So I'm jumping-in to my 1st and 2nd pair of IEM's in this new-found fascination of mine. Bought the Shure SE535's first and loved them. Incredibly crisp, clear, hearing things in recordings I had never heard. The instrument separation was incredible. Really an incredible experience - though the low-end was a little light maybe, but not a lot - the detail was amazing. I'm a musician and vocalist, so not having a heavy low-end wasn't necessarily a turn-off for me.
But coupling the sound with incredible build-quality, removable cables (I bought a Shure integrated iPhone/Mic control cable to replace the standard), and the awesomely comfortable olive tips: I loved them.
Being the noob I am, I slightly bent the nozzle out of round and the filter moved down a bit when changing out the tips for the first time - side note: manufacturer's tips are crazy hard to remove - so I had to send them back under EarPhone Solutions return policy. Kudos to them for excellent cust. svc by the way.
Went ahead and ordered a pair of UM3X's (new replaceable cable model) along with the replacement SE535's. I had heard that the UM3X has considerably more defined low-end, so I was kind of looking forward to a richer sound and and comparing the two models.
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Got them in today. Big-time disappointment in the quality of the UM3X. First of all the left monitor doesn't work. Sound is incredibly faint - definitely broken - so it will have to go back. I'm not sure if this is a knock on Westone or if Earphone Solutions gets discounted/refurb models from somewhere?? I also switched the monitors on the cables, and the faintness followed the monitor, so it's not a cable issue.
That and the housings and cables just feel cheaper to me - especially compared with the heavy-duty 535's: the 535's just felt like more substantial gear. The UM3X shorter cable is also not as much to my liking. The tips were comfortable, though. Seemed to do a good job of isolation.
Listening in just one ear it was impossible to form an informed opinion on their sound. But it did seem a little veiled on the high-end. But again, that's not really fair to the phones without hearing a working pair.
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My solution so far: I will send the UM3X's back to see if I like them when testing a functional pair. I've heard so many great things about them (at least about the old/non-removable cable version), I'm sure they're good phones - I just am disappointed in their quality of construction. They don't feel as substantial as the 535's.
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The 535's are again sparkling, stellar. Especially on acoustic selections, the vocals are amazingly crisp, bright and present. The low-end may still be a little light to some, but I've found a solution that works for me as well: I turn my iPhone EQ setting to either Electronic or Rock. So far, Electronic seems to be my favorite.
With those two settings employed, I think the 535's have won me out over the UM3X's. I have seen enough positive feedback to give the UM3X's a fighting chance, but I don't know that they'll be able to unseat my 535's.
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Cheers to all on such a great forum. I've learned a ton stalking these threads over the past few weeks.
BTW - is that a no-no amongst audio-philes? Both the iPhone? and the EQ setting use? Due to portability and usability, I'm pretty much locked-in to using the iPhone as my source. But the EQ I felt might be a little bit of a cheat to the 535's - but hey, it works for me.
Thanks to all,
Jared
