• Value for money – such amazing sound qualities for such a low price • Ergonomics – For me the shells has the best fit of any IEM’s so far. I do take large tips but my ear shape complies well to these. The fit is so good I don’t even know they are there when inserted • Musical – Although these can be spicy they are never overly analytical music track instrumentation is always cohesive • Aesthetics – I’ve said in previous reviews I’m not one for looks or packaging when it comes to IEM’s as the sound is the important element to me. But they are pretty IEM’s the face plates shine like the sound they produce. • Metal shell – As a Summer holiday set for taking away the cool metal shell is so refreshing to my ears, its nice using them in the house too. • Lively – These are in no way tuned to Harmon which excites my ears. • Crunch – this set makes you listen, get into the music and focus on the music hitting you from both sides.
Cons:
• Included accessories – For me the included cable was too trebly, a copper cable would have been preferred for my ears. But for the price the included accessories brilliant. Some wide bore tips would have helped here too. I can understand the cable selection though as it over accentuated the treble which is what they wanted of the set.
Wants to hear the individual instruments with micro details included, but retains musicality.
likes a pronounced fun sound signature
A set which brings positivity to tracks
Likes to feel part of the band with great soundstage
Someone on a budget wanting to sample what nearing top level sound is
Is going on holiday and doesn’t want to take their expensive sets, not afraid of the beach. A low cost almost there with the top tier sound wise (for me).
Stand Out Track/s
The track for me which best articulates the Max’s abilities is BWB – Billie Jean
right from the outset the crispness of the high hat snaps through. Lead guitar comes in at 0:20 pronounced and articulated. The bass line is soon noticed at 0:26 and blends in but still stands out. At 0:44 cymbal crash shines through with crystal like precision. The warmth of the tenor sax comes in soon after. Rhythmic, mid centric excellence. Then trombone, but in with trombone you can hear all the other elements working together but still individual. At 1:20 the band syncs and each element can be picked out, each has its musical edge driven on by the bass. I liken this set to my Grand Oriveti Supremacy, its not far off for a massive fraction of the price! It’s the crunch of the bass later on that really gets me on this track and the kick drum hits from the vocal solo at 2:51. The kick drum is low down hitting smoothness. The treble elements of his voice shines.
Rating
5 out of 5 (based on sets I’ve heard so far) I rate IEMS on price to performance. The treble spice of the Max is a function of its being. It would not be the same IEM without it so full marks from me. I assume most people would already own a preferred cable and selection of tips.
Price
At the time of writing £112.44 - £120 (GBP)
Driver Configuration
1DD (11.4mm Full-Amplitude Titanium Diaphragm with Tesla Magnetic Engine)
My Review Philosophy
(Feel free to skip ahead to the next header for the review itself.) As a professional musician—soprano, alto, tenor sax, and clarinet—my ears are tuned to melody, not lyrics. I respond to the emotional depth and texture of sound, and that sensitivity naturally extends into my approach to portable audio. Years of musical instinct allow me to pick up on subtle nuances in DAPs, cables, and tips, which directly inform my impressions. My journey into audio began with the hunt for the perfect IEM, but it quickly became a deeper exploration of musicality and timbre. I’m not drawn to sterile tuning or gear for gear’s sake—I want instruments to breathe. The TSMR X was a turning point; before that, most gear felt Harmon-flat. I don’t rely on graphs. I rely on what I hear, what I feel, and what moves me. My setup is minimal and music-first. My playlist—over 1,400 tracks, jazz-heavy but spanning many genres—is the backbone of every review:
(Click on the header of the image should take you to my playlist)
My Playlist I set to shuffle for each review it’s like a lottery waiting for gems to appear on each new set. I then select tracks that match the categories I evaluate as they appear. I rarely repeat tracks across reviews unless I’m focusing on micro-detail, where certain songs excel. YouTube is my tool for discovery, not fidelity—I highlight timestamps so readers can hear what I hear. It’s a companion to the hi-res playlist I use across my DAPs. If my picks resonate with you, maybe we hear alike. I optimize IEMs during testing. If stock tips or cables don’t work, I’ll say so. I don’t split reviews across setups but will spend time on both during my reviews to see what each offers—I need to enjoy the music to write honestly. Everyone hears differently: ear anatomy, genre preference, treble sensitivity, even room acoustics all play a role. My DAP/AMP adds its own flavour, and I don’t use EQ. Once I lock in a setup—whether stock or swapped—I stick with it unless something worries me in the sound. In that case I will try ironing this out with either stock or other cables and tips. I want each IEM to perform at its best, and not everyone has the luxury to tweak endlessly. My goal is to hear gear at its full potential.
