GR02 – GR02 BASS
In this part we’ll be covering Vsonic GR02(first pic) formerly known as R02 (pro) and its successor GR02 bass edition (second pic), which have been released in 2012. Things aren’t as black and white as you would suspect if we just compare the names of these two iems. When it comes down to looks and design we don’t see much difference, they have the same dark grey cable, but the GR02 comes into a 45 degree angle on the golden plate jack, where the GR02 BE has an L shaped ending on the jack. The housing also remains the same, which to me looks a bit torpedo shaped. I know, it sounds funny but when you put these babies in it makes more sense calling them torpedoes. Another quick way to find out which one is in front of you is that the GR02 has an sliver ring and the GR02 BE has a golden brown ring around the housing. Also on both of these it is clearly marked on the housing which one is L or R.
Both of them come with the most appreciated accessories Vsonic provides: 10 pairs of hybrid tips, 4 pairs of silicon tips and a soft pouch. Once again no problem finding the right tips with both of these iems; comfort wise not a problem.
Just like most of you I would suppose that Vsonic didn’t make much of a difference between the GR02 and GR02 BE besides the bass, but that’s not even half the story of what Vsonic has done to the GR02 BE. Except for the bass, there is so much more going on with this edition, so much more that I would suggest another name for the Bass Editon even, but for some inexplicable reason I’m not a member of Vsonics marketing team. Enough kidding around, I mean when I listen to the GR02 I can understand its position in the lineup of Vsonic; being above the GR99 and beneath the GR04 and GR06, but the GR02 BE steps it up. In terms of sound quality it leans close to the GR04 and in my opinion even surpasses the GR06. First of all it remains at the same price of the GR02, which is already very democratic, but the GR02 BE has a very positive price/quality ratio. Let me tell you why the GR02 is good and the Bass Edition is even better.
For starters, Vsonic presents us another pair of iems with a excellent bass, but to be fair I wasn’t expecting anything less from them. Both iems have a deep and warm bass which shows a lot of body. The lows aren’t boomy nor is the emphasize on the sub bass, Vsonic kept it all in proportion. Even for the GR02 BE it all sounds well, Vsonic has added a layer of thickness on the lows, and they sound richer and fuller in comparison with the GR02. Also bass is more in control and has punch in the mid bass, which lacks on the GR02. I find the BE almost as good with the lows as on the GR04, expect they miss that content of fun, that the GR04 possesses.
The GR02 BE takes a leap forward on the mids, where the GR02 shows the warmth of the lows and reflects the right amount of detail, the GR02 becomes forward and dynamic. The mids on the BE are sounding more rich and they also have that extra layer of texture. When you listen to well produced albums like ‘Thriller’ or ‘Bad’ it immediately becomes clear where the Bass Edition outshines its older sibling.
On the highs everything is all right, clear and bright with less or no signs of sibilance. The major improvement of the Bass Edition is that the extensions are remarkably better, in a way that it complements the rich and forward sound of the mids.
Sound stage on the BE is good because of its texture, of course it won’t compete with an expensive iem, but somehow I got the feeling from time to time that I’m listening to live music playing in nice cozy bar.
The conclusion is rather very simple: GR02 Bass Edition it will be. Although the GR02 is a good iem, the GR02 BE will outclass it, no matter how you look at it. We already know that they have the same price tag, so you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make a conclusion on that point. The GR02 BE has a full and rich bass, the mids and highs show detail and are upfront, therefor it has a fantastic dynamic sound. It would be a hard question for me if someone would ask me if I have to choose between the GR02 BE and the GR04 FSE.
I know that the GR04 FSE is better, but the GR02 BE leans very close to it. If money is no object, I would advise to go and buy the GR04 FSE, but you also can’t go wrong with the GR02 BE. It really is a tough one. At the end of line, I can safely say that the GR02 Bass Edition, has a lot more to offer than its name would suggest. Vsonic has proven their craftsmanship once again, by making the BE a balanced, rich and forward sounding iem.
Next page: Even more Vsonic IEMs!
Lespectraal
Sounds like the GR01s are the IEM for me. Thanks for the review man, you’ve got me wanting this particular IEM now.
L.
Glad you like it!
reckoncile
That is a sexy GR01 picture 🙂
L.
Glad you like!
