cavity Tesla dynamic coil unit
– Sensitivity: 108dB
– Impedance: 32 ohms
– Frequency peeling: 5-40000Hz
– Wire specifications: 4.4MM+3.5MM 2-in-1408 core LlZl oxygen free copperand silver plated wire mixed weave 0.78MM double pin 1.20M wire length
Final Score
Introduction
Greetings to all Hifitopia readers from the middle of October! It’s getting cold in the northern hemisphere huh. Today, I’m here with a review of an iem produced with aesthetic concerns that surpasses entry level in an entry level budget. Say hello to EarAcoustics VSA-V1!
Let’s see what this sparkling and elegant iem offers us apart from its great looks.
The product in my possession was provided to me by EarAcoustics for the purpose of writing an honest and independent review. You can reach them at this link. I used the VSA-V1 for about 120 hours (excluding burn-in) before writing the review.
Design & Build
Package
I had a big smile on my face as I opened the box. Honestly, I didn’t expect such a high caliber box content from a $100 iem. This is a very generous content. Here is the full list of what came out of the box:
- Cable with replaceable jack, 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks
- 3 sizes of wide mouth tips
- 3 sizes of narrow mouth tips
- Leather cable retractor
- Hard carrying case
- Papers
Shells
The monolithic metal shells are well designed to fit the ear, so the fit is good. The insulation is average. The vent and nozzle are metal grilles of the same shape. The shells shine brightly and the detailing is incredible for an iem of this level. VSA V1 comes with gelatin on the faceplate of the shells. Not only that, there is gelatin everywhere on the case zipper, cable and jacks. They do their work with care and I appreciate that.
Cable, Case, Tips…
Made of silver-plated OFC material, this cable is 408 strands. The appearance and build quality far exceed the price, and it comes with replaceable jack.
As if that wasn’t enough, the fact that the VSA-V1 comes with both a narrow and a wide -mouth tips are a bonus. This gives you a tiny bit of flexibility in terms of tonality.
The real bomb is the carrying case, which comes in random colors and I got purple. It’s a very high quality and useful hard case.
Synergy
EarAcoustics VSA-V1 With FiiO JA11
I tested this iem with some of the 10usd dongles you all know, and I got the best result with the FiiO (Jade Audio) JA11. The JA11 balanced the exciting and bright sound of the EarAcoustics VSA-V1. He shifted the focus a bit more from female vocals to instruments. However, the technical performance of this matchup is not bad at all. Sure, it’s a bit superficial and the textures are lacking, but it’s enough for everyday use. JA11 was surprisingly successful. My score for the pairing is 8.5/10
EarAcoustics VSA-V1 With Roseselsa RS9039
VSA-V1 with the world’s most affordable 9039 chip dac! The RS9039 is a very neutral device for its price, with minimal colorations. Unfortunately, this colorations is exactly where the VSA-V1 shines. So tonally there’s plenty of brightness and a bit of treble. This can be scratchy at times. But technically it’s very good. This match is very good in terms of resolution and separation for the overall price. Still, because of the tonal mismatch, I rate this pairing 7/10.
Sound
Tonality
EarAcoustics VSA-V1 features a V-shape tonality that emphasizes female vocals and trebles. Overall, it has a bright sound. Ringtones and air frequencies may be too much for some of you. Nevertheless, the overall tone is well organized and there is plenty of room for instruments. I can say that these right decisions have managed to create an emotional sound character while at the same time appealing to all genres. Of course, this comment is valid for iems in this price range.
The lower frequencies are a bit close to the surface but they cover a fairly large area. They don’t have too much extension. Interestingly, the bass guitar sounds great in this area. When we get to the midrange, there is a structure that is quite transparent and focuses on female vocals. In this area, warmer sources can help you hear more guitars. As you move towards the top, the high notes become higher and more prominent. The cymbals extend freely, the trebles are balanced within themselves.
Technique
Technically, the VSA-V1 is a great iem for the price. It has good resolution, plenty of detail reproduction and a wide soundstage. Positioning and depth are ordinary. Separation is quite good, layering is average. There is no distortion or roll-off in the overall frequency response. I would say the speed in the lower frequencies is average, but the sound is still realistic for the price. The amount of texture in the middle voices is standard for instruments and very good for female vocals. Microdetail reproduction throughout the mid-upper range is quite good. Although the treble frequencies are in the foreground, it is very appropriate that they are positioned towards the outside of the soundstage, supporting the feeling of this 3D holographic stage.
Last Words
The content, the sound, the build, the accessories and the quality of it all is very, very excellent for the price tag. The EarAcostics VSA-V1 is a very successful iem no matter how you look at it. There are some minor tonality mistakes, but there is also a lot that is done right. Personally, I see a lot of potential in the company and they are showing it early on. I hope their other products are as good. It is quite possible that you will see them soon 😉
