Vision Ears Ext MK2 Review 

Intro 

Hello, this review and feature covers the latest from the audio brand Vision Ears named the Vision Ears Ext MK2 ($3,399). The Ext MK2 is actually a six-driver hybrid iem which consists of two dynamic drivers and four EST drivers. I honestly couldn’t wait to hear how Vision Ears implemented the mix of these two driver types. Without question the Ext MK2 is a very ambitious offering from Vision Ears as they try to build on what they had already built in the Ext MK2’s predecessor, the Vision Ears Ext. Now, I haven’t had the pleasure of spending time with the original Ext and so I cannot explain any differences or upgrades in the build, tech, or sonics from that set, but I can explain the Ext MK2 from 1st hand experiential knowledge. Thankfully I am part of the Audio Geek USA Tour which enables me to hear all sorts of high-end iems. The worst part of that is obviously having to send these sets on their way when time runs out. The bonus is that I get to spend a very long time getting to know these products in a fairly intimate way. So, thank you to Audio Geek for providing this set. 

Vision Ears

Vision Ears has quite a long history. I did some scouring over the internet to learn a little bit more about this brand and from what I could find, Vision Ears has been around (founded) back in 2013 by Marcel Schoenen and Amin Karimpour. However, the extent of the founder’s knowledge actually dates back to the turn of the century around the early 2000’s as Marcel apparently worked for a major German iem manufacturer. However, nowadays it seems that Vision Ears is headquartered in Cologne, Germany. I suppose what I like about this brand is that they give me almost a boutique style vibe. For the love of the game vibes. Small yet sophisticated, extremely knowledgeable, yet with the backing, fandom, and resources to craft truly unique products. Friends, have any of you gone down Vision Ears list of products? So, from what I can see, it appears as though Vision Ears has two main lines of iems. That is, their Custom lineup as well as their Premium/Universal lineup of iems. Without question Vision Ears products all land in the luxury high-end arena and by all accounts I can tell that the consumer generally praises Vision Ears efforts. They’ve been in the game a long time. Basically, for the cost, you are getting premium products created from people who love what they do. At least that’s how I interpret what I’ve gathered. 

Bona-fide stud… 

Now, the Vision Ears Ext MK2 is the 1st and only Vision Ears product that I’ve ever tested. I am hoping that it will not be the last. I can say that I’ve had enough time with kilo-buck priced iems to get a good feel for where the Ext MK2 stands against the competition. At $3400 it doesn’t come cheap. However, for the cost I’d say that Vision Ears has a bona-fide stud of an iem that most certainly belongs in that price range. Like I always say, “In the realm of personal audio there are levels to this game”. Spending time with the Ext MK2 has cemented that as a fact in my mind. People in the hobby (me included) always speak on the true price benefit of “incremental improvements”. What if I told you that there isn’t anything incremental about this set at all. Like I said… the Ext MK2 belongs in this range. Okay, enough babbling from me, let’s get on with it. So, without further ado, the Vision Ears Ext MK2… 

*Note: Wait, before I deep dive into this set, I have to mention one caveat to my review. That is, I can only perform a glorified sound review as I do not have all of the packaging with this set. So, I really cannot speak on the unboxing and most of the accessories. All that I have in hand is the Ext MK2 themselves, the cable, and the carrying case. So, I will certainly explain what I have. Okay, now we can get this one going… 

Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:

–Bloom Audio

–Vision Ears

–MusicTeck

–Audio46

Ext MK2 Pros

-Build Quality is nice 

-Very fashionable, slick colorways, unique design language 

-Both engaging and musically gifted as well as technically astute, detailed, & clinical

-Very well controlled deep & hard hitting bass region

-Highly detailed midrange, great presence, very clean

-Sparkly and detailed treble, excellent extension into the upper treble

-Detail Retrieval 

-Instrument separation 

-Multi-layered sound, holographic sound field

-Stage depth

Ext MK2 Cons

-For some, price is obviously an issue (am I speaking to those people though?) 

-Fitment may not be perfect. I have to fiddle with the fit to get them seated nicely

-This set yearns for power, sensitive to source in that regard. Big difference between weaker sources and sources with big, clean power

-While the treble is also a “pro”, I can see this as a hard “con” for many folks with a potentially fatiguing sound for some

-Timbre is not the most natural with the treble coloration. The good kind of artificial for me, but that won’t fly with everyone

Gear used for testing 

–Shanling UP6

–Shanling UA6 

–Ifi Go Blu 

–Hidizs S9 Pro Plus  

–Shanling H0

–Hidizs AP80 Pro Max 

–Fiio JM21 

–Hiby R3 Pro II

–Hiby R6 Pro II 2025 

–Shanling M1 Plus

–IBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2 

–Shanling M6 Ultra 

–Fiio Q15

Accessories (That I have in hand) 

Carrying Case 

What is a solid unboxing without a solid case? Especially when we are talking about a $3400 iem. The case that Vision Ears provides is one of the coolest cases that I’ve seen. It is so striking in its design folks. Made entirely out of machined aluminum and taking on much of the same design cues found in the design of the Ext MK2 earphones. Of course, the colorway follows the color theme of the particular earphones that you order. For example, I am reviewing the purple/black colorway and so the case is also… purple/black. The case is a hockey puck shaped, circular case with a beautifully crafted aluminum top with machined lines converging on the surface to form what appears to be an “X”. I like that this case is not a threaded style case but instead the upper and lower half stay together with friction alone. Very tightly I might add. You can tell the craftsmanship reaches every piece of the packaging as the case is great. Internally the case is cladded in a soft rubber to protect your precious earphones. I’d say it’s large enough to fit the Ext MK2, the cable, and possibly some small extras. It isn’t a huge case. Still, it’s very dope, very unique, and a nice accessory for this package. 

