Feedback on UM2s

[TurboRotaryFreak]

Hi all. I am new to Head-Fi and was trying to look for some feedback on Westone UM2.

I just got into this hobby and I know nothing about any other IEMs. These will be my first high-end IEMs. I have a Zen Vision: M and am going to use the Line out for my source and plug it into a TH most of the time. Most of the time because I'll probably not take it with me when I go running in the morning. or when I go to the gym.

Also are the UM2s ok if I want to use them when I go running or to the gym or to the fall out?

You can pretty much see my setup in my sig. And please take it easy, I'm still very new to Head-Fi.

Thank you all for your time and feedback.

 

[mrdeadfolx]

What kind of music do you listen to? No matter the answer, you ownt be let down by the UM2's, theyre a great IEM. You can definitely use them in the gym or going running, the cord is light and flexible, although at first you will be surprised by how thin it is. Trust me get a pair.

 

[TurboRotaryFreak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdeadfolx /img/forum/go_quote.gif What kind of music do you listen to? No matter the answer, you ownt be let down by the UM2's, theyre a great IEM. You can definitely use them in the gym or going running, the cord is light and flexible, although at first you will be surprised by how thin it is. Trust me get a pair.

I mostly listen to Alternative Rock, but I also listen to select Hip-Hop artists like Common, The Roots, Mos Def. In the RnB genre, its usually John Legend, Erykah Badu. I can listen to most music except for Folk or Country.

I hope this helps.

And i have already ordered the UM2. I just want to know if thats a good set or if there are IEMs that sound better for less. I don't care if something else is a better value for money. I just want to make sure that there's nothing out there that goes for like 160 and sounds a lot better or a little better. I am currently waiting for delivery on these. But don't let this sway your suggestions.

I can always return and get something else. I just want to do it right the first time around. However, currently, i only have a budget for 350USD for IEMs.

 

[artmaltman]

UM2's are among the best. Very refined and very profound bass, not quite as detailed in the high end as the Shure 420 and 530.

There is a new model Westone 3 (NOT UM3) due soon that will be a little more linear and detailed in the highs, probably a little more shallow bass, but roughly $100 more.

I love my UM2's and can't see ever selling them even if I get a different pair to use in rotation. I think they are a classic. (Some people do find that they prefer the sonic balance of a Shure 420, by the way, sacrificing some bass in exchange for clearer highs.).

As for using in the gym, UM2 are particularly great for this because (1) bass energy really motivates you to move your butt! and (2) outstanding stability.

Here's the approach I use for stability, which also works with other in-ear phones, not just the UM2's: I run the wire behind my back, over the ears from behind. Like a lot of earphones, there is a slider you can use to tighten the tension, starting at the point where the wire splits into L and R. Move that slider up to tighten the grip. I use the slider behind my head, and ithat extra tension makes it remarkable stable.

BTW, when properly inserted, the UM2's lie essentially flat. You could sleep with your head on the side if you wanted to. This is not true of all earphones out there.

Also, crucial to my fit is that I use the Shure "black foamie" ear inserts (not the stock inserts). You can get the Shure "black foamie" inserts at www.earphonesolutions.com or www.shure.com.

Art

 

[shigzeo]

i have owned um2 for about 8 or 10 months now and they have been my favourite overall iem. i have tried e500 and er4s, e2c and a few other cheaper ones but the um2 is just the headphone that will not make anything sound bad.

that said, it is extremely sensitive. thus, that th will be indespensible to you. without it, your zen will hiss and drive you mad. i bicycle heaps and cannot be bothered with an amplifier on trips as it is too much extra stuff as well as something else that might break or get lost.

since it sounds like a tornado accompanied by music with my meizu m6 and especially my shuffles - i am selling it. it needs really good input otherwise it will just be a problem.

the cable makes almost no noise though compared to others and it is comfortable - classic. i think one of the all-time best.

 

[TurboRotaryFreak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by artmaltman /img/forum/go_quote.gif UM2's are among the best. Very refined and very profound bass, not quite as detailed in the high end as the Shure 420 and 530. There is a new model Westone 3 (NOT UM3) due soon that will be a little more linear and detailed in the highs, probably a little more shallow bass, but roughly $100 more. I love my UM2's and can't see ever selling them even if I get a different pair to use in rotation. I think they are a classic. (Some people do find that they prefer the sonic balance of a Shure 420, by the way, sacrificing some bass in exchange for clearer highs.). As for using in the gym, UM2 are particularly great for this because (1) bass energy really motivates you to move your butt! and (2) outstanding stability. Here's the approach I use for stability, which also works with other in-ear phones, not just the UM2's: I run the wire behind my back, over the ears from behind. Like a lot of earphones, there is a slider you can use to tighten the tension, starting at the point where the wire splits into L and R. Move that slider up to tighten the grip. I use the slider behind my head, and ithat extra tension makes it remarkable stable. BTW, when properly inserted, the UM2's lie essentially flat. You could sleep with your head on the side if you wanted to. This is not true of all earphones out there. Also, crucial to my fit is that I use the Shure "black foamie" ear inserts (not the stock inserts). You can get the Shure "black foamie" inserts at www.earphonesolutions.com or www.shure.com. Art

Thanks Art.

Comfort is one of the most important to me. Second only to SQ. Third most important factor is how well they stay in the ear canal. Noise isolation is more towards the mid to lower end of the importance spectrum but all these factors are important as they indicate just how versatile these are. And therein lies my most important requirement. Versatility. I can't buy these and then love them but have to think about another set of IEMs for another setup. Esp after dropping over 300 big ones for this.

I might get the Shure e530s LATER. Probably in about 2 years. I am not extremely picky about the difference in the higher freqs. At least not atm. Esp if they are small. Please do remember, these are my first IEMs.

 

[TurboRotaryFreak]

Thanks for the recommendation about the shure foamies, Art.

 

[TurboRotaryFreak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have owned um2 for about 8 or 10 months now and they have been my favourite overall iem. i have tried e500 and er4s, e2c and a few other cheaper ones but the um2 is just the headphone that will not make anything sound bad. that said, it is extremely sensitive. thus, that th will be indespensible to you. without it, your zen will hiss and drive you mad. i bicycle heaps and cannot be bothered with an amplifier on trips as it is too much extra stuff as well as something else that might break or get lost. since it sounds like a tornado accompanied by music with my meizu m6 and especially my shuffles - i am selling it. it needs really good input otherwise it will just be a problem. the cable makes almost no noise though compared to others and it is comfortable - classic. i think one of the all-time best.

That is one of my concerns about the times when I will go for a run or to the gym.

I might just end up buying a smaller DAP that would minimize the hiss. Any suggestions. I don't want to spend another big sum of money just for an excercise rig. Maybe I will have to fall to my knees and actually get another set of IEMs. A cheaper set perhaps? Oh well. I've come this far, might as well keep going. I guess I'll just try and wait and see how the sound is sans TH. if it's as you say, unbearable, I'll probably have to get some cheaper IEMs.

 

[mwallace573]

Man, I just put mine on the FS forum (I REALLY need the money), and you guys are about to make me change my mind. Thanks a lot guys.

I can do nothing but echo the comments already posted. Fit is key to getting the most out of these IEMs.

 

[bellsprout]

I listened to ER-4S and UM2 both amped and unamped out of ZVM, with my friend the other day. Unamped, UM2's sounds laid back and warm and ER-4S sounds upfront and fast, relatively on the same level. but amped, there was no comparison - UM2's sounded veiled and lifeless. My friend who had the UM2's thought they were more comforting to listen to, but asked for me to lend him my setup for a week. Now, he feels stupid for having bought UM2's.

But the way they are worn is more comfortable, but then the build is quite fragile, and the cord kinda sux. Overall, I don't think UM2's are worth it tbh. ER-4S!!!

 

[TurboRotaryFreak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellsprout /img/forum/go_quote.gif I listened to ER-4S and UM2 both amped and unamped out of ZVM, with my friend the other day. Unamped, UM2's sounds laid back and warm and ER-4S sounds upfront and fast, relatively on the same level. but amped, there was no comparison - UM2's sounded veiled and lifeless. My friend who had the UM2's thought they were more comforting to listen to, but asked for me to lend him my setup for a week. Now, he feels stupid for having bought UM2's. But the way they are worn is more comfortable, but then the build is quite fragile, and the cord kinda sux. Overall, I don't think UM2's are worth it tbh. ER-4S!!!

How are the ER-4S on vord noise? And how about comfort?

 

[bellsprout]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboRotaryFreak /img/forum/go_quote.gif How are the ER-4S on vord noise? And how about comfort?

cord noise not good, but if u loop them around your ears, not bad. comfort, well, u can use westone comply tips on them. so if use comply tips and loop them around your ears, should be exactly the same as um2.

 

[shiezan]

do shure e500s also get muddy and lifeless like the um2's when amped compared to the er-4s?
my xin supermicro is coming in less than a month, but im not sure whether i should cancel the order and go with the TH because
whenever I hear about e500's, i only hear about how they go well with th's.

 

[TurboRotaryFreak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif that said, it is extremely sensitive. thus, that th will be indespensible to you. without it, your zen will hiss and drive you mad. i bicycle heaps and cannot be bothered with an amplifier on trips as it is too much extra stuff as well as something else that might break or get lost.

So maybe I should go ahead and get the KSC75s for my runs and workouts, when i will directly use the ZVM without the TH. I know those aren't IEMs. but for > 25USD, I don't think they can be beat.

 

[TurboRotaryFreak]

So apparently, its between the ER-4S and the UM2s? Which would you prefer and why? No flame wars, please, although it seems inevitable.

To make things easier, I haven't yet listened to either so I don't know anything. You can get a fair idea about what my preference annd taste would be by reading earlier posts in this thread.

Once again, thank you for your time and responses.

Also, are they equally annoying hooked up to the ZV:M without the amp in place?