[Soul_Est]

I am currently looking at either of these two IEMs to replace my HifiMAN RE252 which despite performing incredibly well with whatever music I throw at it, hisses like a cobra with my current sources (September 2006 MacBook and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10).  Getting an impedance adapter or a FiiO E7 isn't an option due to the added awkwardness to my planned portable rig.  After looking at |joker|'s excellent Multi-IEM Review thread, I narrowed my selection down to the Audeo Phonak PFE and the HifiMAN RE0.
 
Now, from what I've read in the Multi-IEM Review thread and the RE0 Appreciation thread, the RE0 will have a much narrower soundstage and yet will still provide the detailed representation that I've always loved the RE252 for.  The comfort might be an issue as I prefer wearing the cables of IEMs over my ears for deeper insertion.  Thus the earpiece rubs against my ear causing chaffing and skin irritation.
 
On the other hand, the PFE according to the PFE Appreciation thread and the same Multi-IEM Review thread is very comfortable, offers a wider soundstage than the RE0 and deals with impedance mismatches much the same way as the RE0 does (which is way batter than the RE252 *hissssssss*

).  The only thing I need to listen for (and possibly correct) is the coloration in the bass.  I have also looked into getting the Klipsch Exclusive Oval Eartips as the nozzle size different between the PFE and the Image S4 is only 0.5 mm (PFE: 3.5 mm; Image S4: 3.0 mm).
 
The question now is whether I go with the manufacturer (HifiMAN) that has earned my respect with the RE252 and the store that has provided excellent customer service (Head-Direct) or do I go with the manufacturer (Audeo) known for making incredibly comfortable IEMs but whose customer service is unknown to me.
 
Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[goodvibes]

Phonak's are more efficient than the 252. Go REO or maybe better yet, 262.

 

[Pianist]

Hey, I just bought a pair of Q-jays recently from an apple store at College/Spadina for $149. They were on sale and maybe still are. They are fantastic sounding IEMs (dual balanced armatures and very well tuned) and have a 95 db sensitivity so they pretty much don't hiss at all. I am not sure how they compare with RE252 because I have not heard RE252 yet, but unamped I preferred them to RE0. We could meet up sometime at the end of this week or next week and I could let you try these out. If you like them, we could trade - you will give me the RE252 and I will give you the q-jays.

Not becuase I don't like q-jays, but because I really want to try the 252s.
 
Now if you want something more serious, I think it may be worth it waiting for the RE262, although the impedance on them is pretty high at 150 Ohm and so they will most likely need an amp to sound great.
 
I do not recommend PFE. I think it is nowhere near as good in sound quality as RE0 or q-jays. It really lacks detail to my ears.

 

[mobbaddict]

Hey Pianist are you sure the PFEs you tried didn't have dirty filters? The lack of detail is one of the last thing that would come to my mind when using them. They're faster than the RE0s.

 

[kmhaynes]

Your choice may also depend on your desired wearing style.  RE0 are normally worn down, but can be worn over the ear.  AFAIK, the PFE can only be worn over the ear -- someone may correct me on this if I'm wrong.

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

Hey Pianist are you sure the PFEs you tried didn't have dirty filters? The lack of detail is one of the last thing that would come to my mind when using them. They're faster than the RE0s.

No, the filters were fine. With PFE all sounds are there, but they lack natural texture and decay. PFE may be a bit faster than RE0, but not by much when both are amped.

 

[goodvibes]

Quote:

Hey, I just bought a pair of Q-jays recently from an apple store at College/Spadina for $149. They were on sale and maybe still are. They are fantastic sounding IEMs (dual balanced armatures and very well tuned) and have a 95 db sensitivity so they pretty much don't hiss at all. I am not sure how they compare with RE252 because I have not heard RE252 yet, but unamped I preferred them to RE0. We could meet up sometime at the end of this week or next week and I could let you try these out. If you like them, we could trade - you will give me the RE252 and I will give you the q-jays.

Not becuase I don't like q-jays, but because I really want to try the 252s.
 
Now if you want something more serious, I think it may be worth it waiting for the RE262, although the impedance on them is pretty high at 150 Ohm and so they will most likely need an amp to sound great.
 
I do not recommend PFE. I think it is nowhere near as good in sound quality as RE0 or q-jays. It really lacks detail to my ears.

Sounds just right.

 

[Soul_Est]

Thank you so much for the input goodvibes, kmhaynes, mobbaddict and pianist.  I truly appreciate it.  

 
Quote:

Hey, I just bought a pair of Q-jays recently from an apple store at College/Spadina for $149. They were on sale and maybe still are. They are fantastic sounding IEMs (dual balanced armatures and very well tuned) and have a 95 db sensitivity so they pretty much don't hiss at all. I am not sure how they compare with RE252 because I have not heard RE252 yet, but unamped I preferred them to RE0. We could meet up sometime at the end of this week or next week and I could let you try these out. If you like them, we could trade - you will give me the RE252 and I will give you the q-jays.

Not because I don't like q-jays, but because I really want to try the 252s.
 
Now if you want something more serious, I think it may be worth it waiting for the RE262, although the impedance on them is pretty high at 150 Ohm and so they will most likely need an amp to sound great.
 
I do not recommend PFE. I think it is nowhere near as good in sound quality as RE0 or q-jays. It really lacks detail to my ears.

I completely forgot about the Q-Jays! Well I can definitely do that then however I ended up misplacing the smaller bi-flange tips awhile back (large single flange are also MIA).

  When we meet up just tell me which tips you need and I'll order them for you.  I'm going to be by Bloor and Yonge tomorrow if you want to meet up sooner since I can stop off at Spadina on the way there.  If not that day, then Saturday evening would be the only time there is until next week.