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Gift or Snobbery: Old RE2

Poll Results: Should I gift the RE2?

Poll expired: Dec 16, 2010  
  • 83% (5)
    Yes
  • 16% (1)
    No
6 Total Votes  
post #1 of 6
12/8/10 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 

Some of you may know. I came here last year asking about a "hifi setup on a budget". I think I got what I achieved, and I am enjoying music more than ever, thanks to this community. My first "hifi" headphones were the RE2, which set me back $40. I thought they sounded excellent, but kind of regretted that they cost so much (now I still think that headphones are expensive, but I'm using $100 phones now).

 

I have since quit portable listening, because I like to be aware of my surroundings when on the street, and when taking the subway. The 4train is so loud and crowded, there is no point in trying to listen to music when riding it. I find my time is better spent reading a book or simply having a short nap. Thanks to some kind Head-fiers, I think I've done pretty good with my limited budget. I am looking to buy a starving student amp, though, but thats another thread.

 

In any case, I have this friend who really loves music. He has never heard any 'phones other than the white, jejune ipod buds. Since I am not using my RE2s anymore, I thought it would be a great idea to gift it to him. I originally had more selfish ambitions in mind, checking the RE2 selling price here on the forums, but it looks like I won't net more than $20 anyway. I figure, why can't my first "hifi" headphones serve the same purpose to someone else?

 

But here's the problem: They are used. The filters have come off, but otherwise, they are in very good condition. I had the 2nd rendition with the cloth cables and stiff straight plug, but they broke, and Fang sent me the 3rd rendition, with the new plastic and the flexible straight plug. If I am to gift them, do I have to get him new tips, or just clean them up.

 

In addition, it might be very pretentious to give them away. I kind of tried to get him to listen to them, but we were always in too loud of an environment that he could not hear the differences between the RE2 and the ibuds. Giving them to him now seems like "hey, these headphones are too bad for me, so now I'll give them to you".

 

So what do you think? Should I do it, or make my friend suffer the consequences of Steve Job's imbecility to create good pack in phones?


Edited by blackbird - 12/8/10 at 5:16pm
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post #2 of 6
12/8/10 at 8:43pm

Well... Used IEMs, even with cleaned tips, are still kind of gross and weird to gift away. If you were going to give them as a gift, I'd recommend new ear pieces.

 

A lot of times, especially with IEMs, they need the right ear piece/flange to maximize the sound they're hearing as ear canals range in size from person to person, so while the seal might be just right for you, it could be it doesn't seal on him leaving mids to sound thin and bass too light.

 

In any case, the best and worst gift you could give him is a link to this website.

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post #3 of 6
12/8/10 at 9:30pm

^x2 if you're going to give them to him, definitely get some new tips. You're in NYC and could probably pick up a set of complys at B&H for 15 bucks.

 

How you give the gift is the trick. Say, "Hey, I think you would like these. I don't listen on the train anymore, but since you commute, give them a try."

 

And giving him a link here will ruin another innocent.

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post #4 of 6
12/8/10 at 9:55pm

I think with some fresh tips this is a perfectly acceptable gift, especially for a close friend you have a good rapport with.

 

As for your current situation... I recently bought my first set of IEMs solely for an airplane trip, the etymotic hf5 and comply foam tips.  The sound isolation is amazing.  If I only had them for the 6 hours round trip I was in the air they still would have been worth the $100 I paid for them.  If it can silence the sound of two jet engines, it should work well on that train.

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post #5 of 6
12/10/10 at 2:08am

If it's on a special occasion such as Christmas or his birthday, it would definitely come off as pretentious. However, if you just pull the "hey, I don't need these anymore, want some free headphones?", only cleaning them up a bit should suffice. He might even become an audiophile or be really thankful if he comes to appreciate their sq.

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post #6 of 6
12/10/10 at 2:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaggy View Post

If it's on a special occasion such as Christmas or his birthday, it would definitely come off as pretentious. However, if you just pull the "hey, I don't need these anymore, want some free headphones?", only cleaning them up a bit should suffice. He might even become an audiophile or be really thankful if he comes to appreciate their sq.


I don't really see it as pretentious.  A gift is a gift.  Now if your buddy gave you a gift and you just gave a pair of used earphones in return, that could be problematic, but I don't think this is the case.

 

I think it's a great present to give.  Tips would be nice, but I don't see it as necessary.  It's free.  It's a present.  You don't have to do anything extra to give them to someone.  If I was trying to be nice and gave them to someone and then they made a complaint, I personally would be insulted.

 

I'm sure your friend will appreciate a pair to get him interested in quality audio equipment.  Sounds like a nice gesture to me.

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