Westone 4r Vs Shure SE846 whats the best?
Oct 31, 2013 at 7:39 AM Post #31 of 67
truckdriver said:
  I've sat in at a few studios (and listened to master recordings) and they definitely had emphasized sounds and dynamics that I have never heard in portable audio. In fact, I've never heard portable audio reach the CD level of reproduction thru stereo speakers. I'm not saying it doesn't exist in high-end portable audio (just that I've never heard it—let alone studio level).
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this will not happen in the near future
 
Oct 31, 2013 at 12:47 PM Post #32 of 67
the 846 is night and day better than the westone 4 and that is not a criticism of the westone 4 which is a fine IEM...i have them both and the 846 is by far and away the best IEM i have ever owned or heard and i have tried just about everything!
 
Mar 31, 2014 at 8:18 AM Post #34 of 67
sylaw said:
   
so ur basically saying that SE846 are a upgrade over the W4's or its just a signature preference? 
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Definitely more of a sidegrade than a upgrade. I demoed a pair just recently and compared it side by side with my um3x in the short time that I had. I preferred the latter by a slight margin. The FitEar ToGo 334 is much more smoother sounding than both the SE846 and UM3X. 
 
Mar 31, 2014 at 8:53 AM Post #35 of 67
jlbrach said:
  the 846 is night and day better than the westone 4 and that is not a criticism of the westone 4 which is a fine IEM...i have them both and the 846 is by far and away the best IEM i have ever owned or heard and i have tried just about everything!
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I don't know that I'd say "night and day", but yeah, that's about right.
 
There's not much good info that can be ascertained in a brief listen or even in a matter of days. It takes time to get accustom to the sound differences with IEMs. Sometimes an IEM can drag you "kicking and screaming" into a better sound situation.
 
Mar 31, 2014 at 10:41 PM Post #36 of 67
jlbrach said:
  the 846 is night and day better than the westone 4 and that is not a criticism of the westone 4 which is a fine IEM...i have them both and the 846 is by far and away the best IEM i have ever owned or heard and i have tried just about everything!
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That's a pretty bold statement just by the fact that W4 has far better extended treble and a better (not so overly forward) midrange.
 
But I guess if bass is most important feature to you then, yes, certainly SE846 would be best option.
 
But then W40 is superior to W4 so that makes it even closer.
 
Mar 31, 2014 at 10:59 PM Post #37 of 67
The good thing is we can all be right...personal preference.

I had the 4R for a couple months and it was not my cup of tea (seemed sterile and did not connect with me). I can see why others love it though. In fact, I like the 535 Ltd better than the 4R. That does not mean I don't like Westone. I like them enough that ordered the W60 and am curious to see how that fares next to my 846. Best case... I love them both for different reasons.

If we all liked the exact same thing, this forum would die pretty damn fast. Cheers to personal preference!
 
Mar 31, 2014 at 11:46 PM Post #38 of 67
I agree, it all comes down to personal preference. Just because something cost significantly more doesn't necessary mean will sound any better. In my honest option, the um3x are the best iem I've heard at any price point and I've heard a lot of high end iem/ciem. In fact, I prefer the um3x over my t5ps. The mids is just unparalleled..
 
Nov 13, 2014 at 5:22 AM Post #39 of 67
I have the Westone 4R and the Shure 846. I have modified both cables,by removing memory wire/plastic sleeve to within about an inch of the connections. I have both normal,and balanced cables. My go to is the Shure, or the HD 800, with the balanced cables, together with the HA 1. I have been using a Denon dac/amp,but now use the HA 1. For me, the Shure has been more difficult to find the right earbuds.Silicon ones have done the trick. The Shure,(For Me) provides a larger, and deeper soundstage. I feel, i have the perfect setup, I have also,been very surprised at the difference that the balanced cable to both the IEM,s And the HD 800 have made.
 
Jan 29, 2015 at 7:57 PM Post #40 of 67
For the people who are on a tight budget and don't want to spend 846 like money and desire fun and boomy Beats by Dre like bass and a forward mid range sound, get two different pairs of iem to fit each occasion, the w3's and um3x
bigsmile_face.gif
. 
 
Jun 26, 2015 at 12:22 AM Post #41 of 67
The Shure SE846 are the best IEMs for $1000 in my opinion. They have a fun sound signature that is still very resolving and fast. The soundstage is very good for an IEM. However, if you are coming from open back headphones with a large soundstage, such as the Sennheiser HD800, then the shures will sound a tad congested. But if you haven't heard these open backs, then you will love the shures. They are a great IEM that I find myself still reaching for and using instead of my Sennheiser HD800s at times.
 
Jun 26, 2015 at 10:16 PM Post #43 of 67
soundseeker21 said:
  The Shure SE846 are the best IEMs for $1000 in my opinion. They have a fun sound signature that is still very resolving and fast. The soundstage is very good for an IEM. However, if you are coming from open back headphones with a large soundstage, such as the Sennheiser HD800, then the shures will sound a tad congested. But if you haven't heard these open backs, then you will love the shures. They are a great IEM that I find myself still reaching for and using instead of my Sennheiser HD800s at times.
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These are just our opinions but the SE846 soundstage is microscopic (bad...small...too in your face).  There are many MUCH better choices in sound and fit at $1000 (or even $500).
 
Jun 26, 2015 at 10:21 PM Post #44 of 67
spyro said:
These are just our opinions but the SE846 soundstage is microscopic (bad...small...too in your face).  There are many MUCH better choices in sound and fit at $1000 (or even $500).
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Which ones in particular? I am just wondering to get a better idea. And the shires are pretty great with their soundstage and imaging. But they make it like you are in a studio, not an orchestra hall. The SE846 bring vocals forward and you hear everything else going on around you in what feels like a pretty decent sized room. But they are no where close to the HD800.
 
Jun 26, 2015 at 10:40 PM Post #45 of 67
soundseeker21 said:
Which ones in particular? I am just wondering to get a better idea. And the shires are pretty great with their soundstage and imaging. But they make it like you are in a studio, not an orchestra hall. The SE846 bring vocals forward and you hear everything else going on around you in what feels like a pretty decent sized room. But they are no where close to the HD800.
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I am not sure I am totally understanding your post but all the Shures generally have a small soundstage due to a very forward midrange.  That's just the way it goes.
 
A midrange that is more even or even slightly recessed creates a more cavernous, vast soundstage...getting it more inline with a headphone type listening experience.  I, personally, find this much more pleasurable.
 
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