[tgx78]

My IEM collection is about to get quite small.

R2A, R2PRO and that's it.

I have been listening to R2A for few days now and about an hour ago opened R2PRO and I truly cannot believe what I am hearing from such a tiny little thing.

These really do sound effortlessly full and open like some well tuned full size headphones. Tonality is spot on. resolution is superb. Bass is the best bass I've ever heard from any IEM so far. Highs are also nice but you do need to experiment with few tips to find your own sweet spot. I did noticed that wide bore tips made highs sounding little metallic and thin.

Bach violin concertos by Hilary Hahn (24bit/88.2khz): I can finally see cello players without any haze and follow every last low octaves without any brain squeeze trying to locate them in soundscape.
Solo player is precisely positioned in the center with holographic imaging with spot on instrumental timbre. First and second violin section is well separated and really the first thing that struck me again was the accurate spatial sound and the air between instruments.

Piano is one of the hardest instrument to record and reproduce via audio.

Bach: Two and Three Part Inventions by Glenn Gould (SACD):
First thing.. I can now clearly hear the chair squeaking when soloist moves his upper body while he is playing. Gould's humming is also clearly heard and voiced above piano keys. My mon was piano teacher and I grew up listening to this instrument at least 5-10 hours a day. R2PRO gets it very close. Piano's large tonal range is well portrayed here with a good dynamic range.

I am hoping to do some more write ups and comparisons when my brother returns my IE800.

 

[destrozer]

My IEM collection is about to get quite small.

R2A, R2PRO and that's it.

I have been listening to R2A for few days now and about an hour ago opened R2PRO and I truly cannot believe what I am hearing from such a tiny little thing.

These really do sound effortlessly full and open like some well tuned full size headphones. Tonality is spot on. resolution is superb. Bass is the best bass I've ever heard from any IEM so far. Highs are also nice but you do need to experiment with few tips to find your own sweet spot. I did noticed that wide bore tips made highs sounding little metallic and thin.

Bach violin concertos by Hilary Hahn (24bit/88.2khz): I can finally see cello players without any haze and follow every last low octaves without any brain squeeze trying to locate them in soundscape.
Solo player is precisely positioned in the center with holographic imaging with spot on instrumental timbre. First and second violin section is well separated and really the first thing that struck me again was the accurate spatial sound and the air between instruments.

Piano is one of the hardest instrument to record and reproduce via audio.

Bach: Two and Three Part Inventions by Glenn Gould (SACD):
First thing.. I can now clearly hear the chair squeaking when soloist moves his upper body while he is playing. Gould's humming is also clearly heard and voiced above piano keys. My mon was piano teacher and I grew up listening to this instrument at least 5-10 hours a day. R2PRO gets it very close. Piano's large tonal range is well portrayed here with a good dynamic range.

I am hoping to do some more write ups and comparisons when my brother returns my IE800.

Glad you love them. It'd have made me guilty if you hadn't, since you sold your rockets when I told you the R2s were a level up from them.

 

[michaelgordon]

I have put my R2A up for sale.  Post to UK only
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/774901/flare-audio-r2a

 

[tgx78]

Glad you love them. It'd have made me guilty if you hadn't, since you sold your rockets when I told you the R2s were a level up from them.

I still think there is certain charm in rockets mid frequency and how vocals are conveyed, but you were correct R2A is better in almost every other area.

If someone in Canada wants to sell their R2A let me know. My friend wants one after hearing mine.

 

[holden4th]

My IEM collection is about to get quite small.

R2A, R2PRO and that's it.

I have been listening to R2A for few days now and about an hour ago opened R2PRO and I truly cannot believe what I am hearing from such a tiny little thing.

These really do sound effortlessly full and open like some well tuned full size headphones. Tonality is spot on. resolution is superb. Bass is the best bass I've ever heard from any IEM so far. Highs are also nice but you do need to experiment with few tips to find your own sweet spot. I did noticed that wide bore tips made highs sounding little metallic and thin.

Bach violin concertos by Hilary Hahn (24bit/88.2khz): I can finally see cello players without any haze and follow every last low octaves without any brain squeeze trying to locate them in soundscape.
Solo player is precisely positioned in the center with holographic imaging with spot on instrumental timbre. First and second violin section is well separated and really the first thing that struck me again was the accurate spatial sound and the air between instruments.

Piano is one of the hardest instrument to record and reproduce via audio.

Bach: Two and Three Part Inventions by Glenn Gould (SACD):
First thing.. I can now clearly hear the chair squeaking when soloist moves his upper body while he is playing. Gould's humming is also clearly heard and voiced above piano keys. My mon was piano teacher and I grew up listening to this instrument at least 5-10 hours a day. R2PRO gets it very close. Piano's large tonal range is well portrayed here with a good dynamic range.

I am hoping to do some more write ups and comparisons when my brother returns my IE800.

In the market for new iems and the IE800 was what I was going to get until I read about the R2As. The opinions in this thread have been mixed but it will be great to read a comparison between the two from someone who knows the IE800s well. Give your brother the hurry up

 

[RedJohn456]

Complys give the most consistent fit with the R2A but I am trying to replicate the experience with regular silicon tips. Any suggestions for that?

 

[RedJohn456]

I still think there is certain charm in rockets mid frequency and how vocals are conveyed, but you were correct R2A is better in almost every other area.

If someone in Canada wants to sell their R2A let me know. My friend wants one after hearing mine.

I am thinking of picking up the R2Pro, will let you know if I am getting rid of the R2A to finance that, will decide by thursday anyway.
 
