I really appreciate the raw and honest review! been thinkin bout these for a week or so and I think you convinced me to pull the trigger!

You know I was waiting for this! Mine are on preorder should be receiving them soon thanks man!

Thanks for doing this follow up review it very relevant and informative.🎉🎉🎉

Thanks John, great long term review...

if i eq with them should i use the flat response or do i eq with one of the rooms emulated i’m also assuming these aren’t gonna replace my yamahas when i cook up at least right ?

Just bought these for Black Friday looking forward to trying them out.

thanks for the review! Side note, im kind of floored by so many comments ive come across where people extensively, and sometimes exclusively talk about the headphones alone. Ive even read a LOT of reviews from users talking about not even using the modeling software. thats kind of whack. The ONLY purpose for these headphones are to be used as a reference SOLEY for the modeling software. Even stranger is the comments about people using their monitors with the software. its kinda sad some people dont get it. Its like the slate modeling microphone. its tuned to work with the software. by itself its just a mediocre mic. These headphones are above average headphones with a flat response, not anything special. the "special" part comes from the "handshake" with the software.

For sure there will be rival companies coming out with their own version of this idea in the future - if not already - then it will be a competition between who has the best room and flat headphones that can reproduce the closest emulation... But honestly, for a proper first attempt at this concept. I don't think they could have hit closer to the mark than these. They REALLY do work for getting professional mixes. No doubt. If you know what you're doing, you can no longer blame your monitors or playback system if you're wearing a pair of these. It levels the playing field. It's a real shame about the build quality as many people have had issues - myself included. And I have a special soft stand for mine - so they go from my head, to a soft stand. They literally couldn't be more looked after... As the centerpiece for my entire studio, its kinda important that they get premium treatment, care and attention. And the headband still cracked... I just hope that the actual drivers are as revolutionary as they claim them to be. Well, the proof is in the mixes, and they are great! So.. I've heard a lot of really great advice from the VSX community. Apparently the rooms that you hate the most - try mixing in them for a couple of days - if you can get it sounding good in rooms you don't like, it's supposed to make your mixes translate better everywhere. As you say - each to their own - it's a very personal product and there are many different ways you could use it it to improve your mixing skills. I don't think I'd be able to handle the Weinberg studio for very long - it is SUPER weird. I assume Howie set it up like that to hear certain top and low end details that need focus while mastering, but I just don't understand it! I hope he does a tutorial video on how to actually understand and use that room. Even when A/Bing mine and a professional mixe, it shows up all kinds of weird detail you never knew was there - but isn't necessarily pleasant to listen to. I dunno.. totally weird. I personally hate the earpods - but I guess its always extremely important to check your mix on them because that's likely to be the majority of where most music is listened to. As much as I want all my fans to only listen to my music on £100,000 audiophile home set ups.. it's not very likely, is it! So getting it translating in as many locations as possible is the secret to a good mix. Absolutely LOVE the Auratone (or... horrortone as its known in the biz!) Mixing mono and getting separation of instruments in absolutely amazing way of getting that clarity. So, when I was first using version 1.0 of the VSX software, I lived inside the Archon studio. Beliving it sounded the best... but that was also the problem. It did "sound" the best, Great in fact. So my my mixes were falling short of detail and punch and balance because it already made everything sound fat and warm - it has a ridiculous very analogue gluing effect in there, in my opinion. My new favourite is Stevens Mix Room (worth the price of the headphones and software just by itself) because its so clinical and clean, huge detail with enormous bass extension (it models the Barefoot Micromain 27 - which has TWO 10 inch woofers PER speaker!) If you get great separation on your instruments in that room, then it will sound glued together in all rooms and systems. The separation and imaging on thoses peakers is why they cost £10,000 a pair! They were going to be my next upgrade after I retired my K&H 0300s (my 5th set of monitors that I upgraded to after slowly progressing through many others - I started cheap 20 years ago and I'm glad I worked my way up slowly rather than just jumping in with the most expensive ever - it really made me appreciate what you get at each price point, what details are revealed and how to mix on different systems. The pair that I feel I didn't get to spent enough real time with was a pair of Adam P33A's. Technically, they were impressive with beautiful central tweeters and dual woofers per speaker - however, I jumped to those before I treated my room sufficiently and - the result of that was that they were too powerful with too much low bass extension than my room could handle and all my mixes were totally unbalanced. Goes to show - I wasted thousands on great monitors because I didn't spend a far smaller amount getting my room set up properly. Anyway, I eventually sold them and went for the O300's and a treated room. They've served me well for over 10 years. But since Covid, I was forced to leave the studio and work from home - hence the Slate VSX. Now I'm used to them and understand them, they're a joy to use. Although, they do make me want to actually own a pair of real MM27s if this emulation is anything to go by!

