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| Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors Discussion of portable headphones, earphones and in-ear monitors (IEMs). |
10-19-2008, 12:29 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Philly
Posts: 461
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My impressions of the Head-Direct RE2 and Koss PortaPro
http://s533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334/baka1969/
Hello!
I had illusions of doing a big tongue-in-cheek review of the RE2 vs PortaPro vs Grado vs Skull Candy. As fun as it would be, it would not be fair.
Quite honestly it would cover up the fact that I just didn't care for either the Head-Direct RE2 or the Koss Portapro.
Before I go into the RE2, I want to say that Fang and Head-Direct are excellent. Top notch.
But I was disappointed with the sound.
The RE2 comes packaged beautifully. The leatherette case is well done. The decoration is a nice touch. It comes with a plethora of ear tips. The IEM it self feels really nice. Well designed.
I was excited to give them a listen. Before anyone asks, no, there was no burn in. But unless there was a complete transformation, it would matter little.
I performed my usual ritual of tests and the first thing I noticed was how bright they were. Way too bright. And the next was the lack of fine detail. The total absence of bass was yet another.
The RE2 is soo bright that it practically drowns out everything else. These even make my Grados seem dark. Vocals are almost washed out. Highs sound tinny. And did I mention that these in-ear speakers have no ass? I mean bass. I listened to the dueling bass-line from the Pink Floyd's One Of These Days and it's thin and nondescript. The overall sound is closed and hollow.
I really wanted to like the RE2. I had high hopes.
The Koss PortaPro is almost the polar opposite of the RE2. But not in a good way. I purchased them at Amazon.
It comes cheaply packaged. And the 'phones feel cheap. Almost flimsy. The few positives are the fact that it folds really small and it comes with a nifty carrying case. Unlike the high expectations I had of the RE2, I didn't have much with the PortaPro.
Again, a long burn in process will not change the overall character of the Porta. As bright as the RE2 is, is as bloated as the PP sounds. You can forget about detail. The bass is very sloppy. This tends to also wash out the vocals. Even when I removed the ear pads, the music is quite muffled. The highs are lost here. Impact, sustain and decay, soundstage just don't exist with the PortaPro. These portable 'phones are only marginally better than the drawer full of stuff I have.
I must say that at $99 retail for the Head-Direct RE2 and $50 for the Koss PortaPro, I have a world of appreciation for Grado. The SR-80 at $95 and the SR-60 at $69 are an absolute STEAL in the world of audiophile. Perhaps the best buys in all of high-end audio. Far superior than anything in their respective prices. Even at $200, the Grado SR-225 is well priced.
These are all just my opinion and my ears. YMMV.
Thank you for reading
__________________
iPod G6 160g, HF-2, K-701 (yet again), HD 650, SE530, SR-125 (for brother), ADH1001, RE0, Titan, Headroom Micro Amp, Nuforce Icon Mobile, iBasso D2+ Boa, K-701 (sold), SR-325is (sold), SR-225 (sold), SR-80 (sold), RE2 (sold), PortaPro (sold), Total Airhead (sold), HeadAmp AE-1 (sold), iPod G5 30g (sold)
My Feedback
My reviews: Grado HF-2 Impressions| Grado SR-225 vs Grado SR-80| Headroom Total Airhead| Shure SE530 vs Grado 225| 701 v 225 v 530 Throwdown| Head Direct RE2 & Koss PortaPro impressions|
HeadRoom Micro Amp Impressions
"The lunatic is in my head" - Pink Floyd.
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10-19-2008, 03:13 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 602
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The RE2's mellow out with burn-in. After 40 hours of pink noise, the highs were tamed, but there still isn't much bass. Were you using your Headroom amp?
Also, did you use the right tips for the RE2 and did you get a good seal? Those are very important.
But finally, Grados are sweet 
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10-19-2008, 03:20 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Philly
Posts: 461
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jageur272
The RE2's mellow out with burn-in. After 40 hours of pink noise, the highs were tamed, but there still isn't much bass. Were you using your Headroom amp?
Also, did you use the right tips for the RE2 and did you get a good seal? Those are very important.
But finally, Grados are sweet |
Hi
Yep, I used my amp. I tried all the tips and even used tips from IEMs I have laying around.
