My impressions of RE2000 Silver:
- Let's start with the basics, they have the same build quality and comfort as RE2000, just painted silver. I loved the fit of RE2000 and it works really well with my ears, much much more comfortable than IE800, for example. They are just comfy.
- The plastic and metal combination points feels better now, seems like they have been placing more effort into it. Of course, other flagships all have their own unique designs, like ATLAS, which is an all metal build, but really, I think HIFIMAN is on the right track with RE2000 Silver in terms of QC.
- I can't say I like the original cable, it is a bit tangle-prone, but not too much. The cable now comes with a straight connector, which is good, not many people liked the original angled connector. I think the cable will hold up fairly well to long-term usage, and I can recommend HIFIMAN once again for cable shipping, when I needed a cable replacement (because of my own mistake), they shipped it. and it reached me in 48 hours or so. Their accessories really come quick when you need them
- The package is not quite as good as some may expect, full cardboard box, feels a tad raw compared to other flagships. The carrying case is still great, I for one, like it. If you want to do yourself a favor, please place a little bag of silica in that carrying case to keep RE2000 dry and nice!
- The package includes pretty much the same things as RE2000, no major differences there. I really wish there were Spinfit tips in there, they just work so well with RE2000, but I do have the whole collection of Spifit tips already from Spinfit, but if you're getting RE2000, you can do yourself a favor and get some Spinfit tips!
- Ergonomics are great, there are no microphonics (thinking that there are a very few on ATLAS, and A LOT on IE800 for comparison), RE2000's cables present no microphonics.
- Isolation is OK with Spinfit tips, you can barely hear what is going on around you without music playing, and you can't hear the world outside with music playing. You can wear RE2000 under a hat, and I am actually getting amazing comfort with them, some of the most comfy for me. No void, no uneven pressure, just comfy for my ears.
- Compared to RE2000, the sound is actually more balanced, more even, more fit to be called universal. The bass feels a bit attenuated, with a few dB's, so you're getting a bit less sub-bass rumble, but with that same smooth, deep and powerful bass, a similar really detailed and clear midrange, and the treble seems to have less of a peak, so now you're getting a much more natural treble, with better overall extension and more air between the instruments.
- They are not easy to drive, need quite a bit of power, but they are fairly imprevious to hiss, you need a really hissy source for RE2000 to have hiss.
- To talk about the signature end to end, the bass is tight, deep, and powerful. IT has a nice amount of impact, and is well controlled, but it is about slightly above neutral, not very much in amount, yet with a really impressive quality to it. I'd call it a high-quality bass without too much emphasis.
- The midrange is overly clear, really amazingly well separated, lots of instruments and sounds, each having its own space and bounds, every little symbol and effect having a really nicely well defined space and limt. The midrange is leaning towards an analytical side, that is still musical. Lots of textures, like they are with an analytical signature, but they aren't forward or harsh or aggressive, but instead they are musical. Kinda like how Tubes are super detailed, all while being musical.
- The treble is a mixed bag really, there still is a bit of a peak at around 5-7kHz, but it isn't very large this time around, resulting in a much more natural treble, with a better overall extension (the larger peak in the golden version made the extension feel a bit less)
- Soundstage is quite large, and instrument separation is out-of-this-world good.
- Textures are really great.
- I can't comment on the price at this moment, but for 800USD, if you're looking for a slightly V-shaped to balanced IEM, those are absolutely amazing, while for 1.5K USD, they still have their place and I think they're still quite amazing, just have more competition, and things become mroe specific when trying to decide which would fit you best.
- I totally recommend the Silver version, and I think it has enough bass, enough clarity, and a nice enough treble to make all new listeners fall in love, especially if you can snatch them at their lowered price
- Of course this is a very subjective statement, but I really love the sound of RE800 Silver. The bass is just the right amount to make me happy, same for the sub-bass, really that line of being slightly more than neutral hits a sweet spot for me, bass guitars sound just too natural with it to ignore, and the treble has the right amount of extension and decay to feel natural, just like a cymbal hit, while the midrange has the right thickness and tone to make voices, like those from Rock and Alternative bands be really really spot on, sweet and emotional, without being too forward, nor too recessed, just where I'd want them. IF your main musical styles are alternative, rock, indie, metal, those are a perfect match, one made in heaven.