Cable 

Now, this brings us to the cable. Okay folks, I can’t lie, I do not feel that the design of the cable fits the beauty of this set. Now, is it a nice cable? I suppose. Nice enough to do the job that it’s supposed to do and likely made with very fine materials. Perhaps I’m too much of an aesthetic snob. No doubt the cable provided is a well-made wire crafted with 8-wire cable at 28 AWG (American Wire Gauge) in thickness. For those who don’t know, 28 AWG is pretty thin wire. Which is great for many reasons. However, 28AWG wire generally won’t combine to give you the fattest and most luxurious cable ever. I suppose it depends how many cores a cable has too. Still, thinner wire makes for easier use, and it won’t be as heavy either, which means that the cable won’t be pulling on your iems when in use. But I digress, the cable provided is a black braided SPC (silver-plated copper) cable with a flexible jacket insulation coating that doesn’t hold memory, which is nice. In all honesty, the cable provided is very nice in its usability as there’s no microphonic sounds whatsoever, it’s very light, it rolls up nicely, and the cable is extremely flexible. I guess the only issue is that the cable “looks like” the same type of standard cable that I’d get from a $40 iem. Looks aren’t everything, folks. For the record, I only used the included cable for critical listening. All-in-all, the cable is useful and does the job, but you may want to put something prettier on the Ext MK2. 

Build / Design / Internals / Fit 

Build Quality 

As far as build quality is concerned, the Vision Ears Ext MK2 is built nicely. I mean, it’s made of finely machined aluminum. I say finely machined because the “X” machined into the faceplate area could only be done by machine. That’s it. Now, the bottom, or shells, are made entirely out of acrylic resin material, medical grade, nothing which would irritate the skin. Back to the faceplate area. So, underneath the open “X” on the faceplates is a vacuum metalised (aluminum) acoustic mesh which acts as an open vent as well as a protective mesh. Beyond that, it looks super cool too. Actually, the back vent is the only vent (not that it needs anymore). The nozzles are right around standard size at 5.8mm in width and they are certainly a deep fit style nozzle. This is where I add that the nozzle takes a crazy angle to get its great fit. It almost protrudes out towards the top of the iem and then angles out towards the ear. It’s almost like a universal iem which fits like a custom iem. The odd thing is that it takes me some fiddling to get the Ext MK2 into my ear. However, and I promise, once I get this set in my ear it sits absolutely perfectly. Almost as though it curls around perfectly pressed against the skin of my outer ear and follows the curvature of my inner ear to the tee. Our ears take some weird curves and so naturally to get something to seat perfectly it’ll have to be equally as “weird” in build/design. It’s truly awesome actually. Anyways, the Ext MK2 is wonderfully built folks. It’s very light, fairly large but extremely ergonomic.

Aesthetic 

This is where I feel that Vision Ears absolutely nailed it. That is, in its design language. Friends, talk about aesthetics! The Ext MK2 has some of the coolest colorways ever, with its vibrant purple faceplates and the dark black of the Shells. I should note that you can also get this set in silver/black. I don’t know how you could pass on this purple… but to each their own. So, the colorway is what I’d call futuristic-minimalist. Something about the big “X” carved into the faceplates which makes this set uniquely and artistically crafted. You can tell right away how premium this set is on appearance alone. The beauty is that the Ext MK2 is so functionally well made too. I realize that not everyone will share my enthusiasm, but this set is flat-out DOPE! Give the Ext MK2 a tough looking black or vibrant purple (or combo of the two) fatty-fat braided cable and you’ll have the toughest looking iem at any price. Great design Vision Ears! 

Internals 

Like I said in the intro, the Ext MK2 is outfitted with six drivers in total. To be exact, that is two dynamic drivers and four EST drivers. To be even more exact Vision Ears decided upon a 9.2 mm liquid-silicone dome with an aluminum-magnesium diaphragm dynamic driver to cover the lows. Apparently, they used a super rare N52 earth magnet for this driver. Covering the midrange Vision Ears went with a 6 mm which is also made of liquid-silicone (LSR) and an aluminum-magnesium diaphragm and N52 rare earth magnets. However, this driver is also accompanied by Vision Ears’ own HALC (High-Precision-Acoustic-Leveling-Chamber) which is a precisely tuned acoustic chamber which controls pressure and airflow suppressing nasty resonances while also controlling the driver motion. From what I understand anyways. They used this setup to create those rich and immersive vocals. Also, Vision Ears went with four custom 2nd generation EST drivers to handle the highs. Lastly, they decided upon a 3-way crossover unit to break up the frequency in a very cohesive and smooth manner. Friends, these drivers are impressive, the tech is impressive, and the way the drivers come together in harmony is what it is all about. 

