Sound Impressions
The following sound impressions of the Vision Ears VE ZEN were completed using a mix of the iBasso DX340/AMP15 combo and the HiBy R8 II with the Stock cable in a balanced low-gain output mode (turbo gain on the R8 II)
Summary
For those new to the sound signature, the VE ZEN delivers a smooth sound with excellent depth and power, and a gorgeous but slightly forward vocal reproduction.
It’s an emotive presentation rather than a reference tuning, one that I described before as sitting somewhere between the EXT MKI (and now the MKII) and the more laid-back Phönix.
It’s also exceptionally coherent-sounding, considering the mix of drivers and the strong bass response from the dynamic driver.
There is a bit of warmth from the bass to the mids that helps deliver a rich and full-bodied note quality in instruments and vocals. Treble is somewhat relaxed, so it’s not the airiest of performers, creating a more intimate soundstage, but with excellent imaging.
On paper, the VE ZEN is an exact duplication of the VE10’s sound signature into a custom format, so those looking to migrate can do so with confidence that they will not lose something in translation.
To a large extent, this is true from my testing. And yet, the switch to a custom 3D resin format, sans tips, creates some tangible improvements that elevate the VE ZEN above the VE10 in many ways.
At a high level, you can consider this the VE10 sound signature on steroids, as if you are casting a sharper focus on any music you listen to.
The sub-bass presence sounds somewhat enhanced, and instrumental/vocal fundamental frequencies are more noticeable. The staging is more immersive, with dynamics sounding like they have also received a lift.
That’s the joy of customs over universals IMHO. You are pulled into an incredible performance that is more complete, more engaging, with little to distract you due to the enhanced fitting and excellent passive isolation.
Frequency Response
The VE ZEN’s main focus is the bass response and pinna region, with significant gain in both areas.
This helps create a fairly balanced sound signature, but one that has less treble focus and a bit of bloom and warmth courtesy of a mid-bass and upper-bass tuning that’s a little north of neutral.
If anything, the custom version solidifies this FR with a denser, fuller-sounding version than the universal VE10 format with silicone tips.
From 20Hz to 60Hz, the FR is heightened but relatively linear-sounding. On the VE10 universal format, the mid-bass has a bit more bias and is not quite as meaty as the custom version, so I would consider the VE ZEN lows to be a bit more powerful and fuller-sounding.
From 60Hz onwards, the VE ZEN has an extended bass platform sounding well north of neutral with a bit of bloom and additional warmth, which is, in turn, picked up through the mids, creating a somewhat smooth and slightly rounded tonal quality to both instrument and vocal.
From 600Hz to about 1k, there is a dip, but it’s not substantial, just running slightly south of the Harman Target Curve; enough to create some necessary space for mids to shine without too much cloying warmth creeping in.
From 1k to 5k, the pinna gain is elevated but not so much that it sounds shouty. Vocals sit forward as a result, but the harmonic balance is more even than odd courtesy of a fairly relaxed 6-10k tuning.
Treble is soft and smooth, not big on attack or endless sparkle, but there is a slight nudge in the 8-10k region, which, combined with 5k lift, ensures upper-mids and lower-treble have a natural level of contrast and air.
Staging & Dynamics
The VE ZEN is more about being able to reach out and engage with the performance than sitting back and passively watching a show from afar.
The soundstage is more to the intimate side with a forward and powerful bass, a captivating vocal imaging experience, and a slightly laid-back treble.
That is not to say it has an overly dark sound signature that struggles for air. There is excellent staging depth and precise, detailed imagery courtesy of those 9 BA drivers.
Having said that, the immersion from the custom format is superior to the universal format VE10. A/B’ing the two, the VE ZEN sounded ‘bigger’, deeper, and with better dynamic range than the slightly smaller sounding and flatter presentation of the universal format.
Especially vocal dynamics and note weight, which sound fuller and more immediate to my ear compared to the VE10’s slightly diminished impact and presence in the same region.
