Overall Rating for Westone 4 Earphones - $449.00
 | (based on 35 reviews) |  |
A gate to the 7th dimension.....
By Robert J from LA on June 15, 2011
I am upgrading from a set of Ultimate Ears Triple Fi, after they broke for the SECOND TIME and basically started to crumble. Having had enough with UE's bad quality, I decided to investigate a new brand. I have been hearing a lot about Westone's "3" model for a few years now, and began to look into it, and what do you know? The "3" was no longer the top model and had been superseded by the "4". After reading reviews for a few hours and determining that these should sound superior to my old earphones, I decided to buy them, assuring myself that the high cost is worth it considering I am a bit of a music head and listen to it for an average of 5 hours a day, not to mention all the TV shows I watch and video games I play with them on.
1 week later they arrived and I began the testing, hoping that my $450 would not be in vane. The first song I chose was "Into Orbit", one of my favorite high powered dance songs. The sounds that came through the line were almost like nothing I had ever heard before. Compared to the UE's, the sound stage was massive, almost larger than I thought earphones could have. I could clearly hear the bass from the woofer, the vocals from the mids, and the high hat from the tweeter. These were indeed 3-way earphones; none of the sounds that typically interfered with each other on my UE's did so anymore. Each sound and instrument sounded as if it were being separately played, in complete ignorance of the others. The bass was tight and deep, but not overwhelming. The mids possessed a sort of nimbleness and finesse one would find in the movements of a ninja. The highs were sparkling and pronounced, fading out at precisely the correct rate, but not overwhelming the music or suppressing the others channels. By the end of the song I was astounded; these earphones managed to far surpass the sluggish dullness of the UE's and defined a class of their own. I had made a good buy indeed.
I spent the next 3 hours with the triple flanged tips in, experimenting with my new sonic reproduction device. The Westone 4's are such a leap above the old UE's, that sometimes I get the impression that the UE's were not even stereo in the first place, but this is likely because of the excellent fit created by the triple flanged tips. Unlike other earphones that fit differently in each of my uniquely shaped ears, the Westones managed to align themselves almost perfectly. With these, it is almost as if I am listening to stereo earphones for the first time in my life. In fact, the only sound system that has sounded quite like these was an $80,000 McIntosh setup that I heard at my local audiophile store. These Westone's, in the space of only a cubic centimeter, manage to approach the sound created by a 50+ speaker per channel 3000 watt behemoth, and at a price 160 times lower.
These earphones are a masterpiece. Every time I put them on, it is as if a sonic star gate to the 7th dimension is opened up. With their sound stage, lack of cross frequency interference, balanced color, tightness, high precision, and dynamic range, every time I put these on I am astounded. Besides the sound quality, they also feel and look sturdy, have a braided wire which helps decrease inductance and capacitance, a gold plated 1/8 jack, a decent storage case, and a plethora of ear tip options.
As for the ear tips, the triple flanged come in only one size, but manage to perfectly conform to my rather strangely shaped ear canals. They provide the 2nd best fit among the tips, equal bass to the best fitting ones, however slightly reduced treble compared to the mid size black tips that I also use. Depending on the music you listen to however, you may enjoy the more controlled treble of the triple flanged tips, though I recommend the black tips for vocals and 'natural' music in order to fully enjoy the nuances of the instruments. Taking the prize in fit, comfort, noise isolation, and bass are the mid-size foam tips. You have to tightly roll them up first, and then quickly get them into an ideal position deep in your ear before they expand, and then wait 30 seconds for them to conform to your ear...but they beat the other tips in every way, except for a slight deficiency in treble reproduction when compared to the black tips. I attempted to try the white tips, however all of the sizes hurt my ear so much because of their hardness, that I never got a chance to listen to anything on them. The foam and triple flanged both fit well enough to support the entire weight of the earphones and wire easily, however the ear placement method is so well designed that 1/2 the weight is supported by your ear anyway. I currently switch off between the mid-blacks, triple flanged, and mid-foam ear tips depending on the environment, music selection, and how long I plan on listening to music for (the triple flanged and then the foam are best for long term listening).
In the end, it was well worth the heavy price tag. Music has a tendency to take me to another place in space and time...separate from all the worries in my life. It allows me to experience the sound escapes of music, and dream escapes of video games and movies. The realism created by these takes me beyond the 3rd dimension, and deep into a 7th dimension, a place full of dazzling sound, where the only limit is my imagination.
Pros:
Looks, ear tip options, redundant wire strain relief, noise isolation, sound quality. Cons:
Could use a sturdier storage case for their price (perhaps made of a titanium slug?), wire will likely not survive a high tension impact strain (so you have to be gentle), wire is not removable from earphones, foam tips get dirty fast and are nearly impossible to clean, price (meh, right?), and they demand a high quality headphone amp to get the best out of. I would recommend this item to a friend.
Merchant Response:
Thanks for the great detailed review Robert!Supremely Balanced and Unparalleled Detail Retrieval
By Robert from Sharpsburg, GA on April 7, 2011
I bought these as an upgrade from the W3, which while extremely fun, I soon became disappointed in, due to mid bass bleed into the midrange. This caused vocals to become too chesty and distortion rock guitar notes too rounded instead of hard edged. Enter the W4.
