Field Test · Studio Gear Review
Steven Slate Audio VSX Immersion One
Over-ear open headphones with advanced binaural spatial imaging by Steven Slate Audio
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Spec Sheet
- Open planar magnetic headphones with VSX Platinum modelling software
- Combination of open headphone design and binaural spatial imaging via software
- Tuned planar magnetic drivers with 1-micron diaphragm for precise and natural sound reproduction
- Open design reduces pressure and promotes a spatially realistic listening situation
- VSX Platinum software offers over 24 modelled listening environments, including professional studios, mastering rooms, clubs, cars, mobile devices and various headphone models
- Future software enhancements, including plugin integration via the mix bus in the DAW, plus system-wide application for music outside the DAW
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Driver size: 97 x 76 mm
- Compatible with macOS 10.14 or later and Windows 10 or later
- Software formats: AU, VST2, VST3, AAX
- Licensing via iLok Machine ID or dongle
- Colour: Black
- Includes 2.5 m cable, 3.5 mm mini jack with 6.3 mm adapter, soft shell case
Studio Log
| Available since | March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Item number | 629354 |
| Sales Unit | 1 piece(s) |
| Design | Over-Ear |
| System | Open |
| Impedance | 32 Ohms |
| Frequency range | 20 Hz – 40000 Hz |
| Adaptor | Yes |
| Replaceable Cable | Yes |
| Colour | Black |
| Max. SPL | 98 dB |
| Type Of Connector | Jack, mini-jack |
| Weight | 250 g |
Demo Footage
Field Photography
QC Pass — Field Test
Customer Review Summary
Introduction to the VSX Immersion One
Launched in March 2026, the Steven Slate Audio VSX Immersion One headphones represent a distinctive approach to professional audio monitoring. They combine an open-back planar magnetic headphone design with the company’s VSX Platinum modelling software, aimed at delivering accurate and spatially realistic sound reproduction. Priced at £879, these headphones target audio engineers and producers who require detailed frequency response and a reliable mixing reference in diverse listening environments.
Design and Build Quality
The Immersion One adopts an over-ear open design, facilitating a natural and spacious listening experience. The open system reduces ear pressure, which can be beneficial during extended mixing sessions. The lightweight construction, at just 250 grams, ensures comfort without compromising durability. The headphones feature 97 by 76 mm planar magnetic drivers fitted with a 1-micron diaphragm, engineered for precise fidelity across a broad frequency range from 20 Hz to 40,000 Hz.
The supplied cables include a 2.5 m detachable lead with a 3.5 mm mini-jack, accompanied by a 6.3 mm adapter, allowing flexible connectivity to a variety of audio interfaces. The black finish maintains a professional aesthetic, while the inclusion of a soft-shell carrying case offers practical protection.
Technical Specifications and Performance
- Impedance: 32 Ohms, compatible with common headphone amplifiers
- Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 98 dB, suitable for critical listening without early onset of distortion
- Connector Type: Jack, mini-jack with adapter for broad device compatibility
- Frequency Response: Exceptionally wide from 20 Hz up to 40 kHz, ensuring clarity at both low bass and extended highs
The planar magnetic drivers offer low distortion and a linear sound signature, which are essential for mixing and mastering engineers who depend on neutrality to make precise tonal decisions. The open-back design emphasises spatial cues and natural soundstage width, enhancing the perception of depth in mixes.
VSX Platinum Software: A Defining Feature
The standout aspect of the VSX Immersion One is its integration with the VSX Platinum modelling software. This software delivers over 24 emulated listening environments, simulating professional studio rooms, mastering suites, various clubs, car acoustics, multiple headphone profiles, and more. The software processes binaural spatial imaging, which helps engineers audition mixes as if they were played back in these different settings.
Compatibility with macOS 10.14 or later and Windows 10 or later, plus support for AU, VST2, VST3, and AAX plugin formats, integrates seamlessly with most major digital audio workstations. Licensing via iLok ensures authorised use. Future updates are planned to extend functionality, including plugin integration directly on the mix bus and system-wide application for audio outside the DAW environment.
User Experience and Practical Benefits
Feedback from practising producers highlights significant improvements in mix translation when using the VSX Immersion One set. One user described a history of inconsistent tonal balance and volume perception across different listening platforms before adopting these headphones. With the combination of planar magnetic hardware and the spatial modelling software, the user achieved tighter, better-defined mixes, especially useful when preparing tracks for various playback scenarios such as nightclubs or streaming services.
The ability to preview how mixes will sound in multiple environments without leaving the headphones is a considerable time saver and confidence booster. It negates the immediate necessity for extensive speaker setups or treated rooms, making it ideal for apartment dwellers or those limited in space.
While the open design favours quiet surroundings, users requiring noise isolation may consider Steven Slate Audio’s closed-back alternatives. For the Immersion One, low ambient noise ensures the software’s spatial emulations are effective and immersive.
Conclusion
The Steven Slate Audio VSX Immersion One serve a specific niche within professional audio monitoring, combining the renowned accuracy of planar magnetic drivers with advanced spatial modelling software. They provide a reliable, linear soundstage that helps producers and engineers make consistent mixing decisions across multiple environments. The inclusion of flexible software environments directly addresses common challenges in mixing for various playback systems.
At £879, this package offers high value for dedicated professionals seeking an integrated headphone and software solution. While the open design may limit use in noisy spaces, the VSX Immersion One’s combination of build quality, technical performance, and innovative software make it a compelling option for precision mixing and immersive auditory spatialisation.
