The High Flying V with that old school cool
VSA: MAX
Reviewed by: Justin Merrill
Reviewed by: Justin Merrill
As the moon recesses in the summer sky and aligns over the lake behind my home on the grey August night. The rain starts; lighting strikes my front doorstep. Wow that was close! I run to the front of the house to assess the damage. weird no damage, just a package. It looks as if IEM Gods have delivered another mystery package. I take the package inside and open it and Low and behold it's the EarAcoustic Audio VSA: MAX a single DD IEM with tons of personality.
Ok, that's not how that happened. Not at all. Not even close! I have a tight group of IEM friends on Facebook I like to banter with about audio and whatever the heck we want to talk about. They are my favorite people even if we have never met. I like to think is kind of Audio based platonic relationship. So, this group of my fellow audiophiles asked if i would like to review a set for EarAcoustic Audio. The timing was good, so I accepted. I was connected to a VSA employee, they looked at a couple of my reviews and the VSA:MAX was at my door few weeks later. I am by no means a professional reviewer, just an audio junkie like you. My mission is of truth and honesty to the best of my abilities. I'm not here to cater to the Audio companies for review units. Why would I want waste my time with that and who has that kind of energy to waste, I know i don't. Chat GTP can go to hell! My poor grammar and punctuation will prove it. This is for fun because that's what this is all about. It's about escape and living in the moment and letting music the soundtrack of life guide us through these sometimes barren and harsh lands.
EarAcoustic Audio, formally known as TFZ. They went through a rebranding as of late and I think they made a good decision with the name change. EarAcoustic Audio has been in the In-Ear game for a while now, they have taken a more matured approach to their sound and departed form anything Harman (For me this is a good thing. I'm not for or against harman and I can enjoy it from time to time, but most of the time I find Harmen a bit lackluster and and lacking emotion and musicality. This to me this is what makes a company special. When they can step away from the popular by the masses tunings and become something different rather than popular. They seem to be creating a house sound and to me this what separates the chaff from the wheat. When a Brand can take a step back from the norm a create an identity of their own, that's the type of brand I can get behind. Chen Xinde is the man behind the Mask and he's an expert in Dynamic Driver development. Well i can tell you this after listening to the MAX for two weeks straight i will say that he's on point. The Max from the get-go was a breath of fresh air for my IEM collection and is different from my other Single DDs. That alone is worth a review to me. I can officially say that the Ear Acoustic VSA: MAX has been a joy to review, and you will hear it in my words without me having flat out say it. Thanks, EarAcousic Audio for this opportunity to review this Unit, it has been an adventure. Now let's get to the juicy stuff.
Techy stuff:
EarAcoustic Audio VSA: MAX
MSRP: 149.00
Driver: Single DD,11.4mm Full-Amplitude Titanium Diaphragm
Magnetic Circuit: Tesla Dual Magnetic
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Sensitivity: 110db
Frequency: Response 5Hz-40kHz
Cable: 408-core OFC + Silver-Plated Litz, 1.2m 4.4 and 3.5 modular
Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
Tips: Two sets of 3 S,M,L. Wide bore and narrow bore
Case: Pu leather puck style with zipper. Lottery color; Blue, Green, Red.
Unboxing:
Ok, that's not how that happened. Not at all. Not even close! I have a tight group of IEM friends on Facebook I like to banter with about audio and whatever the heck we want to talk about. They are my favorite people even if we have never met. I like to think is kind of Audio based platonic relationship. So, this group of my fellow audiophiles asked if i would like to review a set for EarAcoustic Audio. The timing was good, so I accepted. I was connected to a VSA employee, they looked at a couple of my reviews and the VSA:MAX was at my door few weeks later. I am by no means a professional reviewer, just an audio junkie like you. My mission is of truth and honesty to the best of my abilities. I'm not here to cater to the Audio companies for review units. Why would I want waste my time with that and who has that kind of energy to waste, I know i don't. Chat GTP can go to hell! My poor grammar and punctuation will prove it. This is for fun because that's what this is all about. It's about escape and living in the moment and letting music the soundtrack of life guide us through these sometimes barren and harsh lands.