Fit / Comfort 

I already spoke on this, but I’ll quickly explain again how the fit was for me. So, at first, I thought this set should’ve been for an alien, or at least someone or something which is partially human, at best. However, after I fiddled around trying to get this set in my ears and finding eartips which felt and sounded best I quickly found out the method to Vision Ears’ madness. A twist here, a little push there and the Ext MK2 sits more perfectly than almost any set I’ve ever put into my ear holes. Now, the nozzles are a deep fitting style and so you have to be okay with that. Still, for me I was very happy with this fitment. Having said that, I do have to say that over time my ears began to get a hair sensitive to the Ext MK2. I’m talking well over an hour to two hours. Having something squeeze parts of your inner ear which rarely are even touched tends to make them a hair tender over time. Beyond that, the fit is great. Very ergonomically made. Of course, I cannot explain to you how this set will fit in your ears. So, your mileage may vary. 

Drivability / Pairings 

Sensitivity 

One thing is clear about the Vision Ears Ext MK2, it is a fairly sensitive iem. Rated with an impedance of 10 ohms and a sensitivity of 108 db’s I find that the Ext MK2 can easily be driven from many sources. I’ve used every weak source in my arsenal just for the purpose of seeing how well the Ext MK2 does paired with less power. Let me just put it like this; yes, the Ext MK2 can and will sound dynamic and loud with even weak sources, however, you aren’t getting the best out of this set at all. This is one bona-fide stud of a set when it comes to scalability. Sure, you can bring the Ext MK2 to solid volume and energy off of weaker sources, but that certainly doesn’t mean that you should. 

Scalability 

I figure that most people will figure out pretty quickly that the Ext MK2’s EST drivers want and yearn for some power. However, it’s not only the EST drivers as the dynamic drivers are also pretty hungry for some juice. I found that without some good and clean power the treble simply sounds splashy and less enthused, less airy, and they lack that vibrance that more power can provide them. So, if you have the opportunity to pick this set up, I would implore you to get yourself a device with some power under the hood. What type of power am I referring to? I’m talking, a really nice dongle dac (at the very least) with a capable amplifier. Something which has a 4.4 balanced output and at least a couple hundred mW under the hood. Again, at the least. For me personally, I find the Ext MK2 sounds best when connected to some of my 1w daps or dac/amps on medium to high gain. You can tell the difference folks. This set scales very-very well. To the point that I can comfortably say that it shines with good clean power. Heck, I’d go so far as to say it was made for more power. 

Source Pairing

Now, as far as tonal pairings and what sources seem to pair best with the Vision Ears Ext MK2. So, the Ext MK2 has what I’d call a warm/neutral tonal coloration and a pretty energetic sound as well. In my opinion, I found that any source from warm/neutral to neutral/bright will pair nicely depending on your preferences. Yes, I understand that warm/neutral to neutral/bright is a broad spectrum and that encompasses a lot of source devices. However, I really mean it, the Ext MK2 pairs very nicely with many sources. Almost every source that I have at my disposal has married very well with this set. I really don’t feel that source tonality pairing, or “synergy” is a real issue with this set, but there are some source tonalities which seem better than others. For instance, in my opinion, the pinnacle of sound paired with the Ext MK2 was a neutral source like the iBasso DX240. A neutral-ish source with a smooth cadent delivery is what I like best. However, devices like the warm/neutral Shanling M6 Ultra, the Hiby R6 Pro II 2025, the Fiio Q15 all sound fantastic. Or dongle dacs like the Shanling HO, Shanling UA6 (one of the best dongles dacs under $200), or the EPZ TP50. I think the real issue with pairing any source device and trying to get the most out of this set comes down to good and clean power. With all of this said, I am 100% positive that anyone willing to spend $3,400 US in the Ext MK2 very likely already has plenty of source options on hand. So, is this even an issue? Still, in the end I’d say warm/neutral to neutral/bright, some juice, and some good tunes is the real synergy with this set. 

Sound Impressions 

*Note:  Before I dive into the sound portion of this review, I first have to mention a few things. So, I did not burn in this set mainly because it is a tour set. It has already made its way too many reviewers before I got my hands on them. So, I obviously have zero idea how well burn-in suits this set. I assume that you’d want to give it a good 50 hours. I used KBear 07 eartips with this set because I found them to be the most comfortable and the best fit for me. For all critical listening I used only flac or better files (some MP3) which are stored on my devices. My Android music player of choice is almost always UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro). However, a few of my daps use either Eddict Player or Hiby Music Player. 

What’s it sound like?

