Westone UM3X RC vs. EarSonics SM3 v2 vs. SE535 Showdown (updated 10/5/11) - Page 4

It's strange that you don't see the filter. Maybe they shoved it further in the canal so that people don't try to remove them.
And I guess it should work on the V2 as sonically, they are the same.

No, I can't see the filter and can't see how it is possible to remove it... :s If I insert a needle till the end of the canal, theres nothing in the between. Removed already by previous owner? Well, if it is, the UM3X wins hands down as stated above (with stock cable and same tips).

Quote:

Originally Posted by miow 

No, I can't see the filter and can't see how it is possible to remove it... :s If I insert a needle till the end of the canal, theres nothing in the between. Removed already by previous owner? Well, if it is, the UM3X wins hands down as stated above (with stock cable and same tips).

I'm beginning to think this is where the problem lies...

Maybe... but the sound is not harsh at all. In fact, theres much less treble quantity (and extension) than the UM3X and less clarity. I guess the filter is at the end of the canal and can't be removed.

Hi !

I'm going to buy one one these two Earphone, but I hesitate. 

I'm French and I live in France, and on Amazon.fr, the Westone UM3X RC are less expensive than the SM3 (300E for the UM3 and 350 for the SM3).

I listen to dynamic music, but also to soft music. For example, I really enjoy Lady Gaga, 30 seconds to mars, The kooks, etc, and from the other hand, I enjoy Coldplay, Katie Melua, etc... 

I had the Klipsch Custom 3, but their cable is open ! I really enjoyed the custom 3's sound, which is warm, detailed. 

I use the Cowon J3

So, could you help me in my choice : UM3X or SM3 ?

Thank you :) 

(PS : Please don't use complicated english words, I'm French, so, I don't understand everything :) )

I do prefer and recommend the UM3X. More clarity, more details, better treble extension, better instrument separation. See my compariosn on the previous page. I have tested both extensively.

Thank you :) 

I'm a little bit surprised... On French topics, people often say that the SM3 are well-balanced whereas the UM3 would be more dynamic, with deeper bass, but less detailed, with treble which collapse. 

But with the dynamic musics I listen to, a more dynamic sound would be better for me, I think.

And I have also a question : Sould I buy the UM3X RC or the UM3X ? What is the longevity of earphones such as UM3X RC ? 

To alex11039,

Hello. Les avis concernant les SM3 sont assez polarisants. Certains adorent, d'autres détestent. Perso, je les trouve superbes. Idéalement, tu devrais les tester pour te faire une idée.

Je n'ai malheureusement pas pu entendre les Westone, donc je ne donnerai pas d'avis. Mais tu devrais pourvoir trouver des comparos assez poussés ici.

Quelques ressources.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/495409/westone-um3x-vs-earsonics-sm3/120

http://www.journaldugeek.com/2010/04/01/test-ecouteurs-iem-earsonics-sm3/ (avec une comparaison aux Westone dans les commentaires)

http://www.head-fi.org/t/535120/sm3-vs-um3x-vs

Good luck with your choice!

Oh quelqu'un qui parle français ! :D

Merci pour ces liens :)

Je vois que les avis sont très différents... ( I can see that there are lots of different opinions on the UM3X and the SM3... ).

For dynamic music, what is the best ?

If you can, buy the RC, since you can replace the cable later for a better one. For example, a moon audio silver dragon cable (which retails for $175) gives more details, better soundstage and a deeper bass compared to the stock cable.

I think those people from the French forums (and not just those) need to clean their ears, since UM3X has more treble quantity (and extension), is brighter, has more clarity and detail and better instrument separation (never congest on tracks with many instruments playing at the same time). Unless you remove the SM3's filter as explained on the previous page, they are too dark.

P.S. Concerning dynamics, they are pretty similar. The SM3 is simply too dark, with less clarity and instrument separation.

Ok. I won't remove the SM3's fitler, I would be a disaster ^^ !

I didn't know that a better cable were able to give a better sound... where can i find such cables ? 

Is this one good : http://www.amazon.com/EPIC-Musician-Monitor-Cable-Black/dp/B005GQ7JJ8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1323608938&sr=8-9 ?

So, I think i will buy the UM3X RC, if you say they are better :) What's more, there are less expensive !

Quote:

Originally Posted by miow 

 

I think those people from the French forums (and not just those) need to clean their ears, since UM3X has more treble quantity (and extension), is brighter, has more clarity and detail and better instrument separation (never congest on tracks with many instruments playing at the same time).

 

Everyone is entitled to have opinions. So are you. But there is no need to be rude.

This hobby has shown me many times how subjective sound can be. And it is certainly the case with those two contenders.

Didn't want to be rude, sorry. Of course this is my opinion, but this is so obvious, that I can't understand certain statements.

Alex, if you want a really good cable that makes a huge difference, get silver dragon or DHC. Silver dragon is cheaper than DHC and has more details from what I've been reading and talking with people that got both.