Fit and Isolation: Westone 4 is extremely comfortable. I love their size and weight. They only fill up a small portion of the ear. On the downside the nozzle is very short, making them very tip dependent to achieve their great sound. Isolation is slightly above average with the right tip. Shure black olives work very well for best comfort but best sound is found in the old Shure e2c tips. They must be modded by using an olive core and provide the best bass response, without obscuring treble detail due to their larger sound hole opening.
Build Quality: Build quality is great. Westone has one of the best cables on the market. It is very flexible and light weight. It doesn’t tangle and is great for looping over the ear. The right angle connector fits most, if not all, iPhone cases including the bumper.
Accessories: Westone cases are one of the best on the market. The shape is small rectangle and perfect for fitting the phones and an iPod shuffle. Westone also provides a plethora of tips, none of which I like! Shure olives or modded Shure e2c soft flex tips are a must.
Sound: The W4’s are supremely balanced and neutral. No one frequency intrudes on another. Detail retrieval is unparalleled. They are very smooth and coherent. The funny thing is you may not like them when you first put them in because there is no WOW factor. Once you get over that initial disappointment, they seemingly get better and better. The best compliment is to say they do nothing wrong.
Bass: Bass is well textured, detailed and controlled but could use a bit more sub bass presence and a tad more punch, mainly due to my preference for sleaze rock music. Don't mistake this for bass light; it is not.
Mids: Mids are perfect for me; just a tad forward and liquid. Vocals are placed perfectly.
Treble: Treble is amazingly extended without a hint of fatigue. Somehow Westone has developed an outstandingly detailed treble and at the same time velvety smooth. It’s very difficult to describe but very well done.
Soundstage: Soundstage is above average. The UE Triple.Fi 10 is the only IEM I own with a larger soundstage. However the TF10 makes you feel about 15 rows deep at a concert and the W4 seems to bring you closer, maybe to within 5 rows.
Overall the new W4’s find themselves at the top of BA universal heap. The only criticism I can find is to say the timbre doesn’t match up to top dynamic drivers; however drums sound absolutely amazing on the W4. If you are looking for superb balance and refined detail retrieval, give the Westone 4 a try!
Pros:
Detail Retrieval, Balance and ClarityCons:
PriceI would recommend this item to a friend.
The best I've ever heard....
By Joey from Plainsboro, NJ on March 8, 2011
From the moment the photo was leaked, I knew I'd own the Westone 4 (W4).
As a current owner of the Westone 3 (W3) and a former owner of the Westone 2 (W2) I had great faith in Westone. The W4 delivered all the refinement and improvements that I hoped for over the W3. Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I love(d) the W3. They were my go to pair of In Ear Monitors (IEM's) when it was time to get lost in the music or put the daily stress behind me. The W3's are big, bad and bold. I don't consider that a knock against them, in fact that's what I loved about the Westone 3. The W3's bring all the flavor out of your music, and then some. They aren't big in size, but the soundstage is wide and deep. The bass is big and bold, but never overpowering to my ears. The W3's aren't for those looking for the most accurate IEM. Don't get me wrong, they are quite revealing as far as details are concerned, but you may find yourself too caught up in your music to notice them. The highs are very well done, the mids slightly behind the bass and treble, but I wouldn't call them recessed. The treble is bright and sparkly and with the wrong tip, they can be sibiliant. I found the perfect tip for my ears in the Shure Olives (foams). The Olives tame the highs just enough and seem to bring out the best in the W3 for me.
Given all of that, it should be no surprise that the first change I made out of the box was to put the Olive tips on the W4. I wanted an even playing field to compare the W4 to the W3. On first listen the W4's blew me away. I had to swap to the W3 mid song to see if what I was hearing was in fact the W4 or just some new detail I missed. Well, I didn't miss the detail, it just wasn't there with the W3. The instrument separation is outstanding with the W4. You can see (hear) where every instrument is in the soundstage. There's very little overlapping/congestion of instruments. The W4 can handle the most complex piece of music you can throw at it. Whether it's a classical piece or Dream Theater, you'll hear all the details/layering you could ever ask for from a universal fit IEM. I'm not sure if there's a "best way" to describe the W4. How about: They do everything well and do nothing wrong. How's that? The highs are more detailed than the W3's and show no signs of sibilance. The mids have been brought forward, yet I wouldn't call the W4 mid-centric like the Shure 535's. Let's move on to the bass, oh the wonderful bass. The W3 has the most amazing bass I've ever heard in a balanced armature IEM. They are almost as punchy as a dynamic speaker, but they don't move air like a true dynamic. The one fault that other listeners have always pointed out with the W3's bass, the Mid-Bass hump, was never offending to me. At least it wasn't as intrusive as the Sennheiser IE8 for me. The W4 shows no sign of a mid-bass hump. The results? The bass of the W4 is even more detailed than the W3. The bass is almost perfect. I've even stopped using my full size headphones (HD600) for critical listening (learning a new bass line). For the first time with an IEM, I can pull the whole bass line out of the mix without fiddling with EQ. I can hear it as it was recorded. The W3 was very good at bringing back the magic of the few studio recordings I've sat in on, but the W4 takes it to a whole new place. They W4's reveal more of the (many) flaws in my playing LOL. Oh well, I've never thought about quitting my day job :)
To wrap things up, I listen to every genre of music, with the exception of rap, on a regular basis. The W4's have not disappointed me with any genre. When called on the bass is powerful but not overpowering (electronica, pop). The mids reveal all the intimate details with the human voice (fantastic for female Jazz, ie. Melody Gardot, Diana Krall). The highs are fantastic, cymbal's sound realistic. The Westone 4's are simply the most balanced, revealing, engaging IEM I've ever heard.
