DISCLAIMER
This review is based on my personal experiences with the VSA Max. The unit was provided by The Brotherhood of Audiogeek for review purposes. I have not received any monetary compensation for this review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT ME
I’m fairly new to the world of IEMs, since jumping into the hobby of Hir-Res Audio, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole exploring a variety of budget, mid-range sets and Flagship sets. I don’t listen at loud volumes, and I’m quite sensitive to treble, which is why I usually lean towards warmer sound signatures that let me enjoy long sessions without fatigue. My music taste is all over the place- from different genres to different languages- so I appreciate IEMs that can adapt and still sound musical. While I won’t get deep into technical measurements, I’ll try to keep things clear and relatable, with just enough info to help fellow enthusiasts understand how the IEM actually feels to listen to.
ABOUT THE VSA MAX
EarAcoustic Audio specializes in high-fidelity audio equipment and the VSA Max is positioned as a flagship model in their current lineup, This IEM features a single 11.4mm dynamic driver with a full-amplitude titanium diaphragm and a Tesla dual magnetic circuit. The driver setup aims to deliver a V-shaped sound signature with a focus on female vocal clarity and emotional expression. According to EarAcoustic Audio, this IEM’s tuning has been developed after analyzing vocals of thousands of Asian female singers.
- Driver Configuration: Single 11.4mm dynamic driver with a full-amplitude titanium diaphragm
- Magnetic Circuit: Dual N52 neodymium Tesla magnetic system
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: 110dB SPL/mW
- Frequency Response: 5Hz – 40kHz
- Cable: 408-core OFC silver-plated Litz cable, 1.2m in length, with interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
The VSA Max leaves a strong first impression with its build. The shells feel solid and well put together, giving the confidence that they can handle daily use without issue. The faceplate design has a clear sense of artistry behind it and the shells look even more beautiful in person than in pictures. According to the company the design is inspired by “Dark Night Hunting” concept which makes this IEM feel both premium and distinct.
Comfort is another area where the VSA Max gets it right. The shell follows a semi-custom ergonomic shape, allowing it to sit flush in the ear. I was able to wear it comfortably for 6 to 7 hours straight without any pain or fatigue.
- Fiio M21
- VE Megatron + Acer Nitro V
- Snowsky Echo Mini
- Kiwi ears Allegro Mini + Samsung S23 Ultra
- FiiO M21: Delivered a strong sense of technical performance with a heavy V-shaped tilt. Bass felt rumbly and authoritative, but vocals occasionally leaned into sibilance. Treble energy added excitement but could be fatiguing at times.
- VE Megatron + Acer Nitro V: The mids were pushed more forward as compared to the M21, though still not perfectly balanced. Bass tightened up and treble smoothed out slightly, reducing fatigue. However, this chain sacrificed some technicalities, with a more compressed stage and less precise imaging.
- Snowsky Echo Mini: A fun and highly engaging pairing with a punchy V-shaped signature. The set sounded lively, dynamic, and free from the sibilance that I experienced on the M21. It’s an enjoyable portable option if you want energy without harshness.
- Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini + Samsung S23 Ultra: This chain didn’t complement the set well. Mids remained very recessed, bass lacked impact, and the treble often felt peaky. Technicalities were serviceable but nothing standout.
SOUND IMPRESSIONS
BASS
The first thing that grabs your attention is the bass. There’s a deep and rumbly sub-bass that rolls in like a low thunderstorm which gives other notes a physical sense of weight. The Mid-bass carries a nice slam that makes kick drums punch through, though on more clinical sources like the FiiO M21 it can feel a touch loose. Switching to the VE Megatron tightens up the mid bass and shows better control. This kind of bass is enjoyable for all kinds of listeners and not just “Hardcore Audiophiles”. Some tracks I tested for bass are “Ek Tera Pyar” by Bohemia and “Sweating Bullets” by Megadeth.
MIDS
The mids are where you’ll feel the V-shape most clearly. Vocals sit a step behind the bass and treble, which can leave male voices sounding a little hollow. Female vocals climb higher in the mix, sometimes bordering on sharpness, especially with neutral or bright sources. On the Snowsky Echo Mini, though, the mids gain warmth and presence, softening the edges and giving voices more soul. It’s not the star of the show, but when paired well, the mids do just enough to keep you engaged. EarAcoustics has highlighted in their marketing that this IEM specializes in female vocals, so I tested songs like “Dil Cheez” by Bally Sagoo and “Javeda Zindagi” by Kshitij. Honestly, I was confused at first with this tuning style. The instruments sounded very muddy but at the same time, vocals got very forward and turned sibilant oftenly.
TREBLE
The treble is the spark that lights up the whole tuning. Cymbals shimmer with energy and there’s an airy lift that gives the set its excitement. If paired with wrong sources, it could cause fatigue your ears very easily. This set seems a little too eager to show off its brightness. But on the right source like the Echo Mini and Megatron it finds its sweet spot. Warmer sources can keep the treble lively and crisp without ever getting harsh. To test sibilance and overall treble response, I listened to Deftones and System of a Down.
TECHNICALITIES
The sense of space changes noticeably with different sources. On the FiiO M21, the stage opens up with a convincing width, giving instruments room to breathe and placing vocals a little further out. Switching to the VE Megatron pulls the presentation inward and the stage feels more intimate, almost like sitting closer to the band in a smaller venue. Imaging stays fairly precise across chains where instruments are easy to locate and do not smear into each other. Detail retrieval is solid for the price, offering enough nuance to pick up background textures without feeling analytical.
EQ RESPONSE
This set reacts to EQ, but not always in a way that works in its favor. You can push the mids forward to bring vocals more upfront, but doing so strips away the natural balance of the tuning. The moment the mids are boosted, sibilance jumps out aggressively and the overall sound loses its character. The fun V-shaped energy that defines this set turns into something harsh and fatiguing. Bass and treble tweaks can make small refinements, but it’s clear this IEM was tuned to be enjoyed as-is rather than heavily reshaped with EQ.
CONCLUSION
This IEM is unapologetically fun. It leans into a V-shaped tuning with rumbling bass, energetic treble, and an overall presentation that grabs your attention right away. It’s not the set you pick up for midrange purity or reference accuracy. But if you let it play to its strengths, it rewards you with a lively, dynamic listen that’s easy to enjoy. Source pairing matters a lot here On the FiiO M21 the stage opens wide but can get a bit hot up top, while the VE Megatron softens the treble and tightens the bass at the cost of space. The Snowsky Echo Mini hits the sweet spot, keeping the energy while smoothing out the rough edges. it feels thoughtfully built, beautifully designed, and comfortable enough for hours of listening without a second thought. The semi-custom shell fits flush and secure, while the sturdy cable and premium faceplate design give the whole package a sense of refinement. It’s clear that the company paid attention not just to sound but to how the IEM feels and holds up in daily use.