Tangzu x HBB Zetian Wu Heyday Edition is the collaboration version of the now discontinued Tangzu Zetian Wu between Tangzu and the popular reviewer Hawaii Bad Boy (A.K.A. Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews). I reviewed the Original Zetian Wu and it took its place among my all-time favorites. In case of Heyday, personally I find HBB’s preference very safe and likeable. Heyday comes at 199$ and a Linsoul exclusive item.
Pros
- Beatiful Modular Cable
- Improved build quality with a full metal shell
- Has the same great treble tuning with the Original Zetian Wu so again not fatiguing
- Does not Have the Usual Planar Timbre
- Exceptional Packaging, Accessories and Box Art
Cons
- Might not be the best tuning for genres like EDM and Hip-Hop
- Price hike from the Original Zetian Wu
Disclaimers
Without boring you too much, I don’t necessarily have a sound preference. I tend to enjoy different sound profiles as long as they do well at what they intend to do. I try to be critic in my reviews but I might be somewhat biased one way or another (Recency bias, buyer’s bias etc.). Please keep these in mind. Also, I bought Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday Edition as well as other headphones mentioned here with my own money. If a unit I reviewed is given or loaned to me in the future, I will say so here.
Company Info, Build and Comfort
Sorry for my laziness but I had given every bit of info about Queen Wu Zetian and Tangzu as a company so I’m copying them here.
Company Info
Zetian Wu or Wu Zetian as Chinese use family names before their given names, was the only female ruler of China History. The Empress belonged to Tang Dynasty, which also gave the name of the brand Tangzu. However, Tangzu was named T-Force before they changed their name. Yuan Li was their first entry to IEM market, although they were relatively experienced driver producers and sourced driver to many other brands.
Yuan Li started, what they call Dynasty Trilogy, as they name their IEMs after Tang Dynasty Emperors. Shimin Li was their second entry to the dynasty trilogy. Then they released very successful iems like Original Zetian Wu, Wan’er S.G and Zetian Wu Heyday Edition. Original Shimin Li got mixed reviews so Tangzu decided to collaborate with SeeAudio and released Shimin Li Encounter Edition. Apparently SeeAudio added their twist to the tuning without moving too far away from the original.
Build, Comfort and Packaging
Zetian Wu, like every Tangzu (T-Force) product, has expectional packaging and accessories in its price range. Actually, they are pretty much the same with the Original Zetian Wu. Carrying case is same that came with the Zetian Wu, only now it is black and feels more premium. It is quite large, not very suitable for carrying IEMs. However, in my experience, none of the IEM case really is. In my review of the OG Zetian Wu, a criticized the cable and Tangzu listened. Well not me but all the fans. Cable has a pretty baby blue color and modular termination. There are 7 pair of tips in the package, which are the same as 7hz H07 and H08 tips. Also, a black pair is on the IEMs which makes it a total of 8 pair.
The most notable improvement on Heyday is the shells. Now they have a full metal build. Shape and size looks the same but strangely OG Zetian Wu stays in my ears more safely. Still they are pretty comfortable even for my weirdly shaped small ears.
Technical Specifications
- Driver Size: 14.5 mm
- Frequency Response: 20 – 20.000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 100dB (1kHz)
- Impedance: 16 ohm
- Channel Difference: 1dB (1kHz)
Sound
Tuning on Heyday didn’t change much from the Original Zetian Wu. The most notable adjustments HBB made is lowering the subbass and upper mids. They still have the same non-fatiguing treble tuning. Now they are fairly neutral IEMs. Several times I forgot that I was listening a recording, it sounds very very natural. In the end they became more suitable for loud listening.
Bass
Heyday’s bass is probably the biggest difference HBB made on its tuning. Surprisingly now they have become a fairly neutral pair of IEMs. They are not devoid of any bass but I found it was not very satisfying with genres like EDM and Hip-Hop. Midbass is lighter than most other planars on the market but still pack a decent punch. Subbass is although behind the Original Zetian Wu, Heyday still has some decent rumble.
Mids
Thanks to the bass tuning, mids on Heyday is clean but not necessarily lean. Lots of sets are warmer than Heyday. Vocals don’t feel too much up and close, presentation is fairly natural. Heyday also doesn’t share the whispy nature of most of the mid-centric iems.
Treble
Treble is just right. Original Zetian Wu was famous for its treble tuning and control; and Heyday is more or less the same. Again, cymbals and high hats are not splashy and sibilance is nowhere to be found on Heyday. In the end they don’t feel congested as much as the Original Zetian Wu.
Technical Performance
Heyday has exceptional resolving capability as you would expect from a planar. It also layers and separates different instruments without breaking a sweat. Perceived soundstage is probably one of the wider IEMs I’ve heard and depth is also great. Timbre is also more natural than most of the planars.
Comparisons
Since Heyday is a collaboration IEM that is based on an existing product, a comparison with the Original was unavoidable. I also used Timeless which is still considered one of the best planars and has not exactly been surpassed yet.
Original Zetian Wu vs. Zetian Wu Heyday Edition
- OG Zetian Wu fits and seals better in my ears, probably due to their different vents.
- OG has more vocal presence
- OG is a touch warmer and has more impactful and satisfying bass. Heyday is cleaner therefore it emphasizes bass guitars more instead of drums and other lower bass notes.
- Heyday feels just a little bit wider and airier.
- Neither is sibilant but Heyday feels like it emphasizes “S”s a little more. If you turn up the volume it might become an issue more easily. This also might be caused by their different fit in my ears.
- Treble tuning is more or less the same in isolation but when other parts of the frequency range, Heyday sounds a little more prominent in the treble.
- In the sense of driver’s resolving capability, I don’t think they are different. That said, I won’t deny Heyday’s more neutral frequency response and cleaner presentation helps it show more details. Also, in my review of the OG Zetian Wu, I didn’t agree to the people that found Zetian Wu congested. However, Heyday is noticeably airier and maybe a little wider but much deeper. Imaging is on par. In short Heyday is technically superior to the OG Zetian Wu.
7Hz Timeless vs. Zetian Wu Heyday Edition
- Timeless again have a more comfortable fit in my ears.
- They are more similar than different.
- Timeless is more prominent in the subbass and midbass therefore leaves a more powerful impression. Also listening to EDM and Hip-Hop is more fun with Timeless.
- To be honest I’ve never found Timeless harsh like some other people. But still, they are slightly edgier and also warmer, borderline boomy. Heyday in comparison sounds cleaner with just enough bass and lower mid energy.
- Vocals are a little more in your face on Timeless while Heyday present them in a more natural way.
- Neither is sibilant but, Timeless is a little more relaxed in the sibilance region.
- Timeless felt wider and deeper. Imaging is similarly decent on both.
- Because of its cleaner presentation Heyday may come as cleaner but their resolving capabilities are on par. Timeless might even be a hair superior but it is hard to tell. Heyday’s timbre is a tad more natural.
Conclusion
This review comes after the initial hype of the Zetian Wu Heyday Edition so I didn’t rush it either. I took my time with it. Now I can confidently say there wasn’t too much of an exaggeration. They are not suitable for all genres that’s for sure and that would be my only nitpick about them. For genres like EDM and Hip-Hop or simply for more excitement I’d suggest the Original Zetian Wu, which is now discontinued by the time I wrote this review unfortunately, or other planars on the market. That said, for pure, clean and neutral planar goodness, that is also non-fatuguing and suitable for loud listening Zetian Wu Heyday Edition is probably the best choice right now.