EarAcoustic Audio, formally known as TFZ. They went through a rebranding as of late and I think they made a good decision with the name change. EarAcoustic Audio has been in the In-Ear game for a while now, they have taken a more matured approach to their sound and departed form anything Harman (For me this is a good thing. I'm not for or against harman and I can enjoy it from time to time, but most of the time I find Harmen a bit lackluster and and lacking emotion and musicality. This to me this is what makes a company special. When they can step away from the popular by the masses tunings and become something different rather than popular. They seem to be creating a house sound and to me this what separates the chaff from the wheat. When a Brand can take a step back from the norm a create an identity of their own, that's the type of brand I can get behind. Chen Xinde is the man behind the Mask and he's an expert in Dynamic Driver development. Well i can tell you this after listening to the MAX for two weeks straight i will say that he's on point. The Max from the get-go was a breath of fresh air for my IEM collection and is different from my other Single DDs. That alone is worth a review to me. I can officially say that the Ear Acoustic VSA: MAX has been a joy to review, and you will hear it in my words without me having flat out say it. Thanks, EarAcousic Audio for this opportunity to review this Unit, it has been an adventure. Now let's get to the juicy stuff.
Techy stuff:
EarAcoustic Audio VSA: MAX
MSRP: 149.00
Driver: Single DD,11.4mm Full-Amplitude Titanium Diaphragm
Magnetic Circuit: Tesla Dual Magnetic
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Sensitivity: 110db
Frequency: Response 5Hz-40kHz
Cable: 408-core OFC + Silver-Plated Litz, 1.2m 4.4 and 3.5 modular
Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
Tips: Two sets of 3 S,M,L. Wide bore and narrow bore
Case: Pu leather puck style with zipper. Lottery color; Blue, Green, Red.
Unboxing:
The EarAcoustic Audio VSA: MAX has been a treat from the very start. The max comes in a small carboard box that's purple in color and has a VSA logo on the top that reads: VSA Vocal Sweetness Amplified. Inside you will find a Puck style PU zipper style leather case two sets of tips (S,M,L,) and a modular cable with a 3.5 and 4.4 termination. The instruction manual I couldn't read because it's not in my native dialect. I've never understood the whole unboxing craze. I'd say it's straight forward and well done packaging. Everything was protected. It was a nice little unboxing, basic but still enjoyable if you're into the whole unboxing thing.
Equipment used and personal preferences:
My preferences changes day to day but I'm a musical over technical kind of guy and would rather have my toes taping then my brain studying. My most favorite tunings lean toward 50% musical and 50% technical but ill swing either way depending on what music I'm jamming with at the time. I don't like dry and bright IEMS that lack bass or movement, and I struggle with upper mid peaks and bright IEM’s most of the time, not all the time. I like most tunings and have never heard a set I really disliked unless it was way bright for me. The Max is bright but not peaky to me, it stays in its lane but can be right at the edge with certain tracks with the included cable. I also prefer my music especially stings to sound realistic and natural. I want to be standing in the room with the musicians, not necessarily watching from afar. I can be a big stage whore as well, but these days gravitate to an intimate stage more than ever before.
My top 5 IEM’s are the IMR Enigma, ISN EBC80, Penon Archangel, Elysian X-Effect Audio Pilgrim: Noir. TSMR X, with the Penon 10th an. tailing behind. Like I said I sit between a technical and musical 50/50 split. I gravitate towards clean and neutral for my second favorite type tunings. As for my bass, I prefer mid bass boost and prominent sub-bass, but I also can equally enjoy sub-bass over mid bass depending on the rest of the tuning. I'll put it this way, I like LOTS OF BASS! Not all the time, but most of the time. These days I've been enjoying balanced sets when I want to chill. My go to chill set is the Elysian X-Effect Audio Pilgrim: Noir . My most recent purchases and favorite two have been the Penon Archangel and ISN EBC80. I seriously could just about sell everything else after receiving those two. My issue that i love the 150-350 range for on the go and own more than I'd like to admit. The VSA Mas has taken over this price range and I will tell you why after this section.
