My new reference! Westone Mach 70 IEM review

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A review of the Westone Mach 70 IEMs including frequency response measurements and comparisons with the Beyerdynamic Xelento 2 and Thieaudio Monarch Mk3.
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Schiit Bifrost 2/64 - $799 - www.schiit.com/products/bifrost-1
Gustard R26 - $1,650 - amzn.to/3QyZ0mB
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Chord TT2 - $5,295 - chordelectronics.co.uk/product/hugott2
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Burson Audio Voyager - $5,300+ - bit.ly/4a8Mwcq
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Questyle M15i - $349 - amzn.to/4doMSyp
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Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe - $40 - amzn.to/3UIXQr4
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Edifier Neobuds Pro 2 - $130 - amzn.to/3WwMpEf
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HiFiMan Svanar Wireless - $499 - amzn.to/4amOhmx
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Like the music in this video? You can get it here: www.epidemicsound.com/referral/ofkioc/
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Price, accessories & design
03:08 Sound quality
09:48 Westone Mach 70 vs Beyerdynamic Xelento 2
12:07 Westone Mach 70 vs Thieaudio Monarch Mk3
15:44 My target curve
16:48 Wrap-up
#audiophile #audioreview #iem

[@mikef5659]

You have definitely given a great description of how these are a warmer tuning. Resolve should love these. I’m not really a warm preference kind of guy so it’s a bit of a risk for me at $980. I’m thinking the IE600 would be better for my taste.

[@PassionforSound]

The IE600 is definitely a nice alternate choice.

[@karolkedzierski5824]

The queation is if the brain should do any exercises to adjust to the sound. Like when we listen to a good speakers, our brain immediately perceives the sound as natural and pleasant. There is enough of low, mid and high frequencies to make the music sounding real. When we need to adjust and give any "brain burn" time, maybe this is an indicator of an unnatural sound?

[@Luminon87]

Naturalism isn't the only goal one can have for a sound system, and also this effect depends heavily on what you last listened to before having that experience.

[@PassionforSound]

I completely agree that it's mostly about what you're coming from as to what might sound right/wrong, unless there's specific emphasis in the tuning that's throwing off the tonality. In the case of the Mach 70s, my point is that they are a less bright tuning than much of what is on the market now so people trying these after using something more "on trend" with raised treble will initially hear these as dark/warm, but I recommend fixing these a bit of time before judging them under those circumstances.

[@karolkedzierski5824]

@@PassionforSound so maybe they are too dark when compared to a proper tuned iems? I also found many iems that I perceived as brighter to sound too dark when compared to speakers or good open back planars. There is a reason why after scientific research the best results in simulating speaker sound were achieved with DF or Harman tuning for iems and headphones. Im not saying that different approach to a tuning cant sound good but when it comes to naturalness and realism, the best results can be achieved by using Harman 2019 or DF.

[@PassionforSound]

The idea that there is a proper tuning is the problem for a couple of reasons. 1) the Harman Target is an approximation of a consumer preferences, not a measurement of tonal accuracy and also not applicable to everyone (there is a 10dB margin of error in the bass). 2) We all hear differently due to the length, width and shape of our ear canals varying and creating unique resonances for each of us.

[@PassionforSound]

One other point is that speakers and headphones of any quality can't be used as a reference for correctness either because they have their own colouration (and room interaction with speakers). The only real reference is a live, acoustic instrumental performance in a good acoustic space.

[@MaZEEZaM]

The pelican case is a really nice bonus.

[@Mastermnd1]

The plunge audio iem is probably its most relevant competitor

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't heard of the Plunge Audio IEMs before. They certainly look interesting.

[@reflection1119]

The plunge audio unity might be something you'd be interested in as it also has a "reference" type non harman tuning.

[@PassionforSound]

It definitely seems like an interesting product!

[@nusu5331]

thank you for the great review! would like to see a comparison to the Mach 80. Hopefully Westone will send some over to you

[@PassionforSound]

I'm definitely keen to try their other models. These are impressive!

[@jezsmith8167]

After listening/watching I bought Mach 70’s and Mojo2…..9 days in I’m totally convinced these are stunners everything is there. Mojo2 helps to. Cheers m8. Frank Zappa has never sounded better. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@PassionforSound]

Wow! Perfect purchases in my opinion. So good your loving how they sound together!

[@PaTPaT3116]

the graph reminds me a lot about the CA andromeda pre 2020, or rather the special gold edition of them.. how picky are these Westone's with source device? or how sensitive are they? Do they also pick up him like crazy from bascially everything? I really enjoyed the andromeda gold and still have my set because of sentimental values but hardly ever get to use them because of their hum.. :x would love to have their sound in a less sensitive package

[@PassionforSound]

I never tried the gold version Andromeda, but I had an early green pair and they had way more treble than the Mach 70 so double check before buying these as a similar option. That said, I do think they sound brilliant. As for source issues, I'll do a check later today and let you know how they go on a noisier source.

