YOU ARE AT
Home » Reviews » Brief Impressions » Brief Review: VSonic VSD3S, Ostry KC06 & Havi B3 Pro I
VSonic VSD3S

Brief Review: VSonic VSD3S, Ostry KC06 & Havi B3 Pro I

There’s no set formula for determining what gets reviewed here on The Headphone List, but requests and recommendations from our readers are always considered. I get a lot of suggestions for IEM reviews – so many that I have to keep a running list – but it is always my hope to incorporate those I feel have the most potential into the queue.

In 2014, nothing has been requested as often and as vehemently as the VSonic VSD3S, Ostry KC06, and Havi B3 Pro I (maybe the Xiaomi Piston 2, but that’s already covered). The VSD3S is an obvious one, being VSonic’s first all-new release since the VSD1 and VSD1S models that I liked enough to include in the Earphone Buyer’s Guide. Ostry and Havi are two new(er) Chinese manufacturers that have been making quite a splash on Head-Fi. Since all three have similarly impressive performance and are priced around $60, it made sense to pit them against each other. All three turned out to be deserving of full reviews, which will be written up later on.

Ostry KC06

Basics: I’ve had the KC06 the longest of the three. The earphone first impressed me with its packaging, which is a rather cleverly assembled without appearing wasteful. Accessories include 6 sets of single-flange eartips (three with a wide inner bore, and three with a narrow one) as well as a shirt clip, set of cable guides, and an (inconveniently small) velvet pouch.

Ostry KC06
Ostry KC06

The earphone itself is metal and feels very solid. It utilizes a straight-barrel design with a short, wide driver chamber. To allow for a deeper fit, the strain relief exits the main housing at a tangent. I like the design and build of the earpieces, though I’m less enthusiastic about the cable, which has a shiny, slightly sticky sheath. The cable on the VSonic VSD3S, for example, while similar-looking, is actually thicker, smoother, more flexible, and has less tendency to tangle. The KC06 also lacks a sliding cinch above its small metal y-split and uses an I-shaped pug

Cable noise is minimal, and though designed for cable-down wear, the KC06 can be worn cable-up with the right eartips. The cable is somewhat resistant to over-the-ear routing but a set of earhooks is included make this more convenient.

Performance: The sound of the KC06 is on the whole balanced, but a little off-neutral. Bass is slightly enhanced overall, with mild sub-bass roll-off. Mids are quite forward, reminding me of the Fidue A63, though the KC06 is brighter and not as smooth. Thanks to strong upper midrange and treble presence, vocals are very intelligible. There is also plenty of sparkle, good top-end extension, and a soundstage that’s wide and airy.

The strength of the KC06 is definitely its mids, which are prominent and very clear. The sparkly treble that nonetheless does not exaggerate harshness or sibilance is very good, too, and the presentation is nice and open for an in-ear earphone. The bass has good impact but not the best depth, which gives it a less solid thump than, for instance, the VSonic VSD3S with its plentiful sub-bass. Compared to many higher-end IEMs, the KC06 also sounds a little lean and lacks soundstage depth and imaging ability. For the price, though, it’s very hard to fault.

One peculiarity of the KC06 is that it is an extremely sensitive earphone. This was likely done on purpose – after all, the ability to reach ear-splitting volumes with ease is definitely a plus when competing in the consumer market. However, this also means that static will be audible with sources that have a high noise floor, so those who are hiss-sensitive may be better off with a less efficient earphone. In addition, low volumes can be hard to dial in with some sources.

To start off, I compared the KC06 not only to the B3 Pro I and VSD3S, but also a few of my long-term benchmarks to see where it stands.

Havi B3 Pro I ($60)

The most striking thing about comparing the KC06 to the B3 Pro I is the difference in efficiency – the KC06 is significantly more sensitive than the average in-ear whereas the B3 – significantly less so. Combined, this creates an enormous difference in the general listening experience, with the KC06 reaching high volumes effortlessly and exposing hiss and background noise in the process and the B3 requiring a lot more juice to reach listening volume.

