[golov17]

Big Good DAC/AMP..
Why do you still have not bought a Zen ??

 

[golov17]

Monk $5, Asura about $50

 

[jincuteguy]

Monk $5, Asura about $50

Why is the Monk so cheap? Like $5? really? How can you make a $5 earbuds and still sound good? I don't get it.

 

[waynes world]

Why is the Monk so cheap? Like $5? really? How can you make a $5 earbuds and still sound good? I don't get it.

I don't either. But I'm not complaining!

 

[golov17]

And me

 

[BloodyPenguin]

And soon to be me.

 

[agrumos79]

I’m on the verge to press the purchase button for the Zen to upgrade a pair of Yuin PK3. I have no complaints about the PK3 which sounds very good to me, but the previous comments and reviews on the Zen seem very promising.
 
I power the PK3 with a Fiio E17 and plan to do the same with the zen. I should precise these would be used in an open space office (listening to all sorts of music) so I like the ability to still be aware of what’s going on around me. This is why I bought the earbud style PK3 in the first place.
 
Questions :
- Should I expect a spectacular improvement in terms of sound quality compared to the Yuin ?
- This seems to be the high-end of earbuds for 130$, which is far from the price of standards IEMS which could be up to 10 times this price. Why is that ? Is IEMS SQ that much better ? Any IEMs equivalent to recommend for a similar sound quality ?
- Considering I will still use my E17 (no plan to invest in another DAC/Amp), is it a waste to take the Zen and should I wait for the Asura ?
 
Thanks !

 

[golov17]

IMHO, but if you like the sound of PK3, the Asura will be exactly for you.

 

[ricesteam]

I have a PK3 and I'd imagine VE ZEN will be a big upgrade (if driven by an amp). 
 
My main setup is PK1 with Minibox-ES amp and it sounds really good.  But it's outdated and a new player is in the scene.  I'm curious and excited to try the VE ZENs.
 
Quote:

  I’m on the verge to press the purchase button for the Zen to upgrade a pair of Yuin PK3. I have no complaints about the PK3 which sounds very good to me, but the previous comments and reviews on the Zen seem very promising.
 
I power the PK3 with a Fiio E17 and plan to do the same with the zen. I should precise these would be used in an open space office (listening to all sorts of music) so I like the ability to still be aware of what’s going on around me. This is why I bought the earbud style PK3 in the first place.
 
Questions :
- Should I expect a spectacular improvement in terms of sound quality compared to the Yuin ?
- This seems to be the high-end of earbuds for 130$, which is far from the price of standards IEMS which could be up to 10 times this price. Why is that ? Is IEMS SQ that much better ? Any IEMs equivalent to recommend for a similar sound quality ?
- Considering I will still use my E17 (no plan to invest in another DAC/Amp), is it a waste to take the Zen and should I wait for the Asura ?
 
Thanks !

 

[fleasbaby]

 

 
Yes, the Zen is an upgrade from the PK3. I have been through several pairs of PK3 and no longer use them. Expect better and more articulate bass, more clarity and better soundstage for starters. I use an E12 with my Zens and it works nicely. I find the T-Peos Altone 200 to be my closest IEM experience to the Zen, but its hard to really compare. The T-Peos is more analytical I suppose, colder sounding.
 
A side note, I have found that the beta version of the Asura makes a surprisingly good pairing unamped with the Sansa Clip + (Rockboxed).

 

[golov17]

Beta Asura in general, quite unpretentious to the source of earbuds. It is to me that they like their aspect. Beautiful sound with velvet in the bass range.

 

[The Dan of Steel]

I will agree that I enjoyed the Zen and even Asura more than the PK3. I haven't put up my review yet from the tour. But after sending them off I went back to my PK3 and the love just isn't there any more. The Zen really spoiled me. I think that I don't have a choice but to grab a set. The Asura is no slouch either but since it was still beta and currently unavailable I can't say how the release version will be. 

 

[golov17]

I will feel sorry if retail Asura will change the character of the sound.

 

[RedJohn456]

  I will agree that I enjoyed the Zen and even Asura more than the PK3. I haven't put up my review yet from the tour. But after sending them off I went back to my PK3 and the love just isn't there any more. The Zen really spoiled me. I think that I don't have a choice but to grab a set. The Asura is no slouch either but since it was still beta and currently unavailable I can't say how the release version will be. 

In that case you should come join the Facebook page! Lots of goodies on there  
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/52vecn/

 

[RedJohn456]

  I’m on the verge to press the purchase button for the Zen to upgrade a pair of Yuin PK3. I have no complaints about the PK3 which sounds very good to me, but the previous comments and reviews on the Zen seem very promising.
 
I power the PK3 with a Fiio E17 and plan to do the same with the zen. I should precise these would be used in an open space office (listening to all sorts of music) so I like the ability to still be aware of what’s going on around me. This is why I bought the earbud style PK3 in the first place.
 
Questions :
- Should I expect a spectacular improvement in terms of sound quality compared to the Yuin ?
- This seems to be the high-end of earbuds for 130$, which is far from the price of standards IEMS which could be up to 10 times this price. Why is that ? Is IEMS SQ that much better ? Any IEMs equivalent to recommend for a similar sound quality ?
- Considering I will still use my E17 (no plan to invest in another DAC/Amp), is it a waste to take the Zen and should I wait for the Asura ?
 
Thanks !

Zens sounded awesome out of my E17, had to run it on 12 gain tho. Its a great match in my experience.