W3 VERSUS W30 - - EXCITING NEWS!

[Spyro]

It has been mentioned before that the new Westone series products have almost non-existant marketing going on.  It’s pretty hard to understand especially when most had, indeed,  undergone distinct changes.  After 6 months or more some have virtually no reviews across the internet.  Pretty amazing!
 
I had asked my pals at Earphone Solutions what are the differences between W3 and W30?  W3 was legendary when it came out.  One of the first triple driver universals  ever made and THE first to incorporate a 3-way crossover circuit network.  It was a favorite of mine for many years.
Anyway, the following is what I was told.  By the way, I believe Karl Cartwright is Westone’s most senior design engineer.
 
It's much more accurate. Karl Cartwright on a phone interview with Flavio described his objective with the W30 (which is a clean sheet project) which was to distance its sound from the label it got of being a "fun sounding" earphone and being more accurate and precise => most likely a slightly weaker bass in exchange for more accuracy is what we perceived.
So take what a negative the word "fun" could have and walk towards accuracy is what changed from W3 to W30. That was accomplished with tweaks in the crossover as well as new drivers plus shell placement.
 
Almost sounds too good to be true huh?   I have to hear what this W30 sounds like!  Can't imagine if they got rid of the mid bass hump and moved the recessed midrange a bit more forward?  That would be epic and could surely compete with W60.  I just hope it is more bright than warm
 
But what I am a little worried about is if they are changing all of the Westone IEM's to have this (almost) overly warm presence to all of them to give them all a uniform "Westone" sound.  If you recall a few years back, each Westone IEM sounded different.  Some were lush and warm (UM3X) while some were sharper and brighter (W2) with W3 being sort of in between.  There was never what I would call a "Westone" sound across the board.
 
Anyway, What is above in bold italics is pretty exciting news IMHO.  I will have a pair of W30’s later this week and will post my comments here.

 

[Spyro]

I have been listening to a pair of W30’s for about 45 min now and can give these preliminary thoughts.  I think the best feedback would be in reference to W3 and a bit compard to W4/40.
 
When W3 came out it was very highly regarded as the first 3 way crossover universal ever designed.  It had huge bass and very decent treble with sort of a  V-shaped sound sig.  Midrange a little recessed but a very large soundstage for an IEM.  The big knock on it was a huge mid bass hump that basically ruined it for many people (not necessarily me) and lots of siblance with basically any type of silicone tip.
 
With W30, they have certainly improved upon all of the listeners noted faults.  The OVERALL bass is slightly less but the mid bass hump is virtually gone.  This in itself should be considered a HUGE upgrade since it bothered so many people.  I could NEVER use any silicone tips with W3 because it sounded too hot and sibilant.  But with W30 I CAN use a silicone tip with no siblance at all.  What is important about this perceived improvement is that I don’t think they made W30 overly warm to eliminate the siblance which was my biggest worry.  W3 is NOT as warm as W40 or W60 or Pro30.  It’s not bright either.  Just sort of middle of the road.  Soundstage is pretty large.  Tough to say without a W3 in front of me but the midrange seems more present.  Vocals sound very good versus below average with W3.
So as was mentioned above from Earphone Solutions comments, a little bit of the over the top "fun" of W3 is gone but W30 is far from a flat, neutral accurate, boring IEM.  It packs a nice punch and would excel with ANY type of music.  The triple driver aspect gives it a nice full sounding expansive presentation as well.  Really not much of anything to complain about.  
 
As a final note, W3 is very efficient and going back and forth I find really no difference going amped or unamped.  So if you are looking for a great triple driver to just plug into your player and go...with exceptional sound, W30 should be near the top of your list.  I prefer it over W40 because it is not nearly as dark sounding and the bass is slightly larger.  Those are the two main differences.  As far as I am concerned they should just eliminate W40 from the lineup.  Maybe W50 too.  Go W1, W2, W3, W60 and be done with it.  W60 is a bit more refined and smoother sounding, a bit more holographic with 6 drivers but warmer too.  A tough justification going from a $400 to $1,000 jump.
 
