[Spyro]

W4 with a flat EQ would be unlistenable.  Kind of like a 70's 12 transister radio.
 
Cable change is a tough purchase after spending $400 on a universal.

 

[Donnyhifi]

Hi TheMarkRemains,
 
I did try all three out, I think if I had just randomly selected one I would've been happy as well, all three are very nice IEM's! I felt that the UM3X is a bit better than the SE535LTD for bass impact and a bit more treble presence. I liked the mids and soundstage(bigger on the SE535) with the SE535LTD but it was also 12,000yen more expensive as well. The UM3X can sound a bit conjested during busy passages due to the smaller soundstage than the other two, this is especially noticable when compared to my customs but the customs are almost 4 times the price.
 
I have heard about the cable issues with the RC model, hopefully they don't happen to me, the place I bought them from has over the counter exchange in case if something does come up.
 
The W4 was good but didn't have as much bass impact(but had excellent extension) and had sharper highs, I felt the UM3X had better balance overall, or I should say a more suitable balance towards my taste.
 
 
 
For anyone looking at these top tier IEM's I would like to add that when it comes to this price range, its better to try out as many as you can before making a decision because at this level there is no clear winner in all categories. In my opinion all are very very good but all have different traits/strengths/weaknesses and this is why you need to try them out to see which one suits you best.

 

[tienbasse]

Quote:

Hi TheMarkRemains,
 
I did try all three out, I think if I had just randomly selected one I would've been happy as well, all three are very nice IEM's! I felt that the UM3X is a bit better than the SE535LTD for bass impact and a bit more treble presence. I liked the mids and soundstage(bigger on the SE535) with the SE535LTD but it was also 12,000yen more expensive as well. The UM3X can sound a bit conjested during busy passages due to the smaller soundstage than the other two, this is especially noticable when compared to my customs but the customs are almost 4 times the price.

Nice analysis.
I couldn't really spot strong bass differences in nature between UM3X anf SE535LTD but they were slight more present on UM3X so this could be easily circumvented via EQing.
For treble, I tend to find UML3X treble superbly clear but I had to push EQ up to have them loud enough (coming from FX700 treble, you can understand why). On SE535LTD treble are more natural and I didn't have to EQ them up as much as with UM3X.
 
Amping did really open the SE535LTD treble, whereas it didn't do much for UM3X with my FiiO E7 amp (since UM3X treble were already excellent to start with).
 
Overall 2 great IEMs if you value separation and mids above all.

 
 

 

[elfary]

Quote:

Nice analysis.
I couldn't really spot strong bass differences in nature between UM3X anf SE535LTD but they were slight more present on UM3X so this could be easily circumvented via EQing.
For treble, I tend to find UML3X treble superbly clear but I had to push EQ up to have them loud enough (coming from FX700 treble, you can understand why). On SE535LTD treble are more natural and I didn't have to EQ them up as much as with UM3X.
 
Amping did really open the SE535LTD treble, whereas it didn't do much for UM3X with my FiiO E7 amp (since UM3X treble were already excellent to start with).
 
Overall 2 great IEMs if you value separation and mids above all.

 
 

I think amping helps more the SE535 because of its very low impedance at the 5K area. Actually if you don't amp them you get a hole on the frequency response when feeding them tru many sources with an output impedance bigger than 2 ohms.

 

[Mingneh]

Actually I'm deciding between the sm3 and um3x like many. For sm3 I like how the bass is similar to my sisters ie8m but the clarity of the um3x is definitely 'my kind of sound'. For a 20 minute auditioin the bass of um3x seems fine. But after reading loads of review on how the um3x is bass shy compared to certain iems in its class is putting me off. I don't wanna just spend my buckd on the sm3 because the comfort of the um3x is legendary. Can anyone advice? Would the bass of the um8 prove to be insufficient?

Ps I'm not exactly a basshead though.

 

[cardozo]

Hello!
 
 
The bass in this headphone are excellent! The quantity and quality, in fact, will depend on the source and amplifier. With the correct setup, the bass in this headphone become almost palpable, an almost physical sensation.
 
You can also use Shure olive´s for a little bit of thicker sound, but these tips loses a bit of aeration in sound that Comply offer.
 
Cheers,
 
Peter


Quote:

Actually I'm deciding between the sm3 and um3x like many. For sm3 I like how the bass is similar to my sisters ie8m but the clarity of the um3x is definitely 'my kind of sound'. For a 20 minute auditioin the bass of um3x seems fine. But after reading loads of review on how the um3x is bass shy compared to certain iems in its class is putting me off. I don't wanna just spend my buckd on the sm3 because the comfort of the um3x is legendary. Can anyone advice? Would the bass of the um8 prove to be insufficient?
Ps I'm not exactly a basshead though.

 
 

 

[meyameya]

I actually find that the UM3X have a stronger than normal bass... maybe the tips? 

 

[julianlaz]

Would the UM3x pair up nicely to a HM602?

I've got a 602 on the way and Considering the UM3x RC or W4r to go with it. I'm more inclined towards overall pairing rather than sound sig preference. I'm looking for clarity, high-resolution experience.

Any help is very much appreciated.

 

[nc8000]

HM60x are fairly noisy so the UM3x might be too sensetive and pick that noise up (can't remember). Also the HM60x do not major on clarity being nos dacs and they are only 16 bit dacs so downsample hires files

 

[julianlaz]

I see.
Well, I'd look for a pair locally to try it out myself. Thanks for the input.

Maybe someone who currently has both can chime in?

 

[cardozo]

 
This setup, to my taste, is in the edge of a bright side of the sound. And I´m always use this DAP in the low gain mode.
 
Using UM3X with olive tips is very good with HM-602 alone. In the othe hand, I love my HM-602 paired with iBasso P3+ amplifier. This is the setup with almost palpable bass with a broad and analog sound.
 
Forget about the noise mentioned above. This DAP has no "noise". What this DAP has is a extremely powerful output and, with UM3X, I´m not get past the position 3 in the volume dial, even at low gain.
 
HM-602 has no hiss with Westone UM3X.
 
Cheers,
 
Peter

Quote:

Would the UM3x pair up nicely to a HM602?

I've got a 602 on the way and Considering the UM3x RC or W4r to go with it. I'm more inclined towards overall pairing rather than sound sig preference. I'm looking for clarity, high-resolution experience.

Any help is very much appreciated.

 

 

[Mingneh]

Cheers Peter! Thanks foir your reply!
Indeed. My audition with this lil' monster was epic really. Guess I was simply daunted by the specific few who found the bass of the um3x 'shy'. Anyways, I probably would not use an amp on the road. I'm wondering if my iphone 3gs or itouch 3rd gen will be able to power it? I read about the downside if the 56ohm impedence o.0

 

[olear]

Any UM3X and SM3 comparisons?

 

[soullinker20]

Quote:

Any UM3X and SM3 comparisons?

so many comparisons have been made already.. if high technical proficiency is what you want then it's UM3X >> SM3

 

[elfary]

Quote:

Cheers Peter! Thanks foir your reply!
Indeed. My audition with this lil' monster was epic really. Guess I was simply daunted by the specific few who found the bass of the um3x 'shy'. Anyways, I probably would not use an amp on the road. I'm wondering if my iphone 3gs or itouch 3rd gen will be able to power it? I read about the downside if the 56ohm impedence o.0

UM3x has 124db of sensivity which means that its impedance it's no problem (Actually the higher the impedance the more voltage and better sound). These iems will get volume off any portable player you can think off.