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Perhaps I'm being argumentative, but just about ANY custom product, from cowboy boots to houses has the same issues brought up here. Customs cost more, they wear out (sooner or later) and they have no re-sale value. On the other hand, a custom product fits better, works better and is probably more satisfying.
It all comes down to your priorities. If you want "the best," whatever that is, sound, fit, function, style, etc., pay the money and get customs. If you value lower prices and possible re-sale, get a universal.
Neither is right or wrong, just a question of what you are willing and able to spend and what you are willing and able to do without.
Personally, I'm getting customs knowing full well they will be around 2X more than universals. I have both UM2's and ES2's and I feel the ES2's are 2X better than the UM2's. This is my choice. If I eat rice and beans for a while in order to pay for the custom 3's, this too is my choice.
For what it's worth, my experience with the (custom) ES2's has been quite pleasant. Yes, they were expensive. Yes, it took about a month from the day I decided to go for it until the final, correctly fitted product came back (I needed one re-fit). Yes, after several hours of continuous wear I start to notice little areas around my ears where the ES2's aren't perfect. Yes I dropped them and had to send them back to Westone for repairs. So, yes, this was all somewhat inconvenient. But, these are THE BEST, most satisfying, most gratifying, most comfortable headphones I have ever had (I've had a fair number over the years). So good in fact that I will be getting custom 3's even though I've owned the ES2's for only 9 months or so, even though it's gonna be inconvenient again, and even though I haven't read one review. Westone as a company is that good. I trust their products and their people.
I've not seen it mentioned by the OP, but are the Westone 3's meant to replace anything in the ES line?
Also I'm a long time UM2 user, daily for the past year, I cant wait for the new Westones. The UM2s have been very good and look forward to a 3 driver unit. Also let me state my wish for clear casings as I love the stealth look as they somewhat disappear in my ears.
This was a pleasant surprise finding out about these on the earphonesolutions site while giving recommendations out to friends.
Perhaps I'm being argumentative, but just about ANY custom product, from cowboy boots to houses has the same issues brought up here. Customs cost more, they wear out (sooner or later) and they have no re-sale value. On the other hand, a custom product fits better, works better and is probably more satisfying.
Hmm, last I checked you could resell a custom house...
And comparing shoes to earphones? Not even in the same league. One expects to go through shoes quickly because of the nature of the use, one does not expect to quickly run through headphones/IEMs. One may choose to constantly upgrade headphones due to changes in technology, but not because one has "worn out" or broken down. At least not at the rate they change shoes. And you know what, even if I won the lottery and had millions to spend, for spending $700-$1000 (cost of most top-end custom IEMs) I would still expect them to last a decent amount of time. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to expect at least 7 years out of such a product.
Yes, we all realize nothing lasts forever. However it is nice to have the accurate figures/estimates as to what the replacement/remake costs are for the customs, which powderhound graciously provided. It gives the potential buyers a good idea of what additional costs may come down the road. So now rather than think "$700 and I'm good for a long while" we now know that in about 4 years the seal won't be as tight as it is now, and in order to remake the mold, it will cost another $300 to have it done. Now that he's provided those numbers and i have my eyes open to the potential additional costs, I may still go the custom route. But if/when I do, I will have more manageable expectations that I may have to shell out a significant amount of money a few years down the line, something that no other custom IEM seller has bothered to warn us about.
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Home Rig: Sony DVP-NC875V SACD/DVD/CD or Panasonic RP-91 DVD-A/DVD/CD -> Beyerdynamic DT 880 or Grado SR60
Portable Rig: Apple iPod Classic 2G (120GB) [320AAC] -> Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 pro
I of course can't speak for other dealers but we strongly believe that 399.00 will be the final price. If it is lower we will of course charge the lower price.
Disclaimer: This is a MODEL. This not the final color. We wanted to give you all a sneak peak at where we are going with the design. This image is NOT to be used for promotional use by anyone except Westone.
Looks great in gloss black, Doug.
Still think the design could be pushed more, but that's just the industrial designer in me talking.
I of course can't speak for other dealers but we strongly believe that 399.00 will be the final price. If it is lower we will of course charge the lower price.
Keith Ashwood
American Techpushers
The conversion of 399 USD at the current exchange rate to GBP is £205. That means they cost approx £240 +vat!! For us in the UK this is approx the price of the UM2s. Are we being ripped off in the UK? As this is meant to be a superior product!!!
The conversion of 399 USD at the current exchange rate to GBP is £205. That means they cost approx £240 +vat!! For us in the UK this is approx the price of the UM2s. Are we being ripped off in the UK? As this is meant to be a superior product!!!
you're ripped off on pretty much every single thing in the UK compared to the US, it's an expensive place but most places outside the US worse prices so you're not alone ;p
The conversion of 399 USD at the current exchange rate to GBP is £205. That means they cost approx £240 +vat!! For us in the UK this is approx the price of the UM2s. Are we being ripped off in the UK? As this is meant to be a superior product!!!
I've yet to see a single IEM that didn't cost more in the UK.
but most places outside the US worse prices so you're not alone ;p
Linear Mode