W30 is a really great IEM and I would recommend it over, both W40 and Pro 30 in a heartbeat and the larger soundstage makes me prefer it over all the IEM’s in the UM-series.  Great job Westone!

 

[proedros]

  I have been listening to a pair of W30’s for about 45 min now and can give these preliminary thoughts.  I think the best feedback would be in reference to W3 and a bit compard to W4/40.
 
When W3 came out it was very highly regarded as the first 3 way crossover universal ever designed.  It had huge bass and very decent treble with sort of a  V-shaped sound sig.  Midrange a little recessed but a very large soundstage for an IEM.  The big knock on it was a huge mid bass hump that basically ruined it for many people (not necessarily me) and lots of siblance with basically any type of silicone tip.
 
With W30, they have certainly improved upon all of the listeners noted faults.  The OVERALL bass is slightly less but the mid bass hump is virtually gone.  This in itself should be considered a HUGE upgrade since it bothered so many people.  I could NEVER use any silicone tips with W3 because it sounded too hot and sibilant.  But with W30 I CAN use a silicone tip with no siblance at all.  What is important about this perceived improvement is that I don’t think they made W30 overly warm to eliminate the siblance which was my biggest worry.  W3 is NOT as warm as W40 or W60 or Pro30.  It’s not bright either.  Just sort of middle of the road.  Soundstage is pretty large.  Tough to say without a W3 in front of me but the midrange seems more present.  Vocals sound very good versus below average with W3.
So as was mentioned above from Earphone Solutions comments, a little bit of the over the top "fun" of W3 is gone but W30 is far from a flat, neutral accurate, boring IEM.  It packs a nice punch and would excel with ANY type of music.  The triple driver aspect gives it a nice full sounding expansive presentation as well.  Really not much of anything to complain about.  
 
As a final note, W3 is very efficient and going back and forth I find really no difference going amped or unamped.  So if you are looking for a great triple driver to just plug into your player and go...with exceptional sound, W30 should be near the top of your list.  I prefer it over W40 because it is not nearly as dark sounding and the bass is slightly larger.  Those are the two main differences.  As far as I am concerned they should just eliminate W40 from the lineup.  Maybe W50 too.  Go W1, W2, W3, W60 and be done with it.  W60 is a bit more refined and smoother sounding, a bit more holographic with 6 drivers but warmer too.  A tough justification going from a $400 to $1,000 jump.
 
W30 is a really great IEM and I would recommend it over, both W40 and Pro 30 in a heartbeat and the larger soundstage makes me prefer it over all the IEM’s in the UM-series.  Great job Westone!

 
are the bold W3 meant to be W30 ?

 

[Spyro]

No, 2 different designs.  Read the thread.  
 
I'm thrilled with this W30 knowing I can get the the full potential unamped.   It's possible straight up I may prefer it over W60 as W60 is very warm sounding, maybe too much.  It would probably be tough on a blind test with no knowledge of cost but I absolutely prefer it over SE846.

 

[Gilly87]

I thought I would be the first to do this comparison, but I'm actually much more comfortable now; having paid full retail, I feel like they will definitely be worth it ^_^
 
Spyro can you draw any comparison to the TF10? It's what I'm replacing, mostly for ergonomic reasons; I love the way the TF10 sounds.

 

[Gilly87]

This must be why they waited longer to release the W30...they knew it would kill W40 sales! XD

 

[Spyro]

  I thought I would be the first to do this comparison, but I'm actually much more comfortable now; having paid full retail, I feel like they will definitely be worth it ^_^
 
Spyro can you draw any comparison to the TF10? It's what I'm replacing, mostly for ergonomic reasons; I love the way the TF10 sounds.

