Westone UM3X and UM2: now with removable cables!

[kakashi]

Nice! I'd like to hear an SM3 vs UM3X from someone who has both. If only our favorite reviewer was more active.

How's the microphonics of UM3X?

[KaliKot]

Nice! I'd like to hear an SM3 vs UM3X from someone who has both. If only our favorite reviewer was more active.

How's the microphonics of UM3X?

There are some microphonics if you tug on the cable, but they are worn over the ear so its nonexistent most of the time. I really doubt there are many people here who have both at the same time because they carry the same sound signature but are presented in a vastly different way.

The closest would be ceph who has owned the sm3 first before owning the um3x.

[ceph752]

There are some microphonics if you tug on the cable, but they are worn over the ear so its nonexistent most of the time. I really doubt there are many people here who have both at the same time because they carry the same sound signature but are presented in a vastly different way.

The closest would be ceph who has owned the sm3 first before owning the um3x.

there is no VS between this two for me, the sound of the sm3,when i heard it again from aizen's pair still has that enveloping effect on me, i guess part of me still wants that relaxing sound of the sm3. never tried sm3s on rock music so i cant shed light on the rock + sm3 combo.

the um3x for me has greater instrument separation, still that non-fatiguing sound sig and makes it a different beast from the sm3. not saying the sm3s are fatiguing to my ears, maybe it is because of the shell and the sound that doesnt make you wanting more...

sm3 or um3x, both are winners, i just cant keep to iems at once... im not kalikot you know...

[KaliKot]

I wouldn't mind owning both honestly but the SM3 wouldn't be my top pick most of the time because of the enveloping sound signature which doesnt work for rock music, again.

The UM3x is laid back and I like the amazing instrument separation, it's like you're going back to the roots of how they made the track by hearing each and every single note. The mids are engaging as well with the warm voices. You get to appreciate the music as it's torn down piece by piece. It's not fatiguing, it has great balance and presentation.

It does nothing wrong and works with all kinds of music, the fitting is great as well much like the SE535 with the "custom-ish" fit and that works for me

[ceph752]

my music choice i guess bears greatly on my appreciation for the sm3s

right on kalikot, the um3x seems to disect the music bit by bit... but makes it into a non fatigung package... not parting with my um3x, maybe when a um5x comes to the market?

[KaliKot]

 

[makubexXx]

um3x with LUNE cable.. yes, you read it right

quick impressions -> yummy "extended highs", very much detailed compared to the stock cable, wider soundstage, tho lesser punch on lows.
overall, the lune is indeed an upgrade to um3x

[KaliKot]

Ah yes, the little Lune experiment I regretted not doing before when I was experimenting with ceph's UM3x before. It was a wonderful revelation for us earlier when it fit almost perfectly on the UM3x and sounded better to boot!

I heard the recabled UM3x with the Denko cable, and while it improved the detail of the UM3x, My ears are saying that the lune cable synergizes better with it as it gave it an airy sound with better treble extension and sparkle at the expenese of the bass.

Maybe I shouldnt have let go of the Lune cable when I sold the TF10 Looks like I will have to reacquire it, or buy a new one

[H a R 0]

Ah yes, the little Lune experiment I regretted not doing before when I was experimenting with ceph's UM3x before. It was a wonderful revelation for us earlier when it fit almost perfectly on the UM3x and sounded better to boot!

I heard the recabled UM3x with the Denko cable, and while it improved the detail of the UM3x, My ears are saying that the lune cable synergizes better with it as it gave it an airy sound with better treble extension and sparkle at the expenese of the bass.

Maybe I shouldnt have let go of the Lune cable when I sold the TF10 Looks like I will have to reacquire it, or buy a new one

sounds like you are kinda missing the TF10's highs bro

congrats on your new purchase!

[KaliKot]

sounds like you are kinda missing the TF10's highs bro

congrats on your new purchase!

I am kinda missing it, but listening to the TF10 again I am appalled by its mids after being spoiled by other IEMs. The Lune cable refined the sound of the UM3x and what I love is that it improved the soundstage and increased the detail further

[ru9]

but listening to the TF10 again I am appalled by its mids after being spoiled by other IEMs.

Does that mean that TF10's mids are bad/inferior to the UM3X and Shure 535?

[makubexXx]

Does that mean that TF10's mids are bad/inferior to the UM3X and Shure 535?

not bad, it is THERE but not exceptional

[KaliKot]

Does that mean that TF10's mids are bad/inferior to the UM3X and Shure 535?

Well having owned the TF10, UM3x and SE530, i would say Yes it is. It's not "bad" per se but it's definitely not as natural and it's a bit recessed

[dranoel4190]

relative to its other frequencies, imo its mids are very recessed especially with the stock cables.  i think it has the most V type eq among toptier iems

[jaibautista]

Does that mean that TF10's mids are bad/inferior to the UM3X and Shure 535?

If you're a fan of vocals, the TF10s may "destroy" how a song is presented to your ears. IMHO, there have been times when I feel the TF10s don't do enough justice to vocals-heavy songs. This became more pronounced when I auditioned a pair of Westone 4s.

Then again, according to my friend who's playing the violin and who I let try my TF10s, the IEM's V-shaped frequency response is good for orchestra-type music, as it gives an impression of a large soundstage and an all-encompassing feel to the music.

YMMV, I should say? :-)