IEM's I own or have owned: Westone 4, W3, W2, Shure 535, Sennheiser IE8, IE7, Triple-fi 10, Monster Coppers, Etymotic ER4P, Klipsch Custom 3, S4, Panasonic HJE900
Pros:
Everything! They are the most balanced, revealing and engaging IEM I've ever heard.Cons:
Nothing yet.I would recommend this item to a friend.
Merchant Response:
Thanks for the great review!Definitely Worth the Purchase
By Paul from Las Vegas, NV on October 21, 2011
Extremely detailed sounding earphones ... while I would have liked a little more bass it probably (I'm not an expert though) would have drowned out the detail of the mid's and high's that are the best I've ever heard. I definitely love these earphones and highly recommend them.
Pros:
-Detailed Mid's and High's
Cons:
-Bass is a little weakI would recommend this item to a friend.
Great sound
By Nathan from San Francisco on October 8, 2011
Great sound quality, its delivery very detail sound
Pros:
Sound qualityCons:
noneI would recommend this item to a friend.
Westone 4 Review
By Joel Kuntzman from east lansing, mi on September 18, 2011
These headphones seem to shine in acoustic sets for me. The bass is good at times but appears to be distorted in other songs. Overall like the headphones though.
I would recommend this item to a friend.
Better than my custom UE10's
By James D. from Colorado on September 14, 2011
More comfortable than my UE 10's and the sound quality and range is outstanding. A snug fit is the key to getting all of the base offered ( I did end up using Shure Olive). I love the light weight and lack of cord noise factors as I use these for working out. Over the past decade, I have used various in ear headphones - WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!
Pros:
Sound Quality, Fit, Flex of cable, Packaging, Easy and quick ordering/shipping.Cons:
Ear tip (bud) options - My opinion would be to eliminate the hard silicone buds and include the Shure Olive buds instead. I would recommend this item to a friend.
Quite simply: the best non-custom IEM's you can buy today.
By Carlos A from Washington, DC on September 3, 2011
I travel globally and have owned every top non-custom IEM (including SH ie8, Shure 535, UE 10vi, Klipsch x10) and while the Shures are by far the best of that group, the W4s are at another level. I am a amateur classical musician and for classical music I cannot imagine using anything else. The soundstage is wide, the instrumentation precise, the tone pure, and the range simply amazing. These are truly the first IEM's that I think are worthy of the "monitor" tag. You have the sense that nothing but the music is being sent to your ears. And that classical music purity does not come at any expense in other genres: bass is strong and tight on dance tracks, guitars scream on heavy metal, and the clear sound of brushed cymbals on a jazz track are enough to leave you wondering what the custom ones must sound like! Overall, just the best. Next step up is 2X in price and that will be really hard to justify when the W4s are this good.
Tip: I use them with the Shure triple-flange tips which are the best -- no outside noise. Period.
Pros:
1) Sound which is amazing at all time. It will leave even the most jaded listener speechless.
2) Super-comfortable, even for hours and hours of continuous listening.
3) Great cable and perfect cable length for travelers (but should be detachable).Cons:
1) Price (but at least they perform ad advertised, which is more than I can say for other brands).
2) Should come with detachable cable like 535s, just in case.
3) in line mike would be good since the triple-flange tips eliminate pretty much any sound. (Would be good to hear what flight attendant is saying without having to take out tips!)I would recommend this item to a friend.
OK, kinda great...
By M from CT on September 2, 2011
I have to admit that I'm hearing details that I didn't know were missing. At first I thought I had lost sound but then over time have realized the really true resolution brings out almost the 'raw' recording experience. Others have commented that there isn't the augmented bass, etc., which now I'm finding a whole new experience...
Pros:
fidelity I didn't know existedCons:
cost, cost, costI would recommend this item to a friend.
Music heaven
By Michael from New Orleans, Louisiana on September 1, 2011
I've upgraded from the Etymotic Research ER-4S, and while I recognize that I've traded in some isolation, I've gained layers of music I've never heard before with the Westone 4. It's simply amazing, comfortable, and all I can ask for in an IEM. Westone has got it right with a neutral sound that is rich and enveloping. Sound stage and instrument separation is phenomenal. The bass is simple okay, but I am not a bass head, so this is not a point I will quibble about. Simply put, the Westone 4 puts out a great sound that everyone can enjoy and has no real weaknesses, unlike the Shure SE535, which have a particular sound signatures that either people love or hate (guess which group I fell into). The Westone 4 was just right for me and I used Comply P series foam tips in a size large to get great isolation and amazing comfort with these IEMs.
