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Westone UM3X Appreciation Thread - Page 8

post #106 of 4093
5/1/09 at 9:38pm
Thread Starter 
The UM3X is basically a copy of the UM2 in terms of shell and tube design, I believe - which is much different than the W3 to the best of my knowledge. Not having owned the UM2 or the W3 that's my understanding from pictures and such.
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post #107 of 4093
5/1/09 at 9:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by robojack View Post
I'm hearing some buzz about the UM3X's having a better a fit than the W3s. If this is the case, what is it that creates a better fit in the UM3X? Don't the two use the same audio tube design?
No the design flaw in the W3 was creating a larger diameter housing with a shorter nozzle than what UM2 was. This has caused many people fits in trying to get the right depth insertion. UM2 housing is slightly smaller with a slightly longer nozzle to ensure a proper insertion everytime no matter what your ear canal configuration was.
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post #108 of 4093
5/1/09 at 9:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyro View Post
No the design flaw in the W3 was creating a larger diameter housing with a shorter nozzle than what UM2 was. This has caused many people fits in trying to get the right depth insertion. UM2 housing is slightly smaller with a slightly longer nozzle to ensure a proper insertion everytime no matter what your ear canal configuration was.
Wow, that's interesting, I had no idea. How much longer of a nozzle are we talking here?
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post #109 of 4093
5/1/09 at 9:49pm
Same length, I think, but smaller driver enclosure, so a little different fit.
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post #110 of 4093
5/1/09 at 9:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LFC_SL View Post
Is it too early for a 3 way UM3X v W3 v IE8 comparison yet? I figure there must be one head-fier out there willing to take that bullet for the greater good
Other than posting differences in sound sig, I think any boasting of which one is better will cause a lot of arguing bullsh*t posting on Head-Fi. All three are completely different and it's going to come down to personal preference. I wouldn't even try to challenge someone that likes W3 over UM3X.

After more listening I am not finding much difference in SQ among different tip choices and in my opinion this is good and how it should be. But the tips keep coming off the nozzles and sticking in my ears. Hate that. Maybe some leftover oily residue on the nozzles.

UMX3 is pretty darn neutral. It is NOT "WOW" dynamic massive sound like like W3 or IE8 so you would be comparing apples to oranges. I might even say UM3X bass is a pinch LESS than SE530. It's a pretty flat sound yet very well done. Trust me, this IEM will not be for everyone and should not be considered the holy grail when comparing to everything else. But certain people will absolutely love it. Others are going to find it somewhat boring. If my beloved Triple Fi 10 Pros had a better midrange that was crisper like the treble, it would probably still be my #1 universal IEM choice.

On another note, I have ownwed ER4's many times but have not heard with APuresond cable. Based on all of the descriptions might I say that the UM3X may sound quite similar but a little warmer and (just) slightly less treble detail. Antonyfirst and NC8000...I think you guys will like this IEM a lot.
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post #111 of 4093
5/1/09 at 9:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by robojack View Post
Wow, that's interesting, I had no idea. How much longer of a nozzle are we talking here?

Perhaps only 1/8" or so but it makes a big difference.
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post #112 of 4093
5/1/09 at 10:01pm
Interesting. Any Image X10 owners out there who can say how the UM3x compares in terms of bass quantity and impact? Having cycled through a number of IEMs, the X10 seems to hit all the right spots for me in that area (though it misses in others).
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post #113 of 4093
5/1/09 at 11:02pm
Thanks for the impression, Sypro. That helped a lot. Btw, since u comparing it with TF10P, how does bass quality and quantity of UM3X compared to TF10P?
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post #114 of 4093
5/1/09 at 11:34pm
Spyro-
...and I'd love to hear about the bass comparison between the UM3X and IE8...

Thanks for your detailed early impressions.
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post #115 of 4093
5/1/09 at 11:40pm
Thread Starter 
Oh I see how it is CN. Don't ask me!
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post #116 of 4093
5/1/09 at 11:59pm
Ha ha! I'll ask you when yours are back!! Joking... But any word on when you get the IE8's back?

I definitely would appreciate your observation about the bass too.... either by memory, or side by side comparison. I know everyone's saying they're much more of a neutral phone overall.
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post #117 of 4093
5/2/09 at 12:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by toughnut View Post
Thanks for the impression, Sypro. That helped a lot. Btw, since u comparing it with TF10P, how does bass quality and quantity of UM3X compared to TF10P?
I find it to be almost truely identical.
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post #118 of 4093
5/2/09 at 12:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cn11 View Post
Spyro-
...and I'd love to hear about the bass comparison between the UM3X and IE8...

Thanks for your detailed early impressions.
Haven't heard IE8 but based on what I know about IE8, IE8 bass will be quite a bit larger compared to UM3X.
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post #119 of 4093
5/2/09 at 12:23am
Thread Starter 
Sennheiser got my IE8's today and sent me an e-mail. No word on when I'll get them back yet but I'm hoping late next week.

In comparison to the IE8's - The UM3X's don't have that constant thickness you get with the IE8's, but the UM3X's don't sound as thin as say the PFE's do. They're sort of a middle ground - to my ears. The bass impact is less so than the IE8's but more so than the PFE's and NE-7M's. It's pretty good though. The bass sounds more like the IE8's in terms of impact than it does the PFE's and NE-7M's to my ears.

The vocals sound similar to the IE8's in terms of smoothness, but they're more to the forefront and a bit more detailed.

In terms of treble - it's much different than the IE8's. It's more laid back but the details are still there and smooth sounding. I really enjoy them but definitely different than the IE8's where you feel the IE8's push them up a bit artificially but I still love how they sound on the IE8's as well.

I'd say the UM3X's have vocals more like the highs of the IE8 and the highs of the UM3X are more like the vocals of the IE8 - although maybe not that laid back.
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post #120 of 4093
5/2/09 at 12:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyro View Post
I find it to be almost truely identical.
Slight midbass exist and same bass extension? Look like i might need to revisit another IEM. I thought the search is over with CK100 lol.

CK100 can extend to the threshold 20Hz but the amount of bass at 30-50Hz seem lacking if not EQ. But when EQ (ClearBass +1, 30Hz +1), it seem overdone
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