Other than that, the B3 Pro I has quite a few similarities to the KC06 – punchy bass, clean and prominent mids, and present – but not excessively sharp or edgy – treble. The KC06 sounds more colored – its midbass hump is more audible, and yet overall it is brighter. The B3 has tighter, less pronounced bass and generally sounds more lean and dry. It is also darker, with less sparkly and extended treble, though the two earphones are equally smooth overall. The extra upper treble helps the KC06 seem a little more airy and out-of-the-head, but the B3 has the more well-rounded presentation.

VSonic VSD3S ($45)

The VSD3S fits right in between the VSD1S and the pricier GR07 Classic in VSonic’s lineup, and the KC06 likewise sounds better than the VSD1S but doesn’t quite stack up to the GR07. The most obvious difference between the slightly v-shaped VSD3S and the KC06 is the midrange presentation – there, the KC06 sounds stronger and clearer thanks to its more forward midrange and brighter overall sound. The KC06 has more of a mid-bass hump and some deep bass roll-off, whereas the VSD3S has a better bass depth and feels more solid and natural at the low end. Tonally, the VSD3S is a little warmer. Interestingly, while the KC06 is brighter and a little more sparkly, it is still less sibilance-prone than the VSD3S.

HiFiMan RE-400 ($99)

The HiFiMan RE-400 is a very balanced earphone with a mild midrange focus. Next to the KC06, it sounds a little dull, but also more accurate and neutral. Whereas the RE-400 is slightly flatter, tighter, and more extended at the low end, the KC06 has an audible mibass hump, though far from severe enough to really compromise bass quality. Both earphones have similarly forward mids, but the KC06 is brighter, which makes it sound even clearer and gives its vocals better intelligibility. The top end of the KC06 has more sparkle, but also tends to be less forgiving than the ultra-smooth RE-400. Overall, I found the KC06 to be a little colored-sounding next to the RE-400 but otherwise not far behind, especially considering the price gap.

Ultimate Ears 600 ($60)

The Ultimate Ears 600 is a balanced armature earphone with a smooth, mid-centric sound signature not too different from that of the RE-400. In short, the UE600 is flatter and more neutral overall compared to the KC06, with less impactful – albeit more extended – bass. The Ostry is more colored-sounding, with brighter treble and more mid-bass boost. The UE600 sounds more full-bodied and natural in the midrange and has smoother treble.

SQ score range: 8.3-8.6 (final score still TBD)

Current prices:
KC06 Silver: $58 from Amazon.com; $58 from ebay.com | $63 from lendmeurears.com; $69 from mp4nation.net
KC06 Gold: $65 from Amazon.com; $69 from mp4nation.net

VSonic VSD3S

Basics: It’s quite rare for an IEM manufacturer to score so many hits in a row, but VSonic has had at least one solid release every year since the 2010 launch of the GR07. The first of VSonic’s new VSD series of in-ears, the VSD1S, has also spent a year and counting as one of the top picks in my IEM Buyer’s Guide. VSonic earphones have always had functional if somewhat plain packaging, and the VSD3S is no exception. Accessories are remarkably similar to those of the Ostry KC06, down to the sub-par carrying pouch. The VSD3S comes with 4 pairs of silicone eartips (including one double-flange pair), 1 set of foam tips, a pair of cable guides, and the drawstring pouch.

VSonic VSD3S
VSonic VSD3S

The construction of the VSD3S is plastic, with rather handsome semi-translucent angular housings. The design is ergonomic, intended for over-the-ear wear, and similar in footprint to current-gen Westone earphones. The VSD3S foregoes the rotating nozzles of preceding GR04, GR06, GR07, and VSD1S in favor of a conventional fixed-nozzle design. Despite this, I found the earphones very comfortable and flush fitting. The new nozzles also keep tips in place better.

A major selling point of the VSD3S is the detachable cable, a feature rarely found on sub-$100 earphones. VSonic has tried this once before with the VC02 model, but the connectors on it weren’t particularly secure. Combined with a lack of availability of replacement cables, this made the feature more trouble than it was worth. Unfortunately VSonic chose a proprietary coaxial connector for the VSD3S rather than a standard 2-pin or MMCX plug, but at least the new connectors are secure. There have been some reports of malfunctioning connectors but this is supposed to be fixed at this point and replacement cables – the key to the success of any detachable-cable earphone – seem to be available.

