[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's been quiet in here, but all I can say is my love for the W3 has not waned. Cheers!

You can add me to the list of very happy W3 owners...14 months and counting they are still my favourite non-custom IEM. :bigsmile_face:

 

[rawrster]

That's pretty impressive to have an iem for such a long time

I've been going through many every couple months until my last couple purchases.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's pretty impressive to have an iem for such a long time I've been going through many every couple months until my last couple purchases.

I've added a few since picking up the W3s (SE530, IE8, UE10, ER-4P, REO and most recently the NE-8).

But the Westone 3s still remain my favourites!

 

[che15]

Heloo Westone 3 Fans , I have a pair which I use with my Iphone RSA shadow with cable pro reverie and earcandy LODs. I have a quick question! I have a friend who is a super audiophile and has about 5 different systems in his house from brands like Harbeth , spendor , mackintosh, pass labs , verity , Vanderstine, seenheiser , grado , headroom , ps labs cables, between many others, just some of the best stuff there is. He listened to my portable rig playing hotel california in lossless format from my cd and he says that thay are good but there is distortion on the highs and that the soundstage istoo direct . I am sure that there is no possible way that my Westone 3 can be as airy and with a big image and soundstage as my audio technicas ATH-AD700, but I wanted to know what you guys think of his comments and if maybe there is something wrong with one of my components . Thank

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Heloo Westone 3 Fans , I have a pair which I use with my Iphone RSA shadow with cable pro reverie and earcandy LODs. I have a quick question! I have a friend who is a super audiophile and has about 5 different systems in his house from brands like Harbeth , spendor , mackintosh, pass labs , verity , Vanderstine, seenheiser , grado , headroom , ps labs cables, between many others, just some of the best stuff there is. He listened to my portable rig playing hotel california in lossless format from my cd and he says that thay are good but there is distortion on the highs and that the soundstage istoo direct . I am sure that there is no possible way that my Westone 3 can be as airy and with a big image and soundstage as my audio technicas ATH-AD700, but I wanted to know what you guys think of his comments and if maybe there is something wrong with one of my components . Thank

I would pick a higher quality audiophile recording, like Pink Floyd "Animals" instead.  

 
Seriously though, I don't think Hotel California is the best quality mastering, and picking something else like the Mofi Gold Beck "Sea Change", or a nice jazz or blues CD like Diana Krall "Live in Paris" or Eva Cassidy "Live at Blues Alley" will show the rig off better.  Or some studio recordings like Peter Asplund "As Knights Concur" or Nancy Bryan "Neon Angel".  
 
Warning, in the first two live CD I suggested the first song in both has some distortion, which I think was as the guys at the sound board were still tweaking things to get it just right; but the rest of the performances are much cleaner.  And, I would stick with the Reverie LOD over the Earcandy Lite LOD, as I think it's more transparent with slightly more micro-detail (although the Earcandy Lite is better in those areas than most of my under $100 LOD.  Unfortunately it also helps reveal problems in the mastering more.  I think you have a great rig, and wouldn't worry about what your friend says in the long run.

 

[che15]

Thanks for the great advise. I wonder if when you get a little time you would give the name of some more audiophile CDs.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Thanks for the great advise. I wonder if when you get a little time you would give the name of some more audiophile CDs.

Send me a PM about it and I'll try sometime over the next several days.

 

[Godfsvor]

Hi guys! I've made two pairs of custom tips from an audiologist, a hard one and a silicone one for my westone 3. The hard one is full impressions and the w3 stick out from the ear, I don't have isolation at all, also the tube inside the custom is like a cave lol. I fixed the fit between the custom tip and westone 3 with a cut off cylinder from my tips, but again I have no isolation. The silicone one is half impression (just like um56), fits well and have good isolation, not as good as triple flangs though. The sound is a tad better than triple flangs but the bass is a little overpowering and mids and highs does not have enough sparkle, the details are there but not so forward, no sibilance. The sound tube of the custom tips is not very good again, but not as bad as the other hard custom tips.
Question 1: I think that the best material is the hard one cause it helps the highs and mids to "run" better inside the tube, I think that the silicone absorbs some sparkle, and enchants the bass. What's your experience?
Question 2: The diameter of the sound tube clearly enchants the highs if it is larger. Of course if you use silicone you need a big diameter inside. I think with the hard plastic the diameter can be thinner.
Question 3: Does the soundtube inside the custom affects sound quality if it has "corners" and is not straight to the ear? I think it does in the case of silicone tips when the sound hits the wall, not sure about the hard material though.
Question 4: It seems impossible to have great isolation with the hard material? I've made two impressions send the w3 four times but the best result I had was mediocre.
 
