Hello again, and today we have V1 by Earacoustic from VSA Series, this is new series from Earacoustic offering little bit unique experience compared to first and initial releases of spa/sta series, V1 is entry level, but in same time very unique product by Earacoustic, offering slightly different experience than brothers and sister from same or other series. Its very fun and for me personally enjoyable to listen to, it's not oriented like classic hifi iems toward super technical aspects and details, its more engaging and musical. It has a pretty recognizable style of tuning by Earacoustic or before known as TFZ, its nice bassy iem with focused wild warm mids yet enough details and smooth treble, this description if for you who "tldr".
Company:
Earacoustic is just new name like i said for TFZ already super known company in chifi world and wider, they rebranded self into Earacoustic and with their new lines of super beautiful iems which sound great as well they pushing easy into market, beginning to be more and more recognizable by unique design of iems.
Disclaimer:
Earacoustic sent me V1 for an honest review, i'm not paid for this review or compensated in any other way, this is based on my experience using it and testing for extensive periods of time.
Pros:
Warm Sound
Basshead iem
Super Design
Great Accessories
Inexpensive
Cons:
Just little bit more details(but this is more subjective)
Warm Sound
Unboxing, Design, Specs, and other:
Here we have one very unique and cool feature by Earacoustic, usually other companies trying to precisely separate premium products from normal or flagship and this is very noticeable with unboxing of products, but not Earacoustic, no matter which product you purchase, unboxing experience will be super premium with almost identical accessories included, this super great allowing you to feel and taste identical experience like someone who purchased flagship product, so with that here we have pretty standard stuff, since this is third product by Earacoustic i have reviewing. Ill not go too much into details, box is super packaged, and its classic cube box, very sturdy and resistant, with enough information about company and product inside, slide that that box out, you will see super beautiful V1 glaring your eyes, more about it in design, inside you will find 2 pairs of eartips on plastic-paper comb, super fancy modular cable, which in my opinion is already value for self, this type of cable cost like some cable of 100$ or more, so already from economical perspective this is win. There is a circular leather box with zipper opening around it, inside you will find classic papers, and almost forget the leather strap for better controlling the cable. So far very generous accessories for this price.
Design:
Doesn't matter which series you go from Earacoustic or model, every iem is state of art, almost like jewelry, so people who likes to fancy jewelry alike iems this will be ideal for you, faceplates will definitely attract attention from the moment you unbox it, it's like some beautiful stones of diamond or peel of, but this time time they are in pattern, which is very similar to snake skin or bee honeycomb or hexagonal pattern, and these faceplates are super glowy, so its so hard to make proper picture, so if my pictures aren't clear enough feel free to visit their site for better quality. Faceplate is protected with some silicone, peel it off and it will reveal full beauty, the whole iem shell is from some metal and here you will not find so much cnc work, its very minimal and yet in same time super cool looking iem, with of course metal nozzle and super cool looking griller, nozzle in my opinion could be little bit smaller, but with unique design of internal part which goes in your ears, it's so comfortable, later more about it, there is one hole for driver compression, and some decorational pattern like griller, which is very cool remind me of resident even umbrella logo. Whole iem is polished and shiny, and with this it will be a fingerprint magnet but who cares they are anyway in your ears. Cradle is for 2 pin connector and its flat type, so 99 percent of cables will fit V1 perfectly, but I doubt you will need any cable, since stock is super cable for this price range and above, more about accessories.
Specs:
I have borrowed information from the internet, feel free to visit the Earacoustic site for more info.
Driver: 11.4mm Full-Amplitude Titanium Diaphragm
Magnetic Circuit: Tesla-grade Dual Magnetic
Impedance: 32Ω
Sensitivity: 110dB
Frequency Response: 5Hz–40kHz
Cable: 408-core OFC + Silver-Plated Litz, 1.2m
Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
Termination: Interchangeable 4.4mm + 3.5mm
Inside the Box: 1 x EarAcoustic VSA-V1, User Manual, 2 Sets of eartips
Accessories:
Super premium like on every Earacoustic iem, no matter which series or model or price.
Cable:
Like its stated in specs, its ofc + silver plated litz cable with plenty cores inside, standard length of 1.2, its modular with 4.4 and 3.5, its top premium quality and this style i like more than other cable, elegance with simplicity what here you cant like, really nothing, great cable better than some flagships i have tried or unboxed and cost like 4-5 times or more. Termination is engraved with the snake logo, which is the symbol for this year, housing is light and polished, it will stay tough enough and doesn't require too much effort to remove it! Same goes with cable housing, same metal material very light and polished, and you have two bigger cables going to V splitter which is from same metal like all other parts, after v splitter again simply one of these cables will go toward connectors, there is chin slider, which will stay in place controlling where you place it, hooks are very friendly preformed and due to cable they aren't thick but just enough, to stay in your ears and be comfortable. 2 pin connectors of standard 0.78, same metal type like on other, identitation is with standard letters even i like more colors, almost to forget, while unboxing all metal parts of cable have been protected with some plastic which was so annoying for me to remove it, really nice detail i like it, but again its over do by Earacoustic.
