Nihal reviews the PLUSSOUND VOLTA SE, a special-edition high-end dual-dynamic, twin-BA, and dual-EST driver tri-hybrid universal IEM. It is currently priced at $2799.99.
Disclaimer: I received this sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank the team at PLUSSOUND for giving me this opportunity.
Click here to read more about PLUSSOUND products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
A few weeks ago, if you asked me what PLUSSOUND is known for, I would have said some good IEM cables. I knew they also made IEMs, but I never really paid attention to that side of the brand.
I was honestly ignorant about it until I reviewed the SONORA SE. I always saw PLUSSOUND as a cable-first company, so my expectations were not exactly high going in.
The SONORA SE completely flipped that for me. It was one of those moments where you finish a few tracks and sit there thinking, wait, this is PLUSSOUND?
Now we have the younger sibling, VOLTA SE, priced at $2,799.99, coming in slightly below the SONORA SE.
It is a retuned version of the earlier VOLTA. Outside of some visual changes and tweaks to the cable internals, most things stay the same. VOLTA SE receives the same flagship treatment as the SONORA SE, with both being quite similar in design and packaging.
Stick with me, and we will see if VOLTA SE meets the expectations SONORA SE created. I will also compare it with a few price-relative IEMs such as the Kinera ThorKing and Alpha Omega’s Omega.
Features
PLUSSOUND is keeping VOLTA SE’s tech story refreshingly focused. It is a tribrid consisting of two 10mm dynamic drivers handling the low and sub-low duties, two BA for the mids, and two electrostatic drivers for the highs and super-highs.
The real glue here is the new 6-way crossover network, and that’s a serious split for a six-driver setup. On top of that, VOLTA SE uses a 3D-printed acoustic chamber to manage airflow and driver interaction.
The other interesting touch is the internal wiring approach. PLUSSOUND is using two proprietary in-house wire designs, Copper XS and Silver XS, both built from ultra-pure OCC material.
They are treated like “arteries” inside the IEM, routed strategically to specific drivers to optimize signal flow. Now the only question is whether VOLTA SE plays like a proper flagship once the music starts.
Design
VOLTA SE has that same “machined with intent” look that you find on the rest of the PLUSSOUND lineup, but the vibe is a bit simpler here.
The shells are built of anodized aluminum, yet they do not come off as a plain CNC brick. These are complex but feel subtle and neat.
There are little facets and hard edges around the body that give the shells a rugged feel. The overall finishing looks clean and consistent. The best part is that it is built to last and does not demand any extra maintenance, thanks to its scratch-free, rugged surface.
The faceplate is the main hook. You get a layered, angled line pattern that runs diagonally, almost like stacked contour lines. In some pics, it seems like basic lines; in hand, you see the ridges drop back like tiny stairs.
The PLUSSOUND logo sits inside a small circle, recessed and neat, not shouting. The faceplate goes grey, and the inner side of the shell also follows that black theme, so the whole thing looks stealthier and more technical than the warmer SONORA SE palette.
The inner section has a different texture too, with a grippy, geometric finish that should help with fingerprints and daily handling. Size-wise, it is not as chunky as the blocky design suggests. It feels fairly normal in the ear and surprisingly light.
The nozzle is metal and not oversized, and you can spot multiple sound outlets lined up at the tip. There is also that slim slit-style vent on the side near the 0.78mm 2-pin socket, which feels quite different than the usual pinhole vents.
Comfort & Isolation
Going by photos alone, I always assumed these PLUSSOUND shells would be the kind of metal slabs that feel impressive on a table but annoying in your ears.
Big faceplates, sharp machining, all that stuff that usually translates to weight and discomfort. VOLTA SE does not behave like that at all. Once you wear them, the stereotype falls apart. It never really feels like a large metal block pushing and pressing on your ears.
The IEM sits more like a well-shaped resin shell than a dense chunk of aluminum. Even after a long session, you don’t feel they need a lot of readjustments and rechecks; they stay snug and secure.
The faceplate has a flat design that is shaped to sit flush rather than press inward. The edges on the shells are clean and rounded. There are no pressure points, so nothing bites into the concha, and I never ran into hot spots even in longer sessions.
I can imagine the shells feeling larger than usual for people with smaller ears, but given how lightweight they are, it should be easy to find an ear tip that helps them stay securely in place.
The nozzle is on the smaller side, which makes tip-rolling easy. Most tips slide on without a struggle, and the insertion stays shallow and natural.
It seals easily, sits securely when you are walking around, and the flat faceplate shape keeps it from sticking out. Isolation is good once you get that seal, and I did not notice any driver flex when inserting or during use.
Overall, for me, VOLTA SE is the kind of fit where you put it in, and if it fits well for you, you forget it is there and just keep listening.
Ear Tips
VOLTA SE comes with the same tip spread as SONORA SE. You get three styles in total: PLUSSOUND silicone tips, Comply foam tips, and PLUSSOUND hybrid tips, each in S, M, and L.
The silicone and hybrid set both seat nicely on the nozzle and get a seal without you having to fight for it. I barely touched the foams, though. Foam tips and I just do not get along, so I did not bother using them.
