Westone UM3X vs. Earsonics SM3

[TCD1975]

No surprise that the "Flavour of the Month" earphone is winning.

 

[Spyro]

Quote:

 
 
SM3 is superior for many reasons IMO, even though I have not heard the UM3X in quite a while.  I do specifically remember what I heard, which was a very in the head presentation, and that didn't sound natural and realistic to me.  Not saying the actual music didn't sound natural/realistic, but the presentation wasn't natural/realistic sounding to me.
 

This would make sense to me since both are neutral with little coloration.  While the instrument separation of UM3X is nothing short of astonishing, the very in the head presentation can almost get claustrophobic.  With a bit more "space" and crispness in the treble I would just about consider it the perfect sounding IEM.  I suspect SM3 improves upon these two "faults."
 
But as a pure musicians monitor, I cannot consider these faults.  I think Westone made the UM3X to sound exactly as they planned.  It is what it is.
 

 

[KLS]

 
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That's the bad thing about polls such as this. I don't know too many people who have both or have heard both. People vote for what they have. Opinions such as the one made by search holds more value as he had/have them both but I don't know who else has.

I agree with you. People start poll to gather opinion on which product is better, and like you said, owners tend to vote for what they have. Or even worse, some people vote even they don't have any experience on the products listed in the poll, just based on what they have read.
 
In this case, @search is the most qualified to give a vote, as he own both. Next come @Pianist and @average_joe, as they tried both. Others like me who have one or none in the list don't deserve to vote. In my opinion.
 
However, while poll like this might not be able to prove anything, I believe the figure gives courage and confident to OP to make his/her decision

 

[koonhua90]

If there are only 3 people voting, then that would defeat the purpose of voting, and there would not be a need for that. And at that, what the OP wants is actually some sort of persuasion, as he/she is going to get either of these two earphones anyway. I believe he has read enough post to better trust those who have heard both. He/she knows well enough that a lot of people who don't own both will vote. Even though I support the notion that those who don't own don't vote, but to have such an implementation is not easy.

 

[Sumflow]

+1 Average Joe's FOM
Quote:

  No surprise that the "Flavor of the Month" earphone is winning.

​

 

[gameboy115]

Quote:

 

I agree with you. People start poll to gather opinion on which product is better, and like you said, owners tend to vote for what they have. Or even worse, some people vote even they don't have any experience on the products listed in the poll, just based on what they have read.
 
In this case, @search is the most qualified to give a vote, as he own both. Next come @Pianist and @average_joe, as they tried both. Others like me who have one or none in the list don't deserve to vote. In my opinion.
 
However, while poll like this might not be able to prove anything, I believe the figure gives courage and confident to OP to make his/her decision

That's true. Only people heard both of them have the right to vote. That is why I don't vote. I only owned UM3X. To me, votes from Average Joe, Pianist are only valid
 
UM3x definitely deserves a spot in top tier IEM, as I think I still miss neutral and lively vocal presentation, even now I own EQ-7. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with EQ7  

 

[midoo1990]

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UM3x definitely deserves a spot in top tier IEM, as I think I still miss neutral and lively vocal presentation.

imo,it doesnt deserve a place.its not nuetral or lively.i wonder if i got a defected pair(which is highly unlikely as i purchased it from another headfier).there is so much praise for um3x and i dont HEAR why

i'd recommend any of my previous iems over um3x for any genres.

 

[gameboy115]

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imo,it doesnt deserve a place.its not neutral or lively.i wonder if i got a defected pair(which is highly unlikely as i purchased it from another headfier).there is so much praise for um3x and i dont HEAR why

i'd recommend any of my previous iems over um3x for any genres.

May be you really got defected pair or not with right seal/ tips, lol, at least vocal is much neutral  than IE8 in my opinion IMO......

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

No surprise that the "Flavour of the Month" earphone is winning.

Perhaps the SM3 is indeed the FOTM, but to my ears right now, the SM3 just sounds technically superior to the UM3X - it has tighter bass, better treble and a more dynamic sound with a wider soundstage. Mids are similar I think. Separation is also similar - I can't really say which one is better - I will have to AB the two to say for sure. SM3 basically sounds like a better engineered UM3X with a bit of EarSonics special flavor added to the sound signature IMO.

 

[midoo1990]

Quote:

May be you really got defected pair or not with right seal/ tips, lol, at least vocal is much neutral  than IE8 in my opinion IMO......

thats the problem,i found vocals sound exactly the same as ie8 with maybe the ie8 a little bit thicker but they were both warm.

 

[gameboy115]

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thats the problem,i found vocals sound exactly the same as ie8 with maybe the ie8 a little bit thicker but they were both warm.

In my opinion, the vocal of UM3X and IE8 are not the same, IE8 has more prominent low end and high end, overall presentation is little muddy though

 

[gameboy115]

 
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Perhaps the SM3 is indeed the FOTM, but to my ears right now, the SM3 just sounds technically superior to the UM3X - it has tighter bass, better treble and a more dynamic sound with a wider soundstage. Mids are similar I think. Separation is also similar - I can't really say which one is better - I will have to AB the two to say for sure. SM3 basically sounds like a better engineered UM3X with a bit of EarSonics special flavor added to the sound signature IMO.

Sounds very promising, it is also not the first time I heard SM3 is better designed version of UM3x, I truly believe in it ,that is why I always keep my eye on SM3 appreciation thread

 

[Aeneas]

This is interesting. These two are my 'dream' (I can afford them but it wouldn't be sensible, in my situation, before university) universals and I've read very little about them that is negative.
 
How much of a difference does a removable cable make to people on this thread? My experience with Westone cables is that they're excellent until the slider/cinch becomes too loose (and only Westone custom cable has memory wire).

 

[Jonoc]

DAMN DAMN DAMN! 

I was just about to get the Um3x and there I go and come into this forum and now I wanna get the SM3 but its more expensive and less pretty IMO. 

ARGGHH

 

[silverkaze]

Quote:

DAMN DAMN DAMN! 

I was just about to get the Um3x and there I go and come into this forum and now I wanna get the SM3 but its more expensive and less pretty IMO. 

ARGGHH

Imagine if you bought Um3x and then saw this thread