Pros:
Supremely balanced soundCons:
The Westone 4 caused my expectations in IEMs to rise, and set the bar up so high, that I'm afraid my next upgrade will have to be customs unless Westone comes out with a UMX4 or a Westone 5.I would recommend this item to a friend.
Nice headphones
By CN from NYC on August 12, 2011
Clarity, definition and highs are great . Bass not as deep as you would expect. Not as detailed and defined asmy Denon over the ear pair.
Definitely happy with them but are they worth the difference in price? Not sure.
Cable is thin and flexible and they are lightweight.
I would recommend this item to a friend.
Brilliant sound in a small package
By Braden from New South Wales, Australia on July 30, 2011
I purchased the Westone 4 earphones as I listen to music for more than 2 hours a day so I thought it would be a worthwhile investment... and it was!
The sound quality that emits from these earphones is brilliant regardless of the music genre. Instruments and vocals are separated and presented in crystal clear quality. I am thoroughly happy with my purchase and I recommend them to other music enthusiasts.
Pros:
High build quality.
Excellent sound quality for all music types.Cons:
Takes slightly longer to seat them in your ears properly.I would recommend this item to a friend.
One of the best ear phone I've had
By James from California on July 21, 2011
I like this ear phone really much. The quality of the music from this ear phone is nice. Even though it is not really cheap but I guess it is worth it.
I would recommend this item to a friend.
Perfecto- No Problemo
By Steve T from Oakland Gardens New York on July 17, 2011
Fit is good with variable gel heads , and design fits neatly and stays in . Sound wonderful even before burn in , warm up , everyone talks about. I have eustashion tube dysfunction in my ears , and i wanted to hear what high quality sounded like so i tried these , and glad i did . only set me back a month of disabilty pay . Lucky I live with Mom, God Bless her . And while i'm at it , God Bless Westone and God Bless you too . Thanks for reading my humble opinion. Not overwhelming bass, with a considerate modest Sound adjustment on my Mini Disc , to Sound 2 , with a bass on 3 and a treble on 2 , I believe . Just sounds terrific. I got a pair of Westone 1's for out of the house listening. my Westone 4's stay in the house !
Pros:
Everything Cons:
neck "V" too short. I know , supposed to go over the ear and behind the neck, but it pulls that way too, .I would recommend this item to a friend.
Westone 4 Not My Favorite
By Bill Levy from Rochester NY on July 11, 2011
Sound is a passion. I've been in pro audio, touring concert sound & studio recording for 30+ years. I had a set of Shure SE530's that were stolen out of my car. After reading reviews at ES about the Westone W4's I decided to replace with them. I found the W4's to be well made, well packaged, with a nice case and various tips. Upon initial listening I was disappointed in the W4's sound reproduction versus my prior SE530's. The W4's are definitely superior for comfort and easy to get a good seal. The W4's have a punchier bottom, but not necessarily as natural or as musical on the low end. I found the W4 mids not as smooth, not as detailed or as transparent as the SE530's. And the W4's highs are not as silky, don't have the 'air' that the SE530's did. The biggest issue to me however is the W4's are 4-5 dB less efficient than the SE530's. Not just that I have to turn my iPod's gain up more to achieve the same playback volume, but with my iPod touch the loss of headroom due to the iPod's modest power output is audibly apparent on loud passages. I would recommend the W4's to a friend if they understand the strengths & weaknesses. But after having the W4's for a month now I am about to replace them with the new Shure SE535. So far every review on the SE535's say it's a big improvement over the SE530. Standby, SE535 review to follow.
Pros:
Well made. Comfortable. Good Seal. Prevalent, thumpy Bass.Cons:
Less sensitive than my previous Shure SE530. Mid & High Frequencies not as smooth, not as silky.I would recommend this item to a friend.
BEST EARPHONES EVER
By Stephen J. Friedman, MD from Encino, California on July 4, 2011
Over the years, I have purchased over-ear and in-ear headphones including the Shure SE535, Shure SE530, Shure E5c, Westone UM2, Westone UM3X, Sennheiser HD-600, and Sony BT-50. The Westone 4 Earphones are extremely comfortable to wear for prolonged periods, conveniently portable, and provide an optimal acoustic experience for all music types.
I would recommend this item to a friend.
westone 4
By di from honolulu on June 22, 2011
used this to go jogging/walking.
Pros:
good fit and comfortable. Mids and highs sound very detailed,.Cons:
Not enough bass impact.Merchant Response:
Hi Di,
Make sure you're getting a good seal so you get plenty of bass :)
Thanks for the review!Pleasantly Surprised
By Michael from Bolton, MA on June 21, 2011
These earphones were my first experience with Westone; had always used Shure with one exception of Ultimate Ears. The first thing I noticed was the light weight in comparison to my high-end Shures (500, 530, 535s). As far as sound goes, I should say that I'm no expert and spent a good deal of time finding the best eartips that would give me a good fit and sound (base, etc). I think the Weston 4s are great for rock and pop tunes. Very good base and range. The mids aren't quite as sharp as my Shures, but I really like using them as I seem to feel the music more as other reviewers have mentioned on the Westones. The cable system is noteworthy as they provide no resistance to fitting over the ear and that's a good thing. I'm very happy with them and glad I have added them to my collection. I would also like to mention that the information resources provided by Earphone Solutions has helped me get more enjoyment from all my earphones.
