I finally received my IE8 three days ago, but it just so happened that 2 hours later I had a conversation (unrelated to the purchase) that pretty much led to a breakup in my relationship, so I haven't really been in the mood to post. Still not too inspired, but here it goes:
When I first put on the IE8 I was fearing disappointment after what I got from the W3. First thing I noticed was the cable, much thicker than the W3 cable, not as malleable, although it looked very resistant it did not impress me. Then, getting them into my ears, it took a few tries to find the ideal tips to wear. The IE8 do not go in too deep, in fact I would say they are more a canalphone than an IEM (are those distinctions still made on head-fi?), but the large bi-flange tip did it for me, the outside noise isolation is much greater with the W3 though, as they go deeper into the ear. But when it came time to press play...
Remembering my first try of the W3, I was impressed by deeeeeeep clear bass and lots of detail, but instantly put off as soon as bass guitars started playing and eating up the mix. With the IE8 I did not get that WOW factor in any area initially, but it did not put me off either, what I heard was balance. Everything was there, on equal terms, bass drums where not competing with bass guitars, vocals had air to breathe (and sounded very good). There was no big shiny bit that took my attention from other parts of the sound. To be honest, the sound was not impressive on first listen, but there was nothing there to piss me off.
Listening a bit more and concentrating on different parts there WAS a WOW factor. Reverb decay. You could hear the decay waaaaaaaaaaay to the end. It sounded like a little man in these earphones took a time machine back into the studio and started fiddling with the settings on the reverb processor.
I find the biggest difference between the W3 and the IE8, for me, is the complete lack of air in the W3 and the vast spaciousness of the IE8.
They have now burned in for about 50 hours or so and I cant say if I have noticed a difference because I had my mind elsewhere these days and I have just been enjoying the music on my journeys to and from work, and unlike with the w3, there was nothing about the IE8 that pisses me off when I listen to them, I hear the music, but I don't find myself criticising the earphone. To me that is ideal. I lost money returning the W3, but I believe the result to be worth it.
I would like a bit deeper bass (not more, just deeper) on the IE8, as well as greater isolation. But, then again have not played with the bass tuner mechanism yet and I stuck to my first satisfactory tip fit. I can play around with those and maybe improve on these factors.
Oh, another comment on the cable: yes, it is thicker and less comfortable than the W3 cable, but there are no microphonics to be found and it is replaceable, so maybe people may start making custom mods.
As for comfort, seeing the pictures of the strange diamond boxy shape of the IE8, I thought they would not be very comfortable, but I was wrong. Despite not going into your ears as deep, they are ergonomically shaped and stay in their place nicely, no complaints on comfort, although I do prefer the W3 in that respect by a small margin.
Well, surely I am forgetting something, but I will leave it at that for now. From the moment I put the IE8 on I knew I preferred them to the W3 due to their balance and air. They may not have the initially impressive aspects of the W3, but their balance trumps the incredible percussion rendition created by the W3. If I listened exclusively to recordings of drum solos or African percussion groups, even electronic music (without female vocals) I would definitely go with the W3, but since that is not the case, the IE8 are the clear winner for me, no contest.
I cast my vote. IE8 for balance, detailed sound, air and instrument separation.
