WS5 season is here.

[enderman]

Time to put on something more cozy.

I have relegated the WS4 to backup duty, on standby in my backpack, as I've been bad for forgetting headphones at home.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

If you already have a set of WS4's, consider going the Deteknix HD route as you simply snap your puck into the side and have a comfortable over-the-head set of phones to use . . . .

Audio fidelity is great based on the feedback as is the comfort and with the $100 price tag, easy on the wallet

Andy

 

[enderman]

I just a set of WS5 as it ads some redundancy to my gear, though those Deteknix do look nice. I was considering those originally.

You bring up an interesting point about audio. I did notice a difference, as to be expected, when going from the WS4 to WS5 last night. Though sound quality is somewhat subjective, I could tell right away that the speakers are in a plastic cup, it adds a bit of that woody, plasticy resonance to the tone. I quickly got used to it, so it's fine for me, I can't say what a Deus is supposed to sound like in HiFi without some sort of reference.

Conversely WS4 sound a little thinner, as to be expected due to being almost open-air backs and being on-ear.

If a guy was to get real nerdy they could possibly dampen the inside of the enclosure or even experiment with different speakers, though I think the WS5 sound OK. After about an hour I didn't notice anything different about the sound.

 

[Lodge Scent]

Funny, after using the WS4's for a few years now, I can hardly stand to wear a full over-the-head set anymore. When the wind chill gets too cold, I just use a knit hat over the WS4's.

 

[squirrel1]

I just a set of WS5 as it ads some redundancy to my gear, though those Deteknix do look nice. I was considering those originally.

You bring up an interesting point about audio. I did notice a difference, as to be expected, when going from the WS4 to WS5 last night. Though sound quality is somewhat subjective, I could tell right away that the speakers are in a plastic cup, it adds a bit of that woody, plasticy resonance to the tone. I quickly got used to it, so it's fine for me, I can't say what a Deus is supposed to sound like in HiFi without some sort of reference.

Conversely WS4 sound a little thinner, as to be expected due to being almost open-air backs and being on-ear.

If a guy was to get real nerdy they could possibly dampen the inside of the enclosure or even experiment with different speakers, though I think the WS5 sound OK. After about an hour I didn't notice anything different about the sound.

Whatever the reason, WS5 are not near as good for iron work vs ws4, or use the ws4 puck with a few other headphones.
I had Ws5 and couldn't stand them for that reason.

 

[enderman]

Funny, after using the WS4's for a few years now, I can hardly stand to wear a full over-the-head set anymore. When the wind chill gets too cold, I just use a knit hat over the WS4's.

Hey that works.

Do you ever get any slight discomfort from the WS4 in the summer months? I don't find them terrible, though I do have to try and move them a bit 2 or 3 times a day as the plastic part can start to get a little sore on my ears.

 

[enderman]

I just a set of WS5 as it ads some redundancy to my gear, though those Deteknix do look nice. I was considering those originally.

You bring up an interesting point about audio. I did notice a difference, as to be expected, when going from the WS4 to WS5 last night. Though sound quality is somewhat subjective, I could tell right away that the speakers are in a plastic cup, it adds a bit of that woody, plasticy resonance to the tone. I quickly got used to it, so it's fine for me, I can't say what a Deus is supposed to sound like in HiFi without some sort of reference.

Conversely WS4 sound a little thinner, as to be expected due to being almost open-air backs and being on-ear.

If a guy was to get real nerdy they could possibly dampen the inside of the enclosure or even experiment with different speakers, though I think the WS5 sound OK. After about an hour I didn't notice anything different about the sound.

Whatever the reason, WS5 are not near as good for iron work vs ws4, or use the ws4 puck with a few other headphones.
I had Ws5 and couldn't stand them for that reason.

Maybe I will see if I can pop them open and look at the speakers to see if they look the same as the WS4. That won't tell me if they are identical, but I would be able to see if they are different.
If they are the same then I guess we could attribute the tonal change to the ear cups themselves. The added isolation of the speaker usually causes a increase in bass and mid frequencies. Assuming the drivers are identical, I suppose a bit of a high pass circuit could be soldered in to attenuate the mid bass a bit and make them sound more like the WS4, by thinning out the iron farts.

 

[squirrel1]

I just a set of WS5 as it ads some redundancy to my gear, though those Deteknix do look nice. I was considering those originally.

You bring up an interesting point about audio. I did notice a difference, as to be expected, when going from the WS4 to WS5 last night. Though sound quality is somewhat subjective, I could tell right away that the speakers are in a plastic cup, it adds a bit of that woody, plasticy resonance to the tone. I quickly got used to it, so it's fine for me, I can't say what a Deus is supposed to sound like in HiFi without some sort of reference.

Conversely WS4 sound a little thinner, as to be expected due to being almost open-air backs and being on-ear.

If a guy was to get real nerdy they could possibly dampen the inside of the enclosure or even experiment with different speakers, though I think the WS5 sound OK. After about an hour I didn't notice anything different about the sound.

Whatever the reason, WS5 are not near as good for iron work vs ws4, or use the ws4 puck with a few other headphones.
I had Ws5 and couldn't stand them for that reason.

Maybe I will see if I can pop them open and look at the speakers to see if they look the same as the WS4. That won't tell me if they are identical, but I would be able to see if they are different.
If they are the same then I guess we could attribute the tonal change to the ear cups themselves. The added isolation of the speaker usually causes a increase in bass and mid frequencies. Assuming the drivers are identical, I suppose a bit of a high pass circuit could be soldered in to attenuate the mid bass a bit and make them sound more like the WS4, by thinning out the iron farts.

I think they are different.
Ws5 too muffled sounding,,can't hear the twitch of a tone above iron tone using like Ws4 or using my Vance with ws4 puck.

 

[Charles (Sabre)(Tx)]

I agree with you Andy...one of the nicest larger phones available and very comfortable! Very well made and parts for it are easily obtainable...if you ever need to change them out. Sound is great too! JMHO.

Charles

 

[enderman]

Who knows, maybe I'll get a pair to use with the puck for water hunting.

 

[John (Australia)]

I found some discomfort wearing the WS4's when I first got them. I am not sure where the tops of your ears are meant to go but I found I could wear the headphones all day if the tops of my ears were between the plastic arm and foam cover. It got uncomfortable to have my ears pressed against my head by the plastic arm. Also I found it a lot more comfortable if I did not lock the pivot point on either side into the fully open position.

 

[Lodge Scent]

Funny, after using the WS4's for a few years now, I can hardly stand to wear a full over-the-head set anymore. When the wind chill gets too cold, I just use a knit hat over the WS4's.

Hey that works.

Do you ever get any slight discomfort from the WS4 in the summer months? I don't find them terrible, though I do have to try and move them a bit 2 or 3 times a day as the plastic part can start to get a little sore on my ears.

Yep, need to move them once or twice if using them for a long time. Especially if they are sitting over my glasses. But they are SO much cooler than the over the head types. The other great thing about the WS4's for me is that they let in some ambient noise. I like to be aware of my surroundings when hunting alone.

 

[enderman]

I think someone mentioned something about foam. I if there is room to put a foam sleeve on there just to soften the contact point a bit.