Originally Posted by kugino
i've posted elsewhere, but i'll also post in this thread. i had a chance to listen to the 3 at macworld. i honestly was not expecting much since i am not a big UM2 fan...
but the 3 is NOTHING like the UM2, as has been mentioned in this thread. so for those of you who like the UM2, you might not be that happy with the 3 because they sound very different. IMO, the UM2 has way overdone bass...boomy and not enjoyable. it also masks the detail and the midrange that i think is there, just not audible b/c of the bass. the 3, on the other hand, has a beautiful midrange and it sounds much more even across the frequency spectrum. nice slamming bass that goes low enough...if you want UM2 bass you'll have to bump up the EQ.
i don't see the 3 as a "step up" from the UM2 in terms of being a more refined UM2...it's a totally different (thank goodness) IEM altogether, nothing like its sibling. yes, i know i'm being a bit harsh on the UM2...i'm just not a big fan. but i really really like the 3 and would seriously think about purchasing it had i not already bought a custom IEM. i just want to warn the UM2 fans out there that they could be disappointed with the 3 b/c it's not like the UM2...but for those of you who don't really like the UM2, the 3 is a westone you might really like.
So its more like an improved Etymotic almost? All the details, the tight bass, great midrange. Just a bit more of the bass, plus crystal highs that the Etys damage just a tine with a slight fullness may i dare say?
Hmmm... now I'm concerned about get custom molds for Etys. They seemed like the end all but these sound lucious. Any chance the barrels will be the same width. That would be phenomenal.