[xaddictionx]

RE272 only kept a few days. Did not like at all. Really detailed in upper registers and on the bright side but no bass. Makes ER4 sound like a bass cannon. Build quality seemed really cheap and I had a hard time with the form factor in achieving a good seal which might have had something to do with the poor bass. It just wasn't for me....

Hmm. Build quality wise I can't say for RE272 too. Does look "plasticky". Wow if ER4S is a bass cannon as opposed to RE272 i guess RE272 really has bare minimal bass. Might be due to fit issues too. Will try them out haha. Just looking for something analytical and neutral to complement W4R and ASG2..

 

[fluffyberry]

  So i got them in late on Friday, i'll give a run down of my impression.  I guess if anything, you can call this a quick comparison to the um pro 30 (um3x), which i also own.
 

 
 
 
First off, they look and feel identical to the um pro 30...in fact they may even be a bit lighter.  I don't know if i would call it a "cheap" build, but they definitely don't feel as solid as previous entries in the Westone lineup (4r/um3x..etc).  Shure construction from my previous 535/425 is hands down better, those things are built like tanks in comparison.  Mine didn't have any defects, or any type of glue showing either as one other poster mentioned...unfortunately there are just lemons from time to time, luckily that wasn't the case with these.  Comfort level is also identical to the UM pro 30...these feel almost perfect to me.  Nothing about them says too tight or too lose, yet they have an amazing seal.  I use the black foam star tips and get great isolation.  Stock cable is extremely flexible and i love the little section of memory wire that goes around the ear.  
 
On to the sound - first thing i noticed is the sound stage was much wider than the 30's.  I didn't have that enclosed feeling by any means, it definitely felt way more open.  One thing these kept that i know a lot of people questioned was the bass impact.  Still as good as the 30's in every aspect, but it doesn't drown anything out.  What really stood out now is how much more defined the drums and guitar are.  It was a bit subtle at first, but upon a good hour of listening and a/b'ing the 30's & 50's, it is definitely apparent.  Drums are crystal clear, some tracks (for example Battle Born, by the Killers) i almost have a sensation i'm sitting right in front of the drum set.  Cymbals/crashes sound absolutely insane!  Vocals are also pronounced more, not dramatically...but it's noticable.  The only thing i can think of the 30's still have a slight edge is the instrument separation.  Though the 50's still have clear separation - you can still hear them more fluently in the 30's...but then again that's really what those have always been known for.
 
Overall, i'm very pleased. I would say, at least for me, this was a justifiable upgrade over the 30's.  I also plan on getting a higher end cable to try these out with as well.  All in all i'm a happy camper.  I now have my um pro 30's listed on the for sale forum to help fund this purchase.  The um pro 30's are still an amazing iem, but the 50's are just hit on everything i felt needed improved upon.

nice impressions, thanks

 

[BRCMRGN]

This just gets better and better. I asked for a RMA and replacement from EarphoneSolutions.com for my DOA UM50 and they want me to pay return shipping and when they receive the return, they will ship a new one. For $650, i would expect better service. When the W50 and W60 come out, I will wait and buy them from Amazon. Amazon and many other places (JDS Labs for example) send out a replacement item immediately and pay for return shipping on the bad unit. Over the last two yeasrs, I have spent $2,400 at Earphone Solutions. The UM50 will be my last purchase from them.

 

[GamaH]

  This just gets better and better. I asked for a RMA and replacement from EarphoneSolutions.com for my DOA UM50 and they want me to pay return shipping and when they receive the return, they will ship a new one. For $650, i would expect better service. When the W50 and W60 come out, I will wait and buy them from Amazon. Amazon and many other places (JDS Labs for example) send out a replacement item immediately and pay for return shipping on the bad unit. Over the last two yeasrs, I have spent $2,400 at Earphone Solutions. The UM50 will be my last purchase from them.

But, Amazon isn't considered by Westone to be an authorized retailer, no? How will you deal with warranty issues, then?

And, bummer. I just placed an order for the UM50s with EarphoneSolutions.com a minute ago. Fingers crossed that they don't have an issue...

 

[Superdrag81]

  This just gets better and better. I asked for a RMA and replacement from EarphoneSolutions.com for my DOA UM50 and they want me to pay return shipping and when they receive the return, they will ship a new one. For $650, i would expect better service. When the W50 and W60 come out, I will wait and buy them from Amazon. Amazon and many other places (JDS Labs for example) send out a replacement item immediately and pay for return shipping on the bad unit. Over the last two yeasrs, I have spent $2,400 at Earphone Solutions. The UM50 will be my last purchase from them.

Dang that's a bummer man...i've spent close to that with them as well and would probably flip out if that happened!  You could always order directly from Westone.  They have the um pro series available for purchase directly off their site, then you wouldn't again have to be worried about going through a third party again (i've had some rough experiences with Amazon in the past...so no one site is perfect!)

 

[BRCMRGN]

  This just gets better and better. I asked for a RMA and replacement from EarphoneSolutions.com for my DOA UM50 and they want me to pay return shipping and when they receive the return, they will ship a new one. For $650, i would expect better service. When the W50 and W60 come out, I will wait and buy them from Amazon. Amazon and many other places (JDS Labs for example) send out a replacement item immediately and pay for return shipping on the bad unit. Over the last two yeasrs, I have spent $2,400 at Earphone Solutions. The UM50 will be my last purchase from them.

I probably overreacted a bit. I sent an email to Earphone solution expressing my dissatisfaction with the customer service and I received a very nice email and voicemail from Flavio, the owner. They will be sending a replacement with a prepaid return label for the RMA. The email that I had originally received was an automated replay and anytime other than a Monday morning, this issue would have handled better.  So my apologies to Earphone Solutions and a lesson learned for me - give the vendor a chance to do the right thing. 

