VSONIC GR07 Classic Color 2014 Edition
Unboxing and first impressions
Vsonic released another incarnation of their succesful GR07. Let's sum up the total GR07 line-up so far to avoid confusion:
- GR07 (discontinued)
- GR07 MK2 (according to rumor; discontinued as of 2014 yet still available online for $179)
- GR07 Bass Edition (according to rumor; discontinued as of 2014 yet still available online for $179)
- GR07 Classic Color Edition (the latest and supposedly only available incarnation of the GR07 as of 2014 and available for $119)
Some confusion, here on Head-Fi, arose around the driver used by Vsonic for this 2014 release. In the past Vsonic used a bio-cellulose driver by Sony but there is no definite answer regarding which driver they are using right now. I have no answer either to this question since I've never owned an original GR07 before, so I can't compare. Since this one has a much lower MSRP than the previous ones, there's a $60 difference, I can't help but fear they used different hardware in this one. Hopefully one of you can chime in on this issue and clear the sky once and for all.
UPDATE: Some Head-Fi users have since commented that the 2014 GR07 definitely doesn't have Sony's bio-cellulose drivers, mentioning that it doesn't seem to be in the new spec sheets. The word is still out on the possible difference in sound quality between the new and the discontinued GR07. Vsonic hasn't officially confirmed or denied the use of bio-cellulose in their 2014 release.
UPDATE2: Vsonic now confirmed through Lendmeurears that the CCE does have bio-cellulose drivers. Issue resolved!
On to the unboxing!
I bought mine from Ebay seller Bigbargainonline. He responded quickly to my questions and his reviews seem great. When I received the package all seemed well, but on closer inspection it turned out that the box my GR07 came in is different from the one in his product photos. I am also without all the Sony Hybrid tips pictured in his photos. I emailed him about this issue and await his reply.
UPDATE: He replied that the package is just the way they came from Vsonic and that he will change his product photos to match the new packaging.
Included in the package are:
- 2 Comply tips
- 2 ear guards
- 6 pair of single flange tips
- 1 pair of double flange tips
- a pleather pouch
This is different from the previous GR07's. They used to include a lot more different kinds of eartips. Click here for an example. Could be a seller's mistake. UPDATE: Seller will adjust his product photos to match the amount of eartips the 2014 GR07 includes.
The box they came in.
The sides of the box say "GR07 MKII". Weird. Are these MKII's in a different shell?
Warranty seal says "GR07 MKII" as well.
The contents are very basic. If you've ever opened a DUNU or Teufel in-ear, you can't help but be disappointed by this presentation.
A lot of weird grammar and Engrish in and around the manual. Mamual: A manual on mammals?
The GR07 CCE with warranty tag on the cable. Notice how the cable differs in color from previous releases. No more candy cable!
A close up of the housing. Some tiny glue marks are obvious around the housing and cable entry.
The filters. Notice the plastic residue around the cable entry.
My rig right now. Waiting for that Fiio X5!
To summarize the differences between the GR07 CCE and the GR07, GR07 MK2 and GR07 BE so far:
- different packaging
- only half of the originally included eartips/ no Sony Hybrid tips included
Impressions
Will add proper impressions after I have given them some time. Straight out of the box I can say I am pleasantly surprised. They aren't as warm as I expected, coming from the Hifiman RE0. No enhanced bass, no enhanced treble, mids sound a little recessed but not enough to distract me from the overal experience. The mids are less recessed than the RE0. They respond well to my Headstage Arrow's bassboost. They're not as sparkly as the RE0 but offer more overal body and weight. Sibilance is noticeable and they sound a bit shouty and spitty with hotter tracks. They're not as smooth as my Sony MHC1. The RE0 is much brighter and thinner overal, lacking body compared to the GR07 CCE. The GR07 isn't very comfortable for me and it takes me a while to get a proper seal. Hardly any of the included tips go deep enough to seal. I get a better seal with the larger ones, but it isn't a deep seal. Overal they're not as easy to use as my other IEMs (except for the DUNU DN-19), who are more "fire and forget". I am going to experiment a bit with tips and A/B them with my other IEMs to get more grip on their signature. Stay tuned!
UPDATE: Gave up on all of the included tips and used some large Sony Hybrids from my own collection. I get a great seal now and can actually start enjoying these in-ears for what they are. Impressions and comparisons follow.
