Venture Electronics - Bonus IE (VE BIE)

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Mr. Wild and Venture Electronics for providing a review unit of the Bonus IE. Rest assured that my impressions written in this review are my own personal thoughts and opinions and in no way influenced by outside parties.

I am not an expert in this hobby nor claim to be an audiophile. I just love listening to music and am fond of writing articles.



Introduction:

VE also make IEMs, for those that weren’t aware. A rather old IEM, the VE Bonus IE is currently selling for ~20 USD, and available in a variety of terminations (3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm). It was birthed around the time of the rise of “Chi-Fi” around the world. Is it still relevant nowadays, or has the BIE now become a relic of the beautiful past?


Oppo Reno 4/Asus X409 > Earstudio HUD100 MK2 (bypass, low power) > Transducer



The VE Bonus IE is easy to drive and doesn’t require further amplification. A phone will do.


Build and Comfort: The BIE is an IEM with a bullet form-factor. Shell is metal with a nozzle that is average in width but below average in length. I didn’t encounter any issues with third-party tips. As far as I’m aware, there is only one colorway. It’s sort of a light gold finish that really looks good. No wearing discomfort experienced other than annoying driver flex for both sides (foams help).

There’s not a lot to talk about with the cable. It’s generic and slightly better than a Vido. There’s also a working plastic chin slider. I got the 4.4mm variant and the jack is pretty solid and attractive. No easy-to-notice L/R indication other than the one found in the generous strain relief.

Average isolation.





Package: 4 pairs of silicone eartips (S/M/L/XL). IEM.





Now, onto sound:

For this review, the IEM was left in stock mode, without mods other than using double-flange tips with a listening volume of low-medium to medium. Tip roll per user preference.





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Bass: rich-sounding with excellent sub-bass extension for the price. Said bass quantity becomes overbearing with some songs (like you always have bass-boost) and slightly bleeds into the other frequencies. But, I have to admit, it is fun, punchy and provides a very engaging listen. Attack and decay are of the moderate speed and is natural. Texture and control are average for the price and will register bass detail. They do however show that they are 20 USD IEMs when they are challenged with more speedy bass hits.

Midrange: that full-bodied, warm midrange, though a bit recessed due to the tuning. Male vocals have that deep characteristic which deliver weighty lines. You do notice that it’s definitely warmer than natural when A/B-ing with a more neutral transducer. Female vocals aren’t as good, especially with singers sitting in the upper midrange frequencies as they are influenced too much by the bass response. Regarding vocal presence, I don’t hear any bias between the two. However, it doesn’t mean that it avoids the Achilles’ heel of this type of tuning, especially in "budget" sets – there is a lack of texture, clarity and detail with the midrange.

Treble: typical warmish-V with a roll-off starting just past lower treble then peaks at treble proper that you won’t notice but will cause fatigue after a few hours of straight listening. Other than that, it is a generally relaxed-sounding treble region with barely enough energy to contrast the elevated bass.

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Timbre: really, really good. Single-DD IEMs just do well with timbral accuracy (with an exception or two from the ones I’ve tried).

Soundstage, Imaging, and Separation: Staging is in your head with a tendency to sound congested. Depth, due to the bass extension is excellent but cannot be put to good use with most songs due to the limited length and width. Imaging is decent for the price and gives the listener spatial cues. The driver can handle songs to a degree but struggles when multiple instruments are playing at the same time, losing definition.

Detail-retrieval: For 20-ish USD with this tuning, I say it’s acceptable. Macrodetail is registered but only perceivable when you focus to it while microdetail is just non-existent.

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Conclusion:

It was a very enjoyable listen for me. The sound signature will definitely please the casual listener. However, I just don’t see it leading the pack with the current IEMs in the supersaturated price bracket it resides in, both in features and sound quality. For 20-ish bucks, shell build is above average, with a generic V-shape leaning towards the warm side of things. However, it’s an “old” IEM, released IIRC in 2019, when non-detachable cables were still acceptable. This 2021? I can’t say it’s still the same unless it offers exceptional SQ.

VE Bonus IE ($20): Pt. 1: A Dynamic Duo from the Clan.

From the website: The Bonus IE is our second-generation IEM that we created to make a statement in the highly competitive budget sector. With the BIE, we set out to provide an IEM that offers great price-to-performance as much as the Monk Plus. It’s our personal take on how a proper IEM should sound like and how you need not pay a ridiculous amount to join the Hi-Fi world. In addition, we wanted to create an EDC IEM that is durable and reliable.

BIE

BIE Pro

Intro: In perusing Facebook on the VEClan site, I came across some disparaging remarks about Lee and the company’s offerings. Since I was a fan from the beginning of the Monk (still the best $5 spent audio-wise short of well...nothing) I quickly stated I was going to purchase one and review it. I will admit that I have been away from the offerings of VE while other items have called my attention.

Through long PM conversations, I already knew Lee was a man of serious conviction and could come across a bit gruff to some. No matter, because he was defending his work and how he approached it all. The bottom line is that it is Venture Electronics belief that all should be able to afford and listen to fine portable audio wares. No one should be separated from this pleasure. I agreed so much that over the years, I have purchased many Monk’s and distributed them to students in my homeroom class as well as fellow teachers and TA’s. The Monk sounds like a $5 top product should, provide good sound and lead into something else while keeping the listener engaged. I know many fellow audio enthusiasts who still use theirs and purchase a ready supply as needed.

Through conversations regarding the BIE Pro, Lee let on that other items would be included (all unexpected to me!). In fact, he sent the Bonus IE, the Odyssey HD, a couple of adapters (4.4 to 2.5 and 2.5 to 4.4, all balanced). It was a nice surprise and will discuss the Bonus IE first. No matter, I like both and both are worth of their own verbiage. The BIE Pro can compete with many of the other affordable Chinese offerings and should be considered in that price. The same goes for the Bonus IE.

I purchased this item with no discount other than the items mentioned above as add-ins. This has no bearing whatsoever on my review, and what I present will be an honest interpretation of each model separately. I thank Lee for the prompt service and additional material. We have talked often upon their arrival adding in necessary information as needed.

*All testing for both was done using Comply foam tips, to give a better seal, affording me to tailor the sound. The included tips are just fine, but I prefer Comply’s.

Cheers.


Specs:

Bonus IE:

Impedance: 32 Ohms
Headphone sensitivity:115db
Frequency range: 17-22000Hz
Size (diameter of shell):12mm
Driver: 10mm Dynamic Driver (N52+)
Shell: Aluminum Alloy - matte finish
Interface: 3.5mm
Cable Length: 1.2m
Cable: 99.99% OFC 4x32x0.06mm
Headphone plug type: straight PLUG
Whether with Mic and remote: Optional


BIE Pro:

Much of the same with an SLQ cable and MMCX connectivity

In The Box:

IEM-Cable attached
Case
4 sets (s, m, l, xl) silicon tips


Gear Used/Compared:

CCA CSE ($15)
Apesonic Rain ($44)
NiceHCK X49 ($11)
CCA CA2 ($12)
Kinera BD005 Pro ($49)
BIE or BIE Pro depending ($20 & $69)

MBP
HiBy R3 Pro Sabre
XDuoo XA-10
EarMen Eagle
iFi Zen CAN/DAC


Songs:

Alex Fox
Pink Floyd
Buena Vista Social Club
Elton John
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Shane Hennessy
Jeff Beck
Dave Matthews


Unboxing:

The units came in their own square soft case, protected well. Additional tips are included.



