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VSonic VSD3S

Brief Review: VSonic VSD3S, Ostry KC06 & Havi B3 Pro I

There’s no set formula for determining what gets reviewed here on The Headphone List, but requests and recommendations from our readers are always considered. I get a lot of suggestions for IEM reviews – so many that I have to keep a running list – but it is always my hope to incorporate those I feel have the most potential into the queue.

In 2014, nothing has been requested as often and as vehemently as the VSonic VSD3S, Ostry KC06, and Havi B3 Pro I (maybe the Xiaomi Piston 2, but that’s already covered). The VSD3S is an obvious one, being VSonic’s first all-new release since the VSD1 and VSD1S models that I liked enough to include in the Earphone Buyer’s Guide. Ostry and Havi are two new(er) Chinese manufacturers that have been making quite a splash on Head-Fi. Since all three have similarly impressive performance and are priced around $60, it made sense to pit them against each other. All three turned out to be deserving of full reviews, which will be written up later on.

Ostry KC06

Basics: I’ve had the KC06 the longest of the three. The earphone first impressed me with its packaging, which is a rather cleverly assembled without appearing wasteful. Accessories include 6 sets of single-flange eartips (three with a wide inner bore, and three with a narrow one) as well as a shirt clip, set of cable guides, and an (inconveniently small) velvet pouch.

Ostry KC06
Ostry KC06

The earphone itself is metal and feels very solid. It utilizes a straight-barrel design with a short, wide driver chamber. To allow for a deeper fit, the strain relief exits the main housing at a tangent. I like the design and build of the earpieces, though I’m less enthusiastic about the cable, which has a shiny, slightly sticky sheath. The cable on the VSonic VSD3S, for example, while similar-looking, is actually thicker, smoother, more flexible, and has less tendency to tangle. The KC06 also lacks a sliding cinch above its small metal y-split and uses an I-shaped pug

Cable noise is minimal, and though designed for cable-down wear, the KC06 can be worn cable-up with the right eartips. The cable is somewhat resistant to over-the-ear routing but a set of earhooks is included make this more convenient.

Performance: The sound of the KC06 is on the whole balanced, but a little off-neutral. Bass is slightly enhanced overall, with mild sub-bass roll-off. Mids are quite forward, reminding me of the Fidue A63, though the KC06 is brighter and not as smooth. Thanks to strong upper midrange and treble presence, vocals are very intelligible. There is also plenty of sparkle, good top-end extension, and a soundstage that’s wide and airy.

The strength of the KC06 is definitely its mids, which are prominent and very clear. The sparkly treble that nonetheless does not exaggerate harshness or sibilance is very good, too, and the presentation is nice and open for an in-ear earphone. The bass has good impact but not the best depth, which gives it a less solid thump than, for instance, the VSonic VSD3S with its plentiful sub-bass. Compared to many higher-end IEMs, the KC06 also sounds a little lean and lacks soundstage depth and imaging ability. For the price, though, it’s very hard to fault.

One peculiarity of the KC06 is that it is an extremely sensitive earphone. This was likely done on purpose – after all, the ability to reach ear-splitting volumes with ease is definitely a plus when competing in the consumer market. However, this also means that static will be audible with sources that have a high noise floor, so those who are hiss-sensitive may be better off with a less efficient earphone. In addition, low volumes can be hard to dial in with some sources.

To start off, I compared the KC06 not only to the B3 Pro I and VSD3S, but also a few of my long-term benchmarks to see where it stands.

Havi B3 Pro I ($60)

The most striking thing about comparing the KC06 to the B3 Pro I is the difference in efficiency – the KC06 is significantly more sensitive than the average in-ear whereas the B3 – significantly less so. Combined, this creates an enormous difference in the general listening experience, with the KC06 reaching high volumes effortlessly and exposing hiss and background noise in the process and the B3 requiring a lot more juice to reach listening volume.

