Meldrick reviews the 7Hz Artemis39, an ES9039Q2M wireless DAC dongle that offers LDAC decoding, DSD256, and up to 405mW of balanced output power. It is priced at $149.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank the team of Linsoul for giving me this opportunity.
Click here to read more about 7Hz Products We have previously reviewed it on Headfonics.
Please note that this article follows our latest scoring guidelines which you can read in more detail here.
7Hz Artemis39 Review
Summary
The first 7Hz entry in the wireless dongle segment is a jack of all trades with class-leading power output, 8 to 10 hours of playback on a single charge, and a desktop DAC chip, all for under $149 .
Advantages
High power output.
Good battery life.
Practical integrated microphone.
Cons
Glass panel difficult to maintain.
Known for popular IEMs like the Aurora and the Eternal7Hz is entering new territory with the launch of Artemis39, the brand's first wireless portable DAC/AMP.
Headlining the brand's line of portable sources, Artemis39 includes a full suite of Bluetooth codecs and support for 3.5mm SE and balanced 4.4mm, while wrapping it all in an attractive glass and metal package.
You can read my full review below to learn how 7Hz's inaugural entry in the wireless dongle space performs and compares to competitors like the Allegro Kiwi Ears and the new BTR13 from FiiO.
Characteristics
Surprisingly, the Artemis39 manages to fit an ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chip into its portable case.
This is a DAC chip once found in dedicated mid-range desktop models, such as the SMSL D-6Sallowing the Artemis39 to reproduce a clean sound signature while maintaining efficient heat and power management.
Powering the Artemis39 is a large 1100 mAh battery, giving the unit a rated battery life of 8 to 10 hours. This adds an extra layer of convenience to the Artemis39, ensuring it needs to be charged less frequently compared to other more popular dongle-type DACs in the price range.
The inclusion of a built-in microphone is a nice quality of life feature that helps in everyday use of the Artemis39.
Since most audiophile-grade IEMs and headphones no longer include an in-line microphone, the Artemis39 provides a convenient way for audiophiles on the go to answer calls or interact with their phone's digital assistant.
Design
The 7Hz Artemis39 is constructed from an anodized metal frame sandwiched between two flat glass panels, giving it a sleek yet monolithic appearance. Despite having a rectangular form factor, the beveled edges make it comfortable to hold during daily use.
In my testing, the anodized metal frame was resistant to scratches and fingerprints. However, the glass panels were a “fingerprint magnet”, easily highlighting thumb marks even after just a partial touch.
This large glass panel also became vulnerable to micro-scratches that occur in everyday use. When perfectly clean, glass panels give you a premium look and feel. However, the difficulty of keeping the glass panels clean often leaves the Artemis39 looking somewhat dirty.
The Artemis39 is finished in black or red, with my sample being the black version. The gold buttons on the side of the unit create a subtle visual flare that keeps the overall package from being too monotonous.
The unit's font has a large ARTEMIS39 placed along the glass panel, with a comparatively smaller 7Hz logo placed on the back panel. The 7Hz logo on the back of the unit is only visible when the LED on the unit is on.
The 2 USB-C ports on the bottom of the unit are intuitively marked with etched icons that help identify which port is for data or charging.
The tolerances of these USB-C ports and the 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports on the other end were good, making the cable connection secure but convenient.
IS
The top of the Artemis39 houses 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks aligned horizontally with a small cutout for the microphone placed just below.
The SE output ensures out-of-the-box compatibility with more affordable IEMs that pair well with dongles in this price range, meanwhile, the 4.4mm output ensures the dongle remains useful when listeners experiment with more expensive balanced cables and IEMs or headphones that require more power.
The bottom of the unit houses 2 USB-C ports, one dedicated for charging and one dedicated for data.
I appreciated this feature as it ensures that in wired mode, the Artemis39 draws its power from the included 1100mAh battery rather than the source device's battery.
The Artemis39's final input option is its Bluetooth connectivity, which supports LDAC, APTX-HD, APTX-LL, APTX, AAC and SBC codecs, allowing for compatibility with a wider range of devices.
Controls
Being a portable wireless dongle, the volume and track control depends on the device controls. On Windows, macOS, and iOS, I had no issues with the device's controls in both wired and wireless modes.