As with the other over-the-ear VSonic models, cable noise is virtually nonexistent and noise isolation is pretty good – about on-par with the GR07.

Performance: The sound of the VSD3S is typical VSonic all the way through, falling smack in the middle between the VSD1S, which is bassier and more v-shaped, and the new GR07 Classic, which is flatter and more refined. The bass is slightly enhanced, but still tight and accurate enough to compete with almost anything in the price range. The VSD3S has a very good balance of midbass and subbass – its deep bass, for instance, is more robust and extended compared to the Ostry KC06 and Havi B3 Pro I. Midbass is less prominent than that of the VSD1S and KC06, though still a little more emphasized and less tight compared to the GR07.

Tonally, the VSD3S is similar to other VSonics – a bit warm thanks to the mild bass enhancement, but still quite close to neutral. It also maintains the mildly v-shaped sound of the GR07 and others, with less forward mids compared to the KC06 and Havi B3 Pro I. Treble is strong, providing good energy and crispness. As usual, it sounds very natural with the exception of a bit of sibilance, especially at high volumes. The presentation is quite good for in-ear in this price range, but lacks some depth compared to higher-end sets and misses out on some of the sheer expanse of the clearer, flatter GR07.

Havi B3 Pro I ($60)

The VSD3S has an advantage in efficiency over the B3, though not nearly to the same extent as the KC06. Its sound is more v-shaped overall, making the B3 Pro seem mid-centric in comparison. The VSD3S has more bass, especially deep bass, whereas the B3 misses out on the rumble and more solid “thump” of the VSonic unit. In the midrange, the B3 has more presence but also sounds a little thinner. The more forward mids make vocals sound more intelligible compared to the slightly more mid-recessed VSonic. The VSD3S has stronger treble presence but also sounds more sibilant next to the fairly smooth Havi. Overall, the single-driver VSonic set appears to have better bandwidth, and while the B3 has a nicely open and spacious sound with good imaging, it can’t quite match the dynamics of the VSD3S.

VSonic VSD1S ($45)

The “lower-end” VSD1S is pretty much the same price at the VSD3S at the time of this writing, but aside from a little more bass doesn’t have much going for it in this comparison. The VSD3S is clearer overall and tighter at the low end, with less of a midbass hump and more focus on deep bass. The midrange of the VSD1S is a little more recessed, making it slightly muddier and more muffled than the VSD3S. The VSD3S sounds a little fuller, more neutral, and more natural as a result. Outside of the bass and midrange, these two don’t differ much, but the tighter bass and superior mids of the VSD3S are quite convincing.

VSonic GR07 Classic ($99)

The GR07 Classic is to the VSD3S what the VSD3S is to the VSD1S. Both provide that quintessential VSonic signature but the GR07 boasts a clearer, more neutral sound with tighter bass. Bass quantity lags behind the VSD3S, but the GR07 Classic has less midbass and simply more refined lows overall. The midrange of the VSD3S is a little muddier and more muffled, whereas the GR07 sounds more natural.

Ultimate Ears 600 ($60)

Ultimate Ears’ BA-based UE600 sounds a little mid-focused overall, making it an interesting contrast to the VSD3S. The VSonic unit is more v-shaped and has significantly more bass (and better deep bass) than the UE600. The midrange of the VSD3S is a lot less forward, and less clear as well. The UE600 sounds very mid-centric in comparison and has much smoother treble. The VSD3S is more sibilant but also has a more natural and dynamic presentation. The forward mids of the UE600 make it sound a little flat in comparison, keeping the soundstage quite forward and not very deep.

SQ score range: 8.4-8.7 (final score still TBD)

Current prices
$45 – 60 from Amazon.com; $40 – 50 from lendmeurears.com;

Havi B3 Pro I

Basics: The B3 Pro I from Havi has the appearance of a more pro-oriented product compared to the Ostry and VSonic units, from the rugged-looking cable down to the way it is packaged. There are two stages to the earphone’s accessory kit – accessories found inside the acrylic box with the earphones, and those that Havi includes on the side. I’m not surprised that Havi had to add more accessories because all you get in the box are 3 pairs of single-flange silicone tips – slim pickings for a $60+ IEM. The additional accessories that shipped on the side include 3 sizes of double-flange tips, 3 more pairs of single-flange eartips in a different style, and a pair of foam tips, as well as a cleaning cloth, soft pouch, and clamshell carrying case.