Pros:
Light weight
cables
feel the music
earphone solutionsCons:
mids aren't as sharpI would recommend this item to a friend.
More of a Good Thing
By Scott from Dallas, Texas on June 17, 2011
I don't know all the fancy terms, but I have a discerning ear. I have Westone 3's which I thought were pretty terrific. These '4's are so much better. There is separation of the mids and much more clarity. Bass is still there like I loved with the '3's. Overall, glad I spend the bucks!
Pros:
More clarity and separation throughout voices.Cons:
Not muchI would recommend this item to a friend.
Impressive sound
By Omar from Hoboken, NJ on June 14, 2011
I recently had the opportunity to test the Westones 3 and 4, the Shure SE530, and the Westone UM3X. At least for my tasted, I found the Westone 4 and the Westone UM3X far superior to the others. The UM3X is my favorite to listen to rock music and any kind of music involving singing. Westone 4 is best for instrumental music of all kinds, and for watching movies. The reason for this is that the Westone 4 absolutely great in giving you a "surround" feeling, but the singer's voice feels too distant or low in comparison with the rest. As a result, you have to turn up the volume higher than you may wish. The UM3X is far better on this point, and it also does a wonderful job in allowing you to hear the sound of each instrument and the voice powerfully and very, very clearly. Of all the headphones that I tested, the UM3X impressed me the most when listening to music. I was in musical heaven and it was difficult to take them out of my ears. The Westone 4's shined most when I connected them to my Galaxy Tab to watch a movie, but they also have a wonderful sound signature that makes them superb for music as well, specially instrumental, or any music at medium to high volumes. In comparison to them, the Westone 3 and the Shure SE530 felt too loud (as lacking a harmonious combination of sounds) and less sophisticated. If I had to choose between the UM3X and the Westone 4, I would keep the UM3X. I ended up keeping both.
Pros:
*Terrific orchestra and "surround" soundCons:
*The voice is not as loud as it should be.I would recommend this item to a friend.
Great soundstage and dynamic bass precision
By Fabio Di Biagio from Rome Italy on June 13, 2011
Excellent bass performance, well-balanced as well as present the mids with a good yield of the voice and the absence of harshness and hissing in the medium-high frequencies.
Even the high frequencies have made it soft and free of rips, but not very transparent and vivid.
Excellent soundstage both in amplitude (panorama audio) so in depth.
However, the general tone, though pleasant and relaxing to listen for long periods seems to show a slight veiling and a slight lack in clarity of sounds and harmonics , especially when compared with the performances presented in this area from other headsets at the same level as Grado gr 10 and Monster Turbine PRO Copper in respect of which the Westone 4 is still above both in terms of sound stage for the articulation and detail of the sounds, and dynamics and articulation of bass.
Pros:
Soundstage,bass detail and sound articulation.Cons:
General tone relaxing but slight veiled with a slight lack in clarity of sounds in terms of harmonicsI would recommend this item to a friend.
Excellent
By katsuhiko ito from Japan on June 2, 2011
Excellent item!!! You have to buy it.
I would recommend this item to a friend.
Superior pro/consumer IEMs, best ever?
By Jamal Turner from Australia on April 22, 2011
I've had various earphones over the years ranging from the hundred dollar mark, mid level and now up to W4's, without any doubt, from any sound I've heard these rank up at the top. Personally I listen to everything but country and I often class a speaker/earphone on it's ability to play classical due to it's dynamic range. I have KEF speakers, enjoy car stereos (I know there's no sound-stage as such even with time delays etc, but to be surrounded by bass while driving is beautiful I don't care what you say :p ) and more so than being an equipment freak, I love music straight out. Concerts, operas, clubs, live singing give me any of it, guitars, hip-hop, acoustic, I'll take it.
Now the earphones, clear sounding and precise is the first thing that comes to mind. Next is separation of instruments and sounds while keeping their fullness. I've read how the bass isn't as deep as it can be, but I've heard some bass notes I've never heard from tracks I've often listened to, so for me the bass is beautiful. I like replications of the music as it should be heard, without added sound signatures and the W4's provide that completely in my opinion. Not cold, not harsh in the highs, but neutral with a lovely sound if that makes sense.
If you have the money and don't want cans, then get these. If you don't have the money and want IEMs save for these as all I can do is recommend them to anyone who cares and can understand cost value. I also have a corda portable headphone amp which these IEMs don't necessarily need, but wow they do allow a push in overall power they provide to your ears.
They look low key-ish, cords hang over the ears and have excellent sound suppression, on a plane I can drift away completely into the music and not be bothered by engines or other noises. I wish I had the funds to compare to Shures, and other IEMs, but honestly I don't care, I feel I have one of, if not the best IEMs out right now and all I do is listen to music now and enjoy.
