Radius HP-TWF41 Wn4

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by MuppetFace, Nov 2, 2016.

  1. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    Just got these in and am currently listening with a variety of Sony Walkmans old and new, as well as my humble iPad. Had experience with their previous TOTL model, the Wn2, in the past: felt it offered a unique presentation and laid back sound, but was nothing to really write home about. I feel the Wn4 by contrast is shaping up to be something special.

    -hybrid dynamic driver for mids and lows, with a piezoelectric (!!!) ceramic tweeter.
    -overall sound is well balanced, with a teeny bit of bass emphasis (good dynamic bass), but not overwhelming
    -highs are buttery smooth, and the overall tilt seems a tad on the dark side
    -without sounding rolled off in that Audez'e way
    -mids are neither forward nor recessed
    -relaxed, sophisticated; the earphone equivalent of silk pajamas and a fez
    -these can go loud without sounding painful - be careful
    -detail retrieval Is not particularly emphasized; these are more of a warm "holistic" listen, but done very well
    -good if not spectacular separation
    -headspace seems wider than deeper

    Build quality and presentation are middle of the road. They seem sturdy and look unique.
    Detachable cable is a plus. Fit is comfortable if somewhat shallow.

    So far the verdict is quite positive.
    Very nice balance, smooth, warm but not gooey, coherent, good timbre.

    Tyll said the whole Radius lineup sounds good, so I'm definitely curious to hear more.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2016
  2. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    How are female vocals- laid back or energetic?
     
  3. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    Pretty even-keeled, but tending just a bit toward the laid back side of things.
     
  4. Friday

    Friday Friend

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    The Wn3 is mostly similar, but with a boomier bass (more to @Warrior 's taste perhaps? If he can get past the fit that is).

    Have you tried rolling cables though? I find that generally other cables from Shure's standard replacement cable to the more expensive ones made it less rolled off without necessarily sacrificing smoothness, so I'm wondering if it is a "defect" of the stock cable. I was glad to change it anyway cos of the microphonics and the potentially itch-inducing sleeving, though I do miss the clever 45-degree plug.

    Edit: Realised it's probably too early for cable rolling to be considered.

    Also curious if your eartips were positioned further up or down the stem, as I found the extended position to reduce emphasis on the mids slightly, and make the treble spikier.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2016
  5. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Yes, these have been mentioned multiple times in the HF basshead thread. I've yet to hear them, and I'm not sure if some of the true bassheads have heard them yet. But they are of interest.
     
  6. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    There are definitely better options for bassheads out there IMO.

    The JVC FX 850 for instance.
     
  7. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    That's what I was thinking from what I've read about the radius. If they were true basshead IEMS @shotgunshane would have let me know.
     
  8. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    Agreed, definitely no basshead phones.

    I usually recommend these to folks who're looking for something like the HD650 in IEM form. And to those who like the KEF M200 soundwise, but hate the ear hooks.
     
  9. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    When I had a short listen to these, I tried quite hard to trip them up. Even "Waitress" by Tori Amos, with its deliberately shrieky chorus, was quite acceptable. They're very smooth IEMs, though not necessarily particularly veiled. You won't hear detail like you would in the CA Andromeda or similar, but they're enjoyable. If you're looking for a polished and slightly warm sound, with robust but not disproportionate dynamic bass, they're interesting.

    While I haven't yet been moved to import a pair myself, if I found them at a sensible price domestically, I'd be tempted to grab some, for a better listen.
     
  10. Friday

    Friday Friend

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    Just for clarity sake, I was referring to the Wn3 rather than the Wn4 with regards to the bass, although chances are you guys already got that. Then again, I'm no basshead myself, so I daren't cast judgement.
     
  11. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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    Clarity? Timbre?
     
  12. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    Timbre seems fairly accurate to me using piano and strings as a guide post. Clarity is good but I imagine brighter signatures will seem more well defined to most ears.
     
  13. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    @MuppetFace - if you get a chance to use these a fair bit, it would be interesting to see how the build quality holds up. There are a few grumbles on the wider interwebs about Radius, though the pair I tried felt pretty solid.
     
  14. phillip

    phillip Friend

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    I still have the Wn2 with me, and I've heard the Wn4 at canjam this year. It's much improved, but with a different sense of direction that the rest of the iems in the market. Not particularly detailed, and the house sound of laid back, amazingly hall like stage is still there.
     
  15. deafdoorknob

    deafdoorknob Almost "Made"

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    really wanted to like them as the local retailer said they are almost like "budget" fitear paterre, warm but not too dark or cloying and 3D ambience, unfortunately with its fit, i can't physically keep them in my ears, wire down, wire up... spinfits, spiral dots... they just fell off unless i use my fingers, never had that issue before with other iems.

    holding them manually against my ears, they do sound rather fine, possibly less euphonic than the fitear but good vfm.
     
  16. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    I have the radius NHR 21, although I'm only listening for ten minutes, I'm very impressed with the sound. These are the ones recd in the basshead thread and it's still early but I like what I'm hearing so far. Excellent bass, treble is present, and mids are not too recessed. These could make excellent basshead budget iems, and I dare compare them to the Sony xb90ex, my current favorite budget basshead IEMS. Need more time obviously.
     
  17. Yeskey

    Yeskey Friend

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    I also have the NHR 21's and they isolate just enough to retain your surroundings in urban areas. Compared to the few iem's I've demo'd at trade shows, these stood out enough for me to order a pair from japan. And like @Warrior mentioned, great bass, decent mids, and a strong top-end, but never harsh or abrasive. The fit is "interesting" because the tip can ride real close to the nozzle (irritated the outer part of my ear for a week (Concha?), then stopped) But other than comfort adjustment and high sensitivity value (14-16 ohms) They're pretty solid.
     
  18. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    I need more time, but these may take over my budget basshead iem rec, taking over the Sony xb90ex, which I've loved. Very impressed so far. Need to compare head to head with the budget Sonys.
     
  19. Augmentin

    Augmentin MOT - DUNU IEM Company

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    http://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn?blogId=gre_nada&logNo=220876539798&redirect=Dlog

    The measurements shown in this Korean language review are not a complete series, but they do include both a raw FR and DF equalization.

    Reading from the raw results, a flattened 1-2 kHz with a hump between 3-4 kHz is a classic "Japanese style" tuning. People sensing that the Wn4 is "laid-back" are probably hearing the relaxed 6-9 kHz, coupled with the mid-bass centric low end. There's good extension, and I wouldn't look at the apparent "non-linearity" of the upper treble as a flaw, since IEC60318-4 treble results are not very reliable.
     
  20. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    I definitely liked these, very close to my Sony xb90ex. I think I'd recommend them over the Sony xb90ex for the simple reason that they are much easier to drive. The xb90ex is cheaper but to get that deep, hard hitting bass you need an amp. So, for convenience the Radius win. If you have an amp already, are ok with stacking, I'd recommend the Sonys as I think they hut a lil bit harder.
    Referring to. The NHR 21.
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2016

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