Hifiman RE-ZERO and RE-0

Hifiman RE-ZERO and RE-0

August 28, 2010 |  by  |  $1-$100, In-Ears  | 

There was a day when I can conveniently refer to the RE-0 IEM as the “r-e-zero”. Then Hifiman released the RE-ZERO, and since then I’ve been having problems differentiating between the two when I’m in the middle of a phone conversation. Do I say “r-e-zero” for the RE-ZERO and “r-e-o” for the RE-0? I guess the chinese doesn’t see this as a problem as they can refer to the RE-0 as “r-e-ling”.

Build wise, the RE-ZERO is mostly similar to the RE-0 with a few minor differences. Instead of the black paint, the housing is now painted dark grey. The grey finishing looks better than the black RE-0, and the grey RE-ZERO also has a better finishing quality than the RE-0. I noticed that sometimes the tips get stuck inside my ear while trying to pull out the RE-ZERO from my ears, and that never happened with the RE-0. Upon closer inspection, the notch that holds the rubber tips is shallower on the RE-ZERO, hence rubber tips don’t hold as well as the RE-0.

Slightly bigger button on the RE-ZERO is one of the differences in the housing build.

The RE-ZERO also ships with 3.5mm TRRS jack where other IEMs ship with mostly a regular 3.5mm TRS jack. The TRRS have two ring sections, allowing four different path for connection. Normally you see TRRS jacks with IEMs that have a built in microphone. On the RE-ZERO, the extra ring connection is used to provide independent ground path for the left and right channel. In order to use the RE-ZERO with a standard 3.5mm out on Ipods an amplifiers, you need to use the supplied TRRS to TRS adaptor, which come in two different shapes. Of course this is a real inconvenience for practical day to day use. But one day, when Hifiman released their portable balanced amplifier, the TRRS jack will allow a direct connection for a balanced driven IEM.

The TRRS jack, with the two types of TRRS to TRS adaptor supplied with the RE-ZERO.

Using the wire adapter.

Using the socket type adapter.


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  • b

    Will you be reviewing the Etymotic MC3/MC5? Wonder how they compare to the RE0 and the BA and 2xBA headphones.

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      I'm certainly looking to review one of those. Still hasn't got a definite plan or date for them though. :)

  • b

    Thank you, Mike. The design of the REO is a big put off. They look very cheap. The Etymotic on the other hand are much better but not without flaws – the angle between the cable and the headphone makes the cable stick even further out – this is bad design – it should have been approximately 90 degree angle. Also, their cable, while much improved over the ER4P/S is still not very good – looks like a bunch of manufacturers are going with this cable – Monster, Etymotic, Grado. It is rather tangle free but microphonic – especially rubbing against clothing. Why wouldn't all of them go for the Westone/Earsonice cable…

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      I agree with all of your points there. The design of the RE0, the the Etymotic designs, the tangle free but microphonic cable, and yes the Westone cable as well. But two things though, I've fallen in love with the RE-0's sound so much that I've been using it quite often despite the not so good looking design. And also the Westone type cable, though best for softness and flexibility, tangles very easily. Nothing is perfect.

  • b

    Thanks, Mike. I'd take the Westone cable anytime. While it may tangle a bit more, it's way more comfortable, lighter and best of all – it does not impact or interfere with the sound! It'd be curious to hear your impressiones/comparison between the Etymotic MC3/5 and the RE0s.

    PS: Also, would you be reviewing any of the Monster Turbine Pro headphones? While more expensive, they are now more preferable than any of the BAs – due to their power, soundstage, fullness, slam, etc. It'll be interesting to see a comparison to other headphones in the same price bracket – Shure 530/535, Westone UM3X/3, Earsonics SM3, etc.

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Hey B, yes I do like the Westone cable more than anything else out there. Now about the Monster Turbine Pro headphones, what do you personally think about it? I've had the Copper model in the past, and I really can't discern how people think so highly of it. And I'm not trying to bash Monster here, as I gave a good comment on the Studio headphones on the Closed Headphones comparison. But here is what I wrote about the Copper:


      I’m playing around with the Monster Pro Copper at the moment. It’s quite a decent product overall. Average listeners might find the heavy midbass and the warm sound signature quite pleasing. But other than that, its technicalities just can’t compete with the Balanced Armature drivers.

      I’m not speaking about a sterile type of technicality either. But the JH5 is clearly leaps and bounds ahead, in terms of technicality and frequency balance. And I would even say that the JH5 is still more musical than the Pro Coppers.

      I’m also reviewing the dual BA q-Jays and dba02 at the moment, and I would happily choose the q-Jays over the copper.

      The Copper has an flat and harsh treble, unnatural midrange to bass transitiion, and a fairly bloated bass. I really don't think that audiophiles should even consider the Monster Turbines. It should be okay for the general listener without trained ears though.