Most of my listening was done in my home office and on the go using my Fiio JM21 and M21. They are my two favorite daps for on the go and desk use. The stock tips did not work for me, and I couldn't get a seal for the life of me. I always try to use stock when reviewing but my large brain holes just don't allow for it this time around. This is not uncommon for me and my big dopy butt. I tip rolled everything I have and enjoyed the DUNU S and S tips the most for its balance and stage. The MAX took to the S&S better than expected and I kind of got a wow moment when I finally settled in them.
Sources used: Fiio JM21, M21. Hiby R4 Rock edition. Tap2 with DAC, Tap1pro with dual CS43198 and Muse02 op amps. Cayin N7 standalone and combined with Tap1 pro using 3.5. HP out.
My preferences changes day to day but I'm a musical over technical kind of guy and would rather have my toes taping then my brain studying. My most favorite tunings lean toward 50% musical and 50% technical but ill swing either way depending on what music I'm jamming with at the time. I don't like dry and bright IEMS that lack bass or movement, and I struggle with upper mid peaks and bright IEM’s most of the time, not all the time. I like most tunings and have never heard a set I really disliked unless it was way bright for me. The Max is bright but not peaky to me, it stays in its lane but can be right at the edge with certain tracks with the included cable. I also prefer my music especially stings to sound realistic and natural. I want to be standing in the room with the musicians, not necessarily watching from afar. I can be a big stage whore as well, but these days gravitate to an intimate stage more than ever before.
My top 5 IEM’s are the IMR Enigma, ISN EBC80, Penon Archangel, Elysian X-Effect Audio Pilgrim: Noir. TSMR X, with the Penon 10th an. tailing behind. Like I said I sit between a technical and musical 50/50 split. I gravitate towards clean and neutral for my second favorite type tunings. As for my bass, I prefer mid bass boost and prominent sub-bass, but I also can equally enjoy sub-bass over mid bass depending on the rest of the tuning. I'll put it this way, I like LOTS OF BASS! Not all the time, but most of the time. These days I've been enjoying balanced sets when I want to chill. My go to chill set is the Elysian X-Effect Audio Pilgrim: Noir . My most recent purchases and favorite two have been the Penon Archangel and ISN EBC80. I seriously could just about sell everything else after receiving those two. My issue that i love the 150-350 range for on the go and own more than I'd like to admit. The VSA Mas has taken over this price range and I will tell you why after this section.
Most of my listening was done in my home office and on the go using my Fiio JM21 and M21. They are my two favorite daps for on the go and desk use. The stock tips did not work for me, and I couldn't get a seal for the life of me. I always try to use stock when reviewing but my large brain holes just don't allow for it this time around. This is not uncommon for me and my big dopy butt. I tip rolled everything I have and enjoyed the DUNU S and S tips the most for its balance and stage. The MAX took to the S&S better than expected and I kind of got a wow moment when I finally settled in them.
Sources used: Fiio JM21, M21. Hiby R4 Rock edition. Tap2 with DAC, Tap1pro with dual CS43198 and Muse02 op amps. Cayin N7 standalone and combined with Tap1 pro using 3.5. HP out.
