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Westone UM3X or Westone 4 or Shure SE535 ??
Apr 21, 2012 at 8:17 PM Post #61 of 244
 
Quote:
tienbasse said:
 
 

Obviously?
 
Final comfort will depend mainly on concha and ear canal shape and size.
UM3X/SE535/W4 are all designed to sit tightly inside the ear concha, whose shape varies a lot.
 
I can wear SE535Ltd for hours with any discomfort (they rest very naturally into my ears concha), while W4 and UM3X annoy the hell out my ears after 30min because their nozzles are not angled properly for my ears canals, so the housings are not in the position they're designed to be.
 
And I'm sure we'll find the same number of people having exactly the opposite experience.
 
Everything not custom-moulded won't be ergonomic per say, even semi-universals like ASG-1.
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But it's undeniable that the SE535 have sharp points compared to the the Westone and UM series.
 
Apr 21, 2012 at 8:24 PM Post #62 of 244
 
Quote:
nikp said:
 
 
The keyword is more here. The UM3x sounds more natural than the W4 in terms of timbre. Natural timbre doesn't go against neutrality. By the way, if you have heard the HD600 or maybe the HD800 you will know that those two elements can exist together in perfect harmony.
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Yes, but the UM3X is more mid-centric than the Westone 4, so how can it be more neutral? Maybe I will agree with it being more natural, however. And in IEMs it seems that most colored IEMs are the ones natural, take the turbine, westone 3, TF10, FX700 etc. for example. Headphones and speakers can sound more natural and neutral at the same time easier.
 
Apr 21, 2012 at 9:11 PM Post #63 of 244
Hm, I didn't really like the um3x. I know it's thick mids has its fans, but guitars and esp male voices sounded muffled to me (don't think it's natural :p ), and thus felt clarity was a little lacking. But I must stress that it's really personal preference and listening history - I came from re0's relatively cold sound.
 
Interesting discussion about natural and neutral. Just thinking aloud here, kick drums and cymbals hit HARD in person. Guess that's what jeremypsp meant by colored iems? :)
 
Apr 21, 2012 at 9:30 PM Post #64 of 244
 
Quote:
jeremypsp said:
 
 
Yes, but the UM3X is more mid-centric than the Westone 4, so how can it be more neutral? Maybe I will agree with it being more natural, however. And in IEMs it seems that most colored IEMs are the ones natural, take the turbine, westone 3, TF10, FX700 etc. for example. Headphones and speakers can sound more natural and neutral at the same time easier.
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Not too mid-centric to me. The TF10 sounds very natural? I disagree. I think you might have a misunderstanding on how I picture natural headphones - great/realistic sounding timbre or texture of the instruments.
 
Apr 21, 2012 at 10:41 PM Post #65 of 244
 
Quote:
mogumagnus said:
Hm, I didn't really like the um3x. I know it's thick mids has its fans, but guitars and esp male voices sounded muffled to me (don't think it's natural :p ), and thus felt clarity was a little lacking. But I must stress that it's really personal preference and listening history - I came from re0's relatively cold sound.
 
Interesting discussion about natural and neutral. Just thinking aloud here, kick drums and cymbals hit HARD in person. Guess that's what jeremypsp meant by colored iems? :)
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Well, how I picture natural it's how it sounds in concerts or speakers, therefore IEMs like the turbine and FX700 sounds natural and not IEMs like the Westone 4 or UM3x.
 
Apr 21, 2012 at 10:43 PM Post #66 of 244
 
Quote:
nikp said:
 
 
Not too mid-centric to me. The TF10 sounds very natural? I disagree. I think you might have a misunderstanding on how I picture natural headphones - great/realistic sounding timbre or texture of the instruments.
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Well, everyone has a different way of picturing things. What you find natural may not be what I find and vice versa. I found the treble on the TF10 to be natural to say the least. But I feel balanced armatures don't come close to dynamic drivers in terms of naturality. But not like I go for a natural sound anyways.
 
Apr 26, 2012 at 3:13 PM Post #67 of 244
I finally got my W4's after driving to the PO yesterday and so far, I'm impressed with some mixed feelings. For classical vocals/opera I feel like the soundstage has a good amount of height but the vocals almost feel a little too precise. I.e. I think a review mentioned "the musician does everything technically right but you're bored."  I've only had a few hours to listen so far so I'm going to try some different tips and more music and will come back with more thoughts later.  I will say that they are extremely comfortable and within a few minutes of having them in, I can't even notice them.  It does take some practice to figure out how to get them in each time which would probably look amusing to someone who doesn't know better 
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Apr 26, 2012 at 3:39 PM Post #68 of 244
 
Quote:
vocalist said:
I finally got my W4's after driving to the PO yesterday and so far, I'm impressed with some mixed feelings. For classical vocals/opera I feel like the soundstage has a good amount of height but the vocals almost feel a little too precise. I.e. I think a review mentioned "the musician does everything technically right but you're bored."  I've only had a few hours to listen so far so I'm going to try some different tips and more music and will come back with more thoughts later.  I will say that they are extremely comfortable and within a few minutes of having them in, I can't even notice them.  It does take some practice to figure out how to get them in each time which would probably look amusing to someone who doesn't know better 
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Music is the language of emotion and communication. Technically great musicians often lack soul and the ability to hit you in the heart. OTOH, many technically "inferior" musicians can speak to you so deeply. But I digress.
 
