Vision Ears and Rhines Custom Monitors (formerly Compact Monitors)

[nocturne19]

Does someone listened and compared stock Aura's cables to anything high?

Demoed Aura on Eletech SoA. Improved resolution, soundstage width and dynamics. On this pair up Aura sounded less warm, especially in mids. Generally speaking not the best pairing but not a bad pairing.

 

[Sound Eq]

greetings

any comparison between Erlkonig and VE10

 

[slumberman]

Hello all!

I’m looking for Erlkonig, either regular or limited edition.

Reach out if you’re thinking of parting with yours!

 

[Frankie D]

Hello all!

I’m looking for Erlkonig, either regular or limited edition.

Reach out if you’re thinking of parting with yours!

Good luck on your search. I still consider my VE ERLK LE the best IEM VE has made. When I leave it in setting 2 it is a great all rounder second only to Traillii for me and when I switch it to setting 1 ( I usually leave it here now as I have the Traillii) it blows away XE-6 and RN-6 in my view. Anyway I hope you get one.

I just commissioned ADV to make customs tips for it as I was not getting as comfortable a fit as I would like. I don ‘t have them back yet.

 

[seamon]

A few months back, I heard VE Phonix at a meet and was floored. I tried a bunch of other TOTL IEMs that day but nothing came close.
I legit thought that Phonix was pretty much perfect except it lacked a bit of treble sparkle. It's as close to my perfect IEM as it gets. I was disappointed to learn that they didn't offer a CIEM version.
Now I am seeing VE10. Maybe that's the one for my next CIEM upgrade.

 

[seamon]

3 years back, I made the huge mistake of getting A12t customs instead of VE8, maybe now is the time for a correction.

 

[nocturne19]

A few months back, I heard VE Phonix at a meet and was floored. I tried a bunch of other TOTL IEMs that day but nothing came close.
I legit thought that Phonix was pretty much perfect except it lacked a bit of treble sparkle. It's as close to my perfect IEM as it gets. I was disappointed to learn that they didn't offer a CIEM version.
Now I am seeing VE10. Maybe that's the one for my next CIEM upgrade.

3 years back, I made the huge mistake of getting A12t customs instead of VE8, maybe now is the time for a correction.

I doubt if VEX is an upgrade of A12t. To me both have similar technicalities, just different in tuning. 12t is mild U-shaped, while VEX is warm neutral. VEX sounds more relaxed and has better bass slam, while A12t presents music in a more 'organized' way.
And Phonix sounds pretty different from VEX in fact. I personally find Phonix to be a thicker VE8 with better technicals, while VEX sounds like a more musical VE7 with upgraded techs. Comparing the Phonix and VEX Phonix has thicker lower mids, which sounds more organic. So I would suggest you better demo VEX before your purchase. They still have the VE DNA though, so you won't go wrong with either one after all.

 

[seamon]

I doubt if VEX is an upgrade of A12t. To me both have similar technicalities, just different in tuning. 12t is mild U-shaped, while VEX is warm neutral. VEX sounds more relaxed and has better bass slam, while A12t presents music in a more 'organized' way.
And Phonix sounds pretty different from VEX in fact. I personally find Phonix to be a thicker VE8 with better technicals, while VEX sounds like a more musical VE7 with upgraded techs. Comparing the Phonix and VEX Phonix has thicker lower mids, which sounds more organic. So I would suggest you better demo VEX before your purchase. They still have the VE DNA though, so you won't go wrong with either one after all.

The problem with A12t is the 16khz spike. It's pretty much unusable for me unless I tone down 16khz by 10dB. It makes everything sound "tizzy" is the best way to describe it.

I really loved the VE8. I will prolly AB VE8 and VE10 at some point and get one or the other.

 

[seamon]

I doubt if VEX is an upgrade of A12t. To me both have similar technicalities, just different in tuning. 12t is mild U-shaped, while VEX is warm neutral. VEX sounds more relaxed and has better bass slam, while A12t presents music in a more 'organized' way.
And Phonix sounds pretty different from VEX in fact. I personally find Phonix to be a thicker VE8 with better technicals, while VEX sounds like a more musical VE7 with upgraded techs. Comparing the Phonix and VEX Phonix has thicker lower mids, which sounds more organic. So I would suggest you better demo VEX before your purchase. They still have the VE DNA though, so you won't go wrong with either one after all.

How's the Aroma Jewel compared to VE Phonix?

At this point, I am looking for Phonix but CIEM.