Home use and personal Top combo with the VSA MAX: (Subjective analysis)
Personally, my favorite combo is the Fiio M21 in desktop mode using line out to the line in of the Kaei Tap2 with tubes on. This to me was the best without going Full TOTL with my N7 which I think is a bit unfair for a 150-dollar IEM but holy moly! does it shine in the N7. The highs are toned down a little with the Fiio M21’s less extended treble and the warmth of the tubes added a nice richness to the neutrality of the Max making it even more musical than ever before. I have a new couch, and this combo was my go-to couch selection and new travel buddy setup. Talk about big Stage full of layers and depth! Its bit narrower with tubes on but adds more depth to the MAX. the stage is deeper and more 3D making for a more holographic experience with the KAEI TAP2 in tube mode. I could listen to for hours, and I have! This is my couch commando setup for a lively listen without much added color besides the tubes. The Max truly shines with this combo. The Fiio M21 in desktop mode using lineout into the KAEI TAP2 is the cat's meow with the VSA MAX, and I highly recommend this combo for anyone on a budget looking for the best SQ for the price. I especially rec this to anyone who is prone to sibilance, the M21 does treble detail right without becoming tiresome from long listening sesh’s. The M21 is way too powerful for sensitive IEMs in desktop mode so I utilize its great line out with desktop mode on running balanced into an external amp that can accept sensitive IEM’s. BAM! Desktop supremo! This is a must for anyone that own the Fiio M21 to get the most out of it with their IEM’S. This should be on your short list. One I got an external amp I've never looked back from home listening without one ever again.
On-The-Go listening: My favorite sources for on the go would easily be FIIO JM21 on medium gain with the Max. Low gain was a bit flatter sounding and that little extra push to med gain gave each note more body and gave the bass more heft and weight. Low gain sounds thinner and tighter and just fine if you're trying to conserve battery. I used low and med gain equally depending g on the JM21 battery level. I also never felt the need to EQ the VSA MAX. I found its pretty great the out of the box. Burn in did help as it does with most single DD’s I feel. It was a tad bright out of the box but with some burn in my brain and drivers settled. The JM21 has a contrasty rich sound that I found really fitting on the neutral sounding MAX. The sound is fairly uncolored and sits neutral in sound but is musically rich with the JM21 and boasts with technical finesse. The MAX to me is ultimately satisfying and has gotten me lost in the music and I have forgotten what the hell I was doing multiple times. I get lost easily ill admit that. So, yeah! That's my favorite for errands and On-The-Go combo. Yup, Fiio JM21 and the VSA MAX play well with each other.
Sound through transparency:
The VSA MAX is A High-Flying V with That Old school cool, the tonality leans neutral in color with a little added warmth to the lower mid-range for a little musical flair. Vocals sit in front of the music so I would not call this your typical V with a recessed mid-range and vocals. Id say its a more W but the ends of the W are more extended with the bass and treble boost. Thats just not the case here. The mids here on the Max are exceptional with natural release and extension and stays true to the recording. Nothing is lost in the mix, and it strikes a nice balance with upper mids, lower mids, highs and lows. Everything in its right place. Separation and imaging are the best I have heard in this price range period! The Max even puts my NiceHCK Himalaya to shame, one of my favorite single DD’s. The Max is just more fun all around. The midrange is rich, clear and transparent. Every single note is brought to life with musical caress and realness any musician would appreciate.
