The Silver editions use the same dynamic driver technology and tuning that is in the Gold versions.
Both the RE800 Silver earphone and the RE2000 Silver earphone have not been plated in 24K gold, so the Silver editions are also lower priced than the Gold editions.
The RE800 Silver retails at USD599 which is a saving of USD100 compared to the Gold edition
The RE2000 Silver retails at USD1499 which is a huge saving of USD500 compared to the Gold edition
The team at earphonia.com are privileged to be reviewing both of them.
HifiMan have been producing earphones since 2007 with their RE1 earphone. Since then HifiMan have progressed through an interesting learning curve to now stand shoulder to shoulder with the leading audio industry brands.
Nano scale technology is implemented in the RE2000 and RE800 earphone range, along with a number of exciting claims as to the effect on sound signature, coherence, clarity and distortions.
The documentation supplied with each of these 2 dynamic driver earphones has further details regarding this and can be seen later in the review.
Our excitement is hard to contain, so lets get started on the review.
Specifications:
Frequency Response : 5Hz-20kHz
Impedance : 60Ω
Sensitivity : 103dB
Driver: 9.2mm dynamic driver
Driver Type: Topology Diaphragm
Housing: Silver Coated
Crystalline Copper Wire
The hard box is no longer the strong faux leather hard case with a metal plate like supplied with RE2000 Gold but a standard box.
Tip selection is good but there are no longer comply tips included. The cable is is a straight Jack in silver now and not the gold style right angled one.
Included there is a hard case to protect the RE2000 with precise machined foam to protect the earphones when in transit.
The earphones have recessed two pin IEM standard connectors which provide the welcome support for aftermarket cables compatibility.
Shell size and design is very futuristic looking IMO and really should have wide appeal.
The Silver style is more reserved than the Gold ones with the HiFiMan logo on each shell giving more of a classical quality look.
Tip selection is adequate and really can affect signature, so it is recommended you try a number of tips both supplied and aftermarket to obtain your signature preference.
Warranty and registration cards are also supplied.
HiFiMan have provide a detachable cable with the RE2000 Silver. The cable is a little thick but has a solid feel, it now has a 3.5mm straight single ended jack attached.
Rubber ear guides are also included. There is also a set of cable connector parts for creating your own cables that will be guaranteed to fit perfectly.
A comprehensive booklet is included in the package.
Manufacturer information:
The Ideal Dynamic Driver
The Topology diaphragm structure used by HIFIMAN greatly reduces the uncontrolled diaphragm distortions, enabling the operational performance of dynamic IEM’s to an approach to an ever superior, trend towards perfect wave control.
Silver Edition
Brass made for the perfect housing material for the acoustics, with the new Silver coating it helps to add to the fine richness of its audio output.
The Perfect Blend of Acoustic Drama and Clarity
The creation of countless prototypes and user testing combined with the Topological driver pattern changes mean your ear encounters the sound wave precisely as the original recording creator intended.
Radical New Housing for a Radical New Driver
The shape of the housing is again an example of blending industrial design, comfort and a striking visual. Providing excellent fit, comfort and isolates, all to give you the most wonderful of listening experiences.
Removable cables
The RE2000 Silver can use other cables to meet the requirements and personal preferences of the listener.
Driver: 9.2mm dynamic driver.
Housing: brass with silver coating.
Build Quality
The shells feel solid and have a reassuring weight to them. Housing is brass with Silver coating. Machining is precise and design style is very appealing/sleek.
Nozzles are protected with metal mesh and earphone ports fit cables securely with no cut outs or glitches.
Using the stock cable, we had no microphonics and the cable has a quality feel to it.
The finish on it was a little strange and felt a little bit like it was a prototype, however signature was not adversely impacted and it felt comfortable when in use, staying secure at all times.
The new straight angle jack fits tight and was secure with all the players we tried.
The welcome addition to support standard 2 PIN IEM connectors is excellent and provided many after market cable options.
Specification/Booklet Supplied Information
The earphone comes with a comprehensive booklet talking about the history of HifiMan and discussing all aspects of the RE2000 Silver – below is a scan image of the document.
One of the most interesting aspect is the theory that nano topology of the diaphragm significantly affects and controls the signature.
Dr. Fang Bian has focused research on understanding how the geometric structure at a nano particle level can impact and control the output signature. It is certainly a very interesting statement, as an end user it is very difficult to validate the signature impact of nano topology but what we can say is that the RE2000 Silver certainly impresses with its fluidity and musicality. We are very interested to try new topology structures in future releases.
