Vision Ears EXT Review

Sound – General

 

The EXT with the Spinfit tips is a full bodied sounding IEM, with a hefty, powerful and full presentation from the lows all the way up to the highs. The EXT is very present at all times and it is far from being light (in body). VE is using the Dynamic drivers for bass and mids and that typical sound and presence is very much present in this tuning.

I wouldn’t say the EXT has a neutral tuning, in this regards the Elysium is closer to a neutral presentation. FR graph-wise you will see an elevation of bass and lower mids while the mid mids and upper mids are fairly flat. The treble region has a lower spike that we often see to keep the vocals engaging, and then it slightly drops before getting elevated in the top treble region. It’s not really a V-shaped tuning and it doesn’t sound that way either. It is more like a W-shape if you ask me.

At the same time the EXT in reality does sound balanced and nothing is really sticking out to front or back, even though there is a focus on the vocals. That however isn’t exaggerated and you don’t get the feeling the vocals are pushed forward. They however are clear, energetic and realistic. The EXT is extremely musical and engaging and it will have you singing, foot tapping or nodding your head immediately. And the beauty is that the EXT does it effortlessly. The EXT has good dynamics and the music just flows and carries you away.

The EXT has a nicely wide sound stage, but it because of the fullness and bass presence doesn’t always make it seem/sound that way. It doesn’t sound the super widest, but it’s actually quite good if you focus on it. The EXT is naturally airy and spacious in the mids and it has a lovely top end extension and energy because of the EST drivers. I do feel they’re still safely tuned though. Something like the POLA or POLA39 is more energetic and flashy in the higher regions.

Vision Ears EXT

The sound stage depth if the EXT is good, but it’s especially the layering that is impressive with the dynamic drivers. Bass reaches low and the sub presence is also really impressive. There is quite a bit of bass though, so if you prefer a lighter bass presentation, the EXT probably isn’t the one for you (unless you switch to the AZLA tips, see later).

The detail retrieval and precision is at a high level, even though some of the detail seems to get hidden by the bass and mid thickness. The bass, mid and treble texture is very good, though it’s not as outspoken as with the Elysium. Separation and speed-wise the EXT is on par with what the market offers, but it’s more the addictive timbre, note extension and decay here that impresses.

I personally find it a little harder with the EXT to precisely pinpoint the location of some instruments, but what it for me lacks there, it makes up for in its musicality and engagement.

The Vision Ears EXT at all times is musical and realistic. That combined with the natural timbre, powerful presence, good detail retrieval and EST energy, makes this monitor an incredible pleasure to listen to. The EXT to me is not the ultimate monitor for precision and super detail, but it still is at a high level with a focus more on the musical enjoyment and pure pleasure. It’s also powerful enough to take with you outside where there’s a lot of noise. It will always be musical and fun without having to give up on precision and detail.

An engaging, natural and very musical monitor with a really good technical level. What’s not to like?

Vision Ears EXT

Sound – Classics

Especially with the Spinfit tips the bass is really impressive. You at all times get a very full and present bass with high impact. Bass reaches down low but with excellent detail and layering. The sub bass rumble is impressive here. Bass is tight, reasonably fast and very engaging. If you like your bass, you will love this tuning. For less bass, the AZLA tips are an option (see later). That being said it’s not that the bass is too much or overpowering everything, but it is there abundantly.

The mids are nicely spacious and airy, but like the bass section they are full bodied at all times. The mid texture and timbre is really good, and you get a natural and realistic sound. The mid depth is also excellent as well as the note decay and detail retrieval.

There do is a focus on the vocals but they’re not really very forward sounding either. With the AZLA tips this is more so the case. Especially female vocals really shine with the EXT. The midrange is natural and very musical.

The treble section is energetic and lively but it an easygoing and soft way so that it will please all listeners. If you want the very best energy and really EST performance with the most liveliness and extension, you will have to change to the AZLA tips.

Seeing, the AZLA tips have a rather big impact on the EXT’s tuning, let’s check them out some more.

Vision Ears EXT

AZLA tips

These tips are not my favorite in regards to feeling and fit. For me these are super sticky, and I just can’t seem to get a perfect fit with them at all in my left ear. Sound wise there is quite a big difference in the way they make the EXT sound. More balanced, but very good. Just different.

The AZLA tips make the EXT sound more balanced and linear as well as lighter in regards to bass and mid body. The presentation becomes very airy/spacious (especially in the mids) and there is more focus on the vocals which are more upfront. With the AZLA tips the EXT does sound more extended both in notes as in sound stage width. The AZLA EXT also becomes more refined and precise, and these tips let the technical part shine more. This probably is so because you here don’t have that bass and thickness covering up these characteristics.

For me the bass with the AZLA tips loses a bit of depth/layering and sub bass presence. Bass is also slower and not as tight, but bass is more neutral in presentation. The treble region is more energetic and it feels more lively, simply because of the lighter overall bodily presence.

The difference in sound with the Spinfit and AZLA tips is big, and that’s actually a good thing imo, as you get a different sounding EXT for the same money. It gives you the opportunity to switch between a fuller, heavier presentation focusing on the musicality/engagement, and a lighter presentation with a more technical excellence where precision, extension and energy are key aspects. You are bound to like one of these tunings for sure, or why not even both depending on your mood.

Vision Ears EXT

Comparisons

Elysium

There have already been multiple references to the original Elysium in this article, but let’s focus on the biggest differences again. Do note that the Elysium is a custom version, compared to the universal EXT. The EXT has 6 drivers compared to Ely’s 4. The Elysium uses a dual 1st generation Sonion EST for the highs.

