Hi guys! Read all 242 pages just in time and got mine yesterday afternoon! Gonna post my early impressions(not yet a day old) here..
As a background: I listen to mostly bands such as anberlin, paramore, versaemerge, head automatica, franco, urbandub, incubus, etc....
I listen to some RnB/Pop music such as usher, chris brown, marques houston, etc...
I also listen to some kpop like big bang, snsd, 2ne1, hwayobi, etc...
I recently got into Hans Zimmer stuff. It started with batman and inception, then I got his Last Samurai pieces and I really love those.
Out of the box:
seriously? what.a.waste. I thought I just threw 400 USD just like that.
Changed tips(medium grey sleeves suit me the best - i get the best seal with these though they are just slightly bigger than I'd like).
the sound was warming up to me and I was seeing what most of the people have mentioned about the UM3X.
Build
I hope I'm just being deceived by their looks and feel because I can't shake the feeling that these are quite delicate and fragile. The cables seem great though. At first I was hesitant but with all the praises on the quality of westone's cable - and these being replaceable, I've become more at ease in handling them. I still take care of them, I just don't baby them.
Comfort
They are quite comfortable. These are my first IEMs that are really meant to be worn over the ear. My only problem are the tips though as they are slightly bigger than I'd like. Will have to find a way to get my hands on some olives but for now, the grey sleeves will have to do.
Bass
I was taken aback by the bass. The bass was waaaaay too much for me. I guess this is the proof that I am not a basshead(nothing against them, just means that I'm not bass hungry). After a few more mins of listening though, I came to the conclusion that the bass is MORE than natural but not so much that I hate them. it's like just a little bit more bass and it would be too much. they sort of hit the sweet spot really.
Mids
A lot of people have claimed them to be forward, for some, even TOO forward. On normal full band tracks, I would say they are forward but not too much that it's irritating. On acoustic tracks, I really appreciate the vocals being forward because it sort of makes the performance more intimate and personal.
Highs
I find my ATH-M50s to be fatiguing in the highs. these are not. I also think that they do the highs just right.
Soundstage
Honestly? I'm not great with distinguishing soundstage. For me, in IEMs, they are all small and the same. Take into consideration though that I have not tried a lot of IEMs. My experience with IEMs range from cheapos to RE0s and for a while, MPTC(borrowed). they all stay in the head. Listening with M50s is a different case though. Only then can i put the instruments in front of me instead of just in my head.
Detail/Separation
They really do have incredible separation. I have to agree with the praises they have been receiving in this category. Even in busy tracks,.I can hear the subtle sounds. and I have heard clearly some sounds I haven't noticed where there before.
CONCLUSION: I DO NOT REGRET SPENDING ALL THAT MONEY ON THESE. THEY'RE WORTH IT.