TOUR CLOSED - Advanced Acousticwerkes US CIEM Demo Lineup Tour - W900, W500, plus two surprises >>> Starting March 2017
- Thread starter Barra
- Start date
Hey @seamon, tracking shows package was delivered yesterday. Please check in/update. Thanks.
Received the kit!
eldss
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Forgot to update, but tour kit is on its way to @korotnam and should delivery today I believe.
korotnam
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USPS didn't leave it with the front desk, so I'll be picking it up tomorrow.
korotnam
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Received!
Will verify condition when I get an opportunity to listen later tonight.
Will verify condition when I get an opportunity to listen later tonight.
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EagleWings
Headphoneus Supremus
Here is my impression on the W900..
AAW W900:
W900 is a pleasant sounding IEM with a balanced tuning and a warm tone. It only takes moment to recognize its spacious presentations. For the above reasons, it may not possess an engaging character. But that is not to say it lacks emotion or the mid-range is recessed. In fact, the mid-range is not only warm and inviting, it also creates full-bodied instruments that help to maintain the stage-instrument balance.
When a DD is employed for bass in a multi-driver IEM, it is typical to expect that the IEM might have an over-powering bass. But the W900 has anything but an over powering bass. The bass is tuned slightly north of neutral that helps add warmth and body to the notes. And the IEM benefits from the DD's characteristics such as good sub-bass extension and natural decay. The bass on the W900 is an example of good balance between fluidity and technicality. If you are an EQ user, you could tap the potential of the DD and make it slam harder by adding a few dBs to the low frequency.
Borrowing warmth from the lows, the mid-range is again slightly warm and has a very good tone. People preferring a drier or a leaner mid-range may find the mid-range on the W900 verging on the thicker side, but it isn't a thick mid-range from the absolute sense. The instruments and vocals have equal weightage and carry sufficient size and density. Additionally, they sound very transparent and resolved. The upper-mid is smooth but enough add clarity to the mid-range notes.
Treble is where the IEM falls short. In comparison to the bass and mid-range, the treble presence is slightly laidback in the presentation. But the problem with the treble is that it lacks balance within the treble frequencies. With a smoother lower treble and a slightly prominent upper treble, the overall tone of the treble is bright and sounds a bit smeared. While the extended treble adds definition and helps with the resolution, it colors the treble tone, preventing it from sounding natural. It's also not an airy or a sparkly treble.
The stage is where this IEM truly shines. It is one of the widest stages in a multi-driver IEM with decent depth and height. The width paves way for excellent spatial separation of instruments leaving little to no risk for congestion. It is one of the very few IEMs that is capable of separating instruments on the center stage too. The imaging is also quite precise in the vast stage. Because of IEM's vast stage, the speed and coherency are not top notch.
W900 vs Zeus-XIV-ADEL:
Zeus and W900 are very different IEMs in almost every aspect. W900's presentation is a bit relaxed and pleasant where as Zeus' presentation is forward and engaging. W900 has a balanced tuning with a warm tone. While Zeus' tuning was not exactly intended to be reference, its neutral bass and bright treble, gives an impression of a reference tuning with a neutral-bright overall tone. In the bass section Zeus has better technicalities, but it loses to the W900 in terms of power, decay naturalness and sub-bas extension.
Both are good in the mid-range but have different characteristics. Zeus has a forward mid-range but creates leaner notes. W900 on the other hand has a neutral placement with respect to its overall presentation but creates full-bodied notes. Zeus prioritizes vocals with a larger vocal image, where as W900 doesn't prioritize between vocal and instruments. Zues' midrange is slightly clearer and has better transparency. Zeus' treble is brighter and has a slightly prominent lower treble with above average extension. W900's treble is relaxed in the lower treble and displays better extension. Although Zeus' treble is brighter, it has a truer tone. Zeus' treble is also more resolved and detailed than W900's treble. And for these reasons, Zeus' is unforgiving while the W900 is forgiving.
W900's stage is more spacious because of its phenomenal width. Zeus' stage is more 3 dimensional with better height and depth. Zeus takes advantage of its depth and does layering slightly better than the W900. But it loses to the W900 when trying to separate the center stage instruments. In comparison to the W900, Zeus' center stage appears a bit crowded. Imaging precision also similar on both the IEMs but the Zeus' images in a 3D space, where as W900 images on a wide screen.
W900 vs W500:
W900 is simply better than the W500 in every technical aspect such as resolution, transparency, staging, imaging and separation. W900 has a more neutral tuning compared to W500's colored tuning. W900's bass is only slightly more than neutral. W500's bass is more elevated resulting in a bit of a over powering bass that goes deeper. It loses to the W900 in technicalities. In the mid-range, W900 is slightly warm. W500's midrange is colored on both ends. It is warm and think in the lower mids and at the same time, bright in the upper mids. But the overall transparency is still better on the W900. In the treble W500 is brighter with more focus on the lower treble. W900 is slightly more detailed but at the same time remaining smoother than the W500. W900's stage is more spacious and it separates instruments effortlessly.
