Universal Stage Monitor with three-way crossovers Westone UM3x
Sumflow reviewed
...Studio Monitors...
My history is Woodstock roots music on MacIntosh integrated amps, with JBL L100 studio monitors all around the house. So what do I know about earplugs. Sound vibrations hit me all over from my walls and speakers. I live in the sound track of my life. Sound keeps me warm, well living in the tropics helps. Earphones isolate what you hear in each ear. With my studio monitors I hear both tracks, in both ears, all of the time. Just like the Beach Boys did when they first heard their tunes on the car radio. When walking around, the sound changes just like it does on stage.
...Stage In-ear Monitors...
The best headphones at all costs are probably the earphone monitors worn on stage, by performers. All of them are in-ear passive noise canceling monitors. In essence, these earplugs reduce noise allot, with speakers inside the earplug for you to hear your music. These custom jobs, usually have the wires worn over your ears. They are the most expensive and have little resale value, because they only work properly on one set of ears for about four years.
The best headphones at all costs are probably the earphone monitors worn on stage, by performers. All of them are in-ear passive noise canceling monitors. In essence, these earplugs reduce noise allot, with speakers inside the earplug for you to hear your music. These custom jobs, usually have the wires worn over your ears. They are the most expensive and have little resale value, because they only work properly on one set of ears for about four years.
...Armature speakers...
These high-end custom ear-canal head monitors use balanced armature drivers instead of the larger diaphragm loudspeaker. These work much like a tuning fork instead of the common dynamic speaker drivers. Because you are not moving any air, you can seal the exterior against noise better. Scary not being able to hear anything around you.
...Not Silent...
As we go down in price, more safe sounds can leak in. With the music turned off, you are still accompanied by surround sounds. Depending on the soft ear tips, maybe 30% quieter, not silent by any means. The Westone UM3x is a three-driver system just like those used in custom ear monitors, but with universal tips. This reduces the price about $500.00 and increases the resale value by hundreds of percent.
...Not Silent...
As we go down in price, more safe sounds can leak in. With the music turned off, you are still accompanied by surround sounds. Depending on the soft ear tips, maybe 30% quieter, not silent by any means. The Westone UM3x is a three-driver system just like those used in custom ear monitors, but with universal tips. This reduces the price about $500.00 and increases the resale value by hundreds of percent.
...Comfort...
The soft tips on universal monitors can be more comfortable to wear for extended periods because they do not go way down deep into your ear channel like the more expensive customs. There is a red dot for the monitor that goes into your right ear, and a blue dot for the one that goes into your left ear. The Blond from Monster says, "there's an L in blue somewhere, so that is how you can remember that."
The soft tips on universal monitors can be more comfortable to wear for extended periods because they do not go way down deep into your ear channel like the more expensive customs. There is a red dot for the monitor that goes into your right ear, and a blue dot for the one that goes into your left ear. The Blond from Monster says, "there's an L in blue somewhere, so that is how you can remember that."
...Luxury...
Westone's can be worn over the ear, and under the chin for an elegant solution to portable sound off stage. The company says they are designed to fall out this way, but I have not found that to be the case.
Westone's can be worn over the ear, and under the chin for an elegant solution to portable sound off stage. The company says they are designed to fall out this way, but I have not found that to be the case.
When you compare these to all the other earphones, Westone's hold up for excellent sound and excel in value. But if you compare them to what you are probably listening to now, UM3x's are up another notch. The sound is, smooth, excellent, and mind blowingly good. Westone In-Ear-Monitors (IEM), are a luxurious solution in comfort, stealth, and great sound, at a reasonable price for people who must have the best.
...Sound...
Zalithian "The highs are smooth and laid back in comparison to some others headphones. The bass is present, and the overall signature is very warm, the mids are the most up-front frequency although they're all pretty well balanced. I found the UM3X to be a great all arounder but not specialized like others which excel only with certain genres."
Zalithian "The highs are smooth and laid back in comparison to some others headphones. The bass is present, and the overall signature is very warm, the mids are the most up-front frequency although they're all pretty well balanced. I found the UM3X to be a great all arounder but not specialized like others which excel only with certain genres."
...Warning...
When you use UM3x's on your iTouch, you will soon want to upgrade your source material back to CD quality. Nothing else will do. People will try to sell you the cheap solution, but when cost is no object, undistorted sound is the way to go. Monitors are played with equalizers off. In-ear monitors need no break in period, but users often do. There is no need for separate headphone amps to get the most from your tunes. Start up at low volume, these stage monitors are very sensitive, and your songs will play louder. The cord should be looped in an, over and under pattern, and kept in the supplied case, to prevent them from coiling on there own.
How do I describe to you, tastes that you have never eaten, smells that you have never smelt, and sounds.., sounds that you have never heard?
In-ear stage monitors will play sounds for you that you have never heard in your favorite tunes.
