Help with a tough decision Westone 3 and Shure se530

[music_4321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark2410 /img/forum/go_quote.gif well ive heard both the 530 and um3x and the mids are better on the 530, no question for me. not that the um3x is bad but it doesnt excel anywhere its just good at everything unlike the other top tiers that all lack in one area. for the 530 thas its lacking the treble that many would like.

Yes Mark, that is YOUR opinion and at least you have tried both, but your views are not shared by the VAST majority of UM3X owners out there and you know that very well. That's why I and other people suggested reading up on the relevant threads because those who will post here may not represent an accurate picture of the feedback on these 3 IEM's.

 

[IpodHappy]

I have all three. I like the relatively flat frequency response of the UM3X, though I would like it to have a bit more high frequency extension. What I miss most in the UM3X is the expansive sound stage of the Westone 3s and Shure SE530s. The ambiance in the music is diminished. Perhaps it is just my pair, but they're what I have to judge by. Since tips are important to the SQ, I should report that I use the Shure foams for the UM3Xs and Shure SE530s, and the Comply long foams for the Westone 3s.

 

[iponderous]

^ The comments regarding the UM3X's small soundstage seem to be this IEM's only real shortcoming. It was one of the factors that led me to choose the SE530 over it. It was a tough decision though.

 

[Opentoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carceroth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Right now what I need is a little expert advice. I am a real newbie to the world of audiophiles and probably don't have as discerning an ear as you guys have. Awhile ago I purchased a set of UE super.fi 4's and i really liked them. So naturally I wanted to try something with a little more oomph. So I went to my local Ultimate Electronics and tried out a pair of Shure SE530's I don't know what would be considered an excellent quality mp3 (my music collection has mostly 192's and higher with some lower at variable bit rates and a few 128s here and there). So i tried my best quality music on my ipod touch (about 320 kbps) and i tried it with two different tips the tri flange and the foam it comes standard with. I was impressed with the quality on a few of my songs and disappointed with it on a some i don't know if it was the IEMs or me or that my music collection is too lossy for high end IEMs. I had heard so many good things about the Westone 3's and was thinking of buying a pair. but am not sure if I am experienced enough or once again if my music collection is good enough. I have some inkling of what you guys are talking about when you talk about mids highs and lows being a musician myself (saxophonist btw) but still don't know what to listen for or what to buy or even if i should buy it.

Lots of info on here about them. I currently have both right now. Don't be fooled they both sound fantastic. While the 530's may sound more crisp and sharp the Westone's are more soft and have better bass. Completely boils down to preference. If you listen to any pop, hip-hop, then you have to get the Westone's. Classical, Jazz...the Shure's.

 

[iponderous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_4321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes Mark, that is YOUR opinion and at least you have tried both, but your views are not shared by the VAST majority of UM3X owners out there and you know that very well. That's why I and other people suggested reading up on the relevant threads because those who will post here may not represent an accurate picture of the feedback on these 3 IEM's.

Yes Mark, how dare you express a dissenting view against the "VAST majority of UM3X owners", particularly when you know that the collective weight of their subjective opinions should quash your own. Just who do you think you are - Galileo?

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opentoe /img/forum/go_quote.gif While the 530's may sound more crisp and sharp the Westone's are more soft and have better bass.

Wait, what? I think that would mark the first time I ever heard somebody say that the Shure's sound signature was "Crisp and sharp." To me, it's rather laidback and smooth to the point that it pushes down the higher frequencies from ever expressing themselves.

 

[mark2410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_4321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes Mark, that is YOUR opinion and at least you have tried both, but your views are not shared by the VAST majority of UM3X owners out there and you know that very well. That's why I and other people suggested reading up on the relevant threads because those who will post here may not represent an accurate picture of the feedback on these 3 IEM's.

vast majority? evidentiary support for such a statement?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iponderous /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes Mark, how dare you express a dissenting view against the "VAST majority of UM3X owners", particularly when you know that the collective weight of their subjective opinions should quash your own. Just who do you think you are - Galileo?

lol, that made me giggle

 

[iponderous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMarchingMule /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wait, what? I think that would mark the first time I ever heard somebody say that the Shure's sound signature was "Crisp and sharp." To me, it's rather laidback and smooth to the point that it pushes down the higher frequencies from ever expressing themselves.

Your aural impression of the SE530 sound signature accords with my own.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iponderous /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your aural impression of the SE530 sound signature accords with my own.

As well as 99.9% of the other people who have listened to/owned the SE530.

 

[iponderous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMarchingMule /img/forum/go_quote.gif As well as 99.9% of the other people who have listened to/owned the SE530.

I can't speak for them but I also happen to like the SE530's. I do think that the Shure engineers over-compensated when they tweaked the treble extension of these phones but they really are so easy to listen to for extended periods of time, and the noise attenuation is excellent.

 

[soozieq]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carceroth /img/forum/go_quote.gif so they are all good and different at the same time and good for specific types of music but i listen to a lot of different types of music (everything from metal to jpop with some movie soundtracks and jazz) so i don't know which pair would be best for me or even if they will be much of an improvement over my super.fi 4's In the end I am kind of leaning towards the w3's and the um3x because of the amount of praise surrounding them and having read all the threads about the w3 um3x and se530 have still not come to a concrete decision

I've owned all three too, well I owned the E500 which is the same as the SE530 - and quite frankly, all the talk about which phones are better is just down to personal opinion.

I was one of the minority who didn't care much for the UM3X vocals because I found them too forward and intrusive in relation to the other frequencies. However, other people love that aspect of them. I also didn't like the relatively small soundstage on them (compared with the W3, IE8, even my C710's) - but again, that doesn't bother the majority of people.

Also, since none of us can be sure we're hearing exactly what other people are hearing with the same phones (different sources etc), it's not possible to predict how any of those three phones will sound to you. I've heard people say the W3 had a sucked out midrange / recessed vocals... well, clearly those of us who enjoyed the W3 didn't hear it like that at all.

Even minority opinions are valid, particularly if you share some of the same listening preferences as other members. But anyway, the best thing you can do is read some of the dedicated threads for them, and then decide as best you can which sound signature would be for you.

My own order of preference was: W3 - E500 - UM3X. Out of the three, I found the W3 more exciting and aggressive than the other two. Really, it's just down to which sound floats your boat, and not which one is 'better'. Only your own ears can make that decision

 

[iponderous]

^ You come waltzing in here with a reasonable perspective like that and just leave us to reflect upon it? You could have at least sounded smug about it!

 

[soozieq]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iponderous /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ You come waltzing in here with a reasonable perspective like that and just leave us to reflect upon it? You could have at least sounded smug about it!

Yes, I do apologise for that. I must be off form

 

[iponderous]

^ Now you're sounding contrite.

 

[Spyro]

Yes, the SE530 has a larger soundstage but UM3X has superior instrument separation and treble detail. One could call the small soundstage of UM3X a shortcoming but it's suppose to be that way. It's a stage monitor. I easily prefer it over W3 or SE530. Not by a HUGE margin but more of a preference thing.