HIFIMAN RE300a/ RE300i InLine and RE300h (hifi) Earphone launched! *Impressions added*

[HouseOfDoom]

Not trying to cause trouble, but wondering how your opinion changed so much in the space of a couple of weeks? Was it just listening to the 300h? Or have you changed your opnion of the 300i/a sound signature?

The 300i are great little IEMs for hip hop, rap, house, or any music that Dr Dre Beats would also do for. When I was listening to them, I was mostly delving into my hip hop/pop music collection due to the wham bam bass on those things. They still had great speed in the lower registers for metal, but when I switched to my classic Rock/Rock/metal collection, the bass bleed and blurry highs just took the fun out of it being an all arounder. Even a filter mod did NOTHING to aleve this, so I moved on. The 300h are much better all arounders, and I've been using them far more than my VSonics or Tenore (similar sound sig, but with slightly less clarity and stage, but better bass presence and transparency).

 

[HouseOfDoom]

And no problem. You weren't making trouble. Just asking for clarification on a previous post. No biggie.

 

[altrunox]

Someone can post a picture using them over the ear?
Of course, If it`s possible to use them like that, else if they would be a no for me.

 

[Hatmann]

Fyi -- Comply representative told me the company hasn't yet tried the RE 300 series and doesn't know which tips would fit.

 

[getclikinagas]

  Fyi -- Comply representative told me the company hasn't yet tried the RE 300 series and doesn't know which tips would fit.

 
Your best bet would be to write to HiFiMAN customer care. They should be able to tell you. There is a chance the nozzle size matches the RE400 and RE600 (both came with comply tips)

 

[getclikinagas]

Well...here's something I didn't expect to see on CNET
 
Steve Guttenberg just laid down some impressions on the RE300h

 

Just do it: Toss your ear buds and get a decent headphone

The Audiophiliac reviews the Hifiman RE300, a new low price model from a high-end headphone-maker.

1. by Steve Guttenberg   
   
    @AudiophiliacMan
2. November 22, 2014 6:11 AM PST

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Apple ear buds (left), Hifiman RE300 in-ear headphones (right)Steve Guttenberg/CNET​

Whenever I'm on the New York subway I see lots of folks using the free ear buds that came with their phones, and I think that's a shame. It's not just the buds' so-so sound, those little buggers provide zero isolation from external noise. To be clear about this, ear buds rest on the outer folds of your ears, in-ear headphones like the new Hifiman RE300 fits inside your ear canals. So they function like earplugs, suppressing some of the noise around you. Right there, that's the biggest difference between ear buds and in-ears, because once you're not forced to play music loud enough to overcome external noise you can turn the volume down. In-ear headphones also produce another benefit: deeper, more powerful bass than most ear buds.

The thing that first grabbed me about the RE300's sound was its sweet demeanor, it's not bright or overly bassy. Its mellow character makes even harsh MP3s easy on the ears. The RE300's soft, forgiving nature lacks the crisp detail of the next model in the Hifiman line, the RE400, so if you crave maximum resolution go for that one.

With electronica wizards Aphex Twin's new "Syro" album the RE300 the low bass beats and thumps have plenty of weight; Boards of Canada's chugging "Happy Cycling" set my toes a tapping. Acoustic music sounded pleasantly rich, vocals are natural. The orchestral strings floating through Annie Lennox's new "Nostalgia" record sound like the real thing.

The RE300's driver size is listed as 8.5mm. This headphone boasts above average sensitivity, 108 dB/1mW, and its low impedance, just 16 Ohms, makes it super-easy to drive. Even the feeblest phones and MP3 players will rock your world with a set of RE300s. I credit the incredibly tiny ear pieces with this headphone's above average comfort (the image at the top of this page doesn't show show the proper scale of the two headphones).

There are three RE300 models, I used the RE300h, it has a "straight" cable, but if you need a mic and inline controls, opt for the RE300a for Android phones or a RE300i for iPhones (those last two have 32 Ohm impedance ratings). One concern, some users have noted the RE300's bulky, L-shape 3.5mm plug has compatibility issues with some phones in cases.

