mythless
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2009
- Posts
- 1,836
- Likes
- 20
Hey guys, this is my first attempt at developing a review. It's pretty short, but go easy on me
. I am sure there are many people out there wanting to see a comparison.
Source: Sansa Fuze using FLAC or 192-320 bitrate
Amp: none
Package and Build.
I have the 2nd generation version of the RE0, cloth cord. It came in a box, with several extra filters, tips, extension cord and shirt clip, very well packaged. The RE0 themselves are quite sturdy. They use a metal housing and is built quite solid and sturdy. Personally, I like the cloth cord, I prefer the feel. However, the 3rd generation uses a higher quality PFE rubber, which is also on the RE252 and the feel is quite nice and durable to boot.
The S4 is packaged very nicely, it comes with a metal tin carrying case, 2 spare tips, and a cleaning tool. The S4 are housed in a plastic, which seems durable. The cables however feel somewhat cheap that it reminds me of my NE-7m, but it’s not flimsy. I think the cables are the weak point in the overall packaging of the S4.
The RE252 comes in a fancy plastic case with a wide variety of different tips and sizes, as well as spare filters and the shirt clip. The cables, as I wrote before, are the new PFE cables. They seem very sturdy and do not seem rubbery at all. The housing for the drivers is plastic (I think) and surrounded by a soft rubbery gel like enclosure. However, the enclosure is a dust and dirt magnet! Overall, the build quality of the RE252 is quite good.
Isolation/Comfort
RE0 have average isolation, they do not go deep into the ear canal and I find only the biflanged tips give the best isolation, for myself the tips help it sit deeper into the ear. I have used the RE0 in airplane flights and they have me no trouble to isolation the noise. As well I have used them in malls, subways and didn’t complain about their ability to isolate. They are very comfortable, I can use them for hours on end. Especially with the biflanged tips, they are very good. To me the RE0 feels the most comfortable with the cables worn straight down. You can wear it over the ear but I find it protrudes a bit much for my liking because if the metal shaft that enclose the cables.
The S4 has better isolation than the RE0 because the enclosure is smaller and the end of the S4 is angled. Therefore, it can be placed deeper into the ear without any problems. With the right tip the S4 is very comfortable, can be worn for many hours without discomfort regardless, if you wear the S4 straight down or over the ear.
RE252 is quite different from the other two because of the design. Personally, I have a hard time with the fit of this IEM. Only the large biflanged tip worked the best, however the seal produced quite of bit of pressure. It was only suggested that I turn them upside down that the pressures does lessen but it’s still present for me. The isolation is probably similar to the S4 because it can go deeper into the ear, but for me it can cause great discomfort. Both the tips and the overall design are at fault, meaning tips could fix the problem but the sound tube (snout?) may not be long enough to go deep into the ear because of the overall design. However, when I lightly put them in using the large biflanged tips, it’s quite comfortable, regardless if worn upside down or not. The pressure is tolerable.
Sound
We all have read multiple reviews on the RE0, and yes they are really as good as what many other people have written before. The RE0 have detail and crystal clear mids, highs, and lows. The overall sound signature is quite neutral and it works well with multiple genres. However, the lows aren’t as satisfying for many people. Now, the RE0 have very detailed bass, but lacks the impact or the boom boom impact that we hear in aftermarket car stereos or clubs. Some may find it bass acceptable, like myself, but others may not. Right now, I use the RE0 as a bench mark for any IEM below or around $100. Now, the RE0 excels in vocal music. Regardless if you listen to jazz, opera, rock, rap, R&B, the vocals are super clean, clear, and smooth. While, the RE0 are neutral and aren’t considered a fun IEM, if you love vocals, the RE0 are absolutely perfect. Not to mention, the instrumental separation is very good. The weak point of the RE0 is that because of the bass it can’t fully immerse you into your music.
However, properly amped I hear it improves a lot. Now, what about the E5? Well for the price of $20 sure why the hell not? But, if you’re expecting a huge change don’t count on it.
