My comparison between Westone UM3X and Westone 4R - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by tienbasse 

Nice post, RamGuy!

 

Seems like you value instrument separation and mid presence above all, which makes UM3X really hard to beat.

Welcome to the club!

 

If you have the occasion one day (and the money), try Shure SE535 Special Edition (the Red ones). They're another step up for separation and mid presence. Too bad they cost nearly 100$ more than UM3X...

Yep, agreed with you! Having recently sold my lovely SE535v Top-Notch iem.  RamGuy here post 4r vs UM3x. Then, I will like to hear more on some other opinions from these two warriors! Am leaning to these two. Looking now for similar warm, enveloping sound signature of my beloved SE535v.  tienbasee you are a w4r or 535 user right? u want to convert, entry to a new level ov masterpieces... UM3x?!   lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerolord 

Looks like I wasn't the only that prefer UM3X over W4 when I tried it few months back... still love my UM3X a lot now though, even more after I've tried EQu for my iPod touch.

Without EQ your iPod, (to change the original signature) are you still prefer UM3x more?  I dont want to play with these setting EQ!   

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclipes 

oh man you'll love it more if you EQ with the Cowon J3
 

 

mean that, if I dont eq them, I will get por, less sound quality? :/

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

 

 

ummm! why reshelling your UM3x? is the casing split apart or something?  

Quote:

Originally Posted by aras 

I tried UM3X first and then W4.  W4 is a clear step up from UM3X for my taste. UM3X has too much bass and it sounds quite inorganic imo. Although UM3X mids are extremely forward, it sounds veiled compared W4. There seems to be significantly more clarity with W4. I don't even want to talk about UM3X vs W4 soundstage. 

Do you know if UM3x have more or less basse than the SE535v? The basse in my se535 was enough for me. More, maybe i will dislike!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skullbox 

Do you know if UM3x have more or less basse than the SE535v? The basse in my se535 was enough for me. More, maybe i will dislike!

It has a tiny bit more but is very evenly distributed (no mid bass hump) and not overdone in any way.  I think it extends deeper than SE535 as well.

I see why many enjoy W4 but I think UM3X is the better engineered IEM.  Yes, it is a stage monitor so the sense of space (soundstage) is quite condensed but the imaging and resolution is sensational and makes up for the small soundstage.  Treble is purposely slightly rolled off but easily more revealing with EQ.  Everything else sounds very smooth, refined, raw (un-manufactured) and balanced.  Nothing goofy going on within the frequency range like I hear with W4 (wooly, fuzzy lower mids).  I also think the timbre, attack/decay on UM3X is equal to top customs.  Just a smooth, unforced, effortless natural sound.  Perhaps so much that some find it boring.  Certainly a great IEM (UM3X) for analyzing every nuance of a piece of music.

I guys, I have heard in some forums that W4 is bassier, base forward, than my (returned) UM3X. Is it true? If it the case, i will ask to get back with um3x.
Am not a basshead. I was thinking w4 is neutral, balanced. if it true?

For me def of neutral = balanced = less bassy than...!! tks all for your answers!  Have to make décision this week!
I really love vocals and acoustic, (Adele, Krall, Cohen, Oldfield, DepecheMode, PF, Eagles...)

Between the two, wisch is the basier, really!  Quantity =/ Quality ?

UM3X definitely has more bass weight and qty.  I would estimate 15-20%.  Midrange on UM3X is maybe 10% more forward.  While maybe not quite as neutral and balanced as W4 it's still (what many would consider) neutral but the sound leans a bit more towards midrange and bass that the entire spectrum.  No sound spikes anywhere and smooth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyro 

UM3X definitely has more bass weight and qty.  I would estimate 15-20%.  Midrange on UM3X is maybe 10% more forward.  While maybe not quite as neutral and balanced as W4 it's still (what many would consider) neutral but the sound leans a bit more towards midrange and bass that the entire spectrum.  No sound spikes anywhere and smooth.

Tks for the precious answers! I will stil wait for my 4r next week then. Difference between the two is like comparing ...  war of religions, firearms control, women abortion...!

Some like some dont. W4 is warm for someone, and cold for others! I have understand reading all these threads in HF that, we all have different type, of  ear canal difference, different type of music, tips, and so on. We all have different tast in the nature, including music choice. The best is to get both of them to be happy. Anyway, am sure that, after a couple month, someone will get fatigued, changing mind, or want to go again over and over for a search of  best iem... human being is never satisfied! I think, all starts between the ears, begin in the HumanBrain!  IMO Like... dont like... not sure... return... change my mind... make me LOL  

I will go, Really go for the w4r! Hope that i will not change my mind again before 2 years! thanks to read me, sory for my englich, have do my best! Merci beaucoup!  

Very helpful review, thanks.

Reading this review (and comments) makes me feel happy living in the EU... Why? UM3X is easily available in pro audio stores like Thomann.de (with a returns policy + 3 years warranty!) while the Westone consumer lineup is nowhere to be seen except a few online stores. Eventually I hope to be able to buy a mids oriented IEM with good instrument separation and I think this should be superior to the Shure 530 I once had :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyro 

UM3X definitely has more bass weight and qty.  I would estimate 15-20%.  Midrange on UM3X is maybe 10% more forward.  While maybe not quite as neutral and balanced as W4 it's still (what many would consider) neutral but the sound leans a bit more towards midrange and bass that the entire spectrum.  No sound spikes anywhere and smooth.

This was the reason why i returned my um3x when i had one.  There was just too much bass weight for me.