Venture Electronics SIE

Having had the possibility to try so many different sets in a relatively short time I felt obliged to go ahead and express my gratitude by trying to help some lost souls out there, just as I was when I first got in. Possibilities are seemingly endless and only by getting to meet the right people did I manage to jump onboard the train heading the right direction without getting off-track thousands of times along the way. Make sure to understand the helping person's preferences and you too can find your footing and hit the ground running in no time.

A Quick Intermezzo About Me

I won't bore you for too long with personal trivia, however my quick background resume goes as follows. Currently 27 years old and I am more in awe of the sheer power of music by the day. I have always been moved by music just that slight bit more than average, I'd say. My spending started with a roughly 200€ Bose bluetooth speaker back in my first grade of highschool. What an extraterrestrial thing that was in early 2010s. And it keeps on playing to this day – a true testament of quality. Also sounded fantastic back then, nowadays not so much. Lots of BT speakers, TWS, car audio speakers, IEMs, etc., later bring me to this day when I do consider myself an audiophile. What brings me the most joy beside listening to music is singing, so I am currently participating in a choir and challenging myself with solo vocal covers (check the link in my signature to hear my first project). Unsure where all this leads, but the journey itself is marvelous and life is nothing but a journey.

How The Review is Structured

For those that are interested in my thoughts on this set, but cannot be asked to read the whole thing, I will start off by placing it in my special trademarked graph and give it a score on certain qualities to help reach the final star score. Those that are seriously considering a sub-100€ single DD, please read the song examples that follow below too to get as much of a feel on what one could expect.

Disclaimer: I bought this one at its full price of roughly 90€ back. I will mention some songs of varied genres and try to convey what one can expect from the Venture Electronics SIE. As source I have been using my FiiO M15S on high gain and Venture Electronics RA2B-FE + Prime DAC. Certainly no lack of power. A DAC/AMP like FiiO BTR7 is also sufficiently powerful. Listening was done at a volume ranging between 80-90dB.







How I rate: My rating is based on the score I give to the IEM in my simple 9-stage rating system (scores from 1 to 5) + a subjective score that reflects how often I reach for the said IEM in my collection.

Unpackaging & Accessories

There isn't much to say about this side of things. Tips come in one flavour and obvious multiple sizes - 5 sizes which is better than usual - I have tried plenty of tips (as you can see on those pics above), but lately I have settled on Pentaconn Coreir and these not only improve the subpar imaging of the SIE, but also improve its fit for my ears because it essentially extends the nozzle for extra 5mm with its brass insert. The included case is small and not too thrilling but does its job. The cable is just about perfect in quality and handling characteristics and fits the character of the IEM to perfection. I felt no need to cable roll this one.

Let's Get Going!

This trademarked graph I came up with does not come with a thick user manual. All you need to know is that sets further left are warmer than sets further right, and sets higher up are better technically than sets lower down. Those little yellow lines on both axis represent where sets with average technicalities and neutral overall balance lay. I have also added the CVJ Mei (1DD+2BA, silver) and the Simgot EA500 LM (1DD, dark silver) to help form a better perception of where the SIE slots in.



Below are my scores of SIE in individual categories. All three subcategories of each of the frequency spectrums can be rated 1-5. Keep in mind that I am scoring sound, regardless of the price, so cheaper sets getting a 3 in any given subcategory is already good going. I had to approach this in a simplistic manner so to keep it easy to understand and compare sets. Since this is only the second review I have done, there is not much to compare to yet. Both CVJ and Simgot are better at all technical aspects. Does that mean I reach for those two more often? No. A definitive no is the answer.



SIE does something that no other set in my collection does. It feels exceptionally speaker-like to me. It must be a combination of factors which I am yet to untangle, but according to these graphs below – a large and enveloping bass seems to be a necessity as well as a carefully executed pinna gain and the large dip ~9-14kHz.





To follow up on my expressed fit concerns for some, it depends on how large your concha and how pronounced the helical crus are. Overall it is a tiny set, but it needs a good fit to get the bass correct and not to fall out since it is a heavy metallic shell.




