Erzetich Thalia

Introduction to the Erzetich Thalia review

On-ear headphones are a rarity in the audiophile world, rarely gaining more popularity than their over-ear counterparts. Even the most popular wireless headphone models, like the Sony XM5 or the Apple AirPods Max sport an over-ear design. But there is one outlier that trumps any other headphone in terms of popularity – the legendary Porta Pro by Koss – a lightweight, easily serviceable, on-ear dynamic driver headphone. Sounds familiar? Surely it does because reviewed Erzetich Thalia seems to carry similar characteristics, despite being a completely different pair of headphones, on a completely different level too. However, using the reviewed Erzetich Thalia makes me believe that the portable Erzetich model is a tribute to how people used to listen to music on the go in the days of yore – with a Walkman or a Discman in the jacket pocket and a lightweight pair of on-ears. 

Of course, don’t take my Thalia/Porta Pro comparison too seriously. Making a serious comparison between those two would be an insult to Blaz Erzetich’s ingenuity, and would hardly be worth more than 20 words. Even in the first seconds of handling the Thalia, it becomes immediately apparent that we’re dealing with a product that settles a new standard for portable on-ear headphones. However, similarly to the Porta Pro, with Erzetich Thalia being an open-back headphone intended for portable use, the sonic experience is going to be different depending on the environment in which your listening session takes place. Thankfully, these don’t leak as much sound as some fully-open Hifiman headphones, for example, so you likely won’t be disturbing other people on the bus too much, but the noise emitted by your surroundings will still affect your experience, so act accordingly!

If you’ve ever visited an audio show during which an Erzetich stand was present, you surely remember Blaz Erzetich himself. This kilt-wearing barefoot gentleman stands out among the crowd and piques the curiosity of exhibitors and other visitors alike. But his unique looks are not just a gimmick to catch a few eyes! His notorious lack of footwear is connected to Blaz’s honest and holistic approach towards health. This approach seems to carry on to Blaz’s headphone designs. Everything you see on and around the Thalia is crafted with a deeper purpose in mind, and it all simply makes sense. Its rugged, almost military-like design is supposed to maximize the serviceability and toughness of the headphones. The Thalia makes use of no animal-based products, omitting the use of real leather on the headband and the pads. The chassis is lightweight for portability’s sake, and finally, the tuning of the headphones is oriented towards the human ear, not the measurement rig. Read more about that on Erzetich’s website.

Packaging

Tested Erzetich Thalia comes in a plain cardboard box with “Erzetich” and “Thalia” brandings all over it. The inside of the box is filled with high-quality black foam, ensuring no damage happens during shipping. The Erzetich Thalia box is roughly the size of an ordinary shoe box, which is quite a funny coincidence, given Blaz’s approach towards shoes. Inside the box, apart from the headphones, of course, are the cable, a carrying bag, a warranty card, and my absolute favorite among audio accessories provided by any manufacturer – CDs. With music.

Despite mostly using streaming for convenience’s sake, I absolutely adore music in a physical format. I’ve received 3 “Erzetich Gold” CDs with mine, with various artists and tracks included. Erzetich states that the CDs are intended to promote independent musicians along with the Erzetich brand. This is by far my favorite “headphone accessory” of all time. Of course, I’ve done a lot of the testing on the provided CDs.

Another thing that deserves attention is the quality of the cable included. It’s made of silver-plated OCC copper, sporting dual 3,5mm connectors for the headphones and a 3.5 mm/4.4 mm plug on the other end depending on your choice. But the thing about it truly deserving of attention is the ergonomic aspect. It’s lightweight and pliable, and it doesn’t remain bent in ungodly ways after some time of staying still, which is something that most stock cables are guilty of. I wouldn’t be very enthusiastic about carrying any other stock cable around with me out and about, but this one seems perfect for that.

Apart from the cable, there’s the bag, made of a velour-like material. Every spec of dust seems extremely visible on it, which is quite annoying, but it seems to do its job properly. Still, I would’ve liked to see something like a small, hard-carrying case for those.