Pros:
everything Cons:
ppl who don't understand that spending $450 is priceless for the sounds you get out of them, so I write this review for those who care :)I would recommend this item to a friend.
Great for running
By Mindful product consumer from ann arbor, mi on April 19, 2011
Not a huge fan of in ear headphones but for running outside on noisy streets, they are great. These in particular are super lightweight and the sounds is amazing. So much that I find myself being able to run longer with them. I am really picky and sensitive when it comes to earphones. That being said, as with Shures, which I have owned a few pairs, the way the cord goes around the ear is never ideal for me. These are a little big in size but being so light, you don't notice that part once they are securely in your ear. One way they could be improved is to update their volume controller (which you can attach). It's too clunky. Instead they should streamline it and include a track changing button. For now, I have to manually change songs on my ipod when I run. They could also include (as Sennheiser does) a little plastic clip thingy (really important for managing flinging wires). Great carrying case included, however.
I would give it 5 stars for sound and being exceptionally lightweight. But overall 4 because there is room for improvement with the design.
Pros:
Lightweight
Excellent sound
Stays put during high impact exercise (i.e., running)
Nice carrying case included
Comfortable fit
Love the black cord, thin and the right lengthCons:
Horrible volume controller (clunky and should be a button not a roller)
No track change feature on said horrible volume controller
No clip included to secure loose cords
Size of buds a bit too big for my taste but...I would recommend this item to a friend.
Exceptional Earphones!
By Buzz from Virginia on March 9, 2011
Bottom Line: The Westone 4 is a truly incredible product that exceeded my every expectation.
My experience with IEMs is limited to the Shure E2C and Westone 2. After reading the reviews of the Westone 3 and the pre-reviews of the Westone 4 (W4), I was eager to try out this product. I've now had the W4 since 14 February and am comfortable enough to write the review.
My sources include an iPad, iPhone4, iPod 5.5G, iPod 6G with everything from 128k MP3s to ALAC. I typically listen to alternative, rock, pop, metal, country, and classical. I've used the W4s with an without an ALO Rx MkII portable amp. I use the Shure olives to get the right fit and isolation with the W4s.
My experience with these high-end IEMs has been truly incredible. The sound across the spectrum is simply amazing, the soundstage exceeded my expectations, and depth of experience is something that simply must be experienced. This is the first set of IEMs where I catch myself turning away from work or casual reading to immerse myself (or perhaps lose myself) in the music of the moment. Be warned, you will know which are your best and worst recordings after listening with the W4s. I also need to point out the lightweight, tangle-free EPIC cable from Westone. It's not marketing, this cable is excellent and creates no microphonics.
I will point out that this type of sound truly requires the right fit and right isolation. I simply couldn't get the right isolation with the Complys, the soft grey tips, or the hard white silicone tips. I can get very good sound very quickly with the triple flanges, but they are uncomfortable. Once I put the large Shures on these nozzles, I found simply found the sound I was looking for. You might have to work to get it, but it's worth the effort to get this kind of sound.
I can honestly say these IEMs are worth the price.
Pros:
Exceptional sound
Great isolation
Comfortable wearCons:
Had to buy Shure olives to get the right fitI would recommend this item to a friend.
studio performance
By patrice from Brussel, Belgium on March 9, 2011
i've the We3 and now the We4.
when i listen my music on this We4 , it gives to me the same effect of the first time with the We3, a wow effect
i can not imagine how can be possible to create this new in ear , the sound is incredibly better more pure more bass more definition.
The only thing disappoint me , no more image projection when you listen the music :-(
Pros:
so pure and close to the perfection Cons:
no more projection of image like the westone 3I would recommend this item to a friend.
Westone finally wins me over.
By The Geator from Philly on February 28, 2011
As a former owner of 3 pair of Westone IEMs (W2, W3, UM3X), I have to honestly say I was not in the market for another one. A recent purchase of a pair of JH5 customs had me putting the brakes on buying any more expensive IEMs. But a couple of people I respect told me they were worth a try. I already had a pair of Westone UM56 custom sleeves hereabouts (got them for the UM3X/W2, but they never really worked for me). So I took one more chance on Westone, and now I can say they have finally won me over. For whatever reason, I just wasn't happy with previous Westone phones, either too hard to fit and sometimes harsh (W3), or, in my view, sort of boring (W2 and UM3X).
That's one reason I finally decided to move to a custom, albeit an entry level one. No universals quite hit the mark. So I added an expensive silver cable to the JH5s and they have made me very very happy for the past few months. Now, with the W4s, I have two spectacular IEMs, for the price of one expensive custom. And the UM56 sleeves match up perfectly with the W4s, so it's like having two customs.
Apart from fit this time, Westone has, for me, nailed what a great universal should sound like. Plenty of solid, extended bass, but no bass cannon. Mids and highs, close to perfection for the price. I lean towards that end of the frequency spectrum personally, and the W4s are just right. Never harsh, a little warm (but never mushy or veiled like some other expensive universals I have owned in the past. No reason to mention any names).
