Immediately’s article is Thomas’s evaluate of the PLUSSOUND VOLTA, a high-end tribrid twin dynamic, BA, and EST driver in-ear monitor priced at $2499.
Disclaimer: I obtained this pattern in trade for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks. I thank the group at PLUSSOUND for giving me this chance.
Click on right here to learn extra about PLUSSOUND merchandise beforehand featured on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring pointers which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
PLUSSOUND VOLTA Assessment
Abstract
In order for you a extra neutral-leaning tune out of your god-tier, kilobuck earphone, and don’t thoughts barely compromised ergonomics, the PLUSSOUND VOLTA is an enthralling decide that gives the products from each visible and auditory views.
Execs
Close to impartial tuning.
Placing visible design.
Construct and materials high quality of the shells and cable.
Cons
Ergonomics and cable weight
Constructing on the success of the ALLEGRO, PLUSSOUND jumped again into the earphone sport with two new high-end choices final 12 months: VOLTA and SONORA.
The SONORA is PLUSSOUND’s flagship mannequin and was revealed to be a powerful performer once I reviewed it on the finish of December 2024.
The $2499 VOLTA shares a lot of its DNA with the SONORA, just like the distinct shell design and superb construct high quality, premium COPPER XL cable, and in depth accent equipment.
Regardless of shedding two balanced armatures from its driver configuration and $500 from the value tag, I might argue the VOLTA ought to share the flagship title with the SONORA. The 2 fashions share many similarities, and the VOLTA trades blows in total sound high quality.
Selecting between the 2 comes all the way down to tuning and design choice, with the VOLTA’s worth minimize making the choice even more durable. Now that I’ve had ample time with each, I do know which one I choose, and also you’re about to learn why it’s the VOLTA.
Options
Identical to the SONORA, the VOLTA’s aluminum shells had been manufactured via a 7-axis CNC machining course of.
The earpieces are polished, anodized, after which cryogenically handled to strengthen the floor, offering further resistance to break and scratches if dropped or bumped.
A 3D-printed chamber homes the six drivers and crossover and is acoustically tuned, guiding the VOLTA’s neutral-leaning signature.
The 0.78mm 2-pin connectors used for the VOLTA are made from tellurium copper and plated with rhodium to offer a degree of conductivity properly past what’s commonplace within the business.
Contained in the wiring is not any much less particular, utilizing PLUSSOUND’s in-house Sort 6 UP-OCC wiring, which has additionally been cryogenically handled.
Whereas the included Copper XL cable already exists in PLUSSOUND’s lineup, the two-tone y-split has been curated to match the sunshine gray inside of the shell and its geometric patterning.
Design
In addition to the coloring and patterning, the VOLTA’s shell is similar as that used for the SONORA. It appears to be like and seems like a premium product and is unlikely to be mistaken for something however a PLUSSOUND earphone.
Whereas the VOLTA has a blocky design, the sides are rounded off and fairly easy within the hand.
The gunmetal gray faceplate is adorned with a small PS brand and V-shaped wave sample, whereas the rear half of the shell is a lighter gray and comprises a busy sample that jogs my memory of varied Tetris items overlapping one another.
Unpainted aluminum nozzles are current with three exit factors for the tri-brid setup inside. Maintain a watch open for particles close to the nozzle, as there isn’t any protecting grill in place to stop something from getting inside.
Sunken 0.78mm ports will be discovered on high of every shell. If swapping to a third-party cable, know the ports will not be keyed to stop unintended channel swaps.
Transferring to the rear of every housing is a protracted, vertical vent. I recognize the position of those vents as they don’t decide up wind noise when utilizing the VOLTA outside.
Whereas giant, the VOLTA’s earpieces aren’t overly heavy. At 8g per earpiece, with no tip put in, they’re in step with different premium merchandise like oBravo’s Clio and the Campfire Audio Supermoon, however properly beneath the hefty 17.1g of the Earsonics Grace Platinum.
The construct high quality is spectacular, with correctly aligned elements, an excellent paint job, and no extra glue squidging out wherever. The seams between the halves of the shell are distinguished, however that was clearly intentional, given the visibly tapered edges.
Consolation & Isolation
The low weight of the comparatively giant housings goes a protracted option to preserving the VOLTA’s ergonomic shortcomings manageable.
The earpieces of the VOLTA are giant and deep, and as soon as inserted, they’ll stand out from the ear. Whereas considerably rectangular, the sides are well-rounded, however there aren’t any sharp edges to annoy the ear or trigger hotspots.