 
All three RE300 models come in black or white and sell in the US for $49, they will soon be available in the UK for £35, and in Australia for AU$59. The RE300 is terrific, but the RE400 is definitely worth paying a little extra for. Right now it's $79, £59 in the UK, and AU$99 in Australia.


 

 

[Hatmann]

   
Your best bet would be to write to HiFiMAN customer care. They should be able to tell you. There is a chance the nozzle size matches the RE400 and RE600 (both came with comply tips)

 
Agreed.
 
And if the folks at HiFiMan would reply (they haven't) or, better yet, post here for all to see the answer, that would be even better.

 

[HouseOfDoom]

They are built like schiit. The glue is coming off in the left ear strain relief. Light use. Lame. Into the junk drawer goes the 300h.

 

[K.J.]

The treble is NOT veiled. The highs are smooth and controlled. The treble is very similar to the Tenore. I'm beginning to think people are getting way wayyyy too used to that terribly bright top end that's prevalent in the Pistons, Ostry, VSonic, and certain KZ IEMs. The treble is very close to the RE-ZERO. The bass opens up and becomes more articulate with use, and the mids are creamy smooth. The bass is fast. Impactful when they need to be. Excellent timbre. Are they as wide as the ZERO? No. As wide as the Tenore? No. A problem? No. They have very good instrument separation and transparency. No sibilance at all. Am I a fan of that bright artificial clarity from those IEMs?? My personal opinion is no way. That's why I gave up on the VSD3S. Wow clarity and bright treble. ssssssss tttthhhh ssssshhhh galore. Pass. I'm sticking with my 300h. Well until my JVC FXT200 and FX850 hit my door in a few days.

Yeah that's partly why my VSD3S is going back, and I have a 300h arriving shortly. If the highs are similar to the ZERO, I'll be right at home.

 

[HouseOfDoom]

Yeah that's partly why my VSD3S is going back, and I have a 300h arriving shortly. If the highs are similar to the ZERO, I'll be right at home.

Smooth highs. Transparentish mids. Too warm for micro details, but a much more fun bass than previous HiFiMan offerings.

 

[WNBC]

Oh snap. Man, Hifiman makes some affordable and good sounding IEMs but they can't seem to produce a decent cable. After multiple cable issues on RE-Zero and RE-400 I passed on the $199 RE-600 sale. I got the RE-300i before I knew of the "h" version.

They are built like schiit. The glue is coming off in the left ear strain relief. Light use. Lame. Into the junk drawer goes the 300h.

 

[HouseOfDoom]

Oh snap. Man, Hifiman makes some affordable and good sounding IEMs but they can't seem to produce a decent cable. After multiple cable issues on RE-Zero and RE-400 I passed on the $199 RE-600 sale. I got the RE-300i before I knew of the "h" version.

You and me both. I was ready to jump on the $199 600 sale, then the glue came off. Couple this with my issues with the RE0 and RE400, and I took a PASS. Only HiFiMan that held up for me was the RE-ZERO, and even those had the strain relief "slip".

 

[K.J.]

Smooth highs. Transparentish mids. Too warm for micro details, but a much more fun bass than previous HiFiMan offerings.

That's honestly what I'm looking for, as I need something warm that hits for my hip-hop. 
 
I swore off Hifiman after my RE-400 issues, but they've pulled my back in again.

 

[rontant]

They are built like schiit. The glue is coming off in the left ear strain relief. Light use. Lame. Into the junk drawer goes the 300h.

So 300h is a no-go now? Mine is on the way....

 

[Dinerenblanc]

So 300h is a no-go now? Mine is on the way....

You should know what you're getting into when you buy Hifiman products. While, the sound quality is superb, they're pretty close to the bottom of the barrel when it comes to build quality. Aside from the Apple Earpods, the RE-400 is by far the flimsiest earphone I've used.