@LSturdy

Жыл бұрын

THanks !

@titusrivers5059

Жыл бұрын

🙌🏾🙌🏾🔥🔥

@OrangeMicMusic

10 ай бұрын

There are, for many years now.

@MOSMASTERING

10 ай бұрын

@@OrangeMicMusic Can you name any? I know there are software curve flatteners for headphones like Can Opener, but actual room and speaker emulations?

@OrangeMicMusic

10 ай бұрын

@@MOSMASTERINGFew examples, all of them cheaper than Slate, if you own a pair of good headphones. In the end it's going to be the same result These ones don't provide headphones eq correction, just rooms simularion. NovoNotes : HPL2 Processor Ircam HEar : Flux Acustica Audio : Sienna These ones do provide headphones eq correction and rooms simulation. Dear Reality: dearVR MIX Waves Nx : Chris Lord-Alge, Germanos, Abbey Road, Oacean Way studios. Each one in an individual plugin with all the speakers. DSoniq : Realphones Best headphones eq correction Toneboosters : Morphit Sonarworks: Reference 4 Some of these ones (like Waves Abbey Road Studio 3) were on the market before Slate VSX, so Slate didn't "invent" anything new. They just marketed better.

Are you now using this on your Listen Bus? Does the software force you to load Systemwide or can I have just the plugin. I have S1-V6.

Thanks for the follow-up review. Super useful. Does the software check online every time you fire up the VSX software? Can they be used without internet? (I travel, and internet can be DODGY or not at all.)

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

No it’s ran via ilok so as long as you have that you’re good

I love mines. Lol. Favorite room is Steven’s. I wonder what they will do for the next update

i just ordered these headphones so im open to hearing the pros and cons and what rooms you are using and why! also some tip/tricks about these let me know!

Do you still like and use these headphones ? I’m Thinking of getting them and was just curious

You have the metal-modified bands. The original plastic bands were the issue. True to form, they fixed the issue and took good care of their customers. They rock!

@Johnmike

Жыл бұрын

Actually these are the originals…got them when they first came out

Great review! Maybe a subpac would be a good alternative in conjunction with the Slate VSX headphones?

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

I’d love to have a sub pack…I think that would complete the experience

@photicsonar

2 жыл бұрын

I have a subpac in conjunction with Sienna, Immersive Audio Embody or Waves CLA Nx If you have a combination like this you dont have to use monitors in treated room anymore.

@thehiddenchannel636

2 жыл бұрын

@@Johnmike Subpac is good for feeling but not accuracy all the frequencies feel the same. I have one. bought for mixing. it doesn't help with bottom end but is fun when producing for sure. also sometimes feels like my insides probably don't appreciate that much vibration.

@citadelo5ricks

2 жыл бұрын

@@photicsonar Sienna is great! Subtle and super high quality. I have LCDX which are amazing, but the Audeze Reveal plugin is phasey and harsh. Sienna supports a lot of headphones. Subpac looks great but have to preorder now for late 2022 delivery. I may buy a cheap sub and run that for a while. Does NX have headphone models?

Jumped on them when they were first released, love them so far!

@Achillez_Heal

2 жыл бұрын

Hows the durability? Any problems breaking or cracks with the headbands?

Appreciate it !

Anyone know the model of des he has? That’s what I’ve been looking for but can’t find it

@Johnmike

11 ай бұрын

Slate Raven core station

Please help, just got my VSX headphones but everything seems to be heard normal like a normal headphone, or even muffled n worse, what am i doing wrong here, was so excited to get them, put it on the master channel last in the chain, even the depth knob does not work no 3 d room effect like everyone says, the bypass button only increases the volume but no change in the sound, dunno what im doing wrong please help.

@BobbyWashingtonvlog

2 жыл бұрын

Did you figure out the issue?

@garfieldoliveira1458

2 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣 Dont exactly know how its supposed to sound tho brother but yeah after listening to it on a lot of mixes i finally began to thet the psychoacoustic feel of the cans, pretty cool but i hope thats it cause ill never know if thats the real experience in the first place, thanks a tonne, cheers brother

@BobbyWashingtonvlog

2 жыл бұрын

@@garfieldoliveira1458 I guess it supposed to give you a treated room feel to help to get a mix that translate great everywhere else. I personally feel you can learn any room you have and make great mixes.