The Max never pushes the music, and it flows naturally. The stage of the Max is very 3D and you are surrounded by the music. I feel as if I'm standing in the center of all its glory. The Air of the MAX’s stage is something have never experienced with a single Dynamic Driver. Each note and instrument have its own space in time. Until now I didn't think you could get imaging and separation this well executed at this price with a dynamic driver. The Max is truly of its own class in its price point compared to anything i have heard
The bass of the MAX is big and firm and hits with authority (10db bass boost). I'm a bass head and I'm impressed not only buy its authority but also the quality as well. Natural and realistic attack and decay is what I'm all about and the MAX delivers! The bass is dang near bass head if I must say so myself. It big, its detailed and it highly addictive. From the drum kicks of Rage Against the Machines Take the power back to the bass sting plucks in Tom Waits Eggs and Sausage. Tom Waits on the MAX is pure musical bliss. I can smell the cigarettes on his every breath. The bass of the MAX it Fun detailed and very much a part of the music giving the music a foundation and melodramatic atmosphere. Beware this bass isn't made for the faint of heart (Non-Bassheads) LOL. It will steal your car and run away with your daughter. It's here, and its stands strong in the mix, never overpowering the rest of the frequencies presenting a very balanced listen. The bass is always firm in attack and never pillows or is rubbery sounding. It sounds very true to source and nature of each Instrument. It's boosted by 10db! to and ready to be devoured but each kick drum and bass sting pull. EarAcoustic Audio Totally did this on purpose, and I like it! The MAX is a technical beast full of macro and micro nuance's. The Max to me is about 50% technical and 50% musical because of its more organic bass with technical highs and neutral like characteristic of color. The highs while being technical also have playful musical nature, giving the MAX an almost lifelike or live sound. The Max is so good with live recordings. But the pitfall of every technical set is that it will show all kinds of flaws in poor recordings and overly compressed music. The band Slope in the album Freek Dreams I can hear all sorts of clicks and artifacts scattered through the album. Not to say It didn't keep me from enjoying the album, but they are most definitely there, and I have never heard them until now with the MAX. I hoped back and forth between cd and streaming its most definitely on both and imbedded in the recording. As an artist id be a little upset that these artifacts slipped passed SQ check before going into mass production.
Sound through transparency:
The VSA MAX is A High-Flying V with That Old school cool, the tonality leans neutral in color with a little added warmth to the lower mid-range for a little musical flair. Vocals sit in front of the music so I would not call this your typical V with a recessed mid-range and vocals. Id say its a more W but the ends of the W are more extended with the bass and treble boost. Thats just not the case here. The mids here on the Max are exceptional with natural release and extension and stays true to the recording. Nothing is lost in the mix, and it strikes a nice balance with upper mids, lower mids, highs and lows. Everything in its right place. Separation and imaging are the best I have heard in this price range period! The Max even puts my NiceHCK Himalaya to shame, one of my favorite single DD’s. The Max is just more fun all around. The midrange is rich, clear and transparent. Every single note is brought to life with musical caress and realness any musician would appreciate.
The Max never pushes the music, and it flows naturally. The stage of the Max is very 3D and you are surrounded by the music. I feel as if I'm standing in the center of all its glory. The Air of the MAX’s stage is something have never experienced with a single Dynamic Driver. Each note and instrument have its own space in time. Until now I didn't think you could get imaging and separation this well executed at this price with a dynamic driver. The Max is truly of its own class in its price point compared to anything i have heard
The bass of the MAX is big and firm and hits with authority (10db bass boost). I'm a bass head and I'm impressed not only buy its authority but also the quality as well. Natural and realistic attack and decay is what I'm all about and the MAX delivers! The bass is dang near bass head if I must say so myself. It big, its detailed and it highly addictive. From the drum kicks of Rage Against the Machines Take the power back to the bass sting plucks in Tom Waits Eggs and Sausage. Tom Waits on the MAX is pure musical bliss. I can smell the cigarettes on his every breath. The bass of the MAX it Fun detailed and very much a part of the music giving the music a foundation and melodramatic atmosphere. Beware this bass isn't made for the faint of heart (Non-Bassheads) LOL. It will steal your car and run away with your daughter. It's here, and its stands strong in the mix, never overpowering the rest of the frequencies presenting a very balanced listen. The bass is always firm in attack and never pillows or is rubbery sounding. It sounds very true to source and nature of each Instrument. It's boosted by 10db! to and ready to be devoured but each kick drum and bass sting pull. EarAcoustic Audio Totally did this on purpose, and I like it! The MAX is a technical beast full of macro and micro nuance's. The Max to me is about 50% technical and 50% musical because of its more organic bass with technical highs and neutral like characteristic of color. The highs while being technical also have playful musical nature, giving the MAX an almost lifelike or live sound. The Max is so good with live recordings. But the pitfall of every technical set is that it will show all kinds of flaws in poor recordings and overly compressed music. The band Slope in the album Freek Dreams I can hear all sorts of clicks and artifacts scattered through the album. Not to say It didn't keep me from enjoying the album, but they are most definitely there, and I have never heard them until now with the MAX. I hoped back and forth between cd and streaming its most definitely on both and imbedded in the recording. As an artist id be a little upset that these artifacts slipped passed SQ check before going into mass production.
