made waves with the release of the original Timeless, a planar IEM that set a new standard at a time when quality planar options were nearly non-existent.
Without much marketing or aggressive advertising, Timeless rose purely on word of mouth, earning its spot as a benchmark for affordable planar IEMs.
Fast forward to today, 7Hz is back with the Timeless II, a successor that boasts a larger, upgraded driver and a unique tunable nozzle system. Can the 7Hz Timeless II live up to its legendary predecessor and disrupt the market once again?
Features
The 7Hz Timeless II introduces an upgraded 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, an improvement over the 14.2mm driver inside the original Timeless.
It also stands out as the first planar IEM to feature dual-sided silver alloy-coated diaphragms, setting it apart from typical planar drivers.
The new diaphragm is paired with dual-sided N52 magnet arrays, delivering a stronger and more consistent magnetic field. According to 7Hz, this combination enhances responsiveness, marking a significant advancement in planar technology.
Design
The 7Hz Timeless II keeps a lot of the familiar design elements from the original Timeless while introducing some fresh updates. The lightweight 5-gram black circular shell and faceplate remain its defining feature, keeping the recognizable and iconic look intact.
The hanging faceplate design makes a return, which might seem odd at first but works well as a grip for putting the IEMs on or taking them off. Its design was updated to have a shiny geometric pattern instead of the lustrous spiral design of the original Timeless.
This time, the faceplate branding has been simplified to just “Timeless II,” dropping the “7Hertz” text for a cleaner, sharper appearance. One big new addition is the set of four interchangeable nozzles, which noticeably change the sound.
The shell still has three vents on the outer side and one on the inner side, which help to manage pressure buildup from the larger driver. Its pressure-alleviating effects are easily noticeable with prolonged usage.
Another change is the move from MMCX to 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, making it easier to use aftermarket cables. This switch opens up more options for those who like to customize their setups with different cables.
Comfort & Isolation
The 7Hz Timeless II has the same design as the previous Timeless, delivering the same fit concerns that people had. Despite this unusual design paired with its deceivingly large circular faceplate, the IEMs fit well into my ears and properly seals too.
Fortunately, the inner shell is shaped without any sharp edges to fit naturally into the ear. This makes it easy to wear for extended periods, whether for multimedia, gaming, or work usage.
Even after hours of use, the Timeless II remains comfortable and doesn’t leave the ears feeling fatigued. Switching to my sleep IEM after wearing the Timeless II all day felt just as comfortable since it didn’t strain my ears at all.
The secure fit also helps improve isolation, keeping outside noise out and your music in. The medium-length nozzle rests well in the ear, creating a good seal that enhances the listening experience without causing discomfort.
Tips
7Hz includes a great selection of ear tips in the box. There are three different types, each made with high-quality materials and designed to provide good comfort and fit.
The first set features dark blue silicone tips with a stiffer medium-length stem. These tips are color-coded by size, with red for small, blue for medium, and yellow for large.
Using these tips with the 7Hz Timeless II enhances the bass presence, giving the sub-bass more impact. However, they can feel itchy during longer listening sessions, which annoyed me despite the benefits.
The second set is made of white silicone with stiff, short, and color-coded stems. There are four sizes in this set, ranging from orange for the smallest to yellow for the largest.
Fitting these tips requires angling the Timeless II upward to get a proper seal. They reduce bass presence, which is unexpected given their tight seal, but they noticeably increase treble sparkle.
The third set includes clear rectangular tips with a long, stiff, and red stem, similar to Dunu S&S tips in shape. Unlike the others, these tips aren’t color-coded but have a 7Hz logo printed on the flange.
These tips offered the best overall experience in terms of comfort and sound. Their wide bore improved detail retrieval and midrange clarity while keeping the bass presence intact.
Stock Cable
7Hz took a step forward with the cable design for the Timeless II, making sure it matches the IEMs both in function and looks. The improvements to the wire quality and connectors are noticeable and well-thought-out.
The stock cable uses a 4-core ultra-pure 7N single-crystal copper setup. It comes with a modular design, offering the option to switch between 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced jacks, paired with detachable 0.78mm 2-pin connectors.
The cable has a bit of heft to it, which adds a premium feel but makes it less practical for everyday portable use. It’s much better suited for desk work or stationary activities where the added weight isn’t an issue.
Its bronze finish, accented with hints of gold, gives it a premium vibe. The cable separator and chin slider also reflect the geometric design found on the Timeless II’s faceplate, tying the whole look together.
Switching between the 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks can be confusing at first since the mechanism isn’t conventional. You need to hold the golden connector firmly and twist the geometric cover with the 7Hz logo to release and swap the jack.
The 0.78mm 2-pin connectors are labeled with L and R, making it easy to know which side to plug into the IEMs. They also carry the same geometric theme, maintaining consistency across the cable’s design.