Other than that, the B3 Pro I has quite a few similarities to the KC06 – punchy bass, clean and prominent mids, and present – but not excessively sharp or edgy – treble. The KC06 sounds more colored – its midbass hump is more audible, and yet overall it is brighter. The B3 has tighter, less pronounced bass and generally sounds more lean and dry. It is also darker, with less sparkly and extended treble, though the two earphones are equally smooth overall. The extra upper treble helps the KC06 seem a little more airy and out-of-the-head, but the B3 has the more well-rounded presentation.

VSonic VSD3S ($45)

The VSD3S fits right in between the VSD1S and the pricier GR07 Classic in VSonic’s lineup, and the KC06 likewise sounds better than the VSD1S but doesn’t quite stack up to the GR07. The most obvious difference between the slightly v-shaped VSD3S and the KC06 is the midrange presentation – there, the KC06 sounds stronger and clearer thanks to its more forward midrange and brighter overall sound. The KC06 has more of a mid-bass hump and some deep bass roll-off, whereas the VSD3S has a better bass depth and feels more solid and natural at the low end. Tonally, the VSD3S is a little warmer. Interestingly, while the KC06 is brighter and a little more sparkly, it is still less sibilance-prone than the VSD3S.

HiFiMan RE-400 ($99)

The HiFiMan RE-400 is a very balanced earphone with a mild midrange focus. Next to the KC06, it sounds a little dull, but also more accurate and neutral. Whereas the RE-400 is slightly flatter, tighter, and more extended at the low end, the KC06 has an audible mibass hump, though far from severe enough to really compromise bass quality. Both earphones have similarly forward mids, but the KC06 is brighter, which makes it sound even clearer and gives its vocals better intelligibility. The top end of the KC06 has more sparkle, but also tends to be less forgiving than the ultra-smooth RE-400. Overall, I found the KC06 to be a little colored-sounding next to the RE-400 but otherwise not far behind, especially considering the price gap.

Ultimate Ears 600 ($60)

The Ultimate Ears 600 is a balanced armature earphone with a smooth, mid-centric sound signature not too different from that of the RE-400. In short, the UE600 is flatter and more neutral overall compared to the KC06, with less impactful – albeit more extended – bass. The Ostry is more colored-sounding, with brighter treble and more mid-bass boost. The UE600 sounds more full-bodied and natural in the midrange and has smoother treble.

SQ score range: 8.3-8.6 (final score still TBD)

Current prices:
KC06 Silver: $58 from Amazon.com; $58 from ebay.com | $63 from lendmeurears.com; $69 from mp4nation.net
KC06 Gold: $65 from Amazon.com; $69 from mp4nation.net

VSonic VSD3S

Basics: It’s quite rare for an IEM manufacturer to score so many hits in a row, but VSonic has had at least one solid release every year since the 2010 launch of the GR07. The first of VSonic’s new VSD series of in-ears, the VSD1S, has also spent a year and counting as one of the top picks in my IEM Buyer’s Guide. VSonic earphones have always had functional if somewhat plain packaging, and the VSD3S is no exception. Accessories are remarkably similar to those of the Ostry KC06, down to the sub-par carrying pouch. The VSD3S comes with 4 pairs of silicone eartips (including one double-flange pair), 1 set of foam tips, a pair of cable guides, and the drawstring pouch.

VSonic VSD3S
VSonic VSD3S

The construction of the VSD3S is plastic, with rather handsome semi-translucent angular housings. The design is ergonomic, intended for over-the-ear wear, and similar in footprint to current-gen Westone earphones. The VSD3S foregoes the rotating nozzles of preceding GR04, GR06, GR07, and VSD1S in favor of a conventional fixed-nozzle design. Despite this, I found the earphones very comfortable and flush fitting. The new nozzles also keep tips in place better.