Over the past 5-6 years I have owned 4-5 dozen IEMs, including expensive ones like Earsonics SM3, Ety ER4P/S, hf5, hf2 (still own them), MC3/5, Monster Gold/Copper, CK10, TF10, and dozens of other too numerous to mention. IMHO, none of them really can compete with the W4s for all-genre listening. To me, and I know others may not agree, when I hook the W4s up to my inexpensive amp (FiiO E7) and the iPod Class LOD, they sound even better. No amp needed, mind you, but they do scale up very nicely.
So okay Westone, you finally have won me over. The cymbals shimmer, the drums are true and vocals really are brought to life, whether its western swing or world beat, fusion or folk. In some ways I am really surprised by this turn of events. I had given up on Westone. After all, I spent hundreds of dollars on their IEMs and was never satisfied.
How do the W4s compare the JH5s? Not really fair, since they are like comparing Wilt to Kareem (at least in my humble audio world) - two greats who played the same position. The W4s are warner, more laid back but in a perfectly good way. The JH5s may be a little more edgy, treble/mid focused, but never harsh either. Both have outstanding soundstage and bass, and no need for EQ (but if you do use it, it won't crush their already great sound).
Wrapping it up, I bow to Westone because they got it right this time. In all honesty, would someone who had bought and sold three of their other phones be a likely candidate for a rave review? Not likely. And I am not trashing the other Westone phones, either. They just didn't work for me. The W4s definitely do.
Pros:
Most everything. Would like a removable cable, but I can live with stock.Cons:
So far, nothing comes to mind. Yes, they are expensive. But i spend money foolishly on plenty of stuff that can't deliver what the W4s can deliver.I would recommend this item to a friend.
Quest is over.... for now!
By Rhys from Cardiff, United Kingdom on February 28, 2011
I've been using the Westone 4's for a couple of weeks now. I have owned a number of IEM's including UM 2, Westone 3, Westone um3x and shure se535, and find the westone 4 to be significantly superior to them all.
I love how balanced they are and how much 'tighter' the bass is compared to the westone 3 and um3x. The soundstage is also wider than any other earphone I've tried before.
While I like the sound signature of the shure se535, I much prefer the fit of the Westone 4 as I personally found the thicker cable on the se535 to be more of a hindrance than help in achieving a reliable fit. The Westone 4, I feel, trumps the Se535 in terms of fit and fidelity.
I now feel that I have an IEM (the westone 4!!) where i can loose myself in the music rather than pick out any shortcomings/dislikes in sound signature and fit.
Quest for best IEM is over.... for now!!
Pros:
Overall balanced sound signature
Tight and well controlled bass
Excellent highs
Exceptional fit
Wide and immersive soundstage
Thin and comfortable EPIC cable
Cons:
Expensive (but worth it and cheaper than Shure SE535)I would recommend this item to a friend.
Westone 4 Comfort / Appearance / Detail / Price
By Utah from Perth, Western Australia on February 21, 2011
I recently purchased a pair of these intriguing new earphones having bought a pair of the Westone UM3X and enjoyed them tremendously especially in comparison with the pair of Shure SE530s I was using for quite a long time prior. When the parcel arrived I quickly unpacked it and noticed that the earphones had Made in China on the box which wasn't the case with the UM3X that are made in the USA however that didn't spoil the moment as I was way more concerned with what was inside the box and how it sounded.
The earphones come in a black glossy finish and are a nice size they fitted nicely and sat flush with my ears. I think the comfort and fit of the earphones are better for me than the UM3X. What did they sound like.. hmm...Well I had high expectations probably due to the prior reading I did about them... They sounded good ..I mean really nice but I wasn't sure exactly how so to begin with but it became more obvious as I listened to various musical pieces. They are Very Detailed more so than the UM3X more so than any earphone or headphone I have listened to..I heard things I never heard before in familiar songs...They have a really nice balance to the overall sound... Very low noise output.....More bass then the UM3X and its quite noticeable...You can definitely notice the added head room....... As for the price I would buy them... Well I did didn't I ....But I think they are worth the money $449 they cost if you appreciate the finer sounding things in life as I do.
Pros:
Comfort
Fit
Sound Detail
AppearanceCons:
Made in China
Same travel case as UM3X
The $449 price tag but only because Im not Bill GatesI would recommend this item to a friend.
WORTH THE $$$$
By Westonealltheway from Randolph NJ on February 20, 2011
As a current owner of Westone 3's, UM 2's, Future Sonics M5's, Etymotic HF2, ER-4P, and cans like Bowers-Wilkins P5's, I must say that I am truly amazed at the sound signature of the 4's- tight/ controlled lows while the mids and highs are still prominent!
As usual, the construction and sturdiness is exceptional and the cables are more tightly wound than the W-3's.
In my view, they definitely improve on the w-3's on the sound range - they sound more fuller and you know you can drive them to their limits using a portable amp/DAC.
Worth every penny- as usually, Westone has proven that it NEVER fails to impress.
Kudos on a winner, Westone!!!! Ok,now I have to put some Of the other IEMS on the selling block- for my other IEM's- they are good in their own way,but I have found the best :-)!
