Review: Clear Tune Monitors / CTM VS3 – Old School

CTM VS3
MIDS

Now here I’m listening to the legendary “Kind of Blue” from Miles Davis. I’m focusing on the instruments and I’m hearing they’re not overly upfront. They have a little distance, but not too much so they don’t bring low resolution. The mid tonality overall is very nice and mostly correct, although I think it maybe sounds a tad higher in tone than most other IEMs on the market. Even so, when I switch back to Melody Gardot, I can say that her vocals are absolutely great to listen to.

Vocals contain a nice tonality, sweetness, good body and emotion. This is really great. Sure the mid resolution can’t be compared to that of high end universals, but the vocals of Melody just sound so nice to my ears. It reminds me of the cassette player type of sound from in my childhood, and if it brings back memories like that, you know things are good. Vocals are also closer to the stage than the instruments are, so if you like upfront vocals this might be your IEM.

A little veil on the mids can be easily felt during the listening sessions. I think the idea was to create a vintage kind of sound so this seems like the logic thing to do. The mids are definitely the most impressive part of the IEM. If the VS-3 just had a tad more resolution it would compete with several other more “high end” IEMs.

TREBLE

I’m sure you understand by now that this is a softer sounding IEM. The treble section isn’t bright like the more typical audiophile tuned gear. The highs are softer and they maybe roll off somewhat early. It does match the IEMs mids section though. The VS3’s strong part is articulation.

Other than the extension and somewhat softer presentation (like the mids), I don’t have any complaints about the treble. For this price range everything else really is solid and smooth. I personally prefer a bit more treble but maybe it wouldn’t be very ideal for the typical vintage sound.

TECHNICAL

This is not the most technical, detailed or analytic IEM. It wasn’t intended to be so and so it doesn’t dominate like the typical technical monsters do. That however doesn’t mean it is bad in this regard, au contraire. It certainly has great cohesiveness and very very good control over every part of the sound. You won’t hear any edgy sound (unless you listen to bad files or recordings but then it’s your own fault).

Resolution-wise the VS3 is on normal levels and the background is pretty dark, it’s not hard to pinpoint the elements of songs. Stereo imaging also is fairly good. Stage-wise things are again pretty nice but they to me are a bit less impressive in terms depth and that’s mostly based on the light bass response. Separation surely is OK but I always seem to want better separation in general.

The balance is another good point of the Clear Tune Monitors VS3, as nothing is over the edge. Having said that, the VS3’s focus for me definitely is on the mids.

Clear Tune Monitors VS3

Clear Tune Monitors VS3

CONCLUSION

CTM knows how to create very good CIEMs. The VS3 is a romantic and vintage sounding, mid forward IEM that has very natural and cohesive sound. Some technical aspects such as resolution, layering and separation can always be improved but this IEM is part of the Vintage series, so this tuning is exactly how CTM intended it to be. CTM knows what their vintage models should sound like, and I can appreciate a company that has a clear vision.

If you like a little more forward and sweet vocals, the Clear Tune Monitors VS3 certainly is a universal that I recommend. Also as it’s a rather forgiving IEM, you can listen to it with your smartphone and it gets extra points for that. And don’t forget, it fits and isolates great and that’s not always easy to find among universal monitors.

In two words: well done CTM. Make that three.

4.3/5 - (21 votes)
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A keen audiophile and hobby photographer, Berkhan is after absolute perfection. Whether it is a full-frame camera or a custom in-ear, his standpoint persists. He tries to keep his photography enthusiasm at the same level as audio. Sometimes photography wins, sometimes his love for music takes over and he puts that camera aside. Simplistic expressions of sound in his reviews are the way to go for him. He enjoys a fine single malt along with his favourite Jazz recordings.

3 Comments

  • Reply January 24, 2018

    Oscar Stewart

    I think all their Vintage models have quite different sounds, I have the VS-2 and it is quick, lean and has excellent clarity with no veil. The bass doesn’t extend that low, and the upper regions of the treble also roll off a little early but from the description you have given of the VS-3 they are very different.

    The VS-2 do not have subdued or sweet highs, I prefer them with the included foam tips to tone them down a little and add a little body.

    I really like the fit, the stock cable is also excellent, and they really do know how to make a great IEM.

    • Reply January 25, 2018

      Berkhan

      Not very different. As you can see I also think that the VS-3 doesn’t extend on bass and treble very much. But mids are very very good. It all depends on your liking though.

      Yes the fit is great. Thanks for the comment.

      • Reply January 26, 2018

        Oscar Stewart

        My point was the VS-2 is a brighter IEM focussing on clarity, the VS-3 is a darker one focussing on a smooth sound, so quite different overall presentation but still lacking a little in the extremes.

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