franklyshankly
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2011
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I did my due diligence searching threads but couldnt find anything comparing my specific phones of interest.
Looking to upgrade from X10s to something definitively better in every way. So far I've narrowed it down to the Westone 3, Monster Turbine Coppers, Westone 4. The X10s are the only IEM I've ever heard, so it's hard for me to compare or to even imagine what any other IEM sound like. I'm hoping someone has experience with the X10s and some of the phones I'm looking at, and can give me a quick, rough comparative description.
What the X10's were lacking in sound: bass was nice and strong but too boomy. Mids seemed VERY recessed (so confusing to me when people say it has forward mids), and smoothed over to the point of being muffled, especially with vocals. The highs also seemed recessed or just not really there at all. Too warm, too soft, not enough clarity at all. Bass was a good amount, nice punch on some songs, wouldnt want to sacrifice too much of that, but it's def not high quality bass for my ears and it is always there for all kinds of music (makes Nick Drake's voice sound boomy! How in the world?)
Here is what I'm looking for:
- Isolation: would really prefer great isolation, this is important. Rules out the IE8 completely, and any others with same fit issue.
- Comfort: never tried anything besides the X10, so all I know is that I dont want to have to shove the thing into my brain in order for it to sound good.
- Durability: I do take these on the road everyday, so I need durable phones. These are pretty microphonic, too, IMO, so if that could be reduced, great!!!
- Sound quality: I like strong deep but tight and defined bass. I need to be able to feel strong bass presence. This rules out the Ety stuff based on my understanding. Also rules out Shure 530 and 535? Too bad, because I think I would really really appreciate the mids on those things. May have to give them a try just to see.
- Mids: I LOVE mids, because for me this is where the music happens, the highs and lows kind of give support and nuance, but the mids need to be present. However, I do NOT like "warm", "dark", or overly smooth overall sound. I realize that some music is recorded to sound warm and dark and smooth and that's fine, I appreciate that, but I dont want phones that make everything sound like this. I think I prefer the energy that comes from clarity and precision, with forward clear mids, highs that go really high without losing detail, and all supported by strong bass.
- Not sure about soundstage, but since I like energetic, clear sound, I dont think a super airy expansive stage is that desirable. I want to feel like the music is close to me, if that makes sense. Separation seems important, which is part of clarity for me. I hate the X10s for rock or anything complicated because they tend to get crowded and muddy and indistinct.
Most importantly, though, I am wondering if the phones I'm looking at will offer a clear and substantial improvement over the X10s. I realize that at a certain point, within a given price range (for me, that range is up to $400) there are no clear upgrades, just different preferences. Is the X10 in this category? Is the X10 in the same league as the W3, W4, and Copper? Since I'm not terribly picky (although, getting pickier and pickier the further I get into this, LOL) I'm hoping that any of these will offer a substantial upgrade over the X10, that way I don't have to worry about the marginal differences.
Also, I listen to a HUGE variety of music, literally all kinds, every kind. I love music, so I need a phone that is versatile. If I'm listening to GZA I want slamming rumbling bass, and sharp highs (because that is how the music is supposed to sound!) but if I want to listen to Philip Glass, I want lots and lots of clarity, detail, and not much bass when there shouldnt be any. Is this too much to ask? The Westone 4 seems very versatile and I'm very interested in it, but people on here dont seem super enthused by it, no WOW factor. I'm having a hard time understanding how a $400 headphone could fail to produce any such moments! Especially when the phone is admittedly great, superb even ... does a phone have to be bassy and splashy to be WOW?
Anyways, I appreciate anyone willing to read this nonsense and give me some feedback!
Looking to upgrade from X10s to something definitively better in every way. So far I've narrowed it down to the Westone 3, Monster Turbine Coppers, Westone 4. The X10s are the only IEM I've ever heard, so it's hard for me to compare or to even imagine what any other IEM sound like. I'm hoping someone has experience with the X10s and some of the phones I'm looking at, and can give me a quick, rough comparative description.
What the X10's were lacking in sound: bass was nice and strong but too boomy. Mids seemed VERY recessed (so confusing to me when people say it has forward mids), and smoothed over to the point of being muffled, especially with vocals. The highs also seemed recessed or just not really there at all. Too warm, too soft, not enough clarity at all. Bass was a good amount, nice punch on some songs, wouldnt want to sacrifice too much of that, but it's def not high quality bass for my ears and it is always there for all kinds of music (makes Nick Drake's voice sound boomy! How in the world?)
Here is what I'm looking for:
- Isolation: would really prefer great isolation, this is important. Rules out the IE8 completely, and any others with same fit issue.
- Comfort: never tried anything besides the X10, so all I know is that I dont want to have to shove the thing into my brain in order for it to sound good.
- Durability: I do take these on the road everyday, so I need durable phones. These are pretty microphonic, too, IMO, so if that could be reduced, great!!!
- Sound quality: I like strong deep but tight and defined bass. I need to be able to feel strong bass presence. This rules out the Ety stuff based on my understanding. Also rules out Shure 530 and 535? Too bad, because I think I would really really appreciate the mids on those things. May have to give them a try just to see.
- Mids: I LOVE mids, because for me this is where the music happens, the highs and lows kind of give support and nuance, but the mids need to be present. However, I do NOT like "warm", "dark", or overly smooth overall sound. I realize that some music is recorded to sound warm and dark and smooth and that's fine, I appreciate that, but I dont want phones that make everything sound like this. I think I prefer the energy that comes from clarity and precision, with forward clear mids, highs that go really high without losing detail, and all supported by strong bass.
- Not sure about soundstage, but since I like energetic, clear sound, I dont think a super airy expansive stage is that desirable. I want to feel like the music is close to me, if that makes sense. Separation seems important, which is part of clarity for me. I hate the X10s for rock or anything complicated because they tend to get crowded and muddy and indistinct.
Most importantly, though, I am wondering if the phones I'm looking at will offer a clear and substantial improvement over the X10s. I realize that at a certain point, within a given price range (for me, that range is up to $400) there are no clear upgrades, just different preferences. Is the X10 in this category? Is the X10 in the same league as the W3, W4, and Copper? Since I'm not terribly picky (although, getting pickier and pickier the further I get into this, LOL) I'm hoping that any of these will offer a substantial upgrade over the X10, that way I don't have to worry about the marginal differences.
Also, I listen to a HUGE variety of music, literally all kinds, every kind. I love music, so I need a phone that is versatile. If I'm listening to GZA I want slamming rumbling bass, and sharp highs (because that is how the music is supposed to sound!) but if I want to listen to Philip Glass, I want lots and lots of clarity, detail, and not much bass when there shouldnt be any. Is this too much to ask? The Westone 4 seems very versatile and I'm very interested in it, but people on here dont seem super enthused by it, no WOW factor. I'm having a hard time understanding how a $400 headphone could fail to produce any such moments! Especially when the phone is admittedly great, superb even ... does a phone have to be bassy and splashy to be WOW?
Anyways, I appreciate anyone willing to read this nonsense and give me some feedback!
