I’m looking at the Westone M2. They’re actually competitively priced here, which is odd since Japanese people’s favorite hobby is paying way too fucking much for anything. I searched here for “Westone” and other than only relevant topic was from quite some time back. So, here we go. (Feel free to chime in w/ other products).
I read the handful of articles in the main page about in-ear monitoring. I don’t gig out too often, and when I do, the monitor is generally far enough back and not that loud, although it isn’t quiet either. At home, I have a child that sleeps in the next room and a wife that has inhuman hearing. Long story short, when I DJ at home, I use the cans only. I don’t even have good speakers. And, I’m now quite used to it. I generally listen to the main mix + queue whatever track is coming up. Sometimes adjust the “mix” dial so the queued track sticks out more. So, I’m thinking even DJing w/ these would work for me. The thing I don’t like is that I’m at the mercy of the mixer. Don’t the DJM-800 & A&H Xone series treat the monitor “mixing” differently? I have an A&H at home. Nothing but Pioneer whores around here, so it’s the 800 when I play out.
That’s the DJ side. If I don’t dig it for DJing, are they worth the dough for having for long trips and whatnot. I obviously won’t jog in them. I have no idea how I lost something so big, but my Bose noise canceling headphones are no longer with me. Maybe in my office in the US (but they were dying anyway). I’m thinking these might be a nice, compact substitute (for about the same price). Thoughts?
I was also in the market for IEM’s. I looked at Westones, Shures and UE’s. I’ve read a lot of reviews about both and the conclusion is:
Westone (UM2/3) → very close to real sound, as in close to no coloring of the sound.
Shure (SE530/535) → thicker bass, but a little less detailed highs
UE TripleFi 10 pro → a very good allrounder and very competitive priced
I went with the UE TripleFi 10 pro, because it’s a triple driver system at the price of a Westone UM2 (dual driver) and has replaceable cables.
Cheers for that DennisHuiberts. You got any links to the reviews? How do you feel about your purchase? I don’t know enough about the difference in the two drivers, other than 3 is richer to make a totally honest decision, I guess.
Replacement cables are nice. My Bose cable was starting to get flakey, which was a bit worrisome as it didn’t seem I could easily swap it out. Something to think about. Not sure if I’d go for better sound or thicker base. The thing is, I’ve seen a pair of the Westone UM2’s for under $200 locally, which is really cheap.
If you want to use your IEM’s on stage, only three IEM’s are really worth it (if custom made ones are out of your league), namely the three I mentioned above.
Monster Turbine Copper - a little heavy, but great soundstage, solid in the low end. Sonically similar to Dre Tours without paying the royalty. Latter has great cabelling.
Those Monsters have dynamic drivers. For (semi-)professional use you would want armature drivers. Believe me, those Monsters wil be great for your iPod or something like that, but armature type IEM’s are much more accurate…
:eek: noob alert :eek:
Thanks Dennis - please elaborate. I am a big fan of IEM’s (currently have Sony MDR700’s, Dj with tma-1’s, and listen with Bose QC15’s. Bought M-Audio IEM’s which I LOATHE). I am looking for an alternative, but options in South Africa are slim, which means a little foreign excursion. I don’t want another dud.
Thank you.
In fact, Wikipedia has a detailed (but technological and theoretical) explanation:
Basically a dynamic IEM has one driver for each ear. Because of the bigger driver it’s better in producing low frequency sound. But because you only have one driver the different frequency ranges are not really separated and the overall sound becomes muddier.
IEM’s with armature drivers have a much more detailed soundstage, because you have dedicated drivers for each frequency range. Armature drivers are also smaller, so it’s possibe to fit multiple drivers in one earbud. Downside is that because the drivers are smaller, they can produce less bass.
Allthough armature IEM’s produce less bass than dynamic ones, you still want to get armature ones, because they can produce a much more detailed soundstage and therefore meet the whole purpose for monitors.
DH does Wiki better than they do - thank you.
I see UE’s are a Logitech product, which is a popular SA brand, so I will investigate further locally, or enquire about shipping to SA. Just need to wipe the drool off my keyboard from the UE 18 Pros’…
And, I’m now quite used to it. I generally listen to the main mix + queue whatever track is coming up. Sometimes adjust the “mix” dial so the queued track sticks out more. So, I’m thinking even DJing w/ these would work for me. The thing I don’t like is that I’m at the mercy of the mixer. Don’t the DJM-800 & A&H Xone series treat the monitor “mixing” differently? I have an A&H at home. Nothing but Pioneer whores around here, so it’s the 800 when I play out.
