[Tiax]

I think I see why nobody is talking about these. They are certainly no $800 IEM, maybe a couple hundred. I don't remember being this disappointed with pricey audio gear besides for focals that couldn't handle real bass at anything over an average volume

That's Westone for you
I actually quite like my Mach70, but first, they need some EQ and different tips (Spinfit CP800 for me), and second, the sound is still nowhere near MSRP

 

[PixelSquish]

That's Westone for you
I actually quite like my Mach70, but first, they need some EQ and different tips (Spinfit CP800 for me), and second, the sound is still nowhere near MSRP

Oy.

Well B&H took them back and somehow the Sennheiser ie600 went down $100 over the last few days to $599. I'll be trying them out shortly and I know i like them a lot more than the Mach 60 after the last 10 min on the bus, for 200 bucks less. Which is about the total number I'd spend on the Mach 60.

Have a replacement cable coming for the IE600 which that $100 extra sale just paid for

 

[Zachik]

A quick update for everyone following my Etymotic & Westone Audio thread:
I am no longer officially associated with these 2 great companies. I still love their products and the great people there that have been working with me, but I had to step back in case a conflict of interests would arise in the future due to me working for xMEMS full-time now.
I encourage everyone to keep discussing present and future Etymotic and Westone Audio products here, and I will continue to contribute to the community by answering questions as much as I can.

 

[Tiax]

Pretty good overview of MACH series from @vsg28
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/westone-audio-mach-series-in-ear-monitors-overview/
I especially appreciate that it's not just praising of every model, like some other "reviewers" doing to keep freebies coming

 

[donunus]

Etymotic HF3 headset - impressions:

What’s on the plate for today? Etymotic HF3 headset, priced at $79.95.
Can this be the ideal WFH (Work From Home) and Back-to-the-office accessory? Read on to find out...



Package and accessories:
The HF3 headset come along with:

• Fixed 4ft (1.2m) cable with inline remote and microphone, terminated in 3.5mm plug
• Eartips: 2 silicone pairs (1 pre-installed) and 1 pair of foam tips
• Filter removal tool and 2 spare filters
• Zippered case
• Shirt clip
• Paper manual

The cable looks and feels like the MK5 cable, other than the addition of inline remote and mic.
It is quite microphonic, but attaching it to your shirt with the included clip can help. Pulling up the chin slider helps, too.

Sources used:
In testing out the HF3, I used my Windows 10 Dell XPS laptop and my Samsung S10e phone as sources. In both cases, no additional DAC / Amp used, but rather connecting the HF3 directly to the 2 source devices.

Build Quality, Fit and Comfort:
The HF3 looks and feel just like the MK5, which is a step down from the ER4/ER3/ER2 IEMs.
Just like the MK5, the cable is fixed and the IEM shells are made of plastic.
The fit in the ears is the same for them all (ER2, ER3, ER4, MK5 and HF3). So, if you have no issues with the deep insertion – you’re good to go.

Sound impressions:
The way I see it – the HF3 being a headset (as opposed to earbuds) due to inline mic, should be tested mostly as a headset. In order to address its performance for music, I will just say that to my ears – resolution / detail retrieval is on par with the MK5 (and a step down from the ER3SE / ER3XR).
OK, now that we got the music performance aspect out of the way – how does it perform as a headset? This is a very timely question. Whether you work from home (WFH) or getting back to work from the office – you need a solution for Zoom (or “traditional”) calls… The HF3 work really well for that use case! The HF3 headset has impedance of 16 ohm and sensitivity of 105 dB (1 kHz) at 100mV. What does that mean? HF3 is super easy to drive! No need for any amp. Just plug directly to your phone (if it still has headphone jack) or laptop, and you are good to go.