Design, Build, and Comfort

The build quality of reviewed Erzetich Thalia doesn’t leave much to be desired. The cups are made of thick resin and aluminum, and the moving parts are made of quite thick sheet aluminum as well, giving an overall impression of rigidity, befitting of a headphone intended for portable use. The drivers are well protected and the construction is lightweight, which is exactly what a portable pair needs. There is a small gripe that I have, however. It is related to my big ol’ head, and it’s something that I’ve already discussed with Blaz in Munich. These aren’t very big, and with the headband extended fully, they fit me just right. Users with very big heads should remain aware of this fact. An ability to extend these further would be nice to have, but apart from that, size should be no issue for most users. 

The way in which you adjust the size of those involves a thumbscrew on both sides. The construction then slides up and down, allowing for fine adjustments without the use of steps, like in most headphones. The tradeoff for the fine adjustments is the ability to adjust it on the fly – it takes a bit longer than something like the Sennheiser HD series headbands for example, where you just use the sliding mechanism to quickly adjust the size. It seems like the approach here is similar to how ZMF does it – you use screws to adjust them to your own head size and you forget about it. This does not hinder the comfort of use in any way, it’s simply a matter of preference here. A solution that I really like in terms of Erzetich Thalia’s build is that the cups aren’t marked L/R, with the sides being determined by which channel you plug into which cup, similar to how Meze 99 Classics do it. It’s a small bit of convenience that is very welcome in the long run.

The comfort of these is quite conflicting for me. It’s definitely the most comfortable on-ear to ever grace my earlobes, beating even the Porta Pro, which has its next-to-nothing weight going for it. The pads are very thick relative to the entire construction, distributing the already-low weight of the headphones across large, soft pads. The headband also left me with no hotspots or any other kind of discomfort, even after some long listening sessions. The conflicting element, however, is their on-ear nature. My earlobes seem sensitive to prolonged pressure, but it’s something that happens even with the lightest of on-ears. While wearing the Thalia for an extended period wasn’t painful, I also haven’t felt them really “disappear” from my head. Over-ear designs remain my preference, however, reviewed Erzetich Thalia still stands out as one of the most comfortable pairs of on-ears out there.

The most interesting aspect about the Thalia’s tech is surely the driver size! It’s 40 whole millimeters packed in a small on-ear chassis, with the cups being only slightly larger than the drivers themselves. That’s the same size as over-ear offerings from the HD 6XX series by Sennheiser. Who knows, maybe soon the debacle will end up similar to how it is with IEMs – whoever can fit the most drivers in a single IEM, and soon, whoever can maintain the largest driver/cup ratio. Unless we’re about to start seeing more and more full-size multi-driver headphones… hopefully not.

Sound of the reviewed Erzetich Thalia

As mentioned a few paragraphs above, the sound of reviewed Erzetich Thalia changes depending on where your listening session takes place. Of course, the same thing happens with any other open-backs, but given Thalia’s portable and on-the-go nature, it’s worth mentioning in this case. Overall, Erzetich Thalia carries a thick, full, and tactile sound signature, with the highs being less prominent than the bass and midrange. Despite that, perhaps thanks to the driver size, the sound is surprisingly spacious. That’s quite an unusual mix since normally, I would associate a heavy and thick bass response with a more intimate presentation of sound. Not this time, however. When out and about, the bass loses some of its prominence, evening out the whole experience a bit. Both ways of presenting the sound have their perfect use cases in terms of music pairings, but more on that later.

