From what I gather from the statement, it looks like they mismatched the drivers and shells? I do have to say that they’re response looks and feels top notch to me. Definitely seem to be willing to make things right, weather that be two free sets of their new product, or the full refunds.
7Hz Legato Review
Sound Profile:
Bass boosted warm sound signature with decent treble extension
Summary
The 7Hz Legato gives me festival show in the summer vibes. It’s not going to be for people who put big emphasis on detail retrieval, stage size and and imaging but it is going to be a party in your ears.
Is it Worth it?
In my opinion these are totality worth the price and probably more. However, worth the price != a good value to me. While I think its worth the price for what you get (I like this cable more than the Moonlight cable) It’s a very specific tuning and thus I wouldn’t recommend this set if its going to be the only set you own (unless your library is primarily hip hop and rap) when you can get an IEM that plays more genres better on average for cheaper.
Details
Treble/Space/Stage
There is a lack of air and sparkle in the replay which results in a pretty intimate space. Coupled with the excessive bass, you can get a bit of a claustrophobic experience on some songs. I don’t mind the intimacy, especially because after getting the Serratus I realized all IEMs that I have tried aren’t all that much more open.
Midrange
Vocals and instruments are pretty accurate overall but are colored a bit warmly. Luckily that warmth doesn’t come at the expense of good extension so while voices sound full and warm they avoid coming off muted which I felt was the case for the Penon Serial and ultimately why I sold that set. Unfortunately vocals are a bit too recessed for my taste as I prefer a slightly forward vocal experience but overall not offensive or poorly done. For those who listening to vocalists who sing mainly in the upper registers you will be missing a bit of completeness unfortunately.
Mid bass
Mid bass has great texture, snappy and thumpy bass hits feel distinct and are palpable. They have really good speed and don’t linger longer than they should. There is definitely nothing soft about the mid bass.
Sub bass
Sub bass has over the top rumble and boom that can sometimes wash out the rest of the replay, especially on drones. However the speed and texture of the bass is great so for songs that have quicker sub bass drops you don’t get it messing with the rest of the song. For the quantity that is present I feel like the sub bass is surprisingly tight.
Genres
Below are my rankings for how this set plays each genre. These are based on my general enjoyment of the replay for songs in each set and is therefore very subjective.
Hip Hop - 9/10
Rap - 9/10
Latin trap/reggaeton - 8/10
Dance/Electronic - 7/10
Pop - 7/10
R&B - 7/10
Prog Rock - 6/10
Psych Rock - 4/10
Country - 4/10
19 Likes
Awesome review. Mine arrived today haven’t even got a chance to open it. Can’t wait to see how my thoughts on it may align with yours. Should have a chance to listen later tonight after the kids are in bed.
4 Likes
Yo!!! I just got a chance for a short 20 minute session with the Legato. I’m in love with the tuning. It’s definitely got some special sauce if you dig the overall vibe its going for. For me I’m placing it over the Maestro Mini as I much prefer the uppermids/treble presentation on it. It definitely throws off feelings of old vintage floor standing setups. Imagine sitting about 10 feet from these bad boys but, spaced about 15 feet apart in a bedroom.
14 Likes
yes!! Im so glad you got yours and I can’t wait to hear more thoughts. When I saw you were getting them I was like “I think this is gonna be Marcus` jam!” but I didn’t want to be presumptuous. The 7Hz folks said they were tuning it to try and sound just like the picture you posted and I think they nailed it.
1 Like
I’m extremely happy in its tuning but also, with its price point. I think it comes in as a very good set that you don’t need to justify using a lot to get its values worth as niche set. I quite enjoyed the MM and didn’t have any jarring issues with it but, coming in at its price left me a little uneasy. Though after hearing the Legato it’s treble is more mellow and to my liking. I also dig the analogue somewhat recessed presentation it’s going for while still maintaining airiness. Someone hand me a PBR cause that’s how I’m feeling jamming the Beastie Boys right now!
6 Likes
All right everyone I’m calling it. Legato is the funniest set I’ve heard! I don’t need more time to tell ya’ this. Throw these bad boys on, crank the volume and don’t get all analytical all them. Just turn off all your critiquing and think of a high end set from JCPenny that your dad drooled over and your mom wouldn’t let him get because it was to expense, obnoxious and would bother the neighbors. There’s not a lot of technicality going on here though it’s not bad for the price. This set is like being a frat party 5 PBRs and 2 keg stands deep and fighting for your right to party. Your hearing the treble but, all you want to do is belt out lyrics, play air guitar and feel the beat.
7 Likes
Mags, what would you say is the biggest difference in comparing the Legato to the MMs?
Also, @cal_lando Awesome write-up, man. I am pumped that you’re digging them.
1 Like
GOD DAMMIT! I mean I just went in on the 41Ts and you wanna say this crap?!?
Now I’m going to have to see if Legato blows out my modded Rosefinch because you’re saying this is going to be so damn good.
Fuckin’ A, dude!
