[JoeyRusso]

Well, I think it's official.. I'm done searching for something "better" than my W3's.  They still amaze me every time they're in my ears.  It's as if Westone made these to my preferred sound signature.  I just tried the UE TF10's and while they are great, no doubt about it, they just didn't do it for me.  They're ready to go to a new set of ears.  Once they're sold, I think I'll pickup a pair of W2's for back-ups (beach pair) and be done.  I had toy'd with the idea of trying the UM3X's and even the UM2's, but I'm just not sure if I want a different presentation than the W3 - W2.  I've said it before, If I had tried these back when I first read about them, I would have saved myself some time and money in the process. Then again, I wouldn't have experienced the great products that have crossed my path.  Needless to say, I couldn't be happier...

 

[rawrster]

It's nice to find something that suits you

I think I've found that with the RE-Zero although I do enjoy trying different earphones and most of my purchases are just that. I don't usually get loaners so only way to try is to buy and then sell off.
 
It is a bit curious about the W2 as a backup however. They sound quite different from what I've read about them and according to a couple members they sound very similar to the DBA-02 that I used to own so quite different than the W3. It does give you a fun and a neutral earphone to go with one another if that's what you meant by backup ;p

 

[JoeyRusso]

Quote:

It's nice to find something that suits you

" class="bbcode_smiley" height="1" src="http://files.head-fi.org/images/smilies//smily_headphones1.gif" title="

" width="1" /> I think I've found that with the RE-Zero although I do enjoy trying different earphones and most of my purchases are just that. I don't usually get loaners so only way to try is to buy and then sell off.
 
It is a bit curious about the W2 as a backup however. They sound quite different from what I've read about them and according to a couple members they sound very similar to the DBA-02 that I used to own so quite different than the W3. It does give you a fun and a neutral earphone to go with one another if that's what you meant by backup ;p

 
I hear ya, there are other's I'd like to hear, but I don't have the disposable income to purchase them all just to hear them.  There are a few "ears" on here that hear things similar enough, with deeper pockets than my own, that I trust for impressions.  There really isn't anything out there right now that interests me enough to buy new and even the used prices are too high at this point.  I'll sit tight and wait for something to pop up used, and in the meantime enjoy my W3's.

As for the W2's, Yeah, it'll give me something a bit different, while still retaining most of what I love about the W3's.  That and with their lower cost, I won't be as scared to take them out and about.
 

 

[abai2k]

At last, audition on both IE8 and W3 for three months.
 
Decided to kept W3, IE8 Sold

 

[Audio-Omega]

Is Westone 3 on par with JH13 and UE11 in relation to sound and build qualities ?

 

[Photofan1986]

Hum... a 300$ universal compared to a 1200$ custom? If they were on par, I think not many would pay 4x more for high end customs.

 

[JoeyRusso]

Quote:

Hum... a 300$ universal compared to a 1200$ custom? If they were on par, I think not many would pay 4x more for high end customs.

Ok, here's a hypothetical question for ya: If a universal can give you 90 - 95% of what a custom can, is it worth spending another $900 for 10%??  I'll never be able to justify customs.  My performing days are over and I don't have that kind of disposable income.

 

[Audio-Omega]

I thought custom IEMs were expensive because of the cost of production.  Do they have better components ?

 

[rawrster]

Not every custom out there is that high in price

There's quite a few affordable customs out there.

 

[JoeyRusso]

Quote:

Not every custom out there is that high in price

" class="bbcode_smiley" height="1" src="http://files.head-fi.org/images/smilies//smily_headphones1.gif" title="

" width="1" /> There's quite a few affordable customs out there.

I was very tempted to try customs using my TF10's.. for under $300 total (Fisher) I could have had my very own customs, but in the end the TripleFi's just didn't do it for me..

 

[Del Griffith]

I so agree. My fear also is...I take the time to go get molds made..send them in...wait for them to come back... then I will hear very little difference. I have always felt I have a better than average ear, but not an audiophile level that some here have. My point is..I would more than likely like the sound somewhat better than say W3, but then the next Iem I want to try more would come out and I can't sell the customs if I so desire. After 9 years on head.fi..I still want to try every new thing that comes out.( childish I know)  Also...I have read multiple times here that once you get to the W3/Se535/um3x..etc stage..the upgrade difference is very minute... ie 10% as joey stated. All is imho as always.
 
 
Quote:

Ok, here's a hypothetical question for ya: If a universal can give you 90 - 95% of what a custom can, is it worth spending another $900 for 10%??  I'll never be able to justify customs.  My performing days are over and I don't have that kind of disposable income.

 

[Photofan1986]

Well, I never heard high end custom personally, so I cannot tell whether they are worth it or not, but I was assuming that as they cost so much more, they MUST be better

I think I would not pay that much for an iem, but that's a personal choice. I already have three high end universal monitors, and prefer to have more different flavours for the price of one high end custom.
 
But using a percentage to quantify the difference is very difficult, as personal flavour always plays a role. What someone considers a 30% upgrade might be a 25% downgrade for someone else. For instance, I have lot of friends who prefer their bass heavy EX-082 to my RE-252, so for them, buying the much more expensive Hifiman is not an upgrade at all.
 

 

[Uruha]

Is the W3 considered high end? If so I feel good.

 

[Photofan1986]

^ certainly!

 

[rawrster]

Quote:

Is the W3 considered high end? If so I feel good.

Why does owning a top tier universal make you feel good? Does it make you enjoy your music any less if it was not a top tier universal?