Introduction

HiFiMAN is a brand with a lot of interesting audiophile-grade headphone and in-ears in their portofolio. Today, we will take a close look at the top-of-the-line RE-600s: The new top offering from HiFiMAN, these should best the RE-400s on all accounts, though we thought the RE-400s to be near perfect.

The price is $399, which makes these four times as expensive as the next pair of in-ears by HiFiMAN. This big jump in price will have the RE-600s compete with the highly regarded Westone 4Rs and newly released Ultimate-Ears UE900s—both are available at the same price point. HiFiMAN products are usually priced quite aggressively compared to more established brands, and if this holds true, we should be in for a set of truly great-sounding in-ears with the RE-600s. The RE-600s are the highest-priced in-ears HiFiMAN (former Head-Direct) ever released! We will drill them thoroughly to see if they can compete with the latest and greatest universal in-ears on the market.

Specifications

• 3.5mm mini plug
• Mini adapter for regular earphone jack
• Frequency response: 15 Hz - 22 KHz
• Impedance: 16 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
• 8.5mm Ø dynamic driver with special coating
• Weight: 0.48Oz (13.7g)

The Package

HiFiMAN ships their new high-end in-ears in a pleather box. The box is huge considering the minute size of the new design from HiFiMAN.


The bundle is alright in terms of tip selection, but the tips are a bit of a letdown construction-wise. No hybrid or foam tips have been included, and the silicone tips are not particularly high-end. Compared to tips supplied by UE, Westone, and Shure, these are of a better quality. The big bi-flanges are big and slightly awkward with the new RE-design, which is alright with the old, big RE earphones, but it just makes for a bad fit here. The smaller bi-flanges work alright and so do the rest of the tips, but none of the included tips make for a particularly tight and secure fit. The newly designed, angled tips feel great in the ear, but the silicone construction leaves some to be desired. The difference in sound quality between tips is audible, which makes getting them right essential.


The cable organizer looks and feels cheap, which is not something you want for a set of $399 in-ears.