Radius HP-TWF41 Wn4

Are you referring to the NHR21 (Wn2) you mentioned earlier? Just trying to clarify, because the measurements Tom linked are for the TWF41 (Wn4).

Radius IEMs do share something of a "house sound", but that doesn't mean all models sound the same.

 

Yes, sorry should have clarified. I'll edit my post.

 

Ordered a set of these from HeadRoom for an upcoming set of cross-country flights. I noticed Tyll posted measurements and described them as a bit "hot" up top compared to his initial impressions. Interesting as that contrasts with other impressions in this thread about them having very smooth treble. Wondering how much fit could affect this since it seems like there have been some reports about fit issues. With my larger ear holes hopefully that won't be a problem for me.

 

Btw Tyll's measurements are here: http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/RadiusHPTWF41.pdf

 

poorly matched drivers

 

My WN4 arrived today, I've had them in my ears for about 30 minutes directly out of my Google Pixel XL. Build quality is a definite "meh" for the price. Some uneven seams and little tabs of rough plastic showing from the molding process. Cable is terrible and highly microphonic, but not sure if it's worth replacing with anything over $50. For a $400 IEM I expected a lot better, especially since the tip selection was rather anemic.

Insertion is shallow but seems to stay in my large earholes just fine with the large tips.

So far I think the WN4 is quite easy to listen to. I think the HD650 comparisons are valid, although it's bassier and a tad more dynamic. I find there to be a rather obvious difference between the timbre of the dynamic driver and the piezoelectric driver. The highs sound far too thin and tinny to be realistic while everything else is much more full and bloom-y, and the contrast is hard to ignore. I wish there was more body to the treble to eliminate some of this difference.

Initial impressions are that it's not a bad sound signature and seems free of any unpleasantness, but not necessarily an amazing value with the build quality and tip selection being sub-par for the price point.

I have a long set of flights over the next 4 days, so I'll be able to real-world test them better and report back as to whether I'll be keeping them when I order my next CIEM.

 

I had both the older V1 and V2 DMM from Radius. From my experience, the driver really takes time to grow (or my ears take time to grow fond of them). Maybe some run-in and patience will help? (If you're not planning to return it)

 

I too have large earholes and the shallow insertion may be part of the reason why you hear the highs as overly thin.

Make sure that you have the tips in the foremost position. I had to fiddle quite a bit to get the best sound out of these.

 

Thanks for the tips (no pun intended). I think my tips are on correctly. They're just past the middle rib and flush against the raised collar. I'll double check to make sure I have a decent seal.

I do want to caveat that I'm really picky about treble reproduction. I'm sensitive to treble but also really the last year I lived with the Empire Ears Zeus-R CIEM which IMO is the gold standard for IEM treble reproduction (it should be for more than 5X the price), so my tastes are skewed.

Re-reading my comments, I realize I come across as if I'm shitting on the WN4 when I do think the performance is quite good. I did a poor job establishing that fact by only pointing out the perceived shortcomings. I love the sound signature and think that the performance is on par with the price. It's just a shame the build quality and accessories included are not.

 

Yeah I won't plan on returning them until the 30 return period is nearing, where I'll re-evaluate. I left them running all day yesterday and will continue to do that to make sure the dynamic driver is well broken in.