REVIEW: Venture Electronics (VE) Monk Lite - Standard &
SPC Editions
An introduction to Venture Electronics (or VE) is not really
necessary at this point of time. A small company that started out with a couple
of earbuds in the very simple design but offered a high sound quality for the
price, and brought one of the bang-for-buck items, the original Monk earbud.
Later on, replaced with the Plus and 2.0 version keeping the same great value with
a few changes in the design and tweaks to a better sound. Now they released the
new ‘Lite’ line with the most obvious changes over the too generic design into
a more compact and ergonomic form factor, but also with a few differences in
the overall sound presentation. Nonetheless, the value is still great!
Website: Venture Electronics
Specifications
Price starts from U$D 6 for the Standard version and from $
30 for the SPC version. Below is a copy of the different available options
found on the Monk Lite product page.
While the Monk Standard arrives in a simple plastic bag with
some pairs of foams, the SPC is well arranged inside a box and a nice carrying
case and extra foam sets.
The earpieces on these Lite versions are made of solid
plastic material with metal grills at the inner part. On the outer part there
some vents that have some effect on the sound presentation. As the ‘Lite’ tag
may suggest, the design is smaller and slimmer than the previous models which
had a more generic housing. Personally I didn’t had any serious issues with
those, but they were a bit large; good for larger ears but for medium and below
the fit was not best. These Lite are not also more compact but also boost some
better ergonomic fit.
As for the cable it depends on the version. The Standard Monk
Lite uses a similar (if not the same) cable as the Monk Plus which has some
memory effect right out of the box but fades away after some days. It doesn’t
tangle easily and is comfortable enough for what you could expect at a lower
$10 earphone. On the other hand, the SPC Monk has a better cable material,
smoother to the touch and just a bit more pliable; both have a rubbery outer
coating. There is also an added cable slider on all the Lite cables which was
missing on the previous models.
For the sound quality impressions, they both been driven out
of the Aune M1s, Hidizs AP200, PAW Pico, xDuoo Nano D3 as DAPs, and for amp and
DAC the XD-05, DragonFly Red, Headamp Pico Slim. All of these are capable to
drive the Monk SPC with 120ohm to a more than needed level with good sense of
dynamics. Note that the SPC here is the balanced 2.5mm version which was also
tested with the Aune M1s balanced output.
Overall, both Standard and SPC models are rather similar in
the signature and take a bit different presentation than the Monk PLUS or other
VE earbuds. The two Monk Lite still have some differences to each other, but
it’s more about the refinement, coherence and tonality of the sound. It’s also
worth noting that the foam pads have an important effect, mainly boosting the
bass region and smoothing the treble with a bit thicker, more laid back
midrange. Surprisingly, I preferred the thin full foams with the Standard while
the donut type foam or no foam with the SPC.
The sound is not necessarily balanced but has good amount of
each frequency. If the original Monk was more mid-bass and midrange focused
with a more laid back treble and the Monk Plus more lively and extended, then
the Lite is a bit of a mix of that. The bass has good presence, a bit more
forward, mainly on the mid-bass than the sub-bass region, strong punch (especially
with the foams on), and good texture and with a fair level of dynamics. Not too
fast but has the control and doesn’t affect the lower midrange, rather gives it
a warmer/richer tone. Mids aren’t particularly forward but not recessed either.
They have nice texture and sweet quality for female vocals, if just a bit dry
overall. On the Standard, the foams works much better for a smoother midrange
even at the expense of losing some sense of air, but gives more musicality. The
SPC works better without foams (or less foam, like the donut foams), sounding
more resolving and still forgiving on the upper mids (whereas the Standard
loses in control and can be harsher). The treble is a tad elevated, not bright
but has enough presence not to sound dull or off; less energy than the highs on
the Plus, though rarely missing. The focus is more on the lower treble so upper
treble is less obvious.
In a closer A/B comparison (with a 3.5mm adapter on the SPC),
the SPC Lite shows better bass quality (if a bit less quantity), tighter and
cleaner towards the lower midrange. The midrange is more open and clear with a
more natural tonality. The treble is much better controlled and less sibilant
even w/o foams. Not real gain in dynamics, but more resolving and can perform better
with a stronger source or a little extra amplification. I cannot point out
whether it’s the wire material or the higher impedance what makes the
difference, but regardless it is a better sound earbud.
All in all, the two VE Monk Lite earbuds continue the same good
value and nice sound quality for their affordable price tag. The Monk Plus with
a more v-shaped signature may be more balanced and all-rounder matching a wider
range of music genres, while the Lite are more suited for a bit more warmer
sound or vocal centered music. Sonically, they’re not meant to be an upgrade
over the Plus model, but an alternative for a different presentation. The main
improvement is on the design which will probably suit for more buyers thanks to
the better thought and compact shape. And nonetheless, a nice addition to the
VE Clan.