[REVIEW] Head-Direct RE0 - a new contender for the best IEM

[jarrett]

Really? You should post pictures. They didn't have to do a lot to make it sound like Xcape v1 and everyone wants one now.

 

[Pianist]

Ok, here we go:
 
 

 

 
Compare these picks compared to those taken by ClieOS in his review. The difference in the shape of the housing should be pretty obvious.

 

[jarrett]

Looks like the product page has new photos too...
 
http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=38
 
I'm sure the stock tips were never black

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

Looks like the product page has new photos too...
 
http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=38
 
I'm sure the stock tips were never black

The stock single flange silicone tips that come with RE0 are black. The ones on the RE0 in my pic are UE tips. The pics of RE0 on Hifiman website are of the old version. You should be able to tell if you look more closely.
 

 

[psgarcha92]

@ Pianist,
i also have the same pair (these are second hand though)
when i had my first pair, i remember the housing being smaller than the RE-ZERO's
but when i compared now, it was the same size, and i wondered if my memory didnt serve me well..
well now i know, i had another pair/batch the last time.

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

@ Pianist,
i also have the same pair (these are second hand though)
when i had my first pair, i remember the housing being smaller than the RE-ZERO's
but when i compared now, it was the same size, and i wondered if my memory didnt serve me well..
well now i know, i had another pair/batch the last time.

 
Exactly. Does this new RE0 sound any different to you?
 
 

 

[psgarcha92]

a little less harsh, and more bass.
my amped and unapmed RE0s have more bass than amped and unamped RE-ZEROs.

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

a little less harsh, and more bass.
my amped and unapmed RE0s have more bass than amped and unamped RE-ZEROs.

 
That's what I think too. I use the new RE0 with the foams removed from the nozzle and it sound very nice and sparkly, whereas the old RE0 sounded too bright and harsh this way. I also notice that the bass is better with this version, but to my ears, it's the sub bass that gained volume, although the overall definition in the low end seems better too.
 
 

 

[psgarcha92]

for me too, its the sub bass thats more noticeable. overall, bass has more body now. i dont know how much the old 0s would have been affected by the amp though. how's the bass for u? felt any loss of texture. seriously, strange how the new 0s have more bass than the ZEROs.

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

for me too, its the sub bass thats more noticeable. overall, bass has more body now. i dont know how much the old 0s would have been affected by the amp though. how's the bass for u? felt any loss of texture. seriously, strange how the new 0s have more bass than the ZEROs.

 
No I haven't noticed any loss of texture or detail in the new RE0 bass. I can hear more detail in the low end with the new RE0 due to more sub bass presence and tighter, better definition, at least unamped. Too bad I don't have an amp right now to test the scaling capabilities of the new 0.
 
 

 

[metal babble]

Interesting... look like ZERO's so much
 
So if you buy direct from Head-direct now, you will receive RE0 v2?

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

Interesting... look like ZERO's so much
 
So if you buy direct from Head-direct now, you will receive RE0 v2?

Well, yes, unless they quietly released a v3. lol The v2 has been around for at least a year now.
 

 

[psgarcha92]

@pianist
did u lose some bass after removing the foam?
i just removed it and "feel" that i lost some bass. might even be placebo.

 

[Mad Max]

I've always found RE0 to be bassier than amped/unamped ZERO.  I have an older one with cloth cable (plus extension cord too).  ZERO does a little better with the low bass, however.

 

[KimChee]

I found removing the foam did cause a loss of bass.  The detail is even more amazing, but I think it also loses some smoothness and on some tracks sounds harsh.