The shortage of protrusions to assist lock the earpiece in your ear is apparent in motion. I discovered the seal often breaking free, requiring frequent repositioning to rectify, and might solely think about how a lot worse it might have been if the VOLTA wasn’t so gentle.
The thick, heavy wiring of the Copper XL cable is at fault and, throughout motion, tugs on the VOLTA. This throws off the stability and fatigues the ear, although a deep sealing tip and the chin cinch assist scale back this.
Regardless of the massive vents on the rear of every housing, isolation from the VOLTA was fairly good. Taking the VOLTA to a busy espresso store, I solely wanted to boost the amount mildly to hear comfortably and nullify the sounds of individuals and clattering dishes close by.
Match is private, and the VOLTA might slot into your ear completely, however I discovered them cumbersome and at their finest when listening from a stationary place. They’re not uncomfortable, however they’re additionally not one thing I can put on for a number of hours earlier than taking a compulsory break.
Ideas
PLUSSOUND consists of three types of ideas with the VOLTA. The essential silicone ideas are commonplace, single-flange, wide-bore ideas which might be a standard sight within the passion.
They match properly with a dependable seal and sound good with the SONORA. The large bore helps stability the signature, leading to a well-balanced presentation that verges on neutrality.
Comply ideas are the froth possibility and are a welcome addition. Whereas they’ll want changing a number of months down the highway, they supply seal and are comfy.
Their sound can be good, although they have an inclination to extend low-range presence and scale back mid-range readability. It’s nothing excessive, although, and so they stay the best decide to be used in noisy environments the place the additional isolation they supply is required.
In the event you’re conversant in Sony Hybrids, you’ll know that the Symbio W merges a silicone tip with a foam assist beneath the flange. Whereas this was my favourite pair to make use of with the SONORA, the usual silicone set is my choice with the VOLTA.
Nonetheless, the Symbio W sounded nice with the VOLTA, pitching the tuning in direction of a extra mid- and treble-biased presentation. Once more, the variations are minor in comparison with the opposite ideas included, but it surely was noticeable upon direct comparability.
Inventory Cable
PLUSSOUND is thought for its cables, so it ought to come as no shock to anybody that the VOLTA comes geared up with an altered Copper XL, which retails for $749.99.
Must you want to select a special cable from their lineup earlier than shopping for the VOLTA you may also e mail PLUSSOUND with particular requests.
This cable was developed to accompany PLUSSOUND’s drivers and crossover with densely bundled, enamel-coated strands in two 18AWG wires. The outer sheath is extraordinarily dense and about as versatile as a cable this thick will be.
Lacking are conventional preformed ear guides. Of their place, the sheath itself up close to the 0.78mm plugs is formed at a pointy angle and evenly curved to serve the identical goal.
The tellurium copper, rhodium-plated 0.78mm plugs, and the straight jack, are user-serviceable with accessible hex screws. That mentioned, until you’re well-versed in cable design and upkeep if repairs are required, I’d go away that as much as PLUSSOUND.
The y-split has been custom-made to match the colour and design theme of the VOLTA. The sunshine gray cut up even comprises the identical angular sample discovered on the inside half of the earpieces, preserving the design language constant throughout the whole product.
A chin cinch is discovered simply above the y-split. Cable noise is kind of minimal, so it doesn’t assist with that, but it surely does present a safer match if slid up and tucked beneath your chin.
Lastly, this cable lacks shade coding or L/R markings to assist customers decide which channel is which. This may be a welcome addition for many who like that info available.
Packaging & Equipment
Extravagance. This was the primary phrase that got here to thoughts once I picked up the VOLTA’s unusually heavy field.
The entrance of the outside sheath options the VOLTA in all its gunmetal glory, with a small cutout for the PS brand on the field beneath. Obscured by moody lighting on the rear of the sheath, we see the VOLTA’s gentle gray inside half and the angular sample that covers it.
Sliding off the sheath reveals the PS brand in silver. The 2 halves of the field don’t meet, with the area between them dominated by a thick line of silver.
Eradicating the lid reveals a thick piece of acrylic defending all the things beneath. Printed in shiny silver writing is “Designed and hand assembled in Los Angeles, California, USA.”
Subsequent up is PLUSSOUND’s leather-based storage case containing many of the included equipment. Beneath it are a number of extra extras.
As was the case with the SONORA, the VOLTA’s is likely one of the most full unboxing experiences I’ve needed to date.
Whereas the packaging itself is primary and lacks the partaking, Leica-like presentation of one thing like I/O AUDIO’s VOLARE, the standard of the contents is second to none and may make sure you by no means want to purchase something additional to accommodate failings within the inventory expertise.
Click on on web page 2 under for my sound impressions and really helpful pairings.