Technicals:

The Bonus IE is the second iteration of an IEM from VE and uses the N52+ Magnetic bio-composite diaphragm 10.3mm dynamic driver. While many manufacturers are utilizing smaller DD’s such as 6mm to 9mm, the VE unit continues with what used to be the standard. Even with the bullet shaped housing, you can still fit a larger driver, hence the size of this one. For the price, the cable is attached, and there are some microphonics associated with the unit. For the price, the driver works and is sized to provide a solid foundation.


Fit/Finish/Build:

The pictures on the VWE website do justice to the Bonus IE (BIE from now on). Sleek of shape and with a good fit, the BIE sends all the right vibes. Formed from two halves the matte silver finished metallic shell fits together well and looks the part. A nice grate over the nozzle also prevents ear junk from falling in. A vent hole directly on the back allows the DD to breathe. Carefully placing my fingers over the holes and without adding pressure, thus inserting the unit further into my ear canal, I could sense a difference. Less bass was present when the vent hole was covered.

The cable is a plain two strand plastic sheathed OFC wire. A Y-splitter with a plastic cinch strap takes care of the top, while a straight 3.5se jack the bottom. I get a sense of a good 3.5mm interconnect cable, and that is all right in my book. No harm, no foul. Fit of the BIE is good as well, allowing deep insertion, even with the bullet shape. It does stick out a bit, but I never had a problem with the unit shifting positions with either silicon or Comply’s. Is this what you would expect from a $20 bullet-shaped IEM? Yes, and that is enough.




Sound:

Synopsis:

From the first iteration of the Monk, I became a fan of the VE sound. Robust, rich and full of bass; the Monk sounded better than it had a right to. Many do not like it, but that is all right. It cost $5 and is an easy toss-in for the gym bag, commuter bag, travel bag for when you forget your others. Or an excellent loaner to those who do not understand us. Once they listen, they ask questions. And that is when you know we have them hooked. I used to give a Monk to every student in my homeroom class at the end of the year. It was worth it. So from that humble, but boisterous beginning; Wild Lee was born and set the portable audio world on fire. Knowing full well that you must innovate or die, Lee and his engineer kept up with the hits, specifically the Zen. Many balked at the cost, until they heard them. Well, on the heels of that success came the BIE and BIE Pro amongst others. I will admit that I lost track as reviews took precedence and it was by chance, I came across a “disagreement” about the sound. For the price many espoused, you get exactly what you pay for. A solid foundation, which oozes bass character, but not without forgetting the treble note and mids. Not the most coherent, but not meant to be, the BIE follows in direct ascendance from its grandfather. Providing more of a sound than it has a right to, the bass comes across as sumptuous and full bodied. Guitar work is distinct, if not the cleanest and vocals are melancholic to vibrant depending upon the star who is singing. The BIE was meant for Billie Eilish and Dave Matthews but plays equally as well with Alex Fox and Big Head Todd & The Monsters.

In-depth:

In talking to a colleague, we both agree that the BIE sounds just like a VE should...better than it has a right to, in all honesty. And that is such a positive that it seems to get lost in the $5 Monk stigma from yore, which is a shame. Lee has produced what is to me fabulous bass, complete with a deep reach and what I will call a “blossom” into the mids. I would not call it bloom or bleed, for it seems to aid in the signature leading into the mids. To me a somewhat classic V-shape lends itself to hard rock where you want that deep hard-hitting bass that sounds superb, especially where you need to separate and isolate yourself from the surroundings. Deep, rich and full of vibrancy, Pink Floyd’s Great Gig In The Sky is to die for...I think the whole planet is in love with that solo. I know I am. Follow that with Comfortably Numb, and you are indeed in $20 heaven.

While the bass does cross over into the mids, they hold their own, especially when it comes to vocals. Roger Waters sounds just like he should, raspy, vibrant and almost piercing with that lower guttural sound. The purity of his voice, while also being guttural is presented in good form from the BIE. Falling a bit behind the rest of the signature, I do wish for a more even sense from all of this. But that V-shape does lend itself well to this signature, without worrying too much about the mids, which could be described as polite and not wanting to intrude.

Thankfully treble does not reach too high to counter the lows of the bass. Tamed or held back a bit, I find it pleasing with good cymbal response, if a bit withdrawn. Mind you this suits me with my treble intolerances. Plus, I would not consider this too little up top for those who also value a good note with air and clarity from that upper region. Call it the sum of the parts working better together than the individual parts. If you dissect too much you may be disappointed, so don’t; just enjoy the overall texture and signature.



Soundstage is of average to good width, and adequate height. A bit shallow to me (genre dependent), this characteristic lends itself to a frontal presence, which is pleasing, and you do not miss that depth with songs, which promote depth. Think of being front row in a bar concert. You don’t care what is behind you, for you only care of what is right in front of you. And that is enough to me. Separation suffers a bit, but not enough to bother me. Running a single dynamic driver has its limits at this price, and it is thoroughly acceptable. Alex Fox’s disco version of Guitar On Fire is a perfect case. One does not go to a dance club for the clarity and superb sound. One goes to dance and move. And here when thought of that way, the BIE is true and honest. A perfect example of what a rocking $20 sound should be. Do others of the two and three letter variety best the BIE in clarity? Yes, but you do not miss it for the involvement of them can be quite lacking. Not here. You are dropped into a full-on concert no matter the genre, and as a result layering is sufficient enough to allow you to float between levels. Instruments meld together again making the whole greater than the sum. And for this I am all in for that summary of sound.


Comparisons:

VE Bonus IE ($20) v CCA CSE ($15):

Contacted by a vendor, I agreed to take on the CCA CSE for it is affordable and comes with a single DD and single BA. I for one am happy to see companies such as CCA going simple and working on simple designs instead of the multi-driver conglomerates. I find the CSE thoroughly pleasing with excellent bass reach and very good note up top. Competing very well with the BIE, with better air between the notes, the CSE should be considered in this price range. But I found one part to be a bit of a concern to me: there is a tinny sound to the upper mids, which to me should be tuned out. If not for that I would rate the CSE on par with the BIE; but since that particular sound is quite intrusive to me, the BIE gets my vote here.