The pairing recommendation made by Erzetich is put very simply – “portable devices”. This implies that the reviewed Thalia is easy to drive and should be driven properly by almost anything out there, and I find that to be the case indeed. A thing to note though, is that the Thalia does benefit from some extra power. That may be conflicting to some – how are you supposed to carry a full-size amplifier around, with a portable headphone? Fret not, however, as the Thalia sounds good off of almost any device that has a headphone jack. I’ve done a lot of my listening on my Sony CMT SBT100 system since you can use CDs with it, but I’ve also tested the Thalia with Hifiman Serenade, Hifiman Prelude, and Luxury & Precision W2. I’ve concluded that testing the Thalia with something less powerful would be more faithful to their intended use case, so I mostly went with that.

BASS

The bass response is the thing that stands out the most in the way reviewed Erzetich Thalia reproduces music. It’s rich and plentiful while remaining dynamic. That kind of presentation is balanced in itself, without sounding sloppy or untamed, but still, the bass remains the most plentiful aspect of the sound and will be mentioned more often down the line. Whether you’re a fan of how much bass the Thalia exerts will be dependent on the kind of music you listen to. On more balanced-sounding tracks, like those found in “Communique”, my favorite Dire Straits album, the plentiful bass provides a fun and engaging experience without overbearing the guitars and Mark Knopfler’s vocals. I have to admit – I’ve never paid as much attention to “Lady Writer”’s bass guitar, and oh boy, I have been missing out!

Overall, it’s a balanced presentation with a healthy dose of liveliness and fun provided by a dynamic and grandiose bass response. The situation is quite different on more bass-intense tracks, like some modern hip-hop titles. Then, the bass hits become thundering, taking over the scene and setting their own order of affairs. If you’re a fan of a more balanced sound presentation, be aware of how Thalia reacts to different kinds of mastering in different music genres.

Whether you’re a fan of a huge bass presentation or not, it’s important to note the technical aspects of the bass as well, because the Thalia is no slouch in that regard either. The bass is snappy and quick with some slight softness to it, giving the listener a musical and engaging experience with every listening session. The bass is extended very well, leaving none of the lowest notes behind. My reference track for sub-bass texture is “Miracles” by Mala – kids, this is what marked the beginning of dubstep. 

The atmospheric rumble displayed by one of Mala’s staple creations is faithfully reproduced by reviewed Erzetich Thalia in a lively and natural manner, as natural as electronic music can sound. I think it’s fair to say that these could be a basshead’s dream headphones, given how huge of a bass response the Thalia can dish out, but it’s important to remember that those have way more going for them than just the scale of the lowest registries. On another note – there are plenty of tracks out there, like Have A Nice Life’s “Hunter”, that could use a more dynamic and punchy bass hit every now and then, and the Thalia seems to fix that issue effortlessly. Summing up – the bass in those can be very strong. Paired with a prominent lower midrange this may end up being a bit overbearing for some, but I wouldn’t consider these to be “too bassy”, as they can still provide a balanced and lively listening session.

MIDRANGE

Midrange in the reviewed Erzetich Thalia gets more prominent the lower the sounds emitted. The picture painted by Thalia is very natural and realistic. I find it to be less prominent than the bass response overall, but I don’t consider it overshadowed by the bass – There is a certain kind of harmony despite the differences in power. The lower midrange stands out more than the higher mids, highlighting aspects of the sound such as lower male vocals or some acoustic instruments. Overall, the midrange has a pleasant texture and tactility throughout, wonderfully complimenting the liveliness and prominence of the low registries. Mark Knopfler, who I’ve mentioned before, sounds especially good on these – it seems like the textural qualities of the midrange are tailor-made for the slight raspiness of his voice. Another great example of the lower midrange reproduction by the Thalia is “I Won’t Complain” by Benjamin Clementine. It seems like the lower mids are the main focus in this piece of music, with Benjamin’s voice and masterful piano skills being on full display thanks to Thalia’s faithful representation.

