Member Reviews: Westone ES 5

Westone ES5 Disclaimer:  This review is just a reflection of my opinions and experience.   Specifications: Sensitivity: 120 dB SPL/mW Frequency response: 8 Hz - 20 kHz Impedance: 20 ohm Speaker Technology: Five balanced armature drivers with a passive three-way crossover Features : Replaceable cable, one year parts and labor warranty on internal components, 25 dB average noise attenuation, user manual and deluxe carrying case Equipment Used In This Review: Hifiman HM-801 iPod Touch 3G iPhone 4 Sansa Fuze Macbook Pro   Introduction              Before I had the pleasure of listening to the...

These are my initial impressions after a week of use, with a 2011 Macbook Air & RSA Shadow.   Value: 5/5  Value is relative, so I'm defining this value as relative to the top end IEM market.  I don't have any experience with other top end IEM such as the JH13/16 or UE11/18 so I can only compare price.  In that case the ES5 has the lowest price for a top end, brand-name IEM at $900-950.   Audio Quality: 5/5 The ES5 is definitely a reference-quality monitor, the sound quality is really as good as it gets.  I get the impression that at this level all the big boys have quality, the only differences are comfort, isolation & sound signature. ...

Please excuse my inexperience in reviewing audio gear - however I wish to contribute what I can to information on this product.   First a bit of background - I previously came from sony ex700, earsonics sm3, and HifiMan reZERO.  es5 is my first custom, and the closest earphone I have heard to it is the earsonics SM3 which I will be using as the basis for comparison in many areas.   Starting with bass, the quality is quite good, impact is moderate and speed copes quite well also, but it is not as tight as bass on reZERO, but definitely more present.  Others have described a midbass boost and I would have no trouble believing this.  Extension seems...

Check out my post: A Westone Affair for my review of them