4 Likes
Off memory. Smaller stage, more analog sounding and better for cranking the volume. I got these bad boys crank so loud right now I’m gonna need to set a timer to remind to take ‘em out and not go deaf. Yet even this loud there’s no aggressiveness or treble fatigue.
5 Likes
It’s like a 90s house party but only in your head right now, dude 
be careful, cops might get called soon 
That’s awesome - they sound like a blast of an IEM honestly. I don’t reckon I need em in the slightest, and tbh the Maestro SEs compared to the Minis completely killed any interest I may have had on another basshead set because the minis are so damn good, but I love seeing the market being moved a bit by the Legatos. Enjoy em, big guy 
4 Likes
Tell ya what man when everything is headed back to you let me know. I can send them out to you to demo and then return ‘em with the other goods.
3 Likes
Damn. What about Legato vs EX800st (taped)?
3 Likes
Take this lightly since it’s been awhile. First I really liked the EX800ST in sound. The way they inserted and were worn had always bothered me as their biggest issue. They still are a great IEM from my notes and memory. It’s just one of those things where you don’t realize something is missing or could be better until you hear another. The Legato has more of how imagine and slightly remember old midfi systems sounding . It comes across more airy, with better details and has a more intimate stage. Which I think combined with the genre and decades I’m enjoying it with most brings more nostalgia to it.
5 Likes
A few more thoughts after 3 hours on the Legato last night. Using some of your thoughts for cross comparison.
Treble
Seems like we fit into different preferences for the amount of air we like. Legato for sure isn’t the airiest set I’ve heard but, I find it present enough and sufficient to work for the analogue feel. Anything more and I’d probably find it a turnoff for the overall tuning of the set. Cymbal strikes and hihats come across somewhat soft but, have good tail ends. Though I wouldn’t call this a weakness of the set as they open up a bit more and get an extra touch of crispness if your cranking them. This for me makes the Legato shine at higher volumes as it doesn’t come across fatiguing.
Midbass
Yeah it’s there and it’s pushing some air. It comes across strong, with authority and is punchy as hell. It definitely allows great presentation of the bass guitar and kick drums. It’s not a detailed replay of them but, more a party vibe. My only smallest gripe is I wish there was tad bit more of a dip on the subbass to bring a bit more punch presence in.
Subbass
Not much more to say as we’re pretty much in agreement here.
Genres
As for genres I’ve thrown a bunch at it. What I can’t do is assign any of them a rating. Personally I think Legato shines for a style within all genres. It’s going for songs that are upbeat and party oriented. I’ll add that it does seem to do better at older recordings. Most my songs tested were from the 80-90s with some spanning the mid to late 70s and the early 2000s. My thought is that a lot of those songs were probably recorded and mastered in a way that gave more thought to the big floor standing systems of then. Or the wall hanging speakers you’d see at skating rinks. Which is exactly the feeling I get when toe tapping and bobbing my head when the Legato is cranked. I think 7hz hit this set out of the park and got exactly the tuning they were aiming for.
8 Likes
Re-tunned Mega5P…
4 Likes
Guys help, I just noticed something. Everytime I want to use my IEM it’s always been the EA500 so far, whether it would be by my choice or subconsciously. I am trapped with this freaking IEM and I am discovering to myself that I am becoming a bit of a treble-head lately.
8 Likes
Congratulations on your new discoveries! Enjoy!
1 Like
I guess it needs some validation of data, but I generally trust Hi Fri. Another drama is coming
On the other hand nano-coating may be even 2nm thick, so if it is taken by mass it may be true that there is nano coating. What is the effect on the sound reproduction I truly dont know
7 Likes
this is why I love hearing other people’s thoughts!
We are definitely in different camps when it comes to treble. For example, I love the IE600 and think its treble is ideal but a lot of others find it a bit too much. Having said that, I agree with your assessments 100%. For the tuning, I think the treble is correct and well thought out. You can volume scale this set like crazy and its just bright enough where things don’t sound muddy.
For midbass, I have to admit I am not a midbass head and haven’t heard a lot of sets that are focused on midbass so I can see it other offerings, especially with rolled of sub bass, sounding better. It would definitely be interesting to see how this set sounds with EQ’d to roll off the sub bass. Either way, I think its still very good quality midbass.
The genre ratings was something I was trying out (for my own sake) so it still needs some tweaking and what you called out is a great example of that. I 10000% agree that this set really shines with older recordings vs newer ones with the caveat that it didnt really work for any country or rock recordings for me minus some early 2000s prog rock. Most of my older library is hip hop and rap so that is why those ended up so highly rated (plus the bass hits are so satisfying!!).
It’s going for songs that are upbeat and party oriented. I’ll add that it does seem to do better at older recordings.
I think this sentence summarized it best! Now I gotta listen to some skate jams and see how that sounds on them! These have been my tranducer of choice since I got them, over the IE600 and the Serratus. Its probably the honeymoon period but these just work really well for most of my library and they are straight fun!
2 Likes