Vision Ears EXT Impressions
Per my usual disclaimers.
I’m not an ‘audiophile’ by any means but I love my music and I love how certain headphones, IEMs, and TWS invoke fond memories and emotions of past and present life experiences with my family.
Tested on genres such as Classical, Jazz, Pop, EDM, Hip Hop, Movie scores and soundtracks such as Wonder Woman, Batman Begins, Inception on stock cable with 2.5mm termination on FiiO M11 Plus ESS and Spinfits CP360 XL tips
At first listen, the EXT immediately impressed with its highly resolving mid-range, treble response and extension. Pianos have this amazing resonance with the weight of the lower notes which completely immerses the listener into audio bliss. This is clearly the EXT’s strength and combined with the weightiness of the DD, mid-bass and sub-bass is impactful, well textured and very satisfying. It’s easy to see why this IEM has gotten the attention it has to-date. I could see these being the perfect choice if you want energy and resolution. I think long-term listening would be a challenge for me though. It’s not as smooth as the Phonix.
EXT are a little more difficult to drive than the Phonix. I need them at high gain with a few additional notches on the volume to get it to a reasonable listening level as the Phonix. Cymbal crashes, kick drums really shine on the EXT and it has this chesty impact that again, is very satisfying. I tend to prefer a ‘fuller’ sound with more airiness and EXT is far from sounding ‘thin’ to my ears, but it could definitely use a little more ‘fullness’ to it’s sound. If the Phonix had the impact and sub-bass rumble of that DD from the EXT, I think that would be my end game IEM. (at this point in time) Unless I hear something else in this price range that can match or surpass the Phonix in its current standing, I will be keeping my eyes on a used pair in the future. I do caveat this by saying that I haven’t heard the XE6 and other FIR IEMs which I am pretty excited to also try with this tour. That DD is freaking addictive and EXT just kills it.
Fit and Build Quality 4/5
- The vented design is a bit of love and hate. Might collect grime and dust overtime so I’m not as a big of a fan for long-term use but the EXT’s visual aesthetics is spectacular
- Feels premium, good fit
- Snug and has a deep insertion depth. Slightly uncomfortable after a few hours of usage
Treble 4.5/5
- Great sparkle without fatigue and has an outstanding amount of detail and resolution
- Treble clarity and emphasis are where the EXT also shine IMO
- Cymbal crashes are accurate and with right amount decay to my ears
Mid-Range 4.5/5
- Highly resolving and this is where the EXT’s strength really shines. Elegant, refined, lush, somewhat forward.
- Violins sound realistic and cry with hair raising emotions
- Flutes and guitar crunches are satisfying, extremely detailed and resolving.
- Trumpets and trombones accurately reverberate with a high degree of realism and depth resonating from the brass
- Piano’s have a satisfying amount of weight and body for lower notes and crisp for higher notes
Vocals 4/5
- Female vocals sound crisp, airy, with excellent extension and no sibilance or harshness, it’s fantastic
- Male vocals sound weighty, has chesty elements and satisfies
Soundstage/Imaging 4/5
- Not as airy or spacious as the Phonix which set the bar pretty high for me. Stage is wide, not as deep but the imaging and detail is good, just not as immersive and airy as the Phonix
Bass 4.5/5
- Love the texture and impact of the DD on the EXT. If the Phonix had a DD to produce the slam, I think it would near perfect for my taste. IMO, nothing beats the detail, and immersive feeling of a DD bass slam.
- Kick drums have a nice thump and weight with good decay
- Cello's have an outstanding amount of weight and resonance
- The Supermoon’s bass detail, texture and slam from the planar is pretty darn close, if not the same or better.
Overall, EXT is a fantastic IEM but it didn’t give me the same emotional response as the Dorado, Supermoons, or Phonix did. There’s just something about the weight, depth and airiness of the Phonix’s sonic profile that triggers many more emotions and that’s where I extract the most enjoyment in an IEM. As I mentioned in my Phonix impressions, I like to feel ALL the elements of my music with cohesion and impact across the FR. I can definitely appreciate the EXT’s detail, resolution and mid-range performance but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me in terms of overall enjoyment and immersion.
Ps. I will try to replicate a similar format for thoughts and impressions of the FIR IEMs when they hit my doorstep in the coming weeks. Thanks again for reading fellow coolereans.
