How does the Monk Lite SPC compare to the Monk+ SPC?
Before anything else, a disclaimer: the Monk Lite that I have was provided to me by Wild Lee (of Venture Electonics) for free. He visited the Philippines a few weeks ago and I was able to get the chance to meet him (along with other members of our local audio group from Manila and Cebu). No obligation was given to me to provide a review or to "hype up" these buds. I'm posting this short impression to merely answer the inquiries of several people asking for a comparo of Monk+ vs Monk Lite. The Monk+ SPC on the other hand was personally bought by myself several months ago.
How's the build?
The build and aesthetic of the Monk Lite will be very familiar for long time earbud lovers. They have the same housing/shell as with the Hisoundaudio HSA E-351 and Qian39. The cables are the same ones from the Monk+/SPC line.
How's the sound?
Here I'm comparing the sound of Monk+ SPC, Monk Lite SPC, and Qian39 (because of shell similarity). I'll try to be as concise as possible.
Monk Lite retains the midbass focus of it's sibling, Monk+. Subbass has little amount compared to Qian39's. Basically still a punchy and kicky bass output coming from the Lite.
The thicc mids on Qian39 is even more emphasized on this comparo, but more so it's narrow soundstage. Monk+ has the least congested mids between the three. The Lite sits in between the two, though it can sound a bit thinner, but also smoother. Mids on the Monk+ is more energetic.
Ample amounts of treble on the Lite, compared to the others. Monk+ sits somewhere neutral compared to the rolled-off treble on Qian39.
In short, Monk Lite SPC a brighter and thinner Monk+ SPC. Monk+ will still sound fuller and bigger, overall.
So it's not an upgrade?
No, it's not. It's only a sidegrade. The price of the basic Monk Lite is 1 dollar more than the basic Monk+. Don't expect an upgrade for a dollar.
Why should I buy it then?
Because of the small housing. If you want to listen to music when you sleep, these will be great "sleeping buds". The housing will fit very nicely on your ears and won't cause any painful stress even when lying on your side. The cables are strong enough (compared to Qian39's thin cables) so it should last longer, theoretically.
The Lite was basically produced by request of long time VE fans/clansmen. I think a poll was made a few months ago about it, I'm not sure what it was exactly. Lots of people use earbuds when sleeping/playing games on their beds because IEMs could get too painful, and the common mx500 housing was also just too big for sleeping. Hence, the Monk Lite.
If it's for sleeping why is there a 120ohms version then? Do people sleep with their amps too?
Well, I do know of some people who have specialized "bedtime setups" 😉. My take? because why settle and not take it even a step further? :) I didn't say that the Monk Lite was ONLY for sleeping. I can't comment on the sound of the 120 ohms version (or the non-spc version) since I haven't listened to them yet.
What about the Zen Lite?
That's for another post :)
Venture Electronics VE Monk Lite
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_...ceVo.eac_id=24
http://s.aliexpress.com/Zn2ayQVV