Where did you tried the UM3X ? Just repeating Dybre question

Ok, is it still available for sale? Color? black or clear/transparent?

I collected my UM3X in Singapore last Friday. First impression, WoW!, the bass. Plenty of it. Mids/vocal sound bigger and a bit laid back compared to PFEs. Treble is good too, but PFEs' slightly win. Totally different sound signature. But, the best thing is, it is very easy to drive, and make DAP sound much-much more better, even the cheap DAP also sound great. Imagine, if you use it with a better DAP, such as iTouch 2G and Sony X1000s.

But, the differences between DAP sound and DAC/AMP (D10) is, the bass and treble extensions, resolution/details, separation, and headstage. Since I am not audiophile, I am not care much of it heh he he, and still prefers D10.

Now, I really have to burn-in my mental to the new sound signature.

Ooo.. I also tried the IE8s briefly. I had plenty of bass too, but, not as controlled as UM3X's. Will do a serious listening ... and post some more here

BTW, I had returned my PFEs for replacement, and luckily, I got the UM3X to satisfy my ears during the PFE's absent.

Thank you.

My PFEs have hairline cracks on both earpiece. I returned it, and have to wait for the new version of PFEs, which have better cables, earpieces casing and slight sound improvements. This new PFEs will be available on end of June.

I really like the PFE's sound and Phonak's service also excellent . I love it.

Ok, here I attached my UM3X's close up pictures. The tips are the silicone tips.

Enjoy.

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 7 2009, 07:14 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

Yes, quite surprising, PFEs do sound great with DAC/AMP. So do the UM3X (not the E3X) too. As I mentioned earlier, PFEs do need some power to escalate it to another level.
Based on my memory, the biggest difference between both is the bass presentation and power efficiency. To get adequate sound level, I have to crank D10 to 2 o;clock, but, with UM3X, it just around 10-11 oclock. At 12, UM3X is too loud.

So I have 2 different IEMs with 2 different sound signature, and both are excellent IEMs. Actually the MSRP price differences is 2.73x.

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 8 2009, 01:08 AM

Sorry, I don't have W3s and did not have any experience with W3s yet, so no comment.

Just make an appointment and take a trip to Stereo and Jaben in Singapore, and feast your ears . Then just swipe your credit/debit card ... Simple and easy. You can TRY and choose your own headphones/IEMs with cheaper price (compared in Malaysia) and you can avoid custom tax . I suggest to take express bus, example NICE++, Aeroline, .. , and taxi around the Singapore, which I found It is relatively cheap and convenient too.

Thank you

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 8 2009, 11:03 AM

Yes, that's why I returned it. The best thing is, I asked for the 'newer' version of PFEs as the replacement . I am very excited, and can wait with happy feeling . We will see how it turned out later...

Newer tried UM2, so no comment. The bass ot UM3X is very good and controlled. Glad to have different signature earphones. I tried the Ultrasone demo CD tracks (FLAC), and it is VERY REALISTIC. The high/treble is very natural.. Ambient and surrounding also presented excellently. I am very happy with it


Honestly, I really like PFE's sound signature, which I feel sitting very close to the performance. But, the negative is, the head/soundstage will be come very small, and sometime, the music seem to be 'too busy'.. Very good for monitoring.

UM3X offers a better sound signature to appreciate the performance in 'broader' aspects. It is like sitting on the first row, where we can enjoy the music with more relaxing.

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 10 2009, 02:44 PM

I have some tasks to do at KLCC (KL convention center) this Sunday evening. I try to find some time to make a small gathering near KLCC for the audition .

I will bring along my
Westone UM3X + 3 types of tips
Nuforce NE-7M
Nuforce Icon Mobile DAC/AMP
iBasso D10 DAC/AMP
Samsung YP-S5 DAP

Sorry, I cannot bring along my faithful PFEs

This post has been edited by bahathir: Jun 11 2009, 12:59 PM

But if you work in Data Center like me, where the air temperature is below 19 degree celcius, then, the problem may occurs. I think my PFEs cracks due to the temperature differences too. Mmm.. So, the root cause of the problem is the material choice.

Actually, I am in data center right now, and the UM3X cables are soft and flexible in cold environment. I need IEMs to isolate noises from servers. Mmmm.. Next time, I want to try to put my IEMs in refrigerator to see how the material to withstand extreme temperature

Welcom to LWN-Audiophile .

