Swimsonny
Aka: thegardener & ScooterBilly
Undeclared Member of the Trade: Inearspace
writing positive reviews of products he was reselling.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2011
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[size=13.0pt]VSonic GR06 Review[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Intro[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So the VSonic Gr06, I am sure by now that you have heard of it. Through out this review, like all my reviews, I will be reviewing, as it is not thinking about how much they are. However while you read the review think about this, Frogbeats in the UK sell it for £40 and that’s after a recent price raise.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So we have established one think, these are fairly cheap and could easily be considered as budget earphones. So who are VSonic? VSonic are a Chinese earphone company who took the audiophile world by storm with one of their first earphones, the GR07 (which I still not have the pleasure to try). The reason they were such a hit was to do with their rather cheap price (£100 yeh I know not cheap, but humour me) and the awesome quality that it offered. Since then they have done big things with their own take on a TWFK dual balanced armature (BA) driven earphone and also a range of budget earphones that are all meant to re define what you can get in a price bracket which are the GR02 (and its bass edition), GR99, GR04 and then these the GR06. So they are pretty busy company by the looks of things, so lets go.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]I would also like to thanks Nuckin Futz for allowing me to loan these.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Set-up[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Have been doing most listening of these with my Cowon J3 and FLAC and MP3 but also my iPhone 4 so that I really got to know these earphones. As for tips I chose to use some medium Phonak tips that I found to offer both the best comfort and sound from these earphones compared to Sony Hybrid tips.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Build Quality/Design[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The GR06 incorporates an odd colour scheme as well as an odd shape for a housing of an earphone. I say this in not a bad way and I quite like the unique design. They have a brown cable and housing and they also have a square housing. I think this is all pretty cool and appreciate them aesthetically for their colour. I though I would also mention about the nozzle on these. It articulates on roughly a 45 degrees rotation so that you can get the most effective fit on these.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The jack and y-split of these seem to be used in a little of earphones coming out of Chine and Asia recently and they and they seem to be almost identical to what you get with HiSoundAudio earphones. This is a good thing as I think they are very solidly built.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So starting of these have a right-angled jack which has a gold plated plug and a solid black housing with the VSonic logo on it. The strain relied on them is a bit on the short side but still nothing to worry about. The cable on the GR06s is considered by some to be ‘the best’ and I can see why. Personally the only better cable I have encountered is the Phonak PFE cable. So why is it so good? It is a mixture to its thickness which is only around average (maybe slightly thicker), the suppleness and flexibility which is possible the best and finally its resistance to tangling which will give you no problems, forget the weak Beats by Dre flat cable. The y-split is the same solid plastic as in the jack housing and does also have a slightly longer strain relief but it is nit flexible at all. One thing these do sadly lack, yes there is one thing, is a cable cinch but I have seen some very nice DIY work by some people making one fairly simply.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The housings do not have a conventional strain relief and the cables just go straight into the housing. The housings are all a lightweight plastic. [/size]
[size=13.0pt]I am very happy with the build of these.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Accessories[/size]
[size=13.0pt]As these are on loan I do not have the accessory kit but just the case. The case is a spring clasp cloth pouch which is portable and everything but not so protective.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]As I have not had anything else I will give you a list:[/size]
[size=13.0pt]1 Set Foam Ear Tips, 1 Set of Bi Flanges, 3 Sets of Hybrids with Foam, 3 Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L), 5 Sets of Hybrids, Silicone Ear Hook, Storage Case, Warranty Card[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So from the list there is not a lot more other than quite literally (maybe not) a million tips. I can only say this is a good thing and will result in a great fit there. Also from experience with cable guides in the past they are quite handy, as to how good the ones with these are I can unfortunately not say.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Comfort/Fit[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Well when I first saw pictures of these I did not think the looked comfortable due to the square housing. DO NOT LET THIS PUT YOU OFF. With the articulating nozzle this are extremely ergonomic and therefore comfy.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Together with the Phonak tips, ergonomic rotating nozzle and the light plastic housing, these fit extremely pleasantly.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Isolation[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The isolation with Phonak tips is never anything special and there is no change here with you being able to here snippets of the outside world. However if you chose to switch to the stock triple flange tips I am sure that you would get much higher levels of ambient noise reduction.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Microphonics (Cable Noise)[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The cable as I have already mentioned is great. It is also great in this category and you will suffer no annoyance from burn in. This is mainly because they fit over the ear but the cable also contributes to it.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]These have been used and burned in by the owner of these. [/size]
