>>> Outer | Polished, Anodized, cryogenically treated aluminum faceplate, body, and nozzle
>>> Connector | In-House designed cryogenically treated 0.78mm rhodium plated tellurium copper 2-pin with PEEK insulation
>>> Internal Wiring | Copper XS (In-house designed cryogenically treated UP-OCC litz with proprietary PS Insulation)
>>> Impedance | 10 ohms @1kHz @1mW
>>> Sensitivity | 109 dB @1kHz
>>> Frequency Response | 10hz – 40kHz
>>> Cable | In-house, curated Copper XL cable with exclusive two-tone y-splitter
Total Score
Introduction
Today we will review an exquisite iem from Plussound, which is famous for its cables and only produces high end iems. I am here with the review of Volta, the “entry level” iem of this company, which I think is not well known enough due to the fact that it plays at the top. Don’t look at what I call entry level, this is a $ 2500 high end iem. However, this is Plussound’s most affordable in-ear monitor. Further up the range are the Sonora and Allegro II. Let’s see how Volta will give us an idea about its big brothers.
I obtained the product myself with the purpose of writing an independent review. I am writing my review after spending about 250 hours with the Volta, excluding burn-in.
Design & Build
Package
Plussound Volta came in a more compact box than I expected. The box is filled to the brim with accessories. I have experienced dozens of iems over $2000 and this content definitely passed the class with a high score. Here’s exactly what comes out of the box:
- VOLTA In-Ear Monitors
- COPPER XL Cable
- Leather Storage Case
- Leather Storage Pouch
- Leather IEM Bag
- Leather Cable Organizer
- Metal Eartip Card
- Cleaning Tool
- Cleaning Cloth
- PLUSSOUND Silicone Eartips (S,M,L)
- Comply Foam Eartips (S,M,L)
- Symbio Hybrid Eartips (S,M,L)
- Metal Warranty Card
- Digital Start Guide
- Signed Thank You Card
Shells, Cable, Case
Let’s start with the shells. It feels premium with its embossed engravings and matte metal structure. I had a problem with the fit at first, but this problem was solved when I changed the position a bit. The shells have a vent in the form of a straight line. The nozzle length is exactly the right length. A good design speaks for itself.
There is really very little to say about the cable, one of the best copper cables. I think it’s great that they’re giving away a cable that they already sell for $750 with the Volta. More than one cable? Interchangeable jack? No, they don’t exist. But I clearly prefer this cable quality to these.
Plussound must think that whoever buys this iem should treat it with care. That must be why they give you more than one carrying bag. Not every company has the little pouches that protect the shells, and I like that.
Overall material quality, design and presentation are very satisfactory. I leave the opinions on functionality to you, my dear readers.
Synergy
Volta is an iem with balanced tonality built on the W-shape. With warm-dark sources the sound becomes more U-shaped, while with open-neutral sources a midcentric synergy is achieved.
Plussound Volta With iBasso D16 Taipan
This match reminds me of an old relationship. Sometimes you and she are good enough, but together you are not good enough. Two great partners don’t always make a great relationship. Such is the story of Plussound Volta and iBasso D16 Taipan. The Volta is an exquisite W-shape iem with an impressive note weight. The D16 Taipan is a great 1bit dac that produces a warm, analog and technical sound at the same time. When they are combined, the result is a half U-shape and half V-shape sound. In this pairing the Volta sounds warmer. Female vocals are further behind, but in terms of field emotional timbre. There’s more midbass and a darker sound. Of course, it’s different if you’re a high end basshead, it works well with edm and hiphop. The resulting sound is not bad, still very good, but not great. I think this relationship is suffocating Volta. My score for this pairing is 6/10.
Plussound Volta With Shanling M9 Plus
Chapter II – Volta finds her prince charming
The Shanling M9 Plus is a source of incredible technical capacity, power and impeccable timbre, in harmony with the nature of the Volta. Plussound Volta is the perfect match for this pairing. The sound is balanced and dynamic. The track Soen – Hollowed (Elisa) is so perfect with this pairing that everything fits perfectly. There’s a realistic guitar sound and a smooth vocal. In this pairing, the M9 Plus gives the Volta a few more pluses and perfects what is already a very good headphone. These two work well together like two right people who have found each other. This reminds me of something again, but I’ll keep it to myself. My score for this great pairing is 9.9/10
Sound
The Plussound Volta surprised me with its sound. I didn’t expect this fancy and stylish device from the American school to turn into a monster when I put it in my ear. I want you to know that I am basing this part on the Shanling M9 Plus. Volta does not match well with very warm sources.
Bass
Sub and midbass are perfectly balanced, the Volta has a good inner bass balance in this respect. This well-tuned bass is very fast and offers very good note weight. It shakes the ground when it needs to, but does not break the harmony of the music. When it comes to the instrumental part, it produces very natural contrabass sounds and easily heard bass guitars. Plussound Volta’s low frequency capabilities are not limited to instruments. It carries the fun factor in hiphop, edm, pop genres to the top with a great technique. Volta’s tight and deep bass adds a rare pleasure to the music.
Mid
Plussound Volta produces a very realistic sound when it comes to the mids. It has an exquisite guitar sound. It also delivers a smooth female vocal. All instruments sound natural throughout the midrange. I hear the vocal pushed forward a bit and aggressive positioning of the remaining voices across the mid. It does this with very effective layering and I like it. The woodwinds, strings, piano and choir are all very realistic. The sopranos from the end of the mids to the beginning of the treble are a real tear-jerker. With Volta I listen to Ne Obliviscaris – Citadel album from start to finish and everything is precise, consistent and quite accurate.
Treble
Volta continues to maintain his perfect balance here. Captures fast cymbals precisely. The ability to preserve nuance in the lower treble is at its peak. The cymbals extended naturally and feel just right. In this area, Plussound Volta adds airiness without thinning the sound. The sound is airy but not thin. In the overall treble presentation, the internal balance is the same as in the lower frequencies: lower treble and upper treble are at a similar level. When I turn on Stealheart – She’s Gone, I hear completely clean and clear cymbals. They’re just right. Also on the same track, the lower treble where the highest pitches of the guitar reach sound great.
Technique
Plussound Volta has a holistic high-end technique. A superior resolution, a micro detail reproduction that reaches the finest nuances. A soundstage of average width and great depth. And is that all? No, it’s not! Volta is a multi-talented iem that generates source-independent isobaric frequency response. It also has a homogeneous resolution. Plenty of air space between all the instruments, great instrument separation. It offers very good layering. Near-perfect positioning for an in-ear monitor. All this gives him a great imaging. In addition, it has an incredibly accurate timbre. What does great imaging and great timbre produce? realistic sound. And that’s what makes the Plussound Volta what it is – realistic sound.
Last Words
Plussound Volta produces a sound that is both surprising and impressive. When it comes to sound, this iem has a lot going for it, but perhaps the only thing left to talk about is the price. The $2500 price tag means that only those who really want it can afford it. I have to say, though, that’s not a bad price considering what it offers. But if it were $2000, I would have declared the Plussound Volta the best IEM of 2025.
