Venture Electronics Zen 3.0 FE
- Added by suicideup
- Create date
Venture Electronics Zen 3.0 FE Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Venture Electronics Zen 3.0 FE. Your immersive, mini meditation companion!
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, unbiased 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 Megatron USB DAC
- - Snowsky Echo Mini DAP
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - FiiO DM13 CD Player
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
========================================================================
Sound signature:
- Assuming that you are new to the Venture Electronics’ “Zen” Series, this series are mostly leaning on the warmer side of the spectrum (Note: I have auditioned the VE Zen 2.0, Zen Black, and Zen LL long ago for me to confirm it), with the VE house sound wherein the vocals are forward and detailed. These findings also translate here in the Zen 3.0 FE, as it is a warm-balanced sounding flathead with a good detail and presence in vocals.
- For those people that are new to the earbuds rabbit hole, the words “bass” and “flathead” earbuds rarely fit well with each other, since earbuds do not usually have subbass when compared to IEMs due their vastly different ways of fit. In the case of Zen 3.0 FE however, It somewhat exhibits a somewhat “IEM” type of experience to my ears, because of how it presents its bass. The bass is rounded, punchy, well-layered, and thick, which also adds a wee bit of subbass, to my ears at least. Of course, if you’re coming from a basshead IEM, you’ll still find this lacking. But for most people, especially those who prefers earbuds as a daily companion, this region will definitely come as a treat to them
- Ah yes, the signature VE Mids. Their mids have always been my go-to ever since I was a newbie on the earbuds scene, due to its full-bodied, forward yet detailed response. It can also be observed here on the Zen 3.0 FE, but a tad bit warmer, if you’re coming from the Monk or Asura lineup. Lower mids are well layered and thick with a very good amount of detail. Upper mids are mildly forward, airy with solid clarity and air. It isn’t as airy as the Asura has in my humble opinion, but it greatly trades it off with smoothness and refinement. There aren’t any sibilance, harshness, or peaks with this flathead earbud, which will be a good treat for those people who are aiming to use the Zen 3.0 FE for long listening sessions.
- The treble here in the Zen 3.0 FE is well-extended, detailed and has a good amount of air, but isn’t as “forward” in presence when compared to the upper mids, which is to be expected since the Asura lineup has that. Detail retrieval is excellent for its price (as it should be) as the microdetails are well rendered here in this flathead earbud.
- In a nutshell, I treated the VE Zen 3.0 FE as a mini open-back headphone, because it kinda sounds like it to my ears. The soundstage is expansive and immersive, exhibiting that “3D” effect. The whole stage is spherical to my ears, showing an impressive height and depth. Separation and layering is well-done in this flathead earbud, but I would say that the Asura lineup does it a bit cleaner, but not by a lot. Imaging is as precise as ever and has no problems rendering any vocal and instrument position.
Other IEM Comparisons!
VE Asura 2.0
- The Asura 2.0 is neutral, midcentric sounding earbuds, while the Zen 3.0 FE is a warmer, smoother, thicker sounding set. The Asura 2.0 is a bit better on the layering, but the Zen 3.0 FE is better on the overall technical performance, particularly on the soundstage. The Zen 3.0 FE is also premium built. Do take note that the Asura 2.0 is literally years old compared to the Zen 3.0 FE, so it may seem unfair to compare the two sets, but here we are.
- The SMT definitely is more neutral and more present in upper frequencies, but the Zen 3.0 FE has more bass quantity and quality. Soundstage depth and height is also better on the Zen 3.0 FE, while the soundstage width is more or less the same, if not better on the Zen 3.0 FE.
- The DUNU Alpha 3 is a “v-shaped”, “crispier” sounding flathead earbuds when compared to the Zen 3.0 FE. The Zen 3.0 FE is definitely better on the overall immersiveness and refinement on the upper frequencies, while the Alpha 3 keeps up on the separation and layering, so it isn’t far from behind, price-wise.
- In a nutshell, the Calf is a brighter, technical set that has instances of peaks and harshness. The Zen 3.0 FE is a warmer, non-fatiguing set. It is also more immersive as well when compared.
Pros:
- A warm, immersive, fatigue-free sounding flathead earbud!
- Warm, “balanced”, sound signature!
- Thick, punchy bass response for a flathead earbud!
- Smooth yet vivid mids!
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies!
- Immersive, spacious soundstage!
- Clean separation, layering, and imaging!
- Excellent fit! (it’s a flathead earbud)
- Well-built!
- Very good inclusion of accessories!
- Scales well with power! (As all Venture Electronics products do)
- Definitely requires more than usual power from a source (nearly needs headphones type of treatment)
- Separation and layering is far from sounding bad, but could be a bit "cleaner" for its price (the Asura lineup does this better from what I know)
- Lower portion of the cable is a bit heavy for a flathead earbuds, which can affect the fit and therefore the overall sound (you may need to use the included shirt clip for this one)
========================================================================
Verdict
On the surface, particularly if you mostly use IEMs, spending 148 USD on a flathead earbuds might make you think for a while, and that is completely understandable. But for those people who use flathead earbuds most of the time, The Venture Electronics Zen 3.0 FE will definitely be their “endgame”, assuming that they prefer a warm, lush, immersive sound presentation in a flathead earbuds under 200 USD. The Zen 3.0 FE is definitely a step up and a well-deserved successor from the Zen 2.0, particularly on the refinement part. It is noticeably better in versatility and separation since the attacks and decays are cleaner and faster when compared. What I loved here the most is its “pseudo subbass” response, which felt like I was using a wider sounding IEM, or a headphones even, to my ears, at least, most of the time .Thank you for making a modern, pocketable headphones, Venture Electronics!
========================================================================
Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The Venture Electronics Zen 3.0 FE definitely requires extra juice or power, and as also recommended and stated by Wild Lee himself, pairs well with their own stuff as well, which gives that “Apple ecosystem” vibes to it. The VE Devastator will work here just fine, but pairing the Zen 3.0 FE with the Megatron is the best pairing I currently have in their lineup. You may still use you third party source with this set, as long as pair this with the powerful dongles out there.
- Eartips: The earbud foams included fit well with the Venture Electronics Zen 3.0 FE. I suggest using donut foams with this one.
========================================================================
Non-affiliated links here:
Additional photos here:
