VISION EARS V8 IEMS
+ Amazing musicality; real and tangible imaging; sound signature is incredibly pleasant; smooth and refined delivery with no harshness or sibilance; dweet centre stage mids; comfortable.
– Pricey; lacklustre stock cable; revealing transparency demands a source that can keep up.
Sound: 9/10
Value: 5/10
A guide to the ratings
WRITING an introductory piece for Vision Ears feels a lot like trying to explain a 6½ digit Keysight bench metre, a set of Pantone swatches, or maybe even a Rolex Daytona chronograph watch; those who know have already burnt enough midnight oil to read up about them, and those who don’t just simply wouldn’t be bothered. Vision Ears has been around since 2013, manufacturing precision in-ear monitors (IEMs) in Cologne, Germany, for musicians. Audiophiles have also taken notice of the IEMs’ production quality. So, long story short, here we are.
The Vision Ears VE8 I’m reviewing today is the universal version. For best results, users would have to send their ear mould casting for a pair of customs, but I’m not ready to shell out RM10,749 just yet. Though I have to admit that after spending some time with the VE8 IEMs, I am incredibly tempted.
The VE8 is a three-way system with eight balanced armature (BA) drivers – two bass, two mids, and four treble. These IEMs are quite sensitive, measuring 120dB at 1mW so you’ll either need a very quiet source or get yourself an attenuator like the iFi IEMatch.
You can configure the look of your IEM shell through the website while ordering, so don’t worry if you’re looking for a different colour than orange. I personally like the flashy look – it stands out among the other grayscale earphones on the market.
I got the unit loose in an aftermarket protective case so I couldn’t comment on the bundled accessories, but I’m pretty underwhelmed by the stock cable. It tangles easily and feels quite flimsy.
FIT AND ISOLATION
They fit very well for a pair of large IEMs. Although they’re not as comfortable as something like the smaller Campfire Audio series, shaking my head didn’t make a difference to the seal. Neither did moving my jaw around.
Isolation is as expected from sealed IEMs. They block out conversations and indoor ambiance excellently while letting in some sound if you’re outdoors. Your music would drown any external noise for sure so don’t plan on having a jog by a busy street wearing these.
LISTENING
I first got my hand (and ears) on the VE8s at the store. Although the environment was ideal and quiet, I honestly wasn’t paying close attention to them. I kept switching between equipment so I couldn’t appreciate them for what they are. I threw them in my bag and promptly forgot about them until the next day.
Coming home from work, I put the earpieces on and simply melted on my sofa.
Nine Million Bicycles by Katie Melua from her 2005 album Piece By Piece sounded nothing like I remembered. There was so much emotion in the track, and it flowed unfiltered like torrential waters. These IEMs are noticeably warm but without anything flabby or loose in the bass regions. Excellent and truthful reproduction all around with just a dash of coloration – enough to make it interesting, just so.
Since I was on a roll, I played something by Diana Krall. The Look Of Love demonstrated the VE8s’ excellent articulation especially in the mids. They portrayed depth as well as the many layers of the accompanying instruments. I felt like I could keep peeling those layers like an onion forever.
The VE8s sounded coherent regardless of what genres I tried. They maintained their composure through torture tracks like Ghost’s Square Hammer and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: Winter I Allegro Non Molto by The City of Prague Philharmonic Chamber Group. Bass was tight, taut, and dynamic but distinctly BA. There’s no hiccup in the decay so music maintains its pace and PRAT very well. I can really see why these are good for monitoring musicians.
How they image could best be described as tangible. During certain parts of Here But I’m Gone by Vanessa Hernandez, there was this eerie presence in the reproduction as if a disembodied voice was actually singing in front of you. I let a few inexperienced friends try out the same song and their unanimous response was, “It sounded real“.
THE LAST WORD
I’m trying to remember the last time I was this excited about a pair of IEMs. Perhaps it was the 64 Audio Tia Fourte that I reviewed a few years ago. Where the Tia Fourte excels – without a doubt –- is in the technicality. Vision Ears’ VE8 is the polar opposite. They are musical and raw without even teetering into the realm of clinicality and sterility. The Tia Fourte’s treble might extend further, but the VE8’s mids are a lot sweeter.
Don’t be put off by the value rating at the top of the page. At the commanding price, only a determined individual would be compelled to justify it (something something diminishing returns etc). Give it a transparent enough source and it will return the favour admirably, because just like a 6½ digit Keysight bench metre, it will show you everything at a resolution few other IEMs can.
Gear
Sources: Mac Mini M1, MSI 7RDX, iPhone XS / Headphones: Sennheiser HD525, Final Audio Pandora Hope VI, JVC HA-S500 / Earbuds: VE Clan Zen / DACs: Chord Hugo V1, Matrix Mini-i, EarMen Angel
Price: €2,150
Malaysian price: RM10,749
Review sample courtesy of E1 Personal Audio (+603-2110 2328) / Find your distributor.
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