Same clear casing, same strong braided cable, same functional look; only the drivers distinguish the UM1 and UM2

You don't buy high-end headphones for looks. While there are sleeker models than the UM1 and UM2, you can't fault Westone for emphasizing build quality and practicality. Both models are sturdy enough to stand up to any amount of travelling - they're built to cope with gigging, after all. The UM1s are somewhat of a bargain for the sound quality they offer, with superb noise isolation and comfort. The UM2s offer the same excellent noise isolation, but the sound quality is significantly better and comparable even to the pricier Shure E500s.

Practical and plain; you buy the UM1s or UM2s for the way they sound.

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