@garfieldoliveira1458

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Bobby thanks man, i kind a figured it out took me time to get used to the psycho ac feel but this is kick ass n clean just love the feel without all the bass fuss, cheers bro. yes your right about the layyer bro but im a recording artist and do my own work so dont wanna waste time stressing on room acoustics n stuff so.........

@donnythompson408

2 жыл бұрын

@@garfieldoliveira1458 I just received VSX this week (Feb 2, 2022), and my initial impressions are very much the same as your initial impressions were, Garfield…particularly with the Depth adjustment…at this (very) early stage of listening to the various virtual rooms and speakers in VSX, I’m not really hearing any real difference when I adjust the Depth control. I do hear discernible differences between the various rooms/speakers/headphone models, but, like you mentioned, I don’t know if WHAT I’m hearing is what I’m “supposed” to be hearing. And, it’s not like I was expecting any big “wow factor” experience hearing the rooms/speakers for the first time, (and I don’t believe that Slate intended these virtual scenarios to sound that way, either)… but I’m uncertain about it. Maybe it’s because I’ve been mixing through actual monitors for so long, that my ears (and my brain) still need time to adjust to working with the VSX headphones and the virtual environments? I’ll admit that I haven’t had much time on VSX yet, only about an hour so far, so I’m hoping that I’ll eventually get acclimated to it as you did, and that over time and with more use, I’ll start to hear those psychoacoustic elements that you were eventually able to hear and experience. 🙏😊

is better mix in yamaha hs8 than slate vsx?

That 'feeling' in your chest you are talking about really reminds me to get some monitors at some point. Cant replicate that on headphones.

I don't have much experience mixing. But I have tried these, and I'm confused about the process. My " mix " often sounds fine through the VSX plugin, but trash through any other speakers/headphones. So, it still sounds bad if I'm bouncing the project without the VSX processing. If VSX is coloring the sound, how is it giving me an accurate reflection of what I'm doing? I'm sure I'm missing something, but I don't know what it is.

@oinkooink

11 ай бұрын

It's likely that you need to develop your listening skills more. I spent years, literally, not "getting" mixing. I made trash mixes all the time. You really have to use your ears and get to know "sounds" and tone and level etc. If you don't have much experience mixing the Slate software will not magically give you that experience. You need to listen critically. And that takes plenty of time.

@ozlumiera5678

11 ай бұрын

@@oinkooink care to share some mixing tips / videos / techniques to look up?

@oinkooink

11 ай бұрын

@@ozlumiera5678 I dunno man. I only recently started improving and that was after quite a few years, many...many bad mixes and lots and lots of videos and reading. It's NOT easy.

How’s the cpu usage? My cpu is always close to maxed out by the time I would need to use these. Thanks!

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

It’s actually not bad at all…doesn’t crash my system any

Would this work with a sub pac?

Hey John Mike, I’m thinking of buying the SSVSX Headphones so have been looking around for reviews, and found yours! I like your style and really enjoyed your presentation so, on top of what I’ve read so far, I’m investing in them….plus, who makes the T-Shirt you were wearing? Cheers

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

I made it myself ha ha…

@stevier3613

2 жыл бұрын

@@Johnmike Ah very nice, make me one can ya!? Haha! Cheers for the reply and keep up the great work.

Does the Headphones come with that room simulator plugin?

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

Just got them, still trying to find them useful. I also don't see the point of the studio rooms, it's just a blurry mess without any details...the car and boombox sound are the only i find interesting so far.

Just got the Element Slate VSX now 3-2024 have NOT unwrapped it yet Because I want to know How you feel about the NEW IK Multimedia ARC 4 Studio for $300 instead of these ? Mixing with the Sub is Your love of the THUMP in the Chest. Me Also. What You Think?

@Johnmike

2 ай бұрын

I just saw the announcement the other day…I think it sounds dope and I’m hoping to pick it up soon to try it out…don’t have an ETA on that yet…but I think they are apples and oranges…they both serve similar purposes…but the VSX has a bit of an edge because you can mix in different environments…the AirPods and the car are my go tos in alot of situations…I look at them more as different tools vs competition with each other…I would use the Arc to make my current room feel better for mixing but I would still reference a car mix or AirPods on the VSX…

Other idea would be if you already own a good pair of headphones, you can buy let's say 1 or 2 studio rooms from Waves, or other plugins that are simulating studio rooms like VR Monitor or CanOpener Studio. These plugins would give the same experience and for less money

@steppbrooEFT

10 ай бұрын

is this based on A/B testing in person or only experience with the waves stuff.

