Just Arrived! VSonic VSD3S

Cookeh · 19 Apr 2015 at 13:19

smsmasters said:
Are the cables detachable? How do these compare to the GR07?

For the VS3D-S? Yes they are. Compared to the GR07, they're a touch more on the warm side, slightly less clarity and detail retrieval, smaller soundstage. I'd say they're 66% of the GR07 Classics for 33% of the price

That being said, if I had the budget for the the GR07s, I would buy those instead (and also get them over the SE215s personally).

Cookeh · 19 Apr 2015 at 15:32

My bad, didn't spot the asterix on my phone (rappy low res ftw!)

Oh well, amazon has them anyway... linky.

Be careful with the product number, the final digit, e.g. PA910X, is the size, so PA910S is small tips, M medium etc.

Cookeh · 19 Apr 2015 at 15:53

As an addendum, hifiheadphones.co.uk stock them and are, I believe, an official stockist.

Cookeh · 26 Apr 2015 at 17:22

Rids57 or I? The VSonics or the SHURE Olives?

Cookeh · 26 Apr 2015 at 20:11

Haha, I assumed you and the Olives originally, so thought I'd ask

VSonics are sublime, truly punching above their RRP. Thoroughly entertaining, good dynamics, well balanced sound that's a touch on the warm sound, good vocals.

Cookeh · 26 Apr 2015 at 21:01

Erm, tough one. S has slighty more bass presence and better bass response. Slightly warmer sound.

I personally prefer the S, it depends on what sound signature you're looking for.

Cookeh · 26 Apr 2015 at 21:30

Not from my experience

VS3 has more forward vocals, so it sounds a bit more aggressive than the -S, as a result the bass doesn't stand out quite as much. It also made the VS3 sound a bit more 'artificial'

Cookeh · 27 Apr 2015 at 08:54

Yup, exchange rates make them an absolute steal atm.

Cookeh · 2 May 2015 at 21:44

Cheers rids!

Cookeh · 3 May 2015 at 11:02

AlecR said:
Think I might pickup a pair. Only concern is the warranty?

I didnt have an issue with my GR06's, and lendmeurears have fantastic CS from my experience - you might have more issue if you go through VSonic but I believe lendmeurears will carry out returns for the first year (and only year) warranty just like OcUK does here in the UK.

Cookeh · 3 May 2015 at 15:06

Aside from reading reviews on each and comparing/contrasting the two, I do not. You could do that, though - will give an indication of which suits you best.

I might, if Rids and I ever do the IEM review thread we briefly discussed - in which case I'll either send my VSonics to him or vice versa (or maybe I can get a review pair from Rock Jaw) - but that wont happen till after my exams at the earliest

Cookeh · 6 May 2015 at 14:11

Yup, much more dynamic than the E10s imo

Good to hear you're enjoying them.

Cookeh · 13 May 2015 at 15:19

rids57 said:
They seem to have great prices but awful customer service, think I'll pass.

rids57 said:
You were lucky then because I've also read reports about people waiting for days for email replies and RMAs taking a month. On the other hand though, the prices are so stupidly low the risk might well be worth it.

Cookeh said:
I've personally had good service from them on the one occasion I have used them - faulty GR06 connection to housing, they gave me a full refund within the day. But then they are a small company based in SG, with no outlets/HQs anywhere else in the world, you can't very well expect anything amazing from them

I have the rev.1 VSD3-S (copper detachable cable, poor strain relief), they developed the fault that is seemingly quite common on the detachable models - loss of audio in one or both of the drivers due to poor connections. I emailed LendMeUREars at 1100 this morning, had a reply from them at 1230 giving me the option of either getting a replacement cable, or getting an OEM set of the non-detachable VSD3-S's which feature a silver cable that has been said to improve top end a bit. All sorted out and replacement set on its way to me already.

Really can't say anything against the customer service, to be honest. This is the second time Ive had to experience it and it has been sublime both times; the first time my headphones had actually just passed out of their one year warranty period (they were 13 months old) and VSonic still refunded them.

With regards to the fault I have experienced, VSonic have updated the cable to add more strain relief and have offered the VSD3/-S as a non-detachable variant, partially to keep up with orders and partially to avoid the detachment issues. Anyone who has bought them within the past 2-3 months should have the newer, revised version and if you bought the non-detachable cable you will also be fine

Cookeh · 13 May 2015 at 16:23

Most likely true, but then Penon Audio claims to offer a 1 year warranty on all their sales internally, so that shouldn't be too much of an issue. It is peculiar, unless I'm the exception that proves the rule!

Shame about the fault but to be honest I expected it from day one - didn't look like there was sufficient strain relief at all - glad to hear VSonic have taken note and revised it though, I will report back when I receive them.

Cookeh · 13 May 2015 at 18:17

Ive not had one yet, but reports seem to indicate the revision to the cable was made on both the non-detachable and the detachable variants. To my knowledge, the non-detachable variant was only made as they couldn't produce the detchable version fast enough to keep up with demand, they are identical in all other areas. So the answer should be a yes

Cookeh · 13 May 2015 at 19:21

Its some proprietary coaxial connector, not the 'standard' 2 pin or MMCX connection that you get, which makes replacement/upgraded cables a real custom affair. I am actually tempted to get some quotes for a custom made cable for them with some Van Damme Pro Patch cabling.

Cookeh · 14 May 2015 at 15:30

dhill said:
Would these be considered as a worthwhile upgrade to the SoundMagic E10, or is there something else at this price point to consider instead?

I listern mainly to the likes of Alter Bridge, Slash, Metallica, Iron Maiden etc with some Linkin Park, Mumford & Sons, Edd Sheeran and Beth Hart thrown in.

Absolutely better than the E10. The E10 sounds so slow and lethargic in comparison. The E10 also has a smaller soundstage and less clarity than the VSonics, which also make the E10s bass sound muddy. These are also, without a shadow of a doubt, the best IEMs Ive heard beneath £100 (the GR07 excluded, but their price fluctuates horribly).

Cookeh · 15 May 2015 at 15:19

Cookeh said:
Its some proprietary coaxial connector, not the 'standard' 2 pin or MMCX connection that you get, which makes replacement/upgraded cables a real custom affair. I am actually tempted to get some quotes for a custom made cable for them with some Van Damme Pro Patch cabling.

Got a quote today from designacable - they estimate, that due to the connector type used and the amount of labour that specific design warrants, the cost of a custom cable with Van Damme cabling would come to approximately double that of the cost of the IEM from new.

Cookeh · 15 May 2015 at 15:45

Yeah, cables are available from LendMeUrEars and ofc from VSonic themselves - I was merely curious about custom cables as I had a few ideas in mind

Cookeh · 15 May 2015 at 18:49

You don't want the detachable version

Non-detachable has a silver cable, of a slightly higher purity, so better sound - namely a bit more detail and slightly more refined upper treble. Plus you can get them in a very dark grey?