Disclaimer
Zoe for Earacoustic Audio generously provided these for review, but I stay focused on the sound—not the brand or the gesture. I simply listen, share what works, and how each set aligns with my preferences. My hope is always to enjoy what I hear, or at the very least, help others find something that suits them if it doesn’t quite click for me. The VSA MAX (Void Silver Stalker) can be purchased direct from the EarAcoustic website: https://www.earacoustic-audio.com/
Cable Used For This Review
· £200+ reference cable similar to the Penon Totem cable (Liquid Nitrogen Silver 24K Gold Plated + Copper Gold Alloy + Outer Shielding 330 Cores Single Crystal Copper Silver Plated) · Yongse Stormrise cable who’s structure is (Center:9/0.03 silver-plated copper alloy+28/0.03 silver-copper alloy+PVC Layer 2(Mixed materials):16/0.052 gold-plated pure silver*2+16/0.052 palladium-plated pure silver*2+16/0.067N single crystal copper*2+PVC) · Oriveti Grand Affinity cable OCC copper with silver-plated OCC.
I soon found the included cable and tips weren’t right for my preference. Going through all my cables I selected the cable included with my Supremacy, the grand Affinity cable (OCC copper with silver-plated OCC.
After some advice from my brother from another mother Andy Pickard I went with Divinus velvet wide bore tips and he was totally right with this. The metal tips I tend to prefer were accentuating the already crazy treble. I sold my velvet tips a while ago but luckily the Supremacy had a very close match to those tips. I used those.
Top Line Summary And Taster Track/s
The Max hits above its price bracket Fizzy, Zingy, thumping down low Detailed, W (with definition in lows, mids and highs). Many have called this a V set but mid focussed instruments still shine with this set. Give the Max a Tenor Sax and that instrument shines with mellow beauty. Maybe I’m wrong calling them W, but that’s what I get from the Max. Maybe I’ll call it a V W or VW for short. They can be creamy smooth too with musicality built in. I enjoy this set more than I could have imagined. Intimate soundstage to boot. The Max brings out micro detail almost on par to my Grand Orivetti Supremacy. I hear details on the Max not heard on sets other that the Supremacy. There are some moments where I really sit up and listen with the Max, they are amazing for the money Antoine Fafard – Metamorphosis
an absolute riot of noises to blast your head! But still musical.
Aesthetics And Materials Function
I’ve mentioned I’m not mega into looks of IEMS. I’m more into sound. But, the Max will please those into bling. The glittery face plate reflects the trebly nature of these. The body is of Aluminium and there is a pleasing pattern on the body which remind me of the contours of a map. The aluminium has a nice cool feel when initially inserted. The vent and ear tube are of the same design which I like. The holes in the vents are small enough to not allow foreign bodies to enter. The 2 pin connector feel reassuring sturdy with a good grip on the two pin. I feel safe that they won’t easily detach from the cable.
Ergonomics
These fit amazingly well in my ear. They disappear as I listen with just the secure fit of the tips to feel. I’d say these are the best fit so far of IEM’s.
Venting
This IEM is vented. I experienced no pressure build up when in use.
Sound Bleed Into The Room
Due to the larger than normal vent on the Max (3.5mm). Not all of that space is vented as it has a 3.5mm perforated disk, there is more bleed into the room than other sets. I assume this will help with soundstage too. The loudest IEM I’ve owner was the BGVP DMA which was partially vented. The Max is nothing like that and can’t be heard from roughly 2 metres. It is not loud in the room, just sound can be detected.
Compare To My Other IEMS.
Currently Owned IEMS
I have to say the nearest match I have to the Max is the Grand Oriveti Supremacy. Thinking back to other sets I’ve owned the Max with its single DD blows me away like the Blon bl03 still does for sheer value for money. Sometimes I wonder if all the driver types are needed and its just us consumers wanting more. I borrowed a friends set which had 16 drivers per side once!