A major selling point of the VSD3S is the detachable cable, a feature rarely found on sub-$100 earphones. VSonic has tried this once before with the VC02 model, but the connectors on it weren’t particularly secure. Combined with a lack of availability of replacement cables, this made the feature more trouble than it was worth. Unfortunately VSonic chose a proprietary coaxial connector for the VSD3S rather than a standard 2-pin or MMCX plug, but at least the new connectors are secure. There have been some reports of malfunctioning connectors but this is supposed to be fixed at this point and replacement cables – the key to the success of any detachable-cable earphone – seem to be available.

As with the other over-the-ear VSonic models, cable noise is virtually nonexistent and noise isolation is pretty good – about on-par with the GR07.

Performance: The sound of the VSD3S is typical VSonic all the way through, falling smack in the middle between the VSD1S, which is bassier and more v-shaped, and the new GR07 Classic, which is flatter and more refined. The bass is slightly enhanced, but still tight and accurate enough to compete with almost anything in the price range. The VSD3S has a very good balance of midbass and subbass – its deep bass, for instance, is more robust and extended compared to the Ostry KC06 and Havi B3 Pro I. Midbass is less prominent than that of the VSD1S and KC06, though still a little more emphasized and less tight compared to the GR07.

Tonally, the VSD3S is similar to other VSonics – a bit warm thanks to the mild bass enhancement, but still quite close to neutral. It also maintains the mildly v-shaped sound of the GR07 and others, with less forward mids compared to the KC06 and Havi B3 Pro I. Treble is strong, providing good energy and crispness. As usual, it sounds very natural with the exception of a bit of sibilance, especially at high volumes. The presentation is quite good for in-ear in this price range, but lacks some depth compared to higher-end sets and misses out on some of the sheer expanse of the clearer, flatter GR07.

Havi B3 Pro I ($60)

The VSD3S has an advantage in efficiency over the B3, though not nearly to the same extent as the KC06. Its sound is more v-shaped overall, making the B3 Pro seem mid-centric in comparison. The VSD3S has more bass, especially deep bass, whereas the B3 misses out on the rumble and more solid “thump” of the VSonic unit. In the midrange, the B3 has more presence but also sounds a little thinner. The more forward mids make vocals sound more intelligible compared to the slightly more mid-recessed VSonic. The VSD3S has stronger treble presence but also sounds more sibilant next to the fairly smooth Havi. Overall, the single-driver VSonic set appears to have better bandwidth, and while the B3 has a nicely open and spacious sound with good imaging, it can’t quite match the dynamics of the VSD3S.

VSonic VSD1S ($45)

The “lower-end” VSD1S is pretty much the same price at the VSD3S at the time of this writing, but aside from a little more bass doesn’t have much going for it in this comparison. The VSD3S is clearer overall and tighter at the low end, with less of a midbass hump and more focus on deep bass. The midrange of the VSD1S is a little more recessed, making it slightly muddier and more muffled than the VSD3S. The VSD3S sounds a little fuller, more neutral, and more natural as a result. Outside of the bass and midrange, these two don’t differ much, but the tighter bass and superior mids of the VSD3S are quite convincing.

VSonic GR07 Classic ($99)

The GR07 Classic is to the VSD3S what the VSD3S is to the VSD1S. Both provide that quintessential VSonic signature but the GR07 boasts a clearer, more neutral sound with tighter bass. Bass quantity lags behind the VSD3S, but the GR07 Classic has less midbass and simply more refined lows overall. The midrange of the VSD3S is a little muddier and more muffled, whereas the GR07 sounds more natural.

Ultimate Ears 600 ($60)

Ultimate Ears’ BA-based UE600 sounds a little mid-focused overall, making it an interesting contrast to the VSD3S. The VSonic unit is more v-shaped and has significantly more bass (and better deep bass) than the UE600. The midrange of the VSD3S is a lot less forward, and less clear as well. The UE600 sounds very mid-centric in comparison and has much smoother treble. The VSD3S is more sibilant but also has a more natural and dynamic presentation. The forward mids of the UE600 make it sound a little flat in comparison, keeping the soundstage quite forward and not very deep.