The first thing I’d say is that the Vision Ears Ext MK2 is a very fun sounding iem. Folks, this set has so much visceral and totally vibrant energy. However, the control of that energy is where the Ext MK2 truly separates itself from more budget offerings. Shoot, it’s where the Ext MK2 separates itself from its peers. When I say “control”, I mean crisp and clean note contours that sound sculpted and cohesive. Another key aspect of this set is how ridiculously technical it can sound without coming across straight analytical in its tuning. Now, the tonal color of this set most certainly sits right in that warm/neutral pocket of sound which mixes technical chops and musical engagement wonderfully. The sublevels of the bass form a solid cornerstone foundation with deep and concrete style rumble mixed with solid note definition. It also has a very clean, neutral, and precise midrange with a good mix of smooth and crisp. Add to that a sparkly, very well extended, and airy treble which isn’t cold, too bright, or too saturated. Without question there are some subjective tonal gripes which some folks are going to have. Stuff like; the timbre is not perfectly natural as there’s a definite 10k peak which veers this set away from organic. Not artificial per say, but not perfectly natural either. There’re more subtle issues which I’ll explain moving forward but I really don’t want to understate how well tuned this set is for those who enjoy its tuning style. 

U-Shaped

With that said, I’d probably say that the Ext MK2 has a U-shaped profile with a bigger sublevel and upper treble lift along with a somewhat forward and very alluring & engaging presence in the midrange. I wouldn’t say it is perfectly balanced as a whole, and there is definitely some coloration happening on this set, but nothing is so emphasized in any area to negatively impact the overall sound. Again, the Ext MK2 definitely has a clean delivery across the board as well as a fairly energetic and dynamic feel to its tuning. 

Musically Gifted & Technically Sound

One of the nice features of this tuning is the Ext MK2’s unique ability to be both emotionally expressive and engaging whilst also drawing out all the details. It has this fast and rapid transient response which is aided by a quick-snap attack and a fairly natural decay. Again, this is not an analytical tuning. It’s a nice mixture. In my opinion I’d call the musical/analytical split at right around 55/45. The Ext MK2 has a very nice semi-rich note body, and it certainly comes with a smoother cadence. However, there is no area of the mix which claims dominance to the point that overt masking occurs. Yet in the same breath, I hear such nice and crisp edge detail to any note in any track which features such a thing. I hear glass-lined note outlines which come across grain free & veil free, as well as fantastic macro-dynamic presence which offers a very spirited, vivid, and downright evocative expression of my music library. There’s something very wonderful about a set which can illuminate the subtleties with nice micro-dynamics while also bringing the rhythmic robustness needed to portray an emotionally stimulating track. Straight analytical sets won’t do that. On the flip side, straight warm, musical, and ultra rich sets generally won’t provide the transient tight delivery and clean note delivery needed to highlight those small details. Vision Ears did an awesome job friends. Let’s check out each 3rd of the mix. 

Bass Region 

The low-end of the Vision Ears Ext MK2 are almost the heart of this set. No doubt they serve as the foundation. Particularly in the sublevels which provide the depth and guttural bullishness to sound sonorous and bulbous. Yet, in a generalized broad stroke way of putting it; the lows “generally” sound focused, defined, very nicely textured, and acute in their transient delivery with a definite controlled rigidity. Furthermore, the Ext MK2’s bass region carries a forceful impact and bullish punch along with a relatively fast twitch reaction time in respect to the emphasis. In my opinion the bass is both quality and quantity and I gotta tell you all… I’m more than okay with it. No doubt that 9.2 mm LSR driver with the aluminum-magnesium diaphragm sculpts this region in a very nice manner. There is almost a dark vibrance to the bass which comes across as presence without sounding all-encompassing and without pushing its warmth across the spectrum. If that makes sense. It has the density, the clean approach, and it has the quick punch slam to navigate complex bass passages without any real smearing. Trust me, this is something that I listen for. Basically, the Ext MK2’s bass is certainly prominent without the bloated muddy of a less composed low-end. I should also add that I don’t consider the Ext MK2’s low-end as basshead style, though I do feel that a basshead could appreciate the output. 

Sub-Bass 

The lowest of the lows carry the brunt of the low-end emphasis and they do so in a way which doesn’t steal clarity from the mid-bass. I find the sub-bass to reach pretty darn deep into the bass abyss without any true roll off. Stuff like the lower registers of a good cello, the gritty haptic growl of a bass guitar, big bass drops, kick drums (the list goes on) are all full-bodied and authoritative. This is a physical sub bass which aids my music with a very haptic, tangible, and vibrational texture that shows up when called upon and doesn’t negatively impact the sound as a whole. Of course, the word “negatively” is subjective to me. It isn’t negative to me. It’s actually quite awesome. Usually when a reviewer speaks some of the words that I’ve used today it would likely mean that the sublevels are too prominent. I think the saving grace of this region is the fact that the perceived transient attack through sustain is prompt and it doesn’t linger. Tracks such as “Paradigm” by The Head and The Heart begins with a very guttural and juddering rolling bassline and the Ext MK2 shines. It has the ability to present this track with that foundational underlying energy and kinetic force to sound raw and full-bodied yet without masking the rest of the melody. Another similarly gritty bassline comes from Billie Eilish‘s track “Bad Guy” and once again the Ext MK2 does not disappoint… at all. Clean, tight, dense, and it doesn’t smear. It’s nice. 

