BryanTarlowski
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edit: sorry
Originally Posted by DeusEx /img/forum/go_quote.gif lol - got it, I need to upgrade my custom computer build too! So, for ~$200, the SE530 is probably a better deal than UM3X (cheapest is $300), right? Just want to make sure they (the se530s) won't sound horrible with instrumental/orchestral music....the um3x might sound better, but the Shures are decent enough, right? |
Originally Posted by music_4321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Then someone comes along and says all top-tier IEM's are pretty good and it simply all depends on people's preferences. I totally disagree with that statement, but it's the same pattern. |
Originally Posted by music_4321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This thread follows the same pattern as so many others in the last few months: Someone (OP) asks to recommend a high-end IEM that has great bass, mids & treble, soundstage, and so on. More people advise OP to get the UM3X, usually followed by IE8 or W3, then someone comes along and mentions the SE530. Then someone comes along and says all top-tier IEM's are pretty good and it simply all depends on people's preferences. I totally disagree with that statement, but it's the same pattern. Then original poster realises the SE530 is the cheapest of the lot and usually decides to get it. So, I think from now on I'll either just not bother posting anything (as I have done already a few times) or simply say I think the best IEM (from the ones I've owned) is clearly the UM3X, but once you find out how 'cheap' the SE530 is compared to other high-end IEM's you'll be buying it no matter what people say is wrong with it. Not that I think everyone must get the UM3X, but when people say 'They're all pretty much the same' then obviously OP will go for the cheaper option. That's why I didn't go into details as to why I much prefer the UM3X over the SE530 but advised OP to check the UM3X thread. |
Originally Posted by insomniax /img/forum/go_quote.gif Even though I really like my UM3X, i wouldn't recommend it to everyone, simply because I think there are certain areas which UM3X falls short of. The other top-end universals all have their strengths and i'm positively sure that its not possible to make absolute statements ranking one over the other. For the specific case of SE530 against UM3X, it might be true that SE530 lags by quite a bit, but to discount/dismiss the importance of personal preference and lean towards absolute SQ is questionable. While sound signatures and perception of SQ is subjective preference, affordable pricing, on the other hand is an objective preference. He may be happier off with the sub-par Shures, because he got to do something else with the spare $100. When hint comes to push comes to shove, the TS is more likely to make a decision he might regret. Music4321 you seems like an nice, objective guy for most parts but i think too much anti-voltag3 crusade thing is skewing your opinion towards Shure products. That being said, please do continue posting because opinions are always welcome and important, without which this forum would cease to exist. Apathy is the last thing we want eh? |
Originally Posted by DeusEx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey Guys, I guess I didn't make it clear that my budget was ~$200, (less the better!) but the thing was, I also didn't know how cheap used UM3X could go for, but after doing some extensive searching, it did seem like it was not likely for me to get a hold of a $200 UM3X (that's a challenge there!). I guess I was slightly biased toward the SE530 in the first place, seeing I could get it for cheaper, but I didn't want cash to play a HUGE role in deciding, since if the UM3X really did sound better in objective terms, then I guess I would be willing to pony up $100, but if it didn't exactly sound much better, or was more or less a subjective comparison, then.... So, in short, I've compiled a list of more-or-less objective comparisons of both phones. Do I have the right idea? The UM3X is overall, more neutral, has better clarity, and has better acoustic/instrumental portrayal then the SE530 - also extended highs, but recessed mids. The SE530 is slightly warmer (but not too colored, right?), has rolled off highs/prominent and "lush" mids, giving a better vocal performance, but not as well an instrumental/acoustic performance. How is detail/sonic performance here then? People do say that these EQ well, so the rolled-off highs can be corrected? Also, what I want to know is that if you listen to a same track with both phones, will you lose considerable detail/clarity on the SE530? Like, are they nearly on par with the UM3X? As noted above, I will be using these with an iPhone 3GS and a Samsung P3 player (which I noticed does not get much attention here, but it's a very good sounding player, and has extensive EQ customization; 7-band EQ, DNSe 3.0-Samsung's proprietary audio engine, audio upscaler stuff, soundstage, etc..) The most amplification for now is probably a Fiio E5, and I might not even use it (for portability issues) Thanks for biding time everyone. This is my first major IEM purchase, and I'm 16, so this isn't exactly a small obligation....and I'm looking to keep these for 2-3 years until ponying up major cash for customs. P.S. How about UE Triple-Fi 10? Does that compare to SE530? If somehow a $200-250 UM3X doesn't pop up in the next couple of days or so, then my decision has been made. |
Originally Posted by DeusEx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not to open another can of worms, but I just saw that JH Audio had a $399 custom IEM (JH5 Pro), and I didn't know customs from JH could be so cheap (they're the ultimate IEM company it seems).... |
Originally Posted by Elluzion /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm considering these too buddy... wish i could get free ear impressions... ah $100 for 2 ears? comon people.. |