Anyway, are you using comply tips only? I am trying to get the most out of my R2A. Amping definitely makes it improve quite a bit. Trying to get the best sound for it now with regular tips

 

[TwinACStacks]

 

Well I tried them (R2a), and to put it very politely I am NOT impressed. I found after rolling about 12 pairs of tips, that very wide Bore Black silicone tip sound best, either Senns or JVC.
 
Firstly they are HALF the Volume of any other earphones I have and if you put enough power to them to bring them to a Respectable level and add ANY Bass, these distortionless earphones Distort like a Mutha, mostly prominent in Female Vocals
 
Quietly they sound very good. Accurate, very well balanced, spacious soundstage and YAWN..... FLAT and Boring. Truthfully, I have about 10 various El Cheapo KZ earphones that will eat these alive, let alone Dunu Titans. It's not even close.
 
I would have them for sale RIGHT NOW but they are a collectors piece. Let me burn these in for about 200 Hours, have a listen at that time and pass final judgement.
 

TWIN

Please disregard this post. It was an initial impression, and WAY off base. With the CORRECT tips and a good amount of Burn In, these are indeed Great Headphones. My advice is the same as what was given to me: DO NOT Roll tips even if like me, you haven't had good luck with complys in the past. USE THEM!!!! This earphone is designed for them, and if you take the extra (PIA) care to roll and insert them DEEPLY, (contrary to what some are saying), you will be rewarded with precise, FULL Sound. If you think different tips will fit you better, you are quite likely to have the results from my first impression post above.
 
I owe a debt of gratitude to the couple of Guys who corrected me, ( LMka, Destrozer, Midgetguy), and steered me in the right direction by getting me to re-think HOW I was using them. As a matter of fact, I currently have a set of backup complys on the way from St. Paul.
 
I only hope this reply helps others in their quest with this fantastic earphone set.
 

TWIN

 

[marow]

Please disregard this post. It was an initial impression, and WAY off base. With the CORRECT tips and a good amount of Burn In, these are indeed Great Headphones. My advice is the same as what was given to me: DO NOT Roll tips even if like me, you haven't had good luck with complys in the past. USE THEM!!!! This earphone is designed for them, and if you take the extra (PIA) care to roll and insert them DEEPLY, (contrary to what some are saying), you will be rewarded with precise, FULL Sound. If you think different tips will fit you better, you are quite likely to have the results from my first impression post above.

I owe a debt of gratitude to the couple of Guys who corrected me, ( LMka, Destrozer, Midgetguy), and steered me in the right direction by getting me to re-think HOW I was using them. As a matter of fact, I currently have a set of backup complys on the way from St. Paul.

I only hope this reply helps others in their quest with this fantastic earphone set.

TWIN

Wonder how many ppl will regret their decision to sell them after a less then optimal first impression

 

[barondla]

See a lot of people regretting their decision. It takes time to review any transducer properly.

 

[RedJohn456]

 

Please disregard this post. It was an initial impression, and WAY off base. With the CORRECT tips and a good amount of Burn In, these are indeed Great Headphones. My advice is the same as what was given to me: DO NOT Roll tips even if like me, you haven't had good luck with complys in the past. USE THEM!!!! This earphone is designed for them, and if you take the extra (PIA) care to roll and insert them DEEPLY, (contrary to what some are saying), you will be rewarded with precise, FULL Sound. If you think different tips will fit you better, you are quite likely to have the results from my first impression post above.
 
I owe a debt of gratitude to the couple of Guys who corrected me, ( LMka, Destrozer, Midgetguy), and steered me in the right direction by getting me to re-think HOW I was using them. As a matter of fact, I currently have a set of backup complys on the way from St. Paul.
 
I only hope this reply helps others in their quest with this fantastic earphone set.
 

TWIN

 
I grew to love the R2A and I am glad I gave it a chance. I am still trying to get the best sound out of it. Can you specify what you meant by how you were using them and being steered in the right direction? Maybe it might help me get more out of the R2A.

 

[Deviltooth]

I have to disagree.  I used Comply and I inserted them properly.  The results were okay but after tip rolling and eventually settling on small, wide bore double flanges I'm much happier with my R2As.  When it comes to fit ear geometry can vary a lot and it's best for people to explore their options until they find what works best for them.  Personally what works best for me from a comfort (ability to keep IEMs in ear longest) is a custom.  The R2As are more comfortable than most universals because of their diminutive nature.

 

[Selenium]

Has anyone gotten the R2S? Seems like everyone's getting either the A or the Pro.

 

[RedJohn456]

  Has anyone gotten the R2S? Seems like everyone's getting either the A or the Pro.

 
Oddly enough, I think Naomi (from Flare) herself uses the R2S. yeah haven't seen too many impressions of those. they are like the red headed step child no one seems to care about lol

 

[Midgetguy]

   
Oddly enough, I think Naomi (from Flare) herself uses the R2S. yeah haven't seen too many impressions of those. they are like the red headed step child no one seems to care about lol

It would be nice to read some impressions. I have the R2As myself as they were much cheaper and because the "superior high frequency response" description led me to think that the R2S would be the brighter sounding one. That just wouldn't work for me as I'm a little sensitive to higher frequencies. Plus, a fairly large chunk of the music I listen to these days is EDM so the more impact-inducing R2A looked like the better choice. I don't regret it one bit, the R2A amazes me. It's not the best IEM I've heard to date, but definitely the most impressive. It's like breaking science by getting quality and quantity of bass response (in addition to pretty good mids and treble) out of a dynamic driver that is in an enclosure that would have trouble fitting 2 balanced armatures. THAT is seriously impressive.