The upper midrange, albeit less prominent than its lower counterpart to my ears, doesn’t seem to fall behind in a way that would make the whole picture fall apart. Weyes Blood, one of my favorite female vocalists, sounds lively and realistic on the Thalia, but there is a certain kind of sparkle to her voice that seems to be reproduced more intensely on headphones with a brighter sound signature. Despite the upper midrange’s lesser prominence in comparison to the lower registries, the technical performance here is at a consistently high level. The presentation is dynamic, organic, and natural, though I wouldn’t mind a slight hint of brightness added to the overall picture. This slightly darker presentation has its pros though – it’s impossible to come up across any metallic or plastic-y qualities of the timbre, no matter what’s currently playing. This brings me to my next point – the Thalia is very forgiving of terrible mixing or low-quality recordings. If you listen to some underground projects that can’t really count on high-quality mastering, the Thalia will still provide you with an enjoyable experience, free of any pain in the ears.

TREBLE

The treble seems to be the least prominent part of tested Erzetich Thalia’s sound signature, as it has to face the contrasting power of the bass and lower midrange’s presence. It would be wrong to call it non-existent though, as it certainly has its moments of prominence. Let me put you onto something local – a live recording of “Zegarmistrz Światła” by Poland’s very own Tadeusz Woźniak features a part where the entire audience claps, and that seems to be recreated with a great amount of detail and crisp, proving that the Thalia’s higher registries also get their own space to shine among the overall darker abundance of the lows. The highs are sufficiently dynamic with a dose of liveliness, being an important addition to the sound signature in terms of evening things out, but they’re not forward enough to be the centerpiece of most recordings. Unless, of course, you are listening to something that is highly (hehe) focused on the high registries. The upper highs seem slightly rolled off, making them less sharp than something like the Hifiman offerings corresponding in price.

Of course, the lesser prominence of the treble has its benefits, such as a lower risk of sibilance or excessive hotness, which does not happen at all with the Thalia. I’ve tested it with some tracks that feature an exceptionally terrible mix with treble sharpness delivered straight from the depths of hell, and Thalia’s mild treble presentation protected me from total obliteration of my eardrums. Overall, this pair’s treble presentation is a good fit for the rest of the sound signature. The treble does its job well enough not to get lost among the rest of the frequencies no matter the differences in prominence, but doesn’t strike the listener as being too in-your-face. Personally, I would’ve liked to see some extra overall brightness in the sound presentation to balance out the strong, dominant lows, but I still consider the presentation at hand to be well-executed. Plus, if you decide to take these with you on a walk, the sound signature evens itself out even further.

SOUNDSTAGE

Reiterating my point from the beginning of the sound evaluation – I found it quite surprising that Thalia’s stage and imaging are so realistic and airy among the abundance of low registries. In terms of size, the stage is not the largest out there, being slightly bigger than something I would consider to be intimate. Live performances, like the one of Tadeusz Woźniak, show no signs of congestion, and each instrument seems to find its own way around the soundstage. The imaging is precise, giving a boost to the presentation’s realism, which pairs exceptionally well with the headphone’s organic, natural timbre. The reproduction of space is nothing short of impressive, retaining its qualities even if you’re taking a walk through a busy street with the Erzetich Thalia on. 

No matter the type of headphones I’m using, I love the combination of an airy and clear soundstage with an extra bass boost. I find that combo to be perfectly engaging, making a mixture of fun and technicalities seem effortless. As you may have noticed in my other reviews, I also do some tests in games whenever I evaluate a headphone. With Elden Ring’s DLC having come out recently, I found it to be the perfect occasion to do some testing. And that’s where Thalia’s stage and imaging also got to shine. The stage, albeit not the largest, sees its greatest strengths in the reproduction of three-dimensionality across a stage with a more impressive depth than width. The depth is reproduced faithfully, allowing the listener to easily discern between faraway and nearby objects. Coupled with precise imaging, the Thalia are a good fit for recordings (and games!) requiring good technical performance in the staging department to fully shine.