Mid-Bass 

Vision Ears did a nice work on the mid-bass as well and clearly wanted to sculpt this region in a way that is highly texturized, impactfull, punchy, yet isn’t so overly warmed that it would create a veil or a murky atmosphere. Once again, the sublevels aren’t so intrusive that the mid-bass sounds muddy and the mid-bass isn’t so emphasized that it sounds bloated. One thing of note is that the mid-bass transitions into the midrange in a smooth yet distinct way which doesn’t force its warmth on the low-mids. It’s a fine line that the mid-bass walks as it certainly aids the spectrum with a semi-rich body to notes but also balances that emphasis with clarity very well. Also, the mid-bass can flat-out hit hard when the right track is played and it can do so in a highly resolute manner. “Hysteria” by Muse is handled so well on this set folks. Every note sounds clearly defined, sturdy, taut, and hardened with what I feel is a stone-like attack. Meaning, there’s nothing pillowy, soft, weak, or plush about this bass. The mid-bass has enough full-bodied oomph to give bass guitar its fullness as well as the good presence to really create a nice hollow boom on a good kick drum. Some may want a warmer and more atmospheric style decay, but I hear rounded notes, it’s well layered, there’s some discernable depth, and the mid-bass doesn’t really mask other frequencies to a detrimental degree. 

Downsides to the Bass Region 

Friends, at these prices you already know what you want. If what I explained sounds good to you then what is the downside? This bass doesn’t have any true issues. On budget sets I’ll speak on subjective tonal issues that some sets may have, or picky technical issues. However, if you are still reading this then it’s very likely that you have a good idea what you want and the Ext MK2 fits that idea. I almost feel bad saying this but there will be issues for those who don’t enjoy the output of this bass. Not everyone desires a bigger sublevel response. Not everyone wants a prominent low-end. Instead of foundational lows, some hobbyists would much rather have foundational highs, mid-centric, or just less of a robust playback down low. Also, on the flip side, I know plenty of bass loving people who need an atmospheric and lingering big bass decay. Those are the people who feel that masking is a good thing, a rite of passage for a bass region. So, of course the Ext MK2 won’t fit everyone, but man it’s good for what it is. 

Midrange 

The midrange of the Vision Ears Ext MK2 is both melodic and enriched musically, yet also technically it is very strong as well. I hear a very nice mixture of cleanliness & clarity mixed with subtle warmth & richness. Once again, it is a fine line that Vision Ears walks with this set. The mids have what I’d call fluent transients, with a nice snap on attack along with a natural decay. All-in-all I find the midrange has some pretty natural sounding timbre. Of course, the word “natural” could mean a lot of things to a lot of people and is wholly subjective. In truth, the midrange is actually a version of natural to my ears. This is a region with some nice semi-rich note weight and a more rigid note density, but also some upper mid intensity, airiness, and vibrance to offer very nice tonal contrast. I’d also say it has some very nice surface texture as well. Beyond that, the midrange certainly has a smooth demeanor which sounds very refined along with just enough edge detail, crispness, and luminance to sound well rounded. No doubt the upper portions of the midrange can get a hair brighter, but that brightness never really bothered me to the point that I’d call them harsh. Vision Ears knows exactly what they are doing. 

Midrange cont… 

The midrange is somewhat forward, fairly prominent, as it comes with solid presence against the rest of the mix. It’s a fun midrange that doesn’t skimp on resolution and has top notch clarity with a pitch-black background. No doubt this is at least partially due to the fine drivers used as well as the skill and ability of the sound engineers at Vision Ears because I really enjoy this measured approach. Nice tonality, that is just warm enough to feel & sound robust, but also airy enough, clean enough, and transient tight enough to never sound congested. Sure, there are elements of the midrange which aren’t perfectly realistic and come across a bit more fun than something true-to-life, but it’s also… very-very nice. Also, I said the Ext MK2 has a “subtle warmth” which mainly hangs around in the lower parts of the midrange whereas the upper portions certainly sound more lively and closer to straight neutral. Another aspect of the midrange which benefits from the overall tuning is the layout of the sound field. Without question this is a set which carries a holographic and layered effect to its staging as well as pinpoint imaging. Really folks, the Ext MK2 is masterful in its technical abilities without sounding clinical or dry. So, if you enjoy a flagship level sound incorporating a very harmonious, fluid style, smooth and refined. If you enjoy velvet style note inflections, yet with clean note outlines, or if you enjoy a balanced midrange that can retrieve all of the details, then maybe the Ext MK2 will fit your preferences. 

Lower-Midrange 

The lower midrange definitely benefits from that subtle warmth I was referring to earlier. More like warm-ish. Just a touch of bleed carries over from the bass region adding just a hint of richness and character to an otherwise slightly recessed lower midrange. I say “recessed” but in all truth the low-mids simply aren’t as forward as the bass region. They have plenty of presence and clarity which does well to help male vocalists come across nice. Perhaps a hair less energetic and vibrant for some people but generally very well done. Vocalists like David Draimen of Disturbed sings an awesome cover of “The Sound of Silence” as the Ext MK2 has all the richness needed to portray David’s deeper and more guttural moments in this track. However, the smoothness of this region is very evident and delicately displays everything else as David’s awesome vocal delivery is done sweet justice. Another awesome voice is Dermot Kennedy in “Rome” which once again shows off the skillset of the Ext MK2. I truly enjoy how the rhythmic and fluid style of this region plays off of Dermot’s edgy voice. That edge is never exaggerated and sounds almost sanded down, boosted in richness, and very clear and clean. Instruments follow the same trajectory as most instruments benefit from the semi-rich and authentic sound of the low-mids while others may benefit from a bit more vibrance. All things considered, the low-mids are definitely timbrally accurate, vivid, and still highly technical. 