VE Bonus IE ($20) v Apesonic Rain ($44):

Similar of bass reach and warmth, the Rain (& purple cable) aim for that V-shaped signature but with a richness that not many have in this range. With better air as well, the Rain is more midcentric. Call it a V-shaped-midcentric sound. Those mids to me come across as vibrant, but a bit pinched and forward. Countering good bass, the mids try and overshadow the treble and bass, almost ruining what could be a very good tuned unit. If you prefer a midcentric vocal forward signature, the Rain is good for that. Coherency is a bit better as well, but for sheer fun factor, the BIE trumps the Rain.


VE Bonus IE ($20) v NiceHCK X49 ($11):

When offered the X49, I looked at the price and had some consternation. But knowing the respect Mr. Nicehck’s had across the board, I waited. And after reviewing the mini-bullet shaped IEM, I understood what the respect was for. Providing a thoroughly pleasant signature at a very affordable price follows what Lee has done at VE. I will never fault that of anyone. I called the X49 one of my favorite budget IEM’s of all-time. For $11 you cannot go wrong, much like with the $5 Monk. With regard to the BIE, it is like VE took the X49 and said, OK this is what we can do to complement that at $20. The X49 has very good coherency for the price, but due to its diminutive size cannot match the BIE for sheer bass. It isn’t meant to nor should it be thought of that way. It is an excellent economical IEM, which should be kept close at hand for those quick listening times or for when you forget your normal commuters. That said, the BIE will now also accompany my go-bag everywhere as well. Both should be included in your go-bags and listened to often.


VE Bonus IE ($20) v CCA CA2 ($12):

Coming from another vendor, the CA2 is a single DD meant for one thing...bass. Promoted as a

“heavy-bass earphone,” the CA2 certainly rings true to that. I find its level of bass quite intoxicating, especially for the price. Not the most coherent, but not meant to be; the CA2 is a pretty amazing IEM for $12. Not quite on par overall as the X49 or BIE, but if you desire bass first and can stand a bit of mid-pinched compression, the CA2 is quite good. That said, it suffers that same tinny tonality of the CSE, which limits my like of it. Plus, I really, REALLY wish the “letter conglomerate” would find a better cable. This cable is used across multiple platforms & multiple IEM’s, and it still tangles far too much. Get your stuff together and make a cable, which does not tangle such as this...oh and include a case!!!


VE Bonus IE ($20) v Kinera BD005 Pro ($49):

I have heard many Kinera models, and it seems they are constantly searching for their niche in the market. Subject to some issues, they produce(d) many value-oriented IEM’s as well as some more expensive models. I liked many of them when taken in isolation. But, when it comes to the BD005 Pro, it seems Kinera has hit that niche. Providing an almost antithetical Far East sound, which is warm, rich and with as pleasant amount of bass one could be forgiven when thinking this could be from a US manufacturer, or Euro sound. Such is the richness of texture presented in the BD005P. I find it thoroughly satisfying when Alex Fox comes along with his superb guitar solos. That warmth makes me think of a Spanish beach and all is well. The BIE has better bass reach, but a bit less control. Mids are a bit better controlled in the Kinera, and there is a pinch of over-sparkle in the BD as well. Not grating, but close. If you prefer a richness of sound, with a bit less bass and a warmth of sound, which gives you the warm & fuzzies, the Kinera would work. The BIE is for that more immersive time and bass when you go full in.


VE Bonus IE ($20) v BIE or BIE Pro depending ($20 & $69):

On second thought, kept separate because I want to keep each distinct...


Finale:

This was a wonderful surprise. When Lee mentioned to me, he was sending some other items (all in another review, except the BIE Pro), I had no idea to booty he would include. He’s serious about improving the brand and the items within. If you have checked out his videos (a very nice addition to what he does) he has laid out much. I for one am eagerly anticipating the future for VE because of this and because of the Bonus IE (properly named here, because it deserves to be named that way). The Bonus IE has monstrous bass. So much so, that even my EE Legend X and Hero have applauded in respect. That says a lot, and I am willing to bet late at night the trio gets together so the more expensive bass units extraordinaire can pass along tidbits to the younger, more affordable unit.

We look to our listening devices to gain pleasure. We look to our listening devices to get away. We look to our listening devices for encouragement and compassion. We look to our listening devices to keep our sanity, or to while the hours away on a long ride or commute. We do this because it provides us solace and peace going into a tough day. Other times we use it to unwind or wind up as the case may be. We do all of the above because we can. And the ultimate expression of the above is that it makes us happy and content. And if our listening can make us content, then that is enough. And the Bonus IE makes me happy. Very, very happy. It is a superb example of what an IEM can sound like for $20usd. To say it has vaulted to the top of my list at the sub-$50 IEM range is a very mild understatement. If you like massive bass, than can be a bit overwhelming to those who are not of the bass heavy persuasion, then you owe it to yourself, your significant other and your dog (dogs are cool, and dogs are the best) to run to your keyboard and purchase the Bonus IE. You may only listen to it occasionally, but it will indeed put a smile on your face and make you happy it did.

I thank Lee for including the Bonus IE in my purchase of the BIE Pro (review forthcoming). He asked me to start here with this review, and after listening to both he need not have worried. The Bonus IE can and does stand on its own.

Greetings!

Today we're checking out Venture Electronics' (VE) latest budget earphone release, the Bonus IE (BIE).

While probably best known for their extensive earbud lineup which includes the legendary Monk, in-ears are something VE hasn't dabbled nearly as much in, though I can think of at least four different models; The Duke, Monk IE Biggie and Smalls, and the Grand Duke which is their current flagship iem. Being a new budget model makes the BIE all the more exciting for me since the same principles that were applied to the legendary Monk earbuds apply here; quality sound at an attainable price.

Did Wild Lee and Venture Electronics succeed? I think they did. Let's take a closer look, shall we?


What I Hear

Tips: The stock tips included with the BIE are wholly generic but work well with the BIE. The small bore emphasizes it's specialty; massive bass. Due to the nozzle design, most of my preferred tips wouldn't stay on, but there were two in particular that matched up nicely; Spintfit CP145 and ADV Eartune Fidelity U. They sound basically the same, slightly lowering bass quantity over the stock tips. The ADV tips fit basically the same as the stock tips, while the Spintfits provide a deeper fit in case you have issues with the short nozzle.

EQ: I found the BIE to be very receptive to EQing. Using the Sound Shaper Two mk II, a vintage 12 band equalizer, I found the following adjustments to make the BIE a more balanced, yet no less fun sounding earphone with great timbre and clarity; -6dB@30Hz, -4dB@50Hz, -2dB@90Hz, -2dB@3kHz, -3dB@5kHz. These settings balanced out the low end, reduced the mild mid-bass bleed, and then reduced some of the resulting presence region focus that cropped up as a result of the reduction to the low end.

