This is a short comparison between two in-ear monitors made with gaming in mind, the VR2000 even more so than the EM6L. The VR stand for virtual reality, and there’s three IEMs in the Final VR-series: VR500, VR2000, and VR3000. I have reviewed all three on before (see here).
They EM6L and VR2000 both have great imaging capabilities. The VR2000 has a non-detachable cable with a microphone, while the EM6L has a detachable cable without one. Both are light and comfortable, but the EM6L is definitely better when it comes to passive noise isolation.
My full reviews of both can be found here:
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
Below are some track-by-track listening impressions, using my desktop rig. With the VR2000 with I used both stock and the Spinfit CP100 tips, the EM6L has CP145 tips
New Life Baby Paris by Mala
This track has a challenging bass, and the VR2000 impresses with the low end which is great: deep, controlled, and not overly dominant. It’s a bit stronger with the CP100 tips. The soundstage size and imaging capabilities are impressive.
The EM6L is quite similar, a bit less crisp in the upper regions.
Jambi by Tool
Starting out with the VR2000, the most striking thing is the clean and tight sound. It feels very neutral, and the imaging is great. However, with the stock tips, I do miss some warmth, and there are some slight instances where sibilance is a bit apparent. With the CP100 tips, there’s a very slight addition of warmth and reduced treble brightness that makes the sound very nice and they are definitely preferable.
The EM6L sounds quite similar here.
Feel Like Making Live! by Bob James Trio
This album is recorded binaurally and is excellent for testing spatial capabilities as well as musical performance. It’s a great jazz album, and it sounds terrific on the VR2000. The soundstage and imaging capabilities are impressive.
The EM6L is similar, but the imaging is less precise, and the presentation is a bit more relaxed and pleasant.
The Golden Age by Beck
The guitar is very crisp and clear with the VR2000, almost too much so with the stock tips; the CP100 tips bring it slightly down. It’s also nice with a warmer-sounding amp. The treble can be a bit edgy if you turn up the volume, but it’s very clean. The vocals are also quite bright-sounding. The imaging is superb, the detail level is very high. The bass is excellent.
The EM6L is more laid-back, it’s still crisp but more musical, and the treble isn’t piercing. The imaging is less precise.
Lazarus by David Bowie
The bass is excellently tight and extended with the VR2000, but not very voluminous. The imaging is excellent, and the detail level is very high. The sound is neutral-to-bright and very tight, but not extremely punchy. There are good microdynamics, though.
The bass is more powerful and dynamic with the EM6L, and the drum is very punchy. Vocals are slightly warmer, and the treble isn’t as extremely crisp.
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
With the VR2000, the piano and guitar are very clear, the bass is polite, and the vocals are balanced but not very warm.
With the EM6L, there’s more warmth to the vocals; it’s not as intense sounding. The imaging is still good, but not as hyper precise.
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
The general presentation by the VR2000 is also here neutral-to-bright leaning, with a relatively polite bass presence but generally high detail level and good microdynamics. The treble is very clean, and the imaging is great.
The EM6L has a more relaxed rendering, with less intense treble and a slightly fuller sound.
Summer 3 – Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The VR2000 delivers a very three dimensional presentation. The soundstage is wide, there is excellent separation and positioning of instruments, and there’s impressive layering. The strings sound airy and precise.
The EM6L sounds much more laid back with more warmth and a more rounded feel. It’s not as scalpel-like in its precision, but has a more natural timbre.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The EM6L is tuned towards the Harman 2019 curve. The VR2000 has less bass, more polite mids, and more energetic highs.
Treble
VR2000 has a brighter treble. It’s very clean but can be a bit piercing. The more rounded EM6L feels better for music listening.
Midrange
The midrange is relatively similar, with the upper mids being slightly crisper with the VR2000.
Bass
The EM6L often has more bass presence and better punch (macro dynamics). Both are very tight, but the VR2000 more often than not is the tightest.
Soundstage and Imaging
They both have a very good sound stage and imaging capabilities, but the VR2000 is better, with scalpel-like precision.
Detail, Dynamics and Timbre
In terms of raw detail retrieval, I think the VR2000 is more impressive. It’s also got an edge in microdynamics, but the EM6L has a more punchy delivery and better macrodynamics. The trade-off the VR2000 makes with its ultra clarity is that the timbre feels less natural and organic, and there, the EM6L is better. How much difference it makes depends on the track.
CONCLUSION
With regards to gaming, I think both these earphones will do a very good job. When it comes to music listening, the VR2000 is brighter, tighter and crisper sounding and this might be a problem with certain tracks and for treble sensitive listeners or those who crave more bass.
Purchase links EM6L:
- Buy on Amazon: Simgot EM6L
- Buy on Linsoul: Simgot EM6L
Purchase links Final VR-series:
- Amazon: VR2000
- Amazon UK: VR500 , VR2000 , VR3000
- Amazon DE: VR500 / VR2000 / VR3000
Any purchase you make on Amazon or Linsoul with any of our affiliate links will give us a small provision at no cost to you.
We only get a provision for items that are not returned, so there’s no incentive for us to recommend something that’s not good.
Linsoul : Headphones, Earbuds, Wireless Earbuds, Desktop DAC/AMP, Portable DAC/AMP, Digital Audio Players,
Amazon: Headphones, IEMs, Headphone Amplifiers, Home Audio or Anything else.
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