REVIEW - HiFiMan RE-ZERO: Things Have Changed

[Mad Max]

You use the cable adapter that comes with the RE-ZERO.
 
Edit: The sixth picture in post 1 of this thread.

 

[paulypaul]

Quote:

Nice review, very detailed and good images! Just a quick question. I am fairly new to head-fi and so do not exactly understand the way that I may be able to use a balanced plug with, say, and iPod. Would you simply plug an adapter with a mini jack into your iPod then put the balanced plug into that? If so, could I get this from an electrical components store simply and would it easily fit into a pocket?

If you buy the RE-ZERO it come with 2x adaptors (1x inline & 1x modular) you can choose which one suits you better and yes it works exactly the way you described

 

[ethan961]

Quote:

Nice review, very detailed and good images! Just a quick question. I am fairly new to head-fi and so do not exactly understand the way that I may be able to use a balanced plug with, say, and iPod. Would you simply plug an adapter with a mini jack into your iPod then put the balanced plug into that? If so, could I get this from an electrical components store simply and would it easily fit into a pocket?

Welcome to Head-Fi, sorry about your wallet!
 
The RE-ZERO comes with the necessary adapter to make the balanced plug usable in your standard iPod. Not much out there (read: barely anything) uses a balanced plug like that, so you most likely won't find something like that in a components store. 99% of people would have to just live with using the adapter all the time. Luckily you get two choices as for form factor. The hard adapter is what you see in the 4th photo from the top. The other one looks like a short piece of cable with two ends - one you plug the RE-ZERO into and the other plugs into your source. From the little I've read, that's the preferred adapter for portable usage as it bends and doesn't rotate around in the jack. I would say it would fit in your pocket, given some audiophiles stuff much crazier (larger) things in their pockets to get the best sound.
 
So, yes, you just use the adapter all the time and it'll work in any standard 3.5mm jack.

 

[grahamnp]

Nice review, I have to disagree with you on the RE0 having a recessed midrange though.

 

[TheGame21x]

Quote:

Nice review, I have to disagree with you on the RE0 having a recessed midrange though.

Really? It seemed rather apparent to me in my time listening to them. It's not extremely recessed but it was noticeable to me.

 

[Mad Max]

I, too, find RE0 a bit laid-back.  It depends on what you plug them into.

 

[paulypaul]

When i compare the RE0 to the ZERO it appears a little back in the mids, but i realise its because the ZEROs are more forward in the mids and  i am drawing the comparison between the two.
I think listening to the RE0s for a little while i wouldn't even notice it. Its only when i A / B them.
Then the question can be asked is one forward or the other one back,? or maybe they are both a little each way 

 

[grahamnp]

With the exception of the AD-900, the RE0 are the most mid forward (or least recessed) that I've heard.  Less recessed/more forward than my M6, Shure SCL2 and MS-1.  But you've you heard what you've heard, no big deal.

 

[paulypaul]

I used to own the M9 and i thought the mids were very recessed.
The RE-ZEROs mids are more forward again.
It all depends on what you compare them to.
I would say the RE0s are more forward then the M9, but not as forward as the RE-ZEROs.
Like you said "no big deal" the RE0 is a very good IEM, just like the ZERO is.

 

[proedros]

a big thanx to everyone here , this is a GREAT super informed forum
 
being a complete newbie , i decided to get the ZERO's (my previous buds were SONY MDR-EX85)
 
i have 2 questions so if anyone can help that'd be great (if they sound stupid , as i said i am a complete and utter hifi noob)
 
 
1.Being old-school(and preferring the cd sound)  i am still on the SONY NE319 discman and i wanna know if the ZERO's have some adjusting to do or you just plug them in the earphone hole ?
 
2. Should i/can i get an amp to boost the RE-ZERO performance ? if so , which would you suggest ?
 
 
Thanx again , really glad to have discovered such a well-informed forum and I have a feeling  it will be the cause for spending way more money on headphones in the near future
 
(in fact i am already thinking which IEM i should buy after the RE-ZERO)

 

[Mad Max]

Quote:

a big thanx to everyone here , this is a GREAT super informed forum
 
being a complete newbie , i decided to get the ZERO's (my previous buds were SONY MDR-EX85)
 
i have one question so if anyone can help that'd be great
 
Being old-school i am still on the SONY NE319 discman and i wanna know if the ZERO's have some adjusting to do or you just plug them in the earphone hole
 
 
Thanx again , really glad to have discovered such a well-informed forum and I have a feeling  it will be the cause for spending way more money on headphones in the near future

 
You will need to use the adapter pictured in this thread.  The cable one.
Then you can plug into your discman.

 

[proedros]

Quote:

 
You will need to use the adapter pictured in this thread.  The cable one.
Then you can plug into your discman.

 
 
thanx , any idead on a 2nd question i just added/edited ?
 
about the need of an amp ? or it's ok without one ?

 

[Mad Max]

An amp isn't necessary for Hifimans.
 Optional, but unnecessary.

 

[paulypaul]

Quote:

An amp isn't necessary for Hifimans.
 Optional, but unnecessary.

x2
No Amp Necessary

 

[TheGame21x]

Yep. I've been able to run my RE0s unamped from both my iPod Touch and Fuze with great results. The RE-ZEROs don't need to be amped at all to sound their best from portable players.