u/Norville84

Farm - Farm

Why so little talk or mention of this 70s gem? I prefer them to many of the heavy hitters of 70s prog. I think this is peak 1971, bluesy, folky prog.

I reviewed these, Vision Ears Go live! some time ago. They have grown on me immensely over the last few weeks. Give them a clean class A source and it's pure bliss. Worth the 429 euro price tag. I am going to buy them to keep for myself.

Disclaimer: The self written text has been translated from swedish to english by AI and the picture has been edited slightly with AI.

## European IEMs Beating ChiFi? Testing the Vision Ears Go live!

**Vision Ears Go live!**

These are hybrid IEMs from Germany, currently priced at €429. They can be purchased directly from Vision Ears or via the Swedish retailer Ark Audio. I have borrowed a pair for a month from the retailer for this review. I have received no compensation from either the manufacturer or the retailer; the units will be returned to the retailer after the test.

**About Vision Ears**

Based in Cologne, Germany, they have existed in their current form since 2013. They are known for designing and building in-ear monitors for artists and music lovers alike. Their Custom and Premium-line IEMs are handmade in Germany. While they have found success among audiophiles with the Phönix and EXT Mk2, they recently launched a more affordable product line called the Go-series. The Go live! is the first model in this series.

**About Me**

I am a 41-year-old music enthusiast from Sweden. I write consumer tech reviews for Prisjakt, focusing on headphones and speakers. HiFi is my primary hobby; I founded the largest Swedish Facebook group dedicated to Headphone HiFi, as well as a subreddit of the same name: *HiFi och Hörlurar*. I generally prefer neutral headphones with warmth and a slight bass boost.

**Design and Comfort**

These IEMs feel high-quality due to their solid aluminum construction. They are lightweight and come with a high-quality, non-microphonic cable. While they sit well in the ears, they aren't the most comfortable I’ve tested because the nozzle is quite large and wide, making it feel as though much of the weight rests there. However, I can listen for 2 hours without discomfort. The seal is excellent, providing significant isolation. Personally, I am a fan of the purple and black color scheme; they look modern without being tacky—a tasteful, industrial design.

**Driver Configuration**

The earphones are hybrids featuring 1 DD (Dynamic Driver) for bass and 3 BA (Balanced Armature) drivers for the rest of the frequency spectrum.

**Accessories**

The package includes a variety of high-quality accessories: 3 pairs of Spinfit tips (seemingly custom-designed for Vision Ears), two soft storage pouches, a cleaning cloth, a soft carrying case, and 4 mesh filters. The included cable is very flexible and can be terminated with either a 3.5mm or 4.4mm plug.

**General Sound Impressions**

These IEMs feel exceptionally well-balanced and suit all genres. I found them particularly enjoyable for metal, as they lack excessive focus on the upper mids or treble and provide a dry but impactful bass. I would describe the sound as neutral with a slight bass boost. While not strictly V-shaped, they could perhaps be called "mildly V-shaped." This is a sound signature I enjoy, and few IEMs in this price range achieve such a great balance between registers. They can definitely compete with Asian rivals in the same price bracket; I prefer them over the ZiiGaat Odyssey and Aür Audio Aurora.

**Bass**

The bass is tactile and slightly dry without being exaggerated. It lacks massive physicality but feels well-defined and comes through satisfyingly in electronic music and R'n'B. It is a quick and "snappy" bass that works well for me, though those requiring heavy sub-bass might be disappointed.

**Midrange**

The midrange is well-defined and enjoyable thanks to the tuned balance. Hope Sandoval’s velvety voice (Mazzy Star) is a highlight; it feels effortless and light as a feather without getting lost in the mix. Male vocals, such as Leonard Cohen’s, retain their weight and warmth. Guitars, strings, and brass instruments have a natural timbre.

**Treble**

The treble feels airy and well-defined. Nothing is missing, though in certain tracks, hi-hats and cymbals can sound slightly shrill. This is track-dependent and not a general issue.

**Technicalities**

The earphones can sometimes feel a bit intimate, yet they possess what could be described as a medium-sized soundstage. This intimacy is most apparent in vocal recordings where the singer's voice is forward. However, in music with a broader soundstage, they reproduce it well. Detail levels are good, but these are not "hyper-detailed" monitors that cause fatigue. They feel well-tuned in this regard. Sound positioning is not their strongest suit; while the layers of the music come through, the individual instrument separation is not fantastic.

**Comparisons**

* **Vs ZiiGaat Odyssey:

** These are tuned according to JM-1/New Meta and are highly regarded, but I think the Go live! sounds better. They are more expensive, but not so much that the comparison is invalid. While the Odyssey has a good balance, the Go live! is even better, feeling more energetic and fun. The Odyssey has more bass but can occasionally feel a bit dull, which the Go live! never does.

* **Vs Aür Audio Aurora:** A long-time favorite of mine and previously my top pick around €400. Competition here is stiff. Both offer high audio quality, but the Go live! eventually wins out because the tuning feels more refined, balanced, and lively. However, the Aurora is significantly better regarding bass. There is no clear-cut winner, but if forced to choose, the Go live! takes the lead.

**Summary**

Vision Ears has created a product that holds its own against ChiFi, and I can definitely recommend these to anyone wanting to "buy European"—something that pleases me as a European myself. I offer a slight caveat regarding the comfort, which isn't class-leading, and the instrument separation, which isn't the best in its price class. Nevertheless, they earn a high rating of **4/5**.