first of all, let me to say that this one is very much alike to gr02 (as expected). it's hard to notice any difference but the frequency balance. r02 is coming with 1-2khz amplified. i find 1khz amplification is ok but 2khz is overpowered for my taste. weirdly, it's 2khz amplification amount is exactly the same with brainwavz r1 (this two are the only ones which carries 2khz amplification between the ~25 models i've tried so far).
thank god this is easily correctable by the help of an equalizer. i always reduce their 2khz frequency by 4-6 db's, because it affects badly to the most songs i listen. 1khz amplification on the other hand, makes voices more forwarded & clear but you can do this in other earphones with the help of an equalizer so i don't count it as an unique feature.
i see a lot of sellers says r02 is good for female vocals. the product features 1khz amplification as i already said and it helps with both vocals as a result. i didn't felt anything special with females and yes, thanks to g/r02's wide soundstage & seperations, vocals sound clear & seperated enough and raised 1khz works great but they're certainly not the best earphones for vocals. because they're not sound big enough along with the mids.
so in conclusion, just like the gr02 this one is also very good. i didn't felt any bass absence in r02. i didn't used the two on the same time but if there's a difference between gr02 bass edition and r02 silver, that must be very little (just like in the vsd3/s situation but the difference might even more small). because of the similarity of gr02 & r02, actually there's nothing to talk about r02 except that 1-2khz peak and the price difference. since there's vsd3/s on that price range ($40-50), i don't think just for a silver cable you should pay this price. i bought mine from lmue with the discounted price but gr02 or the version named "r02 professional edition" on penonaudio seemingly a better choice due to lower ordinary price.
g/r02's bass frequencies coming very flat, you need more amplification on 30hz deep bass (strong bass frequencies like 125hz also comes unamped but not as much as deep bass) than most of bassy models out there. be sure to feed it right to get more bass.
