Hey guys! I just got back from the Vision Ears launch event at ConnectIT, where they unveiled the VE3.2 and VE4.2 for the very first time in Singapore. Unfortunately, the Elysium was not in attendance, but I will be listening to it tomorrow at CanJam Singapore 2019. Here are photos from the event (click for the full image), and some brief impressions of the VE3.2 and VE4.2. Enjoy!
Like the original VE3, the 3.2 possesses a linear tonal balance. Thankfully, the 3.2’s most noticeable improvement is the original’s main flaw: Spatial performance. The stage it exhibits is now stable with decent headroom, strong holography and even proportions. The diagonals are particularly impressive. When listening to overhead mics, the VE3.2 accurately positions them at 10 and 2 o’clock; how the drummer would hear it. In terms of frequency response, the only forwardness I hear are in the upper-mids, while a mid-treble dip smoothens articulation quite a bit. For my tastes, I believe those regions could be better balanced. With an EQ, I added a 2dB dip at 4kHz and a 1.5dB rise at 8kHz, and I found the result more energetic, engaging and clean (or defined) all around. The verdict on whether or not it could compete with its peers (resolution-wise, especially) is still up in the air to me, but as a well-balanced, spacious and inoffensive all-rounder, I’d say Vision Ears have done an impressive job reprising the VE3.
The VE4.2 possesses a signature that’s more space-oriented. A laidback upper-midrange and a more articulate treble creates a stronger sense of space. The treble seems to extend further as well, rendering a blacker background, greater headroom and a more holographic presentation. Despite the VE4.2 pitch as a bass-driven IEM, the signature is actually impressively well-balanced. Echoing in-ears like Empire Ears' X Series or the 64 Audio A6t, the low-end is more sub-bass driven, but there's a fair bit of mid-bass body as well. Again, the midrange is gorgeously spacious whilst remaining likeable with a large majority of music. It’s a thicker shade of neutral, so it sounds pleasing with everything. Like the 3.2, the midrange possesses strong dynamic range as well, but the blacker background and the sense of space exacerbate that effect. I found the treble more coherent and articulate on the VE4.2, though I believe it's more so because its upper-midrange sounds more laid-back. Considering how mixed I was with the original VE4, I think the VE4.2 has gone to greater lengths to improve upon its predecessor. It's now an IEM I'd call an
all-rounder plus bass with great midrange integrity to boot.