UM3X vs. SM3 v2: Advice Appreciated!

[prestigetone]

I am a long time lurker, and first time poster. This place has a great wealth of knowledge and I appreciate everyone's thoughts getting me this far. 
 
I recently tried the UM3X and Sony EX1000 side by side and really preferred everything about the UM3X. I want to try the SM3 v2, but can't without incurring fees and a cost that will just put expensive icing on an already expensive cake. 
 
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I know the v2 is new and so it might be harder to get opinions, but I would appreciate and any all opinions. 
 
The fit, feel and sound were stellar on the Westone, but I want to make sure I am not losing out on a potentially better product out there.
 
THANK YOU in advance.

 

[prestigetone]

Any thoughts? I just am excited to start my time hear (get it?) at Head-fi. Soon I can provide some feedback to all of you on my purchase!

 

[KaliKot]

Go for the UM3x if you absolutely love it already. The SM3 is quite a polarizing sound and the V2 sounds the same as the V1. It's a very good IEM but if you are already satisfied by the UM3x, by all means go for it.

 

[ib1dance]

why not go for a used SM3 v1 . If you prefer the sound or do not, you should be able to sell it for the similar used price you bought it and then get the SM3 v2 ( sounds the same) or the UM3x.
 
No financial loss besides postage costs and you get to know which you hear as the best .
 
Presuming you can find a used SM3 v1, though used ones have been increasing since the V2 launch .
 
 
 

 

[High_Q]

I would go for UM3X.  I thought the SQ and fit worked well for me.  It is very sensitive, so no amp is needed to get good SQ from headphone out.  I could not get a decent fit for SM3, and there were standing waves to certain tones.

 

[MKang25]

I had both the UM3x and SM3 and preferred the UM3x 

 

[prestigetone]

THANK YOU! This advice is just what I needed. I know there are a billion threads like this, so it is quite welcoming to have people respond just the same. 
 
I think Westone is the way to go. 
 
Any reason to look into the W4? Should not having removable cables freak me out?
 
I am careful with my stuff but will be using these for some active outdoor activities. At the end of the day the W4 is not that much more given the price point. I am already crazy for spending this much.

 

[Omnirai]

It depends on the kind of sound you are looking for. Both are technically proficient, excellent triple-driver flagships, but with quite different sound signatures. If you are looking for the warm, thick presentation of the SM3 then it might just be the best universal out there for you, as some have experienced. For me, I cannot stand the SM3's signature, whereas the UM3X sounded amazing to my ears. No one will be able to tell your ears "this one is better" at this price point IMO.

 

[Freefallr4545]

Quote:

It depends on the kind of sound you are looking for. Both are technically proficient, excellent triple-driver flagships, but with quite different sound signatures. If you are looking for the warm, thick presentation of the SM3 then it might just be the best universal out there for you, as some have experienced. For me, I cannot stand the SM3's signature, whereas the UM3X sounded amazing to my ears. No one will be able to tell your ears "this one is better" at this price point IMO.

Was it the thickness that turned you off?

 

[Audiophile1811]

Quote:

I think Westone is the way to go. 
 
Any reason to look into the W4? Should not having removable cables freak me out?
 
I am careful with my stuff but will be using these for some active outdoor activities. At the end of the day the W4 is not that much more given the price point. I am already crazy for spending this much.

Forget about the price. Everybody on the Westone 4 Appreciation thread love their W4's and prefer them over their UM3X's. And the same goes for nearly everybody here on Head-Fi too. In my honest opinion I would go for the Westone 4, but it's your choice if you care more for convenience (the UM3X RC) over better sound quality (the W4). Good Luck!
 
