Durability of UM2s? (zzz)

[Meifa]

Wow, been AGES since I've been here.

I actually haven't bought a pair of phones for the longest, but the bug's biting-- for quasi-practical reasons, though! (Honest... >>)

I purchased my first pair of Shures (e3cs) in 2005. I've had several pair of Shures since, mostly warranty replacements. I could never complain about Shure's customer service, but I'm tired of replacing one broken pair of IEMs after another, sooo...

What I use my IEMs most for:
- Sleeping. (I'm a side sleeper, so I usually only put the side I'm not sleeping on in)
- Hanging around the house.
- Air travel.

I think sleeping with them in has been the kiss of death for the Shures. Invariably, the cable begins to separate from the bud, then I begin to lose sound in one or both sides. My current pair's cable's begun to separate. Still have sound, luckily, but I don't have high hopes for a much longer life.

The UM2s look like a decent upgrade and I've read some favorable things about their durability. Any opinions as to whether or not the UM2s will withstand the night-night test better than the Shures? If not the UM2s, what? I know the IEM universe has expanded tremendously over the past year or so, so I'm sure there's something I may be missing. Overall, durability + SQ are key.

Naturally, it has crossed my mind to get a cheaper pair of IEMs or buds for nighttime listening, but I do love to wear my Shures before I sleep. But, if the universal opinion is that IEMs have no place in bed, I'll take it for what it's worth.

Nice to see you all again! Looking forward to your recs.

 

[toughnut]

sleeping definitely cost u some money hehe

i just got my UM2 and imho, there's no major weak point to break. the whole thing look fragile at first, maybe due to transparent build but after several day using it, it actually feel solid and robust. i even dropped and knocked it a few times (accidentally..)

imho, better get a good earbud for your "hobby". once u fall asleep and roll your head around, the earbud will fall off if wire pulled. with IEM, the chances of straining the connection between wire and IEM is very high.

try yuin PK and OK series. great sound and tough build (failed in design though)

 

[Adeptus]

The other option is a under-pillow speaker
SQ may not be the greatest, but you won't break anything...

search for "pillow speaker", I'm surprised how many there are!

 

[screwglue]

i tried a pair of um2's yesterday. in my opinion the ue super.fi 5's sounded better and they're also cheaper. lol but i did listen to the um2s for less than a minute so yeah.

 

[digivate]

Ignoring screwglue's comments about the super.fi sounding better (opinions are like backsides - everyone's got one) the UM2 are a very well built earphone and fairly robust, but if you have a habit of sleeping in your earphones you're putting a lot of strain on the cables.

I'd usually recommend the UM2 full heartedly, but I'm not sure it'll last any longer thnn the other earphones you've previously used. The problem isn't with the earphone cables themselves, but the pressure your putitn them under.

I think your best option would be to look at earphones with replaceable cables. That could include UE models, though due to their physical size and shape you're unlikely to find them very compfortable if you lie with your ear to the pillow. It could also include the Sleek Audio SA6, but that appears to have some problems with build quality at the moment and might not be the most resilient option. You could also look at custom IEMs ... the cheapest model with a replaceable cable is probably the LiveWires.

 

[lucifix]

Finally, a head-fier that sleeps with his earphones too

Having owned the um2's for about six months, it is one of the most comfortable pair of iem's I have used while sleeping.

Other IEMs like the er4p and UE series jut out and sleeping on the sides is impossible because it is just painful to have it pressing into your ears.

Apart from the SE530's. I recommend the UM2's because not only is it cheaper than the SE530, I feel that it sounded less bassy and had much more clarity than the 530's.

Good luck choosing!

 

[mrbrad]

I have slept with my UM2s MANY times. My bed has a headboard, where I put my iPod. I then run the cords directly to the top of my head and cynch up the plastic goodie. That way, I don't turn onto the main cable. Never had any problems, and I look them over regularly.

Due to the sensativity of the UM2, it can be a challenge to get the volume low enough. I turn my iPod classic to the lowest volume and it is a little louder than I would prefer.

 

[rtimmel]

I've had the um2's for about 3 years. Other than issues due to slamming the jack in a car door -- and Westone replaced the cord quickly and cheaply -- I have not had a single problem with them.

 

[flamerz]

UM2's are great for sleeping (UM1's are a little better, I've had and slept with both), and they're durable. I slept with my UM1's for about a month because the bathroom next to my room was under construction that began early in the morning everyday (it was during the summertime, so I didn't wake up very early), and they held up great. Westones have the best cables in the industry, really flexible, really twist durable (it only tightens/loosens the braid), and just strong overall. I've had a handful of other IEM's (5pro's, iM716's, and a couple more I actually don't remember, haha), and Westones are easily the most comfortable, the best built (from what I've seen), and the least microphonic. Westone build quality is a notch above the competitors.

 

[MVPlaya]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtimmel I've had the um2's for about 3 years. Other than issues due to slamming the jack in a car door -- and Westone replaced the cord quickly and cheaply -- I have not had a single problem with them.

How much did they charge?

 

[MVPlaya]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucifix /img/forum/go_quote.gif Finally, a head-fier that sleeps with his earphones too Having owned the um2's for about six months, it is one of the most comfortable pair of iem's I have used while sleeping. Other IEMs like the er4p and UE series jut out and sleeping on the sides is impossible because it is just painful to have it pressing into your ears. Apart from the SE530's. I recommend the UM2's because not only is it cheaper than the SE530, I feel that it sounded less bassy and had much more clarity than the 530's. Good luck choosing!

You can find the SE530's and UM2's new for about the same price now on eBay.