I found that playing the SE530's via an iPod, without an external amp, the midrange seemed a tad dry. That said, they are teh best 'can's I've heard in most respects. My personal preference is for Westone UM2 over SE530, because the Westone has an uncanny naturalness to it. SE530 has more high end extension (does NOT sound rolled to me), and tighter bass, and overall strikes me as incredibly articulate. I literally spent many hours comparing the two, on an iPod Classic, and then various generations of nano, just to be sure. No matter what music I played or iPod I used, I came to the same conclusion: I respect the SE530 totally and could happily live with it (I could NOT happily live with most 'cans), but wow the UM2 sounds so tonally RIGHT.
From what I can tell, this is somewhat analagous to the solid state vs tube debate in high end audio circles. Solid state amps usually offer more linearity and detail and measure better. Some people though just feel that tube amps, for all their flaws, offer a sound that is just more lifelike.
That's how I feel about SE530 vs UM2. Can I point to things that the SE530 does better than UM2. Heck yeah. Which one gives me personally greater pleasure. UM2 hands down.
I think, from what I've read on these forums, there are people that would agree strongly and others disagree strongly with this opinion.
I guess it comes down to a matter of taste.
Although, I repeat: I did not use an amplifier with the iPod. Perhaps the amplifier changes the situation?
Art
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