VE Vanguard

VE Vanguard - A promised finally fulfilled

Venture Electronics (sold as VECLAN) have a reputation as one of those companies that consistently puts the engineering front and center and it shows with the ‘Unabridge’ (UA) Vanguard. That approach has produced some cult favorites over the years, and when I spotted an early frequency response for the Vanguard that looked extremely promising, I reached out to see if I could review a unit. VE not only obliged, they also sent me a few other products to show off a little more of that engineering centric approach to audio.

The UA Vanguard is currently on Aliexpress for about $109.99, but the real bargain in my view is buying the UA Vanguard via Veclan’s product page above, and either pairing it with VE’s very nice and powerful 4.4 mm Devastor usb-c dongle for $99 bundled, or alternatively bundling the Vanguard with the excellent ‘Monk Cable Plus’ 4.4mm balanced cable also for $99.

Both of these bundles are great value for money, especially as I will hopefully show in this review why I think this headphone is a promised fulfilled as far as midrange tonality goes.

The Promise of the Vanguard

I’ve spent the past month with the Vanguard and enjoyed the experience. In short: I like almost everything about the sound. It’s deliberately in the HD600/HD650 vein — and I mean that in the best possible way. Where other headphones on a similar frame (e.g., Shure SRH1540 family lineage and the Thieaudio Ghost) didn’t quite land for me, the Vanguard does.

Like the HD600, you won’t get real sub‑bass reach or a big soundstage, but you do get excellent midrange clarity and well-judged treble. My only niggles at this price are around comfort and the flexibility of the frame (a similar gripe I had with the Thieaudio Ghost). The difference here is I didn’t feel compelled to pad‑swap — the stock tuning is rock solid.

At this point I feel the Vanguard is the tonality king for less than $100, so really is the ‘pragmatic’ promise fulfilled. With the Monk‑Cable‑Plus or the simple Devastor dongle, it becomes a ridiculously good package; frankly, one of the best deals in audio right now if what you value most is a natural, HD600‑like midrange with sensible treble.

But before we get to all that, here’s the unboxing:

Unboxing and Box Contents

The Vanguard arrives in straightforward packaging with no branding or labels:

Inside are the headphones packaged securely and whatever your order was:

Here you can see how the Vanguard is protected inside the packaging:

I got Monk Cable Plus and the Devastor dongle as well as the VE Megatron:

Standard cable: works fine and is functional:

Connectors and splitter details for the stock cable:

Monk Cable Plus

Note: This cable deserves its own review!!

So while I didn’t really use the stock cable this was mainly because I loved the optional Monk Cable Plus, that is one of the optional extra’s when you buy VE Vanguard.

It is extremely well-made, and I would put it against the best cables in my collection with no microphonics and a nice weight, flexibility, and very decent connectors:

So I don’t believe that cables make a difference to the sound quality (unless you have a broken cable) but having a nice feeling quality cable does make a difference to how you enjoy your music. And I really like this Monk Cable Plus, so much so that it similar in feel and quality to this $50 ZMF cable that is typically my goto 4.4mm balanced headphone cable:

Further shots of the Vanguard with an upgraded cable:

And a quick side‑by‑side of the Monk Cable Plus and a ZMF cable:

So, While I have also just reviewed the other bundle option the Devastor I actually feel getting this cable and the Vanguard for $99 is probably the better of the 2 options.

Anyway, back to the Vanguard.

Build Quality and Design

The Vanguard uses a familiar lightweight frame with rotating yokes that will look recognizable to anyone who’s handled similar budget dynamics. The materials are utilitarian rather than luxurious, but the assembly is clean and feels solid enough for daily use. Double 3.5 mm earcup connectors make cable swaps simple and straightforward, which is a practical touch at this price point. The overall finish prioritizes function over flair—there’s no pretense here, just honest engineering focused on delivering sound quality first.

Here are the dual 3.5 mm earcup connectors that make cable swaps easy:

Fit and Comfort

Overall comfort is decent, with a few caveats. The velour earpads are the star here: breathable, gentle on the skin, and comfortable for long sessions. The headband padding is simple but gets the job done, and the extension mechanism offers a reasonable range with positive steps that hold their place. Where the Vanguard is a touch behind some competitors is in how flexibly it positions on your head; the frame doesn’t have quite the same freedom of movement or auto‑adjustment some other designs manage, so it can take an extra moment to find the sweet spot. Once set, though, clamp and weight are both manageable for extended listening.

