[buffalowings]

Quote:

I'm also with music_4321 on this (a really good post).  This is the kind of discussion that makes these forums valuable.  I would like to add one additional observation:  Very expensive custom earphones invariably come with replaceable cables.  One would think that if replaceable cable relaibility was an issue, these vendors wouldn't be using them on $1000 plus earphones.

there are different types of removable cabling (TF10 style vs se535) from what I have observed, some have more benefits than the other

 

[bladebeam1]

Shure has changed their warranty. Shure offers 2 yrs warranty but only 1 yr on the replacement. So, my replacement SE530s fell apart at the cable at 1.5 yrs, and Shure wants $150 to send another SE530, not the new SE535. That's B.S.
 
Hopefully, replaceable cables ala Westone and JH last at least a couple of years. I'd rather spend ~$50 every few years on customs than $150 every two yrs on universals.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[Tronz]

Quote:

Even customs like the JH16 or UE18 only have a 3 way crossover.
 
Expecting the universal Westone 4 to have a 4 way crossover is a bit unrealistic.

 
As far as I know, there are no 4 way earphones. A 3 way crossover network means that the crossover network is splitting up the frequencies into bass, midrange, and treble. A 4 way network would be interesting. The best way to split up the frequencies in my opinion would be sub-bass, bass, midrange, and treble.

 

 

[demo1]

If anyone who has tried both the Westone 4s and SE535 could comment on the differences, that would be great.

 

[jlbrach]

interestingly,i would be all for replaceable cables if it didnt mean i had to deal with those damn memory wires which i find make it more difficult to kep the IEM in my ear without it being pulled as i move...also they are much noisier .....i love the westone cords that wrap so easily and comfortably around your ear without you hardly noticing them!.....

 

[kayser]

Quote:

As far as I know, there are no 4 way earphones. A 3 way crossover network means that the crossover network is splitting up the frequencies into bass, midrange, and treble. A 4 way network would be interesting. The best way to split up the frequencies in my opinion would be sub-bass, bass, midrange, and treble.

There is CX8, a Chinese custom IEM that has 2 sub-bass, 2 bass, 2 mids and 2 highs drivers + a 4-way crossover.
I've read it here: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/494680/custom-iems-chinese-market-there-is-an-explosion-in-the-chinese-market-for-custom-iems

 

[imackler]

From what HeadphoneAddict and Ilounge have described, Westone 4 will certainly scratch a lot of itches! Sounds like a very, very smart improvement over the W3. I love a company that understands its products and consumers well enough to put this kind of thought into their products. It may be the holy grail many of us have waited for!

 

[danpong]

Guys I've just arrive in Las Vegas tonight.  Tomorrow I'll go to Westone booth to test out the new Westone 4.  I'll try be back to give you the feed back.  I'm also bringing my SE530 to try to compare the sound.  I'm sure they won't allow me to do the live comparison where I can hear both of them at there booth but I'll try my best.
 

 

[Uruha]

Quote:

NEWS NEWS NEWS
 
Westone new website https://www.westonemusicproducts.com/music-products/pro-audio/custom-fit-pro-audio-0
 
Westone 4 MSRP $639!!!! O_O  ......Pre-order in Feb and get it for intro price of $449!!!
 
Wow so expensive retail price, is it gonna be crazy good?  the website looks pretty good

Wow I was thinking that it being only $50 more than the W3 was a little weird.
I know i will regret not getting the W4 at the current price but i cant afford to dump my wallet into one yet.

 

[sizwej]

^^ Yikes!! ^^ I grimaced at the $449 price, but figured i'll keep it on my radar pending reviews. Now i've been totally priced out...sucks

 

[matbhuvi]

Quote:

Shure has changed their warranty. Shure offers 2 yrs warranty but only 1 yr on the replacement. So, my replacement SE530s fell apart at the cable at 1.5 yrs, and Shure wants $150 to send another SE530, not the new SE535. That's B.S.
 
Hopefully, replaceable cables ala Westone and JH last at least a couple of years. I'd rather spend ~$50 every few years on customs than $150 every two yrs on universals.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Interesting..when my Shure SE530 cable tore by getting caught in my jacket's zipper, Shure replaced them with new ones. It was 3 months before the expiration of warranty. Well it was 2 years back. not sure what changed now.

 

[3X0]

Quote:

As far as I know, there are no 4 way earphones. A 3 way crossover network means that the crossover network is splitting up the frequencies into bass, midrange, and treble. A 4 way network would be interesting. The best way to split up the frequencies in my opinion would be sub-bass, bass, midrange, and treble.

 

The FitEar 435 has a 4-way crossover, with 5 drivers. I didn't ask how the crossover was divided, but it sounded kinda funky.

 

[imackler]

I don't think we should panic about the cost of the Westone 4 rising. On Westone's site, the List Price of the W3 is $569 but they sell it for $349. That's about 60% of list price. I doubt this $449 is any kind of special introductory price. I bet the $639 is a list price.

 

[Bennyboy71]

They probably only launched it to steal some cash off potential X-Jay purchasers.  Nothing like the shock of the new for generating sales.

 

[otello66]

B&H has the Westone 4 listed for $449 with "Approx. Arrival January".  Free shipping, too.