Design and comfort
Valco’s VMK25.2 keeps the restrained, Scandinavian look of its predecessor while adding fabric-covered ear cups that give the headphones a touch of personality. The company continues to offer interchangeable magnetic snap-on covers for users who want to change the finish.
Comfort remains largely solid. Soft padding and a snug clamping fit make the headphones pleasant for everyday use. At about 300 grams, though, the weight and firm headband make them less ideal for long listening sessions with glasses, and they feel too heavy for sports.
One awkward practical detail: when you drop the headphones around your neck, the ear cup can swivel the wrong way, which makes that common gesture feel a bit clumsy.
Case and portability
The most obvious external upgrade is the travel case. The original VMK25 case was tall and bulky. The VMK25.2 folds the cups inward and sits in a significantly shallower case. A mesh pocket for cables is included. For travelers, this redesigned case is arguably the single biggest improvement.
Controls and connectivity
Valco sticks to a straightforward approach: no app, no extra tuning, only physical buttons and simple operation. That keeps setup easy but removes any on-device equalizer or ANC fine-tuning. The headphones support AAC, SBC, and aptX HD on the original model; with the VMK25.2 the wireless feature set has been updated.
Under the hood the VMK25.2 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 chipset and Bluetooth 5.4. Codec support includes AAC, SBC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lite, and LC3, and Valco says aptX Lossless support is coming. There is still no companion app, though Valco reports one is in development without providing a timeline. Physical buttons worked as expected on the review unit but do not feel particularly refined.
Sound and active noise cancellation
Sonically the VMK25.2 builds on the original’s neutral, warm presentation. The headphones remain balanced, and small refinements are audible: the upper bass is a touch tighter and midrange clarity has improved, giving voices and instruments a bit more definition. These changes are noticeable but not so dramatic that owners of the first VMK25 should swap just for the sound.
In quiet environments the VMK25.2 is detailed and even-handed without overblown bass or harsh treble. Some listeners may find the bass a little thin; turning ANC on boosts bass presence, which can help. That bass lift now appears more strongly than before, and when combined with the trebles it shifts the voicing away from the original’s more neutral balance toward a more mainstream flavor. Whether that’s an improvement is a matter of taste.
The disappointing area is active noise cancellation. ANC here is at best middling and does not compete with stronger implementations from Sony or JBL. Passive isolation also trails those competitors. The VMK25.2 will tame steady hums reasonably well, but many low and high sounds break through too clearly. For buyers prioritizing top-tier noise cancellation in this price range, these are not the headphones to choose.
Battery and general use
Last time around Valco claimed 50 hours and the VMK25 lived up to that in testing. The VMK25.2 is rated for 55 hours of playback (with ANC) and 95 hours of talk time. A weeklong hands-on didn’t allow a full verification of continuous runtime, but subjective experience suggests battery life remains excellent and is unlikely to fall far short of the stated figure. The headphones charge via USB-C and also offer a 3.5 mm wired input.
Verdict
After more than a week with the VMK25.2 it’s clear this is an iterative update rather than a full redesign. The core character is the same: balanced, natural sound and long battery life. The ANC has not been meaningfully improved and remains modest compared with category leaders. The most tangible upgrade is the much better travel case. The lack of an app limits customization, though codec and chipset updates point to a more modern wireless foundation.
In sum, the VMK25.2 delivers very good neutral sound and strong battery life for its 199 euro price, but it does not match the comfort and noise-canceling performance of Sony or JBL alternatives. It is a solid choice for versatile music listening in relatively quiet environments, but not the best pick for very noisy commutes.
Pros and cons
Good
- Natural, balanced sound
- Long battery life
- Much improved travel case
- Easy to use
Bad
- Limited tuning and app support
- Underwhelming active noise cancellation
