When one's identity is as rock-solid and well-defined as Vision Ears, you don't change it – you work at bettering it. Such is the case with their VE10 flagship earphone, celebrating 10 years of history through 10 drivers.
It's already on Headfonia's Recommended Buys list, and a fitting celebration for Vision Ears to Twister6. It's a roaring success on The Headphone List. The next chapter in the journey of Amin, Marcel & Oliver unfolds with the VE10, maintaining the beloved smooth yet reference tonality cherished by Vision Ears fans.
However, this edition introduces the highest level of resolution, presence, and substance ever achieved in a Vision Ears IEM. Crafted as a hybrid 10-driver flagship, the VE10 boasts a CNC-machined housing made of anodised aluminium.
This material was chosen to accommodate a sophisticated internal acoustic network, featuring a physical low-pass filter for its 8mm dynamic driver. It shows up in VE10's sound, with a bass that lays down a visceral experience for the foundation of this Vision Ears' down-sloping reference tuning.
Handling the mid and high frequencies are nine balanced armatures, including a horn-loaded tweeter that imparts a renewed, vibrant sparkle to the treble, delivering the most apparent resolution in any Vision Ears IEM to date. [See Product Desc. For More]
Indeed, embedded within the VE10 is the hallmark of the VE line of earphones: a trusted and true sound embraced by studio professionals, musicians and audiophiles alike. Yet, it never strays into sterility, always providing the immersive experience that the latter crave.
The precision remains unwavering in the VE10, even with the introduction of a dynamic driver. While the air's movement adds extra thump to the lows, it crucially maintains the fast, expertly-integrated bass that has long symbolised all Vision Ears monitors.
In fact, Vision Ears centre the whole VE10 experience around this driver, marking the debut of a dynamic transducer in a VE series IEM with a physical, robust presence that literally shakes the earth around.
Capable of great pistonic excursion, speed and high Q factor, the lessons this new dynamic driver learnt from Elysium and EXT are evident in VE10.
The 8mm diameter of the dynamic driver enables it to ascend in frequency without encountering cone or modal break-up, facilitating a seamless handover and crossover to the VE10's nine balanced armatures higher up.
Its low-order shallow roll-off means this dynamic driver achieves greater phase coherence than BA alternatives. This handover is aided by an intricate internal structure featuring an acoustic low-pass filter for VE10's dynamic driver.
Remaining true to their practice of utilising sound tubes but optimising geometry for minimal turbulence and distortion to rival the best tube-less designs, Vision Ears showcase their pedigree with the abundance of drivers akin to a mini-choir producing the tonal density they've made their own.
The incorporation of a horn for the VE10's tweeter is a novel implementation of a classic approach. Placing this acoustic amplifier at the output serves to boost the SPL from a balanced armature that moves relatively little air.
This design choice ensures that the VE10 doesn't excessively strain its tweeter for volume, operating it in a cleaner and more elegant manner.
Rather than succumbing to an exuberance of new technology, Vision Ears adheres to their established sound. VE10 employs these tools as mere aids to create VE's most articulate release to date, but as means to an end, rather than the end itself.
The VE10 embodies the ethos of hard work and innovation that defines Vision Ears, making a clear statement that they are here to stay. It positions itself as a testament to enduring quality, laying the foundation for another successful decade.
Check out the road that Vision Ears took to the VE10 here, or view our other IEMs here.