Seven Song Examples

Song #1:
First minute of this song offers a quick sample to test piano, bass, trombone, and sax timbre as well as female vocals and the perception of stage.


Creep by Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox feat. Haley Reinhart

This song's lowest register is covered solely by bass, so getting that right is critical. SIE can get scarily close to feeling somewhat boomy and unrefined, but maintains an ease of following the bass throughout. It lacks is the ultimate distinction of similar notes played in quick succession and bass clarity. Timbrally too it feels just a bit too muddy. When the song gets going it is slightly difficult to provide attention to other instrumentation and the vocalist. It delivers the low register of this song in a different way to my other sets and it would not be my choice for really dissecting the low frequencies. Most of the information is midrange focused with all instruments but bass occupying this frequency spectrum. Allowing all the instruments their space and delivering them in a natural way is what a set needs to excel at. SIE sounds surprisingly open and spacious to my ears here, despite the bass disagreeing with my ears. Piano sitting close right can quickly get overwhelmed by all other accompaniment in this song, thankfully with SIE following which ever instrument is rather simple. Her angelic vocal stays free of muddiness or other parts blurring it at any point. Quite an achievement actually, considering how bassy it gets at certain points. Mids are timbrally wonderful, no similar bloat or unnaturalness to be found here as in the bass department. It places the vocal nicely centralised in the mix, however those that prefer very upfront and proud vocals might not find it too perfect in that regard. She never gets shouty or uncomfortable throughout this song on SIE which can be an issue quickly if pinna gain is too prominent. Treble isn't too busy in this track, which is a double-edged sword. Sibilance does not occur no matter the volume. Sax and trombone lack a bit of bite. Hihats are not as crisp and extended which is down to the large dip at and around 10kHz I believe, but this is a nitpick since this is an affordably priced single dynamic driver and single DDs rarely do the treble justice for me, even higher up the price ladder. Treble never gets sharp or too strained.

Song #2:
Angelic male vocal slowly transforming into a sharp male vocal and the usual rock accompaniment. Allows to better understand different sets' capability of perceived emotion, layering, timbre, etc.


Castaway Angels by Leprous

Song starts with a calm guitar and his breathy and dreamy vocal. SIE delivers both in a satisfying manner, but adds a serious bit of body to both guitar and his vocal making it feel weightier. Each guitar pick is well detailed, just not as microdetailed as I would have liked. His voice is on the smoother side of the spectrum, but sits proudly upfront. Bass makes itself welcome with a low and deep punch - spine-tingling on SIE - which mixes nicely with the guitar and his vocal. Strings are not as free of heft as I would prefer. When the song gets going the bass guitar gets very intricate in certain parts and SIE does deliver all notes, but in a rather thick and slow manner. Drum kicks are too calm and slightly pillowy. Discerning among the drums and bass guitar is actually quite simple nonetheless. Here too, vocal has no trouble staying away from the rest of the mix and finding its spot on the stage. High mids are never too sharp so it does not force me to reach for the volume knob and turn it down. Overall, this song requires careful line between the bass and mids while not scooping out midbass or lower mids too much. This balance could be cleaner on SIE. Midbass is not too eager, but it lacks ultimate control to achieve a smooth transition into low mids. I judge the treble on such sets mostly by focusing on good clarity and lack of sharpness. As I said, SIE does not sound sharp to my ears at any point even if I went a bit wild with volume – from my experience, all affordable sets so far have struggled to maintain composed once you go a bit wild with the volume knob – this is the same on SIE, but not due to the treble region, but lack of bass control. Treble is way behind the bass weight. It comes across as an afterthought compared to bass. Microdetails in highs are nearly impossible for SIE to present willingly. Treble extension could be better since there isn't much air (just a high-Q peak on the graph at around 15kHz), but let me clarify again, with DD drivers I put much more focus on low-end extension.

Song #3:
Let's plug those guitars in and stop being gentle with the drums. Pace, space, rhythm, male vocal.


