bummer!! (10car + sentence)
JVC HAFDX1 vs OG Dark Magician Impressions
I gotta admit, I never expected the FDX1 to come close to the OG DM, but here it is - a solid contender to the legendary DM.
Vocals:
If I were to use an analogy, the OG DM’s vocals are like the bubbles in a champagne, airy, open, sparkly, but also classy and not overdone. The vocals on the FDX1 on the other-hand are more reminiscent of a well-aged red wine - thick, full, and strong. Complete opposites to one another, but great companion pieces. For ballads and vocal-centric songs with little instruments I prefer the FDX1 (with green filter) a lot more due to its thick, natural, and powerful presentation. It’s very intimate, but somehow still very clear and opened. In-terms of pure emotionality and musicality I would have to give it to the FDX1 when it comes to vocal focused songs.
On the other hand, the DM is more enjoyable and feels more “correct” on busier tracks because of its added air and more laid-back signature. Libraries like rock, alternative, and busier songs sound better on the DM. It feels more airy with better extension, and I can hear micro-nuances better like the breathes/rasp of the singer. The FDX1 can feel like it’s lacking some edge/sparkle with its vocals in busier tracks because of its decreased treble. But, at the end of the day both are top tier vocal performers maybe second only to the RSV/OG TEA - which are my favorite vocal sets period.
Bass wise, the FDX1 has better texture and more nuanced air slam/timbre than the DM, which was already amazing in that department. Due to its decreased mid-bass low-end separation is better and cleaner on the FDX1 with an overall slight improvement in clarity over the DM. The DM is thicker and warmer in the low-end, but not as clean. Imaging wise they’re both very similar - fast, precise, sharp, and great weight to the attack, but with the DM being more “3D”.
Midrange is very similar on both - clean and textured with no bleed, but the FDX1 being more neutral than the DM results in a slightly clearer presentation. Soundstage goes to the DM - noticeably more airy than the FDX1, but the FDX1 isn’t a slouch either - the staging is still very open with great height and depth. Treble also goes to the DM - better extension and with a lot more micro-nuances with that airy “bubbly champagne feeling”. Dynamics also go to the DM - scales a lot better and less peaks and dips/overall smoother. The FDX1 (green filter) is very smooth, but lacks the last bit of treble extension near the end - and I had to kept adjusting the volume with the blue filter and stock.
Overall, it’s a very hard decision. If I could only keep one I’d still take the DM because it’s a better all-rounder with amazing vocals as well… but since I can keep both I’ll take the FDX1 for late night ballad sessions in bed because the vocals are just so powerful, rich and thick like a violin, and emotionally charged and soulful - it just hits the spot for the songs in my library. The rest of the time though - DM for that airy and open playback with rock and others
Anyone know what headphone sound the closest to Dark Magician OG?
Nope. Sold all my headphones LOL
Beautiful
First Impressions of the OG Oracles:
Vocals are very sweet and gentle with a good amount of air and never harsh or sibilant. It’s not as forward and powerful like the FDX1, but similar like the DM or SA6 Ultra. Continuing with the analogies from last time, if the DM’s vocals is bubbly champagne, and the FDX1 is finely aged red wine - then the Oracles are a glass of sweet and clear spring water directly from a waterfall.
Clarity and separation it’s on the same level as the DM and FDX1. Mids are very natural and uncoloured, but the bass is a step down in-terms of texture from the other 2. Treble wise it has more extension than FDX1, but slightly less than the DM or around the same, but I’d need to do more testing
EJ07.
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!
Man, that review… It really makes me want an ej07
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!
They are different IEMs, but does it have better specs than the Oracle MKii - soundstage, separation, transitions, dynamics, resolution ,note weight? We rule out that treble extension at MKii is a lot.
Are you referring to the HeyDay or OG Oracles?
HeyDay
10 char
Actual fantastic write up, and another amazing Jay style video, brother. The Hayday is … interesting but I guess I’m a bit of a weirdo when it comes to planars because I think I enjoy the charm of a traditional planar, like the Timbre for example. I think that’s the main reason I’ve always been happy with the Timeless.
Anyways, thanks for the thoughts brother
Oracle2 sounds sharper but not natural - too sharp almost. Note weight they’re about the same, the HeyDay is a bit light on the bass but overall has an airy feel to the notes and leans neutral light note weight wise whereas the Oracle2 is too light and thin with female vocals. Separation, imaging, resolution wise they’re around the same. Both aren’t the best I’ve heard in terms of dynamics but the HeyDay is the smoothest out of all the Planars I’ve heard (S12/ timeless).
Thank you brother
Planars can get a bit light at times for me but I see the appeal. Different cakes for different people
Absolutely, the subjectivity in this hobby is something to embrace!
Yessirrrr
I keep wondering why Thieaudio did this bad tuning on the Oracle MKii !? It could have been a very good tribrid, but…. They might try to fix something in Oracle MKiii or… fail again!
They probably wanted it to sound “sharp” and “detailed”and overdid it with the treble lol