Should I Get the Westone UM2 or Wait for The Westone 3? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Starsky5000 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 02:05 AM

Should I Get the Westone UM2 or Wait for The Westone 3?

I am strictly using this earphone for portable use.

Any comments or suggestions appreciated.

Thank You All.

apnk · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 02:10 AM

Well if you can wait and afford the 3, go for em.

mrdeadfolx · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 02:14 AM

I hear the UM2 is more for "fun", on-the-go listening, while the 3 is going to more geared toward musicians/analytical listening, if that helps.

apnk · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdeadfolx

I hear the UM2 is more for "fun", on-the-go listening, while the 3 is going to more geared toward musicians/analytical listening, if that helps.

The UM2 is geared for musicians (onstage use), that's why the more bassy sound. The 3 is geared for audiophiles at home, well not exactly at home but for non-musicians.

Morph201 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 03:29 AM

Since it'll be for portable use, then I think you should consider the UM2's, it's kinda hard to "critically" listen to music while on the go!

audiomagnate · #6 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 04:51 AM

It's all rumours until the 3 hits the street and we UM2 owners have some time to compare the two. We've got one member who's heard a mock-up for a few minutes.

tomjonesrocks · #7 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 03:34 PM

I think it all boils down to whether you're willing to wait and if you're willing to spend an extra $140. I wasn't myself in both cases and went with UM2s.

digivate · #8 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 09:53 AM

I was waiting for the UM3s to come out, but then read somewhere that the sound signature of the UM3 was going to have a little bit less bass, bring out the mids and extend the treble a little bit. I'm pretty certain that this statement came from someone at Westone if I remember correctly (but I can't find the original source, so feel free to take what I've said with a pinch of salt).

Now, I've got no doubt that the Westone 3 will be an amazing product, but until it comes out it is impossible for anyone to compare them with the UM2

However, as I've heard such great things about the UM2 and the description of it's sound signature (warm and smooth) I think it may be a better option for me, as I don't want an earphone with more forward mids and treble - the UM2, as described, sound like my perfect earphone but I repfer them to be a bit on the darker side ... so I've decided to order the UM2 and they should arrive within the next couple of days.

Put simply, if the description of the UM2 sounds like it's the kind of earphone you're looking for why wait? If you've read good stuff about the UM2 but think that maybe you want something with a bit less warmth, but a bit more treble then it sounds like it worth waiting a couple more months so that you can get the Westone 3.

I'm sure that both are or will be exceptional earphones in their own right.

krmathis · #9 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 10:01 AM

Just get the UM2.
The Westone 3 are already 16-17 months late (should have been released in May 2007), and god knows when/if we will ever see it..

fdhfdy · #10 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 02:11 PM

if you don't want both wait till 3 shows up or get um2s now

trickywombat · #11 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008, 02:58 PM

If you've heard the UM2 and really like it, there's no harm in getting the UM2.

Different is not necessarily better. "Better" depends on your personal taste. Since the UM2 is going to have a different sound signature from the Westone 3, you may want to eventually own both. Or, for the price of the Westone 3, you may want to consider custom IEMs in addition to your UM2.