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
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