@OrangeMicMusic

10 ай бұрын

@@steppbrooEFT no, I was giving other ideas for people owning good headphones to try. I tried all the Waves studios, VR Monitor and the differences were like in reality going to different studios. They all sound different just need to find one that works for you.

I don't understand how they can have precision, being 37 ohms. My current ones are 150 ohms and have a bass port. they sound good. They don't joke in the low end. As a bass player, I like the bass. And I love stereo, but the bass and the bass drum belong near center.

Good video !!!!!

Love Slate equipment

What are those white monitors? are they Yamaha HS5?

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

Yup

I am so frustrated with a mix sounding great on one platform then sounding like crap on another. I have no choice but to buy these headphones and hopefully that solves my problem.

@Mike_Benz_

2 жыл бұрын

Did they fix your issue?

@soulinspiration1

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mike_Benz_ Yes it did.

@Mike_Benz_

2 жыл бұрын

@@soulinspiration1 Sick, so you would recommend this?

@soulinspiration1

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mike_Benz_ Yes I would recommend! I must be honest. These headphones are fragile!! The first pair broke apart within a very short time of usage. I contacted Slate and they immediately replaced them. Now several months later the replacement pair is about to do the same! These headphones and software are an absolutely great product otherwise. Just treat them with extra extra extra care. They are fragile.

@Mike_Benz_

2 жыл бұрын

@@soulinspiration1 Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated.

Modeling works if he physical headphones have better response/accuracy than the modeled device. Otherwise, it's basically an approximation and distorted. Spring for LCD reference headphones, that solves all your problems including bass.

@Endless_Skyway_Adventures

10 ай бұрын

LCD does not solve crosstalk, and doesn’t provide a group of alternative rooms to check mixes in. They are also very expensive. You are correct that they are a great solution, but you would need to add a can opener plug-in to your solution for crosstalk. Your solution with the addition of crosstalk emulation is a viable alternative and probably superior in sound quality. However the goal is to get your mixes to translate between multiple systems and the ability to audition a close approximation of a number of spaces may offer a better solution to the end goal. The thing that would be better is if Slate were to make a software version that is intended for use with your cans or HD 650’s. I am unaware of any other system that checks as many of the boxes that VSX does which is why I am researching them. I need to get my mixes to translate and I go to great lengths matching reference tracks but I would love to know that my mixes translate. Your point is valid and many Pro mixers are using your solution, but one advantage of VSX is that it is an affordable solution to allow people all over the world to hear exactly what I mixed in an affordable way.

@citadelo5ricks

10 ай бұрын

@@Endless_Skyway_Adventures Thanks for detailed response. I have tried CanOpener, but am now using Acustica Sienna (free), DearVR (paid) and Audeze Reveal (paid). All pretty good. For me, it's better than anything I could do with my room. Others are more lucky.

Are the headphones calibrated to a flat response?

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

Just got mine today, opened and registered. Then I saw this vid. Hmm. I did get a serial #23.... Hoping the plastic is new and improved! Thanks for this enlightenment, DJ!

@mbaudio2574

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, have you been using them regularly? Are they still holding on after two months? Just curious.

@Achillez_Heal

2 жыл бұрын

Where did you order yours? Im not sure where to order because im not sure which model im gonna get. How do i get the 23s?

@mapart708

2 жыл бұрын

@@Achillez_Heal Got mine at Sweetwater. I was assuming it was their latest then.

@Achillez_Heal

2 жыл бұрын

@@mapart708 thanks for replying. How are the headphones holding up? Are they still in one piece? Any durability issues or cracks? Use em often?

@mapart708

2 жыл бұрын

​@@Achillez_Heal A couple of my colleagues and some KZread owners had an issue with the quality of the build so I returned it soon after. kzread.info/dash/bejne/n6CAmdqGidnTYtI.html

It's a good 🎧 but the built quality is not that good cause mine is broken. They need to make it more stronger 💪.

Do the software some with the headphones 🎧?

@Johnmike

Жыл бұрын

Yes

@hailnarii4239

Жыл бұрын

@@Johnmike ok ✅ cool

Is this better than Waves CLA? which is total useless crap. Great Review btw!

