Westone MACH 70 Review

Westone MACH 70 review featured

In this article, I review the Westone MACH 70 in-ear monitor (IEM). The MACH 70 is the second-top IEM in the MACH series and features 7 balanced armature drivers. It’s priced at 1399 USD.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Westone Audio for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

Westone MACH 70 Review
Verdict
The Westone MACH 70 delivers flagship performance in a warmer, more musical presentation.
How would you rate this product?0 Votes
Pros
Impactful controlled bass
Natural, organic midrange
Spacious and airy treble
Outstanding resolution and detail
Impressive technical performance
Cons
Cable handling could be improved
4.5
Our Score

Westone MACH 70

Specifications

FREQ RESPONSE: 5Hz – 22kHz
SENSITIVITY: 110dB @1kHz
IMPEDANCE: 42 Ohms @1kHz

In the Box
  • Westone Audio MACH 70 IEMs
  • Detachable Linum UltraBaX cable with T2 connectors
  • Pelican storage case
  • Cloth storage pouch
  • Cleaning tool
  • Silicone cable tie
  • 5x pairs of foam eartips
  • 5x pairs of silicone eartips
MACH 70 shells

Design

The Westone MACH 70 shares the same shell design as the rest of the MACH series IEMs. It has a sleek, ergonomic design, crafted to comfortably fit the contours of the ear. The outer shells are smooth and have a matte black finish, with silver faceplates that add a touch of contrast. The model name, “MACH 70,” is printed on the faceplate, with the numbers in red, providing a subtle but striking visual detail.

The cables are detachable and seem to be of different colors — one black and the other silver/golden, likely indicating different models or configurations. The overall aesthetic is minimalist yet functional, with a professional and polished look.

The Linum UltraBaX is the top-tier model in their lineup, built with a 4-braid litz configuration. Each cable is made up of 224 strands of silver-plated copper wire. Like all of Linum’s cables, it boasts impressive durability.

Despite its durability, the cable is impressively lightweight due to the carefully chosen materials. While it’s undoubtedly high-quality, it’s not the most ergonomic or easy to handle. This makes sense, considering Westone IEMs are primarily designed for musicians. However, as I’ve discovered, they hold strong appeal for audiophiles (myself included) as well.

Westone MACH 70 with silicone eartips

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the Cayin RU6, iBasso DX180 and SMSL RAW-DAC1 + TOPPING L70 combo. While it’s not the most efficient IEM, the Westone MACH 70 is still reasonably easy to drive. However, I’ve found the MACH series IEMs can be very sensitive, so if you have a noisy audio source, there’s a good chance you’ll hear some background hiss.

In terms of tonality, the MACH 70 offers a more musical and full-bodied sound compared to others in the MACH series. It retains the key traits of Westone IEMs, such as spaciousness, crisp resolution, and accurate timbre, but presents them with a warmer, smoother touch.

Bass

The bass is full-bodied and forward, with slightly rounded notes. Despite its meatier presentation, the BA bass driver is nimble and controlled. The sub-bass extension is surprisingly good for an all-BA IEM and the low notes can be clearly heard, even if they don’t rumble with the ultimate authority.

Westone describes this bass tuning as ideal for ‘drummers, bass players, electric guitarists, keyboardists, and audiophiles craving more bass,’ and I completely agree. While other models in the series are suited for vocal and midrange monitoring, I believe the MACH 70 is the top choice for those who want to monitor or immerse themselves in deep, rich bass.

Midrange

The mids are still quite forward, despite the added bass elevation. They’re not as transparent as some of the more reference models (MACH 60 & MACH 80) because they have a little more saturation and richness. However, as usual, Westone has crafted a midrange that sounds natural and accurate in timbre. Vocals are upfront and have good density, enhanced by excellent midrange resolution and instrument spacing.

It’s probably the rises at 3kHz and 5kHz that lift the vocals but the engineers have strategically placed a subtle dip in between (at 4kHz) to prevent them from being too aggressive or nasally. Despite the extra saturation in the lower mids, the detail is outstanding while still being somewhat silkier.

MACH 70 nozzles and inner shell
Treble

The treble is, simply put, exquisite. Westone has once again nailed the treble timbre, delivering highs that are lifelike and remarkably accurate. Every subtlety is unveiled as the treble soars effortlessly in an airy, transparent space. There’s no trace of sharpness or harshness, just crisp, precise notes that effortlessly rise above the bass and midrange, all while maintaining a perfect tonal balance.

Soundstage & Technicalities

It’s no secret that diminishing returns kick in pretty hard when it comes to in-ear monitors. The higher the price gets, the lower the gains in audio quality become (generally). In the case of the MACH 70, however, the differences in technicalities compared to more affordable alternatives become quite stark.

The overall resolution of this IEM is outstanding—like watching a 4K video on a quality 4K display compared to 1080p. The soundstage is expansive, and the separation between individual instruments and vocals is clear as day with pure blackness in between.

Imaging and placement are extremely accurate, though the soundstage favours width over depth. During my critical listening, I couldn’t help but notice the almost absurd level of instrument separation, yet the MACH 70 somehow keeps everything cohesive and natural. This, in my opinion, is where the higher price of the MACH IEMs truly pays dividends. Well – that plus the accuracy of the timbre which you have to hear to believe.

Westone MACH 70 IEM

Verdict

So how does the Westone MACH 70 compare to other MACH series models and is it worth the price? While it’s not as reference or neutral as models like the MACH 60 and MACH 80, its technical performance is nothing short of impressive. Where the MACH 70 differs from its MACH brethren is in its forward, impactful bass and warmer musical presentation.

Regarding value, the MACH 70 delivers audio quality in spades and comes with comfortable, durable and noise-isolating shells that make it perfect for live performances or extended listening sessions. Whether you’re a professional musician or an avid audiophile, this one is a banger and I highly recommend it. Awarded.

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