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Latest reviews
Venture Electronics Monk SL Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Venture Electronics Monk SL. Pocket hall!
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Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Venture Electronics sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, independent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odyssey Retro USB DAC
- - Snowsky Echo Mini DAC
- - FiiO DM13 CD Player
- - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- The Venture Electronics Monk SL is a neutral-sounding flathead earbuds with a slight elevation on the mids, exhibiting a vocal-forward sound character following the Venture Electronics’ house sound.It also seems that it is quite source-sensitive and scales well with power, as may sound warm, or bright, depending on the source paired. What makes it stand out among the earbuds under 20 USD I have heard and reviewed is its holographic, wide soundstage, which was quite challenging to execute in this price point/range years ago.
- This is definitely bass-light, so this means that those people who prefer an extra, meaty bass response may look elsewhere. On the other hand, the bass of the Monk SL is adequate for most genres and scenarios, in my humble opinion. It is midbass focused and shows a “decent” amount of tightness, hence, my “non-lacking” remark. However, I also noticed that this region may sound “loose” or “muddy”, and may lack its optimal firmness when underpowered. This is quite obvious when I used the Monk SL with an apple dongle that I borrowed from a friend. Everything became mushy and lacking in detail, compared to the advertised Devastator + Monk SL pairing. I also had no problems pairing the Monk SL with my other branded DACs and DAPs. Overall, I find the bass of the Monk SL adequate or enough for most genres as it is punchy with a decent attack and decay speed, assuming that it is paired properly with a decently-powered source (at least 2VRMS).
- In a nutshell, the Monk SL in this region is neutral, with a tiny elevation on the vocals, making it slightly forward as perceived. This region along with the bass, is also where some slight differences per pairing can be heard. The mids will sound warm, or neutral, depending on the pairing. Don’t get me wrong, this finding isn’t a night and day difference, or a deal breaker, since the Monk SL is still neutral for the most part. I just want to address this finding here, just in case you may get confused like what I felt at first. Upper mids are slightly elevated, with a very good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. There are no harshness or sibilance in this region, and it is well-done in terms of presence. Overall, the mids here on the Monk SL is the “best” that I have heard in terms of quality, presence, and thickness, for a neutral-head like me, and will also satisfy thos ears that prefer a vocal-forward sound character.
- The treble is well extended, but not as forward as its upper mids. Peaks and harshness are still absent here in this region, which is a good remark since I have encountered ears that are small in size and extra sensitive in bright signatures that were looking for earbuds before. Detail retrieval is average and renders most of the nuances in a track easily.
- I used the “pocket hall” remark for the Monk SL because of this reason: its wide, spacious soundstage. Its soundstage is very wide for its price up to the point that a friend of mine said that it felt like he’s like wearing closed back headphones in a small package.Height and depth are adequate to accompany the Monk SL’s soundstage width. Separation and layering are a bit better than most earbuds I have encountered under 20USD, and it gets cleaner and clearer depending on the source you are pairing with it. Imaging is accurate enough for casual games, live recordings, and podcasts.
Other Flathead Earbuds Comparisons!
VE Monk A1
- The VE Monk A1 is noticeably more laid-back and relaxed in sound when compared to the VE Monk SL. It also has more treble energy when compared, but not by a lot. It does not have the level of “holographic” soundstage that the Monk SL has, but makes up for it by having a slightly taller and deeper soundstage. The Monk A1 also does not scale well with pairing just like the Mon SL, which means that the Monk A1 will most likely sound as-is regardless on what you pair with it.
- The Monk Plus 7th Edition is a balanced, warmer sounding earbud when compared to the Monk SL. It is noticeably thicker, warmer, and lesser in soundstage width when compared to the Monk SL. The MP7 also sounds fuller and lusher when compared.Technical performance is more or less the same between the two sets, except for the soundstage.
- This comparison in my opinion, is unfair due to their respective retail prices, but here’s what you’ll get when you purchase the Alpha 3 if you are coming from the Monk SL: you’ll get a slightly thicker, firmer, balanced sound character, with a much more taller, holographic stage. You’ll also get a better overall build quality and inclusions.
- This comparison is the most “logical” comparison in my own opinion, as they share nearly the same character in terms of sound. Basically, the VE Monk SL is a fusion of Monk Liter 40 and 120 ohms, but thicker in sound, more refined in every frequency, and has better layering and separation.
Pros:
- One of the “widest” sounding flathead earbuds I have heard and reviewed under 20 USD!
- Neutral, mid-forward sound signature!
- Punchy, clean bass response!
- Vivid, engaging, mildly forward mids!
- Non-fatiguing yet well-extended upper frequencies!
- Holographic, grandeur soundstage!
- Very good technical performance for its price!
- Scales well with source!
- Easy to drive! (For a flathead earbud)
- Excellent fit and comfort!
- Clear mic quality!
- Quite durable for its price! (in terms of cable and plug quality)
- Bass may come across as “loose” sounding when paired with sources that lack in power.
- A pouch would be a good treat for everybody. (nitpick)
========================================================================Verdict
The Venture Electronics Monk SL, based on my experience, filled the gap for those people who want a PK-shelled, wide-sounding earbuds under 20 USD! This has been one of the most asked queries to me, as there are ears that are too small to use an MX500 shelled earbuds, and there are also people who want a wide-sounding earbud that does not break the bank. A friend of mine even said that it felt like he’s using a pocketable headphones when he used the SL, which isn’t usually the remark I hear whenever I ask for insights of someone that uses flathead earbuds on a daily basis. As I listen more to the Monk SL, I started to see how far Venture Electronics improved when compared to their previous, old sets, which is definitely a lot, especially when we are talking within the flathead earbuds context. I wholeheartedly recommend the Monk SL if you are looking for a PK-shelled earbud with a neutral sound character, and a spacious sound stage to enjoy with. This is probably the widest in sound on your budget lineup, Venture Electronics!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The Venture Electronics Monk SL definitely sounds better with at least 2VRMs of power, hence the reason why it can be bought with the Devastator bundle. You can also use your sources as long as it is 2VRMs.
- Earbud foams: The earbud foams included pairs well with the Monk SL, but you may also use other foams. Do take note however, that the thicker foams you use, the less soundstage width you’ll get.
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Non-affiliated links here:
https://shopee.ph/Venture-Electroni...7?sp_atk=cef529a4-d108-45ea-885c-aa1e3edf481e
Additional Photos Here
