UM 3DT Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'IEM Measurements' started by purr1n, Dec 24, 2021.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    UM 3DT
    Harmonic Distortion (absolute) at ~100db SPL
    upload_2022-1-30_13-58-2.png

    Drop x JCV FDX1
    Harmonic Distortion (absolute) at ~100db SPL
    upload_2022-1-30_13-59-27.png

    Putting these on loaner along with roll of 3M micropore tape.
     
  2. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    I've had the 3DT for about 9 months. Normally the peakiness doesn't bother me unless Iisten after HD650 of Aeolus.

    Mostly used as work solution, I've just EQ down 2k and 4k 1.5-3db using the qudelix 5k app. Need to get some micro pore tape and finally try it. I like these better than blessing 2 even with a "bright" dongle/dac.

    Someone please try these with the RU6 R2R dongle pretty please and report back.
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL, that's kind of my problem. (JAR600 and Verite Closed, and RS2X with flat pads).
     
  4. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    With micropore tape applied, the RU6 is a good combo for these because they smooth out some of the edginess. To be honest since I got the Timeless I haven't listened to these or the FDX1 once. Guess I would give them another go just to see how they sound after getting so used to the smoother, more effortless sounding Timeless.
     
  5. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Can't speak to using EQ, but putting on War by U2, one of the brighter, more abrasive albums I own, the 3DT with micropore and hybrid silicone/foam tips from the 4.4mm out of the RU6 doesn't sound overly peaky. It's not shying away from the brightness and graininess of the recording, but I'm not tearing them out of my ears.

    Compared to the Timeless with spiral dot+ tips also out of the 4.4mm port of the RU6, the Timeless isn't even closing to peaky or irritating in the treble, and any hint of grain is gone. However I think some grain may be present in the recording, and if that's the case then the Timeless is obscuring it. The bass is more well defined on the 3DT, with more realistic timbre. The 3DT has more air and sense of openness and space. The Timeless sounds more resolving of low level information. Very different presentations.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2022
  6. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    Loaner unit arrived a few days back. Just a few comments on physical stuff before commenting on sonics:
    • This Plastics1 silver cable sucks. UM must be the last manufacturer alive using this crap. It’s just not very user friendly to me. Too much memory and somewhat stiff. The super long memory wire section is annoying too.
    • The wood and acrylic looks is kind of early 90’s ugly to me and the color scheme on the case is even worse. Meh.
    • Even though on the larger size of housings, I got an easy, comfortable fit.
    First things first. The stock tuning unequivocally sucks ass. This is some seriously bad treble.

    Second important point. They definitely need to be modded. However, don’t cover the the entire nozzle opening with micropore tape IMO. It sounds like poop. Stuffy poop.

    There needs to be a little breathing room with some nozzle exposed on either side of the micropore tape. Anywhere from 80% to 90% coverage should do. The breathing room keeps it from sounding too stuffy and closed in and ruins the best part of the IEM- the bass.

    From reading previous thoughts on this versus FDX1, I’m again reminded there must be unit variance on the FDX1, assuming the units aren’t modded FD01’s or pre-production units. Modded FD01’s and the pre-production units I heard jive with the slightly hazzy, tubby bass described. However my paid production unit does not jive with that description. It’s lean (a bit too lean), it’s mean and it’s pretty darn quick.

    Bass wise, I like the 3DT bass better. While just as quick and nimble as my FDX1, the 3DT is a bit fuller, more tactile and noticeably better textured. I would love for this bass to be on the FDX1. My complaints of being slightly too lean would be nixed.

    The midrange is a little complicated. It does seem a little set back in the mix. Perhaps it’s the upper midrange dip I see in the measurements here, right after the middle mid elevation. The result is clear and articulate but oddly placed. I prefer the FDX1 midrange here for just being less eneven, even though its peak goes a litle too high up in to the lower treble transistion area. I’m not really hearing one or the other being more resolving but do prefer the FDX1 here, warts and all.

    Treble, treble, treble. It’s bad on the 3DT. Even with micropore tape mod. I get sibilance accentuation a lot. Sometimes it’s in your face, sometimes is it’s not, but its there a lot more often than it should be. The FDX1 just doesn’t do this. Then there is the timbre. This is were I really dislike the 3DT treble. Unlike some iems we discuss here with plasticky type timbre, the 3DT is more like a tinny timbre. I like my treble to sound brassy, meaning those hi-hats and rides have a brassy, realistic sound to them. But the 3DT can’t do that kind of sound. Cymbals sound like they are made of tin. It’s a really odd timbre and there is a reverberant quality to it I don’t like either. While I don’t think the FDX1 pulls of a brassy sound either, it’s significantly better.

    The modded 3DT does have a larger head-stage than the FDX1. It sound a little more open and spacious. That’s about it. Other than the very good bass, these are a pass for me.
     
  7. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

    Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    Treble with IEMs is such a controversial thing, because it varies the most among different listeners, due to fit, tips, insertion depth, ear canal geometry, etc.. As an example, I for my part don't get one iota more sibilance with my 3DT than with the FDX1. And on my rig, the 3DT with 80% micropore mod and the FDX1 with reference filter measure almost identical in the sibilance range between 5kHz and 10kHz.
    [​IMG]

    Unfortunately, all of that means zilch when we're talking about your listening experience, 'cause I bet if we could measure these responses at your ear drum level, they would come up wildly different.
     
  8. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Yes, I suspect those that don’t have issue with the 3DT treble have either smaller canals and/or sharper bends.
     
  9. HotRatSalad

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    3m micropore tape trick is real. I finally tried it, 80% covered sliver open on each side oriented the same on each iem. Not only does it tame/smooth those spikes it seems to tighten up bass response a tad as well. That was a pleasant surprise. There's more mid blending but in a good way as well. I can see the audeze reference clearly made earlier.
     
  10. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Yes, the cable on these suck. For $300, you should really get a better cable. The $80 Moondrop Aria has a better cable.

    Sources:
    Portable: Helm Bolt
    Desktop: Vali 2+ and Eddie Current Black Widow

    ;TLDR - too bright, not quite very dynamic, kind of shouty.

    Fitwise is a pretty big IEM, but it fits and not too heavy because of the wood. Just bigger and more cumbersome that way as they have to stick out kind of far.

    Stock, these are like putting a tweeter in your ear. Peaky, no bass, and super shouty.

    Yes, the micropore tape calms them down, and they might be a bit stuffy, but full tape is the only way I could stand them. It also helps bring in and hold in the bass. They even out the peaks, but the downside of this is the damping that takes away the dynamics.

    You would think the details would be gone, but yet these are more airy and wider than the FWX1’s. Yet, when I put on Ray LaMontagne, I hear all that rumbly bass. I think where it lacks in macrodyamics, it pics up in microdyanmics. And the timbre is good…acoustic guitars sound like acoustic guitars. I just think this is missing some mid bass to sound kind of fuller. Male vocals kind of sound thin. So I get why @shotgunshane says cymbals can sound like tin instead of brass.

    Soundstage is good as well considering all the air..it is more open and spacious thn FWX1.

    It helps that this seals extremely well…as good as a really good BA.

    Overall, just not enough dynamics and the sound overall is just too strange. They have this kind of shouty nature to them that makes them sound un-natural, but not plasitc, just off. I would not call it timbre, it just sound very refined or as effortless as some other lesser expensive IEMs that will get a lot more bang for your buck.
     
  11. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Again, another FR with Micropore over the entire nozzle with EARS on Diffused Field compensation.

    UM 3DT - Micropore.JPG

    Not terrible. I've seen worse.

    Also, according to the impulse response, these too are reverse polarity.
     

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