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

IMO…yes it is

Why doesn't some company just make flat headphones?

put the yams upright dude. these particular models are not designed to be sideways

@Johnmike

2 жыл бұрын

I got a video coming telling why they are sideways…but long story short…I have other monitors that I actually use for mixing(Adams) but these are just for reference In mono!

@BrentIraEnman

2 жыл бұрын

@@Johnmike What I did/do also!

OMG Star Trek!!

I listened to this, and never heard a review. Where’s the review? How about all the features, rooms, and a walk through.

@Johnmike

Жыл бұрын

Lol that’s pretty much the review…and I gave my opinion on it…what more were you looking for?

@Johnmike

Жыл бұрын

This is a 8-months later here’s what I think review…I did a walk through on my initial review in it…kzread.info/dash/bejne/ioCH19OMY8u4ccY.html

Wide head 😂😂😂😂 1:39

That’s because yours have the metal band… The plastic band kept breaking… They finally just put out metal bands for us… They seem fine now…

@hailnarii4239

Жыл бұрын

They should have been thought of that in the first place 😊

The wide head meme 💀

@Johnmike

Жыл бұрын

Lololol

I am a heavy hand, so I treat all my equipment delicately

don't know how to use them , my mixes is terrible with them

Paid? Vsx, Raven...? If not appreciated. If so appreciated just let the audience know.

@Johnmike

Жыл бұрын

Paid as in “I Paid for all this stuff out of my own pocket” lol….I’ve never taken a paid review…

My take on this subject is simply...Some of the best-sounding records were made, IMHO, were from the '60s through the '80s. The mixing engineers did not have access to this new generation of technology so how did they manage to mix great-sounding records? Music is subjective. Is this the only way that I can achieve a great-sounding mix I think not? Yes, I am a novice at mixing, because not having enough time in developing my mixing skills, In summary, having a great song, and a well-balanced mix with practicing using reference tracks, compression, equalizing, and limiting can improve your mixing skills immensely without the need of any gimmicks or studio modeling software and specific headphone to realizing a professional sounding mix that will have appeal to the listener.

@Johnmike

Жыл бұрын

All valid points…I’d only contrast your points with the fact that what they were using in the 60s-80s was the breakthrough technology of the time…at that time an SSL or a Neve Console…a pair of NS10s etc etc was what was new on the block…engineers that were before those came out scoffed at that stuff as it came out…I look at this stuff no different…I don’t think it’s a gimmick…I think it’s a “tool” just like I said in the video…and all of the things you mentioned still come into play when using the tool…a badly recorded song is still gonna sound bad no matter what you use

@realmusic4you

Жыл бұрын

@@Johnmike Very true, I guess my main point is, not to think that the VSX System is going to immediately turn you into a great mixing engineer, as you will still need to invest the time in learning the essential skills and techniques that really great mixing engineers had prior to the current tools and technology that is available today. Like you mentioned, The VSX Platform is only a tool to help you improve once you are secure in having the knowledge of the basic tools and fundamentals needed to create quality sounding records. Once that I feel that I have attained that knowledge necessary, I thnk that the Slate VSX System could be quite fun and interesting to compare your mixes to and hopefully take your skills to a higher level.

@YAWN....

Жыл бұрын

@@realmusic4you aww, how cutesy wutesy...

@realmusic4you

Жыл бұрын

@@YAWN.... Must not have been too boring, you did respond, which is acknowledgment. Keep being productive with your time.

@oinkooink

11 ай бұрын

They mixed in very good sounding treated rooms largely. The sounds that they heard were...the sounds they heard. They weren't sitting in a spare bedroom with dry wall and carpet. If you know what I mean. What they used and the techniques they used were state of the art for their time. That and the fact that midrange was basically all there was. They weren't dealing with the pristine digital highs we deal with now or the massive lows.

the audio on this video is very poor.

You don’t need to feel the bass. Anything thing below 40hz is totally pointless and sounds like crap.

@thehiddenchannel636

2 жыл бұрын

absolutely incorrect

@olibarahosasa1137

Жыл бұрын

I would like to insert the Dr. Evil 'rrrriiiightttt...' gif here.

@garynicolson9341

Жыл бұрын

You’ve never been in a club have you?

@justinmuhammad9774

Жыл бұрын

Maybe 30hz

I have 70% hearing loss (nothing over 150hz) in one ear. Not for me?