SE535 vs UM3X Impressions Needed

[elfary]

I'm about to pull the trigger for either a pair of Shure SE535 or Westone UM3x and ordering custom tips for the one chosen so i'm about to fork out quite some money.
 
Thus i'd really appreciate some detailed impressions from people who has actually  owned both of them (I do not need the typical misinformation chain that goes like i had this that allegedly sounded like that so i must be really sounding close to this).
 
I'm looking for some input on the relative strenghts and weaknesses of both against each other (frequency response, isolation, soundstage, separation)
 
Now i do have a pair of Shure SE420's and i like them very much but i want to step in the 3 driver universal alley.
 
My main doubt lies on the soundstage of these iems. What i've gathered from here is that the Shures have a far wider soundstage and the UM3X a far more closed in one. So i don't know what to expect in that regard from the Westones and i'd hate if them have no soundstage or whatsoever (as if everything was sounding too centered in relation to my ears). I could trade in some soundstage for more instrument separation tough.
 
I do my listening on an iPhone 3Gs and a 2009 Classic+iBasso T3.
 
Thanks in advance.

 

[TheMarkRemains]

I had older Shure's I plan on purchasing a set of 535's in the next few weeks for the very comparison you're speaking of. 
 
I DO own the UM3x's though so I can send some thoughts versus older Shure products if that's at all helpful. 
 
With the Shure's the soundstage and isolation I thought was always one of their strong points. The problem I have with Shure is the cable comfort and cable failures. The 535 addresses cable failure but it's still a thick cable and a two way crossover versus a 3 way.
 
The Westone UM3x is made in the US and the cable is serviceable after warranty (if you got non detachable) for about $30 . Shure wants $140 to work on a 530 ! 
 
The instrument separation on the UM3x is excellent, the soundstage is small. I feel like I'm on the stage in the middle of the band, not 'being played to'. The cable is lighter and more comfortable. 
 
Earsonics SM3 which everyone seems to rave about  here I also have. I think the sound stage is larger and they are more 'fun' and less analytical than the Um3x. I think more of what a consumer is expecting. UM3x's are detailed, less 'fun'. BUT the SM3 is less comfortable for me despite using a similar design. I use Shure olives on all of these.
 
cable is repairable on the SM3's too. Keep those in mind, they're about $375 and I may sell mine soon too....

 

[elfary]

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply. My doubts remain but now in between different models (The Um3x is ruled out cause its soundstage).
I have the chance to buy a pair of SE530s PTH for just 300$ from an european authorized dealer. The 535s price tag here in europe is above 500$ thus i was now thinking in going for the 530s since i have a 2 year warranty to cope with eventual cable issues and if after 2 years some mishap is to happen i might buy whatever is out by then or i could get em fixed with the 200$ plus dollars that i'd save skipping now the 535s.
 
In short now i dunno if it's worth paying almost twice for the 535s instead of going down the SE530 road.

 

[TheMarkRemains]

Well if it's of any consequence you can replace the cable on 535. They are more expensive than the Westone version, but a whole lot less than the $140 you're facing with Shure. I've never heard the 530, always wanted to, but Shure cable issues ruled that out. That said...twice as much....well I'm more a fan of a lifetime product at that price point. But that's your decision. As I said if all works out well I'll be buying the 535 in mid January, then I could answer more accurately. 
 
Most people love the 530, they just hate the cable. Authorized dealers make it worth it, especially at $300. Reviews I've read say there's more bass/better ergonomics on the 535 possibly better treble. I doubt a whole lot has changed other than the casing. Really it comes down to usage/value for you. I'm an abnormally heavy user. Replaceable cable is the deciding factor for me

 

[elfary]

I'm a heavy user as well ( 2 hour daily commute plus in office listening) and in a way the lifetime build quality still appeals a lot to me. The problem is that i think that wax clogging over time will render unusable the iem and in that regard the SE535 is as exposed as the SE530. I've only had one problem with a Shure IEM over the last 3 years and it was due to wax not to cables. And that is cleaning carefully the nozzle almost on daily basis. And that not to metion the upgraditis
 
Last year i settled on a pair of SE420's because of the cable problem that seemed to plague the 530s but then the price tag was 450$ not 300$ as it is now. For 300$ and the PTH (Soure is an iPhone) i more prone to take some cable risks but still the SE535 look terrific.

 

[Danz03]

Have you ever considered the Monster Turbine Pro Copper? In terms of sound quality, I think they beat both my UM3Xs and SE530s hands down, although they are not as well made. The good thing about the Turbines is that their filter system is good in preventing wax clogging problems, and the Coppers come with a life-time warranty.

 

[elfary]

I had not considered those. I'll do some quick research. I have a week more or less till the 530s get shipped. Thanks for the suggestion and merry xmas.

 

[TheMarkRemains]

You can get the Monster Coppers for less than any of the others,(if you shop well) they also have a pretty darn nice warranty if you buy from an authorized dealer. Not so sure the isolation is up to the standards of the Shure/Westone. That and the added weight makes me suspect that they are not really intended for 'active' users. I'm sure stationary they're exceptional. Many fans on this site, some issue with quality control but I hear their customer service is very good. Plus you get a whole lot of extras with the product. I guess it depends on the user and intended use. I like full range, but the older I get the more I dislike "bassy" headphones.

 

[TheMarkRemains]

If waxy "tube clogging" is your main concern, perhaps the suggestion of an dynamic driver (and the resultant larger diameter tube in most cases) is a  sound one. I don't have that problem Of course peroxide cures a lot of that too.