Earphone Solutions

UM2 X WESTONE 3

OK… I did not want this task. But I also knew the time would come, so…. Here we go:

EQ is OFF. All songs came from an iPod Touch. Some downloaded directly from iTunes, some came from my personal CD collection and transferred to my computer.

So let’s forget all about compressed files – it’s pretty much irrelevant with an iPod and a high end in-ear earphone.

I’ll be totally honest here; the W3 felt more comfortable. The UM2 has a nozzle that’s slightly tilted and for some reason that made a huge difference to me. Remember, everybody’s ear canal is similar to a degree, but there are tiny curves and micro bends that will end up making the difference.

This showdown is not about which one is the best. It became clear to me as I switched from song to song and different styles, that these are simply… different. Sorry if I disappointed you right there. But I promised to be honest.

The UM2 is raw, real, and warm. It gives you that feeling of being right at the concert, close to the speakers, being able to feel the live music. That feeling was very present (and I was able to discern) when I tested both models with “You Will Soar” from Scott Stapp, “Iron Man” from Black Sabbath, and “Get Low” from Lil Jon and the East Side Boys.

The Westone 3 has a more “polite” and polished sound. I could say that the sound feels “filtered” as in getting rid of impurities. Of course, when you filter the sound you are able to distinguish other details and nuances that you could not before. It’s just logical. Take “You Will Soar” that I mentioned before. I listened to this particular song using the W3 right after I used the UM2 and the guitars just came alive.

“Take Five” from Dave Brubeck and “Cello Concerto in A Minor” from the Academy of Ancient Music were the two instrumental songs chosen. With “Take Five” on the UM2 you have a vibrant and detailed sax, whereas with the W3, the piano takes much more “space”. With the Cello Concerto, the UM2 is the obvious choice for me.

With the W3 the song lost its “rustic” feel it had with the UM2. It seemed that with the UM2, I was sitting right at the chamber, watching them play while the W3 translated the whole thing into a soulless studio recording, too clean.

With “By Your Side” from Sade, again, the “filtered” W3 gave the song a more “controlled” feel, like a kid that is being really well-behaved; Sade’s velvety vocal taking front and center.

With “It’s a Beautiful Day” from U2, the UM2 delivers Bono’s raspy and nasal voice like no other, and the drums are just beautiful (no pun intended ) while the W3 you can actually focus more on the melody of the song, enriched with details you could not notice before.

With “Viva La Vida” from Coldplay on the W3 I noticed the violins with a clarity that was not there before. In this case, the UM2 brought the vocals to another level, richer and so much more detailed.

Bearing all of this in mind, not all decisions will be made based on sound preference; there is always the financial aspect of a purchase of this nature. Fortunately there is an excellent choice for anybody’s pocket within the IEM universe.

Whichever model you choose, you know you will be purchasing a product that is top of the line. The UM2 will never be replaced as the “real deal”, edgy and raw; while a more refined and clear sound is available with the W3.