If bass is your jam, you're going to have a ball with the BIE. Bass is greatly emphasized with excellent depth. There is no lack of visceral feedback or noticeable roll off to mar the experience. Mid-bass is big and punchy, adding plenty of warmth to the overall experience. Texturing is good but not outstanding. The crunchy, Prodigy-esque bass of The Prototypes ft. B3NDU's “Enter The Warrior” is produced admirably, but I can't help but want just a bit more grunge. It works very well with the smooth bass of pop and synth tracks though. Speed is pretty decent, especially considering how much the BIE slams, but there is some bleed into the lower mids that hurts resolution somewhat.

Heading into the mids, they remain impressively forward and coherent amidst the low end bombardment. With a pleasing warmth to them, timbre accuracy is excellent with none of the artificial dryness or metallic qualities much of the similarly priced hybrid competition often suffers from. Complimenting the warmth is a fairly dense and weighty presentation that sounds fantastic with female vocals. Celine Dion in her Deadpool 2 smash hit, “Ashes”, comes across just as emotional and powerful as I'd expect from such a powerhouse of a vocalist. Detail and clarity are generally good with the smoothness of the signature somewhat hiding micro details that more analytically tuned products reproduce with more authority, such as the subtle waves that headline “Orchestral Intro” from Gorillaz's 'Plastic Beach'. Through the BIE, the waves unfortunately just sound like static, until the volume picks up and it starts to resolve the ebb and flow more effectively. Other than that, I've found little to nitpick.

Treble performance is generally quite positive, minus the micro-detail issue that persists here too. The presentation has a slight brilliance region bias giving higher frequency instruments enough sparkle and air without being hissy or exhausting, while the fairly reserved presence region ensures the BIE dodges harshness. In terms of speed the BIE does a good job with notes attacking and decaying realistically, if not a tad slow. It fits in with the bass-heavy sound and isn't a detriment since it ensures the BIE's presentation retains consistent top to bottom.

The BIE's sound stage is plenty satisfying. The ample low end provides a wide, deep base upon which everything else resides. I found the presentation fairly even with width having a mild advantage over depth. Default positioning for vocals is just at the edge of the ear which helps provide a decent sense of space from the outset. Channel-to-channel movement is smooth and reasonably accurate, though not quite as precise as some others in this price range. Perfectly serviceable for gaming, but better suited for mediums that do not require intense precision, like movies. Instrument separation and track layering are average, in line with other products in the price and in my opinion, considerably better than I'd expect them to be given the quantity of bass on tap.

Overall a really enjoyable earphone. Despite the hefty low end the midrange is oddly clear and coherent and the treble is tuned to just the right quantity. I appreciate that this driver is very receptive to EQ so I can dial down the bass which lets the rest of the BIE's competencies shine through. I only wish micro-detailing were better, but at this price something has to give which is fine given how nice it sounds as a whole.

Compared To A Peer (volumes matched with Dayton iMM-6)

KZ ZST X (~17.00 USD): While the BIE has plenty of entertaining bass, I actually prefer the quality of what the ZST X outputs. The dual magnet system used results in something tighter and more precise with better speed, improved texture, and less bleed into the lower mids. Heading into the mids the ZST X is cooler, leaner, and less natural sounding, though they are more clear and provide additional detail. Sibilance is more noticeable though, and notes have a hard edge to them. Similar thoughts carry over into the treble region. While both have a brilliance region bias with more or less the same reserved 7k peak, the BIE sounds more meaty and natural, save for the lack of micro detail which the ZST X resolves much more effectively. The ZST X comes across as the more artificial of the two thanks to the metallic edge of the armatures. When it comes to sound stage and technical qualities, the two trade blows. The ZST X has a smaller stage (not as wide or deep) with a more intimate default positioning for vocals. It's imaging is also quite a bit more precise with improved instrument separation, though the BIE does a better job of layering individual track elements.

Overall I have a hard time picking one over the other. The BIE is more natural and realistic sounding but the ZST X's hybrid setup gives it a big advantage in terms of detail and texture. I suppose the BIE is the one I'd choose for music and podcasts, and the ZST X for gaming and film.

ADV 1M (19.99 USD): The 1M has a more reserved low end with a more linear transition from lower to upper bass. While it lacks the visceral slam and punch of the BIE, it is also completely free of mid-bass bleed which the BIE has, though in low quantities. Texture, control, and speed are all in the 1M's camp, probably helped considerably by the less emphasized bass. The BIE has a thicker, more weighty, consistent midrange which helps keep vocals clear and prominent, even across very bassy tracks. The 1M sounds quite lean in comparison with vocals having a wispy nature to them. Detail and clarity are quite similar though. Timbre is definitely more natural on the BIE with the 1M coming across a touch breathy and metallic, especially on higher-frequency instruments. Treble on the BIE is better tuned too thanks to a much more natural transition from upper mids to presence and brilliance regions. The 1M has a pretty insane peak starting at 1k, rising 18dB to 6k. As a result, it offers great detail and resolution, but at the expense of listening fatigue thanks to excess hiss and sizzle. On the wrong tracks, this over boosting leaves it sounding quite harsh, especially compared to the BIE. While the BIE is less detailed, the difference isn't nearly as drastic as you would expect. It also has a cleaner, tighter note presentation without the 1M's splash. Sound stage is an interesting one because they're both great. The BIE's massive bass gives it's staging a better defined width and depth compared to the 1M which is more vague. On the other hand, the 1M's leaner note presentation and improved airiness gives it a more generally spacious feel, helped out by improved imaging and similarly positive layering/separation qualities.

Overall, while I prefer the form factor and size of the 1M, the BIE is a much better sounding earphone out of the box. Using equalization to address aspects I had issues with, I could make them quite comparable, but in general I find the BIE to be the superior product.


In The Ear Admittedly I'm not a huge fan of the BIE's design. The look reminds me of the basic, hyper budget plastic iems that would show up on AliExpress back when I first jumped into the hobby. Thankfully that's where the similarities end. Material quality is excellent with dense metal running the show. They're weighty without being cumbersome and feel like a quality product in the hand. Tight seams that line up well support this impression. To the rear of each housing is a vent surrounded by a circular design feature that gives your finger a bit of extra purchase when pushing the iem into your ear. The machining is clean and smooth with well-defined ridges. BIE branding can be found laser etched into the side of each housing in VE's distinct 8-bit font. The nozzles have neatly inserted metal grills and feature an obvious lip, helpful for holding tips in place. While that's never a bad thing, the nozzle is quite short leaving little space for the ridge of a tip to hook onto the nozzle lip. As a result, I found most third party tips failed to stay securely in place and could be easily knocked off. Not a huge deal since the stock tips are a decent match for the BIE.

The cable of the BIE is not a flashy braided cable as seems to be the norm nowadays. It's more old school than that being a reliable, bi-strand, black rubber sheathed unit. I loved it on the Monk v2 and +, and I love it here. It doesn’t transmit a ton of noise, tangling isn't a huge deal, and it’s shown itself to be quite durable. The hardware is nice too with a compact, rubber straight jack with decent strain relief. The rubber y-split is tiny so no relief is needed. Surprisingly, above it rests a chin cinch. This is a feature that is sorely lacking on budget earphones so big props to VE for adding it. Surrounding the cable leading into each earpiece is a long, flexible strain relief with left and right marking so you know which channel is which.