Here are detailed shots of the headband extension, padding, and ear pads:

A quick note on fit: the extension mechanism and headband design are perfectly fine for longer sessions, but the overall frame isn’t quite as forgiving in angle/positioning as the most flexible headbands out there. If you’ve used the HD600‑family, this will feel familiar: once you dial it in, it stays put and you can listen for hours without hot spots.

For pad context, these are similar in style to the Thieaudio Ghost’s cushions:

Features and Everyday Use

The Vanguard employs an open‑back dynamic‑driver design that follows the classic formula for midrange transparency and natural tonality. Its 300‑ohm impedance means it benefits from a capable source—portable dongles can get it loud enough, but a modest desktop amp or the VE Devastor adapter improves control and dynamics noticeably.

The detachable dual 3.5 mm cable system makes upgrades and swaps easy, and I particularly enjoyed using VE’s own Monk Cable Plus for its excellent build quality and flexibility.

The Vanguard also plays nicely with EQ if you want to tailor the balance further. As an experiment more with the Luxsin X9, I even tried an HD600 EQ profile with good results, which speaks to how closely the Vanguard tracks that target tonality:

Sound Impressions

Overall, the Vanguard lands very close to a well‑behaved HD600/HD650 target: superb midrange presence, controlled upper mid/treble, and a natural tone that works across genres—with the classic trade‑offs. This is deliberate, thoughtful tuning that prioritizes vocal clarity and acoustic instrument timbre over bass extension or soundstage drama.

Bass

The Vanguard’s bass response follows the HD600 playbook closely—mid‑bass is tight, articulate, and well‑controlled, while sub‑bass rolls off gently as expected from an open‑back dynamic at this price. This isn’t a headphone for bassheads or anyone chasing deep rumble in electronic music or film scores. The mid‑bass has enough presence to provide foundation and rhythm without bloat or overhang, keeping bass guitars and kick drums clean and easy to follow in the mix. The roll‑off means you lose some of the deepest extension and physical impact, but what remains is honest and well‑damped.

On tracks like Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” or Hans Zimmer’s “Why So Serious?”, you won’t feel the deepest rumble or sub‑bass pressure that defines those productions. The bass lines remain clear and articulate, but the visceral low‑end weight is absent. This is a known trade‑off for the HD600‑style tuning, and it’s perfectly acceptable if you value midrange transparency over bass slam. If you do want more low‑end presence, the Vanguard responds reasonably well to modest EQ, though distortion measurements suggest there’s a practical ceiling on how much sub‑bass boost you can add before artifacts creep in.

Midrange

The midrange is the star of the show and the primary reason to choose the Vanguard. Vocals sit forward in the mix without glare or shout, delivering a clear, lifelike presentation that makes acoustic music, singer‑songwriter material, and vocal‑centric genres shine. Male and female vocals alike come through with convincing timbre and natural texture, occupying a prominent but never aggressive position in the soundstage. Guitars, pianos, and other midrange instruments have appropriate body and resonance without excess warmth or coloration—everything feels balanced and honest.

On Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” the Vanguard’s midrange prowess is immediately apparent. Jones’ voice feels intimate and clear, capturing the delicate phrasing and subtle breath work that makes the recording so engaging. Stevie Nicks’ vocals on “Dreams” are similarly lifelike, with the guitar and rhythm section sitting naturally in the background without competing for attention. This is exactly the kind of midrange transparency and tonal correctness that made the HD600 a studio reference for decades, and the Vanguard captures it remarkably well at a fraction of the cost.

Treble

The treble region is smooth, sensible, and prioritizes long‑term listenability over analytical sparkle or air. Cymbals, hi‑hats, and high‑frequency transients are present and well‑defined without splashiness, sibilance, or harshness. Extension is adequate rather than exceptional—you’re not getting the airy, extended top end of a flagship planar, but you’re also not dealing with any treble peaks or fatigue‑inducing brightness. This makes the Vanguard exceptionally easy to listen to for hours on end, even with brighter or leaner recordings that can sound harsh on more aggressive tunings.

On Daft Punk’s “Giorgio by Moroder” and Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place,” the treble presentation remains controlled and musical. The layered synthesizers and busy high‑frequency content in “Giorgio” stay crisp and detailed without ever crossing into glare or fatigue, while the electronic textures in “Everything In Its Right Place” are rendered clearly without emphasis or exaggeration. The Vanguard’s treble balance prioritizes balance and naturalness over sparkle, which is exactly the right choice for this type of midrange‑focused tuning.

