Today, we review the VE PRO Custom In-Ear Monitors from Vision Ears. The CIEM version starts from €1.400 EUR incl. VAT.
Disclaimer: Vision Ears provided VE PRO at no cost for this review. We thank them for the opportunity. As always, the article reflects my unbiased opinion.
Vision Ears
Vision Ears is a popular, well-established company based in Cologne, Germany, dedicated to handcrafting high-end custom in-ear monitors.
Founded by Marcel Schoenen, a seasoned musician familiar with the demands of live monitoring, and Amin Karimpour, whose background centers around design and craftsmanship, Vision Ears was founded with the vision of delivering the highest quality sound and customer experience.
Since 2013, they’ve steadily built a strong reputation among professional musicians and audiophiles worldwide. Their philosophy, “Et hätt noch emmer joot jejange” (“Everything will be fine in the end”), reflects a culture of optimism, precision, and deep respect for music and its reproduction.
My Experience with Vision Ears
My first encounter with Vision Ears was in 2015 when I listened to the VE6X control. I was immediately impressed, not just with the tuning but also with the flawless shell quality and innovative switch technology.
Years later, I owned the VE7 and kept it in regular rotation for over three years, which speaks volumes, considering my usual appetite for change.
Vision Ears consistently delivers a sense of trust and peace of mind that is rare in this industry.
When using their products, you feel taken care of both in terms of build quality and after-sales, and that sense of reliability is something I value highly.
The VE PRO (& New Custom Line)
After more than twelve years of success with their custom line, Vision Ears is ushering in a new era.
Launching officially with 5 new models within May, the new line introduces new designs and updated models aimed at pushing performance even further.
The VE PRO is positioned as a mid-tier option above the VE ONE and below the VE PURE. It features a 4-driver hybrid configuration and a 4-way crossover, with a focus on balancing musicality and technical performance.
The driver layout is as follows: one dynamic driver for bass, one balanced armature driver for low mids, one balanced armature driver for mids/high mids, and one balanced armature driver for highs.
Unlike simpler designs, the four-way crossover VE engineers designed for the VE PRO lets them fine-tune each frequency range.
VE states that they achieved a fine-tuned response between balance and power, something that can be used for mastering and on-stage performance, as well as audiophile listening.
Based on Vision Ears’ past tunings, I had expected a fairly natural tonality, but this thing has an excellent kick and can get quite powerful, depending on the track.
After spending a few days with it, I must say that VE nailed the tuning of VE PRO, and in this article, we will cover why.
Packaging and Unboxing
The VE PRO arrives in a sleek black box with the silvery Vision Ears logo printed across the top, surrounded by a subtle dotted pattern that gives it a slight flair without being flashy.
The box feels hard and sturdy when picked up, immediately pinging my dopaminergic brain for what’s going to come.
Lifting the lid, the first thing I see is a large purple card welcoming me into the VE family. It has a short message printed both in German and English, explaining that these in-ears are handcrafted in Cologne with care.
Right above the card, embossed onto the inner side of the top lid, I noticed a nice catchphrase: “May the sound be with you.” As a Star Wars fan myself, I am, of course, sold.
Underneath the welcome card, the real contents start to show themselves. First, there’s the VE hard case, which looks quite roomy. Next to it, there is a small bottle of in-ear cleaner with VE branding.
It’s an ethyl-based cleaning solution, which is pretty effective when it comes to dissolving oil. The hard case has my name printed on it.
I can’t determine if the case is made of aluminum or plastic, but judging by the weight and feel, it seems like aluminum with a smooth paint finish. It feels slick to the touch but gives off a durable and weighty impression.
Opening the case, I find the VE PRO monitors coiled carefully inside a small, waterproof, and zippered carrying pouch along with the supplied cable.
Vision Ears made sure nothing rubs or scratches the CIEMs during shipping. Details like these show us the care companies put towards us and their products.
VE also includes a round silica gel inside the case, which is a thoughtful addition. The cable is their four-braid upgrade model, finished in “titan” color, feeling super-supple in the hand, and comes terminated with a 4.4mm balanced plug.
Inside the alu box, a mesh pocket holds the cleaning tool, instruction manual, and a VE-branded cleaning cloth. From start to finish, the unboxing feels straightforward and satisfying. It’s clear that the goal is to deliver a professional yet personal experience.
Order Process & Customization
Vision Ears handles everything through their online configurator. This applies to both custom and universal models.
You select the model first, then move through the customization options for the shell, faceplate, logo/artwork, cable, and accessories.
For the shell, you can go full clear or pick from about twenty different color options. It’s easy to visualize how the IEMs would look because the configurator updates the preview render instantly as you make changes.
VE’s faceplate section offers one of the widest range of options I have seen among CIEM manufacturers. VE offers different material categories like wood, carbon fiber, marble textures, swirl patterns, and mirror finishes.
Some designs cost extra, but the pricing is visible upfront, so you know what you’re getting into. It feels like you can go pretty wild here if you want to, like I did with different designs on each side.
Artwork is optional. You can leave the faceplates clean, choose a Vision Ears logo in different finishes like silver or gold, or upload your own custom logo if you want something unique.
I personally went for a clean look with the silver VE logos to keep the overall appearance timeless.
Once you finalize the design, you move to the checkout stage. After placing the order, you get an automatic confirmation email along with a PDF that explains the next steps.
The process is simple: you need to visit a local audiologist and get your ear impressions done according to their guidelines. After sending the impressions to Vision Ears, they send a payment request later in the process.
The required production time is dynamic, so it’s best to write to them. They’re super friendly and fun to talk to. It is estimated to be between three and four weeks, depending on the workload and the model you choose.
Overall, the ordering process feels easy-breezy, and thanks to the ton of customization options, you can get pretty creative. I recommend checking their Instagram and Facebook pages, where they post finished CIEMs and UIEMs.
The review continues on the next page. Click here or use the jump below.
Page 1: Vision Ears, My Experience with VE, New Custom Line, VE PRO, Ordering Process & Customization, Packaging & Accessories,
Page 2: Design, Build Quality & Fit, Sound Impressions, Low, Mid, High, Technical Capability, Comparisons, Last Words
