Customer Reviews

Westone 3 - Headphones ( in-ear ear-bud )

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I decided to purchase my first pair of pristine-quality headphones, I tried the Shure SE310s, Shure SE530s, and these Westone 3s. The first and primary thing I noticed was that both of the Shures were focused on clarity and precision with defined mids and medium highs and lows. When you hear a voice with the Shures, it's like the singer is right there singing to you, but the basses and highs are there, but not as focused. The Westone 3s on the other hand have a very sensational sound with very clear highs and lots of bass. The focus on these headphones are the ups and downs of the music. They make the listening experience a roller coaster ride of "wow". In my opinion, if you are listening to rock or pop, then get these. If you are listening to jazz, classical guitar, or musicals, get the Shures. These Westones and the Shure 530s are of comparable quality, but with different focuses.

After the novelty of the Shure SE530s wore off on me, I began to realize that their sound was very consistent, but rarely did I find myself wanting to sing/rap along or dance uncontrollably. In other words, the sound of the 530s was smooth and rich, almost to a fault. I listen to a lot of house and hip-hop music, and the bass frequencies were there, but lacked any visceral impact. With rock music, the cymbal crashes were muffled and the drums didn't resonate or slam like I thought they should.

So while I would have been content to live with the Shures and assume that they were the best, I started reading user impressions on [...] about other high-end universal earphones, namely the Westone 3, Westone UM3x, Sennheiser IE8, and Ultimate Ears Triple.fi. Most users seem to agree that these models have surpassed the 530s. I read that the Westone 3s, Sennheiser IE8s and Triple.fis offered what I was looking for: a more "U"-shaped sound, with the treble and bass accentuated.

After a few months, I gave in and got a pair of the Westone 3s ("W3"), and after 3 days of near non-stop listening, I know I have stepped up in class. The W3 don't get marketed as heavily as the Shures, which in my view is unfortunate because they are of exceptionally high quality and Westone offers great customer service.

Build Quality and Comfort:
The Shure 530s, while well-built, always stuck out of my ears even with the deepest insertion of tips. I haven't had problems with the cable fraying after 3 months of use, but the cable's thickness produced microphonics whenever the cable brushed up against my shirt or hit my chest. These problems are things of the past now that I have the W3. The thin cable is light and hardly makes any noise even when I run. The flatter design of the part of the earpieces that rest on your outer ear canal, combined with the short nozzle, make the earpieces feel like they've disappeared once I put them on.

Sound Quality:
I've only heard the Shure 530s and Triple.fis, so I can't offer a comprehensive comparison. The Triple.fis did make a powerful impression on me, with their booming bass, wide soundstage, and bright treble. I chose to go with the W3 because of the massive size of the Triple.fis (impossible to sleep on), and concerns about the cable and short warranty. I also seriously considered the Senn IE8s, but ultimately went with the W3 because I already had a collection of tips (including Westone UM-56 customs) that would fit the W3.

I don't regret my decision at all. Unamped out of my iPod Touch 2g, the sound is bright and lively without being fatiguing, and the bass rumbles and slams when it's supposed to. The main complaints some people have about the W3 are that it produces sibilance (harsh "S" sounds), has a "mid-bass hump" (unbalanced higher bass frequencies), and sounds wildly different with different tips. I haven't had any of these issues. The sound with the gray silicons is somewhat bright, but still has punch in the bass. With the medium Comply tips, the bass is deepened and the treble muffled slightly, but there seems to be more distance and reverb in the sound, creating a larger soundstage. Unlike with the Shures, I haven't found a tip set that I just think sounds awful--they all sound very good to me.

In summary, the W3 have delivered what I was looking for but not always getting from the Shure SE530s: A lively sound, with energetic highs and deep bass impact, that still has great detail in the mid-range. Now, I AM finding myself nodding my head to beats, playing air guitar, and grinning with the sheer joy of music.

