Westone UM2 or UE Triple.fi 10?

[hattorihanzo]

Ok, so I'm not much of an audiophile, actually I only discovered this site last friday, and it was only a week ago that I found out how nice my Sennheiser HD465 headphones sound amplified by my receiver. I had no idea that music could sound so beautiful.

I did own a Sennheiser HD590, which I loved, and never should've sold, no matter how ridiculous you look wearing one. A BD DT880, a AKG K510 and I've ordered the Sony MDR-V6 just because they look awesome.

The big problem is I like jogging, but not without any music, and the MDR-V6 aren't very portable, and neither is my Onkyo receiver, so I'm looking for a solution. And I'm not putting on my CX300 anymore now that I know it completely rapes music.

So having spent 3 days in my room reading this site, and making my roommates worried, I've noticed that you guys love the UE Triple.fi. And that it's better than the SE530. But I've read little about the Westone UM2. How does it compare to the Triple.fi?

There's this guy on ebay now who's selling the UM2 with warranty and shipping for 250. Is the Triple.fi worth the 100 USD extra? Which one should I choose?

Because Holland is so small I don't have the resources to try them both out. I've got a Ipod Touch and mainly listen to electronic music: Electro, House, Techno. The more clublike styles, not the mainstream ones.

[Spyro]

No brainer. If you will use with jogging the Westone UM1/UM2 are arguably the best fitting universal IEM's out there with SE530 a close second. I personally think it would be quite difficult to jog with any UE's IEM's. They are too bulky for that.

You do not hear much about UM2 because it has been out almost 5 years now and is somewhat pricey compared to what a triple driver goes for.

Having said that (and others will disagree), if you are talking unamped, straight out of an Ipod, I prefer UM2 over both SE530 and TFPro. In fact I sold my TFPro to fund UM2 and don't regret it one bit. I enjoy it much more. A very smooth and natural presentation with the perfect amount of detail. Some have reported a muddy, rolled off high type of sound with UM2 but since it was designed as a "monitor" IEM, it responds very well to EQ. Since I discovered "treble booster" EQ setting I found it to sound about right in the middle between a SE530 and a ER4P which is the sound I was looking for. I can't say enough about it.

[Jerry Wang]

since the fact that these phones are for jogging, i gotta say go for the um2.
for the top of the category fitting,
for the good build quality(comparing to the fancy but not so tough se530)
for the great sound-similar to se530
and for the price.

personally, i don't feel the triples so good.. just big soundstage and much details in high frequency.

[lewislink]

Originally Posted by Jerry Wang

since the fact that these phones are for jogging, i gotta say go for the um2.
for the top of the category fitting,
for the good build quality(comparing to the fancy but not so tough se530)
for the great sound-similar to se530
and for the price.

personally, i don't feel the triples so good.. just big soundstage and much details in high frequency.

The SE530s can have the tendency of not sounding stellar but I've discovered, by a kind of meditative awareness, that they are incredibly refined and detailed with an insane accuracy that I didn't think possible with such a device. There isn't anything about their sound that punches you in the face like the Triples, which is why a lot of people don't find them all that good for their price, but deeper and very careful perception reveals the true side of these amazing things. They won't come out and say, "look at me. I'm an amazing beast of an earphone", but they will reveal themselves when you aren't paying attention to them. It's difficult to describe the state of mind that will perceive their quality but not paying attention to them in something like a zen state will find them.

[BloodSugar00]

Originally Posted by lewislink

The SE530s can have the tendency of not sounding stellar but I've discovered, by a kind of meditative awareness, that they are incredibly refined and detailed with an insane accuracy that I didn't think possible with such a device. There isn't anything about their sound that punches you in the face like the Triples, which is why a lot of people don't find them all that good for their price, but deeper and very careful perception reveals the true side of these amazing things. They won't come out and say, "look at me. I'm an amazing beast of an earphone", but they will reveal themselves when you aren't paying attention to them. It's difficult to describe the state of mind that will perceive their quality but not paying attention to them in something like a zen state will find them.

I know what you mean, or have experienced the same kinda thing, almost, in that, listening to my shures again, after having aquired and listened with marvel to the triples for a while, they suddenly seemed very dignified and their qualities far more resounding. Their detail, separation and resolution shone.

