EarSonics Velvet in-canal headphones: a velvet requiem for the Mistral..

The French know how to drink not only Burgundy and sink the Mistral. Meet EarSonics, the company is not new in the field of headphones. Since 2004 the French brand has produced a lot of worthwhile armature headphones. Today we will get acquainted with another novelty from EarSonics, Velvet: the model with the pleasant name “Velvet” is based on three armature radiators and one adjustable crossover.

Thanks to xChesserAudio for providing a listening sample

EarSonics Velvet in-ear headphones: a velvet “requiem for Mistral”..

Specifications:

Type: pluggable

Type of headphones: armature, closed

Number of drivers: three + adjustable crossover

Hertz range: 10 Hz to 20,000 Hz

Impedance: 41.5 Ohm

Sensitivity: 116 dB/mW

Cable type: symmetrical, replaceable

Headphone jack: jack 3.The EarSonics Velvet is a 5 mm, L-shaped

Cable length: 1, 2m

Accessories: 5 pairs of replacement ear cushions, a screwdriver to adjust the crossover, a pouch for storing headphones, brush to clean the sound channels, an adapter from 3.5 to 6.3 mm.

Design and delivery

Headphones are available in black and transparent colors. I received the black ones for review,

In a nice box, which shows the model themselves, as well as the company logo and branding and tricolor flag in the right corner – made in France. Inside we find another black box with silver embossed company logo. Well, here we get to the ears…

In the box are headphones with a removable cable, five pairs of ear pads, some warranty papers, a screwdriver to adjust the crossover, an adapter from 3.5 to 6.3 mm, a storage and carrying case for headphones and a special brush to clean the sound channels.

Cute ears. They assume an exclusively behind-the-ear fit. The cable is comfortable, soft with a 3.5 mm angle jack. The size of the sound tube is a little wider in diameter than most headphones of this form factor, but not by much. On the outside of the EarSonics Velvet there is a regulating screw and three marks indicating the sound modes: Warm, Balanced and Tight. With the right earpieces, you can fit your headphones quite comfortably in your ear and enjoy your favorite music.

Sound

The sound of Earsonics Velvet can be described as warm, musical, dense, with a slight edge. Although you can adjust it in different ways, depending on the adjustment of modes, of which there are three: Warm, Balanced and Tight.

In Warm mode it sounds very bassy, powerful, warm. Balanced mode speaks for itself, it’s the most balanced sound, but it also has some bass boost.

Tight mode is the brightest. The sound in this mode seemed to me too grainy. The midrange sounds more detailed, but also a bit too obtrusive. Although low frequencies in this mode get better speed characteristics, and the bass becomes more controllable. In general it seemed to me that the control doesn’t just affect the amount of bass, it changes the tonal balance of the ears in general.

On the one hand this is a good move. With three modes of headphone sound adjustment, you cover a larger audience. We all have different musical tastes, and in the case of Velvet, everyone can adjust the sound to himself. True, a lot depends not only on the headphones, but also on the sound source.

On the other hand, with the position of the control in the center, the sound is the most pleasant, as it seemed to my ear. I liked the sound most of all in Balanced mode. The bass is more than enough even in this position. And I don’t see the point in the other two modes. Although, we are all different, I’m sure many would argue with me.

The sound corresponds to its name “Velvet”. It really reminds me of a velvet, warm sound, which is good for a long listening experience.

By the way, though I’ve heard only SM 3 from the whole lineup of Earsonics, first and second revision and different modifications with a change of cable, change of filters, nevertheless their trademark French sound is recognized in this model.

The woofers have decent volume, good powerful punch, especially in Warm mode, the speed characteristics are not the most outstanding. You can feel the bass with your whole body, sometimes it even creeps me out… Balanced mode also has a lot of it, but it is more even, a little bit smeared, but it does not disturb the rest of the frequency range at all. It’s faster in Tight mode, smoother. All in all, you can adjust things to your own taste here.

Midrange – depending on the mode, the midrange takes on a warm smoothed sound, pushed back a little, to smooth and even a little accentuated in Tight mode. And in this range the position of the control on the Balanced seemed to me the most interesting.

HF – I didn’t notice any obvious problem with the high frequencies. Yes, maybe in the Tight mode they are a little bit crumbly compared to the other two modes, but not more than that. Basically they are quite smooth, they are quite enough, even in the most bassy version.

I want to note a good detailing of the headphones, a very beautiful structure of sounds in space, soft and comfortable sound reproduction, disposed to prolonged listening to music.

Conclusion

The headphones are pretty interesting. The model will undoubtedly find its admirers. And the use of frequency range control is a definite plus for those who like different music genres.

Modern electronic music lovers will prefer Warm mode, for rock music lovers – Balanced, for instrumental and jazz music lovers probably will prefer Balanced and Tight modes. In general, different variants are possible.

Today the price of Earsonics Velvet is $599 overseas and from 27,500 to 30,870 Dollars in America. Based on the exchange rate of the ruble, I think the price is quite humane.

Sound, design, rich equipment, price debatable for some

For fans of smooth monitor sound is unlikely to suit.