SQ score range: 8.4-8.7 (final score still TBD)

Current prices
$45 – 60 from Amazon.com; $40 – 50 from lendmeurears.com;

Havi B3 Pro I

Basics: The B3 Pro I from Havi has the appearance of a more pro-oriented product compared to the Ostry and VSonic units, from the rugged-looking cable down to the way it is packaged. There are two stages to the earphone’s accessory kit – accessories found inside the acrylic box with the earphones, and those that Havi includes on the side. I’m not surprised that Havi had to add more accessories because all you get in the box are 3 pairs of single-flange silicone tips – slim pickings for a $60+ IEM. The additional accessories that shipped on the side include 3 sizes of double-flange tips, 3 more pairs of single-flange eartips in a different style, and a pair of foam tips, as well as a cleaning cloth, soft pouch, and clamshell carrying case.

Havi B3 Pro I
Havi B3 Pro I

The B3 uses an over-the-ear design with a plastic build. The faceplates of the earphones are flat and oddly-shaped but the part that goes in the ear is quite ergonomic, making the B3 Pro I just as comfortable as the VSD3S. The nozzles are properly angled and while there are no cable guides included, there is a cable cinch to help fix the cord in place.

The cord itself seems pretty standard – a little stiff and probably somewhat microphonic if not for the cable-up wear style. Below the y-split, the cable is flat, made up of the four leads placed side by side. The blocky 3.5mm L-plug seems quite durable, yet still works with most smartphone cases. Isolation is about on-par with the VSD3S – certainly decent enough for a dynamic-driver set.

Performance: While the Ostry KC06 and VSonic VSD3S are both single-driver designs, the B3 Pro I utilizes a pair of 6mm dynamic drivers in each earpiece. You would expect plenty of bandwidth and a warmer, more bass-heavy sound, but the B3 is surprisingly lean and no less focused on its midrange than the Ostry KC06. It’s also quite inefficient – most so than any earphone I compared it to – and can be underpowered. The difference is not quite night and day, but a proper amp or source (I used a full-size OPPO HA-1 amp/DAC in my comparisons to make sure the B3 Pro was getting enough power) will bring out a fuller, less treble-tilted sound with more effortless imaging. With a poor source, the B3 Pro I tends to sound brighter and more compressed, both in soundstage and dynamics.

HiFiMan RE-400 ($99)

The HiFiMan RE-400 provides a flatter and more balanced sound than even a well-amped Havi B3 but suffers from a slightly more forward, less out-of-the-head soundstage. It boasts slightly better bass depth and a thicker, fuller sound but still has a cleaner, sharper note presentation. Overall, I think the RE-400 is a hair clearer, but the Havi is thinner, more forward in the midrange, and slightly brighter thanks to greater upper midrange and lower treble presence. This often makes vocals seem more intelligible, which is impressive considering the RE-400’s reputation for clarity and vocal performance. The RE-400 is smoother through the treble but the Havi, surprisingly, does not seem prone to harshness or sibilance. The B3 is more spacious overall.

SteelSeries Flux ($50)

One of the big drawbacks of the Flux as a consumer-grade earphone is its low sensitivity, but the Havi definitely has it beat there, requiring even more power to reach listening volumes. The overall signature of the Flux is balanced, with a bit of added bass and very mild midrange recession. Its bass is noticeably deeper than that of the B3 Pro I. The mids of the Flux are less forward, making vocals sound a little more muffled compared to the Havi unit. The Flux is a little more full-bodied and smoother through the treble, making it a bit more forgiving of treble artifacts. However, I still found myself preferring the brighter and clearer B3 most of the time.

SQ score range: 8.3-8.6 (final score still TBD)

Current prices: $58 from lendmeurears.com$64 from Amazon.com

 

Conclusion

Seeing such capable and well-designed earphones coming from relatively little-known brands (plus VSonic, of course) is a testament to the market moving in a more competitive (and more value-driven) direction still, as it has been for the past couple of years. Testing three earphones head to head is never a simple task, and the excellent performance of these three didn’t make it any easier.

