Erzetich Thalia v2024 Review – Better Than Ever

Comparisons –

Apos Caspian ($499): The Caspian offers a very similar type of sound with an over-ear fit. The Thalia is a bit more balanced with the Capsian being more U-shaped, pushing its midrange a bit further back. The low-end tuning is quite similar being broadly elevated on both but with the Caspian having better sub-bass slam and extension. It has more pressure, and its dynamics are higher. The Thalia, otherwise, offers a similar full, structured voicing, it just has less pressure at the very bottom. Both have excellent quality, but the Thalia sounds a touch tighter and more defined, the Caspian being a touch smoother and less detailed but with better impact properties. When it comes to the midrange, both headphones again offer a similar style of voicing with the Thalia once again being a bit more balanced.

The Thalia has a bit more room and body around its lower midrange. As such, its male vocals sound a bit less defined and separated. However, its upper midrange is more present, so female vocals sit in better balance, and it has superior clarity and openness. The Caspian is more neutral through the low-mids but has an even more recessed upper-midrange that gives it a more laid-back character. Its female vocals are more pushed back, and it can sound a bit too smooth and dense at times. While both share only mild lower-treble emphases, the top-end stands out more by comparison on the Caspian due to its more recessed midrange. It has a bit more bite albeit a thinner instrument body while the Thalia sounds more even-handed and textured but also less incisive. Both have excellent extension; the Caspian sounds a touch more spacious while the Thalia layers better.  

Grado RS1x ($750): A similarly priced on-ear headphone, the RS1x is the current flagship of the brand’s reference series. It sports a far simpler and less comfortable design than the Thalia but is equally visually stunning. Sonically, it is quite the opposite of the Thalia being bright, revealing, and lean. Its bass rolls off more and there is much less sub-bass extension and power. The RS1x is, however, much tonally cleaner, and more separated. Its bass is very defined but also much less present. The Thalia offers a more linear, extended, and dynamic bass. It isn’t as clean and separated but has equal note definition and is substantially more powerful. The midrange voicing is pleasant and natural on both with both representing foils in terms of execution. Specifically, Erzetich delivers a full, smooth sound while Grado’s is notably more upfront, revealing and defined.

The Thalia is roomier, more coherent and filled in. It sounds rich and lush, a little laid-back but a lot more forgiving. The RS1x sounds more vocal-forward and offers better clarity. It is more neutral both tonally and in terms of note size. This gives it better separation and small details are brought more to the fore. The RS1x is an immediately brighter headphone up top and mirrors the midrange to some degree. It is delightfully crisp, clear, and open. The Thalia is darker, cleaner, and more textured but also has less atmosphere and openness. The RS1x is a bit more incisive delivering slightly more fine detail and general energy and sparkle. The soundstage is larger on the Thalia but the RS1x sounds more open due to its tuning. When it comes to imaging, the Thalia is notably more nuanced in terms of positioning and layering but the RS1x takes the cake for separation.

Verdict –

The Thalia 2024 isn’t perfectly balanced, it isn’t the most tonally transparent, but provides huge listening pleasure all the same. Its biggest pitfall is likely that bump in the lower midrange that can make vocals sound a bit boxy and roomy at times. Accordingly, if you want a clear or revealing sound, look away as the Thalia prioritises coherence far more. In this vein, I was also impressed with how Blaz balanced this with overall tri-frequency balance. As evidenced by comparison to the Caspian, the Thalia is coherent and organic bit it’s also more balanced than most headphones that target this style of sound.

It is a headphone that is superbly forgiving yet still surprisingly detailed. Though never pushing these intricacies forward, they remain clearly audible to the listener. The bass performance is hugely impressive too, even when comparing the Thalia to full size models. I must also mention that Blaz has extracted wonderful ergonomics from the notoriously temperamental form factor. Though lacking a folding mechanism and perhaps elegance, the design is tough, fully serviceable, and functionally refined. In a modern market where on-ear headphones are a dying breed, the Thalia 2024 is a triumphant fist pump that excels with its striking design, delicious warm, organic yet hugely textured sound.

The Thalia v2024 is available from Erzetich Audio (International) for 699 EUR at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with Erzetich and receive no earnings from purchases made through these links.

Track List – 

Billie Eilish – dont smile at me

Bob Seger – Night Moves

Courtney Barnett – Rae Street

Cream – Wheels of Fire

Dire Straits – Communique

Dirty Loops – Next To You

Eagles – Hotel California

Elton John – Honky Chateau

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

H.E.R – I Used To Know Her

Jasen – BYE

John Mayer – Continuum

Kanye West – Ye

Missy Higgins – The Sound of White

Radiohead – OK Computer

TALA – ain’t leavin` without you

The Beatles – Abbey Road

The weeknd – After Hours

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride