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New IEMS: Shure SE535 or Westone 4R
Jul 22, 2012 at 9:35 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 157
iim7V7IM7

iim7V7IM7

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For use un-amped with my iPhone or iPad to listen to music on long-haul flights.  I listen to jazz, blues and classical. I appreciate, neutrality, musical detail and large/deep sound stage. I also appreciate quality of build and wearing comfort. Both of these IEMs are well regarded. I suspect that neither is abad choice, but I thought that I would reach out to those of you who have owned or auditioned both.

What say you?
 
Jul 23, 2012 at 4:31 PM Post #2 of 157
Bump
 
neutrality 
musical detail
realistic soundstage
wear comfort
quality of build
iPhone or iPad as a source
 
Which these two better fits the bill?
 
Jul 23, 2012 at 6:13 PM Post #4 of 157
mongol said:
I have both and give the nod to the W4 in pretty much all those categories, but not sure about the source as I don't use my iPhone or iPad for music.
Click to expand...


Thanks...

I will use these much more while traveling vs. home listening. For that, I use my over ear headphones and a DAC/HF amp (see my signature). I have been reading about the Audeo PFE 232 as well.
 
Jul 23, 2012 at 9:17 PM Post #5 of 157
Owned the SE535s (and liked them very much), but I STILL own the Westone 4s. 
wink_face.gif

 
Jul 23, 2012 at 9:30 PM Post #6 of 157
I have both, firstly, changing out stock cables on both IEMs does wonders sonically.
 
Although I favour the W4 over the my SE535Ltd, but in your circumstances, the 535 would probably be a better choice used in concert with just iDevices, as I feel the W4 sounds much better amped...........
 
Jul 23, 2012 at 10:08 PM Post #7 of 157
The reality of traveling light with my briefcase means I typically will have my iPhone and or my iPad on flights where I will do some extensive music listening as well as watch an occasional movie.

Shure SE535
119 dB @ 1kHz
36 ohm @ 1kHz
18Hz-19kHz

Westone 4R
118 dB @ 1kHz
31ohm @ 1kHz
10Hz-18kHz

I have read that the Shure's are more efficient than the Westones. I had not heard that they require a HF amp to get full performance out of them. I have a great amp at home, but I want a set of IEMs for use when I travel. I thought that either of these worked well with iOS devices.
 
Jul 23, 2012 at 10:36 PM Post #8 of 157
Neither needs a amp as such.......and they offer pretty good sonics from a iDevice but the W4 really scales up really well if you amp it.
Quote:
iim7v7im7 said:
The reality of traveling light with my briefcase means I typically will have my iPhone and or my iPad on flights where I will do some extensive music listening as well as watch an occasional movie.
Shure SE535
119 dB @ 1kHz
36 ohm @ 1kHz
18Hz-19kHz
Westone 4R
118 dB @ 1kHz
31ohm @ 1kHz
10Hz-18kHz
I have read that the Shure's are more efficient than the Westones. I had not heard that they require a HF amp to get full performance out of them. I have a great amp at home, but I want a set of IEMs for use when I travel. I thought that either of these worked well with iOS devices.
Click to expand...

 
Jul 24, 2012 at 2:06 AM Post #10 of 157
I will choose W4 instead of 535 because the 535 sounds too "cold" for me without an amp, and for portability, I prefer not to bring any amp with me when going out. Perhaps I am biased towards Westone tho since I nearly go all the way Westone (ER4P > W1 > W3 > W4 > W4R > ES5)
 
Jul 24, 2012 at 11:00 AM Post #11 of 157
Have any of you Westone 4 or Westone 4R owners compared these to the Phonak Audeo PFE 232?
 
I realize that these are two-way IEMs but they are also very well reviewed.  The only negatives that I have read have to do with poor case quality and their high price ($600 USD vs. $500 for the other two) .
 
Shure SE535
119 dB @ 1kHz
36 ohm @ 1kHz
18Hz-19kHz
 
Westone 4R
118 dB @ 1kHz
31ohm @ 1kHz
10Hz-18kHz
 
Phonak Audeo PFE 232
104-109dB @ 1 kHz
47 ohm @ 1 kHz
5Hz-17kHz
 
So they have a higher impedance and a lower sensitivity than either the Shure's or the Westones.
 
Bob
 
Jul 24, 2012 at 11:41 AM Post #12 of 157
Quote:
iim7v7im7 said:
Have any of you Westone 4 or Westone 4R owners compared these to the Phonak Audeo PFE 232?
 
I realize that these are two-way IEMs but they are also very well reviewed.  The only negatives that I have read have to do with poor case quality and their high price ($600 USD vs. $500 for the other two) .
 
Shure SE535
119 dB @ 1kHz
36 ohm @ 1kHz
18Hz-19kHz
 
Westone 4R
118 dB @ 1kHz
31ohm @ 1kHz
10Hz-18kHz
 
Phonak Audeo PFE 232
104-109dB @ 1 kHz
47 ohm @ 1 kHz
5Hz-17kHz
 
So they have a higher impedance and a lower sensitivity than either the Shure's or the Westones.
 
Bob
Click to expand...


I do not have the W4R so I cannot make a direct comparison. From what I've read, the W4R is more balanced than the PFE due to the PFE's slightly v-shaped sound signature.
 
Well, the PFE does cost a pretty penny, but I have never heard of any issues with the housings of the 232. It might probably be the 112 you are referring to.
 
Jul 24, 2012 at 2:53 PM Post #13 of 157
I just placed an order for a set of Westone 4R IEMs. I am sure that I will enjoy them.  I will be curious to see which of the tip styles work best for my ears. I am also curious to hear the difference in how they sound amplified with my m903 vs. unamplified on my iPad/iPhone and how they sound vs. my over ear HF (AKG K 702). Thanks to all those on Headfi who helped me in this decision.
 
:)
 
Bob
 
Jul 25, 2012 at 11:08 PM Post #14 of 157
Have owned both. W4 best detail and neutrality for your music preferences.
 
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