AAW W900:
W900 is a pleasant sounding IEM with a balanced tuning and a warm tone. It only takes moment to recognize its spacious presentations. For the above reasons, it may not possess an engaging character. But that is not to say it lacks emotion or the mid-range is recessed. In fact, the mid-range is not only warm and inviting, it also creates full-bodied instruments that help to maintain the stage-instrument balance.
When a DD is employed for bass in a multi-driver IEM, it is typical to expect that the IEM might have an over-powering bass. But the W900 has anything but an over powering bass. The bass is tuned slightly north of neutral that helps add warmth and body to the notes. And the IEM benefits from the DD's characteristics such as good sub-bass extension and natural decay. The bass on the W900 is an example of good balance between fluidity and technicality. If you are an EQ user, you could tap the potential of the DD and make it slam harder by adding a few dBs to the low frequency.
Borrowing warmth from the lows, the mid-range is again slightly warm and has a very good tone. People preferring a drier or a leaner mid-range may find the mid-range on the W900 verging on the thicker side, but it isn't a thick mid-range from the absolute sense. The instruments and vocals have equal weightage and carry sufficient size and density. Additionally, they sound very transparent and resolved. The upper-mid is smooth but enough add clarity to the mid-range notes.
Treble is where the IEM falls short. In comparison to the bass and mid-range, the treble presence is slightly laidback in the presentation. But the problem with the treble is that it lacks balance within the treble frequencies. With a smoother lower treble and a slightly prominent upper treble, the overall tone of the treble is bright and sounds a bit smeared. While the extended treble adds definition and helps with the resolution, it colors the treble tone, preventing it from sounding natural. It's also not an airy or a sparkly treble.
The stage is where this IEM truly shines. It is one of the widest stages in a multi-driver IEM with decent depth and height. The width paves way for excellent spatial separation of instruments leaving little to no risk for congestion. It is one of the very few IEMs that is capable of separating instruments on the center stage too. The imaging is also quite precise in the vast stage. Because of IEM's vast stage, the speed and coherency are not top notch.
W900 vs Zeus-XIV-ADEL:
Zeus and W900 are very different IEMs in almost every aspect. W900's presentation is a bit relaxed and pleasant where as Zeus' presentation is forward and engaging. W900 has a balanced tuning with a warm tone. While Zeus' tuning was not exactly intended to be reference, its neutral bass and bright treble, gives an impression of a reference tuning with a neutral-bright overall tone. In the bass section Zeus has better technicalities, but it loses to the W900 in terms of power, decay naturalness and sub-bas extension.
Both are good in the mid-range but have different characteristics. Zeus has a forward mid-range but creates leaner notes. W900 on the other hand has a neutral placement with respect to its overall presentation but creates full-bodied notes. Zeus prioritizes vocals with a larger vocal image, where as W900 doesn't prioritize between vocal and instruments. Zues' midrange is slightly clearer and has better transparency. Zeus' treble is brighter and has a slightly prominent lower treble with above average extension. W900's treble is relaxed in the lower treble and displays better extension. Although Zeus' treble is brighter, it has a truer tone. Zeus' treble is also more resolved and detailed than W900's treble. And for these reasons, Zeus' is unforgiving while the W900 is forgiving.
W900's stage is more spacious because of its phenomenal width. Zeus' stage is more 3 dimensional with better height and depth. Zeus takes advantage of its depth and does layering slightly better than the W900. But it loses to the W900 when trying to separate the center stage instruments. In comparison to the W900, Zeus' center stage appears a bit crowded. Imaging precision also similar on both the IEMs but the Zeus' images in a 3D space, where as W900 images on a wide screen.
W900 vs W500:
W900 is simply better than the W500 in every technical aspect such as resolution, transparency, staging, imaging and separation. W900 has a more neutral tuning compared to W500's colored tuning. W900's bass is only slightly more than neutral. W500's bass is more elevated resulting in a bit of a over powering bass that goes deeper. It loses to the W900 in technicalities. In the mid-range, W900 is slightly warm. W500's midrange is colored on both ends. It is warm and think in the lower mids and at the same time, bright in the upper mids. But the overall transparency is still better on the W900. In the treble W500 is brighter with more focus on the lower treble. W900 is slightly more detailed but at the same time remaining smoother than the W500. W900's stage is more spacious and it separates instruments effortlessly.
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Nice well thought out comments.Here is my impression on the W900..
AAW W900:
W900 is a pleasant sounding IEM with a balanced tuning and a warm tone. It only takes moment to recognize its spacious presentations. For the above reasons, it may not possess an engaging character. But that is not to say it lacks emotion or the mid-range is recessed. In fact, the mid-range is not only warm and inviting, it also creates full-bodied instruments that help to maintain the stage-instrument balance.
