Spyro
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2003
- Posts
- 6,576
- Likes
- 247
I have owned JH5 for about 8 months and have used regularly. I was fortunate to get a perfect fit first time and have gone on record saying I believe it is at least equal to all other triple driver universals (and W4) as a whole package with a very cohesive sound. Pretty good representation of all frequencies, full sounding, punchy but with a minor complaint of being slightly harsh and edgy particularly in the upper mid-range and treble. But at $399 I think it does a great job as a dual driver and the custom fit is a great advantage.
I am currently having a 2nd go-around of ownership of UM3X and am really enjoying it the past several days. In the past I ended up selling after 6-7 months because I thought it lacked crispness in the treble area and sounded a little dull. But virtually every other characteristic about it is outstanding IMHO.
I am using both the JH5 and the UM3X with an Ipod Classic 7g with "treble booster" EQ setting. Ironically, both IEM's have about the same amount of efficiency, visiceral bass weight, size of soundstage, amount of treble and even midrange. Basically pretty balanced sounding IEM's. But the big difference that I am hearing is the UM3X is smoother and more refined sounding with improved instrument separation. The "treble booster" really livens up the "dullness" or "blandness" some hear with UM3X yet still keeps it very smooth and non-fatiguing. With EQ off I am not a very big fan of either IEM (or any IEM for that matter). Much of this has to do with personal synergy with player and whether you use EQ and the type of sound you like. The JH5 may give just a touch more clarity but at the expense of a little harsh edginess where the UM3X may be slightly darker but definitely the smoother more audiophile sounding IEM. Clearly a benchmark product for Westone....much moreso than W4 IMHO.
I am currently having a 2nd go-around of ownership of UM3X and am really enjoying it the past several days. In the past I ended up selling after 6-7 months because I thought it lacked crispness in the treble area and sounded a little dull. But virtually every other characteristic about it is outstanding IMHO.
I am using both the JH5 and the UM3X with an Ipod Classic 7g with "treble booster" EQ setting. Ironically, both IEM's have about the same amount of efficiency, visiceral bass weight, size of soundstage, amount of treble and even midrange. Basically pretty balanced sounding IEM's. But the big difference that I am hearing is the UM3X is smoother and more refined sounding with improved instrument separation. The "treble booster" really livens up the "dullness" or "blandness" some hear with UM3X yet still keeps it very smooth and non-fatiguing. With EQ off I am not a very big fan of either IEM (or any IEM for that matter). Much of this has to do with personal synergy with player and whether you use EQ and the type of sound you like. The JH5 may give just a touch more clarity but at the expense of a little harsh edginess where the UM3X may be slightly darker but definitely the smoother more audiophile sounding IEM. Clearly a benchmark product for Westone....much moreso than W4 IMHO.