I have been listening to the ZN's for a few days now and it most definitely doesn't compare with the dunu dn2kj or akg k3003i. I suspect the claim that the ZN can compete with top tier iems is nothing more than a marketing gimmick. The ZN lacks the detail, clarity, instrument separation, and...

For a while I managed to successfully avoid buying iems by staying clear of head-fi, but I was unable to resist the urge to read up on some threads and I stumbled upon this one. I was skeptical until I started to read about how they were in the same league as the K3003's by members whose...

^ One of the creepiest laughs I've ever heard

Indeed. Its reputation was tarnished with the large mid-bass hump, recessed mids, and sibilance. In fact, I purchased them shortly after they were released, so I personally know all about the negative aspects. I even recall a large number of them popping up in the for sale forums during the...

I have them and it was a waste of money for me. Didn't help with the sound at all. I tried them with a few iems and I liked the sound from the foam and silicon tips better. Did you ever try ortofon silcon tips?

No direct side by side comparisons so far. Differences are based on memory. If they were so concerned about the stigma of the W3, why isn't their PR machine working in overdrive? It's as if they think the W30 will just sell itself. Did they outsource or shut down their marketing department?  ...

Interesting. Did you do a side by side comparison with the W3 and W30? Is there any information from Westone that the W30 is tuned differently and/or is utilizing different drivers?

I would suggest the W40 since you have already tried the W3 and were disappointed.

From what I have read, there is not much difference between the latest models to the previous versions. That being said, if you are looking for a more v shaped sound, go for the W30. If you really liked the W4, I would say go for the W40 as there is a possibility you might be disappointed with...

I have the W4R and once had the W3. The W3 signature (relative to the W4) has much more midbass, recessed mids, and sharper highs which some people find sibilant (I never had that issue). The W4R is more balanced and the W3 is more V shaped.

Ortofon tips and the Vsonic hybrid tips.

  I have both and think the H3 is better but how the midrange is presented with the H1 is making me hold on to them. I also use ortofon tips on both and those tips make the H1 and H3 sound more open to my ears. More of a difference with the H1 than the H3 compared to the hybrid tips.

The seller is RHA who makes them so it is legit. From what I have read there is no sound difference between the i and regular version.

Since you're in Canada and want to buy new, the Sony store has the Sony XBA-H1 for $180 or order the Vsonic GR07's from headphonebar (Canadian store). Those would be my 2 recommendations.   edit:I just checked the headphonebar website and they don't carry the GR07's anymore.   edit#2: Go...

Concerning the bass on the H3, it definitely is tuned for more sub-bass rather than mid-bass. I was comparing the H3 to the ASG-2 and the latter had far more abundant mid-bass albeit with less low end extension but more impact. I would describe the bass of the H3 to have more of a 'liquid'...

I found my favorite tips for the H1, which are the large ortofon tips. They are the most comfortable tips I've tried for the H1 thus far and allow for shallow insertion with a vacuum like seal.  This combination has greatly helped the issue I had with the highs. They still sound soft but are...

  Insert them with the strain relief pointing up and wrap the cables over your ears. This will reduce microphonics.

I have the H1 and the H3. I will comment on the H1 since I had them first and listened to them the most out of the 2 so far. I am a big fan of how the the midrange is presented on the H1. It is forward, dynamic, and makes listening to music a pleasant experience. The bass is tuned towards more...

The Sony XBA-H3 is right up there with the IE80 for soundstage. The H3 has more sub-bass and less mid-bass but still bassy nonetheless.

Was there any frequency response testing done with wider bore tips for the SE846? I know that similar testing was done with the Westone 4 and it had much better extension. I believe it went all the way to 20kHz with phonak tips.

  I used the shure/westone medium grey tips as well and the medium phonak tips works for me.

http://www.earphonesolutions.com/audeo-silicone-tips.html

I used to own the W4R and got them again when earphonesolutions had them on sale for $299. I almost immediately regretted purchasing them again when I received them. It was another impulse buy. This time around I decided to to try out Phonak tips and it made a significant difference. The upper...

  I completely agree. I've been comparing them to iems in my collection that cost alot more and the law of diminishing returns has never been so apparent to me. It has a sound signature that I really like and I hope many other headfiers will get an opportunity to try them out. Such outstanding...

  It's an iem that just recently got released. It uses a single dynamic driver and RHA is the manufacturer. If you ever get a chance to try them, take the opportunity.