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VSX 7.0 Headphone Mixing System
VSX 6.0 was updated to VSX 7.0 on 9 June 2026. It has more depth, more dimension, and a stronger sense of sitting in front of actual speakers while keeping the clarity, focus, and punch that VSX is known for. In addition, the ear canal modeling was improved to help VSX recreate the way we naturally hear sound in a room with even greater accuracy.
VSX7 introduces Desert Studios, a new mixing environment created for engineers who want a dry, highly revealing room that stays out of the way. Every detail in a mix is laid out. The room is modeled from a nearfield listening position, Desert Studios gives a precise speaker perspective with minimal room coloration. That makes it especially useful when you need to judge balance, vocal placement, low-end detail, effects levels, and the smaller decisions that determine whether a mix really works.
VSX 6.0 Headphone Mixing System & Immersion One
The VSX headphone mixing system from Steven Slate Audio has now been updated to Version 6 (see my VSX 4 and VSX 5 posts). In addition the VSX Immersion One Planar Magnetic Open-Back Headphone has been released that is another great improvement to get a mix to translate to different audio systems.
VSX is built on two core layers of technology. The first is speaker and room modeling—how real speakers in real rooms are perceived by our ears. The second is headphone optimization, which ensures that perception is delivered accurately through headphones. VSX 6 introduces a major advancement in the first layer, featuring our new proprietary inner ear canal modeling. Most spatial systems stop at the head and outer ear. VSX 6 models what happens inside the ear canal itself, i.e., subtle reflections, resonances, and high-frequency shaping as sound approaches the eardrum. This data is integrated into the room models giving more focus, stronger 3D imaging and a tighter more physical low end. The headphones disappear and the room becomes real.
Immersion One
Both the original VSX Closed-Back (which I used with VSX 4 and VSX 5), and the new Immersion One Open-Back deliver true 3D speaker and room modeling (for a complete list of rooms see VSX 4). The Closed-Back VSX is built for isolation and control — perfect for tracking, mixing, or referencing anywhere you go. The Immersion One, with its planar magnetic drivers and open-back design, pushes realism even further offering more precision, depth, and a natural, immersive soundstage that feels like real speakers in a real room.
The total harmonic distortion (THD) of the Immersion One is under 0.5%, which pushes the Immersion One headphone into true best-in-class territory.
The ECCO preset procedure
- Load your favorite speaker in VSX
- Load the average preset
- While listening to the demo, slide the ECCO mount slider to the left and right 
- Stop when the vocal in the demo is clear, airy, present, and pristine. Not super harsh, and not dark or dull
- Save the new profile by clicking ECCO EQ, save as
- Now try your new profile out on other speakers.
Files: one with more de-essing, another that has the same de-essing but also is a denser mix and maybe easier for setting ECCO
[audio file 1] – [audio file 2] – [audio file 3]
Video
Unboxing @Skippy Studio
Note from VSX
Each production batch of Immersion One drivers is carefully measured and calibrated to match our reference standard. During a recent review, we learned that the IM11 driver batch was actually produced across two separate production runs. As a result, roughly half of the IM11 units benefit from a slightly different calibration profile.
In the latest VSX update, version 6.2.2 released today you will now see a new option in the Serial Number Calibration settings called: IM11B****
The difference is subtle — mainly a slightly reduced level around 1kHz — but depending on your ears and preferences, one calibration may sound a bit more natural or balanced than the other. If you are currently using the IM11 calibration, we recommend quickly auditioning both IM11A*** and IM11B*** to determine which sounds best to you.
References