Comparisons

Grado RS2X

Grado’s entire brand identity revolves around making on-ear headphones, and it’s quite funny that a revision of Erzetich’s first product of that kind already beats Grado’s RS2x – both pairs reach a similar price point. Beginning at build quality and comfort, Erzetich’s Thalia immediately leaves the listener with an impression of higher durability and comfort than the RS2x. Which of these is the more comfortable option? One glance at the pads is all it takes for your guess to be educated enough to form an opinion. Another gripe I have with the Grado is its non-detachable cable. If their cables were of exceptional quality, it would be fair to assume that the listeners probably won’t need a replacement. But I have to admit, I’ve seen more than a few cables more impressive than Grado’s stock solution. Namely, Thalia’s stock cable.

My sonic preferences also lean more toward the Thalia. While the RS2x may have a lot going for it in the technical department, like the detail retrieval, I do not find those to be enjoyable enough to be put in the same category as the Thalia. Erzetich’s creation carries with it a refreshing breeze of fun and engagement, that seems like a glass of ice-cold water during a traversal through the Gobi desert. The Thalia are noticeably more bassy and thicker in the midrange than Grado’s offering, making them much more of a memorable experience overall. That being said, I don’t consider the Thalia to be behind the RS2x in the technical department either, so if I were to choose, the scales would be decisively tipped towards Erzetich’s 2024 offering.

Pairings

Erzetich Thalia’s driveability goes hand in hand with the portability aspect – their impedance is low enough to be driven by anything possessing an appropriate headphone socket, whether you’re plugging them into an Apple dongle or into a vintage Discman. It is also something that I would lean more towards when choosing an amplifier pairing for the Thalia. Indeed, they do scale well with higher-power amps – things like the Earmen Angel, Hifiman Prelude, and Serenade or the Burson Playmate 2 seem to squeeze out a great amount of performance from the Thalia, tightening up the dynamics and opening the airy staging even further. If you’re in possession of a powerful amp, the Thalia will be appreciative of some extra power on tap.

That being said, I would rather take advantage of Erzetich Thalia’s driveability and invest in a less powerful but more portable source, like a high-quality DAP or a good dongle. I’ve greatly enjoyed the pairing with the W2 by Luxury & Precision – the sound is sophisticated, powerful, decisive, and fun, and all of that is done while maintaining a small form factor, perfect for using the Thalia outdoors. Another piece of tech I’ve enjoyed the Thalia with was my trusty old Sony ESP MAX D-E340 Walkman. I’ve paid like 20 USD for it, and it’s been serving me well for the past few years. I don’t think I have to delve deep into the Walkman’s power capabilities, we all know it’s nothing to write home about. Still, the Thalia took full advantage of what was at hand and presented me with a fun, dynamic, and engaging sonic experience. 

Erzetich Thalia Review – Summary

The Thalia adds a bit of variety to Erzetich’s headphone catalog and represents an interesting approach towards portable audio. After all, it’s not every day that you see on-ear open-back headphones intended for use on the go. Despite that bit of peculiarity, Erzetich has done a great job in designing a headphone that combines very good sonic performance with ruggedness and portability. While the sound signature isn’t for the fans of overly analytical listening with a bright timbre, there is one thing you can’t deny – the Thalia are great fun to listen to, breathing new life into many pieces of music. 

Erzetich Thalia sports a well-executed unique design that doesn’t have to sacrifice rigidity to be eye-catching. The uniqueness can also be experienced in the accessories you receive – I find it amazing that Erzetich includes CDs among the accessories, and as I mentioned before – it has to be my favorite headphone accessory of all time. It speaks volumes about Blaz Erzetich’s philosophy being oriented towards the listener and the music, and it’s a beautiful sight – after all, the love of good music is what brings us all here. 

The on-ear market is quite a niche in the headphone industry, with not many manufacturers deciding to go that way in designing new headphones. I think that, despite its quirks, it’s a market that’s worth exploring, especially with the latest iteration of the Thalia setting a new standard for comfort, sound, and build quality in that niche. I can’t wait to see and hear what’s next for that sector, and who knows, maybe my sensitive earlobes will get used to the on-ear format.

Recommended.