Upper-Midrange 

Now, the upper midrange is where you usually find most female vocalists and the Ext MK2 thrives with females. The upper-mids are most certainly drawn more forward into the sound field than the lower mids. They have solid presence, measured and vibrant with nothing recessed, as both instruments and vocals have fantastic clarity with very distinct and clean lines in this region. Vision Ears takes us right to the point of fatigue and stops short of that mark leaving us with a reasonably energetic, fairly lively, and shimmery region which also carries a certain richness with it as well. Now, there are rare moments of some abrasive elements with the pinna rise, but those are few and far in between. I really enjoy that there is nothing dry or too emphasized in this upper midrange. There’s a definite moistness and some of the finer textures in this region. I like how the upper-mids retain the smoothness of the lower portion of the midrange while gaining that clean edge, crispness, and texture which really helps this region sound nicely contrasted and even realistic. Lead instrument detail is perfectly clear and just prominent enough while females sound anywhere from flowery, sweet, and delicate to resounding and powerful. 

Upper mids cont… 

Females like Ingrid Andress sings “More Hearts than Mine” and it sounds like the Ext MK2 is putting on a female vocal clinic. Her voice sounds very natural, so elegant, and the Ext MK2 draws out every bit of emotion out of this track. I could say the same of just about every female lead track. Expect a natural-ish tonality, technically on point, natural transients, expect an open sound, and expect just enough vibrance to stay engaging. Once again, the only real issue is in tracks which have extra upper-mid edge or brighter inflections to them the Ext MK2 can exhibit some abrasive qualities. 

Downsides to the Midrange

I think for as nice and as praiseworthy as this midrange is, it still has some subjective quirks which may rub some folks the wrong way. To start, the low-mids do have a subtle recession. I honestly feel that they have great clarity and resolve, but they aren’t as forward as the rest of the mix which does put the low mids slightly pushed back in the sound field. Also, the upper mids can have a tendency to run a hair bright in the right track. Like in a special recording of Nirvana’s “Bloom” there is an electric guitar which can really scream and the Ext MK2 did just that. Or “The Other side” by Cam which for whatever reason sounds overtly coarse with the Ext MK2. Again, they are few and far in between, but this does exist at times. The only other issues would be overall tuning issues. Like, for those who much rather would have a straight warm, fully rich, less vibrant sound. Or even for those who desire a completely analytical sound. No doubt this set will not be perfect for everyone, but man is it a well-done midrange for those who do prefer this sound signature. 

Treble Region 

The Ext MK2’s treble is taken on by four EST drivers and folks I just have to congratulate Vision Ears with some of the more sparkly, airy and technically sound treble regions that I’ve heard. It is so polished in the way that the treble handles energy that I honestly feel that it may have some of the best treble displays in the market. Now that I’ve said that I should also relay that the treble is not crazy bright. The highs on this set have superior control, loads of clean treble bite, treble punch and they remain so wonderfully cohesive with the rest of the mix. However, there’s this unmistakable smoothness which helps to add control (in a sense) to the precision which can sound somewhat edgy at times. These EST drivers work in tandem perfectly folks. Friends, here me out, as good as this treble is… I don’t consider it to be an overly bright treble. However, the fine-lined and clean-lined control paired with the dynamism of this treble makes for a very compelling listen every time. 

Technically Sound

One of the best features of this treble is in its extension into the upper treble. The secondary harmonics of a cymbal strike are some of the best I’ve heard by sounding clean, clear, very sparkly, but also, they never sound splashy either. This upper treble extension does well to add some much-needed air which impacts everything from the treble to the Midrange. It creates a more extended and more chasmic stage (to an extent), but the open feeling to my music is such an effervescent quality which easily details every last delicate and finite detail effortlessly. This is not even close to what I’d call forced resolution either. It’s simply a very talented region. Extension is just one technical aspect of the treble though. Folks, this treble has crazy good note separation which comes across very nicely for a smoother treble. There’s not a hint of grain, no sibilance, nothing which sounds like smearing at all, no dreaded treble tizz. Details are masterful too. Ya know, I should point out that this type of treble isn’t even my preference. However, I could not in good will speak anything other than glowing words. Also, for not preferring this type of treble I’ve enjoyed it every time I put this set in my ears. At any rate, the detail retrieval is on another level as every last-minute subtlety is easily reproduced in a clear and distinct way. 

My hat goes off… 

The highs have a ton of toned-down and realistic crispness which come across realistic rather than too edgy. The only real complaint is that the treble can come across a hair artificial at times. I truly don’t feel that many people would even recognize this, but it isn’t perfectly natural. Of course, when you have such a talented display, I think we can look around that. I know I do. However, there’s such a nice mix of smooth and crisp as well as great note articulation with tight transients, ultra clean and well-structured note contours, and the treble can easily take on any of the most speedy and complicated treble tracks. So yes, the treble can come across slightly spicy at times, and it won’t be for everyone, but my hat goes off to Vision Ears and their cohesive and clean tuning of this treble. 

