REVIEW: WESTONE 3, the ULTIMATE UNIVERSAL IEM vs everything else - AKA W3 Appreciation Thread - Page 74

After having my tennis bag stolen, with my rackets, Sony A818 and UM2's (total of $800) I've finally recouped and I think after I save up a bit I might get myself a pair of W3's. I was happy with my UM2 but if the W3 is mouth droppingly amazing I might as well save the extra 100 and buy that? What do you guys think? I've got a ton to save up so I have time to make my decision.

Hi all, pretty new here.Mainly listen to jpop, jrock, alternative and acoustic, ocassionally some piano and english pop. How well does the w3 handle such genres?

Also, have heard of W3s having some issues with sibilance. May someone explain to me what exactly is that? Thanks.

The W3's will do well with all those genres. In fact, it has done well with all genres that I've thrown at it.

Sibilance is when the highs or mids can take on a harsh and often whistling sort of sound. With the highs, it's when it sounds like a piercing sssssss, that can be uncomfortably harsh or a distortion of the sound, of sorts.

I've encountered this, but only with particular recordings. When I listen to the recordings on my HD 650's, though there's no sibilance, I can hear the reason why the W3 could possibly produce the effect.

In my overall experience with the W3, I consider this to be a small point. However, there are those who consider otherwise, with sibilance being a troublesome feature.

^ I've managed to eliminate some sibilance from my W3's by EQ'ing the 6.3 kHz band 1 notch down on my S639F. It still sounds good, and the harsh sss's that I can hear are little to none now.

If there's any way to try the W3s first, I would highly recommend it. I would also think about what you liked about the UM2s.

I upgraded from UM2s, to W3s. I sold the UM2s, so my opinions of the sound are from memory and won't be too detailed. As far as sound quality goes I feel it was a definite upgrade (easily worth $100). I've had no sibilance issues with either IEM. Bass is definitely fuller and more textured with the W3s. I feel like midrange is just slightly less prominent with the W3s, and highs are basically the same. The W3s get better and better the more I listen to them, but I felt that about the UM2s as well.

One of the things I liked most about the UM2s was their design. They fit me perfectly. I didn't have to fuss with different tips (used shure olives). The cable was fantastic, and they just "dissappeared" in my ears after a few minutes. No discomfort, no itchiness, no fiddling around to get the fit just right. To me the W3s are a step down in that aspect. The thicker body, and shorter nozzles make a good fit a little more difficult to achieve and maintain. Tip selection is really important with the W3s. They get a little itchy, and they are just a tiny bit too thick to wear when I'm laying in bed on my side. They do have the same great cable, so that is a wash.

To me the sound quality upgrade was totally worth it. But, if I had never heard them, I wouldn't miss them and would be perfectly satisfied with UM2s (head-fi hype aside).

One other note, I use the W3s with a 2nd generation iPod touch, unamped, so the synergy with your source might be different.

I don't think you can go wrong either way, but hopefully my impressions are helpful for you.

Thanks!
George

Arter only a few hours with the w3's I am definately sure that this is my most important investment of the year. Somehow I get a comfortable fit with most of the tips that came in the box.

I have to say that I LOVE how they sound! TOOL, Massive Attack, Jack Johnson, Sade & Eva Cassidy has never sounded better! Next thing I'll throw at them are some Daft Punk they seem to handle every type of music great.

Un-amped lossless music from my iPhone 3G is my new drug

I can endorse the W3 sounding great with Tool and Massive Attack.

After a while, when the euphoria of the step up in sound has worn off, samsara will kick in and you'll become more discriminating. First, you'll start hearing differences between the tips. Then you'll begin wondering if the sound can get better than it already is... which it can!

where do u guys buy the westone 3's? are there any legit westone 3 dealers other than amazon? where do u guys buy ur westone 3's from? and are they all about the same price? wheres the cheapest?

I did purchase mine through Amazon so.....

Headphone Solution.

-Ed

I got mine at FMA Solutions. I believe that is earphone solutions ebay store. Microsoft live search cashback was actually worth something when i bought mine, which is why I purchased that way.

I bought my UM2s direct from westone.com. I think it ended up costing me a little more, because they don't offer free shipping like some other sites, but they also offered a 30-day no restocking fee, return policy (check with them first for current policy). The other sites I looked at charged a re-stocking fee, and i wasn't sure I was going to keep them.

I hate you guys so much. I wanted a new laptop but you guys are making the W3's sound so tempting. To add a little cherry on top, a Westone authorized dealer is offering me a pair for a mere $327. Life sucks for my wallet. Guess I have to start saving.

Headphone Addict,
I was wondering, in terms of percentages, how much better is your ES3X than the W3 and IE8?