Westone UM1 review

The Westone UM1 outdid itself in the performance category. Like its Ultimate Ears competition, the earphones are designed for audio purists who want a balanced mix rather than brain-numbing bass levels. The new Yeah Yeah Yeahs' single, "Gold Lion," sounded excellent, with Karen O's crisp vocals coming through beautifully, the thumping kick drum making its presence known without distortion at high levels, as well as no exaggeration of low-end frequencies. The more delicate sounds of an old Aretha Franklin gem, "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," benefited similarly from the seemingly flat response of the UM1.

With a price tag of $109, the Westone UM1 earphones are worth every penny, but users should ideally do a blind taste test with these and the Super.fi 3 set from Ultimate Ears--both are so excellent for their cost that it becomes a matter of personal preference.