Here's review from headfi
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/...1#post_6492051
(2C1) Head-Direct RE0
Details: Summer 2009 version of the RE0 IEM (cloth cable).
Current Price:
$79 from Head-Direct.com (MSRP: $239)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
64 Ω | Sens:
100 dB | Freq:
16-22k Hz | Cord:
4.1' I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Soundmagic PL30 foamies, De-Cored Shure Olives
Wear Style:
Straight down or over-the-ear
Accessories
(3.5/5) - Spare filters, a nice selection of silicone tips (both single- and bi-flanges), and a shirt clip
Build Quality
(4/5) – classy-looking and solid metal shell feels sturdy, but there are occasional reports of splitting. Cabling is properly-relieved and features an L-plug in the current version
Isolation
(3.5/5) – above average, typical for a sealed straight-barrel IEM
Microphonics
(3.5/5) – Low when worn over-the-ear, and still not bad when worn straight down
Comfort
(4/5) – Housings are fairly small and light. Comfort hugely dependent on tips
Sound
(9/10) – The overall sound is natural and boasts incredible clarity and top-notch separation in the average-sized soundstage. The high-end is incredibly detailed and seems to extend upwards endlessly. The microdetail in the treble is close to the best I have heard. Very impressive also is the apparent flatness of response. The mids have good clarity and are also incredibly detailed. They are very neutral with maybe just a hint of warmth, but lack lushness or liquidity. The lows are not huge in quantity, but very good in detail, extension, and control. These can drop below 35Hz and individual notes can be distinguished all the way down. Overall, it is a sound signature that makes it easy to both tune them into the background and pick out fine details, whichever strikes your fancy at the moment.
Amping: Like being amped, but don’t require it explicitly. High impedance rating is deceiving. Warm amp (e.g. T4) will make these more well-rounded for those who prefer a warmer, darker sound. A more powerful and transparent amp (such as a mini3) will take these to the next level, bringing to the table incredible speed and precision to match the best of the rest.
Value
(10/10) – At $79, it is easy to recommend the RE0s as what is probably the best-value all-around earphone for the detail freak and accuracy lover. The RE0s’ sound signature is definitely not for everyone, but those looking for the absolute best accurate sound reproduction to be had in the realm of reasonably-priced IEMs will not be disappointed.
Pros: Top-tier sound quality for mid-fi money; superb detail, accuracy, separation, and clarity
Cons: May sound thin, boring, or bright to some, reported durability issues
(2C2) Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220
Details: Newer (2008) version of UE’s most expensive entry-level (MetroFi series) IEM
Current Price:
$69.99 from B&H.com (MSRP: $79.99); $89.99 for 220vi with microphone
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
18 Ω | Sens:
103 dB | Freq:
20-16k Hz | Cable:
3.8’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Stock Single-flanges
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear or straight down
Accessories
(3/5) – Silicone single-flange tips (3 sizes) and a very convenient plastic carrying case
Build Quality
(2.5/5) – Housings are completely plastic and feel somewhat cheap. Cable is sturdy but lacks strain reliefs on housing entry. Of note are the colored nozzles – red for right, gray for left
Isolation
(3/5) – Ported and shallow-insertion might sound like a bad combination, but they isolate surprisingly well
Microphonics
(3.5/5) – Not too bothersome even when worn straight down. A shirt clip would help.
Comfort
(3.5/5) – Housing is too fat for deep insertion and the stems make it hard to wear them over-the-ear. Still very light & comfortable for me, but buyers with small ears beware
Sound
(5.75/10) – Overall, the sound is smooth and slightly warm. The soundstage is wider than average, with decent separation and positioning. The detail is nothing to boast about, but not a definite weakness, either. The mids and highs are present, although the top end is rolled off. The definite selling point of these is the bass – it is smooth, deep, and very powerful. It creeps in on the lower mid-range but I definitely wouldn’t call it bloated, just a bit muddy. There is a mid-bass hump typical of middle-of-the-road earphones, but it is well-integrated into the entire sound signature. I really do like how natural the bass sounds on these despite not being perfect from a technical standpoint. These are a good gateway drug for the budget-minded bass lover.
Value
(5/10) – At the $80 MSRP I feel that Ultimate Ears overshot the actual value of these by $30-40. They’re a very fun, tap-your-toes type earphone, delivering a dynamic sound signature with an emphasized low end and are quite competent all-around; it’s just too bad that the lower-tier entries by the likes of Nuforce and Meelectronics can do the same at a much lower price.
Pros: Very solid bass, fun sound, nice carrying case, shiny
Cons: Can be uncomfortable for some, hard to wear over-the-ear, mediocre build
(2C3) Klipsch Image S4 / S4i
Klipch S4i on left; S4 on right
Details: Klipsch’s latest mid-range model that has received overwhelmingly positive reviews both here at head-fi and in the mainstream press
Current Price:
$79.99 from Amazon.com (MSRP: $79.99); $99.99 for S4i with microphone
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
18 Ω | Sens:
110 dB | Freq:
10-19k Hz | Cable:
4.2’ I-plug (S4i); 4.2’ L-plug (S4)
Nozzle Size:
3mm | Preferred tips:
Stock Single-flanges
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear or straight down
Accessories
(3.5/5) – Silicone single-flange (3 sizes) and bi-flange tips, and metal carrying case (S4i instead includes a velvet carrying pouch and shirt clip)
Build Quality
(4/5) – Housings are plastic but seem plenty sturdy and have articulated strain reliefs. Cable is a little thin for my liking but very flexible and doesn’t tangle much
Isolation
(3.5/5) – Block out an above-average amount of external noise
Microphonics
(4.5/5) – Nonexistent when worn over-the-ear. Noticeable but not too bad otherwise. Included shirt clip helps further
Comfort
(4/5) – Easier to insert when worn cord-down. When worn over-the-ear fit is very similar to the JVC HA-FX300
Sound
(7/10) – Coming from the RE0 these seem colored and very heavy at the low end, lacking in clarity and behind slightly in detail as well. After some solitary time with the S4, I think that they are interesting earphones that deliver heavy bass impact, strong mids, and decent treble. The bass can be too powerful and boomy for my liking, but that’s more of a personal issue - at least they don’t give me bass headaches. It’s not quite as tight as I would like, but can’t be called bloated either. I can see why this bass has mass appeal – it can easily satisfy the bass junkie without offending the audiophile. There is a very small amount bleed into the midrange, which is smooth and articulate, if a little off-neutral (leaning towards warmth). The treble that the S4s put out is the weak point for me – it lacks the sparkle and smoothness of the RE0 and (even after 200 hours) still sounds somewhat harsh and sibilant. Soundstaging is quite respectable but individual instruments can sometimes be harder to pick out than I would like.
On a final note, I had a small issue with the relatively low impedance and high sensitivity of these - they have a tendency to hiss slightly even with normally dead-silent Sansa Fuze, and the hiss with a crappy lineout like the one on my integrated speaker amp is downright unbearable. They are also fairly revealing of a poor source and recordings so I wouldn’t bother using them with an AM radio or that 96kbps webcast.
Value
(7/10) – With a sound signature that can be appreciated by bass junkie, audiophile, and casual listener alike – and practicality to match – the S4s don’t lack in any area. However, as is often with FOTM earphones, the hype is excessive. For me, in terms of sound, the S4 lack the “wow” factor of the RE0, Phonak PFEs, and many others. That said, I still consider these good value for money despite the several issues I have with their sound.
Pros: Competent build, fit, and finish
Cons: Cables don’t inspire confidence, can be too bass heavy for some, hint of harshness/sibilance, prone to hissing
Linear Mode
