Help me deciding between Westone UM 2 and Shure SE 530

[axim]

Hello!

I need your help guys... Next week I'm going to pass a lot of exams, and after that I want to indulge myself with new headphones, as I own the CX 95 for the moment

Because of lacking comfort (I already tried the Super.fi 5 pro), I could narrow down all the options to two headphones:
Westone UM 2 and Shure SE530.
But now I'm in trouble: I'd really like the comfort of the UM 2, but I heard they're lacking a little bit detail, and I want to use them unamped, so hissing might be a problem.
I'd take the SE530, but I heard the cable is terrible. I hate these dangling modular cables, that's such an annoying invention! Really loved the *simple* cable of my old CX 300...
Now what to do?
As for my taste, owning the Sennheiser HD650 I'd really like something similar which produces these nice and warm heights, without making me fatigue.
I listen to Rock, Metal, and Electronic stuff most of the time!

Hope you can help me making my decision... A point for the 530 would be the easy warranty cause I live in Germany.

But let's hear your opinions

Just want to make sure (not shure!!!) I make the right decision...

 

[jinx20001]

the um2 and se530 have a very similar warm sound, for this reason alone the se530 win over the um2 because it has lighter tighter more defined bass and certainly cleaner mids, highs are fairly even but better still on the se530. the cable issue was a minor one according to shure and ive certainly had no problems. it is a thick quality cable and aslong as you are not the unlucky ones that happens to get an early model there will be no problems. the se530 are also the only earphones that rival the um2 in comfort IMO

bass is subjective for some and more is better for some, and the um2 do have more bass, the se530 is cleaner. so on bass its your choice.
highs are very similar on both, but the lighter bass on the se530 makes them clearer and cleaner in the highs. mids seem to miss the power and quality on um2 the shures certainly win here.

overall you can guess what my choice would be but the um2 still are a real good headphone but the se530 are still a step up so id advise going for that or waiting for the real se530 competition in the um3.

have you also considered the triple fi 10, easily rival the se530 but design and mids quality are a foot behind the shures in my opinion. it does appear to have well extended highs tho which is a make or break for some. hope this helps but it is only an opinion

 

[jimmy8269]

If um3 is not what you'll be waiting. E530 should be the right one for you.

The cable's issue never bother me in the past of owning the E500s. However, hot and sweat from using will surely cause some damage to the cable. If you have some patience to treat and clean the cable with damp clothe, that would extend the life of cable for longer.

 

[axim]

Thanks for your replies so far, helps me a lot.
My concern with the Shures is not breaking the cable, it's more that I heard they're pretty heavy and stiff. But if you say it's okay, no problems when walking around with them, I'll very likely choose them.
As for the Ultimate Ears, I think the Triple-Fis are pretty large, already didn't like the Super.Fi 5 sticking out of the ear that much! Actually I'd be afraid lying in my bed with them...
I'm really curious if these Shure Black foamies work for me, most people seem to love them!

 

[Denver Max]

They're okay, I kinda like the peach foamies from etymotic better, but I've been using the black foamies on my SE530s all day today (since a 9am flight, just got in), and I don't feel uncomfortable at all.

BTW what's so bad about the shure cable anyone? I don't like how it's supposed to go behind the ear (the etymotic cable is much more simple), but it doesn't seem like it's constructed badly in any way....

 

[axim]

And one more cable question: From pictures I saw it's a modular cable. Does this really not pull the phones out of your ear while walking? This is the point I'm most afraid of. Or do you use a cable clip or what?

 

[jinx20001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by axim /img/forum/go_quote.gif And one more cable question: From pictures I saw it's a modular cable. Does this really not pull the phones out of your ear while walking? This is the point I'm most afraid of. Or do you use a cable clip or what?

i think the cable is fine, personally i dont find it too heavy at all but id like the cable to not be ultra light and too flimsy, theres one thing that comes to mind with shure cables and thats quality, the problem with super fi 5 and etymotic is the cables dont seem up to that quality.

as for the modular cable pulling out of the ears, i have not experienced this at all,in fact the se530 are as good as custom monitors at staying in and in some ways its even hard to get em out lol. the modular cable is designed to not leave trails of cable dangling, if you have your mp3 player in a shirt pocket for example...you can have a very short cable, and if its over the other side of the room you can have miles long cable (if dat pleases you) i think the cable is a great design and every component is very strong.

 

[axim]

Now that sounds pretty good and very reasonable.
I'll keep on reading, but the chances are 85% that I order an SE530 within the next 2 weeks. Have to pass some tests next week in university but I'm very well prepared

Really looking forward to my new IEMs!