Valco VMK15 Review: powerful on-ear headphones with ANC

The crazy Finns from Valco have launched a new pair of headphones. The brand new Valco VMK15 is the manufacturer’s compact sibling and first on-ear model and joins the already well-known ANC headphones VMK20 (our test) and VMK25 (our test). Despite its more compact dimensions, the newcomer aims to offer the same sound quality, features active noise cancellation (ANC) and comes with a high-resolution aptX Adaptive codec. And all this for just 139 euros? We took a closer look (and listened) in our test.

Technical data

Valco VMK15 Review: Finnish design of the lightweight brand

Products from the far north of Europe have always been a little different. In an absolutely positive sense. Of course, the Valco VMK15 takes this up once again and offers a lightweight and elegant on-ear headphone that sits comfortably on the ears and does not enclose them, as is the case with over-ear models.

“Over the years, we have received a lot of feedback from mainly small-headed people that the VMK20 and VMK25 are too big for them. Well, we decided to do something about it and designed a completely new headphone model that fits nicely over the ears,” says the manufacturer’s website.

Yes, they have indeed. The compact VMK15 weighs just 198 grams, which is mainly due to the plastic construction. Nevertheless, the on-ears feel pleasantly robust and high-quality. Conveniently, the ear cups can not only be folded in, but also twisted in – so nothing stands in the way of space-saving transportation.

The hinges have a high-quality feel and are not too smooth-running to prevent the headphones from twisting in on their own. An optional hard case is also included in the scope of delivery if you don’t want to damage the headphones in your backpack.

The design of the Valco VMK15 is based on the manufacturer’s other models. The simple black headphones are pleasantly understated and have a solid fabric cover on the outside of the ear cups, on which the manufacturer’s lettering is set off in white.

Thanks to the soft and generous plastic padding, the wearing comfort is also impressive. And I say that as someone who normally doesn’t like on-ear headphones at all. The combination of padding, fairly low contact pressure and low weight is just right here, allowing you to have fun with them for hours on end.

A metal headband also allows the headphones to be adjusted to different head sizes. Or as Valco puts it: “Of course, there are enough adjustment options to fit both a hobbit and an elephant man.”

The features: Bluetooth 5.4, ANC, Multipoint

Despite the relatively low price, the Valco VMK15 come with impressive and modern features. The on-ear headphones rely on modern Bluetooth 5.4 including Multipoint, which allows them to be paired with two end devices simultaneously. In addition to the standard codecs, the high-resolution aptX Adaptive codec can be used for better sound quality on request.

The 40 mm drivers with an impedance of 32 ohms are supported by a class AB amplifier. In addition to a USB-C port, the VMK15 also offer a 3.5 mm jack connection for wired music listening.

Unusual: There is even active noise cancellation (ANC), which is designed to suppress disturbing ambient noise. However, the counterpart in the form of a transparency mode, which amplifies voices in particular, is not offered. For the microphones, the Finns rely on an array with CVC8 technology, which should ensure clear speech intelligibility.

Operation: guesswork with hidden buttons

When it comes to operation, the Valco VMK15 does not rely on modern touch control, but instead uses classic buttons (four in total). The problem is that these are not labeled and are not located on the underside, as is often the case. Instead, the manufacturer hides the controls behind the fabric cover on the outer left-hand side. Without any labeling at all.

While the buttons themselves are very precise, I find it quite difficult to feel them behind the fabric cover. At the top is the button that switches between ANC and normal mode. On the left and right are the buttons for adjusting the volume or switching to the previous or next song. This is rounded off at the bottom by the central multifunction button, which switches the headphones on and off, activates pairing mode or is responsible for call control.

While the operation works very well in practice, it would have been desirable to be able to feel the buttons at least minimally. For example, with a small indentation. During operation, this often results in unnecessary fumbling until you find the elements.