Havi B3 Pro I
Havi B3 Pro I

The B3 uses an over-the-ear design with a plastic build. The faceplates of the earphones are flat and oddly-shaped but the part that goes in the ear is quite ergonomic, making the B3 Pro I just as comfortable as the VSD3S. The nozzles are properly angled and while there are no cable guides included, there is a cable cinch to help fix the cord in place.

The cord itself seems pretty standard – a little stiff and probably somewhat microphonic if not for the cable-up wear style. Below the y-split, the cable is flat, made up of the four leads placed side by side. The blocky 3.5mm L-plug seems quite durable, yet still works with most smartphone cases. Isolation is about on-par with the VSD3S – certainly decent enough for a dynamic-driver set.

Performance: While the Ostry KC06 and VSonic VSD3S are both single-driver designs, the B3 Pro I utilizes a pair of 6mm dynamic drivers in each earpiece. You would expect plenty of bandwidth and a warmer, more bass-heavy sound, but the B3 is surprisingly lean and no less focused on its midrange than the Ostry KC06. It’s also quite inefficient – most so than any earphone I compared it to – and can be underpowered. The difference is not quite night and day, but a proper amp or source (I used a full-size OPPO HA-1 amp/DAC in my comparisons to make sure the B3 Pro was getting enough power) will bring out a fuller, less treble-tilted sound with more effortless imaging. With a poor source, the B3 Pro I tends to sound brighter and more compressed, both in soundstage and dynamics.

HiFiMan RE-400 ($99)

The HiFiMan RE-400 provides a flatter and more balanced sound than even a well-amped Havi B3 but suffers from a slightly more forward, less out-of-the-head soundstage. It boasts slightly better bass depth and a thicker, fuller sound but still has a cleaner, sharper note presentation. Overall, I think the RE-400 is a hair clearer, but the Havi is thinner, more forward in the midrange, and slightly brighter thanks to greater upper midrange and lower treble presence. This often makes vocals seem more intelligible, which is impressive considering the RE-400’s reputation for clarity and vocal performance. The RE-400 is smoother through the treble but the Havi, surprisingly, does not seem prone to harshness or sibilance. The B3 is more spacious overall.

SteelSeries Flux ($50)

One of the big drawbacks of the Flux as a consumer-grade earphone is its low sensitivity, but the Havi definitely has it beat there, requiring even more power to reach listening volumes. The overall signature of the Flux is balanced, with a bit of added bass and very mild midrange recession. Its bass is noticeably deeper than that of the B3 Pro I. The mids of the Flux are less forward, making vocals sound a little more muffled compared to the Havi unit. The Flux is a little more full-bodied and smoother through the treble, making it a bit more forgiving of treble artifacts. However, I still found myself preferring the brighter and clearer B3 most of the time.

SQ score range: 8.3-8.6 (final score still TBD)

Current prices: $58 from lendmeurears.com$64 from Amazon.com

 

Conclusion

Seeing such capable and well-designed earphones coming from relatively little-known brands (plus VSonic, of course) is a testament to the market moving in a more competitive (and more value-driven) direction still, as it has been for the past couple of years. Testing three earphones head to head is never a simple task, and the excellent performance of these three didn’t make it any easier.

Despite its lowest as-tested price, I personally preferred the sound of the VSD3S. Two things sealed the deal – the awesome bass and it being pretty much straight step forward from the VSD1S, which has been one of my sub-$50 benchmarks all year. The Ostry and Havi are extremely close to the VSD3S and each other in capability and value but the more extended and lively treble is where the KC06 (barely) won me over, though I liked the tighter bass and better imaging of the B3 Pro I.

All three also had downsides, albeit ones totally forgivable for the price – the VSonic unit suffers from occasional sibilance and less forward mids; the B3 Pro I requires power and has a slightly thin note presentation; and the KC06 could use better depth and imaging.

Look for full reviews of all three units in the months ahead!

SHARE.

