Okay, since Tony has already pretty much summed up the RE3 pre-production experience, and done it in a much more audiophile style than I could hope to deliver, at the outset I have to say I agree with the majority of his observations.
Design-wise, the R3s is a sleek looking canal phone. However, I notice in Tony’s photos the arm extension, which is on the north side, is outside of his ear. At least it looks that way. When I wear them, I tuck the arm inside the upper part of my ear, and it provides a way to secure the phones (which is why it exists, of course). Just check the photo Fang posted on page one. That’s the good news, because of all the canal phones I have used, the RE3s are as easy to seat and unseat as it gets.
On the downside, while the extension arm is rubbery and soft, it does push against the ear, even if lightly, and with extended use, it creates a sort spot, much like an ear bud does to my ears (mainly because my ears are too small for buds when it comes to long-term wear).
So that’s an issue, albeit a minor one. The sore spot isn’t really obvious until you take the phones out, and you can feel it. For whatever reason, they don’t really hurt when in the ear.
As Tony noted, the final version is going to have a softer driver shell as well, but that’s not a problem for me, it’s the little arm thingie. I am almost tempted to remove it with a knife, since I am not sure I need it to secure the phones. Still thinking about that. Tony reported he now loops the wire over his ear, but not sure if that means the positioning of the arm extension is any different.
As for the cable, it’s a fabric, as Tony noted. I think the Klipsch Custom 3 also has a fabric cable, but that is from memory. It is very easy to untangle and not noisy at all, though I still use the included shirt clip (just a habit).
As far as tips, as I mentioned, as soon as the RE3s arrived, I took off the included medium silicones and replaced them with my favorite canal phone tip, the Sony hybrid (large). Not sure why, but the Sonys just seal perfectly for me. I use them on the ADDIEMs, and also used them on other canal phones I have own and sold or gave away. To me, there is no comparison.
Example: I tried all the standard silicone sizes that came with the RE3, as well as the biflanges (the smaller, not the gargantuan ones). None of the included tips worked. Anything but the large single flanges leaked and totally lost any bass response, even the biflanges. Also tried Comply foamies, but as Tony noted, they completely demolished the sparkle these phones can toss off. Muffled is the way to describe it.
The RE3 are very easy to drive on the Sony, Zune and Touch players, but the Clip seems to need nearly full volume. Since I normally have the T4 velcroed to the Clip, that’s no issue.
Sound quality
Tony’s email above, comparing the RE3 to the RE0, especially nails this phone’s sound signature. Midrange rules, for the most part. And as he says, certain instruments and vocals can be somewhat aggressive. Especially with poorly recorded, older tracks (rock mainly), harshness can rear its ugly head. However, on jazz, vocal and instrumental track, or any well-mastered/recorded tracks, the RE3s really shine.
(All those who absolutely refuse to use EQ, avert your eyes). Having said that, the RE3 respond extremely well to EQ. On the Sony A818, for example, you can bring down the mid frequencies for a tiny correction.
On the bottom end, IE8/ FX500 fans probably will not care for the RE3s. Much like the PFEs (though I think the RE3s are, on balance, a preferable phone), the RE3s deliver quality bass, articulated and extremely defined. But while Tony hears both quality and quantity, my ears felt there was some quantity problems. Again, a tick or two on the Sony Clear Bass EQ and most bass fans should be happy. It works for me.
I guess at this point, you can get the sense that I am a fan of the RE3, provided you use the right tip (for me, the Sony hybrid), and the right player. Sometimes, I think certain phones just don’t match up as well with certain players.
I do like the RE3s with the Touch, but because of the Touch’s limited EQ potential, not as much. Same with the Zune, which has no EQ potential. Not saying the RE3s sound bad with those players, but I just feel they need some EQ tweaking to perform at the max, and those players can’t deliver that option. Don’t get me wrong, I could live with the RE3 and any of those DAPs, but the added dimension of the more flexible Sony and Clip EQ is nice to have.
Treble is excellent, as is detail and instrument separation.
Again, as Tony and seem to I agree, sometimes an older track can come on and all of a sudden, the midrange can get a little harsh (he calls it honking). My EQ efforts seemed to have stunted that possibility, without negatively affecting the overall excellent sound the RE3 can pump out.
On a final note, I did some brief comparison with the Westone 3, and while I still favor the W3 as my everyday in-ear phone, the RE3 isn’t too far behind (and I still think the ADDIEMs are an amazing value as the third string). The Westone bass and treble really deliver a fine listening experience for me, and I expect it will only get better when I finally succumb and buy the UM56 sleeves.
As for pricing, etc., no doubt that will be available in the Head-Direct sponsor forum soon enough.