I would think the Max sits in between the TSMR X and the BGVP DMA. Slightly less crunch than the X and slightly less bass to the centre of the brain feel, but with impressive soundstage of the DMA.
I’m simply really pleased with the Max and it will be my set to take on holiday later this month.
Portable Kit Used on high gain
Fiio M21 player (with USB Audio Player Pro app) and a 2tb micro SD loaded.
Desktop Kit Used on high gain
Cayin N7 loaded (with USB Audio Player Pro app) and a 2tb micro SD loaded, Penon Totem Purple Interconnect (required an earth wire fitted by Penon), Kaei Tap1Pro with Muses02 Opamps installed, PSU2 for extra power to the Tap.
How Do The Two Setups Differ? (Portable And Desktop)
The largest part of this review was completed on my desktop setup. In fact this section is me listening to the M21. I ran the M21 from battery to get a true feel for the portable sound. On High gain the treble is definitely more pronounced on the M21. Sounds are less impressive and bloated on the bass with the M21 listening to Sondre Lerche and the faces Down Quartet - Dead End Mystery
Going down to medium gain brings the vocal closer and warmer. There’s still a sibilance to his vocal. I soon revert back to High gain as I’ve developed an appreciation for it since owning the Cayin N7.
I imagine myself with this set on a beach or next to a pool would I still enjoy the music and yes I would. The M21 is significantly cheaper than my other setup but is still impressive the Max helps with this. I was going to take the TSMR Feat away with me this summer but the Max his pipped it to the post. I just enjoy it more.
A track such as Phoenix Again – Adso Da Melk
has me enthralled, what’s coming next whilst enjoying the sounds the M21 and Max produce working together.
My Audio Journey (For Reference)
In order of ownership: Blon BL03>Fiio m11> Oriolus ba300s (Tube Amp)>Mangird Tea 2>Thieaudio Hype 4>Tansio Mirai X (Tsmr 10th anniversary)>Fiio m11plus>Bgvp Dma>Simgot Super Mix 4>Soundrhyme Dte500>Imr R1>IMR Enigma (Sadly I blew these up!)>Cayin N7>Kaeo Tap1Pro With Muses02 And PSU2>Burson Classics Dual opamps>Sparkos SS3602>Grand Oriveti Supremacy>TSMR Feat>Fiio M21>Earacoustic Audio VSA-Max
The Max is great at soundstage too. I get what I want from depth of stereo image. Main instrument can be right in my head with surrounding instruments suitably deep. Assume the larger than normal vent on the Max help with this, adding air and in turn depth.
This track shows the depth of the Max Laura Marling – Take The Night Off
this is what gets me with certain IEM’s the closeness of Laura’s voice and instrumentation depicted by the stereo image. A true feel for positioning of the other instruments. This track isn’t totally in my head with the vocal. There are other tracks I’ll describe when I find them.
Next Julie Crochetiere On Va S’aimer Encore
this track made me stop and listen. This is the best I’ve heard this track of any other set. That soudstage and front facing vocal, almost buried in my head with other instruments floaty floaty.
Kathryn Williams – In a Broken Dream
is the most in my head vocal I’ve heard. It’s not quite there with the Max. Where with other sets I’ve heard her voice in between my eyes for brain sound with the Max her voice is just above the centre of my eyes either side. A quick switch to the Supremacy proves this to me. With the Supremacy her voice truly is in the centre of my head. I have had this experience on other sets the Max just isn’t quite there, but significant value for money retains its 5/5 mark from me. My preference is close vocals.
Detail
These hit way above what I would expect regarding detail. Probably because of the increased treble. There are two tracks I use to hear micro detail Melody Gardot – Your Heart Is As Black As Night
there is a noticeable his in thr right channel at the start of the track. I’ve heard it on the Max and Supremacy but not on others. Max picks this up but not as pronounced as the Supremacy where it’s really distracting.
And Don Ross – Run, Don’t walk
there was an annoying resonating string on the Supremacy at 00:10 in. The Max doesn’t pick this up. Sometimes less is more though as the string really stood out on the Supremacy detracting from the music.