Eartips:
Classic eartips with any Earacoustic product, 2 sets of for each size(L/M/S), one of them are vocal with open wide bore style, which most of the time i have using and for stock eartips they are really great quality by sonical properties and physical in terms of durability, other set is normal bore some balanced experience, it's not big difference with first set i described, bass will be more punchy and controlled, overall great eartips for stock one, to be honest more very underrated.
Leather Bag:
Circular leather bag:
Classic style of leather bag you will get with any Earacoustic product, its great compact, maybe it could be little bit bigger, but then maybe whole package will be compromised, so enough space to place cable with iem, sturdy and protective enough to protect your good if you drop it or someone sit or pressurize it over, i doubt it will survive tank, but i wouldn't be surprised if they survive tank, since shells are from metal and very durable!
Comfort:
Even the whole shell is from some metal or aluminum or what, its so light and comfortable with nice ergonomic design for ears, no some sharp edges, even V1 i found better toward my liking than other models i have reviewed, you will be wearing them so long without fear it will irritate or tire your head/ears...
Driveability and Scaling:
Its super easy to drive, you will need some basic or simple dongle and it will finish 99 percent of the job, but of course if you want other 1 percent, some better gear is recommended, but again not something like super expensive, just dac with 4.4 will be more than enough, medium gain is ok, and V1 will reward you giving that little extra voltage, even without its still great experience.
Pairing:
This is more subjective thing, V1 is very warm almost lush warm yet very enjoyable to listen, so some colder sources are ok, but i went for safe approach neutral source and it was really great, have tested with warm it was more than ok and cold dacs just to juice it out more technicalities and details, but without some big improvements, driver inside is really great and performing how is tuned to be.
Driver Composition:
Only One Dynamic Driver, with Titanium Diaphragm which are very famous for their warm and subtle signature and other properties, used by many other companies, 11.4 little bit different size, i guess that was perfect for this type of cavities, which delivering great sonical experience with dual chamber they have implemented for better resonance.
Gear:
I have used and tested on most of my gears, various dacs, daps, dongles, phones and pc of course, software on phones UAPP, Fiio Music app, while on PC Spotify with Youtube.
Fiio, JM21, Retro Nano, KA11, Keyboard KB3 Dac(dual cs)
Tempotec, Sonata BHD, V1, V3 Blaze
Fosi SK02 for desktop, super cool and funny and ideal for testing due to neutral signature.
Stock cable, you don't need anything else with this cable perfection!
Stock eartips, wide bore one, for better mid experience and unleashed bass, which is yummy on V1 and all eurocoustic products.
Motorola G54 and LG V50 and PC
Burning:
I gave standard 20 hours of burn, and V1 slightly improved with bass giving more space to mids and highs, so I have continued to burn additional 20 hours, and improvement was noticeable, and other 20, but not so much, so a good 40-50 hours is more than enough.
Sound Impression:
To put in few words, V1 is very unique iem very different than other iems from Earacoustic, even its in same series of VSA, it's so different than VSA MAX, so few words, bassy, warm, mid centric, with some details, sound signature is very warm but not polluting warm just giving some layers to vocals and instruments, and on some tracks this could be little bit more, but overall its very enjoyable energetic and forward iem, so people for longer chilling sessions will enjoy it more than critical listeners, personally i like more this style of signature than cold and clinical one which could be very sharp or boring to listen.
Low's:
Bass is very punchy, controlled and tight, it has great speed of slam, and decay is natural, even its very clean bass, some amount of warmth is noticeable, does not destroy experience, rather making it more energetic and engaging. Textures for this price range are rich, easy you can spot 3-4 different bass instruments which complement each other, this is already known and very famous for Earacoustic tuning, most of their products have great low end extension. Transition to sub-bass is great, which is super precise and controlled with enough physical impact providing a very natural raw rumble. Mid-bass has a nice impact and it's really great all rounder, giving better body and yet at same time delivering physical touch, so combined with sub-bass and mid-bass you will get a pretty decent basshead iem, it will not blow your head off, rather focus is more for enjoyment! Overall bass is great and doesn't bleed over mids...
