Hey guys.

Hope everyone’s enjoying their weekend :) So, as some of you may know, I'm not a big fan of Planars. Mainly, I find their treble and dynamics to be uneven and harsh, but I saw the graph of the HeyDay one day and it was very close to the RSV which is my favourite vocal set - that, along with many positive reviews had me thinking, why not? New driver, better tuning, it’s now or never. So I asked Chris, or Badguygoodaudioreviews for a review unit - and to my surprise he actually sent me one! So, thanks again HBB and Linsoul for this opportunity - go check them out, I’ll drop the link below. But that aside, let’s just jump into the review.

Video for those who don’t want to read the entire thing

So, the overall sound signature of the HeyDay is very neutral, clean, with sharp transients. Starting with the low-end, the newer driver used is noticeably fast with the attack and decay, allowing separation and clarity that punches above its weight and competing with sets like the SA6 Ultra. Bass notes are cleanly separated and incredibly fast with a subtle punch - now, it’s definitely not a basshead set and it’s not going to have the same air slam and physicality as a dynamic driver, especially with its less low-end focus, but the bass quality is fast, precise, and takes a backseat allowing the midrange and treble to be the main focus of the show. Even though the HeyDay graphs more bass than the RSV, the RSV when listening actually has more bass, where the HeyDay can feel too light at times with hip hop libraries.

On the other hand, the mids on the HeyDay are very cleanly separated with great instrument layering and imaging. It handles busy tracks like Venice Bitch, New World, and any Pink Floyd and Radiohead album with ease. At mid-volume I found the HeyDay to be a great fit for rock, punk, and alternative libraries. There’s plenty of energy from electric guitars, drums, and male/female vocals, and it brings forth a sense of liveliness to the music like you’re at a venue or small concert. Normally the added mid-bass would affect mid range clarity, but I don’t know if it’s because of the driver or what, but the separation is still very clean with little masking to my ears.

I think you’re really going to like this set if you’re a treble head because the HeyDay is very airy and has great upper extension to its notes. On the strangest things by War On Drugs the electric guitars are energetic and have plenty of bite and sharpness to the notes. The presentation just like the midrange isn’t in your face and too forward, but sits at a good distance giving space for instruments and vocals to breathe. Cymbal crashes are very airy and reminds me of the treble on the SA6 Ultra, and the decay in particular is nicely extended but doesn’t overstay its welcome. Notes from electric guitars give me goosebumps especially starting from the 4:30 mark. I honestly think HeyDay was made for this song and similar libraries like it.

However, the downside to this energetic treble is that it can get fatiguing at times. Now, I haven’t ran into any issues at mid-volume or around 70-75dbs, but once I try to crank up the volume the female vocals, cymbals, and electric guitars do start getting sharp and a bit much. So scaling wise, I don’t recommend listening at a loud volume on the HeyDay. But that aside, the treble is actually very natural and doesn’t sound oversharpened or artificially boosted like the Oracle MK2s. Personally, I’m not much of a treble guy, but I think it’s nicely done on the HeyDay - gentle, open, and not in your face while providing you with lots of micro-nuances.

So, back to the original question that started it all: does the HeyDay sound like the RSV? To me, not even close - and not in a bad way, but not close because they’re two entirely different experiences. The RSV is more forward in its midrange and vocals with smoother treble and more bass, while the HeyDay is laid back all around with a slight focus on upper frequencies, so neutral-bright, with noticeably more micro-nuances and better separation. Personally I like to listen loud and love forward vocals, so the RSV is the set for me, but different cakes for different people. If you listen at a normal volume, enjoy treble, or have a very rock/alternative focused library then the HeyDay is perfect for you.

Again, shout out to Crhis and Linsoul on this collab - they really did a great job from the design, packaging, and most importantly the sound, and the fact that I’m comparing the HeyDay to much more expensive sets more than double its price should be enough of a statement on its own. The cable and plate design is also cool af.

Thanks for reading!