[Ryokan]

Can you find an IEM thread on Head-fi with a product that has 100% positive feedback and no issues? Unless Westone customers are less vocal, this is one of the quietest threads LOL!!! You already have W60, does it built to last years? You seem to be happy with it, right? W80 wouldn't be any different, and if anything it has some improvements. For sure, the replaceable faceplates (j-clip) are more durable, haven't read any complaints about it yet (and I'm sure someone will post now, since I jinx it). Cable, well, it's just a general issue with mmcx connector durability everybody from Shure to Campfire Audio and Ultimate Ears are facing it. UE includes a tube of deox-it with their UE900s, and now they even changed the whole line up of UE custom IEMs to Linum proprietary IPX connectors. I'm not defending Westone or UE or Campfire Audio, I reviewed and use many of their products, and I make it clear, as a reviewer they were sent to me free of charge. But that's a thing about mmcx connector and all the manufacturers looking into improvements. What you should care about is how companies stand behind their product, that you do get 2 year warranty for replacements, and that when you go and voice your concerns - they have a rep in the forum who will reply back, PM you, and if needed will even take care of you outside of warranty. Not kissing arse or brow-nosing, but I have been told but a few members here on Head-fi that BKG22 (who is Westone marketing director) helped them out and took care of their problems. I'm sure Ken (ALO/Campfire Audio) and Mike Dias (UE) also take care of customers who reach out to them That all that matters when you spend a lot of many on IEMs, that's what warranty and support is about.

Oh, and nothing last years , just like there is no such thing as ToTL end-game IEMs

Yes Westone stand by their products, and many say how good the company is to deal with, they are quick to set things right even sometimes out of the warranty period.

These were heavily discounted last year no way would I pay full retail now. $1500 is just too much to take a gamble with.
Things can ( and should) last many years Twister, which cost a lot less money. MMCX aren't as highly regarded as other connections, I've had glitches myself.
I know much of what you say makes sense but on my budget I have to weigh everything up.

 

[frozst]

Did you have to return/replace cable 3 times or IEMs? You mentioned it's a problem with a cable, so I'm not sure why they made you return the whole thing instead of sending a replacement cable? And, are you talking about ALO Ref8 cable or a stock Epic cable?

When I bought the W80 in Feb 17 I started to use the remote cable, started to fail after a few months and switched to the ALO cable, it worked fine for a few months and failed again, so I sent for RMA both cables with the IEMs so they replaced both. I got both cables new + the IEMs. In Jan 18 the ALO cable started to fail again (I don't use the remote cable anymore) so I contacted Westone and I sent the IEM with the ALO cable, which the replaced completely.

Now I am experiencing the issues for the 3rd time. The ALO cable is starting to fail, today it failed a couple of times but I know this is something progressive, it might take a few days/weeks until they start to fail more often. I know for sure that if I change the cable to the remote one (or for a new ALO cable for that matter) would work fine but eventually it will fail again.

I don't think moisture or dirt is the problem to be honest, I just cleaned the MMCX for the first time since I got these replacement and didn't see any obvious dirt there. Plus I never had this problem before with any of the Westone IEM I had in the past, all with the same connectors. Actually, I spent thousand of hours with the Westone W40 (or Westone 4? Can't remember now) riding the world with my motorbike and they never developed a fault - and I am sure moisture and dirt was much more obvious there!

I use the IEMs every day though, at least a few hours so they have a lot of hours of use. I am saying this because I know most of you guys have other IEMs and might swap more etc, but in my case these are the only earphones I use, so they can easily have 1000 hours of use since Jan 18.

Hey there,

I am very sorry to hear that you have had such problems with your W80. I can tell you with confidence that this is extremely rare and I am perplexed by your issue. The W80 is our least defective product furthering my confusion.

If you will PM me your contact information I can have one of my tech specialists reach out to you directly to see if we can get this fixed.

My apologies again for your issues.

Blake

Thanks Blake for posting here! It would be interesting to receive another ALO cable and test it for a few weeks to see if it develops a fault. I am pretty sure it's the cable and not the actual IEM. I will send you a PM shortly. Thanks for your help!

I have had similar problems. My W80 had to be replaced after less than a year after purchase. I was using the EPIC cable, so it's not an ALO specific issue.

I have found that the MMCX connectors are prone to developing verdigris if they come into contact with moisture. This seems to be the cause of the sound cutting out. Cleaning off the verdigris helps, but it will reoccur unless the connectors are kept completely dry. Also, the centre part of the MMCX receptacle is extremely delicate. I broke one of my W60 connectors while trying to clean it up. Since it is an unrepairable product, that's $1,000 down the drain.

So now I stick to my W40 for active use, keeping it as dry as possible, and reserve the W80 for special occasions. I will be very reluctant to buy any more MMCX earphones in the future, especially unrepairable ones such as the W series.

Did you experience the same problem? For me is like one of the IEM stop sounding or the volume on that earpice was so quiet I can't hear it anymore. It is really annoying because something it affects my actual balance walking or riding for a few milliseconds (until my brain realizes about the issue!).

 

[Arkady Duntov]

Both strain reliefs on the Epic cable which came with W80, purchased in November 2017, are failing. If this continues, I wouldn't be surprised if the conductors fail.

Yesterday, I received two cables from Westone, one a replacement for my failing W80 cable and another which is like the one which came with my UM Pro 10. Westone's timely support has been noteworthy (and I'd like to thank Joey Costello for his help.)