Comfort with the BIE is pretty decent. The traditional barrel shape of the housings works just as well cable up as it does cable down, giving those who prefer one or the other the option. There are no sharp edges or odd protrusions to cause discomfort either. It's a pretty straightforward fit, with potential hindrance coming only from the aforementioned nozzle length and difficulty finding third party tips that will stay on, pending the stock tips don't work for you.

In The Box The BIE did not arrive in any sort of formal packaging, instead showing up in a clam shell case with the earphones and tips inside. In all you receive;

• BIE earphones
• Clam shell carrying case
• Single flange tips (xs/s/m/l)

The case has a bold triangular rubber logo threaded to the jean-like material that covers the rest of the case. It is visually appealing and feels durable. Inside there is plenty of space for the earphones, spare tips, and a small DAP like the Shanling M0 and/or a dongle like VE's own Odyssey HD. It will be a bit thick for those with tight pockets, though I have no issues carrying it around in mine. The ear tips are the familiar plain Jane type you've seen with a million other products. They're reasonably comfortable and seal reliably enough, which is all you can ask for in this price range. Overall a functional accessory kit.


Final Thoughts Given the somewhat mixed response to the Monk IE Biggie and Smalls and the extremely competitive price point the BIE resides within, I have to admit it was the product Wild Lee sent that I was least interested in. The measurements I saw when it was originally released didn't help since I typically prefer products that have considerably less bass. However, any doubts I had were immediately smashed during my first listen. Heck, I even reached out to Lynn with Ngoshawk right away to express my excitement and confirm what I was hearing. I NEVER do this. Even though that initial excitement waned over the last couple months, I still think the Bonus IE is the real deal.

The BIE is one of few products that I feel are a legitimate contender in this price range. Unlike something like the Blon BL-03 which [according to the community] needs the cable and tips replaced out of the box and even then probably still fits poorly, the BIE ticks every important box, out-of-the-box; build, comfort, sound quality, and price. Sure, a removable cable would be nice at this price, but you need to step up to the BIE Pro for that. Improved micro-detailing would also be a plus, but you can bring some of that back if you're adept with an equalizer.

If you want a bassy, natural sounding in-ear that gets the essentials right, check out the BIE. I'd be surprised if you're anything less than satisfied.

Thanks for reading!

- B9

Disclaimer A big thanks goes out to Wild Lee for reaching out to see if I'd be interested in covering some Venture Electronics' products, and for sending over the Bonus IE for review. The thoughts within this review are my subjective opinions and do not represent Lee, Venture Electronics, or any other entity. At the time of writing, pricing for the Bonus IE started at 20 USD for the standard version. You can check it out here: https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=35 / www.aliexpress.com/item/33009006408.html

Specifications

• Frequency Response: 17Hz – 22kHz
• Sensitivity: 115dB
• Impedance: 32ohms
• Drivers: 10mm dynamic

Gear Used For Testing Huawei P40, VE Odyssey HD, Earstudio HUD100, Earmen TR-Amp, Asus FX53V, TEAC HA-501, ADC Sound Shaper Two mk II

Some Test Tunes

Supertramp – Crime of the Century
Slipknot – Vol 3 (The Subliminal Verses)
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
King Crimson – Lark's Tongues in Aspic
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy
Steely Dan – The Royal Scam
Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dreams

I spent some days with the BIE. It's my second set for commuting, the first being the Final E1000, which I own since several months now. I use my smartphone with both IEMs, a Xiaomi Redmi Rote 7. A pretty good sounding device based on several smartphones comparisons, I like it as it is, even compared to my DAPs.

What follows is a picture free and ultra short review and comparison with the Final E1000, my other budget IEM. I would have liked to go deeper in the review process, but unfortunately time is luxury for a family man... Ok, don't cry or hate guys, we all are trying/doing our best, don't we?

PRICE - 5/5
At USD 33.- shipped to my country, a very strong offering from VE in terms of absolute value.

BUILD - 5/5
This IEM is solidly built. No issue with the cable. No microphonics. The housing of the IEM surely will pass the test of time. Nothing to complain about at this price point. On the contrary, a lot to praise. Well done!

FIT - 4.5/5
Fit is very good. The housing is pretty big, but the BIE stays in my ears, even if I shake my head. Still, I prefer the fit of smaller IEMs, like the Final E1000, for which a deeper insertion is made possible.

ACCESSORIES - 5/5
Getting a small case and 4 pair of tips is all we can ask for the price, I guess.

SOUND - 4/5 (performance/price ratio applied)
The BIE has a quite pronounced V-shaped sound signature. Big bass, sometimes slightly boomy, recessed mids and elevated treble, which can be too much depending on the recording. No sibilance or harshness, just too much treble for my taste sometimes. It also lacks mids presence in tracks where vocals are meant to convey the emotion in the music. With Hip-Hop and Electronic, the BIE shines. You will love the deep bass from your favorite EDM, house or techno tracks. A bit more tightness would have been welcomed, but at this price point, no complain. The treble indeed could sound artificial at times. Nothing severe, though. Details retrieval is decent, but don't await wonder in that segment. Soundstage is not very wide, but I am not asking for an out-of-your-head experience with that kind of IEM. Noise isolation seems good, no-one complained so far and I listen at pretty high volumes.

I switched tips. I tried Final E-tips and JVC Spiral Dots. Both altered the sound in an inapporiate way. Final E-tips made the mids even more recessed, slightly muffling the sound and increasing bass quantity. The JVC Spiral Dots are less confortable than stock ones and brightens the sound due to their broader aperture. Stock tips is the way to go for me.

OVERALL - 4.5/5
Funny V-shape sound encapsulated in a solidly built housing. The elevated treble might cause fatigue after prolonged listening session, but no problem when you commute 1-1.5 hours a day like I am. I sometimes miss some of the mids from my other IEMs, but I can live with it without any problem. Bass is great, slightly boomy at times, but very good as it is. Nice IEM indeed.

Why not 5 stars?
Actually, it would be a 4.75 out of 5 for me. A tad more mids presence would have been sufficient (for my ears) to get a 5/5.

MATCH: VE BIE VS. FINAL E1000
The Final E1000, similarly priced, is also a solidly built IEM, with similar accessories as the BIE. Fit is slightly better. Soundwise, the Final E1000 has less, but tighter bass. Mids are less recessed, with better presence and more flesh to them. The treble is tamed down a bit. E1000 sounds a bit darker, but more natural nevertheless. The BIE pounds harder and shows more energy in the treble. The E1000 and the BIE complement each other perfectly. No clear winner here, just different tunings. Invest USD 70.- and you get 2 pairs of IEMs with different sound signatures, good non-detachable cables, excellent stock tips and solid housings.

