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Dilemma: which to return, RE-262 or Meelec A161p?

post #1 of 7
12/28/12 at 10:13am
Thread Starter 

Hello Head-fi. Normally I try not to start these kind of threads, but money's at stake here (I guess that's a given since I'm on Head-fi? tongue.gif).

 

Anyway, I've searched a bit around for direct comparisons between the RE-262 vs. the Meelec A161p but couldn't find any. I've read many a good things about the 262, and fell in love with their mids, highs, and soundstage (coming from an RE-ZERO and Ety HF3). However, I keep reading that it has good subbass extension, but I'm not feeling it. Is it because I've only burned them in for ~30 hours? Or is it because my amp is inadequate? My portable gear is a Clip+ with a one battery cMoyBB.

 

I recently ordered the A161 and want to know which to keep without opening the A161 (I don't want Meelec to be unable to sell a product that is opened for a few hours when it could've otherwise been sold as brand new). Specifically I'm seeing how their soundstage and (sub)bass compare, but I don't mind a direct comparison between the entire spectrum.

 

Which is the better value (RE-262 for $100 or the A161 for $66)?

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post #2 of 7
12/28/12 at 10:27am

You really should try them both, then return the one you like less. IEMs are one of those products that you have to buy to try (at least in the US) so don't worry about returning. Companies have systems in place to deal with returns and they will most likely test it for a second, then repackage it and resell it as new. 

 

I had the RE-262s and they sounded fantastic but they don't really have great bass quantity and I felt they rolled off in the sub-bass department (using a Fiio E11). I actually thought the bass in my RE0's was a bit better but this could also be due to the fitting issues I had with the RE-262s.

 

Sorry for the tangent, just try them both with different genres of music and make your decision. I've been doing this for a little while now using Amazon as my testing ground for the "next" IEM to own.

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post #3 of 7
12/28/12 at 10:58am
Thread Starter 

Yea, that's the same feeling I'm getting concerning the RE-262: a bit of bass roll-off (despite many claims otherwise) and that my RE-ZERO has more apparent (sub)bass. I guess I'll try out the A161 when it gets here, but I'm still hoping for more inputs. Thanks a lot biggrin.gif

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post #4 of 7
12/28/12 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhima View Post

You really should try them both, then return the one you like less. IEMs are one of those products that you have to buy to try (at least in the US) so don't worry about returning. Companies have systems in place to deal with returns and they will most likely test it for a second, then repackage it and resell it as new. 

 

I had the RE-262s and they sounded fantastic but they don't really have great bass quantity and I felt they rolled off in the sub-bass department (using a Fiio E11). I actually thought the bass in my RE0's was a bit better but this could also be due to the fitting issues I had with the RE-262s.

 

Sorry for the tangent, just try them both with different genres of music and make your decision. I've been doing this for a little while now using Amazon as my testing ground for the "next" IEM to own.

They can not resell as new if opened and the system in place is that they need to make it up by charging more. Sometimes, the only way to know is try but it's nice that the OP has more consideration than most.

These might help. http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANRE262.pdf http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/MEEA161P.pdf

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post #5 of 7
12/28/12 at 1:18pm

I'd return the A161p over the RE262 for sure.  I had both and I think the RE262 is a much better IEM and the only thing the A161 has over them is more bass impact and depth which you can adjust with EQ'ing and give the RE262 plenty of punch imo.  Both a mid-centric and the RE262 is much more resolving and better detailed so I think the A161 would be the ones to go.

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post #6 of 7
12/28/12 at 8:03pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the inputs. I don't exactly know what each graph means aside from the FR, Isolation, and *maybe* the Impulse Response ones, but it looks like the RE-262 is smoother. Also looking at Techno Kid's sig and how highly he rates the RE-262 compared to the A161p, I think I can stay my hand from opening the latter.

 

My solution: return neither!!! Instead, I'll return the unopened A151 I got two weeks ago and gift the A161p to a rock/metal friend of mine. Take that, wallet biggrin.gif

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post #7 of 7
12/28/12 at 8:06pm

Yeah the RE262 is a good bit better than the A161 so you made the right choice imo.

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