My Story:
Back in June last year, I was happily trotting along with my Creative EP630s, until I ate breakfast and kinda dipped in maple syrup as I was eating breakfast.
Alas, they broke, so I moved toward searching for new earphones. I had been recommended to try the VSonic VSR02, and bought them twice actually, but due to the long waiting list on the Australian Headphonic website, I backed up twice. I decided to then get Shure E2C's (worst mistake - paying $140 for them). So I found Head-Fi, and my journey began. My history goes:
iPod 5.5g -> Koss SparkPlugs
iPod 5.5g -> EP630
iPod 5.5g -> Shure E2C
iPod 5.5g -> PA2v2 -> E2C
iPod 6 -> PA2v2 -> UM1
iPod 6 -> Little Dot Micro+ -> UM1
iPod 6 -> Little Dot Micro+ -> Super Fi 3
iPod 6 -> Tomahawk -> Super Fi 3
iPod 6 -> Tomahawk -> Super Fi 5
iPod 6 -> Tomahawk -> Ety ER4P/S
Along the lines I have used: UM2s, IM616, Mylar X3, Sony EX90, PK3, PK1, along with Hornet, Mini3 as well.
So why the VSonics. Well, the story behind getting them this time involves one of Head-Fis sponsors. Basically I purchased a pair of PK1s that were from a Head-Fier but were damaged, so talked to Fang who instructed me to send them back for replacement. So I did, and they got lost in the mail. I ended up buying a pair of PK1s again anyway, but Fang felt bad, and offered me some store credit. I asked if I could use that toward the Pro's which he has on Group Buy. So he let me use my store credit to get them, and kindly asked if I could write a review for him. After his great service, it was the least I could do!
Please note: I am in no way affiliated with Head-Direct, nor am I getting any pay or financial reimbursement for writing this review. These are my thoughts, findings and opinions.
My bias: I used to be biased toward bass, but I have grown to appreciate balanced and wide soundstaged music. Not just thumping highs, but splashy cymbals, and upfront mids and highs.
Setups:
iPod -> VSR02 (Bi-Flange tips)
Music Selection - All Lossless:
Alicia Keys - As I Am [Intro]
Alicia Keys - No One
30 Seconds to Mars - The Kill
30 Seconds to Mars - From Yesterday
Kelly Clarkson - Behind These Hazel Eyes
Kelly Clarkson - Because Of You
Iron Maiden - Dance Of Death
Iron Maiden - Gates Of Tomorrow
Pink Floyd - Money
Delta Goodrem - In This Life
Delta Goodrem - Brave Face
Delta Goodrem - Angels In The Room
John Mayer - Clarity
Rob Zombie - Superbeast
System of a Down - Holy Mountains
System of a Down - Lonely Day
Delta Goodrem - Will You Fall For Me
Basshunter - Vi Sitter i Ventrilo och Spelar Dota
Basshunter - Boten Anna
Basshunter - Strand Tylösand
The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby/Julia (Transition)
The Beatles - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Emma Shapplin - Spente Le Stelle
First thoughts:
I was very excited to try these, they are packaged nicely in a nice case, and are presented very well. They are very durable and come with a basic range of tips (biflange, small/med blunt tips, and comply-type tips). A shirt clip is included as these have quite loud microphonics. They don’t have an L/R to say left and right, but I assumed that the logos face forward, so went with that.
Bass:
I used Basshunter's DoTa/Boten Anna and the beginning of Mayer's Clarity to test. Thumping. The bass is fantastic, especially for the techno. It's not muddy and yucky like that of the E2Cs (from memory). It's nice, deep and clean. This is heavily dependant on your fit. A poor fit will result in poor bass. The bass isn't as prominent as that of the Super Fi 5, but the balance toward the mids and highs mean they aren't as overpowering. Listening to Basshunter, the trancey/techno bits are very upfront without being sharp or painful. The bass does get a bit fatiguing after a while, as if it's just thumping irrationally. So, the bass department is very full, but still feel that it's a bit too out there. 8/10
Mids:
I used a variety of the selected songs to see what the mids had in store. I was happy with the upfront mids, unlike some earphones where the mids sounds like they are coming from behind a curtain, this was upfront and fun. From the vocals of Delta to fantastic guitar riffs brought about by System of a Down and 30 Seconds, I was enjoying myself. Whilst they aren't as detailed as the ER4's, they are definitely an earphone that can compete with UM1s and the SF3's. 8/10
Highs:
Again Delta and Kelly's beautiful voices guided me through this. Absolutely amazing, for such a basic earphone, running out of my iPods headphone out, these were fantastic. The highs are nice and crisp. They are minimally sibilant, and very enjoyable. The highs are not piercing, they are balanced and just amazingly showcase the songstress' voices. So I bring on Emma Shapplin, who's operatic vocals are spectacular through the ER4's, she hits some high notes in this track (Spente Le Stelle) and they don't hurt. They are amazing. 8/10
Overview:
These earphones are fun! They aren't as detailed and analytical as the ER4, but are much crisper and balanced than that of the Super Fi 3 and E2C. I greatly enjoy using these, they are comfortable, however, the cord microphonics post a problem when I walk around. The reason I used these through my headphone out is that this is an earphone I'd recommend to starter's or those who wish to get some better sound, without breaking the bank, but without skimping out. I'd consider these a great bargain at $50 (
Head-Direct.com) - until Feb 28, usually $69 after. The general feel/soundstange of these earphones, is very, very in your head. They aren’t very wide, and instrument seperation isn’t very prominent. They do feel like two sets of speakers in each ear, rather then feeling an immersion within the music such as the ER4 present.
A solid 8/10 in total, it’s a wonderful earphone to just use in a simple rig. For those who wanted to know, there are improvements with using the Tomahawk. Things become a bit more balanced, soundstage widens, and it’s a bit more of a laidback, less in your face sound.
Final word:
To all those ‘Newbie’ (in the least offensive way) Head-Fiers out there who just want a simple earphone, that they can plug in and go, this is for you. They don’t break the bank, but their sound sure feels as if they don’t.
Gallery:
This is my first official review and I hope this provides some information for those interested in this earphone
Review: VSonic VSR02 (VSR02)
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