Nice... and how much it cost in Malaysia ?
Also, if possible get several type of ear tips, because, to my ears, the provided complies/foamies absorb little much treble energy. My current favorite is, the modded tripple flanges. .

IME, the UM3Xs will opened up in about 1 or 2 weeks, and you will love how natural/balanced the sound is .

---

Added on August 3, 2009, 12:52 pmFew days ago a received my custom ear canal tips. . Although it looks not that nice compared to the real Westone UM56, but it enough to make sound better than generic/universal tips.

How different the sound compared to my favorite ear tips, the modded triple flanges
Bass; Cleaner, and deeper
Mid: Wow, very nice.
Treble : This is where the custom tips win with a big margin. I felt the treble is more extended. The sibiliance (5-7 kHz) is very well tamed. Orignaly, I never heard any sibilance with UM3Xs + generic tips, but, I pretty sure, the sibiliant is non exist at all with the custom's. I played a song/music with very harsh treble, and, the result is just a good sound.
Soundstage: Since it tamed the 5-7kHz range and better bass, I feel the soundstage is much bigger and wider.


The tips seem be long, but it can easily inserted to my ears, with few practices. Anyway, the UM3Xs with generic tips also very good, but it is better with the customs .

Now I can imagine the what our friends here with the custom IEMs feel. One word... AWESOME.
Thank you.

This post has been edited by bahathir: Aug 3 2009, 12:58 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

Ok, I went to the audiologist, Sountex at The Curve. Actually, they don't know anything about IEMs. So, I showed them my UM3Xs, and tried to insert the nozzle into the tube of one of the display unit. It is difficult to insert it, but, I managed to do it. A good thing is, it provides a good grip. Then I made the ears impression, and ordered the ear canal tips. There are several types of ear canal tips, so I ordered the one with minimal outer ear's sleeves.

A week later, I picked up the tips, and cut the tubes, and left about 1 mm from the base of the tips. Why? I said earlier, it is VERY difficult to insert the nozzle into the tube, so I need a bit of tube, so I can pull the tube using my finger nail, bit by bit. After several minutes figuring out how to insert it to my ears, I twisted the UM3Xs body to ensure the correct position, when inserting to my ears.

Honestly, I felt pain in my left ear, but not all the time. the right ear is fine, and I think I need a re-fitting.

I forgot to mentioned that, the isolation is not as I expected. I expected a total silence, but, with these. I still can hear surroundings, people speaking, and not muffled compared to foam tips. IMHO my custom tips isolate less than the comply foam tips. It reminds me to my full size headphone's isolation. But, once the music is played, I forgot all these issues ... BTW, it is quite comfortable, and I tried it for 6 hours during a bus trip from KL -> Kedah .

My advices.
1) If you want to try it, please make sure your IEM nozzle can be inserted to the tube, and be prepared the face the difficulties.

2) Do not expect a total dark silence

3) Might be a waste of money if you don't like the sound signature.


Total cost of these experimental custom ear canal tips is...... MYR 130, with re-fitting in 1 month. To me, it is a new experience and, I starting to listen to all my music collection again.... It does sound different... in good way. The most significant changes is when I listen to the rock, example Metallica... All the instruments are in order, very clear and distinguisable. I turned the volume up... Wow.. just a good sound flowed into my ears... no stress at all. I don't feel any 'ringing' (bingit) at all after listened to for quite long period of time.
Thank you.

This post has been edited by bahathir: Aug 4 2009, 01:54 AM

Simple...
Goto yellowpages.com.my and search for 'audiologist' or 'hearing aids'


Here is one of the Sountex's branch in Starhill.
Kuala Lumpur
Starhill Gallery
Lot S1, 2nd Floor
Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel +60 3 21448722
Email : starhill@sountex.com

Good luck

This post has been edited by bahathir: Aug 3 2009, 11:41 PM

Awesome thing? Which one? UM3Xs or the custome sleeves ?
I think most the infos are in the thread.

Yup, agreed. for USD300 IEMs, UM3Xs do look 'cheapish' and plasticky. In real life, they are small. BTW, it is not the looks that counts, but, it's sound signature.

Bass impact..... .... It is. the basiest IEMs in my collection. It is not the basshead IEMs, but, the bass iis solid and punchy.