Westone UM3X Appreciation Thread

[Zalithian]

Doesn't look like there's a thread for this yet so I figured I would start one as I just received mine. I took some pictures for everyone. The quality isn't very good since I don't have a digital camera so my apologies!

















Initial impressions on sound - sounds very spacious, powerful but accurate bass. Good separation between instruments. From memory, definitely less thick than the IE8 but probably a good middle ground between the IE8 and something less bassy. Only listened to one long song on it so far. Dream Theater - In The Presence of My Enemies (pt 2) on my Cowon D2 - 320 kbps lame mp3.

Feel free to ask questions and I will get to them when I can. I will write a more detailed writeup later and offer a comparison between this and my PFE because my IE8 is out on repair.

Quick tidbit about the sensitivity. I know some people were worried about how hard they are to drive considering their abnormally high impedance for IEMS but do not fear. Running them from my D2 so far - 18 volume is pretty comfortable for me and that's actually just around the same range I listen to on my IE8's depending on the song. The IE8 is only 16 ohms.

[Spyro]

Thanks. Good to start a new thread. Many of us (me!) can't wait to see/read the comparisons to SE530, W3 and TF10Pro.

[Zalithian]

From memory to compare to the IE8 - The UM3X offer superior clarity in all aspects and sound very balanced. The bass is hard hitting and punchy when it should be. I think in terms of clarity the UM3X easily bests the IE8. The separation is spectacular. I even dare say the UM3X has more depth and equals or bests the IE8 in soundstage. Be careful though as this is off MEMORY and not an A/B comparison as I have not listened to my IE8's in days(repair). The vocals are clear but retain a slight smoothness still. I have been trying some higher pitched vocalists where sibilance could be a problem but have heard nothing of the sort thus far.

Overall so far, I would say the UM3X sounds less fun but is more accurate. That doesn't mean the UM3X isn't a fun IEM. It's more fun than the PFE's imo based off memory from listening earlier but I will do an A/B soon between the two.

[dunnowho]

does the specs on the box say 27 ohms or 56 ohms? coz mine says 27 ohms...

[toughnut]

Ah, great way to start month of May with another new FOTM

[Zalithian]

Hmm.. impedance on the box does say 27 Ohms which is far different than the 56 listed on multiple websites, including Westone's.



edit:
Powderhound just confirmed it was a misprint in the other thread and it really 56 ohms. It is surprisingly easy to power for 56 ohms, though.

[dunnowho]

haha. another discussion on different tips once again?

edit: ah, dang, it would've been better with higher impedance, now it will probably hiss with t4.

[toughnut]

It's 56 Ohms. powderhound mentioned it before.

[theory_87]

Although it 56ohm, it hiss a little more than my the rest of my IEM

[music_4321]

I've taken the liberty to include these fresh new posts below here as I think they're now more relevant here. They're taken from the other UM3X thread: Westone UM3X announced! ).

Originally Posted by theory_87

I just bought it today. Sound very good with my um56. In fact, i'll say it the best universal I heard to date and rival those customs I listen before. Includes tf10p, w3, se530, ck100, ie8 and ue11p, ue10p, acs t1, es2

Originally Posted by theory_87

yes. total different in sound signature. While w3 is very thick in the mids, um3x is much more like se530 in a way. I love the way it sounds. Wide open and inviting. Added the much need sparkle that se530 lack. but not to the extend of tf10p. I just thought i end my portable journey with T1 but um3x force me to open my wallet once more.

Originally Posted by theory_87

yes. no problem unamp. at least with rio karma and sansa clip. it even easlier to drive than pl30

Originally Posted by theory_87

Before um3x appear, I'll say ck100 and se530 will be my preference for universal IEM. what um3x does better is in the bass and sound depth. bass is more detail and hit harder. mid wise, ck100 is still more forward but similar in warm.

Originally Posted by theory_87

Both is similar in LR panning. but um3x seems to have a tat more depth. Bass on um3x hits harder and louder. Mid wise, both are different. same similar level of details but um3x sound clearer. highs, t1 sound a tat louder but um3x sound more extended. Basically, the main different is in the mid.


Than either you go um56 or ES3x, else stay with ck100.

All my finding is base on um3x with um56 hence I do not know how universal ear sleeves will fare

Originally Posted by theory_87

The box state 27 ohm

Originally Posted by p0wderh0und23

That was a misprint we caught right after the first shipment. This is being corrected on the next run of boxes. Currently a sticker will be placed over the mistake with the correct specs, which are:

UM3X Specifications

Sensitivity: 124dB/mW

Frequency response: 20 Hz -18 kHz

Impedance: 56 ohms

Driver: Three balanced armature drivers with a passive three-way crossover.

[p0wderh0und23]

UM3X Specifications

Sensitivity: 124dB/mW

Frequency response: 20 Hz -18 kHz

Impedance: 56 ohms

Driver: Three balanced armature drivers with a passive three-way crossover.

We do apologize for the misprint and confusion.

[ClieOS]

Originally Posted by p0wderh0und23

UM3X Specifications

Sensitivity: 124dB/mW

Frequency response: 20 Hz -18 kHz

Impedance: 56 ohms

Driver: Three balanced armature drivers with a passive three-way crossover.

That's the same spec as the ES3X, if I am not mistaken? Time to save some money for a pair of this

[theory_87]

Originally Posted by music_4321

I've taken the liberty to include these fresh new posts below here as I think they're now more relevant here. They're taken from the other UM3X thread: Westone UM3X announced! ).

No problem. I;m interested to hear from ES3x owner who um3x sound.

[sennmann]

how is the um3x in comparsion to the w3? are the mids more pronounced? is there a little bit less bass? the w3 offers a lot of it? and how are the highs exactly as good as in the w3?

[robm321]

Sounds very similar to the impressions of the ES3X - that's a good sign considering they have the same drivers.... very encouraging impressions - I'd imagine they scale well with an amp too.