[2021 Update] Venture Electronics (VE) Monk V2, Monk Plus & Monk Go: a $5 earbud that taking the world by storm!!!

[capnjack]

Yup. That´s how it is here too. 

+1 from me on that

 

[mints]

ok after careless consideration i'm using og monk again bcos i'm not a fan of monk+ foams -- too rough -- and i kinda like og monk's tangle-free cable more (kinda tipsy writing this pls excuse)

 

[mints]

og monk + https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwXeN2FsE7w = 

 

[golov17]

 

[mints]

thanks bud 

 

[Tympan]

Interesting how everyone hears the Monk and Monk + slightly differently.
Fit, source, recording, foam/donut/naked wear... all add up to slight variations. Personally, I enjoy Monk with full foam and Monk + with donuts most.
 
When compared with same source (apple shuffle 1st gen! Did I just discredit myself? lol), I find that:
Monk + have more bloom and liquidity. They have more bass presence (quantity), sound smoother, yet detailed, but slightly warm and laid back at times. They do sound smoother with voices...
... while the Monk have tighter bass, less mid bass emphasis, a little more emphasis in upper mids, which contributes to more clarity and speed, less coloration.
 
To my ears, they can both sound spectacular (for the price), but the Monk has a tendency to smear female voices at times, which the Monk + avoids most of the time.
I think for most people, it is easier to appreciate the Monk + over the Monk but I completely understand while some prefer the Monk. 

 

[ozkan]

Interesting how everyone hears the Monk and Monk + slightly differently.
Fit, source, recording, foam/donut/naked wear... all add up to slight variations. Personally, I enjoy Monk with full foam and Monk + with donuts most.

When compared with same source (apple shuffle 1st gen! Did I just discredit myself? lol), I find that:
Monk + have more bloom and liquidity. They have more bass presence (quantity), sound smoother, yet detailed, but slightly warm and laid back at times. They do sound smoother with voices...
... while the Monk have tighter bass, less mid bass emphasis, a little more emphasis in upper mids, which contributes to more clarity and speed, less coloration.

To my ears, they can both sound spectacular (for the price), but the Monk has a tendency to smear female voices at times, which the Monk + avoids most of the time.
I think for most people, it is easier to appreciate the Monk + over the Monk but I completely understand while some prefer the Monk. 

I don't think you feed enough power for Monk+ as it is 64ohm and harder to drive.

To my ears Monk+ is faster and more resolving than the Monk. Monk+ needs more juice to sing.

 

[Tympan]

I don't think you feed enough power for Monk+ as it is 64ohm and harder to drive.

To my ears Monk+ is faster and more resolving than the Monk. Monk+ needs more juice to sing.

Thx! I will try with my mojo

 

[Tympan]

With Mojo, same overall impressions though:
 
. Monk + bass/meds are tighter. No need for EQ
 
. Monk get a little too snappy in upper meds for me. Again, female voices have a tendency to smear. EQ down 2-3 db at 4300 Hz and it takes the edge off. Overall a little speedier, airier, and crisper than Monk +

 

[pataburd]

  I've got the Monk plus a week ago and I have them running on my PC 8 hours a day since and compared it with the original Monk I have since December and I still prefer the original Monk. The Monk + has more body but I like the original monks organic sound and soundstage. Anyone has the same impression?

Just did some more a/b-ing, and I agree with your perception of the Originals sounding more "organic".  The originals convey more ambient realism to my ears, as well.  Although I do like them both.  It can be a matter of my particular mood at the time.  Have the Monk+ going most of the time at my desk.  Late night listening . . . nice with the Originals.

 

[audio123]

VE Monk:

Very smooth and spacious presentation.
Offers an organic yet airy feel.
Allowing a more intimate experience with the song.
A tinge of warmth not found in the Monk+.

VE Monk+:

Very coherent and clinical.
Sometimes sound is too slick with the better details retrieval.
Response is quicker and treble is less grainy.

Overall 2 very strong efforts.

Lows: Monk=4/5 Monk+=5/5

Mids: Monk=5/5 Monk+=4/5

Highs: Monk=4/5 Monk+=5/5

Details: Monk=4/5 Monk+=5/5

Soundstage: Both=5/5

Bass: Both=4/5

Treble: Monk=3.5/5 Monk+=4.5/5

Musicality: Monk=5/5 Monk+=3/5

Technicality: Monk=3/5 Monk+=5/5


Conclusion:
You cant go wrong with either.


P.S. Ostry KC06 vs Ostry KC06A about the same comparison

 

[cyrano13]

I have been using the 2 and for me
 
monk = for female tracks and acoustics
 
i love the snappiness of it towards acoustic guitars and female voices
 
while
 
monk+ = for male voices 
 
the body of it's sound compliments the low tone of male voices.
 
Overall
 
Best to have both for me. I haven't use my ATH-W1000X for 2 weeks because ot these 2.
 
Cheers to Lee and his team!  

 

[waynes world]

What is cool is that we are discussing with passion which $5 earbuds sound the best. Unreal. Awesome!

 

[ngoshawk]

What is cool is that we are discussing with passion which $5 earbuds sound the best. Unreal. Awesome!

Agreed, the merits of the buds speak for themselves, regardless of price. But knowing each is $5, makes it even sweeter to discuss!

 

[ozkan]

Agreed, the merits of the buds speak for themselves, regardless of price. But knowing each is $5, makes it even sweeter to discuss!

This is said maybe million times but Monk and Monk+ are my only daily earbuds. I don't even touch the others and also sold most of my IEMs. I'm loving them to death.

Yes this is unbelievable! The other best things in my life are the Ritmix RF 7650 and RT 500.