When a DD is employed for bass in a multi-driver IEM, it is typical to expect that the IEM might have an over-powering bass. But the W900 has anything but an over powering bass. The bass is tuned slightly north of neutral that helps add warmth and body to the notes. And the IEM benefits from the DD's characteristics such as good sub-bass extension and natural decay. The bass on the W900 is an example of good balance between fluidity and technicality. If you are an EQ user, you could tap the potential of the DD and make it slam harder by adding a few dBs to the low frequency.
Borrowing warmth from the lows, the mid-range is again slightly warm and has a very good tone. People preferring a drier or a leaner mid-range may find the mid-range on the W900 verging on the thicker side, but it isn't a thick mid-range from the absolute sense. The instruments and vocals have equal weightage and carry sufficient size and density. Additionally, they sound very transparent and resolved. The upper-mid is smooth but enough add clarity to the mid-range notes.
Treble is where the IEM falls short. In comparison to the bass and mid-range, the treble presence is slightly laidback in the presentation. But the problem with the treble is that it lacks balance within the treble frequencies. With a smoother lower treble and a slightly prominent upper treble, the overall tone of the treble is bright and sounds a bit smeared. While the extended treble adds definition and helps with the resolution, it colors the treble tone, preventing it from sounding natural. It's also not an airy or a sparkly treble.
The stage is where this IEM truly shines. It is one of the widest stages in a multi-driver IEM with decent depth and height. The width paves way for excellent spatial separation of instruments leaving little to no risk for congestion. It is one of the very few IEMs that is capable of separating instruments on the center stage too. The imaging is also quite precise in the vast stage. Because of IEM's vast stage, the speed and coherency are not top notch.
W900 vs Zeus-XIV-ADEL:
Zeus and W900 are very different IEMs in almost every aspect. W900's presentation is a bit relaxed and pleasant where as Zeus' presentation is forward and engaging. W900 has a balanced tuning with a warm tone. While Zeus' tuning was not exactly intended to be reference, its neutral bass and bright treble, gives an impression of a reference tuning with a neutral-bright overall tone. In the bass section Zeus has better technicalities, but it loses to the W900 in terms of power, decay naturalness and sub-bas extension.
Both are good in the mid-range but have different characteristics. Zeus has a forward mid-range but creates leaner notes. W900 on the other hand has a neutral placement with respect to its overall presentation but creates full-bodied notes. Zeus prioritizes vocals with a larger vocal image, where as W900 doesn't prioritize between vocal and instruments. Zues' midrange is slightly clearer and has better transparency. Zeus' treble is brighter and has a slightly prominent lower treble with above average extension. W900's treble is relaxed in the lower treble and displays better extension. Although Zeus' treble is brighter, it has a truer tone. Zeus' treble is also more resolved and detailed than W900's treble. And for these reasons, Zeus' is unforgiving while the W900 is forgiving.
W900's stage is more spacious because of its phenomenal width. Zeus' stage is more 3 dimensional with better height and depth. Zeus takes advantage of its depth and does layering slightly better than the W900. But it loses to the W900 when trying to separate the center stage instruments. In comparison to the W900, Zeus' center stage appears a bit crowded. Imaging precision also similar on both the IEMs but the Zeus' images in a 3D space, where as W900 images on a wide screen.
W900 vs W500:
W900 is simply better than the W500 in every technical aspect such as resolution, transparency, staging, imaging and separation. W900 has a more neutral tuning compared to W500's colored tuning. W900's bass is only slightly more than neutral. W500's bass is more elevated resulting in a bit of a over powering bass that goes deeper. It loses to the W900 in technicalities. In the mid-range, W900 is slightly warm. W500's midrange is colored on both ends. It is warm and think in the lower mids and at the same time, bright in the upper mids. But the overall transparency is still better on the W900. In the treble W500 is brighter with more focus on the lower treble. W900 is slightly more detailed but at the same time remaining smoother than the W500. W900's stage is more spacious and it separates instruments effortlessly.
korotnam
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On their way to @wormsdriver. Thank you @Barra and AAW for the opportunity. I'll write up my impressions this weekend!
wormsdriver
Headphoneus Supremus
I received the tour kit today, every thing seems in order. Solid build on these, very nice presentation.
I'll pm the next participant in the tour shortly for their shipping info!
I'll pm the next participant in the tour shortly for their shipping info!
@Barra I have these and am ready to ship them out to the next person, but cannot see what these should be insured to. What dollar amount shall I insure the shipment for?
You can avoid insuring them which is expensive by requiring a signature. This is what we have been doing in the other tours. Also, as a reminder to everyone, please don't ship kits to a PO box, home or work addresses only.
I just picked the next person in the North East for this on the list to minimize shipping times, which was @fuhransahis. This should be in his hands tomorrow.
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