Again, this is likely down to the enhanced nozzle length of the custom version and solid resin versus the more porous silicone tips that come with the universal.
You are getting that ‘extra 20%’ in the staging performance from the VE ZEN that is not possible from its universal sibling.
Synergy
The Vision Ears VE ZEN is rated with an impedance of 8.4Ω (at 1 kHz) and an SPL of 118.6 dB @100mV @1KHz. It’s easy to drive, and an IEM I would class as ‘sensitive’.
On paper, it is just as sensitive as the older universal VE10. That means a typically low gain setting for most DAPs and easy on the volume, though I tend to keep dongles in a high-gain setting for all my IEMs.
Because of the custom fit, however, the VE ZEN will sound slightly more dynamic, perhaps even marginally louder and more immersive.
This is due to the difference between a custom-fit resin shell that extends further into your ear canal and blocks out background noise more effectively than the more porous ear tips with a universal fit.
DAP & Portable Amplifier Pairings
I tested 3 DAPs and a portable amp, including the ONIX Mystic XP1, the iBasso DX340/AMP15 combo, HiBy’s R8 II, and the N6iii with the R202 Motherboard.
Generally speaking, I love any combination that produces a rich and weighty vocal-first imaging experience. However, in the case of the Mystic XP1, I felt the coloration was too dark for the VE ZEN to sound optimal.
The VE ZEN bass is certainly weighty and very dominant, and the vocal imaging is intimate with excellent texture.
However, the treble sounds a bit attenuated, creating a darker sound signature which, in turn, delivers an overly rounded tone to the harmonic balance. In short, this combo lacks a bit of height and air.
I preferred to go with a cleaner, more open-sounding source with the R8 II and the DX340/AMP15 combo getting the nod, and the 1-bit mode on the R202/N6iii sounded more balanced than the R2-R alternative.
Do not get me wrong, the R-2R mode on the N6iii lives up to its promise of delivering some lush vocals and voluminous bass, and it sounds airier than the XP1. It’s more about the balance between the VE ZEN vocals and bass, leaving enough room for instruments above and to the side to have some presence.
The VE ZEN sounds far more balanced and open to my ears with the more neutral DX340/AMP15 and the slightly more colored R8 II. The R8 II delivers excellent bass weight to the VE ZEN but keeps the mids staging depth quite open with clear and precise imaging.
The DX340/AMP15 is a leaner bass sound, but the dynamics are excellent, as is the staging expansion in all directions. Vocals sound sweet on the DX340 without dominating the instruments, so you have excellent focus and clarity.
Dongle Pairings
For dongle pairing with the VE ZEN, I went with iBasso’s DC-Elite and the Nunchaku, as well as Cayin’s RU7 and the HiBy FC6.
The VE ZEN pairing was one of those rare occasions where I felt the DC-Elite was not the most ideal pairing. That comes down primarily to the stepped attenuator’s aggressive dB increases being a bit much for the VE ZEN’s sensitivity levels.
Unlike the other dongles, you will find yourself constantly adjusting both the phone’s USB volume and the stepped attenuator’s levels to achieve granular control over the volume jumps. This is not ideal for listening on the go, which is where I usually opt for a dongle over a DAP.
Once you do get the right setting, it does deliver a driving punch sound from the VE ZEN and excellent clarity, but in this instance, I actually preferred the RU7.
The RU7/VE ZEN combo sounded a bit more natural, with vocals sitting neutral to slightly forward with loads of staging depth. The VE ZEN sounded wider and more emotive with the RU7.
The Nunchaku was a similar experience with enhanced depth and a slightly smoother sound than the DC-Elite. Vocals are sweet, almost lush-sounding, with decent air, and not as in-your-face as the FC6.
The FC6 combo is a fun sound, but a more limited one on a technical level. The VE ZEN sounded quite narrow with vocals right up close and personal and a very enhanced bass presence.
It’s a fun combination for casual listening, but it’s a step behind the others in terms of resolution and instrumental separation.