Bass
As mentioned in the header one of the stand outs of the Max is the bass. They can comfortable go way down low whilst retaining detail. The Max can give my heart dull resonance in its depths.
Philippe Saisse – Wild world
this track gives that way down low feel. Each Double bass note from 00:29 resonates between my eyes and way to the bass of my throat and top of my heart.
David Bowie – Lazarus
this is the best I’ve ever heard this track so right and crisp. Bass guitar hits with authority and defines the track. So many stand out tracks I’ve heard on the Max
Victor Bailey – Lowblow
no muddiness to the bass just the right level of separation whilst retaining musicality. Seriously impressive bass control. Significant! Gorillaz – Andromeda (feat. D.R.A.M)
this track goes lower those mentioned above and produces the low notes without a problem.
Mids
I struggle knowing so many refer to this set as a V accentuating the highs and lows but to me the Max is a true pleasure in the mids too. John Lee Hooker – The Healer (With Santana)
the main instrument shines through to me. I’ve had nothing but pleasure listening to this set. There is a sparkle to the ride cymbal from 02:54 and satisfying bass elements throughout. But mid instruments can be so good to.
Highs
Treble can get spicy with these. Lower quality recordings below 320Kbps can suffer sibilance with this set. On higher resolution track sibilance can happen but turning down the volume on these track, the detail is retained and the treble is bearable then.
An example tack of some real crisp treble is Lamb – Trans Fatty Acid
this is well controlled treble no clipping, just precise and energetic coming from vocals and her voice. This is a track I love and this is one of the best examples I’ve heard of it.
This track is just on the verge of sibilance to me Wizkid – Sugar
this is the extent of the treble most of the time, it doesn’t usually flip over to unbearable.
Here are two tracks where treble doesn’t hit right and these hard to find. The rest of the time the treble is so sweet.
Crazy P – A Night On Earth
there is no getting away from the fact this track does suffer from sibilance with all the S’s in words throughout even when the volume is turned down. I’ve not noticed this on any other track so far many weeks and hundreds of tracks into this review, 2 days before publishing. I will try this track on the supremacy with similar totem cable and Shanling SE100 tips. It is there on the Supremacy but doesn’t stand out as much. That quick switch reminds me what I like about that set. A lovely roundness to notes.
Ali Farka Toure – Ai Bine
this is an example of a harsh track I have, it’s a 160kbps version I have and some parts in this track aren’t bearable even turning down.
Crunch
Maren Morris – Detour
this track stands out for crunch. Not as much crunch as I experiences with the TSMR X but nearly there. This track has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next beat, a truly special feel which reaches for the heart. Added to that the sweetness of the treble in her voice. Floaty kind of well emphasised stuff.
Burn In
Burn in made a significant difference to this set after 48 hours the treble had calmed a little and the DD had activated to the lower tones. Others have experienced this too so don’t be put off by the first listen they will develop over time.
Realness/Timbre
I’ve just added this category for my reviews as this set is just so real sounding. Bjork – Frosti
I’m there with the bells sounding round me in crystalline beauty. Resonances all round me from the trail edge of notes. Spectacular.
Laila Biali – Tears of Hercules
there is no vailing or muddiness to the sound of her voice and all other instruments sound true. This is a standout feature of the Max, which is a single DD!
I’ve heard realness, the most real sound being from my blown up IMR Enigmas (sad face) you would not be disappointed by the sound from the Max for realness if you have the same ears as me.
Listening Fatigue
The first time I experienced listening fatigue was with the TSMR X I had to stop listening for a day as my ears and brain had had overload. I put it down to me not being used to such sounds coming at me. I never listen excessively load, just on the edge to get the best out of the music. The Max I’ve had zero issue with listening fatigue which is surprising considering the accentuated treble. Maybe I’ll not experience fatigue again, maybe I’m burnt into it. I do have my Cayin N7 set to High gain too.
