👉🏻Pros:
😊 Semi custom black acrylic shells with machined aluminum faceplates fit comfortably in my ears and offer excellent ambient isolation.
(Fit is subjective)
😊 Unassuming 2 pin black SPC cable terminated 4.4mm pairs very well sonically.
😊 Very easy to drive.
😊 Reflects the tuning nuances of source devices, but not device fussy.
😊 Well layered mid and sub bass.
😊 Smooth, rich and detailed mids.
😊 Exquisite natural vocals.
😊 Precise airy highs with outstanding micro detail.
😊 While not extremely expansive, the intimate stage fills the head, has a dead silent background, and precise imaging and layering.
👉🏻 Cons:
😔 Semi Custom shell design may present fit challenges for some.
😔 No tolerance for poorly recorded source files.
I owned the original VE EXT back when it was first released.
I really liked the strong bass presence and exceptional detail.
They weren’t exactly V shaped but pretty strong U shape tuning.
Unfortunately I found the highly energetic mids and highs fatiguing during lengthy listens.
It was a hard choice, but I sold them a couple months later.
I was immediately interested when I saw the EXT MKII was being released.
Revised semi custom shell with smaller nozzle diameter
A more refined low frequency range with greater accuracy and detail.
Enhanced mids and vocals clarity and a more balanced presentation.
I couldn’t resist, and have no regrets.
The MKII is without a doubt more refined and better balanced.
I would say it still has a mildly U shaped signature.
The mids energy is deceptive. The super quiet background has virtually no noise, and that makes it easy to push the volume high, without noise or distortion.
At high volumes I can still fatigue over long listening sessions (I am mids sensitive)
There is really no need to push the volume high, every note and nuance of the music is there at moderate volumes.
At moderate volumes it is very easy to engage and drift into the music for lengthy multi hour listening session with no hint of fatigue.
The EXT MKII is definitely a positive improvement over the OG EXT. At least it is for for my preference.
This one’s a keeper and will be with me a very long time.
Well done Vision Ears! 👍🏻
Thank you Andrew and Grace for the always excellent customer service, and providing a source for high quality audio gear.