[Techno Kid]

Quote:

Westone 3 and 4. Hands down.

 
 
Well I compared the $400 W4 with my $120 R-50 and while the W4 was ever so slightly better the R-50 at almost a 3/4 the price was right there beat for beat so I can see that.
 
I'd say most all multi driver BA's are overpriced but not all of them are overrated.  Now they seem to being getting cheaper these days like the Sony XBA-4 its only $278 on Amazon so thats a very reasonable price for a quad driver imo.

 

[Anaxilus]

Impressions will differ based on source material, recordings and transparency of upstream gear as well.  If you listen to Oasis, you don't need more than $75 total for a $25 Clip+ and some inoffensive $50 IEMs.

 

[helljudgement]

Se535 and IE8 period. The 535 is just a reshelled 530 nothing new. The difference in sound is not big enough to call it a replacement. Apart from its sound stage size, the ie8 simply doesn't live up to its hype.

 

[Spyro]

I think SE530 is superior to SE535.
 
SE530 has larger looser bass where SE535 is reigned in all pretty neutral and almost boring. Slightly more treble but I find the treble a bit metalic compared to the Westone IEM's.

 

[Pingupenguins]

Quote:

Westone 3 and 4. Hands down.

 
I agree w/ the W3. It's a POS. But the W4 is good. I prefer the W4 to any IEM I've ever heard. Still unsure about the $400 price tag, a little shopping you can get it down to $300-$200.

 

[kingice10]

X2 on the W3. It's hands-down the worst V-Shaped sounding iem compared to TF10 and FX700. I appreciate W2 and I'm a fan of W4, but not W3.

 

[lee730]

Wow. I never heard the W3 but I was under the impression that it was superior to the TF10 in every way... FX700 is definitely the king of the crown for V-shaped .
 

 

[takoyaki7]

I am surprised at the hate towards the w3 as well. It might just be the most UNDERrated iem to me, and much prefered it to the w4!

 

[planx]

I personally disliked the UM3X... My music was just dull and even if it was quite detailed, I would just rather listen to my ER4S if I wanted detail.. Don't get me wrong, they are good IEMs, but I didn't understand the hype these had...

 

[Pingupenguins]

Quote:

I am surprised at the hate towards the w3 as well. It might just be the most UNDERrated iem to me, and much prefered it to the w4!

The W3's finicky seal put me off. I wasn't sure I ever got it to seal correctly because it sounded nothing like the W4.

 

[takoyaki7]

This thread just shows how different many peoples tastes can be!
 
I found the W3 to be an excellent fit (though Um3x was even better, best fitting iem I have owned). 
 
Also I hated the UM3x at first, regretted buying it, but ended up loving it! Whereas I loved the W3 from day one.
 
 
The W4 however, biggest disappointment I have had yet in the IEM world! Sold my UM3x to fund it, then found the W4 to be "meh" from day 1. Never loved or hated it, just felt it was a bit too laid back...
 
 
In terms of disappointment due to fit, the TF10 has given me more frustration than any over the years. Owned it 3 times, love the sound, but could never get them to stay in my ears!

 

[Katun]

Quote:

X2 on the W3. It's hands-down the worst V-Shaped sounding iem compared to TF10 and FX700. I appreciate W2 and I'm a fan of W4, but not W3.

 
I've tried the W2 twice, W3 once, and W4 twice. W2 is the best of all three by a longshot. W4 comes in 2nd place clear down the hill, and the W3 doesn't even deserve a spot for 3rd...

 

[ianmedium]

Anything from JH Audio. I have tried a couple and for what they cost I just do not think they are worth it. I know a lot like them but to be honest the differences between the JH16 and my Etymotic ER4S's though there and in advantage to the JH16 were not $900 better!

 

[lee730]

Quote:

Anything from JH Audio. I have tried a couple and for what they cost I just do not think they are worth it. I know a lot like them but to be honest the differences between the JH16 and my Etymotic ER4S's though there and in advantage to the JH16 were not $900 better!

What about in comparison to your modded FX500s? I 'm still very interested in giving that mod a try down the road. Funny part is my former FX700s had that mod done to them and I didn't know about it until I got my new pair. That is why they sounded off with most sources besides my Hifiman 601. But maybe they would have sounded wonderful with Comply tips...

 

[ianmedium]

I must admit the JH's sounded better than the FX's. I still have the FX's and have a soft spot for them. I like to listen to them in bed, some late night jazz, perfect for that!