Hey guys!  So I'm currently in medical school, and I realized I spend all my time studying, and basically all of that time listening to music through some pretty ****ty iphone headphones.  I did some research and I narrowed my headphone search to the Westone 3s, the Westone 4r, or the Shure SE535.  I know they're expensive, but I feel like I'm going to get a lot of use out of them so I'm okay spending some extra money on them.
 
Here's my real question, I mainly listen to hip-hop, funk, and a little jazz.  Does anybody have any recommendations for me?  I don't want to make a purchase and really regret it later haha.  

I was just recently in a similar place as you. I did some research and actually settled for the Shure Se425 over the 535's. My reading lead to since im not 100% critically listening to the headphones during the time i listen to them, the 425's are a better value for 200$ less. 
 
Something to consider.
 
*Edit* btw this is better suited in the Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors Section.

Hey!
 
Well, I have the Westone 3 and 4; and I like the 4 much more over the 3. It's overall a much more balanced iem, extremely quick and not bass shy. Definately better for jazz and funk.
On the other hand the W3 has cavernous bass, incredible for iem really, and shines with hiphop and eletronica.
 
Keep in mind though that for the same price, you can get much more from around the ear headphones.
I got my W4s used for $300, and for the same price I got the Ultrasone Pro 2900 which are imo much, much better in terms of clarity, detail retrieval and resolution.
 
Cheers!
Stefano

 
Quote:

radial pat said:

Hey guys!  So I'm currently in medical school, and I realized I spend all my time studying, and basically all of that time listening to music through some pretty ****ty iphone headphones.  I did some research and I narrowed my headphone search to the Westone 3s, the Westone 4r, or the Shure SE535.  I know they're expensive, but I feel like I'm going to get a lot of use out of them so I'm okay spending some extra money on them.
 
Here's my real question, I mainly listen to hip-hop, funk, and a little jazz.  Does anybody have any recommendations for me?  I don't want to make a purchase and really regret it later haha.  

Click to expand...

 
 
For your musical preferences, I'd say W3s would fit the bill the best.

Not to throw a curve ball out there, but the monster coppers can be had on amazon brand new for $279.

I love these things. They do every genre great.

Has really strong and deep bass, but never over powering

 
Quote:

radial pat said:

Hey guys!  So I'm currently in medical school, and I realized I spend all my time studying, and basically all of that time listening to music through some pretty ****ty iphone headphones.  I did some research and I narrowed my headphone search to the Westone 3s, the Westone 4r, or the Shure SE535.  I know they're expensive, but I feel like I'm going to get a lot of use out of them so I'm okay spending some extra money on them.
 
Here's my real question, I mainly listen to hip-hop, funk, and a little jazz.  Does anybody have any recommendations for me?  I don't want to make a purchase and really regret it later haha.  

Click to expand...

 
Well, I haven't had much time with the W4s, but they're a pretty balanced IEM. For jazz, I'm sure the SE535 and W4 are going to be better than the W3s. However, the latter are much better at handling bass than the former 2; it'll definitely do better with hip hop and bass heavy tracks.

Quote:

radial pat said:

Hey guys!  So I'm currently in medical school, and I realized I spend all my time studying, and basically all of that time listening to music through some pretty ****ty iphone headphones.  I did some research and I narrowed my headphone search to the Westone 3s, the Westone 4r, or the Shure SE535.  I know they're expensive, but I feel like I'm going to get a lot of use out of them so I'm okay spending some extra money on them.
 
Here's my real question, I mainly listen to hip-hop, funk, and a little jazz.  Does anybody have any recommendations for me?  I don't want to make a purchase and really regret it later haha.  

Click to expand...

Give me 500$  and i will take care of it for you! haha! or 1100$ if you want to spend xtra money! But, at the end, all depend of your liking signature! All ears different... all iem different!!
 

I like the UM3x over all of those. General 1-line review based on past ownership:

Westone 4: well-balanced, doesn't do anything badly but doesn't do anything too well either.

Westone 3: V-shaped FR with excessive bass bloom and treble boost. Otherwise a fairly nice, lively-sounding canalphone.

Shure SE535: Overly sharp highs kinda ruin what would otherwise be an great canalphone. Bass depth straight from the netherworld, and good clarity too.

Westone UM3x: Loose bass and recessed highs can't quite keep the great mids down. Best clarity and linearity specifically through the mids here, but not too good at the frequency extremes.

The conclusion I've come to thus far is that you can't have everything, at least not yet and not in a universal-fit form. Since I'm a sucker for good mids, the UM3x wins easily. But the W4 is probably the most balanced. If you're OK with slightly sharp highs, the 535 is a pretty good recommendation too though I also hate the cables and overall fit.

Also, this should be in the portables forum.'

[Edit: Saw the date. Duh. Cat dum.]