I'm listening to Diana Krall on my 4R's right now. Excellent vocal presence. I'm so happy with these things.
 
Apr 27, 2012 at 4:31 PM Post #69 of 244
I am interested in the W4R.
I have owned the SE535, and couldn't stand them. I didn't like their fit or their sound (tubular, nasal, rolled-off highs, upside-down U curve). All to my ears, of course.
 
My preference has been the DBA-02 / B2 sound, as it's cleaner, clearer, faster, better highs, good depth, and extremely light and comfortable.
I also like my UM2's, but find them pretty dark (rolled off highs), but with amazing bass extension.
My UE4-Pro customs are near perfect in tonality, but I have issues with customs. And can't wear them to the gym or while moving much (microphonics and bone conduction). But the sound is excellent. Really near perfect.
 
So listening mostly to acoustic music (Jazz, classical, bluegrass, etc.), I want something natural (but not too warm), like my D7k's. The DBA-02 is very neutral, but can sound thin and brittle. I'd like something a little more lush without a sharp drop in the highs.
 
Anyone here know the DBA-02's who can comment on how they compare?
 
Thoughts?
 
Apr 27, 2012 at 5:21 PM Post #70 of 244
 
Quote:
jeremypsp said:
 
 
Well, how I picture natural it's how it sounds in concerts or speakers, therefore IEMs like the turbine and FX700 sounds natural and not IEMs like the Westone 4 or UM3x.
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I think it was Westone's answer to the SE535. I find them pretty similar and personally can't stand the emphasis on mids.
 
Apr 27, 2012 at 11:16 PM Post #71 of 244
If you owned the SE535 and did not like, DO NOT get the W4.  They are both midrange focused. Perhaps the W3 is better suited for you?
 
If you do not need an over abundaance of bass or slam with you bass, GR10 is the best universal I have heard to date and still emphasizes midrange prominently..
 
Apr 28, 2012 at 12:52 AM Post #72 of 244
 
Quote:
shane55 said:
I am interested in the W4R.
I have owned the SE535, and couldn't stand them. I didn't like their fit or their sound (tubular, nasal, rolled-off highs, upside-down U curve). All to my ears, of course.
 
My preference has been the DBA-02 / B2 sound, as it's cleaner, clearer, faster, better highs, good depth, and extremely light and comfortable.
I also like my UM2's, but find them pretty dark (rolled off highs), but with amazing bass extension.
My UE4-Pro customs are near perfect in tonality, but I have issues with customs. And can't wear them to the gym or while moving much (microphonics and bone conduction). But the sound is excellent. Really near perfect.
 
So listening mostly to acoustic music (Jazz, classical, bluegrass, etc.), I want something natural (but not too warm), like my D7k's. The DBA-02 is very neutral, but can sound thin and brittle. I'd like something a little more lush without a sharp drop in the highs.
 
Anyone here know the DBA-02's who can comment on how they compare?
 
Thoughts?
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The W4's sound and DBA-02 are almost the opposite. W4 is dark, DBA-02 is bright. The W4 is overall more balanced than the SE535 but still very mid focused. It also has more bass than the SE535.
 
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:50 AM Post #73 of 244
True customs aint good while moving alot. Try the Atrios which I use when I am shooting ball.
Quote:
shane55 said:
I am interested in the W4R.
I have owned the SE535, and couldn't stand them. I didn't like their fit or their sound (tubular, nasal, rolled-off highs, upside-down U curve). All to my ears, of course.
 
My preference has been the DBA-02 / B2 sound, as it's cleaner, clearer, faster, better highs, good depth, and extremely light and comfortable.
I also like my UM2's, but find them pretty dark (rolled off highs), but with amazing bass extension.
My UE4-Pro customs are near perfect in tonality, but I have issues with customs. And can't wear them to the gym or while moving much (microphonics and bone conduction). But the sound is excellent. Really near perfect.
 
So listening mostly to acoustic music (Jazz, classical, bluegrass, etc.), I want something natural (but not too warm), like my D7k's. The DBA-02 is very neutral, but can sound thin and brittle. I'd like something a little more lush without a sharp drop in the highs.
 
Anyone here know the DBA-02's who can comment on how they compare?
 
Thoughts?
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Apr 28, 2012 at 3:00 PM Post #74 of 244
Hmmm. W4 dark, eh? Or similar to the SE535. Ugh. Too bad. GR10, I'll look into that. W3 (from what I read) is supposed to be fairly V shaped. But I'll look more into that as well.
Yeah, I wear my DBA-02 or B2 to the gym. Perfect... small, light, very good sound.
OK, thanks all.
 
 
Apr 29, 2012 at 1:05 AM Post #75 of 244
 
 
Quote:
shane55 said:
Hmmm. W4 dark, eh? Or similar to the SE535. Ugh. Too bad. GR10, I'll look into that. W3 (from what I read) is supposed to be fairly V shaped. But I'll look more into that as well.
Yeah, I wear my DBA-02 or B2 to the gym. Perfect... small, light, very good sound.
OK, thanks all.
 
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W4 is dark. SE535 is bright. W3 is bright. You can also look at the DBA-02MKII as well :)
 
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