Vision Ears VE8: The Fun Flagship

Vision Ears is a German company based in the city of Luxemburgerstrasse in Cologne's central south. Vision Ears is a highly respectable name among music experts and professional circles all around the world. They took the audiophile community by storm with the launch of their first IEM VE6X back in 2014. All the IEMs in their portfolio are carefully crafted musical powerhouses giving an unparalleled listening experience.

Since 2020, VE series of Vision Ears is available in both custom and Universal versions. Customizing one's IEM is a different game all together. One gets to choose the color of shell, faceplate , Logo color, Wire, almost everything for their IEM. You can curate every aspect of the IEM, making it your precious little possession with your signature taste. For those who do not wish to go through the process of customizing their IEM , Universal VE lineup is the option to go. 

The universal version of VE8 has a stunning look. It has a transparent  blue shell, boastfully displaying all the inner contents : BA drivers , wires, acoustic design. The bright pink and blue faceplate has a flashy look with a touch of purple and black creating the illusion of a celestial universe trapped within a tiny space over which the logo of VE8 stands out beautifully in silver color. The combination of blue shell and alluring of faceplate awards the earpiece with an elegant appearance. It's a designing masterpiece which mesmerizes you as soon as you lay your eyes on them and so lightweight and comfortable that even for long duration no hot spots develop in the ears. The nozzle is not designed for deep insertion, and as per my personal preference I really loved the form factor and the overall design of the IEM.

VE8 contains 8 BA drivers in each earpiece with 3-way-system. The driver configuration is:

2 x Bass, 2 x Mids , 4 x Highs

The tangle free 2-pin stock cable is sleek , tender look and has a 3.5mm single-ended termination.

Disclaimer: 

I have received  as part of review circle sent from the brand itself in exchange of honest reviews. All impressions of sound are subjective to my own listening and my sources and is based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price range.

Sources:

For this review the unit has been paired to A&K SE100 (ES9038 Pro) and Shanling M6 (AK4495EQ) without any other amplification.

Pros:

1. Fun, Musical slight V-shaped warm sound signature 

2. Organic and melodious mids with very rich musical timber

3. Very well-tuned highs

4. Amazing soundstage width/height and transitional capabilities

5. Warm and good quality sub-bass and mid-bass presentation 

6. Light weight and very comfortable with very good Build Quality

7. Coherent and very nicely tuned warm

8. Extended nozzle and very well designed for comfortable fit

Cons:

1. Stock wire does not compliment the premium form factor aesthetically 

2. Soundstage depth felt bit compromised 

Highs:

The treble is the most amazing and engaging part of VE8, It is not something that is overly extended neither it is shy at any point of time. The emphasis on treble region is towards more on quality than the quantity. The resolution is top notch and all the details just hover around above the rest of frequency spectrum giving one the pleasure of all the details and instruments by not becoming harsh of peaky. In my personal preference I would say that VE8 has managed to hit the "perfect" spot in terms of treble response. Listening to "Guns N' Roses - November Rain" was different and wonderful experience where all the instruments like  electric guitars, flutes, violins, upper notes of piano, cymbals and high hats hits with great precision and managed to retain a smooth, warm and intimating transaction with nice crisp resolution and full of so much air. 

Mids: 

Just like treble, the mid-range are again more focused on resolution and presentation. The instruments come up with very minute of details. The vocals sounds fuller and lively. Each note has full body and proper weight in them and is very crisp. The resolution is fantastic and the overall result is a very organic sound with amazing timber. Lower mids are full bodied and little elevated having bit of forward presentation that gives a very nice performance boost to male vocals whereas the upper mids are having bit relaxed presentation and this makes the female vocals bit sensual. Listening to "Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton or Rebecca Pidgeon's Spanish Harlem" both male and female vocals sounded angelic with each instrument and chorus dancing over the vocals sounding clean and crisp. 

Lows: 

The bass just like the highs and mids is nicely done using the BA setup only. The major focus is towards the mid-bass, having a good attack but that does not mean that the sub-bass is shy. The sub bass is really very much splendid and very nice definition for an all BA IEM. The sub bass rumble is very much present without any struggle and creates a very enjoyable and groovy atmosphere around it. The sub bass has a linear transition to the mid bass and the harmonics are extremely good. Overall bass stays on the natural side without any boost in the overall spectrum and the warmish tonality make it shine even more. It was fun to listen to Pop, R&B and Hip Hop signatures on this one with great resonance in the sound.

Technicalities:

The Soundstage of VE8 is just splendid, wide and high. The depth has not been given much focus to bring out the instruments and vocals bit closer so as to create an intimate tonality. The width is larger as compared depth; height feels bit enhanced as of the air in the upper-mids and treble region. The imaging is superb with sharp precision. Listening to classical orchestra one can feel the separation and space between each and every instrument giving a grandeur around you. The layering and micro detailing is also astonishing on it and compliments the overall harmonics.

Final Verdict:

In a nutshell VE8 is very wonderful, warm sounding IEM with a fun and musical touch making it a very enjoyable. The highs and lows are very well defined. The mid-range is organic and transparent with amazing timber and sound lively and natural. The detailing and resolution is top notch. So if one is looking for a fun warmish signature IEM then VE8 is totally an END GAME Flagship IEM.

Comparison VE7 vs VE8:

VE7 is a flat and neutral sounding IEM so one tends to enjoy all layers of music and is very versatile for orchestral and instrumental type of music whereas on the other hand VE8 has warm, musical tonality that lets you enjoy music as a whole piece which gives a very intimate feel and is ideal for Pop, R&B, Hip Hop and EDM signatures. One can say that VE7 is meant to be used as analytical whereas VE8 is a fun IEM.