Digital Audio Player Pairings
Pairing with the IBasso DX120
Clear and powerful, strong signature style, detailed and a little bright. Bass impacting, rich and solid.
Pairing with the Astell and Kern SP1000 Ultima
Vocals amazing and deep mids, very articulate. – Excellent synergy.
Pairing with the Sony NW-WM1Z Player
More natural sounding, full bodied with excellent coherence and precise imaging. – Excellent synergy.
Pairing with the Chord Hugo 2
More reference brighter signature, detail rich with further upper extension experienced. – Good synergy
Sound Signature:
The tonality in the low end region is certainly something special, with the sub bass creating a profound deep resonance on certain tracks that have heavy low end character.
No undesirable noise artefacts appear and the sound waves present are smooth and sculpted with precision.
All through the entire bass range, texture is clean with no excess bleed, this is nicely topped off with clean attack strength and quick recovery.
At no times do I feel over shadowing or dominance, everything sounding smooth and straight to the point.
Never pushing or seeping into the mid range, yet progressing with a refined artfulness, giving slight warmth to the general overall signature style.
The smooth surface and intense centre size gives a weighted aspect, yet still with a well tuned balance of unity with the rest of the sound spectrum.
Mid range is lifted to give greater prominence and focus on string instruments, sounding clear and having an organic live characteristic.
Slight warmth is present here, with fresh clear natural sounding instruments and with a directed focus, keeping the attention of the listener.
Central mid range is a again a little forward, lifting instruments and keeping the stream of musicality in central focus. This signature region truly relays the vocal delicate nuances with care and realistic, really impressive.
Well mastered recording and live vocals are loaded with soulfulness, taking you back to remember the occasion with a new sense of realism.
As we all know, the well balanced tuning present on the RE2000 Silver would be wasted if the transitioning was not managed well. Thankfully HifiMan have nailed this aspect and the transitioning is masterfully handled.
In the upper mid range there is a raised presence with a marginally laid back attack style providing more ease of listening. It feels like everything is managed without any struggle, ensuring little to no fatigue for longer audio sessions.
Sound staging is a little wide, while maintaining a realistic scale of size, musicality is solid and well suited to the rest of this earphone tuning style.
Layering is smooth with a balanced coherence, ensuring that everything sounds natural as well as with nice fullness of body.
Treble has a balanced timing, fresh, clear and consistent with the rest of the spectrum. Energetic and with powerful vitality, this area is well tuned.
Comparing the signature to the original Gold models, there was hardly any difference, only a small subtle level of brightness was present with the Silvers, so the $500 savings over the gold version is pretty decent.
As HifiMan has spent a lot of effort to resolve any diaphragm distortions on this dynamic driver flagship earphone, it becomes apparent that there is something very special about the RE2000 Silver. The definition, clarity and extremely well balanced coherence really astounds with it’s musicality making it very hard to put down.
The team at earphonia.com can certainly recommend both the RE2000 Silvers and the RE800 Silvers earphones by HiFiMan. Both sound signatures have superb tuning and our advice is to try them both (if possible) to see which aligns best with you personally preferred signature style.
HifiMan RE2000 Silver Official Product Details
The Ideal Dynamic Driver
The Topology diaphragm structure used by HIFIMAN greatly reduces the uncontrolled diaphragm distortions, enabling the operational performance of dynamic IEM’s to an approach to an ever superior, trend towards perfect wave control.
Silver Edition
Brass made for the perfect housing material for the acoustics, with Silver coating .
The Perfect Blend of Acoustic Drama and Clarity
The creation of countless prototypes and user testing combined with the Topological driver pattern changes mean your ear encounters the sound wave precisely as the original recording creator intended.
Radical New Housing for a Radical New Driver
The shape of the housing is again an example of blending industrial design, comfort and a striking visual. Providing excellent fit, comfort and isolates, all to give you the most wonderful of listening experiences.
Our First ever IEM with removable cables
The RE2000 can be cabled to meet the requirements and preferences of all listeners.
Technical Data
Frequency Response : 5Hz-20kHz
Impedance : 60Ω
Sensitivity : 103dB
Earphone Weight : 0.48oz (13.8g)
Cable Weight : 0.81oz (23g)
Driver: 9.2mm dynamic driver
Housing: brass Silver coated.
Driver: 9.2mm dynamic driver in a rigid gold-plated