[@PassionforSound]

I just tried on a few devices and I think the Mach 70 probably isn't quite as picky/sensitive as the Andromeda, but it is still pretty sensitive to hiss/noise so it's hard to make a recommendation for you.

[@FOH3663]

Curious as to your opinion what makes similarly measured LF responses subjectively "punchy", "fast", etc., vis-à-vis less so. Thank you

[@MaZEEZaM]

Great review and thanks for the Australian link. I will definitely consider these. Do you know how they compare comfort and fit wise to Sennheiser IE 600? They are by far the most comfortable IEM I've owned.

[@PassionforSound]

Comfort and fit is as good or better than the IE600 IMO. Both are excellent though so even if they're not better for you, they're going to be as good, I expect. 🙂

[@MaZEEZaM]

@@PassionforSound Thanks, thats great to hear. I am going to order these.

[@MaZEEZaM]

@@PassionforSound i see there is an 8 driver version, would this be better? Its $500 AUD more.

[@PassionforSound]

Sorry about the very slow response. I've been travelling for the Penang AV Show. I am expecting to receive the 8 driver Mach 80 soon, but I can't really say until I hear them if they're better. They might be tuned quite differently

[@geereesh77]

Pulled the trigger based on your review!

[@PassionforSound]

I hope you love them as much as I do!

[@nolly485]

Westone Mach 70 better than Shure se846? I ask this because I find the only tips to give me a good seal are the long foam tips in large that both Shure sell and westone sell. I was considering getting the latest Shure se846 as my current old set are having issues with the mmcx connections so need to go back to Shure for repair. Anyone compared these two IEM'S?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't directly compared, but I've owned the SE846 twice. The second time around, I felt that they'd been left behind by the competition in a couple of ways. The bass wasn't as melodic as I would like (a little bit "one note") and the treble has always been either a touch too mellow (black nozzle) or a touch edgy (blue/white nozzles). I have neither issue with the Mach 70. Hope that helps!

[@nolly485]

@@PassionforSound I returned my Wstone 70 as it did not suit. I was coming from the Gen 1 Shure Se846 which is known for its great bass performance but with the Westone 70 it just was not there and I am not a bass heavy person. I have now purchased the Gen 2 Shure se846 with red nozzles. So much better sounding to my ears and preference just better overall.

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you're enjoying the new version Shures. Sorry the Mach 70s didn't work out for you

[@1badMucker]

Thank you for the review. How do these compare with the IE 600? I love the way the 600s sound but I am curious if the Mach 70 is a complimentary set, redundant, or an upgrade from the Sennheiser. TIA

[@PassionforSound]

The Mach 70s are smoother sounding and a bit more even across the whole frequency range. I own and love the IE600s, but I do prefer the Mach 70s overall because they're so easy to enjoy for everything while still being very resolving.

[@TechAudioTalks]

3:00 listening to Joss Stone - Never Forget My Love I experienced the same thing you described but listening with Thieaudio Hype 4 upgrading from budget Kiwi Ears Quartet so this means these tuning feet me well and so I'm getting the Mach 70 for my high end IEM but the bass quantity is a issue i often face maybe I get the 64 audio Volur instead 10:20 oh definitely getting Volur instead

[@PassionforSound]

Haha. Sounds like you've been on a decision making journey in this video 🙂🙂

[@spamcan9208]

Out of my price range but it sounds like a really enjoyable set.

[@PassionforSound]

I definitely think so 🙂

[@nolly485]

UK link provided for buying has them £700 cheaper on a different selling site same company so making any UK buyers aware.

[@PassionforSound]

Are you saying that people can buy them for £700 less elsewhere? I don't think you can post links here, but feel free to name the site for people 🙂

[@nolly485]

@@PassionforSound Yes £700 less than the UK link you have provided and the same company but just a different selling website.

[@PassionforSound]

Ah, gotcha. Perhaps that didn't show up in my search because I'm located in Australia.

