[Pott]

Well those are my three likely choices in the sub $100/€100 range.

I have Klipsch S4s and Sennheisers CX500s right now. So the thing I can mostly improve on is clarity, hence the PFE and RE0 choices. The VB just seem like they'd be a great partner or even improvement to the S4s.

I listen to anything between acoustic Blues and death metal. No classical or electronic (yet).

 

[swanlee]

I really like the VB's. They replaced my 200$ Atrio M5's that I have used for well over a year.

They do really well on mids and treble and have some of the best bass quality and quantity of any IEM I have ever heard.

The treble may bit a tad harsh at first but after extensive burn in they calm down and sound warm but very detailed.

For their price they easily clobber IEM's twice as much.

 

[semisight]

Yeah, VB would be the best choice for you. The RE0 should be more detailed, but it probably won't be bassy enough.

 

[schneller]

I have both the RE0 and PFEv1 and I most prefer the latter. While using the black tips, I just think that PFEs are more balanced. They over that sparkly clarity on the high end with pretty clean mids and pretty decent bass. I find the RE0 to be too bright for my tastes and definitely treble heavy and less balanced. The RE0 are more efficient, but I would say the PFE are more comfortable. Isolation is pretty much equal if I am using Olives on the PFEs.

 

[mildewonrice]

i LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE my RE0's

sorry, i cant contribute much, but my 2cents is RE0's

 

[Enanthate]

If you want more detail with less bass, the RE0 or pfe. I prefer the RE0's more natural presentation, separation and mid bass hump.

If you want more bass at a loss of utmost clarity, the Hippo VB, Panasonic HJE900, Denon C710, Monster Turbine and a few others I can't think of should be on your list.

 

[daouda]

You'Re in amsterdam... hehe i'll advise you to get the VBs, mainly because i'm selling mine from france . But if you have the budget i think panasonic hje900 or monster turbine pro would be better (that's were i'm planning to upgrade from the VBs). Objectively, from S4 and CX500 you will probably find RE0 and PFE lacking bass based on what i have read about hem.

 

[Enanthate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daouda /img/forum/go_quote.gif You'Re in amsterdam... hehe i'll advise you to get the VBs, mainly because i'm selling mine from france . But if you have the budget i think panasonic hje900 or monster turbine pro would be better (that's were i'm planning to upgrade from the VBs). Objectively, from S4 and CX500 you will probably find RE0 and PFE lacking bass based on what i have read about hem.

I believe the Monster Turbine Pro's are well out of his original price range, that's why I suggested the originals. The lowest I can see them for is around $200

 

[swanlee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enanthate /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you want more detail with less bass, the RE0 or pfe. I prefer the RE0's more natural presentation, separation and mid bass hump. If you want more bass at a loss of utmost clarity, the Hippo VB, Panasonic HJE900, Denon C710, Monster Turbine and a few others I can't think of should be on your list.

The VB's have no loss in clarity, despite the huge amount of bass they have they are actually a little harsh and to detailed on the treble at first until they get burned in but still maintain very detailed highs and mids.

 

[daouda]

About the turbines pro, there has been a flash neweg open box deal with them at 118usd shipped lately, it might pop up again in a near future

 

[Enanthate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swanlee /img/forum/go_quote.gif The VB's have no loss in clarity, despite the huge amount of bass they have they are actually a little harsh and to detailed on the treble at first until they get burned in but still maintain very detailed highs and mids.

I stand corrected. I must admit I haven't heard any direct comparison's between the two.

Does the powerful bass of the Hippo's impose at all in the mid-range? That's one of my peeves with warm phones. There's always a slight amount of warmth that clouds the lower mids.

 

[jleewach]

I've tried 2 of the 3 (pfe & RE0,) and my choice would be the PFE. Better bass w/ black filters, more comfortable, and quicker presentation than the RE0's.

I'm getting pretty interested in the VB's though. I may have to check those out...

 

[mvw2]

Another RE0 and PFE owner, sorry no Hippo.

RE0 is a good choice if you want a pleasant earphone, one that isn't too in your face. The sound is detailed but relatively low on energy and dynamic range. It's a good, non-fatiguing earphone. It's very well balanced and doesn't do anything inherently wrong. Tonality and presentation is slightly warm, slightly dark sounding but also quite natural and neutral.

The PFE is a better choice if accuracy and having the utmost detail is your priority. It has a much higher dynamic range and has more energy and impact to the presentation. The sound is squeaky clean, and the presentation hides nothing. It is a very accurate IEM. Tone and presentation is midcentric with the gray filter, very near the same frequency response as the Etymotic ER4. With the black filter, it is warmer and more geared for bass emphasis. Notes are high energy and dynamic, very, very clean but also light and lacking some thickness/texture.

I would personally pick the PFE.

 

[jleewach]

mvw2, as a complete side-track, I laughed out loud when I read your signature. Celebrity Jeopardy Connery was the man.

 

[daouda]

RE0 slighlty dark sounding? Really??? I have never heard them but it's the very first time i read such a thing about them... If anything they have been accused of brightness and leaning towards treble-heavy, by quite a few people here...