Battery life of the Valco VMK15

Fortunately, the battery life of the headphones is surprisingly long. The on-ears with active noise suppression last a full 55 hours. This is on a par with the best over-ear headphones, which is pretty impressive, and not just because of the much more compact dimensions. If you can manage without ANC, you can even get around 75 hours of playback.

There is also a quick-charging function that makes the Valco VMK15 ready for several hours of playback in just a few minutes. A full charge takes around one and a half hours.

Audio quality, ANC and microphones

According to the manufacturer, the sound quality of the Valco VMK15 is similar to that of the company’s own VMK25 over-ear model. However, the 40 mm drivers “only” reproduce a frequency band from 20 Hz to 15,000 Hz, meaning they do not reach quite as high in the treble segment as the top model.

Nevertheless, the on-ear headphones cope excellently with many music genres and impress with a comparatively neutral sound image including a successful low bass range, which can play strongly in hip-hop or electro songs. The mids also reproduce vocals and instruments in a pleasantly detailed and precise manner. The same applies to the highs, which the on-ear headphones reproduce in a pleasantly airy and light manner despite the limited frequency response, although certain mixes can result in a certain sharpness in the upper highs.

The VMK15 also succeeds very well in presenting various instruments and frequencies in pleasant detail, creating a wide and lively sound stage. Personally, I would have appreciated a smaller emphasis on the lower treble frequencies, which would have made the sound much more airy. As a result, the Valco VMK15s, like the manufacturer’s other models, tend to have a somewhat narrower, more compressed sound that cannot fully unfold.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not offer an equalizer or a companion app. There are therefore no options for making further adjustments to the sound or options. So if you like it airy, you will only get your money’s worth to a limited extent. Nevertheless, from an acoustic point of view, I like the headphones quite a lot, even considering the price.

ANC and microphones

The active noise cancellation is surprisingly strong, although it cannot keep up with the best ANC headphones, partly due to the on-ear design. However, the headphones do an excellent job of filtering out low frequencies in particular, resulting in good isolation.

High frequencies such as PC fans are also well suppressed. The ANC only weakens significantly at medium frequencies. Typing on the keyboard, voices and the like are muffled, but still penetrate through. Of course, this is also due to the fact that the headphones only offer (or can only offer) limited passive isolation as they sit on the ears.

Valco VMK15 microphone test recording:

Microphone test recording QCY H3S:

Microphone test recording Valco VMK25:

The quality of the built-in microphones is once again quite impressive. Your own voice is reproduced clearly and I think the level of detail and clarity are noticeably better than those of the VMK25. Although there are much better headset microphones on the market, the quality on offer is certainly good enough for phone calls – even in noisy environments – in our opinion.

Valco VMK15 Review: Conclusion

A successful premiere: With the Valco VMK15, the manufacturer from Finland has launched a really good on-ear headphone that combines an appealing design with good sound and strong features. The excellent battery life and the convincing ANC, which is rather rare for models that sit on the ears anyway, are particularly noteworthy.

In terms of sound, the headphones also deliver good results and combine a precise, powerful bass with detailed mids and highs. However, the sound is rather narrow and is not able to fully unfold at high volume settings.

What I don’t like so much, however, is the operation. Although the four buttons respond precisely and reliably, they are (invisibly) barely tactile behind the fabric cover, which initially involves a bit of fumbling until you hit the buttons.

If this doesn’t bother you, the Valco VMK15 are good-sounding, comfortable and durable on-ear headphones that are pleasantly compact for on the go.

PRO

• Elegant design
• Pleasantly light
• High wearing comfort
• aptX Adaptive codec
• Strong battery life
• Good sound

CONTRA

• Narrow sound image
• Controls difficult to feel
• No equalizer; no app

Valco VMK15

Workmanship

Wearing comfort

Sound quality

Noise canceling

Features

Value For Money

87/100

Good-sounding over-ear headphones with modern features, active noise suppression and long battery life at an exciting price.