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Im sure you've already seen the onslaught of promotional ads on this, however in this product review, I'll be sharing my personal thoughts on the Steven Slate VSX headphones by Steven Slate Audio. The idea of headphone emulations are certainly not new, but in 2023 we've come a long way in emulating some of the best studio rooms in the world. Most of all this negates the need for you to have a professionally treated room to pump out a well balanced translatable mix.
First Impressions
Initially, when I first heard of the VSX system, it's safe to say I was very hesitant to even spend time looking into it. I thought "Great, another unrealistic emulation". Time went on and like many of you, I kept seeing all the promotional content for it which further made me think it wasn't worth looking into.
I got to a place where I was really battling with a room and getting of trying to compensate for the resonant buildups, and bass congestion that was occurring in my room. I finally decided to cave in and look into VSX after seeing it went on sale for the Holidays.
After installing it, I immediately listened to some of my current work and I was severely disappointed with the results. I took to Facebook Groups to complain about how much I was dissatisfied with them, and to my surprise Mr Steven Slate himself jumped in and immediately started to help me get the best results with them.
Another point of interest worth mentioning is the User Interface (UI). I think they did a really good job making it visually appealing and true to the studios they modeled. % savable preset slots to save your favorite rooms so you can quickly cycle between them. Then you have your ear profile settings, input gain, output gain, and depth. Very simple and easy to use.
How to get the most of out of your VSX experience.
As instructed by Steven Slate, the best thing to do upon receiving your headphones is start listening to some of your favorite reference songs in different rooms so you can start understanding the dynamic differences between the rooms and to get an idea of how songs translate between rooms. I would recommend listening to the reference mixed 24-48 hours before working on any material.
My initial testing, only included 3 rooms but once I felt comfortable with hearing the reference mixes, I jumped head first into a project I was working on and completed a rough mix using the VSX system alternating between each room while making adjustments. In the end, I got the mix to sound good in each room I was using.
Main Takeaway
I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed with their performance. These headphones are specially designed for mixing and mastering, and they deliver exceptional accuracy and clarity, making them an invaluable tool for any audio professional.
One of the standout features of the VSX headphones is their unique software plugin that emulates different listening environments, allowing you to hear how your mix will sound in different spaces. This feature is incredibly useful, as it enables you to fine-tune your mix to sound great on any device or system.
The VSX headphones deliver an incredibly flat frequency response, which is critical for accurate monitoring. The bass response is tight and controlled, without being overpowering, and the midrange is clear and detailed. The highs are crisp and present without being harsh, and I can easily hear nuances and details in my mixes that I might miss with other headphones.
The build quality of the VSX headphones is top-notch, with sturdy construction and comfortable ear cups that provide excellent isolation. They feel solid and well-built, and I can wear them for hours without any discomfort.
Pros and Cons
The Steven Slate VSX headphones has its pros and cons just like anything else. Ill share a few points I consider to be pro's and cons to the system.
Pros
Customer Service:
As mentioned, earlier in the blog. Steven Slate himself addressed my inquiries directly in a non related Facebook group, so I'd say customer service is top tier at Steven Slate Audio.
Final result:
The final result is a consistent balanced mix that seems to translate well when used properly.
Acoustic Treatment:
You don't need a treated room: Since you are mixing on headphones you don't have to have a well treated room to deliver a great mix.
Cons
Price: This system will set you back upwards of $500 which will give you a limited amount of rooms and the VSX headphones. I scored a pair for $300 due to a Holiday sale. I do believe they have a promotion where you can make 4 interest free payments. (Pay as you go).
My Final Thoughts
After spending a good amount of time with the Steven Slate Audio VSX headphones I can certainly say that they have far exceeded my expectations and they do exactly what they set out to do, which is help your mixes translate. This makes mixing more attainable for the average person who cannot afford to go to commercial studios with well treated rooms, or spend a ton of money, time, and frustration treating their home studios. They have earned their place in my personal studio and I'm sure they will earn their place in your as well. The software plugin is a game-changer, and the sound quality and build are outstanding. While they may be more expensive than some other headphones on the market, the investment is well worth it for the accuracy and flexibility they provide. For more information on these headphones, please visit Steven Slate Audio's website.
Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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