Marcus evaluations the Imaginative and prescient Ears XCON, a brand new custom-designed 6 BA driver IEM with a magnet-based swap that provides 2 distinctive sound signatures. It’s at present priced at €2,200.
Disclaimer: This was despatched as a pattern in return for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or providers. I want to thank the group at Imaginative and prescient Ears for his or her assist.
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Imaginative and prescient Ears XCON Evaluate
Abstract
The Imaginative and prescient Ears XCON CIEM retains all of the hallmarks of the Imaginative and prescient Ears easy ‘home’ sound, however splits it fantastically between two distinct sound signatures: unabashed enjoyment or studied and concerned listening.
Execs
Significant variations within the sound from every tuning swap.
The magnets are extra sturdy than the older swap system.
Glorious passive isolation
Cons
Having to deliver the magnet device with you if you wish to change sound signatures.
The Imaginative and prescient Ears XCON CIEM was launched earlier this 12 months as a part of the corporate’s refresh of its {custom} sequence.
It sits slightly below the lately reviewed flagship ZEN, prices from €2200 epending in your design selections, and contains a magnetic swap tuning system that targets not one, however two frequency bands to provide two distinctive sound signatures.
That is an all-BA driver design and can sound fairly totally different from the hybrid ZEN no matter swap place.
Nonetheless, for longtime readers, it’s not a like-for-like or remix of the older VE6 XControl CIEM that I reviewed manner again in 2014 with new drivers and an up to date swap system.
Regardless that the XCON sound signature headline is much like the XControl, with a punchy, pushed sound signature versus a extra reference-like or impartial tuning, there are extra ranges to it than that.
To seek out out if the XCON brings within the new and leaves the previous behind, and the way it differs from the ZEN and ‘swap’ BA {custom} IEM opponents, such because the Soundz Avant, you may learn my full evaluate under.
Options
The Imaginative and prescient Ears XCON is a 6 dual-chamber BA driver {custom} in-ear monitor. The exact driver configuration features a twin back-vented BA driver for the lows, two full-range drivers for the mids, one for the mids and highs, and a brilliant tweeter for the ultra-highs, all with a 4-way crossover.
The XCON swap system has been up to date from the older VE6 XControl’s conventional micro dip-switch to a brand new magnetic-based ‘cap’ system, the place the magnet is inserted to provide the ‘punchier’ tuning (X1) and eliminated to supply the ‘reference sound’ (X2).
To realize the X2 sound, the bass under 100Hz is diminished by 4 dB, and the pinna achieve area from 1-5kHz is diminished by 3 dB.
It’s fairly uncommon to have a swap system that targets two totally different frequency areas. Usually, it’s simply the bass response, so on this respect, the XCON is exclusive.
The XCON has a 21Ω impedance ranking with an SPL of 115 dB/mW @1kHz. Just like the older 122 dB/mW rated XControl, this can be a pretty delicate and simple to drive CIEM with DAPs and dongles.
Design
As a result of the XCON is a {custom} IEM, you may create your personal design and aesthetic to match your private preferences.
The pattern I’ve right here makes use of VE’s new ‘Copper Maze Carbon’ faceplates matched with the identical ‘Midnight’ quasi-translucent acrylic-filled fundamental physique shell used on my ZEN pattern.
The general visible is a darker or extra subdued look than the bolder ZEN pattern, with a phenomenal, intricate sample work on the faceplate, interrupted by the silver VE logos on high and a round gold-plated magnetic swap system plate on the base of the plate.
I feel this end will swimsuit many on the market who like a low-profile CIEM moderately than a brilliant various. One which requires nearer inspection to see how advanced the end is.
Nonetheless, when you do need it loud and proud, there are as much as 57 alternate options so that you can select from of their on-line CIEM configurator.
The XCON kind issue is about common in measurement, and barely smaller than the ZEN. Usually, a {custom} is made to suit your ear, so it is going to by no means be a really totally different nozzle measurement, however you may see a barely flatter fundamental shell dimension, probably because of the extra driver area required by the ZEN.
Swap System
The gold-plated magnetic swap system has some execs and cons. I feel it’s way more sturdy than the older dip-switch and appears stylish and totally different from a typical dip-switch face plate.
Nonetheless, to alter it, you want the included diminutive magnetic pole to tug it out or put it again in once more, which means it’s not really easy to alter on the fly.
You additionally should deliver the pole with you when you intend to change between tuning signatures, which could be a trouble for some.
The plates are small; you need to watch out with them, or you possibly can find yourself shedding them. I think VE realizes that as a result of they’ve included two spare plates and a small leather-based holder for all 4, plus the pole to hold them round safely.
Consolation & Isolation
It has been some time since I examined an all-BA CIEM and forgot simply how good they’re for passive isolation, provided that they lack a hybrid IEM driver venting port.
The ZEN can be actually good for a hybrid, however the XCON is subsequent degree, with nearly complete shutout of background noise, wind, air con, and extra. There additionally appears to be no distinction in passive isolation between the X1 and X2 swap positions.
The secret’s getting the match proper, and that comes right down to VE’s molding course of out of your ear scans. I are inclined to maintain STL digital recordsdata of my ear scans helpful, however have by no means seen the necessity to replace them for just a few years now as a result of the VE matches have all the time been an ideal mix of strain and luxury.
The nozzle size on this pattern is a bit more on the relaxed facet than a deeper professional match, so I don’t discover it bearing down on the second bend in my ear canal as a lot as others.
