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Flare R2A IEMs
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Flare R2A IEMs
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318 requests
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93 Sold
Product Description
New from England’s Flare Audio, the R2A IEMs deliver natural, intimate sound in a lightweight, low-profile package. Made from a solid bar of aerospace aluminum, the enclosure—just 12 by 7 millimeters—promises a deep, easy fit that’s flush enough against the ear for you to wear comfortably while lying on your side Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downBananiq
20
Mar 23, 2018
R2A are still my favorite IEMs. The soundstage, bass, timbre, naturalness, positioning, realism, smoothness, delicate treble - these thing were growing on me since beginning. This is exactly the type of audio equipment that does not make you say "WOW" on the first try, but is steadily growing over time. The build quality of cable -> shell is not perfect though and needs some mods to support the cable.
ArthurM
2684
Jun 1, 2016
All of the orders have been shipped and are now on the way to you! Once tracking is available, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information. Please allow 24-48 hours for this information to update in the courier’s system.
If you have any questions, please visit our Help Center (http://massdrop.com/helpcenter).
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If you have any questions, please visit our Help Center (http://massdrop.com/helpcenter).
We're also on Instagram! We'd love to see photos of the drops you've received. Give us a follow @Massdrop and tag your pictures #massdrop. https://instagram.com/massdrop
rhythmicnature
25
May 27, 2016
While I don't want to get involved in all the pointing of fingers and assumptions, I have to say that my initial experience of these iems have been less than stellar.
I was looking at the design of these iems and recognizing that it's very simplistic - almost like a proof of concept. Can we get decent bass out of a very small single driver? yes we can... but there will be a compromise in quality (for some) in he mids and highs. There are several physical design decisions that I don't want to get into, but that I believe contribute to this.
That being said, I think I've figured some things out that explains some of our different listening experiences and certainly makes MY experience a small but noticeable bit better.
1. The back caps - tightening them down on the cable makes a better seal (rather than creating an inadvertent untuned bass reflex design (ported)). There's a mod that was originally for the pro version but I think applies to the non-pro version equally ... or rather, I think that if the cap isn't squeezing the cable, you get bass bleeding all over the place. Here's the link: http://www.head-fi.org/t/766183/flare-audio-r2pro-kickstarter-campaign/1905#post_11842307
2. I'm not a fan of the long and narrow pipe when it is extended by sound deadening material that preferentially absorbs higher frequencies. So I was going to cut off the very tips of the comply tips ... until I found a video, recommended on the comply website for those experiencing high freq rolloff!!! http://www.complyfoam.com/faq/ It's the second video. Here's a more direct link to the video:
3. apart from pulling back the foam, insert it slightly backward facing and do not push it to the end. When I insert the iem, I press it into the back and then back off a bit. This provides a more direct sound path and prevents me from overly deforming that path. (Every ear is a bit different - I have to push it slightly downward as well)
My next experiment is to purchase larger comply tips that will hold the direction better. I'm getting an ok seal now, but I think larger will be better. Also - I am getting ts-200s as I wonder if the earwax guard (in our tx-200 model) is altering the sound.
It's unfortunate that these design decisions result in variable listening conditions and thus very different opinions from each listener. There is always some variability, and now there's even more. That being said, if sound is your hobby, these iems will keep you busy. :)
Anyway, these are just ideas to try that I found helped me better enjoy my listening experience. If you were as disappointed by your R2As as I was, I hope these ideas help some.
I was looking at the design of these iems and recognizing that it's very simplistic - almost like a proof of concept. Can we get decent bass out of a very small single driver? yes we can... but there will be a compromise in quality (for some) in he mids and highs. There are several physical design decisions that I don't want to get into, but that I believe contribute to this.
That being said, I think I've figured some things out that explains some of our different listening experiences and certainly makes MY experience a small but noticeable bit better.
1. The back caps - tightening them down on the cable makes a better seal (rather than creating an inadvertent untuned bass reflex design (ported)). There's a mod that was originally for the pro version but I think applies to the non-pro version equally ... or rather, I think that if the cap isn't squeezing the cable, you get bass bleeding all over the place. Here's the link: http://www.head-fi.org/t/766183/flare-audio-r2pro-kickstarter-campaign/1905#post_11842307
2. I'm not a fan of the long and narrow pipe when it is extended by sound deadening material that preferentially absorbs higher frequencies. So I was going to cut off the very tips of the comply tips ... until I found a video, recommended on the comply website for those experiencing high freq rolloff!!! http://www.complyfoam.com/faq/ It's the second video. Here's a more direct link to the video:
3. apart from pulling back the foam, insert it slightly backward facing and do not push it to the end. When I insert the iem, I press it into the back and then back off a bit. This provides a more direct sound path and prevents me from overly deforming that path. (Every ear is a bit different - I have to push it slightly downward as well)
My next experiment is to purchase larger comply tips that will hold the direction better. I'm getting an ok seal now, but I think larger will be better. Also - I am getting ts-200s as I wonder if the earwax guard (in our tx-200 model) is altering the sound.
It's unfortunate that these design decisions result in variable listening conditions and thus very different opinions from each listener. There is always some variability, and now there's even more. That being said, if sound is your hobby, these iems will keep you busy. :)
Anyway, these are just ideas to try that I found helped me better enjoy my listening experience. If you were as disappointed by your R2As as I was, I hope these ideas help some.
Bettersimple
1
Jun 8, 2016
Gently open the aluminium split with a couple of pliers. You can put it again whenever you want. Without the splitter you loose the L/R indication, you have to put a mark in one earbud.
rhythmicnature
25
Jun 20, 2016
BettersimpleI ended up pulling it apart... after I removed the whole cable. I desoldered the drivers and put my own cable in, with microphone and buttons for Android. :)
No significant change in sound quality with a heck of a lot more useful features.