Well done VE, the BIE is a good IEM, aggressively priced and durable due to his solid built.

I recommend it to anyone liking V-shape sound signature.

PS: if anyone from VE read this, you guys have potential. Just talking about my personal taste, a V-Shape sound is modern and pleasant most of the time. There are "older" folks down there, who maybe would be ready to invest/pay a bit more for a neutral sound signature or even a mid-centric one. In any case, well done guys.

So much more than just a bass cannon!​

Design & Build Quality

Bullet. Fixed cable. Short nozzle. Aluminum… That’s about as short as I can make it.

BIE is a bullet-style IEM that features a single 10mm dynamic driver which uses N52 neodymium magnets. The shells are made of high-quality aluminum that is of a pale gold color. It’s easy to mistake the color for silver, especially in online photos, but in reality it’s a very beautiful and subtle pale gold finish.

The shells consist of two parts, and the seam is visible. At the back of the shell, there is a single vent. The nozzle is considerably shorter than usual, which is something I noticed only later down the line. It has a notch, but I didn’t find it to be as functional as it should be. Most ear-tips I tried easily come off, but the ones that are tighter seem to have no problem staying on.

Even though BIE has a vent, I still experienced driver flex when inserting the IEMs, but also when taking them out. This forced me to be more gentle.

As it’s usually the case with fixed cables, there’s nothing really to compliment here. It's not the most flexible cable and it's microphonic.

Comfort

BIE is perhaps the most ear-tip sensitive IEM I’ve come across. I had to go through just about every ear-tip I own, only to settle down with the size M tips that come with the Samsung EO-IG955BSEGW earphones. With these tips, I am able to get a secure and tight fit, but also a deep insertion.

As already mentioned, the BIE is extremely tip sensitive, so, depending on which tips you use, the sound performance will significantly differ. For example, the stock tips provide MASSIVE bass, extreme levels of bass quantity, and the tips I decided to use (from the EO-IG955BSEGW) tone down the quantity, and instead increase the quality. With this out of the way, be aware that my review is mostly based on BIE’s performance with 3rd party tips.

Sound Performance​

Lows

Before switching out the tips, this is what I wrote:

“Did I mention that these are bass cannons yet? No? In that case, yes, these are bass cannons. If you are a basshead, you will almost certainly love these.

When I say they rumble, I mean it. If you can picture being in a club, that’s exactly how I’d describe BIE’s bass performance — you feel it.”

I take that back, because that’s only the case with the stock tips. These IEMs have so much more to offer! Switching out the tips makes them a completely different IEM.

Quality-wise, BIE doesn’t have the most defined bass, but it packs a serious punch while maintaining surprisingly decent speed qualities. In MOON’s “Hydrogen”, it’s apparent that the bassline is rich in quantity, has very good decay response, and has a softer/slower attack. It’s not overly slow to the point that the bass sound sloppy or loose, but it’s not fast enough to make it sound snappy and punchy. It’s not tight, I am trying to say. In “Smoking Mirrors” by Lee Curtiss, the bassline is more refined. The body is more defined, but at the same time there is more depth. The same qualities I noticed in “Hydrogen” are also present here, the speed is not so fast to the point it’s snappy, but it’s also not so slow to the point it’s sloppy.

Sub-bass, on the other hand, isn’t as emphasized. Well, with the 3rd party tips, that is. With the stock tips, the sub-bass has “too” much quantity. By “too much”, I mean that the quality suffers so much that it’s nothing more than a great volume of sub-bass hitting you. There’s not a lot of definition. However, when I switched out the tips to my preferred 3rd party ones, the quality was significantly better.
In Hans Zimmer’s “Why So Serious?”, the sub-bass drop occurring at the 3:27 minute mark shows these qualities. The sub-bass is pulsating, and is more subtle than present. It’s not overwhelming like it is with the stock tips.

The track that made me go nuts is Arctic Monkey’s “Do I Wanna Know?”. Mind you, when I took these out of the box, I didn’t fiddle with different ear-tips. When I listened to this track with the stock tips, I was like “Yep. These are for bassheads. This is insane.”. With my preferred 3rd party tips, the introduction of this tracks still sound above average, but with the stock tips… it’s a whole different story. The drum kicks have such thump, such density. This is the second IEM ever to have such a special performance in this track. The only other IEM being TRI’s original i3 (not the new i3 Pro).



Mids

Since the BIE is generally a V-shaped IEM, the mids aren’t the star of the show. I will say though, I was surprised to hear how much of a difference the tips make here. At least in my eyes, the difference in performance in the lower frequency range was expected to be significant, but in the mid-range, not so much.

The stock tips have a greater upper mid-range extension, while my preferred 3rd party ones have a greater lower mid-range extension. As you can imagine, which one sounds better is differs from track to track. The two track I quickly went over to notice these differences are “Speak Softly, Love” and “One More Time” by Yao Si Ting. I’d say the mids aren’t perfect on neither the stock pads nor the 3rd party ones.

One thing I will say is that there is significant amount of mid-bass bleed when using the stock tips. It’s audible in several tracks, of which I wouldn’t set apart any particular ones. It’s apparent that the mid-bass bleeds into the mids, and it can be noticed in just about every track where there are elements in both the lower frequency range and in the mid frequency range. If those two elements are playing at the same time, you will very easily hear it… It doesn’t take a trained ear.

When it comes to acoustic stringed instruments, I prefer the tonality and the sound of the 3rd party tips. Piano sounds fuller and weightier on the stock tips, and that’s largely because of the greater lower end extension.



Highs

Once again, depending on which tips you use, the amount of high end extension will differ. As I expected, there is a greater top end extension when using the stock tips (which are more focused/concentrated due to the narrower opening). My preferred Samsung tips give a more relaxed and smooth upper end.

In fact, the lower treble is so smooth with the Samsung tips that I consider it as warm. On the other hand, the upper treble has a great extension. And when I say “great”, I am referring to quality-wise, not quantity-wise. It’s not overly emphasized, it’s not piercing or fatiguing, it’s just a very good V-shaped treble extension. For example, Dire Straits’ “Money For Nothing” is a track where I would expect crisp and pronounced percussion, but on the BIE that’s not the case. However, when it comes to peaks from, e.g. vocals, instruments, they are out there. This is what I mean when I say that the upper treble has a great extension while the lower treble is warm.

Speaking of peaks, “Stop Trying to Be God” by Travis Scott is a reference track of mine for brightness. In particular, it’s Stevie Wonder’s mouth harmonica at the very end of this track that I’m listening to (from 4:43 – 5:38). BIE’s sound performance in this track had audible qualities of near-sparkle levels of treble. When I talk about sparkle qualities, this is how I sort them in terms of quantity:
piercing>sparkle>shine>sheen>warm

Soundstage, Imaging & Separation

How much did you say these cost again? Nope. The price simply doesn’t make sense. The soundstage, imo, is on-par with IEM 15 times its price. The soundstage is roughly 10-15 centimeters outside the IEMs themselves. It may not sound like a lot, but when it comes to IEMs, it is. Although I wouldn’t say BIE has anything outstanding to offer in terms of staging and separation, the soundstage is above average when it comes to its size.