The organic bass and detailed high with that low centered W shaped V type signature makes for a fun and smooth experience. I never hit sibilance with the max unless the track had more energy than wet dog, then things can be a little bit spicy but never overbearing with that 8k peak. Pantera gets a little hot after a few songs with my DUNU S and S but A quick switch to Divines velvets balanced and the upper mids are more in place for me and much more barrable. The Max takes to tips very well, so roll away! One thing that keep me coming back to the max it its technical cares, musical flair, and boisterous bass. It balances musical and technical like no other single DD I have heard. You will never get this cohesion from a hybrid unless you spend the big bucks. The thing is, with the max I never even feel as if I'm listening to a single DD. In a blind test I would have 100% thought it was a hybrid. Nothing ever gets lost in the mix and the sub bass digs deep. Fast and speedy passages never blur or get muddy sounding like most single DD’s in its price range often do. The Max has no issues keeping up and staying afloat with busy passages. No note is left behind. Its transients are fast and so is the bass but without sounding unnatural. Listening Opeth’s S5 from their lates album on the max nothing gets lost in the mix but some notes edge can blur a little when the song gets super busy. The MAX is open, spacious, involving. Bass hits from the chest to the toes. Drum snares hit with weight that sounds natural and realistic. Bells and cymbals shine with sparkle and shimmer. The air they tuned into the MAX’s stage makes for a more natural and correct stage, and I want more of it! The stage of the MAX is bigger than most sets I own in its price range. It's not a super deep stage, but its height and width are above average.
Conclusion:
The EarAcoustic Audio VSA: MAX turned out to be one of those rare IEMs that just clicks. It’s got that old-school V-shape fun with modern technical chops, and honestly, it’s been a blast living with it these past few weeks. The bass slams, the mids sing, the treble sparkles, and the stage feels way bigger than it has any right to at this price. It’s not perfect—no set is—but the little quirks are easy to overlook when the overall experience is this enjoyable.
For $149, the MAX punches above its weight and carves out its own identity instead of chasing Harman or cookie-cutter tuning. That’s what makes it stand out to me. It’s not trying to be safe—it’s trying to be itself. And in a hobby full of copycats, that’s refreshing.
If you’re after something musical yet technical, with a bold, bass-boosted flavor and enough versatility to jump from jazz to hip-hop without missing a beat, the VSA: MAX should be on your radar. EarAcoustic Audio really pulled something special off here, and I’m glad I got to spend time with it.
So yeah, the MAX lives up to its name—it’s big, it’s bold, and it’s got personality for days. Old-school cool with a modern twist. Highly recommended.
Conclusion:
The EarAcoustic Audio VSA: MAX turned out to be one of those rare IEMs that just clicks. It’s got that old-school V-shape fun with modern technical chops, and honestly, it’s been a blast living with it these past few weeks. The bass slams, the mids sing, the treble sparkles, and the stage feels way bigger than it has any right to at this price. It’s not perfect—no set is—but the little quirks are easy to overlook when the overall experience is this enjoyable.
For $149, the MAX punches above its weight and carves out its own identity instead of chasing Harman or cookie-cutter tuning. That’s what makes it stand out to me. It’s not trying to be safe—it’s trying to be itself. And in a hobby full of copycats, that’s refreshing.
If you’re after something musical yet technical, with a bold, bass-boosted flavor and enough versatility to jump from jazz to hip-hop without missing a beat, the VSA: MAX should be on your radar. EarAcoustic Audio really pulled something special off here, and I’m glad I got to spend time with it.
So yeah, the MAX lives up to its name—it’s big, it’s bold, and it’s got personality for days. Old-school cool with a modern twist. Highly recommended.