The Elysium is lighter in presentation and body compared to the EXT with Spinfit tips. The amount of bass is lighter, the mids are more to the back and the treble sections more exciting, vivid and energetic. The bass in the Elysium has a more neutral presence, where the EXT boosts it more at all times. Same basically goes for the mids but the difference here is even bigger. And because of the lighter bass and mid thickness, the EST drivers here produce a more extended and energetic top range.

For me the Elysium is more about getting the ultimate detail and precision out of the setup, where the EXT is more about musicality and enjoyment but of course still with a really good technical level. Both the ELY and the EXT sounds amazing, just different. When you switch to the AZLA tips on the EXT, you will get closer to the typical tuning and presentation of the Elysium but you at the same time do notice the (drivers in the) EXT are technically further evolved.

The ultimate question is if the EXT is an upgrade of the Elysium, and that answer both is yes and no. Yes because it is more refined, no because the tuning and the way it’s presented is different. If you like the Elysium and want to hear what the EXT can bring to the table as extras, use the AZLA tips. If you want something (more) different, use the Spinfit tips. Maybe describing the EXT and ELY as complementary IEMs is the best and most fair way to put it. But there still is much to be said to go for the older Elysium.

Phönix (From Felix’ Phönix article)

The EXT is also one of Vision Ears’ latest products that was launched together with the Phönix back in late August. It is supposed to be an upgraded version of their highly popular Elysium. The EXT uses a dynamic driver for lows, one dynamic driver for mids and two dual electet/e-stat drivers for highs.

Right off the bat, the EXT delivers what the Phönix lacks – sub-bass. The EXT has a more powerful and authoritive low end with better texture, control and resolution. Bass on the EXT sounds more natural with better air and layering in total. It’s clear that there is a driver difference between the two. Phönix on the other hand puts bass a bit less forward than the EXT, which might be up your alley if you don’t like too forward bass. Although I don’t think it’s a very bass forward sounding monitor. It’s quality over quantity for the EXT.

The mids of these two do share similarities – of course. But there are enough differences as well to give you excellent options with either of them. The Phönix has a fuller and richer sound in it, that has more body overall, while the EXT has lighter sounding vocals, that appear more holographic and upfront to me. The Phönix balances out the upper mids a bit more to give them a less forward sound. Although I think the EXT does have a breathtakingly open mid-range, I do prefer the extra body and weight of the Phönix.

Treble of the Phönix to me sounds a bit less forward but softer than the EXT’s. But the EXT’s implementation of the electet/e-stat drivers is just perfect and certainly the best one I know. The Phönix to me has a more organic and natural top end, but the EXT is hard to pass on for sure. Phönix’ treble to me seems more precise in its presentation, while the EXT has that extra golden touch.

The Phönix gives me a more detailed view on the music than the EXT and it creates a wider and deeper stage, but the EXT to me appears grander in presentation. Where instruments sound bigger but lighter overall.

Vision Ears Phonix

64 audio U18s

Yes, the 64 Audio U18s isn’t really the same in design, but the 64 Audio TOTL IEM does have tia drivers. 8 BA for the lows, 8 BA for mids, a single one for the mid/highs, and finally a tia driver for the highs. When I asked some friends what they wanted me to compare the EXT to, they all said the U18S. So here we are.

The U18s sound-wise is one of my favorite IEMs for when I am chilling at home. It like the EXT with Spinfit tips is full bodied and very musical, but it also is smoother and softer in the delivery. While the U18s (depending on the module used) certainly isn’t bass shy, the EXT has a more impressive bass line. The midrange of the EXT is fuller and dare I say warmer? Personally I also feel that the vocals in the U18s are more forward sounding than in the EXT. Another difference for me is that the soundstage and note extension of the U18s is even more remarkable.  The driver count probably works miracles for this. The top end of the U18s is soft and energetic at the same time, but it’s different from the typical EST sound. If you like a softer tuning, the classic treble of the U18s drivers will suite your ears more than the energetic and fast presentation of the EST drivers (though this in the EXT is especially the case with the AZLA tips).

So is the U18s a direct competitor? Again yes and no. They are in the same price range but that’s about it. The design philosophy and tuning is very different and as such I would call these more complementary than they are equal. But both really good and it will depend on your personal tuning preference.

Vision Ears EXT

Conclusion

The Vision Ears EXT or Elysium Extended is a universal monitor with a specific character. Compared to the original Elysium it is different in tuning, but some similarities can certainly be found.

The EXT has a further advanced tuning because of the newer drivers, but it simply put is also differently tuned with a heavier and fuller presence, less forward vocals and smoother treble presentation.

The EXT is very musical and fun to listen to and it will please many listeners without any issue. The EXT effortlessly delivers a musical yet technically strong sound, and it is hard not to like. EXT will have you singling a long with your favorite tunes in no time, and if you like your bass you will appreciate it even more.

In short, another successful IEM from the German company, and I do hope they manage to build it in a custom version soon. Seeing the tuning is so different depending on the tips used, I do wonder what the custom EXT would sound like.

If you’re in the market for a musical, universal high end hybrid IEM, then the Vision Ears EXT certainly is one to audition and put on your short list. Like I said, it has its own character but for many people this one is very easy to like.

Page 1: Vision Ears, Elysium, EXT, Drivers, specs, Box & Design

Page 2: Cable, Price & Accessories, Build quality, Comfort, Isolation, Sound Intro/VE

Page 3: Sound General, Classics, Tips, Comparisons, Conclusion

4.6/5 - (55 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.

1 Comment

  • Reply January 2, 2022

    Grady

    Compared to the Legend X?

    Also I assume you mean XELASTIC Sedna’s not the standard short/long light.

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