Conclusion​

Believe it or not, I had zero expectation for the BIE. All I knew is that it was perceived to be a bass cannon and that it had Venture Electronics’ house sound.

On one hand, what people were talking about turned out to be true — BIE is a bass cannon. Behaving like a sub-woofer in your ears, it can produce the physical sensation of rumble. On the other hand, when you switch out the stock tips, you get a completely different experience. It’s a two-way street. You are not stuck with the bass-focused sound signature. Not only can you alter its sound signature significantly with tips, but also with your source. I first started listening to the BIE with the DX300 + AMP11Mk1 amp module, and that's the combo that gives the ultimate bass-focused performance. When paired with the DX300 MAX, the sound perforamnce is more refined and tame.

This is why I titled this review “So much more than just a bass cannon”.

With the stock tips, it’s a very fun IEM. Like very, very fun. I would definitely use it for casual listening and when I’m trying to get hit in the face with bass. However, if I want a more refined listening experience, I will throw my Samsung tips on and get just that.

Price-wise… yeah, this is not a $20 sounding IEM. I know people want to hear names and not just “it sounds 15x the price”, but to stay on the safe side, let’s just say that it doesn’t sound anywhere near 20 bucks. I, as someone with limited IEM experience, cannot say it sounds better than something I’ve never heard, but when my friend who owns the MMR Thummim tried the BIE out, he was blown away. That says enough by itself.

I think Lee wanted to give the world a “trial” of the Grand Duke. Like “Here’s a little taste, and if you want the full package, it exists ”
But there’s a catch: BIE on its own is a package that is of such an extreme value that it successfully exists as a standalone product.

---

Setup:
Source: iBasso DX300 MAX (Gain: Low | DAC Volume: 90 | Ultimate Mode: ON | OS: Android)
Ear-tips: Samsung EO-IG955BSEGW (M), Stock SM tips

First of all, I must tell you that I am not a professionally qualified person to review audio equipment nor that I have the knowledge to do so, I am not an audiophile either, But I do love good music and I have a certain understanding of how they should sound. Also, I do own a humble little collection of equipment to cater to my music needs. I have been a fan of "V.E Monk Plus" for quite some time but there was a constant problem remained, it is the "Pain" that caused by it on the ear after wearing it for a while. Then came the first affordable yet mythically rare "Venture Electronics Bonus IEM". I have tried to obtain one several time but I failed because they were limited in quantities. Last May I was lucky enough to get one from their official website and here goes my idea about what it is compared to my other IEMs.

I compared it to "KZ ZS5", "V.E MONK PLUS" Using "MI Redmi Note 5 AI" and "HP Sleekbook" as sources. I listen to "Jazz", "Psychedelic Music", "Classic Rock", "Ambient, Classical" and many other genres.

Comparison to "V.E Monk Plus"

The first thing I noticed is the comfort of wearing it. Since both of the earphones coming from the "Venture Electronics", BIE is super comfortable to wear since it is an IEM. The build quality is also made with steel makes it appear much expensive, well, of course, it has to be because there is a big price difference between these two models even though they are two completely different headphones. Some of you might be wondering why am I comparing these two, well the reason for that is they both are coming from "VE".

Soundwise I always loved the "V.E Monk Plus" for its mellow warm sound with a hint of bass. I was surprised by the V.E BIE and I knew it is going to be "Love at first sight (Sound)". V.E BIE is everything that MONK is and better, It has more bass but didn't overwhelm other frequencies or cripple them. BIE definitely leans towards lower frequencies in a very good way. The sound was least fatiguing and warm that I could listen to it all day.

finally "V.E BIE" is not "VE MONK PLUS", they are two different headphones, it's just that if you are one of those people who wanted a "VE IEM" just like me, then look no further, go ahead and buy the BIE, you won't be disappointed.

Comparison to KZ ZS5 (V1)

KZ ZS5 has been long venerated by me due to its extreme detail, Well it has to be, that thing has four drivers in each IEM. But there was one thing that kind of lacks in certain songs that it has lesser bass on songs that do not have much bass. I know that we are supposed to listen to tracks the way artists intended but I still love a little bit of bass on certain tracks because the sound is a personal thing, different people like it differently.

In this case, BIE may not have that superb detail that KZ ZS5 has but it does come halfway there with wonderful mellow bass.

I am surprised how VE has archived this sound signature with a single driver IEM when I compared it to multi-driver hybrids like KZ ZS5.


Conclusion

V.E BIE has easily become my daily driver because of its comfort and sound signature. I also must mention that compared to all my IEM's it is the easiest to drive. My portable source Redmi note 5 AI is a very weak source and cannot drive anything properly according to my understanding but it drives V.E BIE to perfection so I don't have carry around an amplifier with me.

What V.E BIE definitely full fills all my hopes and dreams when it comes to daily use "IEM" and it is definitely a steal for the price I paid. I can easily recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great IEM without breaking the bank.

INTRODUCTION:

Venture Electronics, an underdog brand in the chifi audio industry came to be known by the people after its successful sales of the Monk Earbuds which created a big revolution in the earbuds market. To continue its growing legacy they have introduced the BIE (BONUS IE) as an in-ear type earphone since most of the users use the in-ears. And what to say! This again a hit product! Even after these many years the BIE still has a separate fan base for its well executed Fun sound signature yet without sacrificing those minute details. In this review let's see how this performs and is it still the best fun sounding pair available in the market.



DISCLAIMER:

This product has been provided to me by VECLAN.COM owned by Wild Lee for the review purpose and I'm very thankful to him for providing me this opportunity. This review is solely based on my experience with this earphone during this testing period and I have not been influenced by the brand nor by any ways to manipulate this review. This view might differ from person to person since it depends on the gears and the source used to test the product.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Driver: 10mm Dynamic Driver (N52+)

Impedance: 32 ohm

Sensitivity: 115dB

Frequency range: 17-22000 Hz

Shell: Aluminum Alloy - matte finish

Interface: 3.5mm

Cable Length: 1.2m

Cable: 99.99% OFC

PACKAGE:

The BIE comes in a small jean clothed square shaped storage box with the VE branding on the top. Inside you get the BIE earphone itself with another 2 pairs of eartips in a small zip lock bag. The package is very simple and minimalistic, no outer box or user manual, just straight to the point and I liked this approach since sound is what is more important to me than the makeup.