The Pot by Tool

This song is more drum-driven than the previous, so we need punch and quickness. SIE does not keep up all too well. Drums sound full but at the same time imprecise and too gentle overall. It does not struggle with pace per se, but individual drum hits linger around for a while. Bass guitar can get a bit overwhelmed behind the drums. All the energy is covered by electric guitars. The distortion sounds wonderfully distorted. They are not lacking speed nor presence. His vocal never seems strained and finds its place without being murdered by guitars. Overall, mids are nicely done. Cymbals and hihats are not as sharp as they should be, but still too smoothed over and possibly a bit too wet and indistinguishable sounding. Tough things to get fully right and SIE struggles. I could not suggest this set for heavy rock or metal aficionados.

Song #4:
Upbeat pop rhythms with plenty going on.


The Thrill is Gone. by RAYE

In true pop style, her voice is very proudly positioned right upfront and quite a bit ahead in the mix. The overall balance of this song seems a bit more bright which could not be more suited for a warm set, so it fits the SIE nicely. Bass does not require too much pinpoint precision, so SIE delivers smoothly and provides a nice layer for her voice. Energetic presentation throughout. Stage is large and has no precise borders in my ears which allows enough room for back vocalists and makes it so easy to forget I'm listening to IEMs. Brass and drums are timbrally correct but both are not the last word in detail or resolution. This sort of pop is what I could suggest the SIE for, but expect still a thicker presentation than some might prefer.

Song #5:
Slow and moody jazz. Requires spaciousness, timbral accuracy and a playful vibe.


Rosita by Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster

Must say after certain bass issues I had, I was not too hopeful how SIE might present this tune. Not an easy one to keep the listener engaged throughout. Get one thing wrong and the charm is gone. Thankfully, bass is kept on a short leash and never gets too obtrusive- All instruments are in their own imaginary bubbles and they successfully leave room for each other – truly an outstanding feat for a single DD I feel. Timbrally I feel all is well, no real annoyances here but all instruments are just that one bit smoky sounding like a glass of fine whisky. Not too big a deal. Enjoyable if you don't come in expecting a surgical view of all instruments. As a whole, calm jazz is very charming on SIE.

Song #6:
A pleasant and somewhat creepy look into the unknown. Needs serious bass to form the template and good imaging.


Satsang by Sumiruna

We are in SIE's playground now. It is a song that might sound majestic or downright weird if the set is unable to reproduce it. SIE's qualities come into its own. A thick and unapologetic layer of bass of enormous size and an interesting mix of traits to make this tune so club-like. It can handle the ridiculousness of sounds and as a result provides an enjoyable listen. Be ready for serious amounts of bass, though. It is made for those calm evenings, as well as the Friday nights when you want to get the party going. Smoothness of bass and mids is supported just well enough by the treble. Turn the light off and you will be transported to another dimension. I hear your outcries, and No, I have not consumed anything during the making of this review. This is deep into SIE's comfort zone.

Song #7:
Turning up the wildness to 11.


Alien Alert by 1200 Micrograms

The anticipation of insanity is high with this one. SIE should do well, let's see. Absolute necessities are thunderous bass and good spacial cues. Bass of the SIE does the job amazingly, even punches are absolutely crazy in their visceral attack. While spaciality is good, it is obviously not up to the highest standards. No perceived excess of high mids makes this song immensely enjoyable and not tiring at all. Bringing this one to the gym would increase your best bench press result by roughly 7% - scientifically proven. Just a journey to experience. And I still have not consumed anything besides music. Yes, I would suggest this set to those that need a hit of craziness every now and then.


This concludes my song examples and hopefully you find some information useful to compare to your listening habits!


To Sum Up The Venture Electronics SIE

To sum up this golden nugget, I would mostly pitch this one to those who like a huge amount of thick bass that is focused primarily on hugeness not as much precision. The uniqueness of bass makes it both special and polarizing. The rest of the tuning is done to perfection to play along the immense bass. Definitely a highly intoxicating electronica or certain jazz reproduction which fits the bill when your mood calls for it. This way it can be both the Friday Night party set or a Calm Companion to help you bring a hectic day to an end.


Thanks for reading and stay wonderful.