Right now, Marcus opinions the Imaginative and prescient Ears EXT MKII, a second-generation high-end twin dynamic and quad EST multi-driver common IEM priced at $3400.
Disclaimer: This was despatched as a pattern in return for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or providers. I thank the crew at Vision Ears for his or her help.
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Observe that this text follows our newest scoring guidelines, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
It’s fairly uncommon for Imaginative and prescient Ears to do a ‘Mark II’ of any of their in-ear displays. There was the Elysium and the Elysium Extended, nonetheless, I think about these two to be very completely different displays a lot in the identical vein because the Phonix drew inspiration from the Erlkonig.
So, the latest launch of the EXT MKII was not one thing I used to be anticipating however given rather a lot was drawn from the unique EXT proprietor’s suggestions, it appears to have refined a number of key areas.
This new model targets key elements resembling the general consolation ranges of the modern shell designs, the bass accuracy, and the midrange readability. We even have a second gray colour scheme to enhance the unique cool purple neon-punk design.
Sadly, the value has gone up from €2650 to €3100 or $3400 within the US although costs have hardly remained static on this pastime for the reason that EXT was launched 3 years in the past.
The query is, does the brand new and extra balanced sound signature nonetheless retain the unimaginable weight and energy of the unique, or has it misplaced its mojo to the likes of the VE10? I discover out in my full evaluation beneath.
Options
At a excessive stage, the EXT MKII premise is unchanged from the unique. This hybrid dynamic and electrostatic driver mannequin may be described as uncommon as a result of omission of BA drivers, usually the ‘audio glue’ producers use to bridge the dynamic with the EST.
On this occasion, now we have two dynamic drivers for the lows and the mids and 4 EST drivers in a twin (2×2) array for the highs and ultra-highs with a 3-way crossover.
A giant distinction between the previous and the brand new EXT MKII is the re-designed 9mm dynamic driver used for the lows, the outcomes of which I’ll clarify in additional element in my sound impression on web page two of this evaluation.
I presume Imaginative and prescient Ears’ Chief tuner, Oliver Marino, used an analogous driver for the reason that impedance and SPL are unchanged at 10Ω and 108.5 dB/mW SPL @ 1KHz (100mV).
For the EXT MKII mids, it’s the similar HALC-chambered 6mm dynamic driver with the STC or facet tuning chamber. This one has additionally been tweaked with a bit extra presence than the extra impartial sound of the unique EXT.
Each drivers nonetheless use a Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) encompass to scale back distortion, an Al-Mg Alloy diaphragm, and Uncommon Earth N52 Neodymium Magnets to maintain the EXT MKII efficiency tight, quick, and articulate.
Design
I actually didn’t know there was a gray model of the EXT MKII shells earlier than VE shipped out my evaluation pattern.
I’m not complaining, however I believe the purple is extra engaging than the gray various. The issue is that I now have two similar-looking shells that may simply get blended up if I’m not paying shut consideration.
How does one distinguish between an EXT purple shell and an EXT MKII purple shell? One of the best ways is to examine the nozzle since that is the place the obvious design adjustments happen.
The EXT MKII nozzle is now narrower, and if my eyes will not be deceiving me, the distinctive perpendicular nozzle angle has additionally been softened barely with much less aggressive curving.
As you will notice beneath, the nozzle measurement was one of many most important criticisms of the unique mannequin. Not solely did some complain it was barely uncomfortable, however rolling ear suggestions was a torturous course of, particularly with the stiff stems of the inventory AZLA crystal suggestions.
Apart from that, not a lot else has modified. In case you are a first-time customer the EXT MKII shells are tiny, a number of the smallest within the enterprise except for Westone’s W-series common IEMs.
This can be a 2-piece design with a mixture of traditional VE anodized purple for the plate and a extremely contoured and elongated smoky clear black acrylic shell. The nozzle is completed with a wire mesh guard with a quad-bore exit beneath.
