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Looking for an IEM like Westone 4 under 100 $

post #1 of 15
1/3/12 at 10:58am
Thread Starter 

I know the title sounds funny, but let me elaborate. Westone 4 has awesome reviews, that being said, the iem has the perfect amount of bass deep and punchy, not over exaggerated on the face boomy... they say the iem's bass is the way it shud be. Clarity and soundstage is top notch. Sound is crystal clear, lush and liquidy.. metallic beats sound gorgeous. Mids, highs, lows all sound too good with the w4.

I am not a bass head, but i atleast the IEM should be able to handle good bass whenever required, and should be as clear with good treble and soundstage as the RE0 or the HF5. And i know Westone 4 does this gracefully. 

 

I plan to buy the westone as my next iem, probably after 3-4 months, but for now i am looking for an IEM that has the the above features, and helps me undestand and slowly adopt to a top tier iem.

Hence looking for an IEM as of now that is below 100 dollars.

I was looking at ljokerl's iem comparision thread.. and i would prefer a sound rating of atleast 8.5 and above, if it is in and around 9.. it be awesome. :)

My apologies if this is too much to ask.. pls guide. 

 

P.S. I can add another 50 dollars max.. can spend 150 if there is something very similar to w4


Edited by holyindian - 1/3/12 at 11:07am
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post #2 of 15
1/3/12 at 11:29am

Okay, after reading what you are (actually) saying, there is nothing that really sounds like the W4 under $150. The GR07 gets close in a lot of ways IMO. So I think you're asking more about IEMs in the $100 to $150 that approach the W4's sound quality. If this is what you're asking, I would recommend the JVC FXT90 or GR07 (if you can find a version at $150).

I would suggest the RE262, but you will need to invest in an amp. But if you have an amp, can't beat the RE262 at $149. Oh, The EX600 (Sony) would be excellent  at $140 or less. Again, don't think if you hearing any of these you are hearing the W4's sound signature. You're not. But if I had to pick one that come close to the W4's sound sig, I would pick the GR07.

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post #3 of 15
1/3/12 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for your reply. Telling you frankly, i am still a noob when it comes to understanding sound signatures, or the detailed intricacies of various iems.

It was just that, I have been following various iem threads, and after reading W4's reviews indepth, i realised that w4 does justice to the music just the way it shud be played and heard.

After getting hold of basic iem's, i want to go the understanding route of how iem's work, sound signatures, and various types of drivers and iem types. For now.. this iem will be a big step in understanding quality music listening through a good iem.

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post #4 of 15
1/3/12 at 11:49am

So, you want a similar sound signature; just a cheaper price that allows sacrifice to the resolution? RE-1 would be my suggestion.

 

And if you want something more colored on the side, you can buy those cheap monoprice iems everyone is hyping up too.

 

EDIT: I just received my monoprice earphones the 8320 and they do hold to the weight of the hype on them. I would recommend them even more than how I worded it earlier.


Edited by Infoseeker - 1/9/12 at 4:58pm
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post #5 of 15
1/3/12 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 

Not sure about monoprice iem's, dont want to take risk on them, although i brought many Home Theater accessories from Monoprice, but dont want to mess up with a high fidelity product through monoprice.

GR07 looks good... anything else guys?

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post #6 of 15
1/3/12 at 1:33pm
The Sony EX600 are great buy and they perform well above there price with amazing soundquality(very detailed mids, crisp, clear highs and deep punchy bass) include wide soundstage, great imaging and instruments separation.
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post #7 of 15
1/3/12 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 

Zarim, thanks for that tip, i will research further on it.

 

Guys, what is your take on HA-FXT90?

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post #8 of 15
1/4/12 at 1:22am

wouldn't the obvious choice be the W2's?

 

Similar sound sig I THINK, but just not as good.

Personally if you see yourself ACTUALLY buying them in 3-4months, I would NOT spend any money on IEM's save up, and then spend that on your w4's and possibly an amp or something.

 

Unless your loaded with cash, then that would be your best deal so to speak.

 

W4 + $150 amp = no idea if it needs an amp, i can't speak of experience, but hey, an amp or an IEM that you'll most likely never use after the w4 purchase...

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post #9 of 15
1/4/12 at 1:37am

I was going to mention the FXT90, musical quality from what i read with great bass response (but not overstated), but be aware it's a 'colored' sound signature; that being said, the coloration is considered extremely nice. Likewise, consider the RE262 if you have an amp. Otherwise, I'd say the EX600s mentioned recently would be a decent choice as well if you want that imaging and soundstage...from what I hear it's very spacious. I was also going to mention the GR07, so I think you're on the right track. They are far less colored however, which is not at all a bad thing - just different presentation. GR07s are considered absolutely wonderful for drums and quick bass reproduction as well. You might even be interested in the Atrio MG7s, top-notch sub bass.

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post #10 of 15
1/4/12 at 6:54am
Quote:
Added the Westone 4 to the list.

I put them right below the Phonak PFE. Now you might ask why I put them right below the PFE. Fair question. The answer is simple: because the Westone 4 sound basically the same as the PFE with grey filters.

Read DFKT's full post here.
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post #11 of 15
1/4/12 at 12:09pm
Thread Starter 

 

Ordered GR07 today from lendmeurears

Want to thank all the members here who refered GR07 to me, and gave me confidence to get a hold of it.  Hope it turns out greatly satisfying.

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post #12 of 15
1/4/12 at 1:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by holyindian View Post

 

Ordered GR07 today from lendmeurears

Want to thank all the members here who refered GR07 to me, and gave me confidence to get a hold of it.  Hope it turns out greatly satisfying.



let us know how they go!
(FYI: there were some used GR07's for sale over on head-fi for around £75)

 

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post #13 of 15
1/4/12 at 4:17pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Totally Dubbed View Post

let us know how they go!



popcorn.gif

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post #14 of 15
1/6/12 at 3:13pm

best all rounder for cheap is the GR07, it excels nowhere but i have a really hard time actually picking fault in anything it does.  its pretty damn impressive for the money.

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post #15 of 15
1/6/12 at 3:20pm

GR07/Yamaha EPH100

 

Former for highs, latter for mids.

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