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UM2 @ Low Volumes

post #1 of 13
9/25/06 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

I've been a happy customer with the Westone UM1's for some time now, but I'm itching for an upgrade. With my previous success with Westone I'm pretty set on getting the UM2's. However, there's one issue that I have had with the UM1's that I'd like to confirm/deny exists in the UM2.

The UM1's, while not a high end IEM, can begin to have a richer sound at moderate to higher volumes. I primarily listen to my UM1's at a very very low volume. Mostly I use it as background sounds throughout the day rather than deep and engrossing listening.

I've heard it mentioned in previous posts that the UM2 also needs a little higher volume in order to bring out its color. I'm expecting this of every set of cans at least to some degree, but I was wondering if anyone could give me info as to how pronounced this issue is with the UM2's.

I've also noticed that the less "full" sound of the UM1's is actually a plus when it comes to using them as background sound producers. There's virtually no fatigue associated with listening to them all day. As I hear that the UM2's are more of a "lively" set of cans, will this introduce more listening fatigue when used for long periods of time? Pretty much all day long.

Thanks for your input!
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post #2 of 13
9/25/06 at 5:46pm
The UM2 has a fairly recessed high end. I haven't heard the UM1 so I can't compare, but the recessed highs on the UM2 make them sound fairly washed out, unless you play them at a high enough level where the highs are clearly audible. The upside of this is that the UM2 has a fairly non-fatiguing sound when played quietly.

Something like a Shure E4 or Etymotic ER-4P will have a much clearer sound at a low volume, due to the more pronounced highs, but it will also be more fatiguing at higher volumes. Personally I'm sensitive to highs, and I couldn't listen to the ER-4P or the E4 for that matter at my normal listening level (which is quite loud, though it was louder still back when I had the ER-4P or E4).

I couldn't live with the compromise, so I shelled out the big bucks and got the ES2 instead, which gave me the best of both worlds - detail without a shrill treble and a nice full rich sound. Frankly, short of the ES2, I don't think you'll find an IEM that will give you both, though you can try the e500, which I still have no experience with. It's said to have excellent detail with a nice full bass, which sounds like a winner at low volumes.
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post #3 of 13
9/25/06 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your input catscratch.

I may have the upgrade bug, but $650 is a bit steep for me

It's been said that the treble of the UM2 can come out with different tips. I'm particularly a fan of the biflanges on my UM1 for their ease of use. Do you think that investing in the UM56 custom tips would help with the treble issue of the UM2? That's $400, but it's still a lot less than the ES2's
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post #4 of 13
9/25/06 at 7:35pm
Thats the first post I've read saying the UM2s have recessed highs. I don't find that at all. In my experience and from what Ive read of others they have a mid range bump which could give the illlusion of a recessed high. And depending on your hearing tastes you can compensate with EQ.

The UM2s are very sensitive and don't really need great volumes to get a full sound.
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post #5 of 13
9/25/06 at 8:44pm
Different tips have changed the sound considerably in my experience, though treble extension was never very good even with the most treble-happy tips. Modified Ety tri-flages turned into bi-flanges brought out the most treble, but it was peaky and harsh. Shure foamies recessed the midrange and made the treble seem louder psychoacoustically, but this wasn't a very good sound IMO. Shure clear flex tips were my sonic compromise, they sounded nice and smooth and full, but they were fairly recessed in the treble, though much less so than the stock Comply tips, which were unlistenable to my ears.

I have no experience with the UM56 custom molds, but I have read positive things about them. The good news is that these molds will fit a lot more than just the UM2, so they are a pretty good investment IMO, but not having a pair I can't give any concrete advice.

The UM2 can sound very good, but it does take a lot of tweaking to get there, in my experience.
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post #6 of 13
9/25/06 at 10:07pm
Agree with the recessed highs at low volumes. They really blossom when the volume is turned up, but I usually keep them low for background noise while working out. Critical listening is usually the last thing on my mind at the gym, but occasionally if there's a song where I really want to hear the details, I'll turn it up a bit. I usually listen for a little over an hour at a time with zero fatigue to my ears.

I use them straight out of a nano. EQ with "rock" setting sounds best to me. Brings the highs out a bit.
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post #7 of 13
9/25/06 at 11:08pm
I also find the UM2 to have a rather muffled top end with the Comply tips. Like catscratch I find that the flanges bring back the highs somewhat, and the bass is tighter too. Unfortunately the flanges are nothing like as comfortable as the Comply tips.
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post #8 of 13
9/26/06 at 12:52pm
The UM2 sounds pretty well at low volumes.

Always use modded shure tri-flanges (bi-flages)
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post #9 of 13
9/26/06 at 1:23pm
UM2 has the best highs of all univeral IEMs, no matter what volume. Mids are recessed though (that's why I had to let them go). Bass is the first thing you notice, closely followed by the highs. Vocals are smooth like butter, but they are so recessed I could cry.

The ER4 is a different beast. Very neutral, very detailed, but not immediately the best for sparkly highs (as with the UM2), but rather edged and harsh.

Turning up the volume gives the impression of better dynamics and whatnot, but that's only an illusion and will damage your ears.
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post #10 of 13
9/26/06 at 5:03pm
If you like the UM-1s, you'll love the UM-2s. Even at low levels there are more and better highs.
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post #11 of 13
9/26/06 at 8:52pm
Sony EX71 tips bring out highs and open the sound up - when I go to bi-flanges Im always suprised how two dimentional the sound is!
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post #12 of 13
9/26/06 at 10:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sidewinder
UM2 has the best highs of all univeral IEMs, no matter what volume. Mids are recessed though (that's why I had to let them go).
I guess it depends on what you're used to, but I have to disagree with this. I have to apply an EQ cut to the mids, particularly the lower mids, in order to get anything like a flat response.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sidewinder
The ER4 is a different beast. Very neutral, very detailed, but not immediately the best for sparkly highs (as with the UM2), but rather edged and harsh.
I'm getting a much better HF response with triflanges than with the supplied Comply tips, but I would still hardly describe the UM2's highs as sparkling.
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post #13 of 13
9/26/06 at 10:49pm
I'm very curious how on earth can I fit the ex71 tips to the UM2. I've tried with the largest tips from the EX71 pack, then cut off a small segment from the triflange tip of my UM2 pack to fit inside those large EX71 tips. Finally I seal it with some super glue (should've picked a different glue). That's some ghetto looking tip for my UM2 and now it starts to fall apart and gets stuck in my ears. If there's a better way to fit it please let me know (maybe use the glue gun I got at work to stick it this time).
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