Prior to the Westone 3's, I had a pair of Shure E4C's, Denon AH-C351, and JVC Marshmallows for in-ear-monitors/ear-canal headphones. The Denon and JVC's were quite cheap and meant for my wife who only needs them when on a plane, and the E4C's were my portables for whatever situation where I needed to block external noise and enjoy the music. The E4C's were known for being anemic in the bass, and I remedied that by turning on the bass boost in my MP3 player (Creative Zen 32GB). The E4C also had a slight bump in the 10Khz region and can be slightly fatiguing. When my E4C's got fried because of a faulty pair of airline adapters, I got the Westone 3's after reading all the reviews and discussions online I could find. My taste for speakers and headphones is simply to have them be as neutral as possible--no hype or dip in any of the frequency ranges. The idea is that sound reproduction devices should be invisible and not color the original recordings.

The Westone 3, unfortunately, isn't for someone like me. They are far from being neutral. The bass in the 100Hz region is boosted about 3~4db, and the treble in the 12Khz~14Khz range is about 3~4db recessed. The highest frequencies is also a bit rolled off because the W3 has a slight limitation in the upper frequency by design (goes up to about 16Khz only). This results in a signature sound that is very warm--in fact too warm on certain materials like jazz or classical. The sizzle of the cymbals, the articulate detail of the double bass, the buzzing blast of the brass section, the upper harmonics of the string section--all of them will be compromised by the overtly warm sound of the Westone 3's. To put it bluntly, the Westone 3's makes everything sound a bit muddy and muffled, but quite smooth. When I compare the Westone 3 to my reference quality speakers/headphones (Klein + Hummel O 300D's, Sennheiser HD555's, Audio-Technica M-50's) The Westone 3's just lacked detail in the higher frequencies, and the bass is too bloated and boomy, lacking tight detail in the bottom end. I guess the good thing is that the Westone 3's will never be too harsh or sibilant, since it's so rolled off at the top end--and that means you can listen for a long time without ear fatigue (though the bloated bass might get annoying after a while).

Currently I use a custom EQ setting to make the Westone 3's more neutral, and it works pretty well, although doing so drains the batter on my MP3 player faster. I might keep looking and see if I can find a different brand/model that doesn't require any EQ'ing to sound neutral.

I also own the Shure SE530 in ear headphones. I never found the Shures to be enjoyable to listen to and these Westones certainly are. The bass is astounding driving the songs along and the treble is satisfying. The big downfall of these headphones is the midrange. I play only lossless files through a Mac laptop, an iPhone and though a Pico Headphone DAC/amp. I have a wide range of music with huge presence such as Mary Chain Carpenter, Jennifer Warnes, Eurythmics and many more. Not once have I heard any presense through the Westones. The midrange is recessed and if you turn up the volume to hear the midrange then the bass pounds your skull into smithereens. I hope that Westone can adjust the voicing or choose another midrange driver for the next incarnation of this product. If you have the money I recommend the product but it's not perfect.

Update:

Now that these headphones have worn in and I have experimented finding the optimal inserts I now get that presence I was missing before. Very impressive.

I have been a musician all my life and have spent years looking for the perfect sound source. Having spent many hours in front of expensive studio monitors, I have always searched for a headphone that will provide that moment experienced by musicians when they walk into the control booth to hear what they've just recorded. I have used many studio headphones, have listened to mid-range and high-range Grado's and Sennheiser's, have spent many hours with the UE triple-fi 10 pro's and the Shure SE 530's, and have agonized over what is missing in all of these headphones and in-ear monitors. The Grado's and Sennheiser's are not exactly appropriate for portable listening and provide little or no sound isolation. The Shure's provide a very flat response but are weak in treble and bass presence. Although seemingly sonically accurate, they provide a compressed sound spectrum, and thus aren't accurate as regards the high and low and presence found in good studio monitors. The Triple-fi 10 pros provide a lot of bass and treble but are muddy in the mid-range and don't allow the listener to hear all the details of the music. The Westone 3's are perhaps not as accurate as the Shure's but they are the closest to the overall musical presence found in the best studio monitors. The treble has wonderful extension and presence. The bass is rich and warm without being overwhelming. The mid-range is crystal clear and each instrument stands out. I can say that they are simply the best sound I have ever experienced from any headphone or in-ear monitor. Moreover they sound just as great whether you are listening to classical, jazz, pop, rock, metal, hip-hop, or world music. And they are the most comfortable of any of the in-ear monitors I have used. A bargain at any price!!

