I just got the Salnotes Zero today, and the hype is justified. These things are STUPID for $20.
Pros: Comfort, fit, imaging, detail, relaxed signature.
Cons: A bit light on bass, all notes lack weight.
I can’t believe this is what you get for $20 these days in an IEM. I bought the Moondrop Starfield 18 months ago for $105, and these have better imaging, detail and clarity. The Starfield was warmer throughout the signature, with better bass, but the Zero isn’t far off.
My only complaint about the Zero is a lack of heft to notes, as the review above suggests. Bull’s-eye. Everything feels a bit thin. I think part of that is Crin’s preferred tuning, as I’ve used his EQ profiles in the past, and they emphasize detail and midrange over bass and tone weight. It also may be the limitation of a $20 IEM.
But Good Lord, I no longer will provide many over-ear and on-ear options for those who seek recommendations for a budget closed-back. The value-to-performance ratio for IEMs right now is just nuts.