Westone UM2 vs. Super.Fi 5 Pro

[Bull Moose]

Hey guys, for a while I've been looking at the UE Super.Fi 5 Pros and I recently stumbled across Westone UM2's for $250.00 on ebay. Which one is better for rock/techno? I've heard the UE's provide a great soundstage, but the UM2's are dual drivers as well so I'm wondering what the differences between the two are. I guess comparing the msrp's one is $200.00 more than the other and I would like to know if there is a noticable difference between the two (enough to make the price difference plausible). Thanks for any help!
-Moose

 

[benjamind]

Because the Super.Fi 5 Pro has a dual-bore design it would have slightly wider soundstage than the UM2 which has a single-bore design, even though both of these are dual driver canalphones.

From my personal accounts, the UM2 has a warm rounded bass with slight accentuation in the bass region, but the 5 Pro has a deeper bass but I found the bass on the 5 Pro isn't as forward as on the UM2 which is why the UM2 seems bass-heavy. The UM2 and 5 Pro are both very musical phones, they are both very high quality. Sure, the Sensaphonic 2-X and the UE-10 Pro are awesome phones they're not $600-700 better if you know what I mean.

Some say UM2 are better than 5 Pro, some say the other way around. I'd say they're similar.

 

[Bull Moose]

Thanks benjamind, I think I'm gonna go with the UE's just based on price and similarity. I have good ears, but I don't think the differences between the IEM's will be all that substantial from what I've heard from you as well as others.

 

[third_eye]

I've narrowed it down to these 2 canal phones as well. Which one would be more comfortable? I've had Shure E2 and E3 in the past and was not too impressed with their comfort levels so looking for something better.

 

[Spiritboxer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by third_eye I've narrowed it down to these 2 canal phones as well. Which one would be more comfortable? I've had Shure E2 and E3 in the past and was not too impressed with their comfort levels so looking for something better.

One of the reasons I chose the UM2 was it appeared to be, from what I'd read, the more comfortable of the two. Having a ton of tips from the E3's that fit also figured in. With the best of both worlds PM1k mod (combines foamies with the soft flex sleeves) I didn't use anywhere near the amount of tips I thought I would so I have a bunch left over.

 

[benjamind]

What's the PM1K mod? I'd like to check it out, as I have UM2 and would like to see if there is something besides the Comply tips that I could keep using for them.

Thanks.

 

[Spiritboxer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjamind What's the PM1K mod? I'd like to check it out, as I have UM2 and would like to see if there is something besides the Comply tips that I could keep using for them. Thanks.

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...73#post1384473

Here ya go. Works beautifully with my E3's, haven't tried it with the UM2's as they won't be arriving 'til sometime next week.

 

[indiaUS9782]

is the UM2 worth the additional 100 dollars???

 

[ripfrankwhite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiaUS9782 is the UM2 worth the additional 100 dollars???

It is only $50 more than the superfi. And if you shop around you can find the UM2 for the same $250 price.

 

[Pete7]

I started reading this thread a half-hour ago- immediately tried the mod with my E4's with the black medium flex(?) sleeves. Worked like a charm. The sound is definitely different than the yellow foamies or the black Ety foamies I use for outdoor use. The fit is outstanding and the comfort is okay,too. The sound seems to have a darker tinge to it with more bass evident. Maybe more balanced? Hard to tell since I've only been using the mod for 15 minutes. But my immediate impression is maybe I won't need to go for the custom molds after all. Fantastic idea! Wow-when this gets around Shure's gonna end up with a ton of yellow foamies in their warehouse. Hope I can use these with the UM2's I'm getting Monday. Thanks Spiritboxer!!!

 

[indiaUS9782]

The Super.fi is 190 at gateway.com(new)
The UM2 is 250??? on ebay(used??)
So it a 60 dollar difference

 

[geardoc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiaUS9782 is the UM2 worth the additional 100 dollars???

Yes. UM2 has better sound, isolation, in-ear fit, cords and interchangable sleeves with all the other great in ear monitors(Shure, Etymotics).

 

[exkgb]

I ordered the super.fis some week ago and returned it after trying it out. Compared to the UM2, i think the UM2 has better treble extension/clarity/detail compared to the Super.fis. I also like the bass of the UM2 better as it has more impact than those of the super.fi. The super.fi's bass can feel little muddy at times. The UM2 fits great on me as they sit snugly inside mye ears but the super.fis are great in this aspect too but they sit on the outer part of the ears. The UM2 isolates better because it sits deeper.

 

[tayano]

Seems like a great mod,but if it increase the bass...and um2