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!

Thank you! I am happy :)

Yup sharuto cameo hehe. I hope you have plenty of time and a quiet environment if you do get to demo it. The KL is already really good - mid-bass can get a bit much but very musical :)

Glad you liked it! Ya they’re very immersive at high volumes.

I’m not a cable guy they all sound the same to me. Also what’s your budget btw? I can give you a more accurate recommendation.

Sounds magical too!

Thank you

Thank you! And yes they are. Love them.

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday my dudes.

So, throughout my time in this rabbit hole I’ve heard many hyped up and critically acclaimed IEMs like the U12T, Z1R, the MEST, the Monarch, but out of all of them my favourite, and the most unique IEM to me, is the Original EJ07 from Letshuoer. There’s no other set that’s as immersive and musically engaging that I’ve heard.

TLDR video for those who don't want to read the whole thing

The way Letshouer tuned the EJ07 is actually genius - it’s like they took all their stat points and put it into mid-range and musical immersion - and it works perfectly, creating this almost out of body experience that I’ve never heard on any other set. When I crank up the EJs it’s like I just forgot about reality, and I’m just floating away with the music as it takes me on a journey.

Now, I’m not even going to try and defend the recessed treble and lack of bass. I do not recommend this set… at normal slash lower listening volumes. It’s just too dark and muffled under 80dbs - you should not get this if you don’t like to listen loud. But, with that being said, once you crank this baby up it turns into a completely different beast - it’s like going from a Magikarp to a Gyarados.

But we’re talking at least 85dbs, and sometimes I even hit 95 on more laid back songs, which you definitely shouldn’t be doing regularly - I only use the EJs 3 times a week, and only 30 minute to an hour each session at that volume. Your listening environment is also very important. This isn’t a set where you can just put it on at work or on a walk or something - no no no you NEED to give it your full, undivided, 100% attention, so no distractions. I highly recommend just laying down or sitting back with your eyes closed, relaxed, and just take in all the music and everything the EJ has to offer.

Now, the reason why you’re even able to crank it that high in the first place is because there’s simply just less treble; it really allows the music to be a lot smoother and doesn’t kill your ears at high volumes. But most importantly, this smoothness allows you to crank up the immersion as the music envelops around you and takes you away on a journey. Any more treble at higher volumes and it’s going to break the immersion because of sharpness and fatigue, and it’ll kill your ears too. This is also the same with the low-end. Too much bass at high volume will start to get fatiguing, but more importantly it overtakes the mid-range and switches the focus onto the booming low-end, which again breaks the immersion.

Now, based on the graph it might look like the treble and bass is too recessed, but it’s actually not - it’s actually in the perfect position once you crank it up. Of course they won’t have the same focus as the midrange, but both sit nicely right behind it, clear, unmuffled, and ready to be called upon whenever you want to switch your focus. Neither distracts you away from the mids, but instead acts as the perfect support to the midrange which is the star of the show. For example, Cymbals sit slightly behind the vocals and other instruments, and although the crash isn’t going to be as extended, crispy, and airy versus something like the Variations, they aren’t soft or dark either. The EJs sound balanced and the timbre is natural and realistic. Same with the bass, not booming like a subwoofer, but it’s still high quality, very textured, fast, and clean. And I actually did EQ more bass and treble just to see what it’s like, but it just ends up taking away from the immersion.

Finally, let’s talk about the midrange where all the magic happens. Since the bass and treble is less emphasised this pushes the midrange more into focus, and highlights nuances that otherwise would have been taken away by the attention from the bass and treble region. To my ears, the EJ07s has one of the cleanest and clearest mid-ranges I’ve ever heard. Now, this is at higher volumes of course, but it’s on par with sets like the Monarchs and Variations. Instrument separation and layering is top of the line with those sets as well, and imaging specifically is very special when combined with the staging. Sound is incredibly precise, centred, fast, with sharp attack and quick decay, coming from every direction all around me, and because there’s a bigger contrast or perceived distance in the bass, treble and mids - the EJs actually feel less flat and more 3D when compared to the others.

Vocals are also stunning, incredibly smooth, gentle, but also powerful when needed. The gain is perfect, never shrill or sharp like the Variations can get at higher volumes. The midrange is forward leaning like the vocals, creating a sense of intimacy with the music while bombarding you with details from every direction possible. Of course the dynamics are incredible as well - although the bass and treble aren’t as audible as other “normal” IEMs, they’re still clearly there, and in-terms of smoothness and scaling the EJs are TOTL.

So, this combination of immersion, a 3D presentation, and TOTL midrange focused approach creates an unparalleled musical experience that I’ve never heard in any other form factors period, IEMs, Headphones, or Speakers. It’s so immersive that I feel like I’m floating away into another galaxy or something. It’s almost dreamlike at times especially with rock and alternative libraries. The EJs took me to a whole new world on songs like A House in Nebraska, God Turn me into a flower, Venice Bitch, and Flower in the town.

But I do realise that the EJs are more of a specialized set then an all rounder like the Variations, and the 07M version. So, if you don’t check the boxes of listening at loud volumes and giving it your full undivided attention, then you’re just gonna end up missing its full potential - and for $829 bucks, that’s a steep price to pay. But if you are interested it does go on sale frequently for 20% off on Letshouers website.

So ya, that’s why the EJ07s are my favourite IEMs (no this isn’t a sponsored post - I wish). Again this is a high volume specific set, and you can get a more “correct” sounding IEM like the Variations, and EJ07M - but I still haven’t heard anything close to its musicality and immersiveness. The closest would be the dark magician but that’s more laid back rather than intimate. It’s just truly a very unique listening experience.

Thanks for reading!

As you guys can see in the picture, for me it's the Hexa (crazy tech for it's price), and coming in second would be the Quarks DSP from Moondrop. Crazy year for IEMs. Felt like the new set that came out last month was outdated the very next. Hope this healthy competition continues - I'm personally looking forward to Planars reaching their peaks in 2023! More on this here