You might kill me, but... IE8 vs UM3X ($ for $) for an iPhone 2g + iPod 5.5g

[gameboy115]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvw2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Haha, I'm the opposite, selling the IE8 and keeping the UM3X. Really, they're both excellent earphones. Neither have any significant faults. It will really come down to personal preference more then anything else. Some differences: Frequency Response: IE8 - slight midbass-lower midrange focus, makes for a warm, slightly bloated/full vocal signature UM3X - slight lower treble focus, makes for a slightly prominent upper end, slightly bright vocals Both are relatively flat and extended in response otherwise, basically IE8 low frequency focus, UM3X high frequency focus, both slightly but enough to be noticed. Sound Stage: IE8 - big, spacious sound stage, concert hall effect like you're sitting up in the seats watching a performance, big size, minimal sense of depth, layering, spacing UM3X - intimate, in your face sound, like you're on stage with the performers, outstanding sense of depth and layering, break out the tape measure accuracy. Pick your preference, up close or far away. Neither are bad, but each orientation carries its own traits. Dynamics: IE8 - slightly laid back presentation, good note, good energy, but lacks some edge/bite on the note, not muddy, not slow, just slightly softened UM3X - high energy, sense of power, better sense of dynamic range and breadth of range, very good in differentiating subtlety and gusto. Again, pick your preference. The IE8 doesn't falter, but it also isn't effortless in breadth. It has a slight softness to note energy and edge. It does make the IE8 more pleasant, less fatiguing, and with a lower chance to offend. The UM3X offers more sensation, more raw energy, more breadth. Both are similar in capability otherwise. Neither lack frequency response, both readily realistically producing notes from 30Hz to +15kHz. Both offer a good level of detail, cleanliness, openness. Both offer excellent bass quantity and quality, and both provide a visceral experience. The IE8 offers a little bass emphasis while the UM3X treble emphasis. The IE8 is a little more laid back while the UM3X is more in your face. The IE8 creates a big, spacious space while the UM3X is up close with a great sense of depth. Just to stir up the mix a little, the Triple.Fi 10 is somewhere in the middle of both, mixing a number of the qualities together. From a cold, calculating standpoint, is is the better IEM versus the IE8 or UM3X. It has a flatter response, both a spacious sound stage with good location and depth cue, outstanding highs, natural mids, and good bass. It doesn't have the dynamic breadth of the UM3X nor quite the bass extension subsequent visceral sense. It is more "correct" then either.

I am looking for something different from um3x.Do you think TF 10 pro is different from UM3x in term of vocal ?

TF10 pro is always on my radar, just the fit keeps me away from it

My choice is down to X10 or tf10 pro now

 

[iponderous]

Hi mvw2,

With regard to your post:

"Dynamics:
IE8 - slightly laid back presentation, good note, good energy, but lacks some edge/bite on the note, not muddy, not slow, just slightly softened
UM3X - high energy, sense of power, better sense of dynamic range and breadth of range, very good in differentiating subtlety and gusto."

I have to disagree with your description of the UM3X here. "high energy, sense of power" are qualities that I do not associate with the sound signature of this phone; quite the opposite actually. I also wonder what you mean by "dynamic range"? Are you referring to the reproduction of soft and loud volumes, or do you mean something else? The IE8 sounds no less dynamic than the UM3X to my ears. However, I would describe it as much more engaging.

"Again, pick your preference. The IE8 doesn't falter, but it also isn't effortless in breadth. It has a slight softness to note energy and edge. It does make the IE8 more pleasant, less fatiguing, and with a lower chance to offend. The UM3X offers more sensation, more raw energy, more breadth."

And again, I fundamentally disagree with your description here. The UM3X possessed none of these qualities in my opinion.

"Both offer excellent bass quantity and quality, and both provide a visceral experience. The IE8 offers a little bass emphasis while the UM3X treble emphasis. The IE8 is a little more laid back while the UM3X is more in your face. The IE8 creates a big, spacious space while the UM3X is up close with a great sense of depth."

The IE8 provides more of a visceral listening experience than the UM3X to my ears.

"Just to stir up the mix a little, the Triple.Fi 10 is somewhere in the middle of both, mixing a number of the qualities together. From a cold, calculating standpoint, is is the better IEM versus the IE8 or UM3X. It has a flatter response, both a spacious sound stage with good location and depth cue, outstanding highs, natural mids, and good bass. It doesn't have the dynamic breadth of the UM3X nor quite the bass extension subsequent visceral sense. It is more "correct" then either."

I do agree that the Triple.Fi 10 Pro is a relatively accurate and balanced sounding IEM when compared to others that I have heard. I regard it as less coloured than the IE8. Once again, I don't understand your use of the term "dynamic breadth". I find the TF10P to be no less dynamic than the UM3X, but I think it is far more involving.

 

[VicAjax]

Yes, but you only had the UM3X for 3 days.

 

[pomme de terre]

I have to agree with iponderous that I preferred the IE8's despite the lack of isolation. They made me actually want to listen to the music... much more musical and engaging. I could wear my IE8's for long periods of time, but cant do it with the UM3X. I dont really like the fact that the UM3X sound so closed in, and is so lacking in terms of soundstage. The UM3X are much better at isolating though, and make background details more apparent (this may be good or bad).

I had the IE8's for 4 months and have had the UM3X for 1 month. I bought the UM3X to replace the IE8's after I lost them. Both were used daily during my commute (3+ hrs a day), in addition to listening at home/at the office.

 

[iponderous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicAjax /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, but you only had the UM3X for 3 days.

Listened to it for three days actually but I had it to hold onto it for a little while longer in order to offload it.

I've had the IE8 for a couple of months and the Triple.Fi 10 Pro for almost two weeks now. I think that might say it all.