I ordered these a couple of months ago, the first time they came back the wrong colour (I asked for clear, they came back beige, they then said that they don't do clear as the wax makes them look horrible and then wanted me to pay $600 to get the colour changed ). However, eventually they caved and agreed to pay for a face plate change and I recieved them the other day. Anyway,

Issue #1: Tonight when I was looking at at them, I noticed that in the left one one of the small metal "cans" (sorry I don't know exactly what they are) seemed to be facing in the wrong direction. Instead of facing outwards to where the opening is, it is facing directly into the casing. I assume these let the sound through and this wouldn't be ideal. The right one is OK but doesn't face perfectly outwards. I then looked at a picture of someone elses and it looks as though they are facing directly outward.

They sound great to me but I'm no audiophile and would not really know if this was causing a problem.

Issue #2: I'm not 100% if the fit is right. I have quite a bit of trouble getting them to seal correctly. I know when I have them in properly as the bass is much more present. Is there a chance I'm just putting them in wrong? Will it take a bit of time for me to get used to putting them in or should they just slide in naturally and seal perfectly every time? They seem to be putting a bit of stress on my ears as well.

I have attached some photos showing the first problem (the blue one is the one I found on the internet).

What do people think? Does it sound like these are real issues or nothing to worry about. I'm reluctant to send them back as it will be another month before I get them.

Cheers

It took one month for you to get them back after being the wrong color? That is bad service imo. I think depending on the size of the canal, they might have too run the sound tubes together.

Do you use the twist method when putting them in? It should help you get the seal much easer if the fit is correct. How long have you had them now?

Yeh, I am in Australia though...

I think I am doing the twist method correct but I'm having trouble getting them to stay sealed sometimes.

Also if you pull on you ear lobes that should give you a nice seal.

You might also need a refit.

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That sound tube sure looks like it could be kinked.

That really doesn't look like typical Westone craftsmanship, detail. It looks a little poor. I would ask them for help and explain that you aren't at all happy.

What are the ramifications of a kinked sound tube?

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Re: the seal, here's a useful link to check if you have a good seal: Sensaphonics / Seal Test

Also, if you have any questions, there a Westone rep who posts here on head-fi; he is friendly and often quite helpful. You may want to get in touch with him via private message - his user name is p0wderh0und23

on fit, try either pulling on your ear lobe, or on the top of your ear when twisting in the pieces. this opens up your canals, so you don't feel like you're cramming the piece into your ear. then when you let go, your canals will release,and the monitor will be seated correctly.

also, If i'm understanding correctly, the metal tubes on the blue piece are facing directly through the bores into your ears, whereas the tubes in the beige half are facing into the plastic on the bend?

I think you should talk to a technician about this. I think that if the bores bend after the tubes, then it won't effect the audio. Only way to know for sure is to get a good seal, and see whether the beige half is missing something.

One thing NOT to do is compare how the canal and filters (the little "cans") in there to other peoples earphones. In looking at the images, I can see the filter is a little close to the canal wall, but you also seem to have a small ear concha (bowl), so that greatly impacts how everything is put in there.

I am a little concerned that the color was done wrong and you were given those answers. Clear is one of our most requested colors, so I'm not sure who would of said "we don't do clear" and it would cost "$600", both of those statements would not be policy and well, false.

PM me who you ordered through and if you remember who you talked to at Westone about these issues. I want to make sure if bad info is being given out, I can flick someone in the ear.

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Thanks. I did the test and it confirmed what I suspected. I can get a good seal with the left but it slides out quite quickly and I cannot get a very good seal with the right. It's hard to judge the volumes but I could tell when I got a good seal with the left one as I could really feel the bass.

I will keep fiddling with them a bit more but at this stage it seems I will need a refit.

^^ Re-fits are common with customs. I had more than one with my Westone ES3X - not saying you'll have more than one, though - and I'd suggest you contact p0wderh0und23 (who posted soon after I did) and also discuss the possibility of having new 'proper' ear impressions as some audiologists don't do them right. But speak to him first as he may say you don't actually need new ones done.

Yeh the Audiologist who did mine was probably not experienced with this sort of stuff. What do you mean by a proper impression?

Also if I get a refit it'll probably take at least another month I've already waited over 2. I guess I need to get them perfect though.

^^ Impressions should be done past the second bend of the ear canal, with an open mouth & using a bite block; this allows for getting a better seal even when moving your jaw quite a bit. At this stage I suggest you contact p0wderh0und23 -- like I said he's friendly, helpful and he'll give you ALL precise information of what you need (or not need) to do.

Yea, powderhound is an awesome person to deal with. Those words that you mentioned Westone said of not doing clear and $600 doesn't sound like they said it at all. But by the sounds of things, it looks like you need a refit.