Ucotech RE1 & RE2 – From Korea With Love

Introduction

Ucotech(Yukotech) has always been on my radar to test them out and they might be kind of a hidden gem and they are quite unknown. They are a Korea based audio company that has been around since 2007 and they are known for their amazing earbuds and earphones that are made with soul in Korea. They are known to make good quality products with masterfully tuned earphones along with solid built and well-thought of design to showcase their talents. Ucotech has kindly contacted us for a review collaboration and I am over the moon for this opportunity as I am curious about their products. They have sent us a pair of one of their current in-ear designs, the RE1 and RE2 for an honest review and we thank them for the opportunity. How will they fare in this saturated market of in-ears? We shall find out.

Functions & Specifications

Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the RE1 and RE2 :

RE1

• Housing Material : Brass metal
• Driver Type: CNT 10mm Dynamic
• Frequency Range : 20 ~ 20,000Hz
• Impedance : 32Ω ± 15%
• Sensitivity : 110dB ± 15%
• Cable Type : Angled MMCX Detachable / L type 3.5mm Plug
• Cable Material : OCC 6N 4 core silver-plated

RE2

• Housing : Brass metal
• Driver Type : Beryllium Coating 10mm Dynamic
• Frequency Range : 20 ~ 20,000Hz
• Impedance : 32Ω ± 15%
• Sensitivity : 110dB ± 15%
• Cable Type : MMCX Detachable / L type 3.5mm Plug
• Cable Material : OCC 6N 4 core silver-plated

Retail Price & Where to Get

The  RE-1 / RE-2 can be purchased at :

https://shop.amplifiedhead.com/ucotech-re-1/

https://shop.amplifiedhead.com/ucotech-re-2/

Packaging & Accessories

Packaging of both these units are similar in size and they are slightly different in design. Both are packed similarly with a fabric case, 3 pairs of ear tips, a MMCX cable, a MMCX remover tool and they in-ears itself along with a warranty card. Very minimalist and okay for the price paid.

Design

Both of these in-ear designs have a similar design of the infamous TinHifi T2 but they are not the same as they are smaller in size and have a slightly better build quality.

Both are made from 5 axis C.N.C machining brass that have a distinct sweet sound from my experience.

RE1

The RE1 has a black theme with gold finishing around the faceplate edges with a unique screw on the front. They have a reflective faceplate that looks elegant to my eyes. Their nozzle has a straight trajectory and they are slightly lighter than the RE2.

The RE1 is equipped with a 10mm carbon nanotube driver that is famed for their fast and full sound that is quite common nowadays for mid range in-ears and they are easily driven from any source. Cable that the RE1 included with is an angled MMCX 4 core 6N silver plated cable that is thinner than the RE2. They look a little cheaper than the RE2 cable, but the sound they provide is quite the same with thick and full sound when used with my other in-ears. Termination is in 3.5mm single ended only.

RE2 The RE2 has a matte anodized style in grey colour with the gold finishing along the faceplate edges along with a unique screw on the front. Both are similar but the RE2 nozzle has an angled trajectory that seems to fit my ears better. The RE2 feels more solid on hands versus the RE1.

RE2 is equipped with a 10mm beryllium plated driver that is famed for their quick transients and sweet distinct high range that is great in detail. Beryllium is a more costly material and they are notoriously hard to work with, thus the slightly higher price of the RE1. The cable included is a litz type silver plated OCC 4 core cable that looks amazing. Though they might look thin, they actually sound pretty decent as they do increase thickness in their sound profile. They are terminated in 3.5mm single ended only.

Gears Used for Comparisons

FiiO M17

Questyle M12 & M15

TinHifi P1Max Panda

Letshuoer D13

Rose Technics Maria 2

Hidizs MD4

Salnotes Dioko

BQEYZ Topaz

Dunu EST112

Songs list

Tone and Presentation

RE1

Tone of the RE1 is a warm, full and slightly aggressive sound signature with good details and clarity suitable for a fun listening with all details intact. There is a minor coloration to their midrange making them tuned towards a casual listening in-ears for their musicality. They are still capable of critical listening as they are still clean enough with great resolution. They have great energy in their bass department along with thick mid-range and neutral highs along with a slight intimate sound with great separation suitable for pop, hip-hop, EDM and so on.