Downsides to the Treble Region 

Okay, as good as this treble is I cannot leave this section without speaking of some of its not-so-good qualities. Believe me I don’t like doing it but I must. Full disclosure. Anyways, like I said the treble does not carry my favorite type of treble tuning. I like a bit less pinna to lower-treble acute zestiness. Does that make sense? Every now and again this sprightly area (along with what I presume is 10k) can sound artificial to a slight degree as well as slightly metallic. Believe me, I said in the treble section that these moments are few and far in between and I really do mean it. It’s just that sometimes it’ll bite in a slightly too focused way. Also, those who enjoy a less brilliant and less energized treble with darker hues are obviously not going to dig what Vision Ears have made here. No doubt about it the treble is wonderful in so many ways, treble head worthy for sure, but this type of treble can also be ever-so-slightly polarizing too. With that said, I think that Vision Ears has truly done a marvelous job. I’d love to hear more of their earphones. 

Technicalities 

Soundstage 

Now, the soundstage is one that I’d call intimate but very vast too. The sound field is slightly closer to the listener (which I love) but the sound field is also pretty darn wide. Maybe just above what the audio world would consider as average. Also, the stage has some height too. Honestly, the stage is just very full sounding. It is nothing even close to resembling anything congested. There’s not a congested moment on any track, no matter how complicated it was. However, my favorite aspect of this soundstage isn’t its size at all, but in its depth of field. In my opinion it is the depth which is the biggest piece of the puzzle with a good soundstage. Next isn’t the width, but the next most important piece is the layout of the stage, spacing, Imaging, and layering of the sound field. This is where the Ext MK2’s sound stage thrives and exceeds many sets. It has a very holographic stage, very well dimensioned, clean spacing, great front to back recognition. No, it isn’t the most vast, widest, or even tallest stage. No, it doesn’t have a stadium-like feel to it. It does one better, the stage sounds authentic in its dimensions. I like it a lot. 

Separation / Imaging 

I’ve already spoken on this a few times but the Ext MK2’s ability to render each note distinctly and well separated are one of the attributes of this set which adds to its charm. What I adore is that Vision Ears didn’t have to go Ultra analytical to achieve this. They didn’t have to make this set super dry and clinical with overly boosted treble and less bass. They did it to a very musical sounding set. It’s quite impressive. Sure, there are bass heavy tracks which may mask here and there, but that is to be expected. In tracks that listeners usually listen for good spacing is where the Ext MK2 will prove its worth. The Ext MK2 is very clean friends. Imaging is also on another level too. Never once (when I was listening for it) was I confused about the placement of an Instrument or voice. Always good spacing, always rounded notes with a pitch-black background along with that clean density to each note just helps them to pop. They almost sound embossed against the backdrop of my music. And they are always in their place. Vocals are always dead center too. 

Detail Retrieval 

Details shine through with no problem. This set is extremely well detailed! Once again you may have a bass heavy track which may mask some details, but also, who is seeking out details in an overtly bass heavy track anyways? Perhaps some bass guitars which are recorded more out front may mask a bit too, but my word folks, this set is masterfully detailed. I say that, but in the same breath I’m also saying that the Ext MK2’s musicality and melodious nature, its rhythmicity, its fluid and rich note delivery are fantastic as well. To have details illuminated this well with such a musically gifted set is quite awesome. 

Last Words on the Vision Ears Ext MK2 

Okay everyone, so you’ve read my words thus far and I have to Thank you. It isn’t an average man or woman who can stomach my babbling for this long and I commend you… Lol. Seriously though, the Vision Ears Ext MK2 is one of the better sets that I’ve had in my ears for what it was tuned to be. I have to admit that it doesn’t carry my favorite sound signature. What more than does it say that I adore the sound of this set. What it indicates to me is that as much as we hobbyists want to complain about kilo-buck prices, I have to admit that there are most certainly LEVELS TO THIS GAME. 

Cream rises to the top 

Now, I cannot afford this set at all. If it weren’t for Audio Geek, I’d never have them in my ears. I have three expensive kids that I pay for, a house, vehicles, etc. etc. So, to me, I couldn’t afford the Ext MK2. Having said that, I cannot deny it’s worth to those who can. It’s good folks. No, $3,400 is not cheap. However, look at the work that went into the final product. I’ve heard complaints from hobbyists saying that these drivers don’t cost this much! These housings aren’t expensive to make! It should cost $250 at most! I’ve heard it all. Not once did these hobbyists stop to think about the months and years of R&D, the constant iterations and variations, the screw-ups, the messes that come with trying to perfect…sound. Not to mention the cost to have some highly talented sound engineers, designers, along with all the partnerships and on, and on, and on. There’s a reason why some of these sets are priced where they are at. It comes from a place of labored love. Vision Ears is not a huge outfit folks and they are still relatively boutique-ish. I’m quite positive that every move they make costs them quite a bit. Anyways, I am sorry for that small rant but complaining about iem prices gets a bit old. Nobody is forcing you to buy these sets and obviously it’s worth it to those who can afford them. Also, like my Dad always told me, he said “Son, the cream will always rise to the top. Those who have the talent (the good product) will be found out, and those who are faking it till they make it will be found out too”. The same is true of “overpriced” iems. 