I really wanted to like them. Plus it would have been easy to sleep with them while listening to tunes.
__________________
iPod G6 160g, HF-2, K-701 (yet again), HD 650, SE530, SR-125 (for brother), ADH1001, RE0, Titan, Headroom Micro Amp, Nuforce Icon Mobile, iBasso D2+ Boa, K-701 (sold), SR-325is (sold), SR-225 (sold), SR-80 (sold), RE2 (sold), PortaPro (sold), Total Airhead (sold), HeadAmp AE-1 (sold), iPod G5 30g (sold)
My Feedback
My reviews: Grado HF-2 Impressions| Grado SR-225 vs Grado SR-80| Headroom Total Airhead| Shure SE530 vs Grado 225| 701 v 225 v 530 Throwdown| Head Direct RE2 & Koss PortaPro impressions|
HeadRoom Micro Amp Impressions
"The lunatic is in my head" - Pink Floyd.
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10-19-2008, 04:02 AM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 1,276
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this make me wanna grab a SR60. i already thinking bout in more than 2 years...
P.S: baka, try make your signature smaller. it occupied 75% of my screen...
__________________
5800XM x Mage
Backup: Nano 3G, CK100, Quattro, modded KSC-75, mylar X3
Past: S639F, IE8, TF10P, D2, UM2, PK2, SA6
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10-19-2008, 04:26 AM
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Member of the Trade:
Rudistor Sound Systems
US/Canada
Proved that despite its huge size, the CD3000 can be shoved down one's throat.
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: West New York, NJ
Posts: 12,200
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Are you sure those Portapros are not defective? I have been a PP user for a few years and honestly I have never found them bloated, and IMO the details are not bad at all (far better than the RE2 IMO, which I also own) and even more, the highs are far better than any IEM I have heard and owned as well including multi-drivers units. It seems that it has much to do with the source you use and synergy then.
IMO they are the best headphones in this price range I have heard, and for that use. I got them for about $30.00, but I even prefer them to the lower Grados for weird that it seems...Three pairs around and rocking.... 
__________________
I do love the Edition 9, and probably you know what that means, so you have been warned...!!!
Disclaimer: Please assume every single of my statements, to mean: “in my system”, “to my ears”, "in my experience", “in my opinion”, etc...(otherwise stated).
Neutrality, accuracy? OK, just ask yourself first: Do you certainly know how the recording is supposed to sound? Sorry, but for me euphony is all about!!! Please do yourself a favor, stop listening your gear, and enjoy the music instead!!!
Home setup: Sony DVP-NC555ES => BJC IC's => RPX-33 MKII/RPX-31 => UE9
"On the go" setup: Panasonic SL-CT570 => XJ-03 => Sleek SA6/Klipsch Images X5/X10
Proved that despite its huge size, the CD3K can be shoved down one's throat...wait...but now I'm shoving the Ultrasone Edition 9???
EQUIPO HEAD-FI HISPANO: DILE ADIOS A TUS AHORROS!!!
My feedbacks in: Head-Fi , eBay and Amazon
Last edited by Sovkiller; 10-19-2008 at 04:34 AM.
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10-19-2008, 04:51 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Philly
Posts: 461
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Sovkiller
To my ears. 
I paid $35 for the PortaPro from Amazon.
I used the $50 retail to compare the retail of the Grado SR-60.
__________________
iPod G6 160g, HF-2, K-701 (yet again), HD 650, SE530, SR-125 (for brother), ADH1001, RE0, Titan, Headroom Micro Amp, Nuforce Icon Mobile, iBasso D2+ Boa, K-701 (sold), SR-325is (sold), SR-225 (sold), SR-80 (sold), RE2 (sold), PortaPro (sold), Total Airhead (sold), HeadAmp AE-1 (sold), iPod G5 30g (sold)
My Feedback
My reviews: Grado HF-2 Impressions| Grado SR-225 vs Grado SR-80| Headroom Total Airhead| Shure SE530 vs Grado 225| 701 v 225 v 530 Throwdown| Head Direct RE2 & Koss PortaPro impressions|
HeadRoom Micro Amp Impressions
"The lunatic is in my head" - Pink Floyd.
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