Despite its lowest as-tested price, I personally preferred the sound of the VSD3S. Two things sealed the deal – the awesome bass and it being pretty much straight step forward from the VSD1S, which has been one of my sub-$50 benchmarks all year. The Ostry and Havi are extremely close to the VSD3S and each other in capability and value but the more extended and lively treble is where the KC06 (barely) won me over, though I liked the tighter bass and better imaging of the B3 Pro I.

All three also had downsides, albeit ones totally forgivable for the price – the VSonic unit suffers from occasional sibilance and less forward mids; the B3 Pro I requires power and has a slightly thin note presentation; and the KC06 could use better depth and imaging.

Look for full reviews of all three units in the months ahead!

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ABOUT AUTHOR

ljokerl

ljokerl

Living in the fast-paced city of Los Angeles, ljokerl has been using portable audio gear to deal with lengthy commutes for the better part of a decade. He spends much of his time listening to music and occasionally writes portable audio reviews across several enthusiast sites, focusing mostly on in-ear earphones.

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203 Responses

  1. vsd3 upgrade-

    I really like the sound signature of the vsd3… But i am looking for bigger stage and better separations…
    Any directions?

  2. Good deal on the S1. S2 has a marginally warmer sound and better build quality/accessories so if it’s only a few bucks more it might be worth it but otherwise it’s basically the same. They’re a little smoother than the VSonic models but in the grand scheme of things still not that warm or smooth (not like a Piston or Sony MH1C or something).

  3. I can get the S1 for the same price as the vsonic vsd3. Can extend budget to Fidelio S2 or GR07 if you think they are worth it. Smoother treble wider stage and warmer mids being most important.

  4. Well, the Fidelio S1 and S2 are on a higher performance level than the VSD3S, though they’re also a fair bit pricier and not direct competitors. Great earphones for a flatter sound – not exactly warm, but the bass punch is good.

  5. Hey joker great site, awesome info to be found. I have Pistons and love them when out and about but when Im at home they have gobs and gobs of bass. So want something that sounds good for when I’m at home and don’t like over ears.. I do most of my listening straight from an iPad air. I do like some extra bass, so something relatively neutral with a touch of added punch and warmth would be superb. I think I like what the semi open design does to the sound with the Pistons so was really looking into the Philips Fidelio S1 or S2. Your review and accompanying measurements looks superb. Was wondering if that would be a better option than the vsd3s.

  6. It really depends on what you’re looking for in terms of sound. Usually manufacturers suggest BA earphones if you’re to get them re-shelled, which quite limits your options (especially if you’re looking for enhanced bass a-la SE215). You can also go straight custom, of course, if you’re willing to spend $400+.

  7. thanks. Since I have Se215 already, I wont be buying VSD3 anymore. I’m looking forward to upgrade my gear. I’m thinking of choosing a very good sound quality IEM then reshelling it to custom-fit my ears. Do you have any recommendation?

  8. I like the sound of the VSD3S better with one caveat – the treble is more harsh. For me this is outweighed by the superior overall balance but that won’t be true for everyone. Likewise, the heavier bass and warmer tone of the SE215 will have more weight for some in this decision.

    I also prefer the comfort of the VSonics – the detachable cable connectors on the SE215 put pressure on my ears after a while.

    For isolation and build quality I’d give the nod to the Shures. Value, VSD3S wins, obviously.

  9. Hello Joker,

    I currently have a SE215. I’d like to know if it were you, you would choose VSD3(S) or SE215, regarding every aspects, for eg sound quality, isolation, cable, etc… My earphone is connected to my laptop most of the time, meaning I use it to listen to game sounds (dota 2, csgo), music (classical, anime vocals and OSTs) and other sources like YouTube, Facebook, TwitchTV streams, etc… Thanks a lot

  10. Then yes, definitely prefer GR07. The MC5 is quite good but if your budget reaches $100 it’s not the best option.

  11. All the ones you’re considering are very good earphones and none of them have too much bass so you might as well just throw a dart at a dartboard..