PS: Sorry for my English, also I think westone 3 are very hard to find the best sound, but I imagine how they could be if I had a perfect fit

 

[MayaTlab]

Quote:

Hi guys! I've made two pairs of custom tips from an audiologist, a hard one and a silicone one for my westone 3. The hard one is full impressions and the w3 stick out from the ear, I don't have isolation at all, also the tube inside the custom is like a cave lol. I fixed the fit between the custom tip and westone 3 with a cut off cylinder from my tips, but again I have no isolation. The silicone one is half impression (just like um56), fits well and have good isolation, not as good as triple flangs though. The sound is a tad better than triple flangs but the bass is a little overpowering and mids and highs does not have enough sparkle, the details are there but not so forward, no sibilance. The sound tube of the custom tips is not very good again, but not as bad as the other hard custom tips.
Question 1: I think that the best material is the hard one cause it helps the highs and mids to "run" better inside the tube, I think that the silicone absorbs some sparkle, and enchants the bass. What's your experience?
Question 2: The diameter of the sound tube clearly enchants the highs if it is larger. Of course if you use silicone you need a big diameter inside. I think with the hard plastic the diameter can be thinner.
Question 3: Does the soundtube inside the custom affects sound quality if it has "corners" and is not straight to the ear? I think it does in the case of silicone tips when the sound hits the wall, not sure about the hard material though.
Question 4: It seems impossible to have great isolation with the hard material? I've made two impressions send the w3 four times but the best result I had was mediocre.
 
PS: Sorry for my English, also I think westone 3 are very hard to find the best sound, but I imagine how they could be if I had a perfect fit

Question 1 : I think you're absolutely right. Frank Lopez (engineer of Earsonics, a brand which used to produce both types), told me in a mail that they stopped producing silicone earmolds for acoustic reasons.
Question 4 : I've heard plenty of reports from acrylic earmold users very positive about sound isolation. So you might be the exception that confirms the rule .
Question 3 : good question. I'd like to know more about it as well.

 

[Godfsvor]

Quote:

Question 1 : I think you're absolutely right. Frank Lopez (engineer of Earsonics, a brand which used to produce both types), told me in a mail that they stopped producing silicone earmolds for acoustic reasons.
Question 4 : I've heard plenty of reports from acrylic earmold users very positive about sound isolation. So you might be the exception that confirms the rule .
Question 3 : good question. I'd like to know more about it as well.

 
Thanks for the reply. Also another negative thing about silicone is the duration of the material and it's a little prone to bacteria. On the positive side is a more easy fit and has a little better isolation.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

The Westone UM56 are a good tip for the W3, in vinyl and silicone.  I suspect their sound tube dimensions are better tuned for the W3 than the ones you bought in Greece.  Mine isolate very well, in either material, and offer excellent balance to the frequency response.

 

[Godfsvor]

Quote:

The Westone UM56 are a good tip for the W3, in vinyl and silicone.  I suspect their sound tube dimensions are better tuned for the W3 than the ones you bought in Greece.  Mine isolate very well, in either material, and offer excellent balance to the frequency response.

Yes I am sure of that, the dimensions of the sound tube are perfect in the um56. But I have to contact variphone and sent them, I am aware of the refits. My audiologist won't charge me of the refits from now on, so I am gonna make another try.
After I am done with the custom tips I am thinking a lod and an amp, I heard a lot about mustang for it's great synergy with the w3, also headstage arrow caught my eye. What about this lod? It's totally custom made.
http://cgi.ebay.ie/IPOD-LINE-OUT-DOCK-LOD-HEADPHONE-AMP-SILVER-COPPER-/250627950938?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a5a97095a

 

[Godfsvor]

Yes I konw that the soundtube is perfect with um56. Actually I have to contact variphone and sent my impressions but I am aware of the refits. My audiologist won't charge me for the extra refits, I'll give it another try.
After I am done with the custom tips I am thinking for an amp and lod, I read that the mustang has great synergy with the w3, also headstage arrow caught my eye lately. What about this lod? It's tottaly custom made:
http://cgi.ebay.ie/IPOD-LINE-OUT-DOCK-LOD-HEADPHONE-AMP-SILVER-COPPER-/250627950938?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a5a97095a

 

[ib1dance]

Westone 3's what can I say about these little beauty's that has not already been said ?
 
 
They are definitely without any doubt the best most balanced , yet comfortable IEM that I have ever listened to. & their are many IEM that I have not listened to.Though their are also many women I have not had sex with, but that does not prevent me from knowing when I have found a women that is Good in bed .
 
All they need to be 'spot on' is to make them with  replaceable cables.
 
Westone 3's that is, not women! .

 

[Sonic 748i]

 
Quote:

Westone 3's what can I say about these little beauty's that has not already been said ?
 
 
They are definitely without any doubt the best most balanced , yet comfortable IEM that I have ever listened to. & their are many IEM that I have not listened to.Though their are also many women I have not had sex with, but that does not prevent me from knowing when I have found a women that is Good in bed .
 
All they need to be 'spot on' is to make them with  replaceable cables.
 
Westone 3's that is, not women! .

I use to love them also, until I upgraded to a pair of the JH13's