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Westone ES5 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£840Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Westone ES5 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 80% of headphones
5.8

Value for money

Value for money
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

6.1

Price

â–¼Worse than 96%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.9

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.1

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 64%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £840
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Westone ES5

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components:

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.9

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.1

Calls & Controls

5.7
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Westone ES5 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

6.1

Price

5.8
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
balanced armature
Driver size
?
Number of drivers
5
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 5 drivers, more drivers than 99.8% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
8 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 8 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 80.3% of headphones and equal to 2.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Westone
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
?
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Westone ES5 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 18 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (120 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    120 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 4 more drivers
    This pair of headphones uses more drivers than the average pair of headphones (5 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    5 vs 1
  • 10 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (8 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    8 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 17 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 18 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (120 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    120 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 4 more drivers
    This pair of headphones uses more drivers than the average pair of headphones (5 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    5 vs 1
  • 10 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (8 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    8 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 17 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 9.33x more expensive
    Westone ES5 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£840 vs £90).
    £840 vs £90
  • 25.5% worse value for money
    Westone ES5 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.79 vs 7.3).
    5.79 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 5.87x less popular
    Westone ES5 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 9.33x more expensive
    Westone ES5 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£840 vs £90).
    £840 vs £90
  • 25.5% worse value for money
    Westone ES5 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.79 vs 7.3).
    5.79 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Westone ES5 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 1.5 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (2 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    2 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 6 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2010 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    June 2010
    2010 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.5
TheGamingAudiophile
≈ estimated
04/06/2011
Hands-on review · listening tests, comfort and comparisons
Verdict
Westone ES5 sounds excellent with accurate imaging and comfort, and is good enough to trust for mixing music.

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

engadget.com
08/02/2011
Hands-on review · Custom in-ears
Verdict
The Westone ES5 is a vibrant, full-sounding custom in-ear with a comfortable fit, aimed at pro-audio users and enthusiasts, but its price is steep.
T
techpowerup.com
26/04/2011
Summary of the review
Westone ES5 Custom In-ears Review
H
head-fi.org
06/12/2011
Summary of the review
Westone ES5 Review (and brief comparisons to other custom IEMs)
cnet.com
13/01/2011
Hands-on review · Custom in-ear
Verdict
The Westone ES5 is a highly detailed custom in-ear with the best seal tested, though Ultimate Ears Reference Monitors sound more lifelike.
barryrudolph.com
No Date Provided
Studio review · Monitoring in-ears
Verdict
The Westone ES5 is a serious mixing tool that blocks room noise, letting you mix quietly and judge balance well, though everything sounds close and effects seem too loud.
theabsolutesound.com
04/03/2014
Hands-on review · Reference in-ears
Verdict
The Westone ES5 is a neutral, detailed in-ear with deep, controlled bass and strong dynamics, though it isolates and stays in place less well than Etymotic 4P.
S
soundandvision.com
11/12/2012
Summary of the review
Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitor and Westone ES5 Custom Ear Headphones Are you looking for specific technical specifications or performance co...
J
jackvandijk.nl
01/04/2016
Summary of the review
Linn Majik DSM/3 Review (The Absolute Sound)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Westone ES5

  • Balanced and natural sound signature with incredible detail recovery across the frequency range
  • Exceptional long-term comfort due to unique thermally-sensitive soft vinyl tips that conform to the ear canal
  • Superb ambient noise isolation (approx. 25-35dB), making them ideal for stage use or noisy environments
  • Full and rich bass response that remains tight and well-defined without becoming overwhelming
  • High sensitivity (120dB) allows them to be driven easily by portable devices without needing a dedicated amp
  • Comprehensive accessory bundle including a durable, waterproof Pelican carrying case and cleaning tools
  • Highly customizable aesthetic options with various colors and faceplate designs

What customers don't like about Westone ES5

  • High price point (MSRP approx. $950) targeted primarily at professionals and serious audiophiles
  • Thinner, softer cable may be less durable over time compared to thicker aftermarket options
  • The large Pelican case is considered too bulky for convenient daily carry by some users
  • Memory wire near the earpieces can make the initial insertion process tedious or annoying
  • Initial 'underwater' sensation or odd feeling for users unaccustomed to deep-insertion custom monitors
  • Lower-midrange can occasionally feel slightly lean or 'thin' compared to warmer reference monitors

Verdict

The Westone ES5 is a high-end custom-fit in-ear monitor featuring five balanced armature drivers (one bass, two midrange, and two treble) managed by a passive three-way crossover. Its technical specifications include a frequency response of 8Hz–20kHz, 120dB sensitivity, 20-ohm impedance, and 25dB of passive noise isolation. Key characteristics include the 'Flex Canal' technology, which uses a thermally sensitive material that softens at body temperature for a superior seal, and a dual-bore canal design to maintain acoustic detail. Main pros are its exceptionally balanced, neutral sound signature, detailed low-frequency response, and class-leading comfort. Potential cons include a bulky Pelican storage case that may be impractical for daily portable use and a thin, lightweight cable that some users find less durable or prone to tangling.

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