[size=13.0pt]Soundstage and instrument separation[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The soundstage of these is perhaps just more than averagely wide but have no depth to them what so ever. These are actually fairly fast for dynamic and separate instruments fairly well with almost slightly airy sense.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Bass[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The bass probably the most surprising part when I started listening to these. I was expecting small quantity yet tight bass. Not what I got at all. These are not bass heavy earphones but they have very warm bass, which gives of the impression that there is more than there is. At the end of the day the mid-bass quantity will surely satisfy pretty much anyone. The thing is though it is slow and loose, and instead of hitting hard and fast it sort of just slowly washes over you. It is still not bloated and only slightly boomy[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The extension into sub-bass regions is excellent and you are not left with out rumble. Not head pounding like I got with my Thinksound ms01 but a quantity that you can appreciate and it compliments the mid-bass really quite nice.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Midrange[/size]
[size=13.0pt]One word could probably describe as much as a thousand and you have to hear the earphones to really appreciate the mids of the GR06. So these are mid-centric earphones due to the mid being forward. They are beautifully airy and sweet and have a touch of warmth from the bass. They have just other a natural decay which is quite pleasant and are also revealing enough to show of nice details. Instruments are nice but the vocals are even better and they steal the show. The mids are so good I have been tempted to buy a pair being a mid head and these have some truly FANTASTIC mids. [/size]
[size=13.0pt]Treble[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The treble I am going to be harsh on as I think that is maybe ‘worst’ bit of the GR06 sound. The first thing that you notice is that it is sibilant and although that is no be or end all of nay earphones it is of course not ideal. Looking passed that I have found that it rolls of quickly and leaves no extended sparkle. It is also fairly recessed, for example when you are going to listen to a nice guitar solo instead of it sitting way in front of what else is going on, with these the guitar seems to just blend in. Other than that it is quite smooth.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Overall[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So pretty positive review being a review done at price no object hey! So lets bring this all down to their price of £40 and all I can say is go buy one, NOW! You will not be disappointed and even if you do not like the sound of the signature I think VSonic deserve you to give it a try, as I am sure you will love it! I can now only wonder how good the GR07 are as these compete handily with a lot of my earphones ranging up to £120. For £40 you cannot go wrong with this package of sound, accessories and build quality. Easiest recommendation I have ever made.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Intro[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So the VSonic Gr06, I am sure by now that you have heard of it. Through out this review, like all my reviews, I will be reviewing, as it is not thinking about how much they are. However while you read the review think about this, Frogbeats in the UK sell it for £40 and that’s after a recent price raise.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So we have established one think, these are fairly cheap and could easily be considered as budget earphones. So who are VSonic? VSonic are a Chinese earphone company who took the audiophile world by storm with one of their first earphones, the GR07 (which I still not have the pleasure to try). The reason they were such a hit was to do with their rather cheap price (£100 yeh I know not cheap, but humour me) and the awesome quality that it offered. Since then they have done big things with their own take on a TWFK dual balanced armature (BA) driven earphone and also a range of budget earphones that are all meant to re define what you can get in a price bracket which are the GR02 (and its bass edition), GR99, GR04 and then these the GR06. So they are pretty busy company by the looks of things, so lets go.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]I would also like to thanks Nuckin Futz for allowing me to loan these.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Set-up[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Have been doing most listening of these with my Cowon J3 and FLAC and MP3 but also my iPhone 4 so that I really got to know these earphones. As for tips I chose to use some medium Phonak tips that I found to offer both the best comfort and sound from these earphones compared to Sony Hybrid tips.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Build Quality/Design[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The GR06 incorporates an odd colour scheme as well as an odd shape for a housing of an earphone. I say this in not a bad way and I quite like the unique design. They have a brown cable and housing and they also have a square housing. I think this is all pretty cool and appreciate them aesthetically for their colour. I though I would also mention about the nozzle on these. It articulates on roughly a 45 degrees rotation so that you can get the most effective fit on these.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The jack and y-split of these seem to be used in a little of earphones coming out of Chine and Asia recently and they and they seem to be almost identical to what you get with HiSoundAudio earphones. This is a good thing as I think they are very solidly built.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So starting of these have a right-angled jack which has a gold plated plug and a solid black housing with the VSonic logo on it. The strain relied on them is a bit on the short side but still nothing to worry about. The cable on the GR06s is considered by some to be ‘the best’ and I can see why. Personally the only better cable I have encountered is the Phonak PFE cable. So why is it so good? It is a mixture to its thickness which is only around average (maybe slightly thicker), the suppleness and flexibility which is possible the best and finally its resistance to tangling which will give you no problems, forget the weak Beats by Dre flat cable. The y-split is the same solid plastic as in the jack housing and does also have a slightly longer strain relief but it is nit flexible at all. One thing these do sadly lack, yes there is one thing, is a cable cinch but I have seen some very nice DIY work by some people making one fairly simply.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The housings do not have a conventional strain relief and the cables just go straight into the housing. The housings are all a lightweight plastic. [/size]