  12. Hi joker
    I’m a casual listener. I usually listens to dubstep ,rap ,hip hop &pop music . I am planning to buy a pair of iem shortly. After some research through head-fi and your threads I shortlisted some items like vsd3, gr06,gr07 ,ath im50 ,ety rc5 & havi b3 pro. I appreciates nice tight punches but I’m not a basshead. Also I do care about build quality since I’m planning a long term use and I have a 100$ to shell out. So can you recommend a nice pairs?
    Thanks in advance 🙂

  13. I’ve fallen behind a bit on that… these days I spend more time answering comments, emails, and PMs than writing new reviews.

    The KC06 and VSD3 will end up on the buyer’s guide. The KC06 is a good RE-400 alternative – it’s not quite as flat and neutral, but if you’re okay with that it’s really quite close in performance for how inexpensive it is.

  14. When are the full reviews coming? I suspect that at least one of those three will enter the Buyer’s List :p But anyway, i’ve heard that the Ostry KC06 may be close to the sound of the RE 400, is that so? Im looking for a cheaper and more durable alternative to the RE 400, and so far that is the one that keeps being mentioned on forums and such, thanks lJokerl!

  15. You can eliminate the SM64 as it’s the most different from the KC06 – warmer, darker, and with a dip in the upper midrange where the KC06 has emphasis instead. The A83 has a similar dip but is brighter overall so it’s more suitable as a KC06 upgrade, but still is not exactly a signature match. The VC1000 has no dip but it’s significantly flatter overall, so you’ll miss out on what coloration and bass boost the KC06 has. The DN-2000 would probably be my pick but it still has a v-shaped signature, with more bass and treble relative to the midrange, which is not really true of the Ostry. However it is not dark or warm, and it has some bass boost and no dip in the upper midrange, which makes it the best match by my estimation.

  16. Hey ljokerl. A quick recomendation please. I like very much the Ostry KC06. Between these what you think will suit me better: A83, DN-2000 or SM64. Or even VC1000. Well, or other that you think around the price range or near those i said first. Great project of yours in this site. Thanks!

  17. The VSD3 has quite a bit more bass and a more v-shaped sound sig so I’d still give the VC02 the nod in overall detail level. Under $80 the Etymotic MC5 is worth looking at as well. Not sure about the XBA-2 but the XBA-1 I didn’t think was better than other good sub-$100 sets such as the UE600 and Dunu I 3C-S. The MEElec A161P was better but is discontinued as far as I know.

    The HD668B is very good for a full-size headphone. I personally think fine detail is easier to extract from IEMs but if you prefer headphones it’s as good as it gets for the price.

  18. Hi Joker
    I’m a bit of a detail nut and am wondering what the detail (resolution? fidelity?) of the vsd3s is liike. I was impressed with the detail on the vsonic vc02 and am looking for an upgrade. In comments section of the JVC FXT90 that vsd3s has greater detail (despite it having a greater score). What is the iem with the greatest detail under $80, including the Sony XBA-2 (which I can get at a reduced price). How about the detail of the Superlux HD668B headphone ? I dont have an amp, but may get one in the future.

    Thank you, the effort you have put into this site has helped me before

  19. No experience with the KC06A but the KC06 has less bass than the CC51. It’s not terrible quality, just not as tight as a GR07 or VSD3 or something.

  20. Thank you
    I decide to stick with your first suggestion on the kc06 but now i cant decide kc06 or kc06a
    you mention kc06 little boomy , is it boomy like cc51 because i dont like it i love bass near maximo 590

    what are the differences this is the final 🙂

  21. Not that I think it’s an upgrade to the KC06, but maybe the Rock Jaw Alfa Genus: https://theheadphonelist.com/headphone_review/rock-jaw-alfa-genus/ . It’s balanced and resolving with decent bass punch, plus the different filters add a bit more versatility.