Potential Issues? 

I should add, in this section, that not everyone is going to adore this set. Can I just add something here. So, when I first got this set, I wasn’t going to review it. Please believe me that there are a multitude of iems and products that I don’t review because they don’t align with my preferences. It took me forcing myself to hear what others heard. Imagine my surprise when it became the ONLY set, I wanted in my ears. However, I had the luxury of time spent which others won’t have. So, in that light I have to say that not everyone is going to enjoy some of the peaks of this upper-mid and lower treble pinna rise as well as some fairly intense 10k region energy. The treble is definitely a very well controlled version of intense, but it’ll sound very intense to those who desire a warmer, more darkly hued sound up top. To add to that, the treble is not the most natural sounding I’ve ever heard. It’s great, awesome, skilled, but slightly artificial at times. Also, the lower-mids do have a sort-of recession. I hesitate listing this in this section, but it’s definitely a subtle downside to the tuning. Another not-so-big issue is that the Ext MK2 definitely needs a good powerful source to sound its best. Granted, most anyone picking up a $3,400 iem very likely already owns a solid source. Also, I do foresee some folks having issues with the fit. Just take a look at the nozzles on this set. Thankfully they fit my ears perfectly, but I have to imagine that not everyone will have the same luxury as I do with this set. 

It stands out

So, now that I’ve said that long spiel, I have to say that if I could afford this set, I would absolutely pick this set up. Just to have a nicely contrasted tuning to my other sets would be great for my collection. I’ve heard many of the kilo-buck iems and I’ve definitely adored many of them. Having said that, the Ext MK2 does stand out very well against the competition for what it does best. 

The Why…

Because the design of this set is so very unique folks. Not just the aesthetic either. I mean the actual build and ergonomic structure of this set is crazy unique. I have never had a set so perfectly molded to my ears. Yes, it takes a couple seconds and fiddling to get them there, but once they are seated it’s like they grew there. Also, the aesthetic is simply awesome! My word! That purple is so vibrant, striking, so wonderfully minimalist yet so cool as well. The purple-on-black is always one of the best two contrasting colors to pair together in anything. It’s no wonder that it works so well here. Now, I don’t have the majority of the packaging, and I can’t really speak in depth of the package, but from what I have seen in Vision Ears promotional for the Ext MK2, I’d say the package isn’t bad at all. Yeah, the cable isn’t my favorite, but it works. However, as with every review, every set, every audio product, the true worth and value of those products comes from how they replay music. 

All about the music

It’s always all about the music and it’s certainly all about the music for me when I say that the Vision Ears Ext MK2 is most certainly right there with any +$3000 set that I’ve personally heard. Especially for what it does well… per its tuning. I think we have to put these thoughts in those boxes. What I love about this set is that it can draw out emotional moments in my music whilst also highlighting every detail. It can bang down low with authority while also putting on a clinic technically. I’ve heard very few iems which embody this type of replay. The Ext MK2 carries such nice duality of the two tuning concepts. This ambidextrous ability to sound smooth, fluid, and dense while also sounding well separated, clean-lined, and precise. The bass digs very deep, penetrating into the lowest of the lows with ease. The bass is tight, defined, and doesn’t create a veil. Also, the midrange has some awesome presence with a pitch black background, nice note body, semi-rich, good note density, yet also fantastic resolution. Vocals come through with presence, they sound bold, tuneful, and harmonious. Then you get to the treble and the Ext MK2 just steals the show. It’s a treble head worthy treble which doesn’t kill your ears in fatigue. Top notch treble bite, treble punch, and nicely doled-out crispness along with very nice extension into the upper treble. I don’t even necessarily enjoy this style of tuning as much as others and I cannot get enough of it. Watching this set go to the next reviewer in line was not fun. Anyways, technically the Ext MK2 stands tall with a holographic stage, multi-layered soundscape, great note separation, and spot-on imaging. Again, there are levels to this game folks!

Conclusion 

To conclude my full review and feature of the Vision Ears Ext MK2, I first have to give a huge thanks to Audio Geek USA Tours. This review has been done and written for a very long time and I’m only now able to publish it. So, I thank Audio Geek and Vision Ears for being patient and understanding. Also, thank you to both parties as I would never be able to hear a set like this without them. Thank you very much. Also, I couldn’t leave this review without thanking you, the reader. I know you probably gloss over this section, and you probably think that I’m just blowing smoke, but I truly mean it when I say that you are the largest reason for my writing and for mobileaudiophile.com’s success. It always means the world to our small website. Thank you. 

Other Perspectives 

Considering that the Vision Ears Ext MK2 costs $3,400, I hardly feel that I need to say this and so I’ll keep it short but… please take the time to read, watch, or listen to other perspectives about this set. It’s true that I give you my exact thoughts with every review and I do try to explain myself as best I can. However, I am not the next guy. We are all so vastly different at times and each of us can have vastly different preferences. There’re so many reasons why one review may not sound like another. So please check out some other thoughts on this fine set. With that, I’m done folks. So, please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!!