RE2

The RE2 is tuned towards a bright neutral response with an emphasis on the higher mids and high range. Their strength lies in their high range as they extend very well to the upper highs region along with a resolution that is top notch in their price bracket. They have a wider sound with excellent separation along with a fast paced clinical sound, suitable for critical listeners for their clean, clear and crisp sound suitable for vocals, instruments and acoustics music. Their energy is focused on the upper region and they might get hot on louder volumes.

Soundstage

RE1

The soundstage in the RE1 is a little intimate but possesses great depth while height is average. Airiness is good in this RE1 with instruments that sound great with an open field of sound. They have a rather small headroom but their intimacy does wonders for certain genres like pop, hip hop or EDM.

RE2

The RE2 has a wider sound with great depth and height as well giving an immersive soundscape that is suitable for a wide range of music. They possess great air especially in their high range region but not so much in their lower region. Headroom is more towards a medium sized room with respectable placements in their sound.

Separation and Timbre

RE1

Separation on the RE1 is great and they excel in this area as notes of every is conveyed accurately without any fuzziness. Timbre is accurate with a thick, slightly intense tone and they do sound quite natural with a slight coloration to them. They are tuned towards a more organic sound and are suitable for movies and giving as well.

RE2

Separation on the RE2 is also great and on the same level of the RE1. Timbre takes a route of an intense and clean note in all frequencies but may sound a little harsh on high staccato but excels very well with strings and vocals. They have little to none coloration to them making them a clinical performer playing music as it is. They are suitable for gaming for their accuracy but in movies they may lack immersion.

Drivability

RE1

The RE1 is rated at 32 ohms with a 110 db sensitivity and they are quite easily driven but they do need a good, powerful source to shine. They do not need much power to be driven and can be driven directly from any source. They are a little picky with the types of files being played but badly mastered or low bitrate files are not very apparent versus their counterpart.

RE2

The RE2 is also rated at 32 ohms with a 110 db sensitivity and does need a little more driving then. With a basic dongle, they seemed to struggle with just adequate in their volume with a thinny sound and they do scale up very well with powerful sources. They are very picky with files played and badly mastered stick out like a sore thumb as they are very revealing in nature.

The Bass (Low)

RE1

Bass present in the RE2 is a balanced bass response with a slight lift in their midbass. They have a decent tight slam with great clarity along with details all intact along with a very well textured bass. Bass is clean and not muddy and they show the layers of the bass without any bleed. They have an average air and extension but they are a true dynamic type of bass with great decay and rolls off nicely. Sub-bass have a good presence but the extension is rather mediocre for their price range but they do have a great rumble. Overall, their bass is clean and possesses a great dynamic type of bass that is very enjoyable.

RE2

The RE2 bass have a mildly recessed bass with a neutral take to it. They excel in their clarity and details with everything sounding clinical but with that, they do sound cold and sterile in their bass making some genres lacklustre. They have amazing air in their bass and they do extend quite well with zero bleed present but the roll off is a little too early. Sub-bass is there but they do lack an authoritative rumble but they have a better extension than the RE1. Overall, the bass region is lacking impact and they are a little stingy here but they are suitable for certain genres with vocals.

The Mids

RE1

RE1 possesses a warm, slightly forward neutral mids with good clarity along with all the details intact. They have great macro details but rather average in their micro details in their price bracket. Resolution is good as music is presented vividly with a natural, organic nature that is lush and velvety sweet. The RE1 performs well with male and female vocals alike but they are slightly lacking in brilliance at the upper midrange. With instruments, they do excel well in giving an intimate, sweet presentation but on strings, they do lack some micro details but in a minor way. Overall, the midrange on the RE1 fits my palette as they are lush, warm but still able to retain a good degree of resolution.