Eli
I appreciate the time that you’ve taken to write this, but your poorly phrased English made understanding many of your observations & conclusions difficult. There were several instances where I had to stop reading the review, go back a several sentences, and try to start over, just to correctly understand what you were trying to say or describe.
Considering the fact that there are 5 long pages of you musing on these IEMs, the normally minor inconvenience of interpreting poorly phrased/written English made for an unappealing read.
I’m a fan of Headfonia. I hope that you work on improving the quality of the writing in the future, as your website is devoted to (often lengthy) written reviews & articles. It’s not about nitpicking, it’s about making sure that your opinions & conclusions are clearly expressed in a way that your readers can consistently understand and thoroughly enjoy reading.
Andrew Hulva
I completely agree. The author gave it his best effort I’m sure, but headfonia has consistently put out well written articles. Not that we are entitled to such a standard, as this is their site, not ours, but it is hard to enjoy the read when you have to have to read not only what’s there, but what should be there as well.
Sam Pascoe
A teacher a Princeton once said, “Edit until you have cut it down to the main pros and cons, then edit 5 more times”
Mike
Thank you for the honest and constructive comments, guys.
dalethorn
Funny thing – I always scored at the top of my classes in English, yet I had no problem reading this at all. I wonder if it just has to do with getting familiar with different writing styles and non-native writers. There is so much text on the Web today that we’re going to have to learn to digest it somehow.
L.
Thanks for the support Dale, I mostly think it’s exactly what you mention.
Mike
Thanks Dale.
Fabio_Rocks
Hey Mike I think you must hire Dale as a reviewer. This guy is so skilled at headphones! I really like his style and he owns a lot of stuffs, He is very good to comparison. With Dale headphonia will be daily updated:) PS: this is a sincere comment, I am no affiliated with him.
dalethorn
Thank you for the confidence. But it’s best that I stay independent, otherwise I would have to work much harder learning more about more products, not to mention listening skills. I think the good thing about Headfonia is that it works just right to attract people like yourself who can also contribute.
Marley
How would compare the GR07 to some full sized headphones? Like the HD650, or maybe some closed headphones in the same price range?
Mike
Quite hard to find a comparison to the 07 to be frank. It’s definitely nothing like the 650.
Marley
Surely you could something about the technicalities of the GR07 😀 And whether it holds up to closed headphones in its price range? HD650 is pretty special though, technically I’m not that impressed, but its timbre is something else.
Mike
What is there to say about the technicalities of the GR07? It’s pretty good but I feel that most good IEMs these days are just as competitive.
Fabio_Rocks
I hope so! The hd 650 is so sleepy…
L.
I have the HD650 on my head now and the GR07 in my hands. Will listen later
Meh
Come on Mods, it’s 2013, you are audiophile studying budgets, and yet you havent reviewed the Somics MH 463 or EFI-82 MTs?
*shruggs* I dont know man, you should know those by now.
They. Are. Amazing.
dalethorn
The 463 got a rave review for sound, but gets killed for having very bad earpads. So does the signature change with replacement pads?
L.
We’re not that much into universal iems tbh
Meh
I see, well, these China budget stuffs are really sweet for their price. I still put a vote in that you try them out, worth a fifty from your pockets definitely.
Fabio_Rocks
Hi guys I just ordered the V-sonic gr07 mk2 after 2 weeks of hard research on various website and forums. For the price of 130Eur I think they are a great deal.
I have some questions for Lieven: Electric guitars sounds upfront-inyourface or laidback? Do you miss some bass compared to your favorite headphones? (I know you are a kinda basshead:) )
There is also a Vsonic gr07 bass edition out there.
Anyway it was a nice review, no problem for reading at all.
L.
Only saw this just now. I didn’t do the review Fabio 😉
Peter Jan Icogo
Add VC02 and VC1000 too 🙂 Nice Write-up bro! 🙂 Cheers!
L.
Thanks! We’re done with iems for the moment though 😉
Dan Z
I know this was written a while ago. But would anyone happen to know how the GR07 MK2 would stack up against the B&W C5 headphones, since they are pretty much the same price. I would imagine the overall quality is better on the GR07 than the C5 from the review on the C5.
L.
Definitely go for the GR07MK. The C5 was really weird airy sounding, while the Vsonic is top
Dan Z
I thought as much, thanks for the quick reply
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