Hi All,
About ten days ago, I received the Zen and Monk bought from a friend (Already received beta Asura since early April). And since that day, I only listen my music wih Zen & Asura only.. LOL. (with AK100 mk2 and JDS Labs C5D).
But a few days ago, the same friend of mine loan me his Breeze Audio's E16 and ask me to try this portable amp with those VE's earbuds.
Here's what I can report based on my personal and subjective listening-session:
1. E16 seems like to have more power compare to C5D (turn the volume 40/75 vs 50/75)
2. Bass impact, C5D wins this. But, I feel the bass of E16 had better and fun listening for some songs I've played.
3. Vocal (Female or Male): I can say that E16 drive them more natural and intimate than C5D.
4. Both E16 and C5D DID NOT drive the voice/vocals forward, they are tend to be in the centre.
5. E16 tend to have narrow soundstage compare to C5D, C5D is more spacious.
6. Other aspects like Instrument separation, details etc., I found no significant differences. I can say both are quite similar.
Music Album used:
Diana Krall - Wallflower
Jane Monheit - The Very Best
Katie Melua - The Katie Melua Collection
Sadao Watanabe - Come Today
Journey - Greatest Hits
Gear used:
AK 100 MK2
Breeze Audio E16
JDS Labs C5D
M2M Double Helix (pure copper)
Earbud VE Zen (only)
Short conclusion:
I believe that Breeze Audio E16 was specifically built to enhance VE's earbud. In this case, VE Zen. Too bad I don't have the E11 to compare. But the owner of this E16 informed me that E16 had more bass but E11 had more power. Both put the vocal in the centre.
Note that I only use only VE Zen for this personal review. The result may vary should we use another earbud and portable-amp.
Thanks to my friend (I don't know whether he's on head-fi or not, and Lee (zhibli06) from VE. You've developed some marvelous products for us.