Soundstage and imaging

True to its HD6XX lineage, the Vanguard offers an intimate soundstage with a strong center image and the sometimes‑discussed “three‑blob” perception on certain recordings. This isn’t a headphone that excels at creating a wide, expansive soundstage or delivering the kind of spatial drama you’d get from something like a HiFiMan Edition XS or other planar alternatives. Instead, the presentation is focused and coherent, with vocals and lead instruments anchored firmly in the center and supporting elements arranged in a relatively close, controlled space around them.

Layering is tidy even if the stage isn’t expansive—complex mixes remain easy to parse, and instrument separation is clear enough to follow individual lines without confusion. For acoustic music, jazz, and vocal‑focused material, this intimate presentation actually works quite well, bringing a sense of closeness and directness to the performance. For orchestral music, live recordings, or genres that benefit from a wider, more spacious presentation, you’ll want to keep a second headphone around—exactly as many HD6XX owners do.

Overall character

If you value clarity in vocals, acoustic instruments, and a balanced tonality that doesn’t bite, the Vanguard is excellent. If you want cinematic sub‑bass or a big, airy stage, keep a second headphone around for that—exactly as many HD6XX owners do. The Vanguard delivers the essence of the HD6XX signature at a lower cost, and it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys that sound style.

Comparisons

The Vanguard sits in a very particular space. It uses a frame that will look familiar if you’ve handled the Thieaudio Ghost or the Shure models often pictured in VE’s marketing, but where those fell short of HD600‑level midrange tonality, the Vanguard delivers.

I took side‑by‑side photos to illustrate the shared DNA but it does have a different tuning:

Here with the HD600 and Ghost with the Vanguard:

Specifications and Measurements

Measurements

I measured the Vanguard on a GRAS‑style coupler with a fresh calibration file. Multiple reseats were averaged, and plots are shown with typical 1/12‑octave smoothing around a 94 dB SPL reference to keep things readable. The story these graphs tell matches what I hear: HD600‑like midrange right out of the box, sensible treble, and the usual open‑dynamic roll‑off down low.

The Vanguard’s goal is obvious: chase that HD600 midrange truth while remaining a budget, modern take:

Against the HD600, the Vanguard’s midband presence and upper‑mid balance are on the money. That’s why vocals and acoustic instruments come across so naturally. Treble lands smooth rather than spicy, prioritizing long‑term listenability over etched brilliance.

Adding the Thieaudio ghost:

The Ghost would need lots of EQ to get to that classic HD600 midrange; the Vanguard doesn’t.

Distortion

Distortion especially in the subbas region is ok but relatively high:

Distortion is benign across the band for normal listening levels. Bass distortion lifts as frequency and excursion drop, which is par for the course on open dynamics at this price. It’s not audible in stock form, but it does set a ceiling on how far you can push an aggressive sub‑bass shelf with EQ before artefacts creep in. Keep boosts modest and it holds together nicely.

And shown as a percentage here is the distortion:

The waterfall/decay plot is tidy:

There’s no lingering hash in the upper mids and lower treble, which tracks with the clean, unpeaky presentation. Decay times are short enough to keep transients crisp without sounding dry.

Excess group delay is well‑controlled through the mids where our ears are most sensitive:

You do see the expected rise toward the low end; that’s typical and, in practice, inaudible unless you attempt very large sub‑bass boosts.

Rating

• Pragmatic rating (5/5): Strong tuning at an accessible price, simple accessories, and easy drivability with the right source make this a standout in its bracket.
• Price rating (5/5): Very competitive pricing, especially when bundled with VE’s Devastor or Monk Cable Plus cable.
• Features rating (4/5): Straightforward design with detachable cables and good pad comfort; no frills, just the bits that matter.
• Measurement rating (4/5): FR aligns with the HD600‑style goal, distortion is mostly well‑behaved, decay is clean, and timing looks orderly - all good.

This headphone is really for those who enjoy the HD600/HD650 signature midrange but want a cost‑effective alternative. Which is another way of saying that people who prioritize vocals, acoustic music, and balanced tonality over sub‑bass slam or huge stage will really appreciate this headphone.

Conclusion

The VE Vanguard is a refreshing, engineering‑first take on a proven tuning. It doesn’t try to win you over with fancy materials or presentation; it focuses on getting the core sound right.

If you want the HD6XX flavor without the HD6XX price, this is one of the easiest recommendations I can make right now.

Pair it with a capable source (the VE Devastor is a nice match but most desktop amplifiers will have the power to drive the Vanguard), and you have a reliable, enjoyable setup that simply does the job day in, day out.

I feel this is a great headphone to add to your collection so a big recommendation from me, especially in a bundle with the Monk Cable Plus.