The EXT MKII’s CNC machined aluminum plate is completed with a lovely X-style grid with the strains etched deep into the shell somewhat than printed and a silvery vacuum metalized mesh simply beneath for venting. It has a robust 80s cyberpunk vibe and nonetheless appears cool and distinctive in 2024.
Consolation & Isolation
Apart from the revised tuning, that is essentially the most tangible distinction from the unique EXT. The EXT MKII is barely comfier and with only a minor tweak to hit the candy spot, it additionally isolates simply in addition to earlier than utilizing the identical set of suggestions.
The lowered nozzle diameter and what appears to be only a trace of extra smoothness on the perpendicular angling of the EXT MKII’s distinctive shell scale back the outward strain on my ear canal making it a cushty but very safe becoming.
The round nozzle is most appreciated with the equipped inventory suggestions. On the older mannequin, I had a horrible time becoming the AZLA crystal suggestions and ended up utilizing the SpinFit CP145 inventory suggestions as a substitute for the final 3 years. The offshoot after 3 years is a warped tip stem that solely works with the EXT nozzle and is now too unfastened for different IEMs.
I had no points slipping on the brand new AZLA SednaEarfit SE1500 clear inventory tricks to the brand new EXT MKII nozzle. Out of the 2 units of inventory ear suggestions they supply the safer match.
Nevertheless, I nonetheless ended up with the SpinFit CP145 as they’re extra malleable and barely comfier within the ear. Additionally they produce a extra pure tone within the EXT MKII’s mids and highs in comparison with the SE1500’s which launched a stronger treble overtone within the vocal and mids timbre.
Inventory Cable
The EXT MKII inventory cable appears unchanged from the EXT model save for switching to 4.4mm by default as a substitute of the older 2.5mm TRRS termination.
Kudos updating to the fashionable 4.4mm by default however for some unknown motive, the accent lineup nonetheless features a 2.5mm to 4.4mm conversion adaptor which have to be some oversight when packing. I might have most popular a 4.4mm to three.5mm or a reverse 4.4mm to 2.5 mm adaptor was included.
For these new to the EXT MKII inventory cable this can be a 1.2m 28AWG 8-wire SPC insulated in 200d Kevlar for every wire and wrapped in a tightly braided black PVC jacket. The cable has reminiscence coating on the terminations however it’s low profile and barely noticeable.
The colour-coordinated matte black connector and jack barrels are unchanged save for a bigger 4.4mm model. The splitter within the center can be product of stainless-steel however coated in an identical black colour.
The EXT MKII inventory cable is barely thicker than your regular 4-wire model however the 28AWG score retains it manageable. This can be a versatile cable, solely memory-free with a low microphonic efficiency.
Packaging & Equipment
Apart from the modified graphics on the outer sleeve to indicate that is the EXT MKII mannequin the packaging and contents of this model are virtually an actual duplicate of the unique EXT.
This isn’t a nasty factor as a result of Imaginative and prescient Ears at all times creates some nice unboxing experiences and this one is not any exception.
As soon as the sleeve is eliminated you get a foldout show with every little thing superbly organized and guarded of their separate slots or mini cardboard containers.
For my part, the EXT MKII accent lineup is premium although not fairly as grandiose as the unique articulating field of the older Elysium. You get two units of ear suggestions, the SE1500s and the CP145s, spare filter guards, a pleasant doc pockets on your guarantee card, and a real leather-based key chain.
You additionally get the adaptor however as talked about, it’s a bit foolish because it can’t be used with the inventory cable. Hopefully, VE will change that fairly rapidly to one thing extra practical.
You additionally get this very cool twin leather-based pocket for conserving the EXT MKII shells secure throughout transportation contained in the matching purple aluminum puck-style carry case.
The leather-based case will match within the somewhat handsomely sized case which isn’t very pocketable. Additional safety is added to the carry case with a rubber inlay to forestall any unintentional harm when in use.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
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