Disclaimer: I99 has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views discussed below are a reflection of Project A3's thoughts surrounding the product. The sample has been run-in for at least 50 hours prior to review in order to achieve an accurate representation of the product.

Today, I'll be reviewing the highly ambitious release of the 7Hz I99; a flagship offering from a young chi-fi brand. Known for its previous affordable release, the 7hz i77, the I99 takes a huge leap in price, placing itself in the mid-range flagship market. Modeled after the widely acclaimed Beyerdynamic Xelento, I99 is looking to dethrone some big names in the industry. But has I99 bitten more than it could chew> Available at **

• 13.8mm beryllium dynamic driver
• Frequency Response Range: 20- 20,000 Hz
• Impedance: 25 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 118dB
• Distortion Rate:below 0.2%

The 7Hz i99 comes encased in a beautiful wooden display case.Under its front lid, the earphones are stowed safely in the foam inserts, alongside a rounded leather case with brass detailing, multiple silicon eartips in varied sizes (S,M,L) and a silver-plated copper cable. Given its ambitious price point, the entire package far surpasses my expectations, rivaling its American and European competitors in the North. A stunning effort by 7Hz.

Given its high sensitivity, the 7Hz i99 is easily driven from most sources without many changes to its characteristic tonality. It retains its signature across all the devices I paired it with, and it doesn't deviate much when paired with my most powerful amplifier, the Aune X1s.

The 7hz I99 shells boast a mirror-polish, kaleidoscopic finish. Unfortunately, it has already retained a few hairline scratches. Nevertheless, its metal shells inspire confidence in product longevity, while its long spout sits snugly in my ears when paired with adequately sized eartips. The cables are flexible and conform well to the outer earlobes, and its terminations are reinforced with ample strain relief to avoid unwanted tugs or pulls.

Unfortunately, the shells themselves are incredibly hefty, and its weight started to be a discomforting experience during lengthy listening sessions. Its ability to isolate is heavily contravened by the large number of vents behind each shell, resulting in wind noise constantly detracting from my "on-the-go" listening sessions.

Overlooking those small problems, the i99 ticks many of the right boxes. a positive one.

Reference Tracks / Remarks:
Tyler, The Creator - EARFQUAKE

EARFQuake's distinct bass drop is a brain rattling experience, with an in-your-face bass punch with ample amounts of reverb. However, it clouds Tyler's vocal section and any semblance of backing synths are lost in the entire mix, mired by its low-end focus.

Reference Tracks / Remarks:
Alex Cameron- Divorce

Alex Cameron's raspy voice is represented decently well on the i99, but the "s" notes in the song are overly emphasized, resulting in early fatigue on longer listening sessions. The lower-mids lack body to keep the entire track weighted. The overblown bass region drowns alot of the smaller details in the upper-midrange.

Reference Tracks / Remarks:
Iamamiwhoami- Chasing Kites

The i99 wasn't tuned to focus on the highs as its prominent feature, but it gives Jonna Lee's vocals a fair representation, punctuated by the airy sound of blaring synths. However, it simply lacks enough energy or verve to be considered detailed at its steeper price point.

Reference Tracks / Remarks:
Dry the River- Shaker Hymns (Acoustic)  

The I99's large dynamic driver displays vast potential in its ability to handle busier tracks, with a large mix of vocals and instruments being managed well. Unfortunately, the recurring bass-problem mitigates its ability to distinguish each instrument from the next, despite its extensive lateral width

Reference Tracks / Remarks:
Santa Esmeralda- Please don't let me be misunderstood

Like the previous issue, the contentious bass-line strikes again, harming the i99's ability to readily identify audible cues and instruments from vocals. Staging is placed in the foreground, bass at the forefront.

Reference Tracks / Remarks:
Anamanaguchi- Prom Night

Unsurprisingly, tracks with stabby synth lines, punctuated by cascading kickdrums sound spectacular on the I99. But, the shoutiness of the upper-mids and its scathing treble quickly wears your ears down. The i99 lacks the flexibility to pair itself well with many genres.

Vocal Performance
Pros	Upper-mid forwardness complements higher-pitched vocal ranges
Cons	Vocals can be thin and overly-fatiguing.

Instrumental Performance
Pros	Instruments and vocals display good detail
Cons	Unnatural timbre fails to deliver.

Overall Sound Performance
Pros	Thunderous Bass. Unashamedly forward and aggressive
Cons	Needs a more conservative tuning in the lower-end Timbre needs to be improved upon

*All ratings are accurate as of date of publication. Changes in price, newer models may affect Project A3's views on the performance and value of the reviewed product.