Hey guys. I'm looking for a headphone with similar sonic characteristics as the UM3X. The UM3X is getting uncomfortable in my left ear with silicon and foam (that ear has problems). Are there any headphones similar to the UM3X in terms of frequency response, separation and detail (maybe slightly less warm)? I presume headphones are gonna have a larger soundstage anyway. I'd rather that it sound good straight from a cowon d2+ or sansa clip+ without amping (may get the D10 later if I can find a cheap second-hand one).

The sennheiser sound is nice but I've already got the HD555s. Looking at a price of no more than US$400.

Personally I found Shure840 sound characteristics is quite similar to UM3x. I'm not quite sure if its portable as its got coiled cable.

Do you want to step away from IEMs all together? If your ears are starting to be bothered by any inserted type of headphone, you might step to buds, and the Yuin PK1 and OK1 are of very high sound quality. I have the OK1, and when I first got my UM3X, my initial impressions were that the UM3X sounded a lot like a warm version of the OK1. The OK1 is however slightly bright, so the change is slightly more then just going from warm to neutral. You swing about the same far the other way. As well, the OK1 needs some wattage to maintain good low end presence. On low power it works fine, but it does brighten at volume because of the lack of power to drive the speaker. Wattage plays a sizable roll in the tonality of the OK1. The soundstage of the OK1 is awesome. It's more evenly presented then the UM3X.

The overall sound of the OK1 is the most lifelike I've heard. It's very believable and in some cases will actually trick you.

If there was one gripe about the OK1 though it would be that it can come across slightly harsh. The midrange and high end are decently pronounced, and on some songs, it can be a little overbearing. Coverings can improve this. For example, the stock, holed, rubber tip does cut down the highs a tiny bit. You could also purchase a foam covering and further attenuate the treble down again.

I'll note that the bass response is good on this bud, especially when supported by some wattage. It's slightly light relative to the mid and high end but it's energetic, well defined, and with good range.

The OK1 bud does kick some serious butt. It's the closest thing I've used so far compared with the UM3X.

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Thanks for the tip. I'll go have a dig around the forums for some impressions. Not being fully portable is still fine with me.

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Egad earbuds. If the normal apple ones are anything to go by, my ears (both of them) dislike earbuds even more than IEMs. Thanks a lot for your tip though. I might get some for unenlightened friends.

Not really looking to step away from IEMs completely. I'll probably still keep my UM3X but a reasonably close headphone for use when I don't feel like shoving something in my ear would be nice.

What is it specifically that bothers you?

In terms of sound from a bud, I wouldn't be making assumptions relative to Apple's bud. The quality and size of sound is quite good. I do pretty much consider the OK1 to be the best earphone I've used to date.

As far as size, fit, comfort, etc., most buds are about the same. A few people seem to find it feels awkward. I grew up using buds, so it doesn't bother me at all and less so then an IEM. Coverings can improve feel, but it really depends on what it is exactly that bothers you about them.

I mean the comfort of the apple bud. I just didn't like how bulging it was. I can't abide something pushing parts of my ear out of the way and exerting undue pressure.

Ok. It's tough to say if there'd be any issue. I'm not sure how the iPod buds are shaped. I think they're all sort of about the same. If you do want to give the OK1 a try, Head Direct does have a 30 day money back guarantee.

The only thing is you will need an amp for them. At the very least, you might grab the FiiO E5 or something along those lines. It's not a lot of wattage, but it's decent in terms of not coloring the audio. I will say the OK1 can make use of power power then the E5 can offer. If you really want to make the OK1 sing, you do need a more robust amp, but a small amp like the E5 will get you a large ways there to start with and cheaply.

The UM3X actually benefits a bit from amping too. Being so sensitive, one wouldn't expect much gains from amping, but interestingly the bass response and control actually improves quite a bit off more power. It's worth having an amp just for that. It will probably depend on the power of the source you run in determining how beneficial it will be. For example, off my laptop, it is quite noticeable. The laptop output, despite really high sensitivity of the earphone, just can't control the bass response greatly and things muddy up a bit and sound bloated. On power, the bass gains control and separation making it noticeably more spaced and well defined.

You could try to find out how the SR-001 will fit your ears if you're not picky about isolation and leakage

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Can't take advantage of the 30 day guarentee as I'm not in the US. I think I can find the OK1 around here but again, I don't like the shape and fitting of earbuds in general. Thanks for your input though.

I've only tried the UM3X seriously with the govibe magnum which I think is a respectable 200 dollar ish amp. It was quite useless to be honest. Didn't think it improved the sound a whole lot to justify a big bulging mass with extra wires in my pocket. It had a bass boost function which was quite well done but I found it entirely unnecessary as I quite like the balance as it is. If at all, more treble is needed, not bass. So I sold it fairly quickly to raise money. I might try to pick up a D10 if I can find one on the cheap around here.

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Wow... I'd so definitely go for those except that it seems to be an old and discontinued model. I can check around Singapore for the latest versions. We apparently have a Stax distributor here . Thanks a lot. Never thought electrostatics were a possibility at this price.

Wait no... Those Stax are in-ear which is what I'm hoping to divert from. Still sounds interesting though. Thanks

Anyone with a proper headphone which sounds like the UM3X but doesn't need amping?