[Hyperfluxe]

I was just about to pull the trigger on the RE0, but I decided to do my research one last time for best IEMs within my 100$ price range. I checked everything out, re-read the thread I created (best IEMs for extreme metal), and I came to the conclusion that I was going to get the RE0. I was considering the Panasonic HJE900 or the Ety ER4S, but they are 200$ including taxes, shipping, and duty fees when ordering from Amazon.com or any other websites. The RE0 are 95$. What caught my attention were the Hippo VBs. I read a lot of reviews about them, and some say that the VBs are better than the RE0, and some say the opposite. The VBs have much better bass, but the RE0 has better treble, at least that's what I've read. Can anyone help me compare these two IEMs for Extreme Metal? I want clarity, speed, overall SQ, and comfort. Build quality is also important. Thank you.

 

[semisight]

I haven't heard or owned the VB but the RE0 build quality is nothing to complain about. They're fast and handle dense tracks really well, something to consider for metal.

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyperfluxe /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was just about to pull the trigger on the RE0, but I decided to do my research one last time for best IEMs within my 100$ price range. I checked everything out, re-read the thread I created (best IEMs for extreme metal), and I came to the conclusion that I was going to get the RE0. I was considering the Panasonic HJE900 or the Ety ER4S, but they are 200$ including taxes, shipping, and duty fees when ordering from Amazon.com or any other websites. The RE0 are 95$. What caught my attention were the Hippo VBs. I read a lot of reviews about them, and some say that the VBs are better than the RE0, and some say the opposite. The VBs have much better bass, but the RE0 has better treble, at least that's what I've read. Can anyone help me compare these two IEMs for Extreme Metal? I want clarity, speed, overall SQ, and comfort. Build quality is also important. Thank you.

Read that as "VBs have more bass!" Much better bass? Rubbish. No headphone under $100 has better bass quality than RE0, period. RE0 bass is deep, very accurate, extremely detailed and there's just the right amount of it. And mids on RE0 are awesome too - smooth, natural and very transparent. RE0 is easily worth 4 times its current price of $79, compared to other universal IEMs that are out there now.

Build quality on RE0 is rock solid. Comfort depends on the tips used, but should be acceptable for most people.

 

[Hyperfluxe]

Alright, so the VB's have more bass. To be honest, it's that review on Anything But iPod that got me thinking. They say that the VB's are pretty much the same thing as RE0's, but with more bass, and that they are "beefier and more substantial". I've read reviews on the VB's, and there's only positive things about. I haven't seen a comparison between the two, hence why I created this thread.

 

[DigDub]

you can consider the hippo shroom, which should fit your requirements well.

 

[LingLing1337]

The RE0 are the epitome of speed and instrument separation (handling chaotic tracks.) RE0+Fuze is close to my home Stax rig for speed.

 

[brendon]

From my limited experience with the RE0s, I cannot agree with anyone's statement that it has good bass. I was cringing at the passages where most earphones gave a nice thump. The VBs on the other hand have more bass than I would ever need !

Treble wise its again a no contest. I have yet to hear anything that came close to the RE0s treble ! It was so clean and extended without even a hint of harshness or sibilance. I can picture myself listening to the RE0s for hours and hour together. With the VBs however I get fatigued due to the heavy bass and the slight harshness in the treble. However I dont own the RE0s so take what I say with a heavy dose of salt.

And even though I do own the VBs take what I say about them with a sprinkling of salt as I hear some sibilance with them while others dont hear any !

 

[Ojsinnerz]

Haven't heard of the Hippo VBs, but I'm loving the RE0s. It's got a good depth of bass with an acceptable amount of it as well. The mids are great, and highs extend well. The overall sound is quite smooth. Great sound for only 80 dollars.

The only cons I have for it, is that the cable noise are annoying. Coming from the Victors FX-500, the cable noise is MUCH more obvious. The cable quality isn't all that great either.

Oh, and lastly, the sound of the RE0s would greatly benefit with the help of a good amp.

P.S. It's also ironic how I love the bass of the RE0s, while I also enjoy the sound of the Fx-500s very much.

 

[paulypaul]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianist /img/forum/go_quote.gif Read that as "VBs have more bass!" Much better bass? Rubbish. No headphone under $100 has better bass quality than RE0, period. RE0 bass is deep, very accurate, extremely detailed and there's just the right amount of it. And mids on RE0 are awesome too - smooth, natural and very transparent. RE0 is easily worth 4 times its current price of $79, compared to other universal IEMs that are out there now. Build quality on RE0 is rock solid. Comfort depends on the tips used, but should be acceptable for most people.

I agree. The RE0s Bass does extend deeper than any of my other IEMS. If you Eq for it, it can really grunt and thump. I dont need to talk about the mids and highs, its been said a thousand times. These are $199 IEMs discounted to $79 (not doubt about it).

 

[aBc.CaN]

Hi paulypaul,
when you say "The RE0s Bass does extend deeper than any of my other IEMS." Which ones are you referring to? I'm especially interested in comparisons to the Atrio, FX500, IE8, PR2, WM2, C700, or the Klipsch x10.

Thanks.

 

[paulypaul]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aBc.CaN /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi paulypaul, when you say "The RE0s Bass does extend deeper than any of my other IEMS." Which ones are you referring to? I'm especially interested in comparisons to the Atrio, FX500, IE8, PR2, WM2, C700, or the Klipsch x10. Thanks.

I am referring to the other 2 i have listed.
X5 has more quantity, but the RE0 extends lower IMO ( i have heard the X10 has a deeper bass than the X5, but you may like to check that)
Thinksound Rain: definitely the RE0 extends deeper, quantity a little more in the RE0 IMO.
The Re0 Bass does need Eq or amping to bring out its best, but when it does it is very nice.

 

[Hyperfluxe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendon /img/forum/go_quote.gif From my limited experience with the RE0s, I cannot agree with anyone's statement that it has good bass. I was cringing at the passages where most earphones gave a nice thump. The VBs on the other hand have more bass than I would ever need ! Treble wise its again a no contest. I have yet to hear anything that came close to the RE0s treble ! It was so clean and extended without even a hint of harshness or sibilance. I can picture myself listening to the RE0s for hours and hour together. With the VBs however I get fatigued due to the heavy bass and the slight harshness in the treble. However I dont own the RE0s so take what I say with a heavy dose of salt. And even though I do own the VBs take what I say about them with a sprinkling of salt as I hear some sibilance with them while others dont hear any !

It definitely sounds like you didn't burn-in your IEMs for an adequate time.

Are there any other people that have heard both IEMs and are willing to make a comparison before I make a final decision?

 

[brendon]

^^ As I said, the RE0s weren't mine so I dont know how much burn-in was done. The VBs have more than 150 hours of burn-in so I am pretty sure they are well done by now.

 

[grahamnp]

I don't think it is fair to say that the bass quality of the RE0 is insufficient because it doesn't have as much of it as other earphones do. It may affect the overall listening experience but they shouldn't be confused, quantity does not mean quality.

 

[paulypaul]

I find RE0s very sufficient in bass. I particularly like how low they extend.