ABOUT AUTHOR

ljokerl

ljokerl

Living in the fast-paced city of Los Angeles, ljokerl has been using portable audio gear to deal with lengthy commutes for the better part of a decade. He spends much of his time listening to music and occasionally writes portable audio reviews across several enthusiast sites, focusing mostly on in-ear earphones.

RELATED POSTS

203 Responses

  1. Thanks joker.

    To be honest, i rarely use the re400 nowadays since i find it lacking when it comes to mid bass definition.

    One of the things that i really wanna decipher is does the kc06 give better mid bass definition than the re400? Are the fine tones of bass more defined on them (kc06)?

  2. Out of the three sets here the KC06 is probably closest to what you want – it has more bass than the 8320 (though still far from being a bassy earphone) and the least recessed midrange. It’s still not as warm, full, and thick as the M-80, though, and has more emphasis on the upper midrange than the lower mids you’d want for more full-bodied vocals. For that I would probably consider something with a warmer signature, like a Sony MH1C or even Shure SE215 or, if you can afford it, Yamaha EPH-100.

  3. I would if I had one >< I did compare the RE-400 to the KC06 in the review above. They're not the same sound signature so it's totally possible someone would prefer the more colored KC06 to the more neutral RE-400.

  4. Hi Joker,

    Awesome reviews. I was wondering if any of these IEMs would complement the V-Moda M-80s in a good way. IEM’s work much better at my work, so I don’t usually take my M-80s with me. I’ve been listening to Philips SHE3580’s and they’ve been a favorite for a while but I feel they lack a bit in the mids/male vocals area. I recently purchased Monoprice 8320’s and I really enjoy them but they lack in the bass department for me. Do you think the Ostry KC06s would work well to complement the M-80s?

    Thank you!

  5. Hi there joke.

    Please give me a comparison between the KC06 vs the KC06A.

    Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please!

    And i see many reviews saying the KC06 (non “A” version) is comparable to the RE400, Is that true?

  6. I would take the VSD3S. It can be argued that the GR06 is more comfortable with its slightly smaller in-ear footprint and adjustable nozzle but I really do like the sound of the VSD3S better and it’s still got a very nice Westone-like form factor to it. So with that said, unless you’ve had trouble fitting these types of earphones comfortably in the past, I’d go for the VSD3S.

  7. Hi Joker,

    I’m planning to get an IEM very soon, and I am debating, whether I should take the Vsonic VSD3S, or the Vsonic GR06.
    I mostly listen to rap music, electronic music (mostly trap music), and sometimes even classic rock.
    Another think I’d like to mention is the fact that comfort is very important to me. I don’t want to keep playing with the earphones in my ear until they get comfortable every few seconds.

    Great review by the way, really helped me arrange my thoughts actually.

  8. Hard to say which will hold up better. Just from looking at them, I think both have average to above-average build quality – hard to split them on strain relief.

    The Havi and KC06 will both be a little more punchy than your soundmagics, which tend to be pretty flat. The KC06 will have a brighter, more energetic sound and will also have more forward mids. Its bass is a tiny bit bloated and the presentation is more wide than deep, both of which may be especially apparent coming from the PL50. The Havi will be a little darker-sounding but still with good presence in the midrange and good clarity. Its presentation is a little more 3-dimensional as well. I would probably go with the Havi for sound coming from the PL30/PL50.

  9. Hi Joker, I’m currently seeking an upgrade to the classic SoundMagic earphones (PL-30 and PL-50), both of which I absolutely love and keep coming back to due to the sound signature. Based on reviews, I’m eyeing the Ostry and the Havi (also Fidue A63 but my ears have had bad experience with similarly-sized earphones). How do you compare those two with the SoundMagics?

    Another important factor is durability, as this will be my everyday set, and the most common form of accident in my experience is snagging on the upper cable (closer to the earpiece). From the pictures, KC06 seems to have the better strain relief and will probably hold up better to snagging, would you agree with that assessment?

  10. The Flux Pro is an interesting earphone – out of the sets you mention it’s probably closest to the RE-400 – it’s just a less detailed and refined but slightly more bass-emphasized take on that sound. I think the tuning of the Flux Pro tends to emphasize the slight dullness/lack of treble energy that the RE-400 suffers from, so it just doesn’t sound as neutral and accurate overall. The Havi will give you a little more punch and more upper mid emphasis. The VSD3S is more v-shaped and has too much treble energy to really be a signature competitor to the Flux Pro.

