[Stuff Jones]

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Anyone with Fidelio S2? How is it as compared with RE400? I cant seem to find any solid comparison between these two. 

 
Likewise I can't find any solid comparison between these and the TDK IE800. 
 
All seem to be contenders for the best under 100 dollars award.

 

[PeterDLai]

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Anyone with Fidelio S2? How is it as compared with RE400? I cant seem to find any solid comparison between these two. 

 
Nulliverse compared them briefly here.
 
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From what I've experienced so far, I'd keep the RE-400 over the S2. The hifimans isolate much better, are more comfortable, and are only slightly behind the philips sonically. The S2s extend better at both ends, with a wider soundstage, but are more fatiguing, and less dynamic. RE-400 is very easy on the ear - perhaps too much for some - but has much better depth / layering. Both are kinda neutral, with the S2s having more treble / sub-bass emphasis, and the RE-400s favouring midrange.

For ergonomics and usability, the RE-400 win hands down.

 

[tinyman392]

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Nulliverse compared them briefly here.
 

 
I keep forgetting the S1/S2 are still technically a v-shaped signature the way they measure XD  Similar to how the Shure SE215 technically are as well.  Hopefully I can eventually get my hands on them too...  Eventually

 

[Inks]

I have the RE400 and S2 and agree with Nulliverse's impressions. The S2 is more engaging and has a bigger soundstage than the RE400, but it's just not as smooth and as balanced in the midrange as the RE400 is. 

 

[renishi]

@stuff jones: yep, I was considering that and ba 200 but I came across a few negative Reviews on build quality. Therefore, I decided to put them off my wish list.

Alright, I am sold. I am getting 1 of these to replace my uncomfortable hippo vb...
Thanks

 

[Stuff Jones]

Quote:

@stuff jones: yep, I was considering that and ba 200 but I came across a few negative Reviews on build quality. Therefore, I decided to put them off my wish list.

Alright, I am sold. I am getting 1 of these to replace my uncomfortable hippo vb...
Thanks

 
I've read that the plug on the re400 breaks quite frequently. Have you seen that too?

 

[renishi]

Nope... Haven't found any negative comments on re400 build quality.

 

[spurxiii]

Nope... Haven't found any negative comments on re400 build quality.

Mine broke and has come back from the shop. Aparrently it's an issue Hifiman know about and are trying to sort out. Just because mine broke doesn't mean yours will

 

[tinyman392]

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Nope... Haven't found any negative comments on re400 build quality.

 
Then you haven't been digging far enough IMO.  Even though I haven't run into issues, they've been talked about in all three threads that concern the RE-400 on Head-Fi.  HiFiMAN has stated they are looking into the issue.  Hopefully they get to the bottom of it  

 

[renishi]

Aiks.. It looks so basic and solid. I guess I was wrong then. I only read the past 5 pages

 

[tinyman392]

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Aiks.. It looks so basic and solid. I guess I was wrong then. I only read the past 5 pages

 
It does look basic and solid...  I'm not sure what's going on specifically, but HiFiMAN is looking into it.  Hopefully it goes away  

 

[lwien]

And it's not happening with all the RE-400's.   Mine have been running strong for over 2 months now.

 

[tinyman392]

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And it's not happening with all the RE-400's.   Mine have been running strong for over 2 months now.

 
Definitely not, but a good number of them though.  Mine have been running strong since I got them too  

 

[vwinter]

Definitely not, but a good number of them though.  Mine have been running strong since I got them too  

Based on people posting on the forums. You know how that works. "A good number" is probably like ~5% in reality. Still a lot by expectations and plans for internal management no doubt.

 

[tinyman392]

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Based on people posting on the forums. You know how that works. "A good number" is probably like ~5% in reality. Still a lot by expectations and plans for internal management no doubt.

 
~5% means 1 in 20 purchases will break...  That's still not a good thing for a manufacturer.  I'm sure the actual number is smaller than that.