[thatonenoob]

  The Westone seems to have not enough bass, and the SE215 seems to have too much; yet these two are constantly recommended as the most isolating IEMs for this price range. I'd like something neutral with a hint of warmth and good clarity that isolates well; I may just go with the SE215, but I'm afraid guitars won't shine like I want them to. 

Unfortunately, it really seems like none of these would make the cut.  I don't understand why the SE215, Westone W10/UM Pro 10s are so highly rated, but I guess it might be to do with branding.  Don't get me wrong, they are not bad earphones, there are just better ones you can get at the price.  Truthfully, the only real decision you have to make is W10 vs Shure SE215.  The W10 has clarity, and a sort of warm sound.  However, it is a pair of softer earphones.  The Shure SE215 is louder, but the bass....can be a problem.  It's not always a problem, but on some tracks it will tend to overstep into the mids.  
 
I suggest that you try them out before purchase.
 
PS: W10 is balanced armature, SE215 is dynamic, as you probably know.  

 

[TRapz]

  Unfortunately, it really seems like none of these would make the cut.  I don't understand why the SE215, Westone W10/UM Pro 10s are so highly rated, but I guess it might be to do with branding.  Don't get me wrong, they are not bad earphones, there are just better ones you can get at the price.  Truthfully, the only real decision you have to make is W10 vs Shure SE215.  The W10 has clarity, and a sort of warm sound.  However, it is a pair of softer earphones.  The Shure SE215 is louder, but the bass....can be a problem.  It's not always a problem, but on some tracks it will tend to overstep into the mids.  
 
I suggest that you try them out before purchase.
 
PS: W10 is balanced armature, SE215 is dynamic, as you probably know.  

Thanks for your response. The W10 seems like it would work, but I can only find it for ~$200; I found the UM Pro 10s for $119, which is why I was considering it. I can't spend more than ~$125, but I need something with great isolation that's mostly neutral. Unfortunately I can't test anything out, as I have no stores nearby that sell any good headphones. Does anyone know of anything that isolates well and is mostly neutral (maybe slightly warm)? It seems like the only ones with great isolation in this price range lean to one side or the other.

 

[thatonenoob]

  Thanks for your response. The W10 seems like it would work, but I can only find it for ~$200; I found the UM Pro 10s for $119, which is why I was considering it. I can't spend more than ~$125, but I need something with great isolation that's mostly neutral. Unfortunately I can't test anything out, as I have no stores nearby that sell any good headphones. Does anyone know of anything that isolates well and is mostly neutral (maybe slightly warm)? It seems like the only ones with great isolation in this price range lean to one side or the other.

For the W10s, you are mostly paying for the value added cable and accessories (this is what the guy at the headphone said), so yes, not the best value for money.  The GR07 is universally acknowledged as being a very capable pair of earphones.  Perhaps you might wish to look into the Audio Technica IM70 or even (if you can stretch budget a little) the ATH IM01.  I hear the Klipsch image S4I is also quite impressive.  
 
It is kinda unfortunate that there's no stores nearby for you to try them.  I'm not an uber-audiophile, but the testing really helps guide the final decision.  Best of luck!

 

[MachBot]

  For the W10s, you are mostly paying for the value added cable and accessories (this is what the guy at the headphone said), so yes, not the best value for money.  The GR07 is universally acknowledged as being a very capable pair of earphones.  Perhaps you might wish to look into the Audio Technica IM70 or even (if you can stretch budget a little) the ATH IM01.  I hear the Klipsch image S4I is also quite impressive.  
 
It is kinda unfortunate that there's no stores nearby for you to try them.  I'm not an uber-audiophile, but the testing really helps guide the final decision.  Best of luck!

Nope, W10's SRP is higher than that of the UM Pro 10. That extra cost seems about right for the included MFI cable.
Single BA IEMs just won't cut it, I'd rather go for DD IEMs.
 
 
My 5 cents worth.

 

[thatonenoob]

  Nope, W10's SRP is higher than that of the UM Pro 10. That extra cost seems about right for the included MFI cable.
Single BA IEMs just won't cut it, I'd rather go for DD IEMs.
 
 
My 5 cents worth.

Yes I know that the SRP is higher than UM Pro 10.   Hence, the extra cost is not because W10 has better driver or anything along those lines, just smart phone cables that I don' t particularly care that much for.

 

[djpeetiv]

So I just got the Um Pro 50s but they sound the same as my Um 2s with the same tips. Does burning in the cable really help? Kind of confused here since I thought I would be able to really tell the difference in sound but so far I haven't. Any help is appreciated. Thank you! 

 

[thatonenoob]

  So I just got the Um Pro 50s but they sound the same as my Um 2s with the same tips. Does burning in the cable really help? Kind of confused here since I thought I would be able to really tell the difference in sound but so far I haven't. Any help is appreciated. Thank you! 

From what I understand, the key difference between UM PRO series and UM series is the cable.  Sound signature/quality hasn't been changed drastically (if at all).

 

[Smurfs2010]

  From what I understand, the key difference between UM PRO series and UM series is the cable.  Sound signature/quality hasn't been changed drastically (if at all).

The difference in question is between UM2 and UMpro50 - there should be more than a cable change.
 
I am not sure why he/she doesn't hear a difference but there should be a difference for sure.  As for cable burn - ha ha, I don't think that will do it.

 

[MachBot]

  The difference in question is between UM2 and UMpro50 - there should be more than a cable change.
 
I am not sure why he/she doesn't hear a difference but there should be a difference for sure.  As for cable burn - ha ha, I don't think that will do it.

This.

 

[djpeetiv]

I should hear a difference between 2 drivers vs 5 right? I do have swimmer's ear but I would think I should hear a difference regardless.

 

[Smurfs2010]

I should hear a difference between 2 drivers vs 5 right? I do have swimmer's ear but I would think I should hear a difference regardless.

You should hear a difference, no doubt about it.

 

[xaddictionx]

I should hear a difference between 2 drivers vs 5 right? I do have swimmer's ear but I would think I should hear a difference regardless.

Yup definitely there must be a difference. Each series is tuned differently. Else there wouldn't be so many variations.

 

[djpeetiv]

Maybe the unit is defective.

 

[thatonenoob]

Maybe the unit is defective.

I strongly suggest that you open your monitors up and inspect for yourself! 

 

[MachBot]

Maybe the unit is defective.

Unlikely. You need to listen to it and not listen for the sake of listening to tell the difference.