Vision Ears Elysium and Vision Ears VE8 Review (1) – Life Less Ordinary
INTRODUCTION
Vision Ears Elysium and Vision Ears VE8. Vision Ears are a company out of Cologne, Germany, that specializes in premium items, universal fit and custom fit. Their products don’t come cheap, they are somewhat luxurious, we therefore don’t talk about money in the brief review, but rather about reward. Head-Fi and Audiotiers offered the Vision Ears Elysium and the Vision Ears VE8 for 8 days as part of the Canadian Tour. The time was a bit short for a full review, however I took good notes to give you my impressions. One thing up front, this was a great learning experience. After listening to these premium products, I now even see the budget and mid-tier offer in a different light…I therefore recommend every analyst to grow on testing such premium products.
The Vision Ears VE8, as the name may imply, is an 8 BA earphone whereas the slightly pricier Vision Ears Elysium features drivers of three different technologies: surprisingly a BA for the low end, a dynamic driver for the midrange, and two electrostatics for the upper end. In detail…
There is a complimentary view with some more measurements by Biodegraded:
SPECIFICATIONS ELYSIUM
Drivers: 1BA for bass – 1 dynamic for mids – 2 electrostatic for highs
Impedance: 14.2 Ω at 1 kHz
Sensitivity: 105 dB at 1mW
Frequency Range: X – Y Hz
Cable/Connector:
Tested at: 2500,00 EUR (incl. 19% German VAT)
Product Page: Vision Ears
SPECIFICATIONS VE8
Drivers: 2 x Bass – 2 x Mid – 4 x High
Impedance: 16.4 Ohms ( at 1 kHz )
Sensitivity: 120 dB SPL at 1 mW
Frequency Range: X – Y Hz
Cable/Connector:
Tested at: 2150,00 €
Product Page: Vision Ears
TONALITY AND TECHNICALITIES
Follow these links for some background information:
My tonal preference and testing practice
Equipment used: MacBook Air/iPhone SE (1st gen.) and ifi nano BL (IEMatch for Vision Ears VE8 and Direct out for Vision Ears Elysium).
The Elysium needs a lot of power, probably owing to the electrostats, and they are not well driven by a phone. The VE8 are more content with low-power sources.
Most – if not all – tour participants and reviewers preferred the Vision Ears VE8 over the Vision Ears Elysium. In contrast, I found the Elysium fantastic and the VE8 “nothing special” (considering the price). The Vision Ears VE8 have toned-down upper mids similar to the Campfire Andromeda; they sound warmer and thicker, but also more congested and less energetic than the Elysium. This produces an inoffensive, agreeable meat-and-potato sound that fits most musical genres but it lacks the engagement factor, especially with female voices. The Elysium are overall more energetic with a “wider” sound. They have a boosted upper midrange that usually does not work for most earphones – but it does in this case (no shoutiness!), which points to the driver quality. I find the sonic image of the Elysium way more articulate and refined compared to the Vision Ears VE8 with breathtaking vocals reproduction. Best I have experienced in any earphone…though my selection is limited.
Both models are very similar at the low end: subtle, articulate, clean bass and sub-bass, well dosed and tasteful. Good, realistic attack. Minimalistic, slightly warm and never anemic…well separated from the lower midrange. Bass attack and decay are excellent. The difference in the upper midrange let’s the VE8’s bass perceive as a bit thicker, less focused, and thumpier as the human ears hear the whole frequency spectrum in context. The Elysium have the sharper drums attack.
The Elysium takes the lead in the vocals, and that by far. Voices in the Elysium are brighter, have more life, more bite/energy, more detail, more air, more corners, and more appeal. Note definition is generally superior over the VE8. In comparison, the vocals in the VE8 are “duller”, darker, more intimate, and have the lesser resolution…which also results in more body and more midrange intimacy. The fuller body is probably the reason why most protagonists prefer the VE8 over the Elysium. Midrange in the Elysium has more filigree and air – and is better resolving. Vocals have just the right intimacy and not too much intimacy in the Elysium. They are spicier but not too spicy. There is a good balanced between upper and lower midrange. The VE8’s midrange offers the sonic equivalent of an optical illusion.
And the Elysium extend their lead in the treble. Holy moly, I have never heard such clean, nicely separated, super dry, crisp cymbals. The two electrostats don’t overdo anything, they don’t emphasize the highs, they just refine them. Truly an outstanding sonic experience. The VE8’s treble are not bad either but cymbals are less pronounced and a bit covered/less separated by/from the thicker midrange.
The lean but energetic vocals in the Vision Ears Elysium means great midrange clarity, transparency, and detail resolution. Stage is very wide and tall, with realistic depth. Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” at Live Aid put me right into Wembley Stadium. Rather holographic imaging. The VE8s have the narrower stage.
Vocals timbre is natural in both earphones despite the differences in energy level.
Elysium has better midrange clarity and transparency, better 3D rendering, better separation between instruments, more energetic voices, a more subtle bass, and better spatial imaging. Everything sounds more crowed and less open in the VE8. Overall, the Elysium are definitely the sharper knife in the drawer.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The Elysium constituted a highly educational experience and changed my approach to sound. The two electrostats produced cymbals so crisp – never heard that before. I found the energetic Elysium more engaging and involving over the thicker, fuller bodied but less resolving VE8s. In this tour kit, I perceived the VE8 more as decoration or support for the Elysium. In fact, the Elysium made so weak for a moment that I considered selling my house to afford one. But in the end, I will have to wait until I wander the Elyisan fields (or the Champs-Élysées before) to experience such (sonic) enjoyment again.
Until next time…keep on listening!
DISCLAIMER
The two models were part of a semi-private Head-Fi tour. I thank Bill Barraugh for organizing it.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.
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