Westone UM2 review (Clear)

The Westone UM2s feature two drivers in each earpiece--one each for low and high frequencies--along with a passive crossover, which passes the signal within the earpieces. This apparently keeps the bulk off the wire but, as we've seen, adds it to the earpieces. Although Westone doesn't advertise the UM2s as noise-isolation earphones, they do an excellent job keeping out ambient noise; in fact, closer study of the specs reveals that the 'buds are capable of providing up to 25dB of noise reduction. What all this--along with a sensitivity of 119dB per milliwatt and an impedance of 27ohms--adds up to is stellar audio performance.

Using a Creative Zen Micro Photo for reference, we tested the Westone UM2 earphones on a range of music, all of which sounded fantastic. The a cappella at the beginning of Eve's "Be Me" was crystal clear and defined, and when the bass dropped in, we were met with rich, tangible lows--close to what we've experienced with high-end, full-size headphones, though not quite as encompassing. Alice in Chains's mellow rock track, "Rotten Apple," sounded warm and inclusive. But it was a Keoki dance track, "Magic," that really stole the show. Every detail jumped out, and the Westone UM2s opened the sound and delivered the mix of highs and lows exactly the way you'd expect from a set of dual-driver 'buds: beautifully. Overall, when compared directly to Shure's E4cs, we didn't notice a difference.