DESIGN AND FIT:

The design of the BIE is pretty usual buller shaped style. The materials they have used here is full aluminium build hence they are built like a tank and coloured as light gold. They provide a nice hefty feeling in the hands which makes you think it's definitely not a cheap earphone. BIE branding is done on the side which is very subtle. The nozzle is pretty short and the diameter is also small hence the astermarket tip selection is pretty difficult. The stock ones however gave me a good fit and seal.



The cable here is of OK quality and it's non detachable. The cable is very microphonic which is mostly seen in all the non detachable earphones. A chin slider is given with the branding on it.

The fit is very nice since the body doesn't touch any part of your ear, just the eartips alone are responsible for the seal and fit. The back plate of the earphone has a small circular vent which in my experience appears to be a functional vent which by blocking it changes the sound a bit, the soundstage gets smaller and the bass loses its impact when the vents are blocked with fingers.

SOUND:

The whole sound signature of the Bie is the V shaped but here is the trick, this is not like the usual chifi v shape instead the midrange is pretty awesome here with nice elevation and forward placement. The midrange clarity is very good for a shaped earphone. The treble is inoffensive and open enough. The tonality and the timbre are the exceptional aspects here, they are very natural and realistic. In this review let’s dive into the detailed explanation of how good the BIE sounds.

Source: iPhone + Avani Dongle DAC + Zen Can

LOW END:

You are a bass head and you need some quality, thumpy and groovy bass? Here you go! The BIE got some serious bass with nice extensions. I can't see any roll off in the low end thus the bass just digs very deeper. The bass attack is pretty natural and has nice weight and body to the overall track.

The sub bass digs deeper and gives the nice rumble sensation. They are well controlled and have that nice grip. Especially in the tracks like “WHY DO WE FALL” – Hans Zimmer, the sub bass presence can be felt very nicely giving a nice rumble sensation. I would like even more sub bass presence since the deep rumble is not separated well but overall this is really a good bass pair.

The mid bass is the star show here. The quantity and quality are very good here. The bass attack and the punch is very natural and realistic, nothing feels artificial or added.

The bass here is a very groovy type rather than a resolved or refined type. The groovy bass I say here is that this just makes your head nod for every beat. The weight here is massive and weighty but the resolution and the separation are the lacking aspect here. The weighty mid bass is very impressive and gives nice body to the overall track whereas the sub bass is moderate in quantity. The control of the bass is pretty good here where there is slight bleed into the midrange but not very extreme.

Since the bass here is more weighty, punchy and massive the resolution and the texture is lacking but this might not be an issue for the casual listening and if you are into the EDM and techno musics then the BIE bass will just make you enjoy a lot and this groovy bass is indeed my recommended in this price range.

Tracks Used:

1. Why Do We Fall – Hans Zimmer
2. Points Of Authority – Linkin Park
3. Murphy’s Law - Recondite

MIDRANGE:

The midrange here is surprisingly well done despite being a V shaped earphone. The midrange recession is slightly felt but not very evident at all. The vocal placement is at a sweet spot and the tonal accuracy is better, it's slightly warm though but for the most part they sounded pretty neutral in tonality. The background instruments are heard very clearly, the piano notes and the kick drums have a nice bite and attack overall.

The timbre is another great aspect of this earphone where the instruments sound very natural and clean. No metallic or artificial timbre is observed. The upper mid emphasis is slightly observed here but I like it a lot where this gives a nice sparkle in the top end and openness to the overall listening.



The lower mids have a nice bass body thus they sound very much fuller. The male and the female vocals sound very nice and natural which are not lean, rather they sound fuller and warm giving a nice listening experience.

The acoustic guitar has nice tonality and the strum is pretty natural to hear. Even the singer's breath in between the lyrics can be heard very clearly. The background instruments separation is not upto the mark but overall for a fun casual listening this is really a good pair. The timbre of the instruments are the special part here where they appear pretty natural and this is the gift of dynamic driver earphones.

Tracks Used:

1. I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
2. Mama – Clean Bandit
3. Perfect – Ed Sheeran

HIGHS:

The highs on this earphone are really smooth and non fatiguing. In most of the vhi fi v shaped earphones the highs tends to be boosted a lot which will create a lot of sibilance but this is really an exception, the highs are pretty extended upto a good limit with nice inoffensive sound overall.

The detail retrieval is not that great but for casual listening and fun listening the highs will never disturb you and actually you will like this a lot. The separation and the amount of air present in the treble region is pretty good and this allows the tracks to be well separated and spacious. The electric guitars sound pretty accurate and the strings have a nice natural strike.

The cymbal crashes are pretty natural and has no harshness. The vanish of the cymbal strike is pretty medium in speed hence the harshness is not felt and overall the highs are pretty non fatiguing and smooth. Even when the tracks get busier the highs tend to be very polite and well behaved with nice track separation which the low end missed out. The texture on the high and is same as that of the lower end where the texture is pretty average which is pretty acceptable for this price range.

Overall the highs are pretty inoffensive and have a nice relation with the bass. They are smooth, airy, and non-sibilant.

Tracks Used:

1. Something Happened On The Way To Heaven – Phil Collins
2. Out For Blood – Sum 41
3. Move Your Body – Sia

TECHNICALITIES:

SOUNDSTAGE: The soundstage of the BIE is pretty deep enough and the depth is larger than the width and the height. Since the bass is very deep and massive the stage is very deeper creating that nice cinematic experience. The staging here is above average for the price and it's actually a big pro for this earphone.

IMAGING: The imaging is pretty good where the transitions are pretty smooth from one channel to the other. The three point imaging is absent here hence the transient response is smoother here. When the tracks get busier due to the groovy bass the pointing out of instruments gets slightly off hence the imaging is average in my opinion, it's not the sharpest or full of precision.

The detail retrieval and the resolution are the average aspect here. They are good but not the best in the BIE. At this price it's pretty much acceptable but there are other earphones in this price which provide better details and resolution but hey! BIE is tuned in this way ! which has a separate fan base for it and in fact i’m one of them. Pretty good for fun listening.

Tracks Used:

1. Coloratura – Coldplay
2. Global Gear – Punya Srinivas
3. Crossing – Yosi Horikawa

VERDICT:

BIE, one of the famous and highly bought product from the VECLAN lineup holds up its place even in these times even after so many years, this just defines that not always the newer and the expensive products are gonna be better, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TUNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, and here the VECLAN did it! This small thing is a beast in all the world of frequencies. Do you need bass? This got it, You need good vocals? This thing got it. Do you need an inoffensive treble? This thing got it! What else do you need from a 20USD pair! This thing does more than what you pay for. Even the build quality is great which looks like a tank but the cable is the only problem here but hey that's why the VECLAN also made the Pro version to swap the cable. VE just made a well executed fun sounding pair which will even make a neutral guy to pick this as a beater pair.

Overall this is just a marvellous creation from the VECLAN and its very underrated nowadays due to large crowd in this price segment. Even after several launches of budget earphones by several brands the VE BIE just knocks every brand's door and says “HELLO THERE” !