    Also my usual $100 recommendations: the HiFiMan RE-400 (super smooth-sounding and refined, but doesn’t have the extra bass bump of the iM-590 or the soundstage width of the KC06) and GR07 Classic (awesome in every way except the top end is a bit sibilant a-la VSD3).

  22. Dear Joker
    You mentioned KC06 (55$) as an upgrade to Maximo 590 (more balance with realistic bass)
    Can you please suggest more alternative upgrades even near 100$

    Thank You very much
    David

  23. Yeah, sounds like a good deal. Just FYI, there have been some counterfeit EPH-100s found on Aliexpress and other Chinese marketplaces so be careful buying them from 3rd parties.

  24. I think I will go for the EPH100s. For some reason they are cheaper here (Australia) than the US (anything being cheaper in Aus is rare!). With the exchange rates they are actually less expensive than the Wooduo and Vpulse. Sounds like double win. Thanks for the suggestion.

  25. If you are sensitive to sibilance VSonics are not a good way to go. The Wooduo2 is much less prone to sibilance but I still wouldn’t call it smooth. It’s got great bass, but the Velodyne is more smooth. I’d say the Yamaha EPH-100 is a better choice in that price range – it’s got a little less deep bass than the Wooduo and vPulse, but it’s smoother than the former and significantly better-sounding overall than the latter. Can be worn cable-down, too.

    The rest of the options I could recommend over the vPulse are either over-the-ear style (RHA MA750), have some treble harshness (Brainwavz S1, Rock Jaw Alfa Genus), or don’t have the clarity you’re probably used to with your D2000 (UBSound Fighter, Beats Tour 2.0) so I guess the vPulse would be my 2nd choice after the Yamaha.

  26. Hi Joker, I mostly listen to my music while in the gym or backpacking and I would say I am a bit of a basshead. I still use my senn 300s mostly for the gym. I often eq out the treble in headphones because I hate sibilance. I tried a few budget recommendations including the JVC option you mentioned (I found it too muddy). My home headphones are D2000s. They have lots of bass but I sometimes wish they were a little more tight. (Still haven’t done the mods many people did).

    I wanted to get something a little bit nicer than the Senn 300s. I was reading about the Vsonic VSD1S / 3S and velodyne and Hisoundaudio WOODUO 2. The last one sounded great until I heard there are some issues with sibilance/harshness. The VSD3S sounded good as well except it is meant to be worn behind ear (not a fan). I use a Clip Zip as my portable source and do not use an amp. Anything you recommend up to $140 or so given what I mentioned above?

  27. The VC1000 is more flat/balanced and analytical. The KC06 has a mid-bass hump and some emphasis in the upper midrange as well, which gives it a more colored/less neutral sound. The bass is not as tight and the overall detail level is not quite as high as with the VC1000. The KC06 does have a nice and airy presentation that is on-par with the VC1000 and the treble energy is good, but the VC1000 is just a more accurate earphone.

  28. Size and shape are pretty similar but I actually find the VSD3 more comfortable. The SE215 has a more bulky cable connector that rubs against my ear where the cable meets the housing whereas the VSD3 doesn’t.

  29. Hi joker.
    I own a shure se215 and i was wondering on how the size and comfort of the vsd3 compares to it.

    Thanks in advance

  30. Sounds like a more balanced and smooth earphone than the v-shaped CC51/GR02 BE would be a good match for you. The VSD3S is good but a little more harsh than the Maximo, so maybe the Ostry KC06 is a better choice in this case. Bass is a little boomy but it’s nice and clear, and the soundstage is wide. Tonally it’s closer to the Maximo than the Havi B3 even though the Havi has tighter bass. The B3 is also harder to drive/less sensitive.

