[turnstyle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jussssss /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey Sladeophile you should also consider getting the fit kit or shure tips to go with it!

fwiw, I'm not into the Westone Fit Kit because once you pick the tips you like, you can't later get more of just those.

 

[turnstyle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_Dying_Wren /img/forum/go_quote.gif I personally dislike the cables. They do tend to get tangled and knotted even when kept in a special case. I'd just be careful not to let them unwind.

I just want to add that many people specifically cite Westone cables as a particular plus of Westone IEMs -- of course, not everybody will agree.

btw, what's the 'theory' behind the braided cable? ie, what's the reason(s) for that approach?

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnstyle /img/forum/go_quote.gif fwiw, I'm not into the Westone Fit Kit because once you pick the tips you like, you can't later get more of just those.

i got the Shure fit kit... all of the included sleeves are available separately.

 

[turnstyle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicAjax /img/forum/go_quote.gif i got the Shure fit kit... all of the included sleeves are available separately.

I gather this is the Shure fit kit you have in mind:
Shure - QuietSpot Fit Kit

fwiw, the Westone fit kit is down this page, under "UNIVERSAL FIT PACK":
REPLACEMENT TIPS FOR IN EAR MONITORS

I wonder if the 'bullets' and 'silicone' tips in the Westone kit are the same as those in the Shure. The other main difference is that the Westone kit includes Comply foam tips (rather than the Shure yellows), and the triple flange.

But is that really $6 vs. $38 for roughly the same thing?

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sladeophile /img/forum/go_quote.gif 1. Do I need anything between the UM3X and my source to make these sound better? I understand you don't NEED the amp for the increase in volume, so I'm talking pure sound quality.

directly from my 5G iPod hp out, the occasional treble boost helps open the UM3X up, depending on the recording.

i have a friend's Xin Supermini IV on loan, and the improvement is significant. unfortunately i have to give it back, so i'm shopping for portable amps. after the Xin, i'll have to shop carefully so as not to be disappointed.

Quote:

2. I haven't owned a Westone product before, so is there anything I need to know about the construction, IE special treatment of the cables, any worry about the cable terminations, etc.

they are very tip, fit and insertion dependent... so you'll want to spend a bit of time experimenting with different sleeves. the included Comply foamies were unbearably muffled for me. i would have sent them back if i hadn't know try other tips.

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3. What kind of MP3 encoding quality could I get away with and not want to scratch my eyes out with these?

i try to avoid low bitrates, so can't help you here.

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4. What portable source jives best with the UM3X?

i'm a big fan of the iPod line out with an amp, haven't tried other portable sources.

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Glad to join the club, can't wait for these bad boys to get here.

can't wait to hear what you think!

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnstyle /img/forum/go_quote.gif I gather this is the Shure fit kit you have in mind: Shure - QuietSpot Fit Kit fwiw, the Westone fit kit is down this page, under "UNIVERSAL FIT PACK": REPLACEMENT TIPS FOR IN EAR MONITORS I wonder if the 'bullets' and 'silicone' tips in the Westone kit are the same as those in the Shure. The other main difference is that the Westone kit includes Comply foam tips (rather than the Shure yellows), and the triple flange. But is that really $6 vs. $38 for roughly the same thing?

you don't want that Shure kit... it's for the Shure e2c, with a different size nozzle than the other Shure.

this is the one i purchased: Shure Universal Fit Kit

the Westone fit kit has the Comply and tri-flange, which is probably why the price is higher... i wasn't interested in those.

 

[turnstyle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicAjax /img/forum/go_quote.gif you don't want that Shure kit... it's for the Shure e2c, with a different size nozzle than the other Shure. this is the one i purchased: Shure Universal Fit Kit the Westone fit kit has the Comply and tri-flange, which is probably why the price is higher... i wasn't interested in those.

Thanks for the correction -- but the pricing still seems weird, comapre:
Shure - QuietSpot Fit Kit ($6)

to:
Fit Kit for Shure "E" Series and Westone Earphones ($25)

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnstyle /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the correction -- but the pricing still seems weird, comapre: Shure - QuietSpot Fit Kit ($6) to: Fit Kit for Shure "E" Series and Westone Earphones ($25)

the only reason i can come up with is that there is such low demand for the e2c fit kit that they've lowered the price considerably.

all the other prices on the Shure website are in line with what you see at other retail sites.

 

[Weib]

Sorry if its noise but would like ask...
If one likes the sound of SF5p/ATH ES9/7/M50s

Would the UM3x be somewhat of an upgrade while retaining the qualities of the sound that I'm accustomed to?

 

[Weib]

Sorry if its noise but would like ask...
If one likes the sound of SF5p/ATH ES9/7/M50s

Would the UM3x be somewhat of an upgrade while retaining the qualities of the sound that I'm accustomed to?

 

[Sladeophile]

OK then, what tips are recommended with these? I might just go for the gold and get the UM56 anyway...

 

[bakhtiar]

Go for the custom sleeves!, for better isolation, extended bass and better treble.

 

[p0wderh0und23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnstyle /img/forum/go_quote.gif btw, what's the 'theory' behind the braided cable? ie, what's the reason(s) for that approach?

The braid allows the cable to be more supple, flexible and stronger. The average single strand cable out today will do about 5-7k flexes. The braided cable will do over 60k flexes.

 

[A_Dying_Wren]

Quote:

Originally Posted by p0wderh0und23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The braid allows the cable to be more supple, flexible and stronger. The average single strand cable out today will do about 5-7k flexes. The braided cable will do over 60k flexes.

Fair enough I suppose. Would it be possible for a tri or quad-braid approach for future cables like what the Enyo and Lune cables have? It'd help solve the untangling of the braid as well as adding some much needed heft.

Here's the cables

 

[charlie0904]

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_Dying_Wren /img/forum/go_quote.gif Fair enough I suppose. Would it be possible for a tri or quad-braid approach for future cables like what the Enyo and Lune cables have? It'd help solve the untangling of the braid as well as adding some much needed heft. Here's the cables

cost might go up significantly also...