HD650 and UM2

[boschtb]

I am looking for an IEM that has a soud signature as similar as possible to my HD650s, which I like for a broad range of music (yes, even rock). After doing a lot of research here, my best guess is that the UM2 will come the closest to fitting the bill -- good low end, fairly balanced throughout, with a slight roll off in the upper treble. Other options that I am considering are the E4 (great overall balance, but perhaps a little thinner and brighter in comparison to the UM2) and E5 (similar in sound to the UM2, better build quality, but more expensive, not as comfortable and even more pronounced upper treble roll-off). Before I make the purchase, I thought I would post here and see if anyone has any input. I am not looking for the pros and cons of each, as that has been thoroughly addressed in other threads. I am just trying to figure out which will be most pleasing to someone who really likes the sound of the HD650.

My source for the IEMs will initially be an unamped PCDP, with a portable amp coming in 3-4 months.

Thanks.

 

[boschtb]

Bump. Anyone?

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

What is your price range, again?

To me, the E4's sound a little thin out of portables. I'm much happier with them in a home rig than in a portable rig.

The E5's have the bass to sound good on the go, but they lack the balance of the E4's.

The Super-Fi 5 Pro's just sound too muddy and slow for rock.

I haven't tried the Westone UM2's, but they seem like your best bet...unless you can pony up for some Sensa's/UE5c/UE10.

-Matt

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boschtb I am looking for an IEM that has a soud signature as similar as possible to my HD650s, which I like for a broad range of music (yes, even rock). After doing a lot of research here, my best guess is that the UM2 will come the closest to fitting the bill -- good low end, fairly balanced throughout, with a slight roll off in the upper treble. Other options that I am considering are the E4 (great overall balance, but perhaps a little thinner and brighter in comparison to the UM2) and E5 (similar in sound to the UM2, better build quality, but more expensive, not as comfortable and even more pronounced upper treble roll-off). Before I make the purchase, I thought I would post here and see if anyone has any input. I am not looking for the pros and cons of each, as that has been thoroughly addressed in other threads. I am just trying to figure out which will be most pleasing to someone who really likes the sound of the HD650. My source for the IEMs will initially be an unamped PCDP, with a portable amp coming in 3-4 months. Thanks.

I am going to say UM2s are about the best out there before IEMs come in. I think the pro.5s aren't as good. The e4s have more detail but a loss in bass. I would think it was between the e4s and the UM2s. I personally go with the UM2s. If you are in a quite area and using an amp, then e4s.

 

[boschtb]

Thanks for the responses, which are starting to confirm my thoughts that although the E4 might be more balanced overall, I would likely miss the bass impact, particularly since I like the bass of the HD650. I will order the UM2s in the next week or so.

To respond to your budget question, my budget between amp and earphones will be about $750 - $800 for my portable set-up, and I was thinking about splitting that pretty equally between the two -- with the amp coming a little later. I wouldn't mind spending less as most of my listening will still be done on my home rig.

 

[catscratch]

If you don't need any isolation and are planning on carrying an amp, then the Stax SR-001 will definitely give you the sound signature that you need, and better sound quality than the UM2 will, all at a lower price. It will give you the fullness and tonal balance that is similar to the HD650, with superior detail over the UM2 - and quite possibly over the HD650 too. However, the system does require you to carry the amp around, making it less practical. The UM2's you can use unamped out of your player and throw everything into your pocket; you can't do that with this system. Depending on your listening preferences though, the need for isolation, and portability requirements, the 001 can be a better option.

However, if the 001 is off the list, then the UM2 should be your best bet.

 

[MrYman]

i've got hd600 and um2 -- um2 sounds better than hd600 if both unamped and using EQ with um2 (EQ doesn't help much hd600) -- in EQ i put low frequencies a bit higher and a bit more the high frequencies (wide "v" shape. with right side higher)... really, with EQ sounds is way, way better, at least to me, but i've heard this from others too (not all tried EQ)...

i use um2 unamped mostly on my PocketPC LOOX 720 (Fujitsu-Siemens top model, it has great sound besides splendid VGA screen resolution). on this PPC i also tried HD-280pro and Grado SR-80 and both had better sound than um2 if no EQ, but once using EQ with um2, both were beaten down, no matter if i tried to use EQ as best as possible for all of them... also, um2 was way louder than the other two, almost twice.... so loud that i can't listen to it when at max volume, even if for only short period of time, while at max volume it's too low for Grado and Senns...

 

[boodi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boschtb I am looking for an IEM that has a soud signature as similar as possible to my HD650s, ..

sensaphonics 2xs should be the answer...

 

[boschtb]

Isolation is essential, probably even more so than true portability. I will be using these to work while at home. Since I work in the same room as my wife, they need to be closed, and since I need to take into account the ambient noises, canal phone is almost a must.

Whatever I go with will be unamped for some time, but not for too long, so they have to be listenable unamped but I would fully expect to first enjoy their full benefits once amped. I should also clarify that I am not trying to equal the sound quality of my home rig -- Modified Jolida JD100 --> RS Raptor --> HD650 w/ Equinox. I'm just trying to find a sonic signature similar to the HD650. That's why Ety's are completely out of the picture and the UM2 is at the top of my list. I will check out the Sensaphonics, but I was under the impression that they could not be within my budget of $350 or less for the phones.