Love these earphones for their great sound. I owned a pair of E4C and they broke (cable problem). Wanted to wait for W3 but the delays made me decided on SE530. I do noticed the roll off highs, it kinda rolls off even more after reading some users' complain on forums (mentally influenced).
So, I bought a pair of W3 when they finally released. the W3s are praised by many with the great bass and highs, some also claim they have "smooth" mids, which sounds like a perfect pair of IEMs. Result was, I didn't' like the W3 at all. The "U" sound was too much, mids are so veiled, minor sibilance wich I can still accept but the mid bass hump was destroying everything.
When AB comparing with W3, SE530's roll off highs isn't too bad. I don't have to mention the owning mids of SE530 any further as eveyone knows how great they handle mids.The bass is also SE530's strength. It's tight and quick. I'd prefer it anyday compared to W3's overly done bass smears into the their already recessed mids.
After I sold my W3, that makes me treasure my SE530 more. Now I only wonder how the UM3X sounds as many said their mids are comparable with SE530. I'm also curious how Shure are reacting to competitors' 3 ways IEMs. I'll be supporting them if they are making a new flagship model, as I believe shure's sound. My SE530 would probabaly break by then anyway, oh Shure's terrible cable issues...