Visit & Review: Vision Ears VE5 – Vocals Vocals Vocals

Disclaimer : The Vision Ears VE5 was delivered free of charge for this specific review, I only had to pay for the impressions and shipping them there. Then I just had to drive to Germany to pick it up.

Vision Ears

Vision Ears (VE) is a successor company of Compact Monitors and as a result they have years of experience with making custom Inear Monitors for musicians and audiophiles all over the world. While ciems are their main focus they do also make custom ear protection and something called The Jack. The company is run by two very nice guys named Amin and Marcel. Marcel is in charge of development and “tuning” while Amin handles the business side more.

I first met them at last year’s Canjam in Essen. They didn’t have a stand there but Suyang from Effect audio informed me they would be there with the AK240 + VE6 + combo. At that time Nathan was already in touch with them and that resulted in HFN reviewing their sublime VE6 X Control in October.

A few months ago VE announced a new 5 driver model and I got in touch with Amin to see if they were interested in us reviewing it. Luckily they accepted our request and here we are. Cologne seems to be the place to be for ciems in Germany as Rhines Custom Monitors is also located there at only 7km from VE. As Köln is only a 2 hour drive from the HFN headquarters I suggested to pick it up myself and check out the facilities at the same time (see “The Visit”).

The VE5

When I asked both of them which VE model was their favorite, Marcel didn’t hesitate one bit and told me the VE6 – his baby – is his number one. Amin on the other hand prefers the VE5 driver and that’s exactly what we’ll be looking at today.

The new Vision Ears VE5 is an acryl 5-driver monitor with a 4-way system using 2 bores. With 21Ohm and 122dB SPL the VE5 is a pretty sensitive and easily driven monitor. The BA configuration is as follows: 1 x Highs, 1 x high-mids, 2 x mids, 1 x lows. That’s a strong focus on the mids and that of course has an impact on how it sounds, but more on that in a bit.

German precision and quality doesn’t come cheap and the VE5’s prices start from €1399.

The Visit

Germany, that also means no speed limit on several parts of the highway. We got there fast.

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The VE office is located in one of the big streets leading straight in to the city, almost in the heart of Cologne. When you enter the office you immediately notice the relaxed atmosphere and the impressive demo station

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While demoing you can check out flyers of all the different models, the available colors, face plates and customization options, all in a really cool setting.

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IMG_4799 The offices are basically divided in to 4 parts: Reception and demo area, administrative office, the main lab and the second lab. You should see the number of ear impressions VE receives on a daily basis, it’s clear they need a good administrative follow up. It was also funny to see how different all the impressions looked with all their different colors and materials used.

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Amin was so kind to show us around and I’m afraid I took up way more of his time as he reserved but it was so very interesting. It’s not that often you get to take a look behind the product, if you know what I mean.

It continues on Page 2

4.5/5 - (27 votes)
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Lieven is living in Europe and he's the leader of the gang. He's running Headfonia as a side project next to his full time day job in Digital Marketing & Consultancy. He's a big fan of tube amps and custom inear monitors and has published hundreds of product reviews over the years.

26 Comments

  • Reply June 30, 2015

    George Lai

    An interesting read, Lieven.

  • Reply July 2, 2015

    Tronco

    I haven’t been very interested in IEMs. At work I usually use closed Over-Ear headphones and at home (depending on the noise level of my daughters) closed or open ones. I have the Shure SE215 IEMs and while they sound very good and provide good isolation, I always take full size headphones when I can.
    Do you think some good custom IEMs like these would change my perception?

    • Reply July 2, 2015

      Headfonia_L.

      They will for sure but I think you would appreciate an all rounder more

  • Reply March 8, 2017

    Emanuele

    Congratulations,great review! Just a question,how the VE5 works with jazz?

    • Reply March 8, 2017

      Lieven

      You will have great clarity and voices but personally I would look at something smoother

  • Reply June 11, 2017

    Emanuele

    Hi Lieven,I see only now you answered me and I want to thank you. Meanwhile I bought the VE5! I’m really happy with the sound,but I have som doubts about the fit. Can you describe me how do you feel with yours? Sometime I have little pain but I’m afraid if I’ll do a refit I can loose seal. Thank you and sorry to disturb you again.

    • Reply June 12, 2017

      Lieven

      Are you used to wearing CIEMs? Is it a feeling you need to get used to or do they hurt? A custom is not supposed to hurt at all, it should have your ears’ shape.
      You will always feel it being in your ears, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable. I recommend checking with VE, they can give you good advise on this.

  • Reply June 13, 2017

    Emanuele

    Thank you Lieven,yesterday I checked my ears at the hospital. I need an operation for sinusitis,this could be cause of my pain in the ear,especially the right side. Anyway the comfort with earphones is much better then two weeks ago. I will decide after the operation,thank you.
    Have a nice day!

  • Reply December 24, 2018

    Peter

    Please see my entry for Giveaway 15. Would love to hear these earphones.

  • Reply December 24, 2018

    andrew berkowitz

    Didn’t see a place to comment on Giveaway 15 so doing it here. My Lion heart enVisions these in my Ears… ; )

  • Reply December 24, 2018

    Jobbing

    As @Andrew said.

    This VE &EA Christmas giveaway combo has my name all over it.

  • Reply December 24, 2018

    Daria

    Open the comments in the draw.

  • Reply December 24, 2018

    Furkan Kocyigit

    bayramınız kutlu olsun

  • Reply December 24, 2018

    Ergin Kesgin

    Comments section for the draw still appears to be closed.

    • Reply December 24, 2018

      Lieven

      No it is open

    • Reply December 25, 2018

      Lim Keith

      It’s still closed

      • Reply December 25, 2018

        Lieven

        What article are you talking about?

      • Reply December 25, 2018

        Lim Keith

        The Christmas giveaway comment section is closed. I cant leave a comment

        • Reply December 25, 2018

          Lieven

          Hundreds of others have no problem on that article and the comments section is open. Try a hard refresh.

  • Reply December 25, 2018

    Lim Keith

    The main giveaway article has comments closed?

  • Reply December 28, 2018

    Mateusz Perich

    Yes Please!

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