FiR Audio VxV Review

FiR Audio VxV

Classics

 

The bass in this IEM is being produced by a Dynamic Driver, though I am convinced some wouldn’t even have noticed if it hadn’t been for the bass port in the shell. That being said, the bass – as mentioned earlier – can be heavier sounding depending on the source.

With the AK SP2000 in example, bass certainly is present more than in a neutral way. Here bass is bigger and powerful, and it has a really good punch to the delivery. With the Hiby R8 on the other hand, you surprisingly get a lighter amount of bass and a more neutral tuning. But even with the more limited amount of bass in this last combo, the bass still is very engaging and it comes with a good punch. From my phone, the Oneplus 8 Pro, you get a bass signature which is in between that of the R8 and the SP2000, so it’s probably the presentation that would suit the majority of listeners. The downside here is that the phone has an issue with keeping everything tight and under control, and as a result the VxV can sound a bit edgy. With none of the DAPs used this was the case however.

In general the VxV’s bass goes low when needed. Depending on the DAP used, the VxV can also show really nice bass layering and detail. Overall, the VxV’s bass is fun, engaging and most of all it’s addictive. It’s popularly tuned bass, excellent for on the go and really good with popular music genres.

The mids connect perfectly to the bass region and they have a natural amount of body. With some sources the mids will have more weight than with others. The delivery and tuning is more to the neutral side but with hints of softness and smoothness. I really like the mid timbre and its dynamic presentation. The mids simply are very musical. Vocals are clean and realistic but can be a bit more forward sounding depending on the source you’re using the VxV with.

FiR Audio VxV

The mids section is spacious and airy and I like to describe them as “relaxed & natural” sounding. They have great dynamics and good detail retrieval, though the note extension and note decay is limited. Mid depth and layering is good, especially for the price point and the amount of drivers used. All-in-all, the mids are natural sounding and very easy, clear and pleasant to listen to.

The treble section is lively and energetic without ever becoming shouty or sharp. With a lot of the modern IEMs, the treble is very safely tuned so that it’s easy on the ears, but the VxV’s treble is better than that. You get good precision, combined with excellent liveliness and detail retrieval. Treble maybe is not the most extended, but it’s spacious, airy and natural sounding. I do feel that FiR Audio really put some extra effort in the treble tuning, to make it stand out from the crowd and make it better than most of the IEMs in this price region. Well done.

So is the VxV an (ideal) EDC IEM? We would have to say “yes”. It’s easy to drive, it sounds good (yet different) with a wide selection of sources and no matter if you listen to metal, pop, techno or rock, it always sounds natural and engaging. The 5-driver FiR VxV perhaps isn’t the King when it comes to technical performance, but it always is a pleasure to listen to. Check!

For me personally, I like the VxV most with the SP2000 as source. I love the fuller presentation and bigger bass mixed with great the VxV’s speed, clarity and energy. Even though the VxV isn’t the strongest technical performer in my collection, it’s such an awesome, musical IEM in this combo and I can listen to it all day long. Give me more music, more!

FiR Audio VxV

Comparisons

Looking at universal 5-driver IEMs, the following two come into mind: The Earsonics ES5 and the MMR Gae Bolg.

The Earsonics ES5 is selling for €950 euro and is very different sounding from the VxV. The ES5 is flatter and more neutral sounding and it is wider and more spacious. The ES5 maybe even is a bit to airy sounding, looking back at it. The ES5 has less body and comes in lighter from top to bottom. It doesn’t have the fulness and naturalness of the VxV. The FiR Audio IEM is more natural, fuller and more engaging to listen to. The ES5 is good, but it targets a very specific group of listeners, while the VxV will please almost everyone.

The MMR Gae Bolg IEM, which is selling for $1,199, is a very different 5-driver design. It sounds lighter and more forward. Where the VxV is great in coherence, the MMR clearly is more vocal forward and treble focused. Technically, the Gae Bolg is the clear winner as is has the upper hand in speed, precision, extension, layering and decay. The VxV is fuller, more natural and easier to listen to however and I really like its dynamics. Just like with the ES5, the Gae Bolg is more for a smaller group of people liking a very specific tuning. The VxV is more of an everyone pleasing IEM.

FiR Audio VxV

Conclusion

The FiR Audio VxV article has been one I have been looking forward to write, simply because I have been enjoying this IEM so much. It just has that magical something that makes you want to listen to it more and more. The VxV sounds exciting and natural, yet also offers good quality.

The VxV was set in the market with on original marketing approach. Not only does it look great, it also offers sublime comfort and it doesn’t break the bank at all. (certainly not at the DROP price). Tuning-wise the VxV is very easy to like. FiR Audio really succeeded in building a great an affordable all-round EDC IEM. It doesn’t matter what source you hook it up to and what music you play through it, your ears will always like the result.

For me the FirAudio VxV has a great price-quality ratio and as I really enjoy listening to is so much, I am awarding it with our Recommended Buy award. It is now added to our list of best buy universal IEMS, where it is in good company.

Well done Fir Audio!

Page 1: FiR Audio, VxV, Specifications

Page 2: Packaging, Price, Accessories & Build quality, Ergonomics, Sound

 

4.2/5 - (99 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.

2 Comments

  • Reply April 29, 2021

    Adarsh

    Seems nice to read review from the person who actually owns it. Insightful details and nice original images for a brand new IEM!

  • Reply April 29, 2021

    Adarsh

    *the product

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