Massdrop Version of Hifiman RE-00 for $35 - new cable

Shouldn't the lowest measured distortion be the most indicative of the IEM/Headphone/whatever? You can't subtract distortion. I also think that the SR-009 has less than 0.1% D2 at 100db. Probably somewhere between 0.02 and 0.05%. I agree that IEMs never sound nearly as clear as estats.
Using multiple drivers is mostly a BA thing, because BAs have much higher distortion, isn't it?

Maybe the RE-00 has higher distortion than the RE-0.

 

Some IEM's distortion measurement on Tyll's rig are actually similar/better that sr-009 though.
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...eral-discussion-thread.424/page-10#post-51765
jafnvaegi listed a few and all are dynamics. Dynamics IEM FTW?

 

I would say that even Tyll's measurements are limited by measurement system noise and distortion. I think that the SR-009 should measure better. Does less than 0.07% distortion really matter? Probably not.

 

Drop ends today. I jumped in a few days ago. My first pair of non-Skull Candy earbuds was a pair of Head-Direct RE2 in 2008 (used with a FiiO e3), which I only sold because I got a great deal on used ER4s.

 

Does anybody know if a second round will be coming later this year? I very much enjoyed RE-Zero when I still owned it, but it has been a long time since I have heard HFM earphones. At this price, I'm very interested in buying a pair (or two, or three), but I seem to have missed my chance and now I do not know if I will be able to buy these.

 

Depends on the demand and if Hifiman will participate again, but it's likely...and of course there is a chance to get one secondhand, as I suspect some will pop up in the various classified sections. I too had the RE-ZERO some time back, so I'm interested in directly comparing these to the current RE series.

 

I just want one of the older-style RE earphones again. I'm not particularly interested in the 400 or 600, but I would be very happy to try these.

 

Just noticed that these should be shipping soon. looks like they're enroute to MD's warehouse.

 

This sounds encouraging:
"1081 users have requested this product."

"Interested in this drop? Request it and be among the first group notified when the drop is re-launched."

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-hifiman-re-00/talk/

 

Looks like folks are starting to get theirs, just got mine. Sounds terrible right out of the iPhone but great out of audioquest red.

 

I'm enjoying one of my sets (the other is off to Ken Ball on Monday). I flexed the driver by playing a bass-rich track on repeat at high volume overnight, just to cover my bases, and I'm using a portable amp.

The re-00 is a lot better tonally than I remember the re-600 or even re-1000 being. I'm not sure why Fang thinks dark with a treble peak then roll-off is a high end c/iem sound but I'm not feelin' it. The re-00 goes for a more balanced, mid-centric tuning. Overall, it's a solidly mid-fi sound with hopefully just enough quality control on its cheap parts to avoid the usual Hifiman breakage issues on its lower-end iems. If so, it's a big winner for the price.

 

Got mine today. I listen straight out of a Note 4. Pretty solid. Well balanced, though a bit bass light for me. Not much gravity to things. Sounds a little clearer and detailed than my Shure SE215s, but I may still enjoy the Shure frequency response more, particularly for longer term background listening (most common when mobile). The build quality of the wires makes me nervous about long term use, but for the price, can't complain. Solid offering if you need a neutral budget iem.

 

First time post from a long time lurker. Let me start out by saying this site is great and those of you that take the time to provide measurements for the rest of us are doing huge service to the community, thanks!

I'm a long time ER4s owner, picked up a couple pairs of these for "beater" headphones. Im pretty happy with the sound of these so far, although I think I'm noticing some substantial channel imbalance in one of the pairs, there seems to be an excess of upper treble in one ear of one of the pairs. Enough that it noticeably detracts from the sound. Anyone else experiencing this?

Has anyone that had a chance to hear the pre production model(s) had a chance to hear these production units yet? Im curious if there are any differences.

I don't know if anyone has looked at the discussion thread over at Massdrop, but the feedback so far seems to be overwhelmingly negative for these. Like I said Im finding them quite decent, especially considering the price. I wonder if some of those people are just used to a less neutral response?

 

Yeah, I'm highly suspecting manufacturing variations are to blame here.

I've heard the RE-00 pre-production, and maybe my memories are hazy, but it definitely sounds brighter than my production unit. The production unit I have is so dark and bassy that I had to apply dynamat mod to it to make it reasonably neutral to my ears. More on that later.

Going through comments in the Massdrop community shows there are generally two trains of thoughts on this one as well... either it's too bright or too dark/muddy, so it doesn't look like I'm alone here.

Gonna pack my production unit today and send it to @Marvey so he can measure it again. Somethin' about these is funkier than the pre-prod.

 

No channel imbalance on my set. I'd bet that people aren't inserting them deep enough and getting a good seal. After messing around with fit, I've come to the following conclusions after comparing to my ER4P straight out of an iPhone 5.

• RE00 bass rolls off noticeably. ER4 has more and deeper bass. I'd rather stay away from the Massdrop thread, but I'd bet this is the major complaint. Not a problem for music with real instruments.
• RE00 treble frequency response feels a little more natural than the slightly exaggerated treble on the ER4
• RE00 texture and tonality are its overwhelming strengths. ER4 is more technically apt and quicker, but the lack of texture leaves me wanting a bit.
• ER4's overwhelming strengths are its speed and isolation. For the latter reason alone, I wouldn't get rid of them (but may upgrade to the new -SR variant at some point).
• RE00 is surprisingly 3D. I also feel closer to the performers than with the ER4. Also a bit of a rainbow stage to my ears with the RE00, meaning the x-axis felt slightly elevated in the center. Could be my ears and/or tip orientation though (was using the single tips at the time).
• Using a case will be important for durability. Wish the RE00 came with one.
• RE00 is an incredible value at $35.

 

Nice comparison! My ears agree for the most part. I've been using mostly my Fiio X5ii as a source.

I'm pretty sure the pair that I commented had a channel imbalance has something weird going on. The right earphone seems to have a peak or some kind of resonance in the upper treble that makes it sound tinny and harsh. It also seems to obscure the bass a little bit so that pair seems a little lean in the bass. I would say my "good" pair sounds slightly bassier and darker than my ER4Ss. The RE-00's definitely have more and steeper roll off, the ER4Ss have more deep bass for sure. RE-00 bass seems looser and more bloomy. The RE-00 bass tonality reminds me a lot of the HD650 bass, with some bloom and a mid bass emphasis (although to me ears the RE-00 bass seems in line with the mid's whereas the HD650s bass is little elevated relative to the midrange). ER4S bass seems more linear, cleaner and more extended, although its definitely seems slightly recessed relative to the rest of the response.

As far as their relative strengths and weaknesses you said it much better than I could! I'd just add that I've always thought the ER4S sounded really good, but I would say they lack transparency, they just kind have there own sound and I never forget Im listening to headphones when I use them. The RE-00 sounds a little more lifelike to me up to the treble. The RE-00 treble tonality seems a off to me. Not necessarily in its level relative to the bass and mids, because I feel like it pretty good in that regard, but the treble itself. Im using the single flange tips.

 

Anyone tried comply with these? The stock large tips are too big, the stock small ones too small.

Initial impressions:

A bit bass light, good-ish clarity. It's definitely mid centric, which is probably why some people are saying it's dark, and others are saying it's bass light. Isolation is average. Comfort is pretty bad, not sure why they decided to embed a cheese grater on the outside of the shells. Is it worth $35? To be determined after trying comply.

EDIT: Additional insights
Deep insertion for a bit more bass, but clarity suffers.