[JimBob1971]

Originally Posted by BloodSugar00

I know when you mean, or have experienced the same kinda thing almost in that, listening to my shures again after having aquired and listened with marvel to the triples for a while, the suddenly seemed very dignified and their qualities far more resounding. Their detail, separation and resolution shone.

Interesting. I had the exact opposite happen to me. I bought the TFs then the 500s. After a while a started using the 500s exclusively, as I thought the TFs were too "one coloured" for me (The seperation wasn't there like it was in the 500s, instruments kind of merged together in the same 'colour')

However, a few weeks ago I picked up the TFs again as I was interested in the UE11s. I experimented with tips and seals, and found that the flip-flop with small tips or Shure modded olives(both much deeper into the ear canal that I tried TFs with before partly thanks to the flip-flop). This gave me an excellent sense of seperation and the midrange came alive. I'd advise people with the TFs to really experiment with different fitting tips. I have to say both are excellent phones though, and I'm kind of hoping the 11s give the best of both. Wish I could try the UM2s too though!

[BloodSugar00]

Originally Posted by JimBob1971

Interesting. I had the exact opposite happen to me. I bought the TFs then the 500s. After a while a started using the 500s exclusively, as I thought the TFs were too "one coloured" for me (The seperation wasn't there like it was in the 500s, instruments kind of merged together in the same 'colour')

However, a few weeks ago I picked up the TFs again as I was interested in the UE11s. I experimented with tips and seals, and found that the flip-flop with small tips or Shure modded olives(both much deeper into the ear canal that I tried TFs with before partly thanks to the flip-flop). This gave me an excellent sense of seperation and the midrange came alive. I have to say both are excellent phones though, and I'm kind of hoping the 11s give the best of both. Wish I could tru the UM2s too though!

That is interesting! I wana do more side by side listening- that was just a casual I've been using one set of hp's (triples) all day lets just listen to a few tracks with my other (SE530's/500's) and see what they're like before goin to sleep one night- and see what I conclude then. I found the shures to be dark and maybe that led to asociate them as unclear or muddy but they, after using triples, suddenly seemed very clear and defined and detailed and as I say more resolved as if you're at the right zoom position, not too far away, not too in close. The triples by comparison then seemed too close in and blown up/magnified. I'm gona do some more a b ing

[skysoul]

UE TFs...

[Spyro]

Originally Posted by BloodSugar00

I found the shures to be dark and maybe that led to asociate them as unclear or muddy but then, after using triples, suddenly seemed very clear and defined and detailed and as I say more resolved as if you're at the right zoom position, not too far away, not too in close.

My thoughts exactly. I feel like i am the only one that find's TFPro, hazy, too dry, too airy. Despite talk of rolled off highs I find SE530 naturally brighter sounding with equal or better detail than TFPro.

[Jerry Wang]

why is everyboby seem to forget um2?

[fdhfdy]

No love for IEMs, going to sell my UE11

[_Toki_]

Originally Posted by fdhfdy

No love for IEMs, going to sell my UE11

to your twin brother?

[JimBob1971]

Originally Posted by _Toki_

to your twin brother?

Lol Toki.

Yeah, who on earth will buy a 2nd hand pair of custom IEMs? If UE offered some sort of refit/upgrade service then maybe.....

[orangem]

Originally Posted by Jerry Wang

personally, i don't feel the triples so good.. just big soundstage and much details in high frequency.

Wow, I think thats exactly why I'd choose one pair over the other. Unfortunately the triple fis are a little out of budget. I want to get a pair for when I'm doing my work. Tilting my head (while reading) with a pair of full sized cans on has been really strenous for my neck.

Hope to hear more thoughts on the UM2 (since they're more in line with what I'm willing to pay). Looking for transparent, analytical sound.

[pirate6955]

to my ears the um2's really opened up after i upgraded to the um56 custom molds. the rolled off highs were not rolled off anymore. the soundstage opened up a bit too. the cables are excellent no microphonics to speak of which should count for alot if your jogging.

later down the road when your board and feel like an upgrade or something new to play with, buy a set of custom molds and it will be like a new set of phones. at least it was for me.