Some general questions about the RE2

[playingwithfire]

posted in another thread as a reply, figured I'd post it as a thread to get more response.

Well, before I go get the RE2 plus the E5 package. I got some questions about whether this is right for me.

First let me say I'm not an audiophile. And only had limited time with IEM(and I do prefer them over just buds like Pk3 and IBuds)

I have, at various times
Creative EP630
Senn CX300
JLab J2
SoundMagic PL30

as well as a E3 amp that came with the Soundmagic. Of the(albeit cheap) IEMs that I have now. I think I enjoy the J2 and PL30 more. J2 could use more detail and the PL30 could use more base but generally speaking I like the sound of both of them. And I'm still not entirely sure if or not the creative and senn are the same phone, they look the same and sounds really similar.

I hardly use my E3 anymore because I just cannot stand the hiss that it produces, it's also really bulky to carry around, E5 should be better with the clip and all.

My question is, what does the RE2 sounds like(with and without the E5, chances are if the difference isn't huge I won't use the amp that often) compares to the IEMs that I already have?

BTW: Just got my Denon 1001 2 weeks or so ago? Should be fully burned in now, and I love the sound besides the fact that I have to turn it up pretty loud. It may be comparing apples to oranges but how does the RE2 sounds compare to the Denon(I know I know, Full size vs. IEM, and $90 can vs. $40)?

Thanks in advance

edit: oh, one more thing. Listens to mostly rock.

pwfcafe’s Music Profile – Users at Last.fm

edit #2: 2 more questions: how long is shipping from head direct and what kind of post count do I need to hit to post in the selling forum?

[macbug]

I just got my headphones couple days ago so I'm still evaluating it, and my E5 is somewhere between Hongkong and Vancouver -_- with no tracking number even though they said it shipped a week ago? Maybe HK mail only flies over once a week or something cause dealextreme sure knows how to ship a 85 cent NDS screw over the pacific for free...

My RE2 was shipped from China but it took maybe 3 days to actually get to Shanghai, after that it took roughly a week to get to Canada but was held in customs for 2 days and over the weekend, fortunately no duty. I've read that some people got theirs shipped from New York, so presumably if you were in the US of A shipping is both cheaper (5 dollars I believe) and probably faster.

As you may have read in the other thread I am a previous owner of EP-630, so about the only comparison I can make is to that, plus possibly a pair of pretty cheap (30 dollars or so) Sony full sized cans. I did have access to a pair of AKG at work except I fubared the cable when the chair rolled over it, but I hated it anyway and it needed an amp because all the audio designers were singing its praises and they had them plugged into thousand dollar amps or something.

Anyways, I'm still getting used to the biflanges, the ep630 was single flange and somehow managed to do a perfect fit for my ear canal and is very bottom heavy at the expense of mids and highs. The RE2 is DEFINITELY much much better in the mids and highs and has a lot more detail, if you're used to hearing EP630 you're going to hear things you've never heard before in your favorite songs. As far as I can tell the CX300 is pretty much identical to the EP630, in fact i was considering it as a replacement if not for it being sold in Canada for 80 while in the US it was going for 20. Never seen or heard of the J2 but when I was researching the RE2 the consensus seemed to be that the RE2 was better than the PL30, although it seemed like the closest match would be those two and your best indicator of RE2 + E5 is likely PL30 + E3

As for bass I am still waiting to hear it (especially with roaring bus engines in the background), especially since I got used to the EP630 which is just plain crazy on bass. This is where I need to get my E5 to talk further about, I'll post my thoughts when I get them, whenever that is -_- But in terms of mid and highs it's still better than the full sized Sony.

There's an audio designer at work waiting on my feedback for the RE2 as well because he wants a budget pair to use it mainly on buses and trains like me, with the catch that it has to tune out the annoying guy with open headphones sitting 4 seats away, unfortunately in that respect I'm not entirely sure I'd recommend this particular pair to him just yet, I'll see how the E5 changes my mind...

I have to say now though the microphonics is worse than the EP630 and the build feels inferior, especially the cable.

[Sinocelt]

You'll find detailed reviews of the RE2 (including ClieOS's, to which he referred you) by using the Search function. As for my own opinion, in short: I've had the EP-630, and liked it, and like the RE2 much better. The bass is tight; a little thin maybe, but the tiny E5 amp makes up for this weakness.

The effect of the E5, even with the bass boost, is subtle, but it does allow me to cross the line between hearing the bass to actually feeling it, and the music gets more immersive too. I'm not a bass-head, though.

Finally: I love the big bi-flange tips. I get an immediate, very good seal, and don't lose it even when I open my mouth wide. Very good seal doesn't equal very good isolation, though, since the RE2 is a semi-open design. The cord is pretty microphonic, too.

[Joelby]

Honestly for $50 and a bonus E5 just buy the bloody things!

[playingwithfire]

Originally Posted by Sinocelt

You'll find detailed reviews of the RE2 (including ClieOS's, to which he referred you) by using the Search function. As for my own opinion, in short: I've had the EP-630, and liked it, and like the RE2 much better. The bass is tight; a little thin maybe, but the tiny E5 amp makes up for this weakness.

