ddAug2011v2_Layout 1 9/07/11 1:34 PM Page 28
The bass was solid without a hint of distortion, even when pumped up. The overall reproduction was extremely clean, clear and detailed, with excellent separation, thanks to the three balanced armature drivers and the passive three-way crossover. The UM3X showed dynamics and subtlety in the module that was certainly not evident with any of the closed headphones I had tried previously. With the widest selection of tips – and probably the best quality out there, with significant differences between the sizes, comfort was exceptional, especially coupled with the compact earphone design which made for a flush fit in the ears. The combination of tip choice and small earphone body made these extremely close to custom-fit earphones in the comfort stakes. Of course, with the snug tip fits, isolation was superb, and there was absolutely no stick noise. Overall, the UM3X was an excellent balance of features, fit and performance and certainly rivals the more expensive Shure model in our collection.
Shure SE 535 Okay, we’re getting to the pointy end, price-wise, and the performance reflects the added cost. The Shure SE 535 is a serious contender and the $500 price tag gets you a box full of stuff – eight different tips sure to fit anything including a Klingon, a stylish hard carry case and a bunch of adaptors – and of course, the professional earphones with detachable cable – all 1.6 metres of it. Isolation and comfort are superb, thanks to the tip choices which range from foam sleeves, to silicon buds and a triple flanged option. There is no cable noise, in fact there’s next to no external noise. Rated at 119 dB and 36 Ohms, these guys performed best at 12 o’clock on the module – a higher volume setting than most of the others. But there was heaps of punch and totally accurate reproduction. Thanks to three drivers in each unit, I heard bass notes I didn’t know the TD-20 could produce, mid-range was clear and detailed and the highs were flawless. In fact, it was almost like being inside the module – no distortion, no colouring, just instrument sounds. I can honestly say that the modules had never sounded better - even with high-end professional closed headphones. The clear-shelled SE 535 is comfortable and reasonably compact, significantly smaller than the UE sample, but more substantial than the Etymotic. It is roadready, supplied with a sturdy, compact zip-up case big enough for the main units, a bunch of tips and the supplied cleaning tool. The SE 535 may lack the clout and low-end thump of the Ultimate Ears Triple Fi, but it more than makes up for it in balance and accuracy. Sure, the price tag is hefty, but the quality is undeniable, and it’s no surprise that so many professional musicians use SE 535s on stage, especially with Shure’s wireless monitoring system. 28
www.digitaldrummermag.com