What's the difference between ʊ and ə?

[Kyoma]

No matter how I try, the two vowels seem to sound alike. Is there a way to distinguish between the two?

[DontBanMe]

No matter how I try, the two vowels seem to sound alike. Is there a way to distinguish between the two?

Hey dude, Hope this helps.
Phonetics: The sounds of American English

[Kyoma]

From the website, ʌ and ə sounds alike. I can't distinguish them.

[5jj]

From the website, ʌ and ə sounds alike. I can't distinguish them.

They do sound alike on that site, which must be confusing. I am just off to see if can find a site in which the difference is clear - as it actually is in BrE.

Later: I think you should be able to hear the difference between the vowels in the words pronounced here: http://www.stuff.co.uk/calcul_nd.htm