EarAcoustic VSA-MAX VS Aful Explorer

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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EarAcoustic VSA-MAX and Aful Explorer are in-ear monitors. EarAcoustic VSA-MAX costs $149 while Aful Explorer costs $120. EarAcoustic VSA-MAX is $29 more expensive. Aful Explorer holds a decisive 1.3-point edge in reviewer scores (5.8 vs 7.1). Aful Explorer has significantly better mids with a 1.2-point edge, Aful Explorer has significantly better treble with a 3.8-point edge and Aful Explorer has significantly better soundstage with a 2-point edge.

Insights

Metric EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Aful Explorer
Bass 5.8 6.5
Mids 5 6.2
Treble 3 6.8
Details 5.8 6.5
Soundstage 5 7
Imaging 5.8 6.5
Dynamics 7 7
Gaming capabilities 3.5 6.7

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Aggregated Review Score

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

5.8

Mixed


Aful Explorer Aggregated Review Score

Aful Explorer Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Jays Audio Gizaudio Axel Shuwa-T
Jaytiss
Z-Reviews Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

7.1

Generally Favorable


EarAcoustic VSA-MAX User Review Score

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Aful Explorer User Review Score

Aful Explorer Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

3.5

Gaming Grade

D+

Aful Explorer Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.7

Gaming Grade

B+

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.

Average Technical Grade

D
  • Limited resolution; finer nuances are masked. Soundstage feels narrow, and complex passages cause muddiness. Transitions lack finesse.
Mids C+
Decent midrange performance - balanced but unremarkable. Adequate clarity for most genres without notable flaws.
Treble D
Uneven treble response with noticeable peaks and dips. Can sound both dull and occasionally harsh simultaneously.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage C+
Decent spatial presentation with noticeable width. Some depth perception but height dimension remains underdeveloped.
Gaming D+
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency.

Aful Explorer Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass B+
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble B+
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging B+
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Reviews

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX reviewed by:

2025-07-20
Jaytiss 5.8 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
D Tech
Warm fun set, but Has a lot of upper trebble for me to love.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: C+ Treble: D Dynamics: A- Soundstage: C+

Aful Explorer Reviews

Aful Explorer reviewed by:

Z-Reviews 8.5 * score normalized
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Price: $119

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Aful Explorer reviewed by:

Super* Review 8* * score normalized
Relaxed upper mid-range. Vocals sound a little bit more forward than instruments. Smooth treble performance.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review

Aful Explorer reviewed by:

Smirk Audio 6.8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Details: B+ Imaging: B+

Aful Explorer reviewed by:

Jays Audio 6 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
B+ Tech
High volume set, very immersive, scales great with no sharpness, wide staging, enough detail/extension, good bass, just crank it up and enjoy the music.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Aful Explorer reviewed by:

Jaytiss 7.6 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
The mids still upset me, but it sounds magical.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: C+ Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A

Aful Explorer reviewed by:

Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Perfect for rock and metal. Smooth, relaxing tuning, great bass with good slam, rich mid-range, safe treble. Upper mids may be too relaxed for some, treble is a bit dark.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel

Aful Explorer reviewed by:

Shuwa-T 6.4 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: B Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Soundstage: B+ Details: B+ Imaging: B+
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Price: $107.99

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EarAcoustic VSA-MAX User Reviews

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Aful Explorer User Reviews

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