[@nolly485]

​@@PassionforSoundon eBay UK

[@stephendenagy3396]

I started with Shure and Westone. But as the field matured, it was obvious that they had been left behind. When I heard IEMs that followed the Harman target, I was hooked. We I have gone back to some older Westones laying around, I realized that their tuning sounded like they were buried in a woolen sock. So, based on your description, their house vibe hasn’t really changed. The high mids and treble are…flat. And you basically describe it that way, though show it as desirable. I love my stable, U12t, Mirai, Monarch Mk3. I love the contrasts. The Westone sets are, IMHO, flat and boring. I mean, you admit that there is not much bass. And the treble is recessed. OK, why would I even listen? I get some people like that tuning. But it doesn’t comport to reality. My theory is that they trained a generation of musicians on their stuff, and they won’t change because that is how they judge their live performances. Well, I don’t have that problem. You are confirming to me that they have not adapted. Too bad. But I have an old 6 driver version gathering dust, and I listened again a few months ago. I am SO GLAD I don’t use them anymore. Sadly, it seems you make strange criticisms of the Monarch, really to justify the lack of acoustic data and flatness. I have never heard a reviewer complain the Monarch is essentially, TOO detailed. OK, thanks,I LOVE detail! It…reminds me of live music. Oh well, no doubt some people will like that curve. I have grown past it, rediscovering my music with each advancement, rather than being stuck in a 1990s time warp. Everyone else has moved on. Thanks for the review! This is Confirmation. There really are people that dislike detail. Dislike excitement. Dislike reality. For you…I present…the Westone family of IEM.

[@PassionforSound]

It's worth remembering that we all hear distinctly differently due to our ear anatomy. Also, the Mach 70 don't lack bass at all. They're not punchy, but neither are the Monarch Mk3.

[@dominicboucher5759]

Hello Lachlan, thanks a lot for this great and informative review! I owned a pair of Westone W80 a few years ago and I liked its awesome comfort and organic/analog, non-fatiguing type of sound very much. From your description, the MACH 70 seems to have this kind of sound, maybe a tad bit more on the fun side, to keep it more engaging. I’m on the fence to try these MACH 70, but I’m curious to have your opinion on how the MACH 70 compares to the Beyer Xelento (which is also on my radar). Does the Xelento have that same kind of smooth and engaging sound (especially in the midrange)? Thanks a lot in advance!

[@PassionforSound]

The Xelento is a little more v-shaped and therefore a little less easy going (but still excellent and fun). Maybe check my measurements of the two on PFS.squig.link to get a sense of the tuning differences. I've also got the Mach 60 and Mach 80 coming up for review, but they're a little way off still...

[@dominicboucher5759]

@@PassionforSoundThanks a lot, I'll take a look at your measurements for sure. I've read that the Xelento doesn't sound exactly as it measures, but anyway, it will be interesting to give a look at the graphs. It will be interesting to see your review if the MACH 60 and 80 too! Thanks again Lachlan!

[@PassionforSound]

@dominicboucher5759 no problems. I'd say that the Xelento 2 matches up fairly well to how it measures based on my perceptions of it and if we're only thinking about frequency response, but the measurements won't show the speed of the driver and the Xelento 2 is tastefully slow which brings a sense of smoothness and fullness to its sound that's quite different from the Westones. Both are excellent.

[@dominicboucher5759]

@@PassionforSound Interesting... I will try to give the Xelento 2 a listen (or its twin T8ie MkII). I'm sure I will like their sound. Hey, thanks again Lachlan, your review and your comments are giving me a good idea 👍

[@lextr3110]

that L-R matching is really bad..

[@s18018]

Chi-fi rules, lol

[@aRc11-11]

Or Keb's recording was studio produced. Meaning a really dubbed, sounding very unnatural, unlike simple 🎤'ing of a live recording. The 70 "sounds" too colored for my tastes.

[@PassionforSound]

That's fair enough. We all hear a little bit differently.

[@jfox8888]

Nah, non 2pin, slightly pricer for those same BA found in other Chi-fi brands, i would rather risk my money with DUNU or Thieaudio products, Westone WAS the standard due to monopoly [ knowledge is power, and no one else knew how to create those BA and DDs back then ] now is entirely base off their old branding name for the cash. Its just the other Dr Dres of Beats audio, sounds nothing much but adjusted bass

[@nolly485]

You can buy them new for £699.

[@PassionforSound]

There are lots of IEMs around using the same BAs, but it's the tuning and combination of the BAs that makes for a great sounding IEM. It's like giving the same ingredients to two cooks. You won't get identical dishes.

[@jfox8888]

@@PassionforSound However that said, my own view, one of them is using " michelin star" as a price up. One being a french wanabe the other a humble ramen chief michelin star , i am here to agree, that we disagree on that point, but both having the same components. its never a bad recommendation over chifi considering the QC issues, Moondrop and tanjim etc, but for hard earn money , i would do a 70% soft sell towards chi-fi for that price range.

[@PassionforSound]

Have you heard the Mach 70?

[@Rex88282]

Guys never buy westone iems , believe me ! I had a very poor experience with westone ! Worst iems and expensive without any reason . Omg flat and is like nothing bro for the price! Please don’t