Instruments Breakdown:
Vocals:
· Mid Female Vocals: Agnes Obel – The Curse
absolute beauty in her hard punching vocal echoed in the instrumentation surrounding. This is why I hear more than a V to this set. Like Tenor saxophone the mids of this set really stand out. · Higher Female Vocals: Eivor Palsdottir – On my Way to Somewhere
not the most trebly of voices but at times the treble which comes from her voice is stop, listen, absorb. So much is happening in this track it sends shivers at 03:35 truly impressive sound reproduction I’ve only heard with much higher priced sets such as the DTE500, Enigma and Supremacy · High Male Voice: M.Ward – Clean Slate
his voice verges on sibilient its just on the verge. You feel the closness of the mic to his mouth. Also a good demonstration of great soundstage. Short track but sweet. · Mid Male Voice: Chris Stapleton – A Simple Song
lovely crisp rasp with the treble punctuating his voice. His voice is intimate creamy slight gruff accentuated by the treble tilt of the Max. The Max does what I like bringing the voice/instrument forward. I like an intimate set.
Drums
I just come across these tracks as I write these reviews and what a great track this is to demonstrate drums. Sounding kick drum with the edge taken off the snare too. Journey – In My Lonely Feeling/Conversations
right in at the beginning you have a great demo of the drum kit with ride cymbal hovering over the top. 01:08 wow what drums. Surfing round my head. BLISS. Produced by the Max.
Strings
Cello:has the crisp crunch I like Maya Beiser – Memories
this track also incudes a viola solo and that too is what I would want from the Viola. A lovely mid flowing resonance.
Double bass: is well rounded with no bloat. Julia Huelsmann Trio with Rebekka Bakken – A thousand Years
from 01:22 the double bass enters. You get a nice zing off of the higher notes. Longer sustained notes resonate beautifully. At 02:23 the lower notes are played and the DD copes brilliantly with this. Sounding real.
Guitar
Bass Guitar: hits with authority and defines the track. So many stand out tracks I’ve heard on the Max Victor Bailey – Lowblow
no muddiness to the bass just the right level of separation whilst retaining musicality. Seriously impressive bass control. Significant!
Lead guitar: Santana – Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen
at no point does the treble overwhelm on this track, again right there on the edge. At 03:37 the full range of the guitar is displayed with rawness and crunch. I am not left wanting more. As Santana works his magic on the strings. Another great demo of the Max abilities is Jim Adkins – Let’s Stay Together
straight forward simple tenor playing here. Sounds right mid focussed. Tenor sax is my second instrument I know it well. The sax sounds real on this track with micro detail coming through from the key work to the breaths across the reed. Buy this set! WOW. The sax player covers the whole range of the instrument and I’m not left wanting any more. Class. Soprano Saxophone: Kirk Whalum – Into My Soul
nice precise punctuated representation of the Soprano sax. You feel the body resonate when the mid range notes played. This is more punctuated than I am used to. But Kirks effortless playing comes through. · Clarinet: was the first instrument I learnt to play so I know it to the micro detail and I’m so pleased with the sound reproduction of the Max Hugo Siegmeth – Petite Fleur
lavish vocals with such a jazz tilt too, just pure beauty in his voice forgetting I’m looking at Trombone here. He comes back in at 02:47 with his Trombone, the Max copes effortlessly with the trombones range, being mostly mid focussed.
Electronic
For electronic music my easy turn to is Tipper. The Max doesn’t disappoint here with its disciplined reproduction of precise sound. From the first track from their album Forward escape I’m pleased as the Max gives musical separation to each sound Tipper - Portal Spillage
produces intrigue and interest. The note weight is pronounced and the micro detail of the strings comes through. Effortless and engaging.
Conclusion
Every hour after burn in has been a true pleasure with the Max, it will be hard to beat for me as a set to listen to whilst away from my house. Truly magical presentation of sound and huge sound value for money.
I’ve heard many truly pleasurable moments on the Max, too many to ever let this set go. It does make me question higher value sets I’ve owned, and currently own. But going back to the Supremacy I do get the extra sound performance but that a $1999 set vs the Max! The Supremacy has a lovely roundness to the notes which immerses me in the joy of sound. The Max is more direct in its approach. It has been an absolute pleasure to listen to and will be accompanying me on holiday to Turkey soon, beach and pool pictures to follow.
Other sets I’ve really enjoyed include the TSMR X, BGVP DMA, Soundrhyme DTE500, IMR Enigma and Grand Oriveti Supremacy. If you have enjoyed those too I imagine you would be pleased with these too.
The Max is a bright fun set with amazingly lively highs and lows. Burna Boy – Killin Dem demonstrated this