I have read the review, the thing is, without many experience above the $30 line as far as IEM. I am not very good with the comparisons that people here compares the RE2 to. I tends to understand things better when I have something to compare it to. Like Senn CX300 is like a more refined JVC Marshmallow, but slightly less comfortable.

[dweaver]

What do you not like about your existing phones and what do you like about the same phones?

It's difficult to help you decide on the right option without knowing why your wanting to buy something. For example if you liked the bass of the CX300 but thought it sounded muddy and then liked the overall detail of the PL-30 but thought they lacked bass, people who have the RE2 and have had the other phones will then be able to let you know whether they are going to be good for you.

[FrederikS|TPU]

For $50 it is robbery in broad daylight. An utterly steal at that price. Plus the E5 is a sweet little thing.

[playingwithfire]

Originally Posted by dweaver

What do you not like about your existing phones and what do you like about the same phones?

It's difficult to help you decide on the right option without knowing why your wanting to buy something. For example if you liked the bass of the CX300 but thought it sounded muddy and then liked the overall detail of the PL-30 but thought they lacked bass, people who have the RE2 and have had the other phones will then be able to let you know whether they are going to be good for you.

Well, the bass of CX300 and EP630 is so overwhelming and drowning out all the other sound that I don't really listen to either any more. Overall I like the J2, but it lacks detail(I thought, but I don't have trained ear). I really like the PL30's sound, the bass don't bother me THAT much(plus I can boost it with a Fiio), the problem I have with PL30 however is the comfort issue. Maybe my ear is weirdly shaped(nobody has ever said so before), but the cord absolutely refuse to stay over my ear and none of the tips stay in all that well besides the foam, which is disgusting after a period of use. The cord drops from the top of my ear so much that I can't possibly use it walking around any more. That's why I'm considering the more conventional RE2.

BTW: as a Chinese Canadian, nice to see all the Chinese and Canadian brotherens here

[macbug]

Is there any particular reason you are not considering the NE-7M or Turbines? I know the Turbines are double the money but the NE-7M seems to be strongly favored around here and costs the same as RE2 + E5

[Scarlet Infidel]

Originally Posted by macbug

Is there any particular reason you are not considering the NE-7M or Turbines?

Ive not tried the NE-7Ms myself (id like to though) but I think the consensus is that it offers more bass than RE2s but not as much detail.

If this is true (best to check for yourself) I think its an issue of which sound you prefer rather than a case of one being better than the other.

[playingwithfire]

Originally Posted by Scarlet Infidel

Ive not tried the NE-7Ms myself (id like to though) but I think the consensus is that it offers more bass than RE2s but not as much detail.

If this is true (best to check for yourself) I think its an issue of which sound you prefer rather than a case of one being better than the other.

Yeah, I'd rather have more detail than bass, the bass can be fixed with an amp or EQ. Details can't.

[diw]

So I own a pair of the RE2's, and I find the cord extremely microphonic, among other nitpicks. They are my first IEM's, so I wanted to try something that was considered a good cheap IEM to see whether I could actually listen to and enjoy IEM for an extended period. I got the Comply 400 tips, which help a little. Anyone have a suggestion of what would be a significant step up from the RE2? I mean you can obviously spend a large amount of money if you want, but what would be a category of IEMs that I could get and feel like I got a noticable upgrade for my money. With a better cord.

[Bína]

Just Try cabel over the ear, it really helps with mine. I use Phonak's ear guide, and I have no problems with microphonic.

[playingwithfire]

Just got my RE2+E5 today. Just in time as my J2's left ear died today.

Packaging isn't fancy but it's nicely done.

Some more question however(sorry)

1. What kind of tips do you use for the RE2? I'm using the biggest, semi-clear bi-flange but that thing feels huge. There doesn't seem to be a "medium" tip as it goes from the small bi-flange that's barely bigger than the default to this huge one.

2. How long does it take to charge the E5? Is there going to be a signal when it's done?

So far so good with the RE2, comfort and microphonic are issues right now but I think with some more fiddling and a clip I should be able to fix both.

Thanks for the suggestion

Edit: there is a little exposed space on the back of the E5(clip side) slightly above the charging port. Looks like exposed wire. But feels harder. Not sure what it is, is that the case for everybody? Am I making sense or do I need to upload a pic?

[macbug]

I use the biggest single flange because its big and soft and gives a good fit and doesn't irritate my ear canals like the big biflanges. There is a medium sized black biflange included but that doesn't provide me with a good seal, if anything I think they should've gone for a half way medium/large flange that's very soft instead of providing another pair of the same large white biflanges.

As for the E5... are you sure you're not referring to the spring for the clip?

Also my #1 beef right now with the E5 is that the power button has to be pressed for a little bit to turn off, but turns on instantly. In a pocket with all other things it seems like it ends up being ON all the time. People apparently complained about E3 not having a power button... but I think the smarter thing to do would've been to add another switch like the bass boost.