Westone ES3X Appreciation Thread - Page 10

Also I have another question this for whoever has owned the Phonak....which custom would you say sounds closet to the Phonaks.....but better..between the Livewires,Ue11's, and the Es3x?

from what Sasaki and Larry have posted on their impressions, probably the ES3X seems like a phonak on steroids. Have an appointment with the audiologist next week for the ES3X

Hnnn I guess these might be my first customs.

I was just wondering how is the mid of the ES3X ?

I had just istened to the W3 which my friend lend me. I find that the high & low tends to muffle the mid tone. The high is just too excess & sound a bit harsh to me. The low is punchy, shiok & clear but still feel a bit color. I doubt I can listened too long hours for W3.

I read somewhere that the MID is wonderful on the ES3X. How does it really sound comparing to the W3 as they should have the same Westone sound signature but I read that ES3X is using a totally different 3 drivers as compared to W3 ?

If possible, maybe a comparison between ACS T1 & ES3X as I am currently using the ACS T1.

Thanks in advance.

I would like to say the ES3X are neutral or flat - more neutral than the Westone 3, but not bass shy at all. The ES3X bass would fall in the middle between the W3 and Livewires, and is NEVER lacking and never overpowering. And, ES3X is never too bright like the Livewires occasionally can be. But ES3X are still rich and full and commanding like the W3, yet with more midrange presence and detail than the W3, and a little smoother more extended highs than the Westone 3.

The Livewires (which I have previously said are neutral) actually have less bass than ES3X, and a bit less presence or authority along with less richness or refinement, unlike the ES3X or W3. The LW remind me more of the Phonak Audeo with grey filters and foam tips, and I have compared the LW to my recabled Grado RS-1 before. The LW are very good and detailed, but they not as engaging and powerful feeling as the ES3X (which put you right there at the performance).

These ES3X just expand on everything the Livewires or Westone 3 do right, and I would say they are closer to the sound of my Senn HE60 but with the bass and presence of the Stax O2.

On another note, at this point I don't think I have a full size dynamic headphone that can keep up with the ES3X - the HD600 with upgraded cable and run off a powerful balanced headphone amp might get close, but they are still not as fast as the ES3X. The ATH-ESW10JPN are probably close to what I would call neutral and off a good amp they are similar - but ESW10 are still not as good as my ES3X or balanced HD600, having less detail and less sparkle and more forward mids. What is not neutral? I would say my woodied recabled D2000 have a smiley face response with slightly recessed mids, and my Editon 9 have a boosted bass response with forward mids, making them less neutral and transparent. The ES3X are not like that at all.

sounds like you didnt find the right tip for W3 in your short listen. IMO the mids are only VERY slightly recessed and I dont find the highs harsh with UM56. W3 is extremely sensitive tio tip choice as the amount of posts relating to that issue will attest to. if the ES3X is better than W3 with UM56 and with the mids coming forward a touch and both bass and highs improved, then we really have a winner. I dont have any personal experience with either of your 2 customs there, but my ES3X are only a few weeks away cant wait.

See post #140 above, this address most of the questions. When I talk about the Livewires, it is like talking about the Phonak Audeo with grey filters and Complys foam tips (large tips ordered separately).

The ES3X would be like a Phonak or Livewires on Steroids, but without the extra brightness of the Phonak or the extra bassiness of the Westone 3. (is bassiness a real word, can I use it anyway?)

The Westone 3 can sometimes have the bass and treble over-ride the mids when used with the grey silicone or triple flange tips for me (depending on the recording). And the mids improve with the Complys tips at the expense of the highs. But the Westone 3 have their best balance of lows/mids/highs when used with my custom UM-56 tips. The ES3X tones down the bass just a little, brings out the mids and mid detail, and smoothes out and extends the treble. Basically it takes a great universal IEM and makes it much better. If you can't afford an ES3X I can still highly recommend a Westone 3 with custom UM-56 tips.

I am currently using ACS T1. I would like to know how much more can I get from the ES3X.

ES3X is using a totally different driver from W3. I was wondering about does it still have the Westone Sound Signature ?

But as what u described, it's almost a near perfect IEM ? Or does it sound natural or enhanced to one liking ?

If anybody who own a ACS T1 & ES3X can gave his opinion.

Thanks.

It sounds netrual but with a little color in the lows.....maybe the livewires are more suitable. Or the Ue10's.....i'm aiming for a Phonak-like experience. Martin once stated that the Phonaks had the same amount of detail as his Ue11's. Which in his opinion as good as it gets....So...with that being said I think i'm going to wait on more comparisons between the Ue's in general before making my decision. Or wait til Riley gets them.

You quoted me, but you must know I can't compare to ACS T1 since I don't have one.

I am not sure I can describe the sound much better than I have, but I will try to continue to add my impressions as I spend more time listening to them. I cannot comment on Westone "sound signature" because I have not heard any other Westone other than the Westone 3. Reading descriptions of the UM2 tells me they must not sound anything like the Westone 3, as the Westone 3 are not dark or rolled off (especially when compared side by side to a stock SE530). If you want to know what I think about the Westone 3, look in my public profile "about me" for the link to my big review of them from November Thanksgiving weekend.

The ES3X use new drivers for 2 of the 3 drivers, and do not use the Westone 3 crossover either. The ES3X sound like a more balanced, extended, detailed and refined version of the W3. I am calling these the perfect IEM, till I hear better. Westone 3 got bumped to #2...

NO. I don't where you read that in what I said. I did not say or imply "neutral but with a little color in the lows". The bass is not colored but rather is just right - less than the Westone 3, more than the Phonak and more balanced. IMHO the bass of the Livewires and Phonak is just below where the bass should be.

I am guessing the ES3X are probably what the UE10pro would be like, while the UE11Pro might be the extra bass color you are talking about.

The detail in the ES3X is like that "Phonak experience" you are looking for, but with the bass that the Phonak should have had from the start, and without the excessive brightness (or sibilance) that the Phonak can have with the wrong filters or tips. If you want a custom that sounds like the Phonak, then yeah, the Livewires will do it. If you want a custom that blends the best of everything (that I have heard so far) into one experience, get the ES3X.

thanks HPA, i am leaning towards the P51 too..more readily available..

another question, i have pretty oily ears, would that break the seal? this is my last and utmost concern..sigh..

That shouldn't make a difference.

Dang! I was so close to getting the Livewires...now this!

I wonder if i should hold off till the HD800 reviews come in (which I've now heard) and Larry, God bless him, can give us his verdict?

Misunderstanding!!! No I was not stating that you said there was a little color in the bass area. I was saying this simply from what I've been reading and piecing together. Different opinions about bass come into play here....I don't feel like the Phonak's have any sibilance at all...right tips or wrong. Just my humble opinion at work here so I'm right in my own way and so are you.

Hmmm I wonder does Tstarn feel this way about the excessive brightness I thought it was perfect. Also I thought the bass was nice especially in a quiet environment the bass has actual impact. To me at least..Anyhow, now to get off topic I’ll wait..For more impressions then choose between these and the Livewires. Does anyone HPA included feel like the Livewires portray more detail then these phones or are they on par?