VE integrates a horn precept into their CIEM nozzle ideas, leading to an ovoid bloom within the nozzle dimension, which works significantly nicely for me by way of sealing in comparison with extra round alternate options.
For the reason that kind issue is just not large, you’ll probably discover that the XCON shells will sit comparatively flush in your ear with out an excessive amount of protrusion.
Inventory Cable
My XCON pattern didn’t include all the packaging and inventory cable, so I can not remark with an excessive amount of perception as to how the brand new inventory cable handles relative to the Premium improve cable that comes with the ZEN.
What I can let you know is the brand new 1.35m inventory cable has a 4-wire 26AWG Litz geometry, with a mixture of 7N Extremely-Excessive Purity Single Crystal Copper and 7N Extremely-Pure Copper Extruded Silver.
The exterior jacket end appears considerably much like the unique EXT or Phönix cable design, with a black braided TPE materials, 2-pin connectors, and matching slimline jack and splitter barrels. There’s additionally a touch of purple right here and there to match the corporate’s colour scheme.
You’ll be able to select between a balanced 4.4mm or a single-ended 3.5mm termination through the on-line checkout course of, however the 2-pin connectors are fastened.
There’s additionally a reasonably hefty quantity of memory-retentive coating on the terminations to assist form the cable round your ears and maintain the shells securely in place.
Primarily based on my expertise with related VE cables from the previous couple of years, this cable must be fairly mild and simple to handle with low micrphonic efficiency and reminiscence retention.
Packaging & Equipment
Since my pattern got here with out the exterior packaging, I can solely let you know what you’ll get primarily based on the suggestions from Imaginative and prescient Ears.
Meaning it’s best to get a compact, branded retail field with a really neatly laid out presentation of the equipment, together with a carry case with the inventory cable and CIEMs safely tucked inside.
The remainder of the packaging features a cleansing choose, a 6.35mm adapter (if in case you have chosen the three.5mm termination), and a cleansing fabric.
You additionally get a small however trendy leather-based holder for the magnet system, which you’ll be able to slip into your again pocket when out and about. I’ve examined it a good bit now, and to this point, nothing has fallen out when strolling round.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the Imaginative and prescient Ears XCON have been accomplished utilizing a mixture of the iBasso DX340/AMP15 and the Cayin N6iii/R202. Each DAPs have been set to low-gain mode utilizing a balanced output.
Abstract
The XCON is a phenomenal mixture of fulsome and heat on the one facet (X1), and on the opposite facet, a extra balanced, natural-to-neutral sound (X2).
And but, regardless of the distinction in tuning, on the coronary heart of each the X1 and X2 is Imaginative and prescient Ears’ core strategy to how they like their IEMs to sound, which is a reasonably pure and easy-to-listen-to.
For VE6 XControl homeowners who will instantly level out that’s precisely what the older mannequin supplied, I can guarantee you this isn’t a redux.
Each of the XCON swap signatures have a extra life-like, immersive, and detailed sound than what got here earlier than. You’ll be able to hear how simply they ‘breathe’ in comparison with the drier, extra exact nature of the older VE6 XControl drivers.
X1 Place
The variations between X1 and X2 aren’t insignificant; there may be sufficient of a distinction between them to supply a real selection, each by way of matching types of recordings and your personal preferences.
The X1 has a a lot stronger bass shelf with a 6 dB elevate over the X2 place from 20-100Hz and a average degree of pinna achieve from 2-5k, with first rate upper-treble extension round 8-10k.
As such, it delivers a weightier, fuller efficiency with a richer observe timbre, seductive, easy vocal coloration, and a relaxed set of highs.
X1 is deeper and extra authoritative than X2, but additionally the darker of the 2 swap shows, and my most well-liked selection for contemporary pop and R’n’B, given its stronger lower-register instrumental basic frequency.
The XCON doesn’t have probably the most compelled pinna achieve or 1-4k area in both swap degree, so vocals are barely pushed however not as far ahead as some competing screens, such because the Soundz Avant.
That may assist improve the notion of depth and area, however on the similar time, can drop the vocal influence barely when the bass will get busy within the X1 place.
The relaxed degree of treble presence reduces the extent of midrange and percussion observe distinction, imbuing some performances with a liquid-like softness in assault and a barely longer degree of decay than the older XControl.
X2 Place
At first, I actually felt I used to be going to be solidly within the X1 camp. And not less than for informal listening, that continues to be the case. Nonetheless, over time, I really feel the extra reference-like X2 place is the extra balanced tuning and thus the extra rewarding tuning in the long term.
You get some discount within the bass bloom from 20-100Hz and a comparatively impartial set of lower-mids that creates a lighter contact for the X2 lows, however one which solely fits the BA woofer drivers, permitting them to sound tight, articulate, and properly layered.
Importantly, with much less bloom comes much less midrange heat, so while the mids’ coloration remains to be to the pure facet, courtesy of some first rate 5-6k presence and a elevate from 8-10k, it delivers some extra and crucial timbral distinction, enhancing the midrange and treble staging presence.
This isn’t a darkish sound signature, however neither is it a sterile dry one both. Cleaner and barely lighter in tone than X1, however extra pure and open via the mids and highs, creating some much-needed staging width and top however lowering the comparative depth in return.
I discover the X2 place rather more adept at teasing out nuanced element, making it an excellent tuning for extra advanced recordings, be it lounge, acoustical, or classical.
Click on on web page 2 under for my advisable pairings and chosen comparisons.
