Head-Fi is always bad news for my wallet... having just spent hours researching new phones for my better half, I now have decided that maybe it's time to finally get round to replacing my fart-box CX300s with something in the sun-$80 range.
So without further ado, I'm considering either the RE-0 or Brainzwavz M2 and wondered how folks would compare them to the lowly CX300 for use un-amped out of an ipod or smartphone for listening to alt rock, acoustic and electronic music.
The CX300 bass has never really bothered me in terms of sheer volume (away from home I like to have fun with my music), but it is too boomy and sloppy a lot of the time and, due to the mid-bass emphasis, I find a lot of deeper bass notes are just not there, either drowned out by the boom or simply unable to be played by the CX300. It also makes the entire listening experience slightly unbalanced, lacking in detail with no sparkle. But you already knew all that!
Since I'll be listening to music in mostly noisy environments I feel that decent, though not overpowering, bass is essential, but more importantly the bass has to be fairly taught so deeper notes can still be heard and it is still tuneful. As such, I wonder if the RE-0s will have enough grunt to satisfy compared to the M2. On the other hand, being somewhat of an audio perfectionist, I would still like a good soundstage and some clarity to the music, without fatigue, which would seem to favor the RE-0 over the M2. And finally, build and comfort are gonna be important, which would seem to favor the M2 from what I've read. If it's any help, my desk headphones include the Grado 225 and Shure SR840.... both of which I like a lot but the Shures usually end up being my favored listen for long periods.
Anyone have any comments, preferences or issues I might not have thought of? Also curious if there are any other options out there that I should consider in the $50-$80 range (I looked at the Fischer Silver Bullet, but no stock and no idea when they'll be available).
Edited by wordfool - 11/8/10 at 10:13am