Unboxing and first impressions
Vsonic released another incarnation of their succesful GR07. Let's sum up the total GR07 line-up so far to avoid confusion:
- GR07 (discontinued)
- GR07 MK2 (according to rumor; discontinued as of 2014 yet still available online for $179)
- GR07 Bass Edition (according to rumor; discontinued as of 2014 yet still available online for $179)
- GR07 Classic Color Edition (the latest and supposedly only available incarnation of the GR07 as of 2014 and available for $119)
Some confusion, here on Head-Fi, arose around the driver used by Vsonic for this 2014 release. In the past Vsonic used a bio-cellulose driver by Sony but there is no definite answer regarding which driver they are using right now. I have no answer either to this question since I've never owned an original GR07 before, so I can't compare. Since this one has a much lower MSRP than the previous ones, there's a $60 difference, I can't help but fear they used different hardware in this one. Hopefully one of you can chime in on this issue and clear the sky once and for all.
UPDATE: Some Head-Fi users have since commented that the 2014 GR07 definitely doesn't have Sony's bio-cellulose drivers, mentioning that it doesn't seem to be in the new spec sheets. The word is still out on the possible difference in sound quality between the new and the discontinued GR07. Vsonic hasn't officially confirmed or denied the use of bio-cellulose in their 2014 release.
UPDATE2: Vsonic now confirmed through Lendmeurears that the CCE does have bio-cellulose drivers. Issue resolved!
On to the unboxing!
I bought mine from Ebay seller Bigbargainonline. He responded quickly to my questions and his reviews seem great. When I received the package all seemed well, but on closer inspection it turned out that the box my GR07 came in is different from the one in his product photos. I am also without all the Sony Hybrid tips pictured in his photos. I emailed him about this issue and await his reply.
UPDATE: He replied that the package is just the way they came from Vsonic and that he will change his product photos to match the new packaging.
Included in the package are:
- 2 Comply tips
- 2 ear guards
- 6 pair of single flange tips
- 1 pair of double flange tips
- a pleather pouch
This is different from the previous GR07's. They used to include a lot more different kinds of eartips. Click here for an example. Could be a seller's mistake. UPDATE: Seller will adjust his product photos to match the amount of eartips the 2014 GR07 includes.
The box they came in.
The sides of the box say "GR07 MKII". Weird. Are these MKII's in a different shell?
Warranty seal says "GR07 MKII" as well.
The contents are very basic. If you've ever opened a DUNU or Teufel in-ear, you can't help but be disappointed by this presentation.
A lot of weird grammar and Engrish in and around the manual. Mamual: A manual on mammals?
The GR07 CCE with warranty tag on the cable. Notice how the cable differs in color from previous releases. No more candy cable!
A close up of the housing. Some tiny glue marks are obvious around the housing and cable entry.
The filters. Notice the plastic residue around the cable entry.
My rig right now. Waiting for that Fiio X5!
To summarize the differences between the GR07 CCE and the GR07, GR07 MK2 and GR07 BE so far:
- different packaging
- only half of the originally included eartips/ no Sony Hybrid tips included
Impressions
Will add proper impressions after I have given them some time. Straight out of the box I can say I am pleasantly surprised. They aren't as warm as I expected, coming from the Hifiman RE0. No enhanced bass, no enhanced treble, mids sound a little recessed but not enough to distract me from the overal experience. The mids are less recessed than the RE0. They respond well to my Headstage Arrow's bassboost. They're not as sparkly as the RE0 but offer more overal body and weight. Sibilance is noticeable and they sound a bit shouty and spitty with hotter tracks. They're not as smooth as my Sony MHC1. The RE0 is much brighter and thinner overal, lacking body compared to the GR07 CCE. The GR07 isn't very comfortable for me and it takes me a while to get a proper seal. Hardly any of the included tips go deep enough to seal. I get a better seal with the larger ones, but it isn't a deep seal. Overal they're not as easy to use as my other IEMs (except for the DUNU DN-19), who are more "fire and forget". I am going to experiment a bit with tips and A/B them with my other IEMs to get more grip on their signature. Stay tuned!
UPDATE: Gave up on all of the included tips and used some large Sony Hybrids from my own collection. I get a great seal now and can actually start enjoying these in-ears for what they are. Impressions and comparisons follow.