The S4, this one gave me a run for its money. I had to burn these headphones for over 120+ hours before I started liking them. At first the sound was muffled and recessed. The bass was bloated and overpowered everything. As I continued to burn them in the bass tightened and became less overpowering. The bass is very nice. The bass has good extension and impact. Most people will be satisfied. I am very satisfied by the bass. The mids eventually cleared up, for me I was only satisfied after 120+ hours. The mids are neither aggressive nor recessed. I think its smack down in the middle. Vocals are fine, I have no qualms. The highs, however, is aggressive. The highs are crisp, clean, clear but sharp. At first there was quite of bit of sibilance but burning in tamed it. In some ways it reminded me of the SR325i, its bright and aggressive sound signature. Some may find it just right but, others may not. I am in the middle. I find the highs can be somewhat annoying and fatiguing. The S4 has good instrumental separation. Overall, the S4 is quite good. However, they are a bit pricey here in Canada, I bought my on sale but it still turned out to be $100+ tax included. However, I think the mids may still sound recessed slighty because of the aggressive highs and powerful low end tend to dominate the music.
The RE252 can be explained a mere sentence. It is a RE0 with more bass impact and extension but less treble. Now, I had fitting issues with the RE252, but I do like the RE252 over the RE0. Why? I think it offers better balance than the RE0. There’s something unique with the RE252 that the RE0 couldn’t provide as well as the RE252, musical immersion. Though neutral, it sounds more fun than the RE0. The soundstage is quite weird but in a good way. It feels very large and expansive as if I am sitting in different seats in a concert. Everything sparkles. The bass is probably what most people are wondering. Though they’re not as expansive as the S4, but there is more impact than the RE0. For me, I am quite content with the bass. The bass is very detailed, punchy, and tight. Though, heavy bass listeners may look past the RE252. Now, I got them about the same price during the half price special. They are phenomenal for their value, despite the fitting issues. Even for their price of $200 it can be justified. Though, I would say the RE252 is my most expensive headphone I own and it does take the spot of the RE0, despite my fitting problem. Though, only one minor gripe: it is still a dust and dirt magnet!
Conclusion
As you can tell I do enjoy the sound of the RE0 and RE252 and they are great buys. They are smooth, neutral and provide excellent detail and clarity. They are great for vocal music, which I enjoy. The S4 are also very good but require a good deal of burn in. However, in the end it's all up to you. While I do like the S4 I think I’ll return them because I have too many IEMs and need the cash, lol.
If I had to rank them from my personal sound opinion this would be it:
1. RE252
2. RE0 tie S4 I would only give the RE0 slightly higher appeal since I prefer it over the S4
Source: Sansa Fuze using FLAC or 192-320 bitrate
Amp: none
Package and Build.
I have the 2nd generation version of the RE0, cloth cord. It came in a box, with several extra filters, tips, extension cord and shirt clip, very well packaged. The RE0 themselves are quite sturdy. They use a metal housing and is built quite solid and sturdy. Personally, I like the cloth cord, I prefer the feel. However, the 3rd generation uses a higher quality PFE rubber, which is also on the RE252 and the feel is quite nice and durable to boot.
The S4 is packaged very nicely, it comes with a metal tin carrying case, 2 spare tips, and a cleaning tool. The S4 are housed in a plastic, which seems durable. The cables however feel somewhat cheap that it reminds me of my NE-7m, but it’s not flimsy. I think the cables are the weak point in the overall packaging of the S4.
The RE252 comes in a fancy plastic case with a wide variety of different tips and sizes, as well as spare filters and the shirt clip. The cables, as I wrote before, are the new PFE cables. They seem very sturdy and do not seem rubbery at all. The housing for the drivers is plastic (I think) and surrounded by a soft rubbery gel like enclosure. However, the enclosure is a dust and dirt magnet! Overall, the build quality of the RE252 is quite good.
Isolation/Comfort
RE0 have average isolation, they do not go deep into the ear canal and I find only the biflanged tips give the best isolation, for myself the tips help it sit deeper into the ear. I have used the RE0 in airplane flights and they have me no trouble to isolation the noise. As well I have used them in malls, subways and didn’t complain about their ability to isolate. They are very comfortable, I can use them for hours on end. Especially with the biflanged tips, they are very good. To me the RE0 feels the most comfortable with the cables worn straight down. You can wear it over the ear but I find it protrudes a bit much for my liking because if the metal shaft that enclose the cables.
The S4 has better isolation than the RE0 because the enclosure is smaller and the end of the S4 is angled. Therefore, it can be placed deeper into the ear without any problems. With the right tip the S4 is very comfortable, can be worn for many hours without discomfort regardless, if you wear the S4 straight down or over the ear.