 

[twister6]

Yesterday, I received two cables from Westone, one a replacement for my failing W80 cable and another which is like the one which came with my UM Pro 10. Westone's timely support has been noteworthy (and I'd like to thank Joey Costello for his help.)

So one was ALO Ref8 hybrid cable, right? And the other one a regular Westone Epic cable? I LOVE those Um Pro series cables; it's the same Epic cable but with a flexible earhook heatshrink which you don't need to bend or shape, especially after taking it from the case. And it gives you extra security over the ears. I think they use it with UM Pro series for the benefit of performing musicians who run around the stage But with Ref8 cable, I always remove that memory wire, gotta be careful doing that cause you can cut the cable wire, but I can't stand a memory wire with mmcx connectors...

 

[Arkady Duntov]

So one was ALO Ref8 hybrid cable, right? And the other one a regular Westone Epic cable? I LOVE those Um Pro series cables; it's the same Epic cable but with a flexible earhook heatshrink which you don't need to bend or shape, especially after taking it from the case. And it gives you extra security over the ears. I think they use it with UM Pro series for the benefit of performing musicians who run around the stage But with Ref8 cable, I always remove that memory wire, gotta be careful doing that cause you can cut the cable wire, but I can't stand a memory wire with mmcx connectors...

My Ref8, which I find to be too stiff, was fine but I don't know how to "smooth" it out. I haven't removed the other cable from its box, but it appears to be similar to my UM Pro cable. And I agree with you about the UM Pro cable: It's quite comfortable and sufficiently flexible to suit my tastes.

 

[twister6]

My Ref8, which I find to be too stiff, was fine but I don't know how to "smooth" it out. I haven't removed the other cable from its box, but it appears to be similar to my UM Pro cable. And I agree with you about the UM Pro cable: It's quite comfortable and sufficiently flexible to suit my tastes.

If you referring to stiff based on the memory wire, you can actually remove it, making it softer, but have to be very careful with this DIY (at your own risk )

ALO Ref8 cable has a stiff bendable memory wire with a few layers of shrink-wrap, and the wire goes into the housing of mmcx cable connector so you can't just pull it out.



Use something like nail clippers or small wire cutters to help you peel the shrink-wrap layers to get to the wire, and then clip it right at the base of the connector. Just be careful not to clip the actual cable, and also don't leave the sharp edge of the wire sticking it out, it could hurt your ears.



Again, I'm just assuming you referring to stiff part of the memory wire, not the cable itself. Since braiding is not very tight, I find the cable to be soft, but it also microphonic when it rubs against your cloth.

 

[twister6]

Just saw @marcusd posted a detailed review of ES80 with references to W80. Lots of very useful info for those who are trying to decide between these two, IEM vs CIEM.

 

[Ryokan]

Just saw @marcusd posted a detailed review of ES80 with references to W80. Lots of very useful info for those who are trying to decide between these two, IEM vs CIEM.

Bit quiet on the Westone front, what's the news on the street Twister, anything new planned?

 

[twister6]

Bit quiet on the Westone front, what's the news on the street Twister, anything new planned?

I heard a few rumors/teasers, but don't know the exact details. Sorry, nothing to share yet, i'm in a dark myself.

I'm also surprised nobody shared any of their impressions from RMAF.

 

[twister6]

Heard a rumor about Westone Black Friday Sales, let's wait and see if/when it's announced

 

[AlpacaApproach]

Anyone saw any Black Friday Sales on the Westones after all?

 

[davidcotton]

Depending on where you are hifiheadphones.co.uk have some decent stuff. Amp3 also had 15 percent off site wide.

 

[twister6]

Though not a new cable, iBasso released their hybrid CB12s cable way back, I just got their upcoming version with a new right-angled 4.4mm termination and it's pretty good! This cable performance is nearly the same as ALO, except no microphonics, very pliable w/o memory effect, and no earhook memory wires. Great pair up with W80, but I was more impressed with their new 4.4mm plug because it doesn't stick out from the DAP and has a comfy grip (easy to remove).

 

[435279]

Though not a new cable, iBasso released their hybrid CB12s cable way back, I just got their upcoming version with a new right-angled 4.4mm termination and it's pretty good! This cable performance is nearly the same as ALO, except no microphonics, very pliable w/o memory effect, and no earhook memory wires. Great pair up with W80, but I was more impressed with their new 4.4mm plug because it doesn't stick out from the DAP and has a comfy grip (easy to remove).

+1 I don't have the 4.4mm version only the 2.5mm (supplied with the IT04) but its been exclusively paired with my W80 for a few weeks now, 100% agree with your comments.

 

[AlpacaApproach]

Though not a new cable, iBasso released their hybrid CB12s cable way back, I just got their upcoming version with a new right-angled 4.4mm termination and it's pretty good! This cable performance is nearly the same as ALO, except no microphonics, very pliable w/o memory effect, and no earhook memory wires. Great pair up with W80, but I was more impressed with their new 4.4mm plug because it doesn't stick out from the DAP and has a comfy grip (easy to remove).

Do you mean to say that the 4.4mm cable performance on balanced is nearly the same as the stock ALO's on 3.5mm unbalanced?
Would switching to a balanced connection with the cable be an upgrade over the ALO's on 3.5mm unbalanced?