Westone UM3X vs. Earsonics SM3

[anomalouscode]

＾lol was gonna say!
 
those triple flanges look nice, how much would you say the sound changed vs the dual flanges?
 
is the isolation better?

 

[slaters70]

well, having owned both (sold the UM3X awhile ago), I believe it's an upgrade/improvement to sell the UM3X and use the cash to purchase the SM3s, without a doubt in fact. Not badmouthing the UM3X, but they do not deliver the goods like the SM3s. What placebo effect? Placebo means giving someone something that has no value, so to speak, but they think it does, and they may or may not react positively as a result (when used in drug studies for example). You might mean the "halo" effect, in this case, whereby someone reads something positive and it enhances their experience when they try the same phones.
 
No doubt the halo effect might be in play with the SM3s, but doubtful. Many people who favor them have owned them for extended periods by now, and have not changed their minds. In fact, see Shigzeo's review of the SM3s. He's had them for almost three months, and halo effect is certainly not a factor.
 
Have you owned either the UM3X or the SM3? Would be interesting to get your view on them compared,
 
Quote:

IMO, they are both good iems. It doesnt mean that sm3 is a better iem that u should upgrade it when you own a um3x already. It may be better yes, but at the pricetag u might reconsider it again. And consider placebo too.

 

[kdawgg83]

For me, the dual flanges did not make a good seal so the sound was a bit thin. The triple flanges isolate way better and I can clearly hear the bass and treble without any veiling. I will say, however, that the tri-flanges are not as comfortable as the foam comply's. The highs arent as crisp with the foamies, though, so I've been solely using the tri-flanges ever since I put them on.

 
Quote:

＾lol was gonna say!
 
those triple flanges look nice, how much would you say the sound changed vs the dual flanges?
 
is the isolation better?

 

[clasam]

Hey guys, how does the SM3s compare to the UM3xs in terms of bass extension & quantity.
 
I got the UM3Xs, which does the clarity & separation thing really well, but for bass heavy music, it lacks impact, and more importantly to me, bass extension...on Specs, both these guys go down to 20 Hz, but that doesn't mean they sound the same.
 
So, for those who have heard both, what do you think bout the bass extension & impact?
 

 

[Randius]

Having previously owned the SM3 and now UM3X, I will not say SM3 does everything better than UM3X. For example, cymbal sounds "further away" on SM3 than UM3X and sounds "blunt". On certain tracks, I can barely hear the cymbal's presence on SM3 whereas on UM3X, though the volume may be soft but the cymbal makes its presence due to that "cutting edge". Sharp edge but not piercing at all.
 
When it comes to vocal, on the UM3X, the singer is felt to be standing before the instruments
whereas the opposite is felt on SM3. This is not necessary better or worse but I like a more forward vocal.
 
With regards to bass, I feel UM3X has tighter but leaner bass and does not extend as much as SM3. Impact-wise, both are about the same.

 

[clasam]

Thanks for the reply

 

[headphonelove]

i myself prefer the um3x

 

[Hero Kid]

I wonder how many people out of the twelve who voted for the SM3 have even heard the SM3 let alone both the SM3 and the UM3X...

 

[headphonelove]

Quote:

I wonder how many people out of the twelve who voted for the SM3 have even heard the SM3 let alone both the SM3 and the UM3X...

not many id guess, i currently have both and have now put the sm3 on sale

 

[Hero Kid]

Yeah those results look grossly distorted. The difference between the two is quite small and if a matter of personal preference. So something is certainly wrong.

 

[headphonelove]

i bet most of the people who voted for the sm3 aint even heard them

 

[Hero Kid]

Did anyone else receive a PM from Sumflow? If so I suggest you disregard his post/message. It's clear he's extremely biased towards Westone products.
Sure he raises a good point that the same thing may have occured with the SM3 and as he puts it "6 guys who hyped the french companies earhpone" but he himself is just as bad (in my opinion).
 
The view that it is one group of Westone (UM3X) lovers versus a group of Earsonics (SM3) lovers is (and should be) pure crap.
It is two high end monitors that have to fight it out, not two groups of people.
 
So yeah, if you didn't get a PM from him you may skip over my post feeling confused.

 

[IamRight]

THe SM3 have a much wider headstage, threfore it is better.  The voting makes sense.

 

[gameboy115]

Quote:

Having previously owned the SM3 and now UM3X, I will not say SM3 does everything better than UM3X. For example, cymbal sounds "further away" on SM3 than UM3X and sounds "blunt". On certain tracks, I can barely hear the cymbal's presence on SM3 whereas on UM3X, though the volume may be soft but the cymbal makes its presence due to that "cutting edge". Sharp edge but not piercing at all.
 
When it comes to vocal, on the UM3X, the singer is felt to be standing before the instruments
whereas the opposite is felt on SM3. This is not necessary better or worse but I like a more forward vocal.
 
With regards to bass, I feel UM3X has tighter but leaner bass and does not extend as much as SM3. Impact-wise, both are about the same.

Lets say SM3 finally comes to 3 rd of headfi cycle. Doubt. From the initial stage of pure amaze how good it is, and bunch of followers hover all over forum, now it comes to some doubt arising here, at least 2 people in this page not giving 100% good "verdict"
 
It always makes me believe high end earphone, especially flatship, really shines only if it fits personal preference.
 
No such thing a long live king in here

 

[asphyxiation]

 
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I didn't vote, but....
 
I have the SM3's and have had the fortunate opportunity to have heard the UM3X's before.
Without going into details.... I'd say that the SM3's are better, I'm not saying that the UM3X's are no good, they're great, but the SM3's to me, just does better. 
 
But of course, this is just my opinion.
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