RE252 is quite different from the other two because of the design. Personally, I have a hard time with the fit of this IEM. Only the large biflanged tip worked the best, however the seal produced quite of bit of pressure. It was only suggested that I turn them upside down that the pressures does lessen but it’s still present for me. The isolation is probably similar to the S4 because it can go deeper into the ear, but for me it can cause great discomfort. Both the tips and the overall design are at fault, meaning tips could fix the problem but the sound tube (snout?) may not be long enough to go deep into the ear because of the overall design. However, when I lightly put them in using the large biflanged tips, it’s quite comfortable, regardless if worn upside down or not. The pressure is tolerable.
Sound
We all have read multiple reviews on the RE0, and yes they are really as good as what many other people have written before. The RE0 have detail and crystal clear mids, highs, and lows. The overall sound signature is quite neutral and it works well with multiple genres. However, the lows aren’t as satisfying for many people. Now, the RE0 have very detailed bass, but lacks the impact or the boom boom impact that we hear in aftermarket car stereos or clubs. Some may find it bass acceptable, like myself, but others may not. Right now, I use the RE0 as a bench mark for any IEM below or around $100. Now, the RE0 excels in vocal music. Regardless if you listen to jazz, opera, rock, rap, R&B, the vocals are super clean, clear, and smooth. While, the RE0 are neutral and aren’t considered a fun IEM, if you love vocals, the RE0 are absolutely perfect. Not to mention, the instrumental separation is very good. The weak point of the RE0 is that because of the bass it can’t fully immerse you into your music.
However, properly amped I hear it improves a lot. Now, what about the E5? Well for the price of $20 sure why the hell not? But, if you’re expecting a huge change don’t count on it.
The S4, this one gave me a run for its money. I had to burn these headphones for over 120+ hours before I started liking them. At first the sound was muffled and recessed. The bass was bloated and overpowered everything. As I continued to burn them in the bass tightened and became less overpowering. The bass is very nice. The bass has good extension and impact. Most people will be satisfied. I am very satisfied by the bass. The mids eventually cleared up, for me I was only satisfied after 120+ hours. The mids are neither aggressive nor recessed. I think its smack down in the middle. Vocals are fine, I have no qualms. The highs, however, is aggressive. The highs are crisp, clean, clear but sharp. At first there was quite of bit of sibilance but burning in tamed it. In some ways it reminded me of the SR325i, its bright and aggressive sound signature. Some may find it just right but, others may not. I am in the middle. I find the highs can be somewhat annoying and fatiguing. The S4 has good instrumental separation. Overall, the S4 is quite good. However, they are a bit pricey here in Canada, I bought my on sale but it still turned out to be $100+ tax included. However, I think the mids may still sound recessed slighty because of the aggressive highs and powerful low end tend to dominate the music.
The RE252 can be explained a mere sentence. It is a RE0 with more bass impact and extension but less treble. Now, I had fitting issues with the RE252, but I do like the RE252 over the RE0. Why? I think it offers better balance than the RE0. There’s something unique with the RE252 that the RE0 couldn’t provide as well as the RE252, musical immersion. Though neutral, it sounds more fun than the RE0. The soundstage is quite weird but in a good way. It feels very large and expansive as if I am sitting in different seats in a concert. Everything sparkles. The bass is probably what most people are wondering. Though they’re not as expansive as the S4, but there is more impact than the RE0. For me, I am quite content with the bass. The bass is very detailed, punchy, and tight. Though, heavy bass listeners may look past the RE252. Now, I got them about the same price during the half price special. They are phenomenal for their value, despite the fitting issues. Even for their price of $200 it can be justified. Though, I would say the RE252 is my most expensive headphone I own and it does take the spot of the RE0, despite my fitting problem. Though, only one minor gripe: it is still a dust and dirt magnet!
Conclusion
As you can tell I do enjoy the sound of the RE0 and RE252 and they are great buys. They are smooth, neutral and provide excellent detail and clarity. They are great for vocal music, which I enjoy. The S4 are also very good but require a good deal of burn in. However, in the end it's all up to you. While I do like the S4 I think I’ll return them because I have too many IEMs and need the cash, lol.
If I had to rank them from my personal sound opinion this would be it:
1. RE252
2. RE0 tie S4 I would only give the RE0 slightly higher appeal since I prefer it over the S4
