VZR Model One

[AlwaysForward]

Protein Leather. Really good stuff tho. Replaceable.

 

[Youcan1]

I believe this is incorrect. By volume, most headphones produced use OTS. You’re looking through a biased lens as a headphones enthusiast because custom hifi gear makes up the majority of your headphones mindshare.

I’m not going down a google research hole to find the reference, so do it yourself.

I have no doubt all the cheap mass market stuff is mainly OTS designed entirely by OEMs. Of course I'm mainly referring to stuff we would discuss here. A driver being custom doesn't mean it isn't an OTS part, and I agree that a minority of companies actually design a driver completely in house. They can take an off the shelf part and make slight tweaks to it and legally call it a custom driver because it isn't exactly identical to what the manufacturer of said part already had. Look at what companies like Emotiva, KLH, Monoprice, etc. are all doing with their headphones, and those are all much more established than VZR. You seem to be implying that a OTS driver is a bad thing and I disagree with that. Why bother using resources designing a driver yourself if you already have a capable part available?

 

[Youcan1]

I did some looking around and I was unable to tell what material the pads are made from. I'm assuming they are fake leather (pleather), but can any owners confirm? If so, that's a shame. Pleather, even the "high quality" stuff doesn't last (especially with my skin chemistry) and it doesn't look like they sell replacements. Are they at least easily replaceable or do they use adhesive or a proprietary mounting mechanism?

I actually have a sheepskin leather set that fits the VZR, but I didn't like the sound as much because they are thicker and the bass is even heavier with them on.

 

[AlwaysForward]

I have no doubt all the cheap mass market stuff is mainly OTS designed entirely by OEM manufacturers. Of course I'm mainly referring to stuff we would discuss here. A driver being custom doesn't mean it isn't an OTS part, and I agree that a minority of companies actually design a driver completely in house. They can take an off the shelf part and make slight tweaks to it and legally call it a custom driver because it isn't exactly identical to what the manufacturer of said part already had. Look at what companies like Emotiva, KLH, Monoprice, etc. are all doing with their headphones, and those are all much more established than VZR. You seem to be implying that a OTS driver is a bad thing and I disagree with that. Why bother using resources designing a driver yourself if you already have a capable part available?

Read this and shush

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones...&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3

 

[Youcan1]

Read this and shush

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones...&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3

I did, and that could be exactly what I mentioned in my last post. I don't care either way if they did or didn't and I don't know why you care either. The only thing that matters is the finished product.

 

[AlwaysForward]

I did, and that could be exactly what I mentioned in my last post. I don't care either way if they did or didn't and I don't know why you care either. The only thing that matters is the finished product.

I don’t understand. So you read this and still went through this discussion process, changing your arguments along the way. What was the original point you were trying to make with this information in mind?

For reference you began with the argument that these are nothing special and questioning the engineering execution as “tricks”

This is incoherent with your recent comments

 

[AlwaysForward]

One of the things the guy mentioned in the reviews I linked is that VZR is working on other models. I would like to see a higher end model (maybe $500ish?) with a more advanced driver and slightly different bass tuning. The driver itself doesn't seem to be anything special (even though they say it's custom), kind of the typical $100 to $300 level dynamic driver that is very likely being elevated due to the tricks they're using. I'd like to see what some higher end features combined with the acoustic lens is like. As of now these just can't keep up with the dynamics/clarity/speed of my other headsets that aren't even that much more expensive. It wouldn't shock me if they came out with a cheaper model too since most people out there won't spend this kind of money on a gaming headset.

The majority of headphones out there have a "custom" driver. How custom it is varies greatly, from made from scratch to a slight tweak on an existing design. There is nothing wrong with using a well made off the shelf driver and tweaking it to your needs anyway if that is the route they took. I haven't seen the specific interview where they talk about designing it.


I'm sure it'll blow the Hyper X and Fostex away. The Grado will likely be a different story. The spatial qualities are very good for a closed back at this price. I broke mine in with my old MP3 player running over the course of a week on and off.

I have no doubt all the cheap mass market stuff is mainly OTS designed entirely by OEMs. Of course I'm mainly referring to stuff we would discuss here. A driver being custom doesn't mean it isn't an OTS part, and I agree that a minority of companies actually design a driver completely in house. They can take an off the shelf part and make slight tweaks to it and legally call it a custom driver because it isn't exactly identical to what the manufacturer of said part already had. Look at what companies like Emotiva, KLH, Monoprice, etc. are all doing with their headphones, and those are all much more established than VZR. You seem to be implying that a OTS driver is a bad thing and I disagree with that. Why bother using resources designing a driver yourself if you already have a capable part available?

Just saying

 

[b0lt 0ns]

I don't think he meant tricks in a negative way I read that more as "proprietary design".

 

[AlwaysForward]

I don't think he meant tricks in a negative way I read that more as "proprietary design".

“The driver itself doesn’t seem to be anything special”- direct quote

 

[b0lt 0ns]

“The driver itself doesn’t seem to be anything special”- direct quote

I know but I think he meant it more in the sense they were able to take an average driver and make it sound awesome with their design. I'll let him tell us though.

 

[AlwaysForward]

I know but I think he meant it more in the sense they were able to take an average driver and make it sound awesome with their design. I'll let him tell us though.

In context; It’s either implying that either only advanced materials produce outstanding performance or that the driver is “run of the mill”

He specifically calls out $100-300 peers and qualified “not much more expensive” headphones as the next tier VZR should aim for achieving in their next generation using a “more advanced driver”

It’s not really ambiguous

 

[Youcan1]

In context; It’s either implying that either only advanced materials produce outstanding performance or that the driver is “run of the mill”

He specifically calls out $100-300 peers and qualified “not much more expensive” headphones as the next tier VZR should aim for achieving in their next generation using a “more advanced driver”

It’s not really ambiguous

No, the "discussion" was over whether or not they actually designed the drivers themselves and I said I don't care if they did or not. I never said I don't care what the component quality is (which I think most would agree does matter even though implementation and tuning is equally important) . I think the driver they used for the Model One is fine for this price point and them being a new company they likely want to go with a design that is proven and easy to manufacture as was mentioned in the Reddit thread.

The upgrade price tier was just me guessing where they could go, as well a cheaper model like I mentioned. I find it unlikely they'll design some $1,000+ flagship unless the brand really takes off. The Edition XS pretty handily beats the Model One in every area apart from bass quantity for me and is only $150 more retail. The Elegia is closer but still bests it in several ways and that was under $400. Neither of those have the gaming extras which add to the cost but it still isn't an unfair comparison to make.

I do think the acoustic lens is affecting the sound delivery and adding to the separation which is why I said I would like to see the tech used with something higher end (whatever that may be). No need for the hostility.

 

[AlwaysForward]

Ok so I’m maybe splitting hairs but I hear you on your preferences. The summary of the points is reasonable.

It’s curious that we have such different subjective experiences with these.

 

[561915]

They have arrived. Will post review after I get some solid music and gaming time.

 

[AlwaysForward]

They have arrived. Will post review after I get some solid music and gaming time.

Nice I’m currently enjoying how well they run off my Quidelix. The efficiency is great for bt dongle life.