  11. Hi ljokerl,

    How are you? I had the Steelseries In-Ear Flux (dynamic) and loved it but the cable broke twice. Sadly though Steelseries won’t stock these anymore so they sent the Flux Pro (armature) instead by RMA. The box is still sealed and I’m considering selling it but was wondering how these compare to the HAVI, VSD3S and especially the RE400 since you rated the Flux Pro 8.5. If time permits, can you compare the low, mid and high of each to the Flux Pro. The RE400 is very tempting at the curent sale of $79 considering the Flux Pro selling at $120 (but cheaper on eBay and Amazon).

    Thanks in advance and really appreciate your time!

  12. I rarely adjust ratings by more than a 1/10th after posting. The RE-400 is still in that 8.9-9.0 range for me.

    To be honest I haven’t listened to the VSD3S since this was posted, but I will be soon as I plan to include it in some upcoming guides and round-ups.

  13. I just saw in the comments that you are not feeling the same ‘9.0’ rating for RE-400. In that case what will yoiur current rating for RE-400 be? and do you have a more sure rating for the VSD3S? I am just curious.

  14. Your impressions are correct – the VSD3S has more of a sub-bass focus and more bass overall while the RE-400 has flatter bass and appears more rolled-off in comparison. The RE-400 places more focus on the midrange while the VSD3S is more v-shaped. As I said above, the RE-400 is also a lot smoother and more refined up top. The VSD3S fits your requirements for being neutral-ish with pretty strong bass but if you want to avoid any potential for sibilance, don’t get a VSonic product.

  15. Ok got it. I,m undecided between VSD3S and RE-400 because about RE-400 I read that there is sub-bass roll-off and sub extension is not too good, and also that treble can be laid-back and less than neutral.

    Whereas for VSD3S I read that treble can be harsh or spiky and sibilant, which I will find a problem. Also maybe that VSD3S mid-bass is less full than RE-400.

    Can you do short comparison please? In terms of treble extension and neutrality, and mid-bass and sub-bass fullness and extension mainly? I think I am looking for a mostly neutral sound but with some additional fullness in the bass, but I am not a basshead definitely.

    thank you joker. 🙂

  16. Signature is a little too different to compare them directly. VSonics are boosted in the bass and a bit in the treble; RE-400 is boosted in the midrange if anything. The VSD3S has a little less bass control due to greater bass quantity and also a little less refinement up top compared to the extremely smooth RE-400. Can’t say either has better clarity, though. Isolation is good on both, probably a bit better with the HiFiMan but not significantly.

  17. Hey joker,

    i noticed you didn’t compare the VSD3S and the RE-400. I am deciding between the two. Your thoughts on sound, detail and isolation mostly? Thank you 🙂

  18. I haven’t tried the VSD1LE. In terms of bass quantity, my VSD1 and VSD1S have a touch more than the GR07 BE while the VSD3S has a touch less. They’re all quite close and easily recognizable as being part of the same product family, though.

  19. thnx!
    I will go for the vsd3…

    can you tell something about the vsd1le? which one in more a like to the gr07be- the vsd1le or the vsd3?

  20. Well, with the proper (Senn) tips, I feel the Havi outperforms my Re-400s. i understand you don’t rate for cable quality as such but the flimsy, “death-by-a-thousand-cut-outs” cables Hifiman sees fit to use makes them downright impossible for me to recommend.

  21. I am not sure about the expressions, but I miss the treble-energy from the Ma750 and after listening a couple of days the vsd3s it sounds too dark, no sparkle and not much highs. It just kinda dull.
    Its interesting, because I did not like the gr07, it was too sibilant for me in the highs. The vsd3s has some sibilance, but not annoying for me.

  22. The MA750 and VSD3S don’t really share the same sound signature so it’s kind of hard to try and say one is better than the other in all cases. It’s unlikely that someone will be choosing directly between the bassy MA750 and the slightly v-shaped, almost flat VSD3S. The MA750 does have better bass reach and doesn’t have that biting sibilance of the VSonics, which is important. It does lose some of the crispness but again you would expect the extra crispness from the flatter, brighter earphone. For the sound signature it has and the amount of bass it has to deal with, I think the MA750 performs extremely well next to its competition. For accuracy, the VSD3S is probably better.