RE2

Midrange that the RE2 brings is rather neutral and they are bright in their tone with an emphasis towards the upper midrange. Clarity is top notch as everything I fed it with is reproduced in a crystal clean nature with macro and micro details excels in a high degree even at their rather high price range. Resolution is also superb to go along with their amazing clarity and they are indeed their strength possibly as they are using a beryllium coated driver which is what they are famed for. They perform best with female vocals and acceptable for male vocals. As for instruments , they do well with most instruments but at certain lower notes ones, they might lack body and depth. They do lack lushness and body as they are clinically inclined type of midrange and this is where the RE1 is slightly better and sweeter in this area. Overall, a clinical performing midrange with top shelf clarity and details all around the midrange but they might sound a tad thin at certain genres.

The Highs

RE1

The RE1 possesses a high range that is more of a flat type of highs that is smooth, slightly laid-back but still able to provide some brilliance and sparkle when called upon. They have good clarity and details around this region with everything sounds clean and clear without any harshness or  presence. They have a good sparkle at the top end and they extend pretty well as well as producing an airy high range. They are slightly lean, therefore sibilance and shouting rarely do happen here unless with a high amount of volume. Timbre is more towards a light mood but they do possess some energy here without being absent. Overall, their high range is tuned pretty well for a wider range of users as they are smooth but still a capable type of high range that is inoffensive to most music.

RE2

High range in the RE2 is a beast in their quantity and quality as they are a forward, neutral bright high range that might deter some treble sensitive users. Though being strong in this region, they are technically superb in their performance as they are packed with details and clarity all around without any major hiss or shout present. They might get a little hot with certain music, but to my ears, they seem to hit the spot for me as they are open, airy and crisp in their presentation. Hiss is not a major problem, but they seem to have a slight hiss with poorly mastered tracks especially with female vocals. Treble is tuned towards an intense nature and they are indeed energetic as well. Overall, as a treble lover myself, I do love the presentation of the RE2 as they are strong but still capable of producing a high quality treble that is sparklingly pleasing without any major headache inducing high range.

Comparisons

VS BQEYZ Topaz

The Topaz is one of the latest mid range earphones from BQEYZ and they are equipped with a single dynamic driver with piezoelectric technology incorporated in them. These are well balanced in-ears with a slightly lower price versus the Ucotechs.

RE1

The high range is quite similar in their quantity but both are presented differently. The high range both are very smooth and inoffensive but the sparkle on RE1 is livelier and crisper while the Topaz is more laid-back. Resolution here on the RE1 is better with clearer highs.

Mid-range of the Topaz is more balanced while the RE1 is more neutral with similar thickness on both. Details and clarity on the RE1 is better but the Topaz has a more intimate vocals. Resolution and clarity is better on the RE1 by a small margin.

Bass on the topaz has a meatier sense to them while the RE1 has a slight lean tone to them. Mid bass lift on the Topaz is more apparent while the sub-bass of the RE1 is more pleasing versus the slightly recessed sub-bass of the Topaz.

Soundstage on the Topaz is wider and taller by a small margin.

VS Letshuoer D13

The D13 is equipped with a single DLC driver along with replaceability nozzles with different sound tuning properties. It has a very well balanced sound along with a great price tag. They are slightly cheaper than the Ucotechs but with the extra price tag, u will get a better built quality that’s for sure.

RE1

Both of these units are quite similarly balanced tuned with the RE1 sounding more energetic.

Bass on the D13 is slightly tighter but definition in the bass is better on the RE1. Sub-bass extension is also better on the RE1. Texturing is better on the D13 while the energy is bigger on the RE1.

Mid-range on the RE1 is thicker and more detailed. Details are both on par but the RE1 is lusher and more intimate. D13 mid-range sounded a little clearer.