Here's a link the thread I mentioned: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/527694/westone-4-appreciation-thread-and-reviews-a-k-a-westone-4

 

[High_Q]

 opinion. And not everybody on headfi prefers them, and also there is a UM3X appreciation thread.  Of course W4 appreciation thread is going to praise W4, what do you expect??  Here is my opinon, w4 is ghetto, you got to rig it to get a fit.  There are picture in that thread to prove it.  I don't know where you get better SQ from.  It's got 4 drivers, woop de doo. My ER-4P got one driver and it's more accurate than W4.
Quote:

Quote:

Forget about the price. Everybody on the Westone 4 Appreciation thread love their W4's and prefer them over their UM3X's. And the same goes for nearly everybody here on Head-Fi too. In my honest opinion I would go for the Westone 4, but it's your choice if you care more for convenience (the UM3X RC) over better sound quality (the W4). Good Luck!
 
Here's a link the thread I mentioned: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/527694/westone-4-appreciation-thread-and-reviews-a-k-a-westone-4

 

 

[Omnirai]

Quote:

Was it the thickness that turned you off?

Indeed. Everything about it sounded off. I could acknowledge that it was technically a good IEM and that it probably deserves its place in the top tier of universals, but I didn't like how my music sounded with it. In particular, I crave a level of treble energy that the SM3 did not provide, and the famous SM3 mids did not do it for me either. I pretty much prefer nearly every other "top-tier" universal over the SM3s, but of course that's just me and my ears.
 
For the W4s, I wouldn't say they are strictly better than the UM3X. If I absolutely had to choose between the 2 I'll go with the W4s, but it is definitely not to say that the UM3X are any kind of bad or far behind. The UM3 has this way of presenting the instruments that I have not heard in any other universal.
 

 

[Freefallr4545]

Quote:

Quote:

Indeed. Everything about it sounded off. I could acknowledge that it was technically a good IEM and that it probably deserves its place in the top tier of universals, but I didn't like how my music sounded with it. In particular, I crave a level of treble energy that the SM3 did not provide, and the famous SM3 mids did not do it for me either. I pretty much prefer nearly every other "top-tier" universal over the SM3s, but of course that's just me and my ears.
 
For the W4s, I wouldn't say they are strictly better than the UM3X. If I absolutely had to choose between the 2 I'll go with the W4s, but it is definitely not to say that the UM3X are any kind of bad or far behind. The UM3 has this way of presenting the instruments that I have not heard in any other universal.
 

Thanks Omnirai, I too enjoy a treble energy also. I really feel that my Romancing a Pair of Sm3's are over. I love the Mids so much on my 535's and read how so many people love the Sm3 mids, but I think the Level of lush thickness would not be a good fit for me
Also Prestigitone; From what I've read about the W4's the Mids are there but not fully engaging or emotional. Maybe liking the UM3X you may feel you're missing something.Love the Westone 3;s I have also, but I seem to always long for the Shures Mids when using them. But True There are alot of W4 Lovers here and UM3X's as well. The Problem is, is that these damn things are all so nice
 

 

[Audiophile1811]

Quote:

Originally Posted by High_Q /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 opinion. And not everybody on headfi prefers them, and also there is a UM3X appreciation thread.  Of course W4 appreciation thread is going to praise W4, what do you expect??  Here is my opinon, w4 is ghetto, you got to rig it to get a fit.  There are picture in that thread to prove it.  I don't know where you get better SQ from.  It's got 4 drivers, woop de doo. My ER-4P got one driver and it's more accurate than W4
 

Prestigetone I think it must be noted that "High_Q" isn't exactly in favor of the Westone 4 and it be better you discover for yourself why that is (Westone 4 appreciation thread). But there is proof right here that SOME PEOPLE would and have gone for a W4 for their own reasons. 
 
Quote:

 
For the W4s, I wouldn't say they are strictly better than the UM3X. If I absolutely had to choose between the 2 I'll go with the W4s, but it is definitely not to say that the UM3X are any kind of bad or far behind. The UM3 has this way of presenting the instruments that I have not heard in any other universal.
 

I just hope it's understood that my advice can be trusted, I've kept up with the entire Westone 4 thread, but it be best if you experienced for yourself the W4, UM3X, or SM3 to make your decision on which you love the most. Either way you surely won't be disappointed

, Thanks.
 
 

 

[prestigetone]

Audiophile1811 what would you pick? Or better yet what do you have?