[Idsynchrono_24]

It sounds like the VII/VIII are completely different phones from the V. You'd need to ask yourself whether you'd want more neutrality (VII) or a richer sound (VIII) or whether the V has the ideal tonal balance for you. 

 

[vwinter]

It sounds like the VII/VIII are completely different phones from the V. You'd need to ask yourself whether you'd want more neutrality (VII) or a richer sound (VIII) or whether the V has the ideal tonal balance for you. 

I have a feeling that the VII is probably a sliiiightly less bassy evolution of the V sound. The V is reasonably neutral actually except for a bit of bass emphasis.

 

[acidtripwow]

I recently picked up a set of the Final Audio Design Adagio III and here are my thoughts.
 
These have a very V shaped sound to me.  I've been using a set of Comply TSX-200 tips.  I've been listening to some DSD files on my Ibasso DX90 and Fiio X5 with a Fiio E12 amp.  The lows can hit very hard with some songs.  The mids are laid back and the treble can be a little too much.  If there is sibilance in the recording than these will highlight it.  Sometimes it can be a bit much when listening to some Patricia Barber.  Overall the clarity is great but they can be a little too bright sometimes.  These are good for softer music when you want to hear a good bit of detail.  I wouldn't use them for hard rock, though.

 

[thatonenoob]

Houston...we have touch down....Heaven 7 and 8 are here!!!

 

[unclesam70]

why this price difference between black and silver vii? any sound difference as well?...
 
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2051541.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xfinal+audio+design+viii&_nkw=final+audio+design+viii&_sacat=0

 

[thatonenoob]

  why this price difference between black and silver vii? any sound difference as well?...
 
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2051541.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xfinal+audio+design+viii&_nkw=final+audio+design+viii&_sacat=0

No idea...but from the sound sig...I can tell you that we're not in Kansas anymore.

 

[peareye]

Well, I have always been a tube amp and more vinyl than digital in my 2 channel systems...I have always gravitated towards
 
more midcentric and romantic vocals and instruments. I did buy the Heaven V's based on hours of reading on head-fi and
 
I wasn't disappointed in the end...
 
So,would you guys go with a  Heaven V with a 600-800. dap   or Heaven vii/viii with a 300-400. dap   (for the next six months)???

 

[thatonenoob]

  Well, I have always been a tube amp and more vinyl than digital in my 2 channel systems...I have always gravitated towards
 
more midcentric and romantic vocals and instruments. I did buy the Heaven V's based on hours of reading on head-fi and
 
I wasn't disappointed in the end...
 
So,would you guys go with a  Heaven V with a 600-800. dap   or Heaven vii/viii with a 300-400. dap   (for the next six months)???

Truthfully, the DAP doesn't have to be that expensive.  A lot can be achieved with a 200-300 dollar DAP (not factoring additional expenses for micro SD).  
 
At this point, you'll probably notice more of a difference between swapping earphones than DAPs.

 

[CJG888]

I use the Heaven V with the Hifiman HM-650 and the Minibox amplifier card, and am very happy with the result!

 

[unclesam70]

...just wished deep purple's made in japan is a hit with fads too...

 

[ph0n6]

  Well, I have always been a tube amp and more vinyl than digital in my 2 channel systems...I have always gravitated towards
 
more midcentric and romantic vocals and instruments. I did buy the Heaven V's based on hours of reading on head-fi and
 
I wasn't disappointed in the end...
 
So,would you guys go with a  Heaven V with a 600-800. dap   or Heaven vii/viii with a 300-400. dap   (for the next six months)???

VII and VIII for sure. Cheap DAPs these days are really capable I must say, and the differences between headphones are always larger than DAPs IMO.
BTW, Amazon JP has the Heaven VII and VIII up:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/Final-Audio-%E3%83%90%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%89%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%81%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A2%E5%9E%8B%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A4%E3%83%9B%E3%83%B3-HeavenVII-FI-HE7BSS/dp/B00QWYPZEY/ref=sr_1_23?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418742533&sr=1-23
http://www.amazon.co.jp/Final-Audio-%E3%83%90%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%89%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%81%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A2%E5%9E%8B%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A4%E3%83%9B%E3%83%B3-HeavenVIII-FI-HE8BSS/dp/B00QWZ6K1K/ref=sr_1_24?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418742533&sr=1-24
The Heaven VII is about 556$, VIII is 653$ I think.

 

[thatonenoob]

Quick Impressions:
 
As I sit here with the Lab 1, Heaven 7, and Heaven 8...I realize that I am dealing with a very, very different beasts.  Please understand that these are first impressions, and that I may even take a 180 turn when I publish my final review (and even then my opinion might change afterwards).
 

1. The Heaven 7 brings to the table excellent detail retrieval that isn't shy about making its presence known.  It's got excellent clarity with a slight bias to the highs.  However, it sounds just a little "safe" at times with its less-than-enveloping sound and lighter bass (in comparison to the Lab 1's "weighty" bass).  It's hard to fault technically, and those looking for more traditionally performing earphones should be quite satisfied.

 

1. The Lab 1 maintains its position as the master of creating amazing musical experiences.  It's really quite hard to beat, and feels like the "next level" in comparison to the Heaven 7.  Once again, it has a certain je ne sais quoi that often allows it to gain an "edge".  However, it is also unpredictable at times, which is the unavoidable consequence of performing excellently in certain areas.  

 

1. The Heaven 8 I have saved for last, simply because it amazes me in the same manner that I experienced when I first tested the Lab 1 (in a different way of course).  Bringing a slightly more "conventional" bass to the table, it nonetheless maintains quite a lot of weightiness.  It's got a more immediate sound than the Lab 1, and brings the Heaven 7's great detail retrieval to the table as well.  It's one of the most balanced, and yet amazingly engaging earphones that I've tried.  
   1. Make no mistake, this is NOT a Poor Man's Lab 1.  To make such a sweeping conclusion would be doing a huge disservice to the Lab 1 and the Heaven 8 at the same time.  

 
Ladies and Gentlemen, FAD has done it again.  Amazing.

 

[Jobbing]

Quick Impressions:

As I sit here with the Lab 1, Heaven 7, and Heaven 8...

Looking forward to your further impressions/comparisons

Do you still have the Dita's laying around for comparison as well?

 

[shotgunshane]

I'm still a little confused on how the VIII sounds in relation to the VII.  Obviously the more neutral leaning VII sounds like it would probably be right up my alley, but I could be interested in the VIII if it sort of splits the difference of the Lab 1 and VII (gross over generalization) but the blingy gold is a bit of turn off.  Anyway, please keep the impressions and especially comparisons coming!

 

[vwinter]

I'm still a little confused on how the VIII sounds in relation to the VII.  Obviously the more neutral leaning VII sounds like it would probably be right up my alley, but I could be interested in the VIII if it sort of splits the difference of the Lab 1 and VII (gross over generalization) but the blingy gold is a bit of turn off.  Anyway, please keep the impressions and especially comparisons coming!

X2

All I'm getting is harder better faster stronger.