[Techno Kid]

Well the W4 has a more laid back treble but its still very detailed and you can do better than the W3 in the price range your looking at imo.  If you want something with bright treble checkout the T-Peos H-100, though I didn't like them most people love them and they have bright and very detailed treble along with really good bass.  The one thing I didn't like was the mids because they were just to recessed imo but like I said most really like the IEM.  Also the UE900 might be a good choice as the have brighter highs and the mids aren't as recessed as they were on the TF10, they're actually quite balanced from everything I've read about them.  Anyways I just think there's better options than the W3 which is like 6 years old now but I'm sure they're still a good sounding IEM.

 

[daniel521]

Quote:

Well the W4 has a more laid back treble but its still very detailed and you can do better than the W3 in the price range your looking at imo.  If you want something with bright treble checkout the T-Peos H-100, though I didn't like them most people love them and they have bright and very detailed treble along with really good bass.  The one thing I didn't like was the mids because they were just to recessed imo but like I said most really like the IEM.  Also the UE900 might be a good choice as the have brighter highs and the mids aren't as recessed as they were on the TF10, they're actually quite balanced from everything I've read about them.  Anyways I just think there's better options than the W3 which is like 6 years old now but I'm sure they're still a good sounding IEM.

I was really interested in the etymonic ER-4, but I read that they are really unforgiving of poor sources and that MP3 files will sound bad. I guess that's off my list. I crossed the UE900 off my list as well because they are said to have a warmer tonality which something I don't like. I want the mids to be neutral (not recessed, mid recession makes the music sound veiled IMO) so I guess the T-Peos H-100 is off my list as well. I'm not interested in Heir audio models because from what I've read, they need an amp. My only choices right now are the Westone 3, PFE232, and the GR10. I'm currently debating if whether or not it's worth getting the PFE232 since it's double what the W3 costs. I don't know much about the GR10 so I'm research about it a bit more.

 

[Zalithian]

Have not heard the PFE232, but it's definitely not 2x better than the W3. Once you get into the higher prices, the gains are not so big and it depends more on preference than anything. Headphones are just one piece of the puzzle. If you wanna spend more, maybe get a 200-300 IEM and then a DAC or better source, etc.
 

 

[daniel521]

Quote:

Have not heard the PFE232, but it's definitely not 2x better than the W3. Once you get into the higher prices, the gains are not so big and it depends more on preference than anything. Headphones are just one piece of the puzzle. If you wanna spend more, maybe get a 200-300 IEM and then a DAC or better source, etc.
 

Yeah, I'm not sure if it's worth paying extra for the PFE232, I might even prefer the W3.

 

[Spyro]

X2 Zalithian!  They are all pretty much the same, just different sound sigs.  Coke-Pepsi, Accord-Camry, etc...

 

[FullCircle]

Quote:

 Heir audio models because from what I've read, they need an amp

 
     The Heir Audio Tzar 350, I would advise an amp, due to the fact it has a nominal impedance of 350 Ohms
 
     The Tzar 90, would not require an amp
  
     The 4.Ai, would not require an amp
 
     The 3.Ai, would not require an amp
 

 

[daniel521]

Quote:

 
     The Heir Audio Tzar 350, I would advise an amp, due to the fact it has a nominal impedance of 350 Ohms
 
     The Tzar 90, would not require an amp
  
     The 4.Ai, would not require an amp
 
     The 3.Ai, would not require an amp
 

The 4.Ai doesn't require an amp? That's excellent! From what I've read, its sound signature fits me really well so I'm probably getting it. Would you consider it treble heavy? I'm looking for a lot of treble (like the TF10's amount)

 

[FullCircle]

 I can not recall any one saying that they found any of the Heir Audio products to be "trebble light."
 
 
There is a 3.Ai appreciation thread, a 4.Ai appreciation thread, and a Tzar thread, you may want to review those.
 
All three of those products may fit your needs, but I strongly advise you to consult those threads as they probably contain some key infomation for you.

 

[Techno Kid]

I know the 3.Ai wasn't lacking in treble response at all, they were actually a bit to bright for my taste and the mids were a little to recessed as well but clarity and detail was really good and transparency was top notch.  I think if the soundstage had more width I would have kept them.

 

[FullCircle]

Yes, the 3.A has a most prominent V shape out of the current IEM line up that Heir Audio offers

 

[Techno Kid]

Is the 4.Ai more mid-centric or are they more balanced across the frequencies?  Also how are the highs compared to the 3.Ai, I know they're not as bright so do they have a more laid back sound but still with nice sparkle and lastly is the soundstage larger than the 3.Ai?

 

[FullCircle]

Again, I would consult with the reviews, as that is a collection of data/opinions from around the world.

 

[Techno Kid]

Ah Ok then, I just wanted to hear it from the horses mouth and I did read a few reviews earlier, I think the SM3 is just as good in terms of sound quality though they could learn a thing or 2 from Heir's build quality.

 

[eargasmik]

shure se535 i haven't heard them but heard extreme praise for them everywhere. anyone pls clarify me if i m wrong

 

[JohnSantana]

Quote:

PFE232? Not bass light for sure, good impact. Mids are neutrally placed, against the stronger bass and treble (these have great sparkle and clarity). Transients do good for rock and metal. Very musical IEMs. From what you're describing from the sound, it seems the UE900 might be correlate based on what I read on them. Maybe worth looking into?
 
I love the W4 for metal, but probably not enough treble for you. 

Yes, I'm a metal head myself listening to guitar centric music, so treble and mid is s must for me.
I've been using Logitech UE700 (2 Balance armature) and I love the bright and sparkly sound signature, but then ever since i use Westone W4 (4 balance armature) I love this even more, the sound of the treble is not fatiguing which means I can listen to my metal music longer hours without hurting my ears.
 
The isolation on this IEM is top notch, along with the comforts especially when you combine it with the Comply foam.
please be advised that using high end IEM such as this one means that your music collections must be very good like MP3 320 kbps as minimum, I myself listen to FLAC and original audio CD ever since using my westone.