  23. I have this Iem and the ma750 as well. To be honest I dont think that the rha sounds better. The vsd3s has better higs and mids, doesnt go as low as the rha, but maybe even punchier, sharper and has more details. You rated the sound 8.4-8.7 and the rha above this. Why do you think that that the rha is better, in which area?
    I am quite surprised that this iem is that good, but it is. I used both with sony hybrids.

    Thanks!;)

  24. I haven’t tried that combo but as far as I know there is only one tuning of the RE-400 so all you’re getting is the ability to use it balanced with the HM-700. I’m not a big fan of balanced IEMs when they cost more than their single-ended counterparts, but otherwise I don’t see any harm in it. One thing I would be concerned about is the audiophile DAP not being as user-friendly/convenient in day-to-day use as your iPhone.

  25. Hi Joker, great review. I was thinking about grabbing myself a pair of Re 400 to use with my iphone 4s. But then i saw that combination of the re 400b and hm 700. Are they any different, most importantly in SQ. Thanks bro

  26. Sorry!

    And the presentation of the Havi is alluded to here and there – better than RE-400 overall, better imaging (but less width) than KC06, and so on. It’s quite good!

  27. Right you are. We’ll see what the RE-300 can do – if the idea is to break into the mainstream, solid build is a must. For selling a few hundred or thousands of units to Head-Fi members, it can indeed be third to sound quality and value.

    More reviews and impressions to come this month!

  28. edited again….groan…. I don’t know why that’s happening. Anyway, I did say something along the lines of “I am just curious to see where it stops, and what that will do to the high end market” 🙂
    ——
    Oops, my bad. I lost track of the column headers once I scrolled down.

    I was pleasantly surprised to see the RE300. HiFiMAN’s priority has been sound quality, value, ergonomics…*gap*..and then build quality. A mobile headset is the most roughed electronic accessory on the planet and HiFIMAN is not the first (or second last) name to pop in my mind. Maybe they’ve sorted that out, and we’re about to experience the best sounding headset that will shake up the ..um..recently-shaken 50$ bracket.
    ——–
    Thanks once again for the responses and for the not-so-brief review. The new THL year is off to a great start! 😀

  29. No, you are set with the RE400 and VSD1S. Save your money.

    Am I doing that right?

    3) On this point, I think you are looking at the numerical average and not the sound ratings. The sound ratings haven’t been adjusted in a while – not since I added the JHAudio JH13 at the top of the scale (although lately I haven’t been feeling the 9.0 for the RE-400 so much). Nonetheless, your point stands – in 2009 the HiFiMan RE0 was easily a top-tier earphone with a $239 price tag. Now we don’t even flinch when a $45 VSonic or $60 Ostry is hot on the heels of the “improved” RE-400 (which itself is fractionally lagging the RE-600).

    Bang/buck winners have always been out there but there’s a continuous slow evolution. Maybe we’ve also gotten better at finding and recognizing them.

    I am just curious to see where it stops, and what that will do to the high end market.

    Oh and I think I should try the just-announced RE-300 before exploring alternate versions of the 400, considering I’ve never been a big believer in balanced IEMs 😛

  30. The VSD3S is better IMO, but the signatures a little different. The VSD3S is more v-shaped, with less midrange and more deep bass. The GR06 has better mids, perhaps, but it also sounds more congested and less spacious as a result. I have a feeling the GR06 might go the way of the GR04 soon.

  31. Hi joker,

    Great review! Can you also compare KC06A to those three IEM’s you reviewed? I think KC06A is on of the BFTB iem’s that I’ve owned even better sounding than my UM3X.

    Thanks!

  32. The right answer is “No, you are set with the RE400 and VSD1S. Save your money.” 😀

    Whoa…number 3) got ninja edited by Wordpress. Here’s the original(or what I can remember of it)

    3) I know your sound ratings are meant to be broadly indicative. The adjusted ratings for the RE400 and GR07 are 8.6 and 8.7. It’s quite impressive to see sub-60$ phones knocking on the 100$ door. For a budget of 150$ bracket for a new flagship. Preparations for the VSD5 and VSD7 perhaps.