I think they are well worth the $399.  I swear....I might prefer them to the W60 I just sent back in exchange for these. (was having massive guilt dropping $1000).   I don't take anything back what I praised about W60.  It is totally outstanding but the almost overly smoothness and a little dark  presentation can lack excitement.  Probably depends on the choice of music.  W30 is a bit rawer sounding but also a little brighter sounding (or not as dark).  Great crispness, great clarity with really no faults to point out.  You will absolutely LOVE what they did with the midrange and the bass.
 
The bass has some really nice "pop" to it.  It hits with authority but very tight.  Again, no bloat but full sounding.  More full than W40.  Overall speed seems fast.  No problem keeping up with complex music, even unamped.  Decay seems spot on.
 
I have not heard the TF10 and a couple years.  I loved everything about the sound except the midrange always sounded cloudy to me.  I would say the W30 is similar to TF10 as far as the balance of bass, treble and midrange but W30 midrange is much clearer.   The W30 soundstage may now seem slightly smaller than TF10 (due to the more forward midrange) but as an overall product W30 is the more accurate sounding IEM....and still very fun sounding.  You gotta hear it.
 
I hope more people try these.  They really are exactly an improved W3 and we know the praise W3 got around here.   But there seems to be SO many choices out there now.  It's become almost mind boggling.  I can't keep up with it.

 

[fallingreason]

Intriguing, def would be interested in comparing to the new model when the prices come down a bit.  Although I don't hear anything wrong with my W3 and it has good synergy with the iPhone 5 IMO.
 
I am also attached since the Gold Edition is "special" 

 

 

[Gilly87]

Spyro the hypenaut! 

 
I'm already sold, though; I'll be sure to post impressions when they arrive.

 

[MachBot]

Interesting, thanks for the insight!

 

[ronnel0918]

Too bad the W30 is not yet available in the Philippines.

I was really interested in W40 then this. Interesting.

 

[Onza]

Nice impressions Spyro. I was also a huge fan of the W3, the mid range was indeed a little recessed compared to bass and treble, but I never personally found it an issue. W3s turned out to be my best universal after a few years trying many iems. I still have my W3s here, though one earpiece has stopped (cable damage) and I'm considering either reshelling them or replacing them with these....
 
Anyway the W30 seem like they would make a decent change. I'll give it some thought but may well considering replacing my W3s with these.
 
@Spyro Do you think Westone have made the W30 TOO neutral sounding (dare I say it) or is there still a little bit of spice in there? Asked another way, is there a lot of variation between the W30 and the W2?

 

[Spyro]

No, not too neutral. Just neutral enough that nothing sticks out or dominates. I always use EQ though too to liven things up and it responds very well to EQ. If anything, I think it shares more traits with UM3X than W2. As I listened more and more today I want to say it is sort of a hybrid sound right in between W3 and UM3X. Sort of the best of both. The midrange is very present. Like a UM3X with a little more crispness and articulation and just a pinch less bass (I think UM3X is pretty bassy/thick/warm). I think it should please many people for its price.

 

[Spyro]

W30:  After having these a week now, I have actually settled in on comply tips with slight uptick on treble EQ.  Sounds a little smoother and more refined than with straight silicone star tips.  It's really all about finding that sweet spot that works for you so be patient experimenting.  It took me a week.
 
I would say for former W3 users, start with same tips you used with W3 and then go from there.  I am not a fan of any foam tips but man....does this sound good!
 
Gilly87:  Awaiting your comments?  When you gonna have them?  

 

[MachBot]

No, not too neutral. Just neutral enough that nothing sticks out or dominates. I always use EQ though too to liven things up and it responds very well to EQ. If anything, I think it shares more traits with UM3X than W2. As I listened more and more today I want to say it is sort of a hybrid sound right in between W3 and UM3X. Sort of the best of both. The midrange is very present. Like a UM3X with a little more crispness and articulation and just a pinch less bass (I think UM3X is pretty bassy/thick/warm). I think it should please many people for its price.

Seems like it's the bomb...