Westone 4 Appreciation Thread and Reviews (a.k.a. Westone 4 ?) - Page 204

we have different preferences.. i prefer an amp for mine because i want a little more bass impact and depth.. my ipod is sufficient for me.. but I know what you're talkin about.. the DAC on my macbook (neutral) is miles ahead than the ipod.. it unleashes the full potential of the w4 IMO.. the closest thing I heard comparable to my macbook is the NU Force icon Mobile.. try the new NU's iDo .. but they are designed for Apple only i guess.. 

 

hope this helps

 

It does, thanks. Every time I look up a suggestion I learn a little more. I got away from carrying an amp and iPod and that was nice. I would do that again but with the amp I have it made no difference that I could hear.

 

One solution I'm considering is getting a different DAP. I am a BIG fan of apple products. Happen to be using the 5th Gen iPod which is supposed to have the best SQ, for my portable player. The diff in quality from the new Macbook PRO to the iPod is so enormous that I would switch players if I knew that was the answer.

 

The quest for the Holy Grail of portable sound continues.

Edited by Saraguie - 8/18/12 at 10:50pm

I wasn't a believer in amps before til I heard the Headstage arrow.. by Dec I might buy that amp.. it's very slim, just put a double sided tape on it and the ipod and boom.. you're good to go.. the iPod Classic is very portable and practical.. I play ALACs, I could go 10-12 hrs with it.. if u don't EQ ipod is enough.. if so then cowon ipod's EQ is bad.. the difference between the 5th gen ipod and ipod classic is the soundstage.. much bigger and decent on the classic. if size doesn't matter and playback time + charging.. dx100..

Soul, is the classic the latest Gen 160 GB with the silver front?

 

What makes the classic have the bigger SS? I read that the chip in the 5th is what makes it better.

sorry i thought you were using an iPod nano.. well yeah the ipod video 5th gen has a very good SQ too and others may prefer it..

 

the only diff between the 5th and 7th gen is the battery.. more playback on the 7th gen and slimmer.

 

yes silver front. 

 

I think the 5th gen is already fine to use.. maybe just try the NU Force Icon mobile or the DAC Icon iDo

 

haven't heard the dx100 yet

I can't get myself to pull the trigger on this. I've literally ordered this on amazon 3 times and then canceled it. They're currently going for around $350 for the regular version, which is much lower than the regular asking price. I currently have Westone 2 and am looking for a nice upgrade. But I don't know if I want to spend as much on IEM's as I did on my HD 650's...and what's worse is that they get a lot more expensive too.

W4 is a very nice upgrade.. try earphonesolutions.com and get a discount coupon for it..

I'm looking for advice from W4 owners who have or had Shure SE535s and or TF10s. I currently have 535s and had TF10s which I lost. They had an ES cable transplant which made them much more user friendly and maybe a slightly less v shape sound. Anyway, I want to replace the lost TF10s and can't decide whether to straight out replace them like for like or purchase W4Rs. At this price point I will much prefer replaceable cables. I have a few lower end IEMs like Ety HF3 and Yamaha EPH-100. I have large canals and I could only get a good seal with large Shure olives on the HF3 but they are just tad too big and I can't wear them for long. The EPHs are surprisingly good but don't isolate too well and lack enough treble without EQ to my taste. Neither of these are good enough to satisfy my listening.

So help me folks. Is the W4 a big step up from the SE535? Personally, I find the 535s comfortable and with a SQ that suits my music preferences which cover classic bands like Dire Straits & Pink Floyd, singers like Phil Collins, Van Morrison, Clapton and Cohen, through to smooth Jazz and classical music. Although I preferred the SQ of the 535s, I could use the TF10s with comply tips and could wear them for hours. I had a very good seal with them. Ironically the Shures don't seal at all with complys so I have to use olives. And because the olives are just that tad large, I want another IEM not too different to the 535s and it seems whatever I choose should be better than what I have now. And from all the reviews and comments, the W4s might be the way to go.

What should I buy?

As for as comfort goes, the concern I have is that some people have trouble fitting them in their ears. The W2 is just right for me, and I'm kinda concerned about having to stick something even bigger in my ears.

For me, the size of the W4 should not be an issue. I'm a big guy and have large ears and canals. I was able to comfortably use the TF10 in Flip-flop mode and they sat easily inside the Concha (I think its called). I am a bit worried that the W4 may not give me a good seal with Complys seeing as the 535s don't. I can only put the fact that the TF10s do down to the larger tip or that they may have rested against the Antihelix and that puts just enough pressure on them to seal. Pity I don't have them to test!

 

For me the question is whether it is worth spending another $450-500 on the W4R when a replacement TF10 and cable is half that. I can afford it but I dont like wasting money either. I've ruled out the W3 and UM3X as it sounds like they have more bass than I want. Even while some describe the W4 as having a dark signature, the two polls between W4 and SE535 gives it too the W4 2 to 1.

 

I have some hearing loss in higher frequencies and although amps, EQ and apps like Bongiovi DPS can tailor most IEMs to my preference, I much prefer using unamped and unmodified especially since I use streaming services as much as my iPod rips and Bongiovi only works on those. And frankly the sounds are unnatural.  

I use the large gray silicon on the W4r, I don't insert all of the tips on the nozzle just half way then just let it stick to your ears..

 

if you're aiming for the w4 then go for it but there will be comparisons between w4 and 535 as they are both midcentric and may come up to the point that you have sell one of them.

That sounds to me that there is not a lot between the 535 and W4. May as well just stay with the 535 and maybe buy another TF10?

there's still much to it... clarity, instrument separation, transparency, texture, midbass, highs, details etc.

 

these are some points where the w4 excels over the 535.. w4 is also midcentric but not like the 535s and sm3s on the spot vocals.. the w4 is slightly distant and sounds more coherent.. for best review, check out joker's review

SE535 would be more musical in a way- it's all about the music. But W4 may sound more balanced and neutral, however it may not have the clarity as say the TF10. 

Jeez, I don't know if I want to wait this long. 3 months to save $70...