Volume and track controls are implemented via separate small flat rockers that protrude slightly from the cutout on the right side of the unit. They have a pleasant tactile response and at the same time remain silent.
The unit's power button is a tactile microswitch with deeper travel and stronger tactile feedback than rocker controls. All buttons are easy to press but have enough firmness and rigidity to prevent accidental pressing.
The unit's intuitive control scheme did a good job of being unobtrusive, allowing me to control my music without needing to reach for my phone or computer.
Packaging and accessories
The DT03 comes in a simple white box that includes:
- The Artemis39 7Hz dongle
- USB-C to USB-C flat cable.
The Artemis39 comes with the bare minimum for daily operation. However, since it comes with 2 USB-C ports, I would have liked to include at least 2 USB-C to USB-C cables.
The addition of a USB-C to USB-A adapter would also have made the Artemis39 compatible out of the box with older desktops and laptops.
Sound impressions
All tests and comparisons were performed across 3 pairs of IEMS, namely the Moon Drop Blessing 3he Canon Yanyin IIand the 7Hz Aurorasas well as the full-size Audio-Technica R70x and Sennheiser HD 580 Precision headphones.
Low
With a neutral sound profile that leans towards the upper mids and lower treble, the Artemis39 has a firm and intentional bass presentation.
Each kick drum hit has a good sense of rumble and depth, without artificially boosting the bass to overpower the other instruments in the mix.
Bass and low-end synths have a clean presentation that brings out detail without being too overpowering; however, they do not have the same atmospheric sound that I have observed in warmer sources.
Bass tones, especially bass, have particularly good texture, and each strum in complicated riffs has unique tones and harmonics. Wired mode brings out even more texture and nuance in bass strums and percussive hits.
The difference in texture and details between wired and wireless modes are not as obvious and can only be identified through AB testing. However, I consider this a fair trade-off given the improved convenience of the unit's wireless connectivity.
This tight but controlled bass performance may not have enough warmth for some preferences, but it preserves an energetic midrange with a clean but detailed presentation of the instruments.
media
The Artemis39 has a clean, neutral-sounding midrange, putting emphasis and energy in the upper midrange, specifically with female vocals.
Midrange acoustic instruments, such as pianos, organs, and guitars, have a natural-sounding timbre and never sound tinny or artificially amplified. Every stroke and key of the piano features good harmonics, ensuring that each instrument within the midrange is easily identifiable from one another.
Higher-pitched electric guitars, as well as female vocals in more modern pop music, have a slightly more advanced presentation compared to other mid-range instruments. This also gives them a more energetic presentation.
Jazz and jazz-fusion tracks benefit from this tuning option, bringing out a natural-sounding timbre for vocals and string instruments, while playing the mix with enough energy to add excitement to complex jazz arrangements.
When connected via a Bluetooth wireless connection, sound staging performance is slightly affected due to Bluetooth compressions. Connecting to source devices via a wired connection results in clearer instrument presentation and better imaging performance.
Triple
The Artemis39 has an airy and detailed treble presentation that is not overly fatiguing. Cymbals and chimes are reproduced with good energy and enough fidelity that individual crash cymbals and hi-hats are easily distinguishable.
This drives the track with a strong sense of energy that comes through very clearly in complex jazz arrangements. The rhythmic hit of different cymbals cuts through the mix and gives the entire track an energetic backbone.
Brass instruments also have an advanced presentation, giving them a dense, heavy impact that can be felt in complex mixes.
When connected via wireless Bluetooth, the Artemis39 exhibits some sibilance in the upper end of the treble region. Connecting to source devices via a wired connection gives the Artemis39 better extension and contributes to a less fatiguing sound signature.
Staging and dynamics
The Artemis39 excels in sound reproduction with good note weight and dynamics. It doesn't fundamentally change the presentation of the paired IEMs or headphones, but it offers an incremental improvement that makes individual notes sound more textured and weighty.
On complex jazz-fusion tracks, the improvement in dynamics aids in clearer separation between different instruments in the mix, highlighting the track's nuances in a more easily distinguishable way.
Artemis39 does not have the same atmospheric width as warmer sources, but its good dynamic performance improves its imaging and positioning accuracy.
Click on page 2 below to see my recommended combinations and selected comparisons.
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