Vision Ears EXT Review – The Short Answer
In this Article
Introduction
Vision Ears are a boutique company out of Cologne, Germany that offer a plethora of interesting premium earphones. Audioreviews.org authors had the chance of analyzing their products in the past and the Vision Ears Elysium made it onto our Wall of Excellence. The EXT is one of Vision Ears’ many premium models.
As always with premium products, they are short-term loaners that don’t come in retail packaging. I therefore focus on the sonic performance
Specifications Vision Ears EXT
| Drivers (3-way crossover): 1 x 9.2mm Dynamic Driver, 1 x 6 mm Dynamic Driver, 4 x Est, Electrostatic Tweeter |
| Impedance: 10Ω @ 1KHz |
| Sensitivity: 108.5 dB SPL @ 1KHz (100mV) |
| Frequency Range: N/A |
| Cable/Connector: premium 8 wire spc 28AWG cable with a balanced 2.5mm connector |
| Tested at: $4293 |
| Product page: Vision Ears |
| Purchase Link: MusicTeck |
Tonality and Technicalities
| Equipment used: MacBook Air + AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt| Earstudio HUD100 w. JitterBug FMJ | Questyle M15 + SpinFit CP500. |
Please note that I had the EXT (and PHöNIX) only for 7 days as part of a Head-Fi tour. I feel that was too short for a definitive evaluation of these iems. Hence take my comments with caution – and look at other opinions, too.
The EXT is sonically built on the Elysium, the best iem I have ever heard. The Elysium has a midrange of godly quality and its BA bass was the only criticism. In general, Vision Ears do midrange particularly well.
I recently reviewed the Vision Ears PHöNIX, characterized by its mellow and soothing presentation. The EXT is quite different in that is features a sharper and leaner sound, particularly in the midrange, and a thumpier, punchier, but also tighter bass at the better extended low end. And it is requires a more powerful source than the PHöNIX.
I’d describe the EXT’s signature as close to neutral with a tad of warmth, and an extra serving of bass.
Yes, there is bass, and lots of it. Quite a rumble down there (“es brummt da unten”). Lots of oomph with a realistic decay, but it could still be more composed and tighter. It is not thick but thump. Mid bass is pounding mercilessly against my eardrums. Some love it, others can’t handle it.
The bass smudges into the lower mids, causes some congestion, and masks them to some extent, sadly. To me, the bass is like too much ketchup on the burger, which overwhelms and drowns the taste. A very intense low end.
The midrange is the star of the show. Vocals in the lower midrange are organic, a bit recessed but show good note definition, medium note weight and subtle rounding but also a healthy edge. They are overall more towards the lean side, but in a good way. Very well done, going towards perfection…weren’t they affected by the bass.
Midrange resolution and clarity are very good when little of no bass is present in the music. Even the highest piano notes are lively, well resolving and 100% natural. Just bad that the midrange is competing against the bass – and frequently losing.
Lower treble is rather humble. I find the presentation of cymbals somewhat metallic, tizzy, and dry. Decay could be slower. From memory, the Elysium was close to perfect in the upper registers but the EXT cannot deliver that.
Imaging is good: 3D space is nicely re-created. Layering is also good: the musicians are placed well on stage. Soundstage is not very wide owing to the that rumble in the (low-end) jungle. Dynamics is good.
Concluding Remarks
The VE EXT didn’t blow me out of my sandals like the Elysium that belong to my all time favourites.
Until next time…keep on listening!