I have had the Shure SE 530's for over two years now. I thought nothing could ever come close to matching or surpassing their performance. When I first took delivery of the Westy 3's I was a little unsure as well as skeptical about their sonic performance and doubted they could ever match the Shures. First impressions were that they were a little strident and imparted a little distortion at high volumes. However after a long break-in period (25 hours or more) I must say that I prefer the Westy's. The bass is deep and rock solid; probably better than the Shures. Where the Westy's really excel is in the mid to high end range. Everything is crystal clear and highly detailed. The soundstage is large and wide open with not a trace of distortion even at the highest volumes. These are probably the best IEM's short of buying the ultra expensive UE-11's. If you don't believe me check out some of the other expert opinions at headfi.com. These IEM's absolutely rock!!!!!

These pieces of plastic deliver the best sound I've heard in my life. My head is going to explode. I listen to all kind of music: Trance, dance, classical, pop, rock. I can say, the sound on every genre of music is just awesome. Bass is strong and precise. Highs are crystal clear, mids can be improved just a bit.
For classical music, I consider myself to have good hearing, I play the piano and I love to hear Chopin on my iPod. Now is like I'm in the stage, next to the piano, I can hear the shoes of the pianist hitting the pedals, the breathing... and the music is like hearing the piano sing to my ears.
Perfect fit: I have the Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10. I always have a hard time adjusting them to my ears for the perfect fit. I felt them big and heavy, and my ears hurt after listening for a while. I also have the Shures 210, and I thought they were the perfect fit, but I feel the ear tips go so deep I feel a little invaded. With the Westone, they fit perfectly the first time I put them, and I don't need to move them anymore. Is like they are not there at all. I feel something is missing, a little pain perhaps, but no! No pain at all. They are small, they fit perfect outside my ear.
You won't go wrong with them. I'm so impressed. Perfect buy.

I posted my original review of the Westone 3 ("W3") in Amazon's other product listing (why are there 2 listings for 1 product, Amazon?), but the listing is very difficult to find or has disappeared. In any event, I have somewhat revised and more detailed thoughts to add now that I've owned the W3 for a few months.

I have owned the Shure SE530 and I currently own the Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi, and I've listened to the Westone UM3x. It seems that the designers of the top-tier in-ear monitors (IEMs) are basically shooting for one of two sound signatures: Rich, prominent mid-range, OR a more bass and treble-centric sound. The SE530 and Um3x fall in the former category, while the W3 and Triple.Fi have a more U-shaped sound. I haven't heard the other top tier universal-fit IEMs, namely the Sennheiser IE8, Klipsch X10, Phonak Audeo PFE, Etymotic ER-4P and Head-Direct Re0, but everything I've read about them places them in one of the two categories (although perhaps the latter 3 are the most treble-centric).

Your choice between these sound signatures will probably come down to the genres of music you prefer, as well as how sensitive you are to treble and bass. I tend to listen to high-energy music like hard rock, trance, house, and hip-hop, so I need crisp cymbal crashes and thumping bass that really reverberates like a subwoofer. But I also listen to vocal-centric music that is more toned down, like jazz, indie rock and classic rock. At times I wish I could have the best of both the mid-range and U-shaped sound signatures, but I find that the Westone 3 strikes a fun balance.

With the right source and equalization (I have to boost the mid-range and treble a bit), I find the W3s very balanced, detailed, and engaging. The Triple.Fi is similar but I don't think it can match the W3's bass extension and overall level of detail.

