With the hype of the SM3, it seems like an obvious choice, at least if you have the money to pay for it.
I'm not the greatest fan of the SE530, and since the SE535 has the exact same sound, I can't say I would be a big fan of that. It's not that the earphone is bad. Frankly, it's quite good for what it does do. I just hate that a 3 driver earphone can lack so much in frequency response range. It takes a LOT of EQing to even out and extend the bass response, and despite the drivers dynamic breadth it is pretty much impossible to even get them to extend to 30Hz without massive, massive amounts of low frequency EQing gain. Midrange is super though, and that's worth something. Treble is extended and barely tapers in sensitivity, although it is perceived as slightly recessed from the midrange. The way I see the SE530 is like it's a really well refined single BA earphone. It only offers the response of an ok single BA earphone but does it with more less distortion and in a much more smoothly refined way. I really wish Sennheiser would change the bass drivers on the earphone, but I think they're afraid they'd lose long term customers if they changed it.
If you have the money, it seems like a no-brainer towards the SM3. This isn't to say there aren't great options at a more pleasant price. Earphones within the $200 price point like the CK10, RE252, and DBA-02 are outstanding products and products I would favor over the SE530. I'm a big fan of the UM3X for its capabilities that you are already familiar with using the UM2, but it's a sound signature and presentation not everyone likes. It tends to put much emphasis on details and sound stage (location and separation) but doesn't really create a "real" sound. I've bought a pair of UM3X earphones twice, and I've sold them twice for just that reason. Realism is a hard thing to get. Few earphones pull it off well. My OK1 buds are very good. The RE252 is quite good. The CK10 is very good. I wish I could add the DBA-02 or SM3 there, but I have not listened to either yet. Descriptions have been quite favorable though and from some folks who have used a number of high end earphones already. I will say the SE530 has a very realistic sound too, but it is so hindered by the frequency response.
Out of what I have personally used, I have been most surprised by my OK1 buds, but sticking to IEMs, I have been very surprised by the quality of sound offered by the more mid priced products like the RE252 and CK10 than I have of higher priced products like the SE530 and UM3X. I have used the Triple.Fi 10 and IE8 as well, and while I actually do like many of these products and value their quality of sound, I have come to prefer what something like the RE252 and CK10 offer in terms of sound quality, balance, and price. I would certainly toss the DBA-02 in there too because it's priced really well for a dual driver BA and is apparently up there as well in terms of sound quality, balance, and enjoyment. Given that you could pretty much buy all 3 of these for the price of just the SM3, you might consider giving one or several of them a try and see what you think.
Really the ideal choice comes down to what you're looking for in the overall presentation. The UM3X is more than likely a product that will sound most like the UM2 that you already have. However, if if you're looking for a different signature, there are many other great options. Should you just grab the SM3? Maybe. Should you try some of the very well regarded more budget minded options? Maybe. That's for you to decide. Frankly, I'd buy everything and keep the one that fits me the best, but that takes a willingness to put that much money in limbo until you decide and sell off the others. Buying used is also a big help in keeping cost down and making sure you sell without a loss.
.gif)
