My comparison between Westone UM3X and Westone 4R - Page 2

reshelling um3x is a hit or miss. Some people had good results, some found that it sounded worse compared to apple ibuds.. I'm tempted to reshell too but once you do it and if it doesn't turn out right, theres no going back..
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by legendac 

 

Oh my. I am actually stuck between reshelling my um3x or to move on to other universals (westone4r esp.)!

Now that I've seen your thread, I am so much more tempted to reshell! ><

 

Oh yes. It rocks with the Cowon J3. :D

 

 

I think I will hope for the best. :/ 

There are some slight issues with the wire connection so my only choice is either to sell them or to reshell them.

I don't see reviews on reshelled um3x though. Is it a rare case to reshell the um3x?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclipes 

reshelling um3x is a hit or miss. Some people had good results, some found that it sounded worse compared to apple ibuds.. I'm tempted to reshell too but once you do it and if it doesn't turn out right, theres no going back..
 

 

Same feedback as the OP: while I feel W4 is better on paper, sound-wise the UM3X is the better IEM. The latter just makes you feel being part of the music; I really don't see the narrow left-right soundstage as a big letdown since front-back imaging is, IMHO, among the best, if not the best, among universal multiple-BA driver IEMs. 

i wouldn't say rare, there are a plenty of people who have done it before. I looked up the UM group and there are members who have reshelled it. I guess I would say "it not as desirable" to reshell um3x since there is a large chance of losing the sound signature. However since you have a wire issue, you have nothing to lose so your best choice and most feasible choice would be to reshell it.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by legendac 

I think I will hope for the best. :/ 

There are some slight issues with the wire connection so my only choice is either to sell them or to reshell them.

I don't see reviews on reshelled um3x though. Is it a rare case to reshell the um3x?

 

I too found UM3X far better than the W4.

It actually seemed as if W4 were to have come out first, then UM3X, that many would have heard UM3X as a much improved W4.

I find them both similar in that ther are both very smooth and refined sounding but UM3X just seems a bit for lively and dynamic (not as flat).

I've had Westone 3, Shure SE420, Shure SE530 and Westone UM3x and the latter depicts the timbre of the instruments (and separates them) in a way thay none of the other is capable of.

e.g. On the UM3x acoustic guitars sound very life like with all the weight and grit that they have live.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassInMyFace 

I'm curious to hear your direct comparison between the UM3X and W4 uncle b!

Well, my tune has changed! Upon receiving my W4 back from Westone (replaced under warranty, only two months old), I can honestly say the W4 are really great earphones, if a slightly more "mature" sound than the UM3X. I think I may have purchased a somewhat defective pair of W4. That first pair did not sound right from the time I got them. If you refer back to my original post, you will see that I have owned Westone UM2, W3, now the W4, and also the UM3X. Each pair, upon purchase sounded good, but only got better over time. The first pair of W4 were not impressive from the start and pretty much stayed that way. This new pair is great, I sense a nice soundstage, nice separation with instrumentation, and a nice full sound, if a little laid back. The UM3X will stay with me, and their sound (a little faster, a little more in-your-face, and bass-ier-ish) will have a place in my music and ears. Westone comes through again.

That's exactly what my thoughts too, except I think my Westone 4 has more bass extension than the UM3x. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle b 

Well, my tune has changed! Upon receiving my W4 back from Westone (replaced under warranty, only two months old), I can honestly say the W4 are really great earphones, if a slightly more "mature" sound than the UM3X. I think I may have purchased a somewhat defective pair of W4. That first pair did not sound right from the time I got them. If you refer back to my original post, you will see that I have owned Westone UM2, W3, now the W4, and also the UM3X. Each pair, upon purchase sounded good, but only got better over time. The first pair of W4 were not impressive from the start and pretty much stayed that way. This new pair is great, I sense a nice soundstage, nice separation with instrumentation, and a nice full sound, if a little laid back. The UM3X will stay with me, and their sound (a little faster, a little more in-your-face, and bass-ier-ish) will have a place in my music and ears. Westone comes through again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danz03 

I must be the odd one out here. I had the UM3x (removable cable) for more than 2 years, love them, use them everywhere for commuting, working out etc and totally love the sound signature, and still do. I had the Westone 4 for over a year now, don't use them out door as I'm worried that I might damage the cable using it rough. But everytime I put the Westone 4 on, they just give me so much more details than the UM3x, and even though their sound signatures are quite similar, The 4 is a little bit more neutral and flat. Now I'm tempted to get a pair of Westone 4R so I can use them anywhere. I have to say though, the 3x have longer sound tubes and seem to fit into my ears more secured than the 4, and have better sound isolation, maybe the reason why some don't like the 4s here is because of that. Sometimes a bad fitting can change the sound signature and I've heard some members here complaining about the Westone series having shorter sound tubes than the UM series and that they couldn't get a good seal with them. Just my 2 cents. 

I have both of them in my possession, and my opinion is that 4Rs are far more superior in SQ and comfort. UM3x has the good sound. 4Rs sound is much deeper and clearer, at least to my ears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by legendac 

There are some slight issues with the wire connection so my only choice is either to sell them or to reshell them.
 

 

You could always just send them back to Westone to be recabled.

If they're out of warranty they'll only charge you a small fee for the repair and return postage.