I've have the original RE-0 from when it first came out. straight plug, rubber cable. Never had any problem with them at all. the love or hate of these IEM's is all about getting the right tip fit. everyone I have ever spoken with in regards to these iems not sounding amazing had no idea what the right fit even was. with the wrong tip, they sound thin and lame. with a correct fitting tip, these are absolutely without a doubt one of the BEST IEM's you can get.. period. I recently listened to the most expensive IEM on the market at a meet. and I just felt they didnt compare to what the RE-0 brings to the table. Was it a great IEM, yes, but it just did not deliver to MY ears what I was looking for. Everyone hears things differently. thats a lesson I've learned in my time here. Yes, the RE-0 sound can be improved. yes. soundstage could widen, and they do come off as sounding a bit Dry when compared with something like the RE 272. In fact, at this writing, the 272 is the iem I would consider when my RE-0 dies. Although I hear there are two new IEM's coming out from hifiman/head-direct.
I am strongly in the camp that the RE-0 needs an amp to really make it work properly. Yes, you can get great sound out of an ipod, but you can just look at the specs and see that it desires some quality amping. I am currently using the RSA Hornet amp set to MID - whiplash audio LOD - Ipod classic with lossless files - to the RE-0 as my portable setup. Excellent..
Unfortunately, it seems that because the RE-0 is older, it is being discontinued. its been at the clearance price of $49 for a bit now. I of course ordered an extra pair to have on hand, because I've almost lost mine 3 times, and I went into a panic. at $49, everyone should own a pair of these. if for no other reason then to give yourself a reference point for what real smooth treble extension is supposed to sound like.
Boy, I sure wrote too much for an IEM that is going away. but this is the "appreciation" thread, so I feel ok about it.