Mid's:
Mid area is crown Jewel with V1, its unique before i write anything else, i have tried so many different warm and lush iems and really enjoyed but here we have little bit different setup, they have advertised its like vocal violence or something like this, poisonous sound or toxic, really forgot, i would rather say it's more like wild warm sound, yet very funny and interesting in every possible way to enjoy and experience it, it's not boring, its very detailed but lacking some micro details, and to be honest for this price its more than enough. Female vocals are so sweet, almost like butter, little bit reminds me of final e500, just more improved and refined, there is a good amount of power and they don't sound sibilant with some strange noises, sound is very clear you can grab any lyrics without any effort. But this warmth does not polluting female vocals rather enrich them with some additional layers of textures, improving them to sound so warm and addicting, and saying with this some clarity seems to be lost, but again doesn't matter, the whole pull is more for enjoyment and musical direction rather than to focus for analytical listening. Male vocals are natural as well as female with organic raw timbre, baritones have great chestiness power and this depth can be felt even physically, they are clear with an authoritative deep voice, which is even better structured due to warmth V1 provides. Other male vocals performed great as well. And warmth its defined slightly different than on other iems i have tried, it's not aggressive, but it gives completely new sound, it's more like filler, you will not have that hard feeling of tiredness with this type of lush iem, its more clear and better pronounced so its very enjoyable to listen or experience it. While instruments sound very realistic due to natural timbre, very clear and separated, some focus is better defined and they are slightly more forward or better presented than vocals, plenty of textures are noticeable due to nice warmth, all of these giving the instruments an even better body. Overall mids on V1 will provide you with an extraordinary lush experience.
High's:
Its very clear engineers of V1 tilted balance toward mids and lows, even there isn't so much space for highs, it's still good performer, low treble area is defined ok, its slightly bright which gives enough clarity to mids and present, mid treble is standard good like on all Earacoustic products, you will not find some annoying sounds, while upper treble is much better than i have originally anticipated, good amount of air and space overall with some nice fine micro details, just to be clear here, it's not some technical monster just enough to have good listening experience, V1 is very smooth, yes it have good amount of crispiness but its not expressed since tilt is more toward low and mid area, for testing and listening sessions i never experienced any fatiguing, this iem isn't shouty or harsh, its very enjoyable, treble on other side is very energetic and engaging. Micro details and resolution are ok, but not some super impressive like with Max or Spa Limited(which cost much more and oriented little bit toward Highs), Air is above average with good amount of space which is defined in very specific way, its slightly more intimate for better impact, and it sounds very realistic on specific tracks. Sparkle is very moderate just to give proper sound of cripsiness, and to go over edge, having the impression it's very realistic, but for this price and sonical experience they have planned it clearly and you will have a balanced treble.
Transients:
Very fast not like on planar or Ba, but still nicely executed with classic shark attack followed with above average decay fading naturally off, it goes around all areas, just slightly not expressed or slower at highs, still very enjoyable for style or tuning they have prepared.
Dynamics:
Overall dynamic is great on V1, top peak is reach very fast without any effort and same goes for low shifting back, while its very dominate and superb with Macro dynamic where impact is very powerful with a lot energy details, no matter which volume you are distortion or some sounds will not happen, it will stay clean and good presented, while Micro dynamic is good defined, and have some nice subtle textures with fine details, sometimes due to this warmth these details will not be pronounced like should be, they are here just you need to take effort to catch them, maybe warmth covering them, maybe they aren't fully forward.
Soundstage and Imaging:
Its classic 3d soundstage with all 3 sides very well defined, it's not super spacious or closed, its moderate with great sense, i would say even maybe tight, but surprisingly still delivers great experience, instruments presentation is forward, while vocals are slightly back and they compensate for this making vocals more engaging, so you will hear them clearly, while you like listener you are very close to stage, not in their face, just for better sonical experience, its not aggressive or claustrophobic, its rather friendly intimate and could be very emotional with specific tracks. Imaging is above average, and since soundstage isn't so big, it's much easier to pinpoint instruments and vocal performers even having 1 or more on some busiest tracks, separation is average, there is enough space between instruments and vocals if they are close, even sometimes it will seems its very hard, but when you adjust your brain, you will like this tuning even more. There aren't any shifts, everything is in place, and proportionality is rather moderate with good body weight of instruments, on some busy or complex tracks with more than 20 instruments, sound will be fine, but spatial experience could be missed and hit. Layering is decent, first few row or meters are perfection, while if you deeper it will not be so superb, but still enjoyable to experience it, but don't worry, presentation of V1 is like this all instruments are very forward and engaging, so it's very rare you will go for something so deep or a way back, unless is some supportive vocal or bigger instrument, still it will sound nice, but not super precise for you to pinpoint.
Conclusion:
Earacoustic really creates some of the most unique products for 2025, and V1 isn't different, for bass lovers who tend more toward warmer experience, this iem is ideal, and if you are a fashion person, you will love it even more.
