Introduction

Westone is one of the oldest in-ear-monitor (IEM) producing companies out there. They are mostly known for their range of custom in-ears geared towards musicians called the Elite Series. The in-ear-monitor I will be taking a look at today is the Westone UM2. The UM2 is a universal fit earphone that features two balanced armatures with a passive crossover.

The Westone UM2s are aimed at audiophiles and other people who value great sound more than the price of the unit. Because the UM2s feature two drivers instead of one they are significantly more expensive than its single driver brother the Westone UM1. The two drivers also result in a far more balanced and rich sound because you have one armature for bass and one for mid- and high-range tones.

Even for a high-end universal fit IEM the price is kind of steep. With a price tag of around $299 they are for the people who want the best at any expense. One area where Westone has chosen a different path than many of the other IEM producing companies is their design.
The entire IEM is made to sit flush with the ear with only a minimal amount of the ear piece sticking out. Another small treat is the fact that Westone uses the brilliant Comply foam tips, these are the most durable and comfort oriented foam tips available on the market today.

Specifications

• Sensitivity: 119 dB/mW
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 18 kHz
• Impedance: 27 ohms
• Driver: Dual balanced armature drivers with a passive crossover
• Features: Soft padded pouch, replaceable Comply™ foam tips, and wax loop for cleaning.
• Available Colors: Black, Clear.

The impedance of the UM2s is a bit above the ordinary at 27 Ohms, but it is not nearly high enough to pose a problem with any normal portable media players on the market today. The UM2s are available in both a black and clear color scheme. The ones I will be taking a look at today are "clear", but do have some areas where the plastic is a bit opaque.