I don’t know, read the founder of Venture Electronics Strugatsky, very unlikely, but the principle, articulated in “the Picnic”, he decided to implement clearly. A little paraphrasing, we can say: “good sound for all, almost nothing, and let nobody will leave offended”. Thus was born the headphones VE Monk, almost “blow up” the community with their sound. In addition to low-end models, the company introduced two models more expensive: Asura and Zen. Last from me yet, but Asura 2 audit fell into the hands. So this review will immediately double.
Actually, the worth of a good pair of headphones, the sound of which constantly need to be justified by the mantra “well, at least they are cheap”? The last time the price was established somewhere in the region of $ 30. Of course, headphones of this segment is still full of flaws, but this does not prevent the immersion in good music. In VE thought about it and decided to reduce this figure by 6 times. Yes, headphones for $ 5 nowadays very few people can surprise, China is a ton of cheap consumer goods, but to hear all these models are connoisseur of sound is almost physically painful. In General, the uniqueness of “monks” is not so much the price, but the sound is very good. Of course, in order to achieve low prices “under the knife” went almost everything: from packaging to accessories. Again, headphones shipping is not free, which increases their price in the official store on AliExpress Monk can be ordered for $ 8. In local stores they are still slightly more expensive in Ukraine, for example, to buy VE Monk is possible for the equivalent of 10 dollars in 2 dollar is justified by the warranty.
Naturally, the sales of tens of thousands of super-cheap sacks will not earn much, so Venture Electronics has expanded its range of two headphones, a mainstream Asura second audit (in Ukraine, the price is about $ 80) and Zen (sold in the official store on AliExpress at the price of $ 150). In General, Monk performs in this case a kind of “probe” that allows you to assess your need for a quality sound, and if it is great — you are waiting for older models.
Specifications
VE Monk
- Case: plastic
- Emitter: dynamic, 15.4 mm
- Frequency range: 18 Hz – 22,5 kHz
- Sensitivity: 112 dB
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Cable: symmetrical, 1.2 m
VE Asura
- Case: plastic
- * Source: dynamic
- Sensitivity: 108 dB
- Frequency range: 10 Hz – 25 kHz
- Impedance: 150Ω
- Cable: symmetrical, 1.2 m
Packaging and delivery package
On Monk the manufacturer tried to save some (well, not at a loss myself to work), so they have no packaging at all, headphones are sold in an ordinary cellophane bag. The kit includes a solid pair of bits of red foam and a pair of nozzles with holes in the center.
Asura are much more expensive, but the developers also decided not to spend money on a useless accessory in the face of the box. Who needs the packaging, which in most cases will still go in the trash? So Asura is sold in ordinary Chinese nylon bag with zipper. The kit this time includes two pairs of nozzles and special nozzles two sizes with rubber lugs that provide a better fixation of the inserts in the ears (also called EarHooks). Judging by the photos on the Internet, sometimes the kit contains a clip for fixing the cable to clothing.
In General, the delivery is the most usual, and the packaging does not pull on the premium segment, the manufacturer emphasizes that all funds left in the sound. In the case of Monk, it is certainly so, but in the case of Asura’s supply box was obviously.
The design and usability
The appearance of all the VE models are very similar. They use a typical case, typical of many Chinese models. The difference between younger and middle headphones is the housing material and the cable. VE Monk made of the simple and unremarkable black plastic, while the Asura flaunt transparent body, through which even could be considered the emitter. The wire — “the Monk” the simplest Chinese cable in the rubber insulation, the “Asuras” it’s softer and has angled plug.
The overall design of both models as simple as possible, the pictures convey it completely, no special tweaks in the appearance not.
Headphones differ in some critical landing, so you may have to experiment a bit with their placement in the ears, but in General the wearing of ear discomfort does not deliver, of course, if you are not an unhappy owner of a very very small ears. It should be noted that the result of listening these headphones will still be a great deal of variability depending on the specific structure of the ears, it is inevitable for “inserts”.
Soundproofing expected low, it is determined by the form factor.
The sound
To listen used the following equipment.
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP in the role of DAC and amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia in the role of player
- Fiio X7 and Luxury&Precission L5Pro in the role of portable players
- Gr01 VSonic, Dunu Titan 1 and Dunu DN-2000J in the role of headphones for comparison
- Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
I won’t philosophize crafty, this section will simply consist of two halves. To begin with — Monk.
If to take into consideration the price of headphones is simply magnificent. For $ 8-10, they sound clear, energetic and vovlekayut. Especially if they pick up the same emotional player (offhand come to mind xDuoo X2, Hidizs AP100 and HUM Pervasion). The main condition is to listen to them with foam nozzles to prevent removal of the brain RF. The form factor of the earbuds allows them to build more or less decent an imaginary scene (wide, of course, about the depth there to speak of). Generally, filing “mancow” close to the standard V-shaped frequency response with emphasis on bass and average peaks at around 2.5 and 7 kHz. That is, on the one hand — midbass that form the basis of melodies, with other peaks at USC and treble, making the headphones does not sound muffled like most cityrama. Between them is quite decent, though a little reserved on the second plan MF.
If you tilt the price in consideration, it is worth noting that the speed of the bass was still missing (even a little), it is especially evident on high-quality sources. On the whole, the headphones supply considerably simplified in the field attenuation, the instruments sound a bit hollow, although you can hear it mainly on qualitative records. Another of the problems there is a strong blockage on the top treble, depriving the record of airiness, although it is generally beach cheap models.
But, once again, Monk is still played more than its price and will be a very good option for sitting on the rocks audiophiles.
Listening two models VE I suspect the products of this Chinese company is very carefully and accurately tuneable sound. Budget “monks” is a good example of the “mass” of sound, with emphasis on drive and energy. At the same time Asura v 2.0 — an attempt to play a typical audiophile model with emphasis on the midrange and detail.
In Asura noticeably less bass, which allowed to come to the foreground medium frequency range, which was surprisingly good. By bass reduction also benefited, they gently faded into the background and because of this, less lubricated and more accurate sound. MIDs really nice: emotion, detail, soulful vocals — it’s all there. This leads to an improvement of the stage in width and depth, Asura is quite possible to speak about division of plans and other audiophile buns. Unfortunately, HF also differ in some “swing”, and there are obvious peaks and dips, and peaks at the hearing even more pronounced than the Monk. This makes critical and headphones to the source, and to quality records. Although that is the norm for headphones, not trying to mask vernacularly range.
Compatibility
The main thing that dictates the compatibility of these headphones impedance. Monk on this parameter is quite suitable for mobile phones with tablets. In the Era even offer a modified version with a headset cable. Asura with their 150Ω will be a more difficult load, but their sensitivity is enough for most normal players, but their program is not really popolzuyut. Well, unless you are the owner of Highscreen Boost 3.
By submitting Monk — headphones for lovers of rock and metal (not the most difficult and brutal of ways), electronic music and pop genres. It is also possible to listen to jazz and simple, but perhaps better not. Asura, just better suited to art rock, instrumental music and other delights, with an emphasis on mid frequencies. Sensitivity to the quality of the recordings Monk pulled by 4 points, and Asura at 8 on a 10-point scale.
Conclusions
Both models are interesting, and both models are, in General, is not universal. Monk is a perfect choice for the lover of simple music with limited finances. Asura, in turn, is very good for difficult genres, with an emphasis on technique, but focused on MF. Unfortunately, I VE not heard of Zen. Although the frequency response graphs the last set for some skepticism, I will refrain from guessing the pictures. By the way, if you are looking for a good and versatile ear, I would advise you to pay attention to the products I.