discombobulation
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2007
- Posts
- 139
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- 11
Quote:
Ok, just time for a quick A/B with the W4 (Björk - Crystalline, Elfterklang - Modern Drift, Hilary Hahn - Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings & Contino in D minor, Radiohead - Morning Mr Magpie) and the W4 aren't bad at all, but (who'd have guessed it?) the K3003 best them in many aspects: better bass texture and slightly more impact, better mids clarity and smoothness, better treble refinement and sparkle, but most of all better dynamics, depth, layering and transparity. The W4 sound significantly more like 2D, the K3003 almost holographic in comparison. There's virtually no aspect I can think of, in which the W4 have an upper hand, but don't get me wrong, I actually like these phones a lot. It's just that the AKGs are simply even better, and considering the price difference that shouldn't come as a surprise.
As for forgivingness, perhaps you could name me a few test tracks, I haven't had any glaring issues with my older recordings on either phone so far, but I think it would be best if you told me what to look for. Well and durability, I believe no one can answer this atm, since they've only just hit the market. Of course I would have preferred detachable cables and all, but at least they come with a 2 years warranty.
Oh, and btw as a student you shouldn't even be allowed in here, jm2c.Anyway, falling back to your PortaPros (if the AKGs break) might actually be a good thing and finally show you the way to ultimate audio nirvana, but only if you have a drill nearby.
Thank you so much for the added impressions. And simultaneously, damn you!! These are sounding more and more like the IEMs. I completely agree, as a student, it should be illegal for me to be on head-fi. I started off with Sony buds, got frustrated with their warbling, upgraded to CK7s, CK9s, and then a big jump to W3s, and now W4s. I'm studying medicine, so I can confirm that upgradeitis is a very real and very serious affliction
And I have done the Kramer mod (with a screwdriver and a lot of sweat because I don't have a drill haha), as well as putting on the inverted yellow foams (Grado foams IIRC). They are enjoyable, but certainly nothing compared with the W4. I used them when my W3 broke, mainly missed the isolation, and obviously the step down in sound quality on every front hahaha - don't get me wrong, still a very enjoyable phone at home. I do pop them on once in a while when I don't want to block out the world and am not listening critically.
Regarding test tracks, this one is one of the busiest tracks due to the mixing being a bit squishy. The highs can tend to be sibilant (though this isn't that bad on youtube), and the bass needs to be drawn out of the mix by the IEMs. The drums are fast and furious, but still need to be textured properly with the right note weight.
This track sounds terrible on most earphones. Highly susceptible to sibilance, bass only has impact if there is strong subbass presence, the mids are scooped heavily requiring some magical sort of earphone combination to make it sound even slightly warm (the W4 succeed in making this listenable IMO)
This track is a specific sub-bass test, again YouTube isn't ideal, but you get the ideal. Lots of texturing in the lower frequencies.
Autechre track, this requires frequencies around (and most likely even below 20Hz) to be recreated to properly create the mood. In fact the first time I even heard the sub-bass layers was with the W4 (due to the instrument separation, rather than subbass impact IMO)
And finally, a pure test of speed and spatial presentation by the true auteur, Ryoji Ikeda:
Apologies for wacky music taste in advance