[size=13.0pt]I am very happy with the build of these.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Accessories[/size]
[size=13.0pt]As these are on loan I do not have the accessory kit but just the case. The case is a spring clasp cloth pouch which is portable and everything but not so protective.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]As I have not had anything else I will give you a list:[/size]
[size=13.0pt]1 Set Foam Ear Tips, 1 Set of Bi Flanges, 3 Sets of Hybrids with Foam, 3 Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L), 5 Sets of Hybrids, Silicone Ear Hook, Storage Case, Warranty Card[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So from the list there is not a lot more other than quite literally (maybe not) a million tips. I can only say this is a good thing and will result in a great fit there. Also from experience with cable guides in the past they are quite handy, as to how good the ones with these are I can unfortunately not say.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Comfort/Fit[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Well when I first saw pictures of these I did not think the looked comfortable due to the square housing. DO NOT LET THIS PUT YOU OFF. With the articulating nozzle this are extremely ergonomic and therefore comfy.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Together with the Phonak tips, ergonomic rotating nozzle and the light plastic housing, these fit extremely pleasantly.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Isolation[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The isolation with Phonak tips is never anything special and there is no change here with you being able to here snippets of the outside world. However if you chose to switch to the stock triple flange tips I am sure that you would get much higher levels of ambient noise reduction.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Microphonics (Cable Noise)[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The cable as I have already mentioned is great. It is also great in this category and you will suffer no annoyance from burn in. This is mainly because they fit over the ear but the cable also contributes to it.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]These have been used and burned in by the owner of these. [/size]
[size=13.0pt]Soundstage and instrument separation[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The soundstage of these is perhaps just more than averagely wide but have no depth to them what so ever. These are actually fairly fast for dynamic and separate instruments fairly well with almost slightly airy sense.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Bass[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The bass probably the most surprising part when I started listening to these. I was expecting small quantity yet tight bass. Not what I got at all. These are not bass heavy earphones but they have very warm bass, which gives of the impression that there is more than there is. At the end of the day the mid-bass quantity will surely satisfy pretty much anyone. The thing is though it is slow and loose, and instead of hitting hard and fast it sort of just slowly washes over you. It is still not bloated and only slightly boomy[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The extension into sub-bass regions is excellent and you are not left with out rumble. Not head pounding like I got with my Thinksound ms01 but a quantity that you can appreciate and it compliments the mid-bass really quite nice.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Midrange[/size]
[size=13.0pt]One word could probably describe as much as a thousand and you have to hear the earphones to really appreciate the mids of the GR06. So these are mid-centric earphones due to the mid being forward. They are beautifully airy and sweet and have a touch of warmth from the bass. They have just other a natural decay which is quite pleasant and are also revealing enough to show of nice details. Instruments are nice but the vocals are even better and they steal the show. The mids are so good I have been tempted to buy a pair being a mid head and these have some truly FANTASTIC mids. [/size]
[size=13.0pt]Treble[/size]
[size=13.0pt]The treble I am going to be harsh on as I think that is maybe ‘worst’ bit of the GR06 sound. The first thing that you notice is that it is sibilant and although that is no be or end all of nay earphones it is of course not ideal. Looking passed that I have found that it rolls of quickly and leaves no extended sparkle. It is also fairly recessed, for example when you are going to listen to a nice guitar solo instead of it sitting way in front of what else is going on, with these the guitar seems to just blend in. Other than that it is quite smooth.[/size]
[size=13.0pt]Overall[/size]
[size=13.0pt]So pretty positive review being a review done at price no object hey! So lets bring this all down to their price of £40 and all I can say is go buy one, NOW! You will not be disappointed and even if you do not like the sound of the signature I think VSonic deserve you to give it a try, as I am sure you will love it! I can now only wonder how good the GR07 are as these compete handily with a lot of my earphones ranging up to £120. For £40 you cannot go wrong with this package of sound, accessories and build quality. Easiest recommendation I have ever made.[/size]