For my ears, the stock silicone tips were the easy pick. Size L gave me a quick, consistent seal and a fit that stayed put without constant micro-adjustments.
The hybrid tips also seal well and fill the canal smoothly, but they feel a bit too soft and squishy for my preference. They are comfortable, sure, but I kept wishing they had a little more firmness and shape.
Even with a good set included, none of the stock options really feel well-built in comparison with my standards, such as Divinus Velvets or the Nostalgia Audio XWB. Those just feel more predictable and better contoured for my ears.
VOLTA SE’s nozzle is on the shorter side with an average width, so tips with smaller stems go on easily and sit without any awkwardness. I also lean toward wide-bore tips in general because they tend to keep the presentation feeling open rather than boxed in.
After a bit of swapping around, I landed back on Divinus Velvet in size L. For VOLTA SE, it hit the sweet spot: solid seal, long-session comfort, and that slightly more open, airy feel I like.
The shorter stem on the Velvet also pairs well with the smaller nozzle length, so the fit ends up feeling very natural.
Stock Cable
VOLTA SE ships with PLUSSOUND’s limited Silver-Plated Copper XL cable. It does not feel like a freebie tossed in to tick a box.
It is a simple 2-wire build, but it has that “serious cable” thickness in the hand. After all, the brand builds some of the best-looking cables. Under the hood, the cable uses two 18 AWG UP-OCC conductors with 36-strand groups.
The configuration aims to achieve lower resistance and better efficiency, so it is easy to drive across different sources. From the images, this cable may look chunky, but it is very pliable.
The sleeve is a clean, light grey fabric-style jacket with a subtle weave. It looks premium without trying too hard.
What I also like is the ergonomics. It coils neatly, stays very flexible, and does not fight you when you wrap it up. It also drapes well around the ear without pulling the shells down, which matters more than people admit with thicker cables.
Hardware follows the same understated, utilitarian vibe. The splitter is a matte black barrel with a textured, geometric pattern cut into the surface, which breaks up the finish and gives your fingers some grip.
The termination comes with a clean black housing and solid strain relief. This adapter carries a small yellow PLUSSOUND badge that adds a bit of character.
I have a 4.4mm terminated cable here, but you can also choose your termination type when ordering a pair. Up top, you get matching rhodium-plated 0.78mm 2-pin connectors that feel durable.
Overall, it is the kind of stock cable that feels right with the IEM, so you are not immediately thinking about swapping it out.
Packaging & Accessories
VOLTA SE comes in a box that looks almost too small for what you are getting. Everything is laid out in the same way as with the SONORA SE, with some color changes here and there.
At first glance, the package gives a minimal impression. Then you open it and realize PLUSSOUND has just kept the footprint tight, not the contents.
The presentation is clean and tidy, with no pointless foam mountains or layers meant only for photos. This layout is exactly similar to the SONORA SE too, with just some different colors for the leathers there.
When you open the box, you get a big, zippered carry case that holds the IEMs, cable, and all the accessories inside it. Open it up, and there is a proper organizer tray inside.
The IEMs sit in shaped cutouts, so they do not rattle around, and the cable has its own channel to wrap around neatly without getting kinked. It is the kind of tray you can pull out and just use as a desk stand while you tip-roll or swap cables.
The accessory spread is solid and feels complete rather than filler. You get the three tip sets in separate packs: PLUSSOUND silicone, Comply foam, and PLUSSOUND hybrid tips, all in multiple sizes.
There is a leather pouch, a snap-button cable strap, a soft drawstring pouch in a matching grey shade to store the IEMs, and a metal ear tip tray that looks a bit overkill at first, but is quite a cool tool to arrange your ear tips.
And that’s basically it; nothing’s missing. The overall packaging is a compact kit that still feels flagship-level in how thought-out it is.
Carry Case
I love large carry cases where IEMs and cables do not have to struggle for space. The carry case that comes with VOLTA SE is finished in a light grey, slate-like tone, with a soft leather feel.
On touching, it easily comes across as premium without being slippery or glossy. The PLUSSOUND logo is quietly embossed on the top. Overall, this case looks clean and non-flashy.
It’s rigid enough that you can throw it into a backpack and forget it. The case is otherwise light enough not to feel bulky. Inside, the lining is soft and smooth, so the cable and shells are not rubbing against a hard surface.
This is not a pocket case, though. It is perfect for a bag, which is exactly how most people will use a large case like this anyway.
Space inside is generous in a practical way. VOLTA SE and its cable fit comfortably without you having to force anything, and there is still enough extra room that you could squeeze in another small set if you really wanted to.
The lid has a mesh slip that’ll hold a micro-SD or a cleaning tool, but don’t expect it to swallow your ear tips or adapters.
The bonus round is the little black leather pouch, which shows up like the sidekick. It is soft, roomy, and works best as a dedicated cable pouch to keep things tidy and tangle-free.
I would still not throw the IEMs in there along with the cable, but for storing the cable separately, it is genuinely useful and feels like a thoughtful addition rather than a random extra.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