So after 3 months, I thought I would point out some things I've learned about the W3:

1. The Shure SE530 has a ridge on the nozzles which help grip the tips and keep them from sliding off. The W3 doesn't have this, which can sometimes lead to tips sliding off in your ears or even when you're just taking the W3 out of its case--this has happened to me with my custom UM-56 tips, which are particularly slippery and heavy. These tips are also produced by Westone and are an amazing upgrade to an already stunning product; they further increased the detail and transparency, while tightening and improving the bass.

2. The volume control that is included with the W3 is of somewhat poor design and quality: One end of the cords began to fray after just 2 weeks of use, mostly because of the weight that it has to support. Westone promptly replaced it for me free of charge.

3. The volume control is necessary for listening to most sources (I have an iPod Touch 2g and Cowon s9) in a quiet environment, but it really seems to deaden and muffle the sound. I plan on getting a portable amp like the iBasso T3 to serve as a higher-quality volume control.

4. I love the thin, braided cable overall because it seems flexible and durable but it does have a tendency to rub against my collar and produce microphonic sounds. The solution to this is to wear the cable underneath your shirt or down your back. The Triple.Fi's cable is surprisingly free from microphonics, even when I run.

After 3 months of ownership, adding another top-tier IEM to my collection (the Triple.Fi), and auditioning the current audiophiles' top choice for universal-fit IEM (the UM3x), I'm still in love with the W3. The design is so discrete and comfortable, while the sound strikes the right balance between warmth/fun and detailed/balanced. If you're lucky enough to have discovered Westone amidst the barrage of mediocre and over-priced Skullcandy, Bose, and Sony products, there simply is no turning back. Whenever I wear my W3 in public, I can't help but smile knowing that the audio bliss entering my ears is unmatched by the vast majority of equipment that most people have accepted as "good enough." High-grade audio has improved my enjoyment of music and overall enjoyment of life so much these past few months that I simply can't settle for less, and I find it unfortunate that most people who are willing and able to pay for the best in audio haven't heard of a fantastic company called Westone.

Seriously great.
The bass is awesome and the overall sound signature is great for low-volume listening.
I enjoy them particularly with electronic music, but they're a great fit for any genre.
Never boring, never gets fatiguing - a very hard balance to nail.

Great job Westone, these will probably make me a lifetime customer.

I'm seriously having truble finding short-comings in this IEM. In short, I can just say that any kind of music I play on this sounds exactly like I want it to sound. It has a great punch, amazing clarity and all in all the sound is just very convincing.
I mostly listen to metal, but also listen to softer rock, calm music (like Katie Melua) and sometimes drum & bass. Another thing I love about these is that when I listen to FLAC files, I really can tell the difference between the usual formats (i.e mp3 and wma). Soundstage is also the widest I've heard in an IEM before, and the separation between instruments is very good.

+
Extremely accurate sound
Great punchy bass (allthough not overpowering)
Great instrument seperation
Wide soundstage
Fits alot of music styles

-
Expensive
Bad quality music will sound bad. The expression "Crap in - crap out" is really true with these IEMs.

My conclusion: Treat yourself to good quality (production and mastering wise) music, and you'll have an experience unmatched in the IEM world.

Good quality album suggestions:
Katie Melua - The Collection - soft blues/jazz
Toy Matinee - (Self titled) - Easy listening rock
Anything from Pink Floyd (The Final Cut is maybe their best sounding) - progressive psychedelic rock
Dire Straits - Brothers in arms - Rock
Metallica - The Black ALbum - Hard Rock
Porcupine Tree - In Abscentia - Progressive Metal
Pendulum - Immersion

Be good to yourself and get these in FLAC format :) Happy listening, people. With these IEMs, listening to music is pure bliss.

Great IEM alternatives:
Shure SE535 if your mousic preferation is acoustic music
Sennheiser ie8 for extreme bass and perhaps wider soundstage than the westone 3s.
For the ultimate money-is-no-issue products, try custom fitted IEMs