 

[bukumurah]

I doubt if VEX is an upgrade of A12t. To me both have similar technicalities, just different in tuning. 12t is mild U-shaped, while VEX is warm neutral. VEX sounds more relaxed and has better bass slam, while A12t presents music in a more 'organized' way.
And Phonix sounds pretty different from VEX in fact. I personally find Phonix to be a thicker VE8 with better technicals, while VEX sounds like a more musical VE7 with upgraded techs. Comparing the Phonix and VEX Phonix has thicker lower mids, which sounds more organic. So I would suggest you better demo VEX before your purchase. They still have the VE DNA though, so you won't go wrong with either one after all.

Were you able to compare these with the EXT and Aura as well?

 

[Deezel177]

How's the Aroma Jewel compared to VE Phonix?

At this point, I am looking for Phonix but CIEM.

The Jewel is more neutral - less warm - in tone, and far lighter in timbre. Notes sorta float airily on the Jewel vs. the earthier presentation of the PHoNIX. The VE X is probably the closest you can get to a custom PHoNIX, even if it is a wee bit quicker and more vibrant.

 

[nocturne19]

The problem with A12t is the 16khz spike. It's pretty much unusable for me unless I tone down 16khz by 10dB. It makes everything sound "tizzy" is the best way to describe it.

I really loved the VE8. I will prolly AB VE8 and VE10 at some point and get one or the other.

How's the Aroma Jewel compared to VE Phonix?

At this point, I am looking for Phonix but CIEM.

Agree with the 16khz spike, an issue to me as well. Common phenomenon found in 64 iems - tia brought a wide stage, though with occasional spikes. Can't really regard it as a 'problem', guess we can only live with it.

I agree with @Deezel177 comparison - jewel is more neutral, while notes float around. To me it is a mid-focused set, especially with upper-mids due to enhanced 2-3khz. Instruments lack some bite because of the 6khz dip. If you are finding a vocal-specialist to complement your all-rounded 12t that would be a 'safe' choice. You can also say the Phonix is mid-focused, though its more about lower mids. Vocals get more thickness than usual, which provides a smooth and organic experience to listeners. So probably its down to personal preference between the two.

I still believe VE8 CIEM is your best bet, though you would expect less warmth and technicalities. VEX CIEM gives you the techs, but with even less warmth.

 

[nocturne19]

Were you able to compare these with the EXT and Aura as well?

Its been some time since I heard the EXT so I can't really comment on that; but from memory it sounds pretty warm to me, and is VERY power hungry: Still one of the most power-hungry iems till today, the opposite of Phonix, Aura and VEX which are considered pretty sensitive.

I personally thought Aura was intended to be a more transparent Phonix with better bass, and they basically did it by reducing lower mids and equipping a DD. So basically it sounds like a less mid-focused Phonix with better bass slam. Technicalities are pretty much the same, Aura probably has an edge in soundstage width and staging due to less lower-mids. To me Aura and Phonix are on the same level, just with a different focus. I would say Aura sounds closer to Phonix LE, though being marginally spicy due to more 8khz.

 

[Altore69]

A few months back, I heard VE Phonix at a meet and was floored. I tried a bunch of other TOTL IEMs that day but nothing came close.
I legit thought that Phonix was pretty much perfect except it lacked a bit of treble sparkle. It's as close to my perfect IEM as it gets. I was disappointed to learn that they didn't offer a CIEM version.
Now I am seeing VE10. Maybe that's the one for my next CIEM upgrade.

Some time ago I also listened to several iem Totl.

When I listened to the Phoenix I was really impressed. resolution and transparency were wonderful. But I discovered that some things could be improved.

Then I auditioned the Aura. And it was wonderful! you find the sound of the Phoenix but with better bass, and a more lively and deep soundstage. The scene is less flat.
I also found it a little less warm and with more treble.

Maybe you should listen to the aura.

I haven't heard the VEX, I would like

 

[seamon]

Some time ago I also listened to several iem Totl.

When I listened to the Phoenix I was really impressed. resolution and transparency were wonderful. But I discovered that some things could be improved.

Then I auditioned the Aura. And it was wonderful! you find the sound of the Phoenix but with better bass, and a more lively and deep soundstage. The scene is less flat.
I also found it a little less warm and with more treble.

Maybe you should listen to the aura.

I haven't heard the VEX, I would like

I am only interested in custom IEMs tbh.
My only use case is sound isolation while I am travelling.
I would rather use headphones or speakers at home.