High range on the RE1 is more revealing with better details and sparkle better. High range on the D13 is smoother overall but lacks energy like the RE1. Extension is better on the RE1.

Soundstage is similar in both height and width but separation is better on the RE1.

RE2

Bass on the D13 has more body and has better impact. Details and clarity in the bass is bested by the RE2 also with better resolution. Texturing on the RE2 is slightly better while D13 has a better sub-bass response.

Mid-range on the RE2 is clearer, cleaner and has a better resolution while the D13 is thicker and has better intimacy in vocals. D13 mid-range has better smoothness and the RE2 has bigger energy.

High range quantity and quality is better on the RE2 but lacks smoothness like the D13. Details,clarity and crispness on the RE2 is better but the D13 is more forgiving by providing less fatigue. Soundstage is similar in width and height but the RE2 has the upper hand in their airiness and separation.

Synergy

FiiO M17

The top of the mountain of FiiO’s DAP line, the M17. The beast when it comes to driving power and packed with high end features that has been touted as the most powerful DAP around along with top end sound quality that is supremely neutral with great technicalities.

RE1

On the RE1, the bass is tighter, cleaner and clearer overall. The details seem to increase quite significantly but the amount stays the same while sub-bass extension is increased by a little. Mid-range has also increased in their clarity and details while making their sound brighter by a small margin. Female vocals shine better with this pairing. The high range amount has been added here with then sounding a little extended but still able to stay smooth and sparkly. Soundstage increased in depth and width but only a little.

RE2

The bass on the RE2 is a little tighter but the amount remained the same and still a little lacking in their amount. Sub-bass has a better presence with a slight increase in extension. Mid-range sounds a little sweeter and they are slightly lusher and less clinical than usual. Vocals sounded more balanced with male vocals sweeter than usual. High range amounts stayed the same but they are smoother and less prone to sibilance and hiss. Air has been added to their high range and they extend a little further. Soundstage increased in their width and depth but height remains mostly the same.

Questyle M15

The Questyle M15 is my current daily driver dongle DAC/amplifier as they are really superb and with Questyle’s signature direct current amplification, they are top notch indeed.

RE1

The bass on the RE1 seems a little clearer but nothing much has changed except for a deeper sub-bass response. Mid-range has thickened a little but still able to retain the clarity and lushness. Vocals are more balanced due to their added clarity. High range sparkles are crisper and they are slightly more energetic. Soundstage remains the same as they are airier due to their added clarity.

RE2

The bass remains the same and still quite lacking in quantity but they are a tad tighter and the sub-bass extends slightly deeper. Mid-range has a slight increase in their lushness and is sweeter overall. Vocals on females still shine while male vocals are a little more intimate. High range is still on a strong side but they are more polished. Sibilance and hiss is more controlled but they still might get hot with certain tracks. Extension on high range is better and airier. Soundstage stayed the same but with added air and extension.

Who Is It For?

For those who want a solid built along with a distinct “hi-res” sound, both of these units are quite solid in sound and built. For users who want a warm, thick sound with an overall more balanced sound, the RE1 is more suitable as they are more forgiving in their high range along with a smoothness that is very pleasing. For those who want extreme clarity, crisp high range along with top notch technicality, the RE2 might suit you but do take note for those who are treble sensitive as the RE2 is strong on their high range. For hip-hop, pop and EDM, the RE 1 is suitable while the RE2 is suitable for vocals, acoustics, classicals and rock.

Final words

Though they are quite unknown, both of these products are actually a solid buy as they are technically inclined with both having different signatures but they kept a high degree of resolution in sound that truly impresses me. They seemed to have an unique house sound where their high range is crisp along with flagship level details and clarity in both of these units. They are a little pricey with quite an unimpressive cable and basic unboxing experience, but they are very solidly built and well thought out design and tuned in a professional way. I really do implore you guys to have a try at this product as they might cure your itch in sound. Great job Ucotech, please continue to make items like these for us the audiophiles of the world!

I would rate this product 4 over 5 stars for both of this products.