The HF3 shines at the vocal / speech region of the audio range. I tested by listening to podcasts (both on my computer and phone), and participating in phone calls and Zoom calls. I was told (when comparing back and forth) that the HF3 microphone was comparable to the Samsung S10e built-in microphone. For me, the speech from the podcasts and phone / Zoom calls was significantly easier to understand. Very crisp and clear vocals. Add to that the amazing passive isolation – and you got yourself a winner here! The screaming kids outside – gone! The TV running in the other room – silenced. Those who never used Etymotic IEMs before are in for a treat when it comes to passive noise isolation

Couple small potential caveats:

• When I spoke, I could not hear myself. That is a very strange feeling! Possibly, I can get used to speaking without hearing myself. My solution was to just pull one IEM out when speaking, and insert it back once done talking…
• As mentioned before, the HF3 is very easy to drive due to its sensitivity. The downside of that: if your source is a little noisy – you WILL hear the noise floor. That was my case with the Dell laptop. Mind you it is not a big deal, and only noticeable during times that nobody was speaking on my calls. Once someone speaks – you will not notice the noise floor any longer.

Conclusions:

• For music: a step down from ER3SE & ER3XR. If you do not need the inline mic – I would strongly recommend the ER3SE or ER3XR instead, for roughly the same price!
• Podcasts & audiobooks: on par with the MK5, and great for that usage.
• Zoom calls: great fit. The speech is super clear, inline mic is good, and totally block the noise from colleagues in the office or your kids / TV / house noises if you WFH.

In summary, this is the perfect WFH and return-to-the-office accessory!

How are these different to the er2se sonically?

 

[rwelles]

I wanted a 4.4 cable for my Mach 80s. Since Westone doesn't offer one (that I could find), I went to the Linum site. They stopped selling retail earlier this year. They're now sold (at least in the US) by Warner Tech-Care. Here's their cable section.

 

[AnyDave]

I wanted a 4.4 cable for my Mach 80s. Since Westone doesn't offer one (that I could find), I went to the Linum site. They stopped selling retail earlier this year. They're now sold (at least in the US) by Warner Tech-Care. Here's their cable section.

I believe we have the 4.4.mm balanced SuperBaX in stock, they just may not be on the website. I'll look into this.

 

[MarkParity]

I believe we have the 4.4.mm balanced SuperBaX in stock, they just may not be on the website. I'll look into this.

Did you find them? I have visions of a dusty box full of cables at the back of a store room for some reason.

 

[AnyDave]

Did you find them? I have visions of a dusty box full of cables at the back of a store room for some reason.

I checked and we do have them. They should be dust free.

I'm working on getting them onto the website. If anybody is in a hurry, I can just put you in direct contact with a sales person.

 

[ostewart]

Recent acquisition - in for a full review to be written soon.

They sound cleaner than the old W80 V2 to me, but still retain that Westone sweetness and excellent fit that I've always loved.

 

[ostewart]

https://www.hifipig.com/westone-mach-80-in-ear-headphones-review/

I love the MACH 80

 

[Zachik]

https://www.hifipig.com/westone-mach-80-in-ear-headphones-review/

I love the MACH 80

LOVE the bottom line...
Elevator Pitch Review: The Westone MACH 80 are a superb reference monitor, perfect for listening to your music as it was intended to be heard. They might not appeal to those wanting a more exciting sound, but they have a smooth, balanced and revealing sound all wrapped up in an ergonomic shell. What’s not to love?

Personally, I prefer the MACH 70 for its extra delicious bass, but MACH 80 is absolutely superb for people that prefer more neutral / reference tuning!

 

[ostewart]

LOVE the bottom line...
Elevator Pitch Review: The Westone MACH 80 are a superb reference monitor, perfect for listening to your music as it was intended to be heard. They might not appeal to those wanting a more exciting sound, but they have a smooth, balanced and revealing sound all wrapped up in an ergonomic shell. What’s not to love?

Personally, I prefer the MACH 70 for its extra delicious bass, but MACH 80 is absolutely superb for people that prefer more neutral / reference tuning!

Thank you

 

[zerogorgor]

I own MACH 10, and have recently bought a pair of MACH 60. I realized that while the left piece indicates the model, the right one doesn't. Is there a way to tell them apart?

Edit: Is there a way to tell them apart visually

 

[User9876]

I own MACH 10, and have recently bought a pair of MACH 60. I realized that while the left piece indicates the model, the right one doesn't. Is there a way to tell them apart?

I'm not sure if there is but you should be able to hear a difference between the two models, if not we may as well all purchase the MACH 10.