  31. Dear Joker
    I need your advice , my gr02 bass is dead and i want to buy new model , but i’m confuses
    i begun with maximo i 590 and enjoy every moment , good details deep real bass using alternative ear cups, good seperation and natural
    i hate the cable but they least two years
    after that i bought the cc51 and they horrible boomy not realist bass , harsh and dead after six month
    at least i had the gr02 bass and they where ok but not enjoyable like maximo i 590, not good separation , without detaills, more heavy soundstage less natural

    i want to buy a new pair , what will be an upgrade to the maximo i 590 ? (50-100 $)
    Thanks
    David

  32. No problems with isolation or microphonics on the VSD3S. As for build quality, I would go for the fixed-cable version. Just less things to go wrong. I personally prefer the VSD3S and RE-400 to the FXD80 – the thin lower mids and colder tone of the JVCs doesn’t really do it for me personally. Between the VSD3S and RE-400 it’s a tough call as they both have their strengths. RE-400 is probably more accurate, strictly speaking, but the VSD3S is more fun. I guess if I had to pick just one to use forever I’d go with accuracy, but luckily I don’t have to make that choice 🙂

  33. Hi joker, I currently trying to decide between the VSD3S, the RE-400, and the JVC HA-FXD80. I understand that the VSD3S does better than the RE-400 in bass but has problems with sibilance, but what about other things like microphonics, isolation, build quality, etc. Also, how do they compare with the JVC HA-FXD80s? Overall, which one’s sound do you personally prefer?

  34. Hmm… I know I wrote out a reply but somehow it didn’t post.

    Honestly, the KC06 doesn’t have the best bass definition. Pure and simple, it has a mid-bass hump, which is never very conducive to bass quality.

  35. ljokerl, hope you don’t mind if I step in with some info that may be of use. (you probably know this already).

    The Galaxy S1 was one of the more popular smartphones for audio playback during it’s time. It had a very good Wolfson Micro WM8994 audio hub(which didn’t return on the successors).
    supercurio(dev) developed some alternate drivers that unlocked the amp’s potential along with some fine tuning options. (can found on the playstore: Voodoo Sound).
    If you aren’t looking to upgrade your player, this may breathe some extra life into your phone.
    I do not know which IEMs/headphones you are using. Anyway, the more significant differences will be felt driving high impedance/power hungry phones.

    But as ljokerl said, upgrading your IEM may yield a larger difference.

    PS:
    1. From ClieOS’s (experienced reviewer) review on the X1: “you are looking at a DAP that is roughly on par to iPod nano 7G and Sandisk Clip+ / Fuze”
    2. From my experience: When using easy to drive IEMs the clip+ is more or less equivalent to a voodoo-Galaxy S. When using hard to drive phones, the Galaxy sounds better.
    3. Also ClieOS says : “The major difference(b/w X1 and nano 7g/clip+) are of course the high resolution support as well as a more powerful amp section, but neither of them instantly translate to class smashing performance.”

    So, if my deduction is correct, it may not be worth upgrading your Galaxy S-voodoo to an X1 (for sound quality alone) IF you are using easy/average to drive IEMs. I cannot comment on the amp performance between the two.

    Hope this helped.

    References (if you want to read more):
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.projectvoodoo.controlappdonate&hl=en
    http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=806195
    http://www.head-fi.org/t/535770/samsung-galaxy-s-sound-quality
    http://soundexpert.org/news/-/blogs/audio-quality-of-galaxy-s
    http://www.head-fi.org/products/fiio-x1-ultraportable-hi-res-dap/reviews/12014

  36. I’ve never owned a Galaxy S1 but my experience with other Android phones of that era leads me to believe it’s probably not optimized for audio. The X1 should be a step up, but I can’t tell you whether it will be a larger difference than upgrading whatever IEM you have now.

  37. Hi Joker,

    My question is regarding DAP. I have under 150$ iem in my collection. I am using i9000 (galaxy s1) as source. If I buy Fiio x1 , would there be any major difference in sound quality ?

    Or is it like that only expensive iem would make sound different ?

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