    Havi have the B6 coming out in Nov-Dec. Hopefully priced ~100$ maybe it can do for the 100$ segment what the RE400 did. (http://www.head-fi.org/t/736896/havi-b6)

    Ostry have the KC06A out, though I am unfamiliar with the changes(they look sweet though). I’ve heard ‘smoother treble’ and ‘weightier bass’being thrown around. http://www.ostry.com.cn/item/detailPage?itemid=29

    New* PS: Any chance you will get to audition the RE400B (+ HM700). Apparently the Balanced RE400 is on another level.

  33. Yeah… a bit carried away. It was supposed to be an impressions post at first but I ended up trying to anticipate some of the questions.

    1) Well, the VSD3S does have less recessed mids than the VSD1S and good subbass as well :). But if you intend to keep the VSD1S and RE-400 and just want to try something a little different, the KC06 with its bright sound, punchy mid-bass, and forward mids would be my pick for a third addition.

    2) Don’t have any info on the cable – maybe I’ll get to try it in the future but I’m generally not a big fan of upgrade cables, especially on budget IEMs. $15 is not a lot of money though.

    Always so many new earphones on the horizon – I’ll have my hands very full in the foreseeable future.

    P.S. I don’t use full-size headphones much but the HA-1 served its purpose here. It’s a beast!

  34. Got a little carried away with the ‘brief’ review, did you 😛
    This must have been painstakingly difficult. 3-way A:Bing is no joke.

    So, it looks like nobody is getting replaced(except maybe for the VSD3S replacing the VSD1S). They all seem to bring certain strengths with a few inevitable trade-offs.

    1) For someone who has both the RE400 and the VSD1S, would any of the above be a logical buy <100$ (not necessarily as a complete upgrade). Would it make more sense to look at the next tier?
    [Only qualms: Mids recessed on the VSD1S, Sub-bass low on the RE400]

    2) Any idea about the vsonic silver upgrade cable? It's a 15$ add-on. Maybe that could be an addition for the full review.

    3) I know your sound ratings are meant to be broadly indicative. The adjusted ratings for the RE400 and GR07 are 8.6 and 8.7. It's quite impressive to see 150$ bracket for a new flagship. Preparations for the VSD5 and VSD7 perhaps.

    Havi have the B6 coming out in Nov-Dec. Hopefully priced ~100$ maybe it can do for the 100$ segment what the RE400 did. (http://www.head-fi.org/t/736896/havi-b6)

    Thank you for this supreme effort ljokerl.

    PS: I had a good laugh. You killed all the potential “….but you should use *this* amp with the B3”, with the HA1 overkill 😀

  35. My VSD3S is still pretty new but seems on par with the VSD1S and GR07 Classic in build. No sharp seams on this unit. The connectors rotate freely but unplugging/re-plugging them takes a good bit of effort.

    I like that VSonic tries to differentiate their products beyond SQ and do think there’s long-term value in detachable cables particulalry once all the kinks are worked out, especially if they are adopted across an entire product line.

    But, if we’re talking only about the present and take the VSD3S as a standalone $45 product, I’d have to agree with you.

  36. I used some of my portable ones as well but used the OPPO as a bit of “overkill” to make sure I wasnt missing anything.

  37. …Joker, did you find the build quality of the VSD3S slightly behind their other offerings? Mine had very sharp mold lines and the cable connectors felt loose.

    Seems like VSonic would benefit from using simple cables for their IEM’s, allocating more financial resources toward the earpieces themselves.

  38. Answered on Facebook, but just for completeness: No, I only have the VSD3S. If previous experience is any indication, the VSD3 will be marginally different at most.

  39. Great review. After trying the Havi B3 Pro1, Vsonic VSD3S, and JVC HA-FXT90, I can conclude (just as you have with your scoring) that the JVC HA-FXT90 takes the top spot of the three I have tried out in sound quality, and furthermore is the set I will hold on to. I will probably get me a pair of Vsonic GR07 Bass Editions later on, when I am ready to venture into the $100 + realm of IEM’s.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent posts

Sponsors

Categories