No significant change in sound quality with a heck of a lot more useful features.
skidmata
86
May 26, 2016
To my drop companions: FYI I'm listening to these pretty much daily now. I found a good fit and found some of the mids I was missing.
ArthurM
2684
May 21, 2016
Thanks again for joining this drop! We have submitted the group's order with the vendor for the Flare R2A IEMs and they are working hard to prepare it for shipment.
As soon as the group's order is ready at the vendor's location, they will send the bulk shipment to our warehouse in New Jersey where our warehouse team will break it up into individual orders and ship them. The current estimated ship date from our warehouse is 6/3.
We will keep the group updated throughout the fulfillment process. You can expect an update from us by the end of the day Pacific Time on 5/27.
If you have any questions, please visit our Help Center (http://massdrop.com/helpcenter).
As soon as the group's order is ready at the vendor's location, they will send the bulk shipment to our warehouse in New Jersey where our warehouse team will break it up into individual orders and ship them. The current estimated ship date from our warehouse is 6/3.
We will keep the group updated throughout the fulfillment process. You can expect an update from us by the end of the day Pacific Time on 5/27.
If you have any questions, please visit our Help Center (http://massdrop.com/helpcenter).
painfulpanda
13
May 20, 2016
Also, I know that doesn't reach super high, but i don't have specific test tones beyond 18khz since I wouldn't personally be able to hear much past that personally. All of my music, especially brighter stuff like female vocals and j-pop can still shine for me without being fatiguing.
There is plenty of extension for tiny in-ear at this price. This single, 5mm dynamic driver is incredibly impressive. Perhaps your seal is still not good, I had to step up in Comply foam sizes to Large even though i'd been using Mediums on most of my other earbuds for as long as I can remember.
There is plenty of extension for tiny in-ear at this price. This single, 5mm dynamic driver is incredibly impressive. Perhaps your seal is still not good, I had to step up in Comply foam sizes to Large even though i'd been using Mediums on most of my other earbuds for as long as I can remember.
painfulpanda
13
May 21, 2016
I suppose then we are cases that show how subjective hearing can be. These punch above their price point IMO, and can compete with more expensive IEM's like the IM02 and even SE535. I personally do not plan on upgrading any time soon until I can afford a proper pair of CIEM's since i'm pretty hard on my equipment.
The biggest problem I have is what seems like a "hole"/dip in the lower mids that can make some male vocals seems a bit sucked out depending on the track mastering.
FWIW, i find these headphones insanely hard to drive properly for IEM's. I usually have to crank up my NFB-11 when switching between these and HD600's to get what I feel are comparable listening levels.
The biggest problem I have is what seems like a "hole"/dip in the lower mids that can make some male vocals seems a bit sucked out depending on the track mastering.
FWIW, i find these headphones insanely hard to drive properly for IEM's. I usually have to crank up my NFB-11 when switching between these and HD600's to get what I feel are comparable listening levels.
Uzuzu
1431
May 21, 2016
Well they aren't the best ever but they are better than the Flares (not hard). They are also very good for the price.
skidmata
86
May 18, 2016
I just wanted to make a quick comment to the massdrop folk. I feel like this drop came too quickly after the last one, It probably would get more takers once everyone has some time to burn in and comment on the R2A's that have just arrived in the last drop.
rhythmicnature
25
May 17, 2016
So many different impressions here ... It's normal to have a few different impressions but most should be somewhat similar at least? There seems to be wild variation from these reports.
For myself ... I am not wowed. Decent bass quantity, but poor rendition of upper mids and highs. Kind of muted in those ranges. Zero sparkle. Murky across the spectrum and all transients seem weak and delayed. I guess I am spoiled by my cans. I don't have a lot of experience with iems. I don't know how much I need to spend to get decent quality. After all the glowing reviews, these are just ... disappointing.
For myself ... I am not wowed. Decent bass quantity, but poor rendition of upper mids and highs. Kind of muted in those ranges. Zero sparkle. Murky across the spectrum and all transients seem weak and delayed. I guess I am spoiled by my cans. I don't have a lot of experience with iems. I don't know how much I need to spend to get decent quality. After all the glowing reviews, these are just ... disappointing.
Uzuzu
1431
May 20, 2016
the rolloff is so real anybody can hear it you can keep your iems I've found even the IEB6 that dropped here (27 dollars) has much better sound.
painfulpanda
13
May 20, 2016
UzuzuIt sounds like you're spitting a lot of air without anything to support your claims. Do you have any frequency response graphs to help back you up? Have you tested the IEM with different frequency bands to see where you were encountering problems?
I've ran mine from 10hz up to 18khz and noticed very little distortion and impeccable extension on both sides for a pair of IEM's. I have no idea what rolloff your defective pair is having, but mine stays fairly neutral.
Either that or you're comparing these to full-size headphones which also wouldn't make any sense to me. I have a problem when people go preaching their opinion that has zero root in the objective facts
I've ran mine from 10hz up to 18khz and noticed very little distortion and impeccable extension on both sides for a pair of IEM's. I have no idea what rolloff your defective pair is having, but mine stays fairly neutral.
Either that or you're comparing these to full-size headphones which also wouldn't make any sense to me. I have a problem when people go preaching their opinion that has zero root in the objective facts
skidmata
86
May 6, 2016
Got mine today: Giving them their first few minutes of listening now. So far so good. Really pleasant treble and solid bass.
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