Westone Audio, known for its in-ear and acoustic innovation products over the last few decades, has added more reason to boast in regards to audiophile grade in-ear monitors with its new W10 & W40 headphones. That being said, neither model offers an insane amount of bass that BEATS your eardrums. So, if you’re looking for loads of low end to drown out the mood, these aren’t the IEM your’e looking for. However, If you are looking for amazing clarity, rich detail, and a perfect balance of bass, continue reading, you serious listener/audio enthusiast, you.
Design
Both W10 & W40 are designed to really fit snug in your ears for optimal audio enjoyment. Each model also includes two detachable cables: One smooth cable designed for iOS/Apple controls (3-Button Apple Control System + Mic –
Function control for Apple products including volume +/– , tracking +/– , phone answer, and Siri activation) & one twisted pair in line cable. Both have a 90 degree connection at the source, which is huge, because that’s one area where cables get the most damage in pockets or when attached to a device.
Both models come with a “Monitor Vault”, a small plastic, latch-locking carry case with foam interior + weather resistant design that contains a second cable, four additional silicon ear tips, five foam ear tips, one earwax removal tool, and one small allen wrench to remove and customize your new headphone with the two additional colored (red & blue) faceplates that are included in the premium, magnetic sealed box they come in.
W10 Specs
SENSITIVITY: 122 dB SPL @ 1 mW
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20 Hz – 16 kHz
IMPEDANCE: 27 ohms @ 1 kHz
PASSIVE NOISE ATTENUATION: 25 dB
DRIVER: Balanced armature full range.
WEIGHT: 0.445 ounces/12.7grams
CABLE: EPIC Replaceable cable and MFI G2 cable
CABLE LENGTH: 50″ / 128 cm
MSRP: $249.99
“A single balanced armature driver delivers high fidelity sound reproduction. Using the same advanced technology found in Westone’s iconic ES Series, the W10 delivers extraordinary detail and clarity.” – Westone Audio
W40 Specs
SENSITIVITY: 118 dB SPL @ 1 mW
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10 Hz – 18 kHz
IMPEDANCE: 31 ohms @ 1 kHz
PASSIVE NOISE ATTENUATION: 25 dB
DRIVER: 4 balanced armature drivers with a 3-way crossover.
WEIGHT: 0.445 ounces/12.7grams
CABLE: EPIC Replaceable cable and MFI G2 cable
CABLE LENGTH: 50″ / 128 cm
MSRP: $599.99
“The Quad-Driver Westone W40 earphone will take your listening experience to an entirely new level. Four balanced armature drivers and a three-way crossover network deliver breathtaking clarity and realism. Westone’s True-Fit technology provides superior ergonomics and comfort.” – Westone Audio
W10 Performance
When listening to electronic dance music (EDM) that contained heavy bass lines, as I tend to do, the W10 was never overbearing or over the top as to distract from the music, but more a well balanced compliment to the smooth high-midrange and crisp highs. Similar to the Adventure series – Alpha, the W10 did not cease to amaze in clarity. However, there were some areas when the W10 would distort with sub-bass levels when played at a moderate level.
When listening to Blues/Rock music such as The Black Keys, a nice sound stage became a bit more present along with distortion, again at higher than optimal listening levels. However, my music catalog was far more enjoyable when listening to the W10 than some sub $100 category IEMs that I currently own.
W40 Performance
An immediate audio quality/clarity difference is greatly apparent from the first tone played in this much wider sound stage capable, Four armature IEM. While listening to female vocalists like FEIST, warm, spacious sound stages were soothing and relaxing to the point it reminded me that this is how audio should be enjoyed. Again, there I noticed slight distortion, but only when a vocalist’s higher pitches would pierce from the lower levels.
Even when moving back to bass-heavy tunes, the W40 really seemed to perform well and still have a well balanced mid & high range without muddying audio playback. One of my favorite tracks that was bass-heavy and had an elegant tone on female vocals was Pretty Lights’ “One Day They’ll Know” (ODESZA Remix). It seemed to really make these monitors reach all ranges and did not disappoint in any way.
If you consider yourself to be an audio purist, the Westone W10 are a great start. If heavy bass is your thing, these may not be the correct IEMs for you. If accuracy, wider range/sound stage, and well balanced clarity is more of your flavor, the W40 model is a much better buy for the money at about double the price.
Editor’s Note: Serious Audiophiles be on the look out for Westone’s W60 monitors that they showed off at CES. If you stopped by their booth in Vegas two months back, you were no doubt treated to audio bliss in a six armature in-ear headphone that will be released and hopefully reviewed here by yours truly. Also, both of these IEMs really performed well when paired with Meridian Audio’s USB DAC (review coming soon).