Packaging & Accessories
Unboxing the 7Hz Timeless II feels complete and well-crafted, showing that 7Hz has put thought into the entire experience. From the packaging to the accessories, there’s a sense of care and attention to detail.
The outer black box introduces the Timeless II with a striking ray of light behind the IEM, highlighting its planar magnetic design alongside the 7Hz logo. Behind, the details about its tuning, driver materials, and key specifications like impedance and sensitivity are revealed.
Inside, there’s a sleek white box with glossy “Timeless II” and “7Hz” text arranged vertically. Removing the cover reveals a sturdy plastic sheet covering the metal carrying case and the interchangeable nozzles.
The carrying case feels hefty and solid, carrying over the Timeless II’s geometric design with a bold 7Hz logo framed inside a white rectangle.
Inside the metal case, the IEMs and cables are neatly stored, which are already attached and pre-wrapped to show how everything fits for travel.
Beneath the nozzles is the accessories box, housing the silicone tips in a green container and the rectangular tips in a clear one, alongside the paper guide.
Sound Impressions
The following sound impressions of the 7Hz Timeless II were completed using the stock gold flower nozzle combined with the Heartfield R1 and Colorfly CDA-M2 dongles.
Bass
The 7Hz Timeless II keeps the bass close to the original’s but adds a touch more sub-bass. The larger driver makes the sub-bass more noticeable, giving it a consistent and active presence in most tracks.
It’s rare for a planar IEM to deliver any sense of punch, but the Timeless II does it surprisingly well. That said, the bass decays quickly, which others might like for its speediness or dislike due to it missing the lingering impact that dynamic drivers usually offer.
Even with that, the bass here is one of the best I’ve heard from a planar IEM as it feels excellent and well-executed with good low-end reach. It’s detailed and textured enough to be satisfying, but it doesn’t quite reach basshead levels of boominess.
I noticed drums sounded natural and carried an enjoyable weight, steering clear of the usual lifeless impacts. Similarly, bass guitars retain their string texture, allowing each note to resonate clearly without sounding dull or blunted.
Mids
The midrange of the 7Hz Timeless II delivers energetic vocals with impressive clarity, neither feeling forward nor recessed. It leans toward an analytical presentation, revealing vocal nuances effortlessly, but this can come at the cost of a little bit of body in the vocals.
The clarity, while great, can occasionally make the vocals sound thin, though it avoids being shouty. Thankfully, the timbre remains natural and among the best I’ve heard from a planar IEM, bringing vocals to life effortlessly.
The vocal texture is also well-presented, allowing emotions in tracks to come through convincingly. A slight boost to the lower midrange could enhance warmth and intimacy, and the silver flower nozzle helps achieve that balance.
Vocals are centered perfectly, ensuring they always hold the spotlight. Backing vocals are layered around them seamlessly, adding depth and lifting the vocal presence without overwhelming it.
Treble
The 7Hz Timeless II’s treble remains its standout feature, building on the strengths of the original. Its treble extension is exceptional, revealing details and nuances in tracks with a clarity that uncovers new elements in the music I listen to daily.
Detail retrieval is impressively refined and avoids the pitfalls of peakiness or excessive brightness. The tuning allows for an inoffensive presentation, making sibilance a non-issue while preserving all the benefits of planar treble.
Instruments such as guitars and cymbals sound natural and lifelike, avoiding any bluntness or harshness. Pianos and guitars, in particular, come across as realistic and smooth, free from the artificial sharpening common in some planar IEMs.
The treble is airy and sparkly, yet never becomes fatiguing, even in busier tracks. It enhances the overall listening experience by balancing the mids and bass, creating a cohesive and enjoyable sound signature.
Staging & Dynamics
The soundstage of the 7Hz Timeless II retains the spaciousness of the original while adding a slight improvement in height. This slight upgrade adds to the already open and engaging experience of the original Timeless.
The wide soundstage ensures that tracks never feel congested, offering an immersive listening experience. It’s great for gaming as well, as the expansive stage combined with excellent detail retrieval makes it easy to catch every subtle audio cue.
Imaging sees a notable improvement due to the taller vertical soundstage, allowing sounds to be placed more precisely. This added height adds a better sense of realism, complementing the already strong imaging capabilities of the Timeless II.
The dynamics remain consistent, delivering reliable performance across all volume levels. A notable feature is how the midbass retains its punch and impact even at lower volumes.
Along with that, the vocal texture and detail retrieval also don’t become muted or disappear. This level of performance is uncommon for planar magnetic drivers and is likely due to the Timeless II’s larger, upgraded driver.
Filters
The included nozzles come in a gold or silver finish, with a flower and pointed design, offering different dampening options to tweak the sound.
While the gold and silver pointed nozzles sound quite similar in offering a more forward and energetic midrange with less bass, the flower nozzles offer more variation.
The silver flower nozzle adds extra bass presence, while the golden one pushes vocals forward for a more intimate presentation.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