  • b

    Interesting, Mike. I have gone through a number of headphones and instead of trying to make direct comparisson, I’d say what was wrong/missing with each one until I get to the Monster Turbine Pro Copper and Miles Davis Tribute. Shure e4c (maybe the best sound I’ve heard from a Shure) – great punchy sound, clear, great bass – aweful ergonomics and comfort, cable like thick and stiff like a hose and too long. Shure 530 – too melow… got rid of them quickly. Westone UM2 – not much wrong with them – had them for a while and just decided to try something different. If I recall well, they are actually better than the UM3X and 3. Westone UM3X – great detail and extension on both ends. Sterile sound – sounds like listening in a foam lined room/studio. Not fun. Westone 3 – extreme opposite – over hyped sound and soundstage(more like echo really) – sounds like listening in a marble room. Bass doesn’t go deep enough. Aweful ergonomics – too short to fit well in ear. All Westone – the best cable! Sennheiser IE7 – great soundstage, real soundstage, awesome bass – lack of detail in midrange – midrange kind of gets lost in the rest of the music. Earsonics SM3X – don’t quite get the hype on these – sure, bass and soundstage are good but there are no highs, sounds like listening in a basement with a real low seilng or underwater – no air at all. Going back to IE7 – actually quite close to the SM3X but with a lot better air. Grado GR8 – ok for vocals – no bass and body. Not really Grado signature – mellow and no energy. Actually, much much better is the MC3 – except that it is still too thin sounding but clarity is awesome. Monster Turbine Pro Copper and Miles Davis Tribute – have everything. Cable could be better ala Westone. Looks are cheesy. But soundstage is great, bass is way better than IE7 – actually very hard punching (Miles Davis even better than Copper but midrange sounds a bit more congested). I have the Copper with ControlTalk – which is a GREAT convenience that none of the other high ends offer (except for UE 10vi but haven’t heard them). Monsters need a bit of burn in as thet are dynamic but the best compliment I can give them is that they allow me to listen to and enjoy the music instead of over-analysing what I’m hearing. Very coherent and I’d say transparent in that way. So I think they are the best universals. I’d like to have even more clarity like the Etymotic but the clarity of the Monster is much better than IE7 so it is quite alright. If Etymotic MC3 only used a bigger driver for more body they may have been the best yet and only for meager $79. What a deal they’d be then!

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Hi, B. I'm glad you like the Monster Copper and Miles Davis IEMs. Yes, they do have quite a good bass and clear treble as well. The Etymotics have always been about treble detail and clarity, so I won't be surprised if you find the MC3 to lack body.

  • Audiofriend

    Hi Mike, Just want to get some advice from you:

    I am using an HFI -780 , I want to get a IEM which got similar signature with that. Which one should be good??..I tried Shure 535, it really impressed ,while only hold on for the price and sometimes too warming sound.!!

    P.S. Hopes the W4 come asap.

    • Anonymous

      HFI-780 huh? To be frank I can’t think of an IEM with the ultrasone’s
      sound signature.

      • audiofriend

        so any suggestion about getting an IEM ?? Shure 535??… despite the mainstream , anything good if I love live music??

        Also,for headphone, which is a proper upgrade after HFI780?? :) thx!

        • Anonymous

          Have you tried the ER4? Not quite Ultrasone signature, but it’s very
          good with live music.

          As for the HFI, try out the Pro900 and see if you like it. :)

  • Kh2456

    Hey Mike, I can’t decide between the re-zeros or the dba-02. I would love to hear your input since you’ve reviewed both of them.

    • Anonymous

      What are you listening to? What are you using now, and what kind of an
      upgrade do you want?

      • Kh2456

        I had a pair of Klipsch s4′s which i thought were decent for the price but they got destroyed by a dumbbell at the gym :/

        Just looking for a pair of good iems for the gym. Listen to all genres but i would say mostly rap. Currently listen to M50′s at home.

        • Anonymous

          I can’t think of anything.. Try the Atrio M5 or the Super.Fi 5 yet? I
          think their voicing is very good for Rap.

          • Kh2456

            Ok I will look at those. Thanks

  • Dleblanc343

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JILPrCHQvM eek, comparing them to bose, and much worse than!…

  • http://twitter.com/DodgersKings323 DodgersKings323

    Thanks again Headfonia! I’m trying to pick between these two and the Brainwavz M3.

    • Anonymous

      Unfortunately I haven’t listened to the M3.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1580737066 Zaid Saleem

    hey there mike sorry for the late question but i was a bit confused
     is the RE-0 compared to the RE-272 flagship is it considerable as an upgrade or are these two incomparable music wise?

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Hi Zaid,
      The RE-0 was very different from the RE-262, but with the RE-272 it is more similar though still not absolutely alike.
      Briefly:
      RE-0: Clear sound, a little laid back, not so much mid body.
      RE-262: Warm, smooth, good mids.
      RE272: Clear, a little forward, fuller mids than the RE-0.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1580737066 Zaid Saleem

        thanks for the advice!

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