Pros:
- the sound signature- tight/controlled bass with distinct mids and highs
- -you get enveloped in whatever music you are listening to
- Westone's exceptionally sturdy construction
Cons:
- the 4's have made my other IEMS feel obsolete!!! :-(I would recommend this item to a friend.
First impression of Westone 4
By Howard Marder from Manhattan, a small island on the Hudson River on February 19, 2011
My Westone 4 earphones only arrived yesterday and since they have not had the proper amount of time to break in, it is way to early to give a review. After listening for a few hours though, I can give an impression and that is WOW! The Westone 3 (which I lost with my iPod on a JetBlue flight), was incredible in all aspects. Could the Westone 4 be better? The soundstage is wider (I think that the sound has gone outside my ears and around my head). The clarity of sound is magnificent on both live recordings and those made in a studio. The front-to-back and side-to-side imaging places every instrument where it was when the recording was made. Highs, lows and in-betweens are extended and clear. They scream audiophile quality and they whisper it as well. Is it worth the money? Without a doubt. Buy these from Earphone Solutions immediately if you want the best that is possible. No, that isn't fair to say since I haven't tried other earphones. All that I can really compare them to in this class are the Westone 3 and they are at least 50% better. My only negative reaction is that they are made in China. Why can't Westone find a way to hire American workers in an American facility who can make these as well? Sure, it might cost more, but from my first impression of the Westone 4 they would be worth it.
Pros:
Soundstage, imaging, bass, mid-range and high-end are exactly where they should be. Audiophile quality of the sound that comes out of these earphones is amazing.Cons:
Make them in America instead of China. We need the jobs and the income. Of course they are expensive and a lower price would be nice.I would recommend this item to a friend.
Merchant Response:
Thanks Howard from Manhattan, a small island on the Hudson River :)Best universal in-ears I've ever heard
By michael smith from New York, NY on February 18, 2011
I own lots of high end in-ears including the Shure SE530, Sennheiser IE8, Westone UM3X, and Westone 3. None was perfect in every respect. It all depended on the genre I was listening to. The IE8 and Westone 3 better for dance and hip hop, the UM3X better for jazz, the SE530 better for classical.
The Westone 4 beats them all regardless of genre. I'm thinking of selling all the others on Ebay and buying a couple more Westone 4s just in case. I love them so much, I don't want to risk being without them for even one day.
Pros:
Tight and well behaved bass.
Incredible soundstage and detail.
Highly accurate sound reproduction.Cons:
They are very accurate to the source material, so some may need to add EQ to gain their preferred sound color. I would recommend this item to a friend.
Okay...Preliminary!
By Giovanna Visconti from New York City on February 17, 2011
I've only listened for one hour via an 80 gig iPod.
These are simply non-pareil. They are GORGEOUS. You hear it differences right away...BAM. Soundstaging...tight, yet unobtrusive bass apparently seamlessly integrated. Warm mids, and smooth, open highs.
I'll be back after more extensive listening, but the difference between the 4s and everything else in an ECH that I've heard (and that's a lot!) is phenomenal. They're definitely set apart.
Pros:
Outstanding soundstaging. Tightly integrated bass. Warm, expansive mid-range. Smooth, continuously open highs.Cons:
Nothing.I would recommend this item to a friend.
Merchant Response:
Thank you for Giovanna. Looking forward to your extended version :)Absolutely beyond belief
By Roy Z. from DE on February 14, 2011
Just got my new Westone 4 today, so these are initial reactions. I've never posted a review before, but felt compelled to do so. I have had them in my ears for the past two hours, having owned the UM2 for a couple of years. I am simply stunned, as these new W4 earphones are beyond belief. The first thing I noticed was that the mid range is more forward, a huge improvement. But the biggest change after listening more, is that there just seems to be more balance and clarity across the whole spectrum. The bass is actually less pronounced than the UM2, but just sounds better and more balanced. Its "there" in the right way and better way. The highs are clean. You hear little things more. In general, the sound is just stunning. They are extremely comfortable. If you are wondering whether the added or new cost of replacing what you have is worth it, Westone or otherwise, there is no doubt. I simply can not imagine anything better. I may just leave them in all week long......
Pros:
Simply clean and perfect balance across the sound spectrum
Comfort
I would recommend this item to a friend.
Review 14 February 2011
By JOHNkPROSSER from TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT on February 14, 2011
Have used Shure SE 530 & Weston 3 ear phones for some years BUT quite stunned and surprised by the clarity with improved balance across the whole frequency range with the new Weston 4s; I am mainly interested in Classical music; but since retiring recently, enjoy exploring new areas! They now out perform my AKG K1000s; and they still add new quality to DAC supported Apple plus as well as my ipods with recordings at both the highest and low settings. I am now worried that my music will become even more addictive!
Pros:
the new clarity and quality they give recordings from all sources
Compact and portable - useful case - so there for those 'odd moments'
Discreet in public & still able to be used in (very) noisy environments.
Cables resists tangling
Brilliant service from Earphone Solutions; arrived when they said it would (but didn't get the free shipping to UK now on offer!)Cons:
price!I would recommend this item to a friend.