 

[GamaH]

  I probably overreacted a bit. I sent an email to Earphone solution expressing my dissatisfaction with the customer service and I received a very nice email and voicemail from Flavio, the owner. They will be sending a replacement with a prepaid return label for the RMA. The email that I had originally received was an automated replay and anytime other than a Monday morning, this issue would have handled better.  So my apologies to Earphone Solutions and a lesson learned for me - give the vendor a chance to do the right thing. 

Glad to hear it was all resolved well. I feel a lot more at ease now, what with the fact that I purchased the same item from the same vendor.

 

[BRCMRGN]

Earphone Solutions is shipping out a replacement today. 

 

[Spyro]

Earphone Solutions has among the greatest customer service experiences I have ever had in dealing with any company ever.  Fantastic IMHO.  

 

[uelover]

Earphone Solutions has among the greatest customer service experiences I have ever had in dealing with any company ever.  Fantastic IMHO.  

I agree. I had a fantastic experience with them as well.

 

[GamaH]

So, my UM 50s just arrived. Gave them a test, both sides work.
 
Build wise, it does actually feel lighter than the UM3X. There a tiny amount of glue showing on the left earpiece.

The fit feels more or less identical (to my ears) to the UM3X, but they seem to fit just slightly better, in that it feels less conspicuous (though the cable might have something to do with that, rather than the shape of the casing). I can't really describe it, but it's really comfortable, almost like there's nothing there.
 
One thing I do like about the wire is that the [whatdoyoucallit] that "zips" up the wires has two separate holes now, so it actually differentiates between the left and right earpiece wires. Not a huge deal, but when you're OCD about silly things like I am, then this is a nice touch. That was one of the things that bothered me about the UM3Xs -- the thing keeping the wires together just kept making them tangle instead.
 
Now, on to the sound... I am not really an audiophile (so if you're looking for all the little nuances and details, I'm afraid this post ain't gonna cut it for you), but I do appreciate good sound, and I can tell crappy earphones when I hear it. I either like the sound signature or I don't.
 
All I can say is, WOW, DAT BASS. It could just be my choice of music, but the bass really shone. The highs on the other hand, while clear, weren't that impressive (at least relative to the eargasmic bass).
 
The following tracks sounded fantastic with the UM50s [I only used songs that I listen to on a regular basis, otherwise I'm not entirely sure how they'd sound relative to other IEMs]:
 
The Silence (Live) - Gamma Ray
Burning Leaves - Ensiferum 
Prologue - Patrick Doyle
Letter to Dana - Sonata Arctica
Sankarihauta - Moonsorrow
Eld - Månegarm
En Fallen Fader - Månegarm
Blut Im Auge - Equilibrium
Miklagard Overture - Turisas
Téli Ének - Dalriada
Love Song - Tesla
Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light) - Matisyahu
Sunshine - Matisyahu
The End Of This Chapter - Sonata Arctica
Silver Bride (Live) - Amorphis
Sampo (Live) - Amorphis
Caccini + Redemption + Ave Maria - Era
Under Pressure - Queen
 
Songs in bold were lossless; everything else is 256 or 320.

 

[GamaH]

Well, crap... It just so happens that I've encountered the exact same issue as I did with my previous 2 IEMs using MMXC connectors (SE535s).
 
I'm just standing around (not even walking) and I get random bouts of sound cutting out on the right earpiece.
 
Furthermore, if I manipulate the wire, it cuts out at certain spots (though not 100% of the time, which I find perplexing).
 
Anyone know if this is a characteristic of MMXC or something?
 
I'll be swapping the cables to the different side to see if the problem is with the earpiece or the cable. Will update in a bit.
 
Edit1: The main problem I'm having is that I'm having a difficulty in replicating the problem. I'm just sitting here in front on my PC with music playing and touching the earpiece, but there's no issue -- however it definitely lost sound for a split second several times earlier when I was out.

 
 
Edit2: Yep, the sound cut out for a split second again, but I wasn't even touching the cable. This is so weird -- when I fiddle with the cable, nothing happens. When I just stand/sit there, it still manages to lose sound.
 
Edit3: There definitely seems to be an issue with a loose connector or something. I switched sides with the cable and the problem is still on the right-earpiece. The left earpiece's connection is solid.
 
Having said that, I don't even know how I'm going to send these back, since it's such a POTA to recreate the issue.
 
Edit4: Definitely a problem with the connector, since the right-earpiece connection wobbles and and makes a slight clicking sound when it moves, whereas the left earpiece is solid. Great. I expect these issues from Made in China products, not something proudly labeled "... in Colorado, USA."

 

[xaddictionx]

Well, crap... It just so happens that I've encountered the exact same issue as I did with my previous 2 IEMs using MMXC connectors (SE535s).

I'm just standing around (not even walking) and I get random bouts of sound cutting out on the right earpiece.

Furthermore, if I manipulate the wire, it cuts out at certain spots (though not 100% of the time, which I find perplexing).

Anyone know if this is a characteristic of MMXC or something?

I'll be swapping the cables to the different side to see if the problem is with the earpiece or the cable. Will update in a bit.

Edit1: The main problem I'm having is that I'm having a difficulty in replicating the problem. I'm just sitting here in front on my PC with music playing and touching the earpiece, but there's no issue -- however it definitely lost sound for a split second several times earlier when I was out.  

Edit2: Yep, the sound cut out for a split second again, but I wasn't even touching the cable. This is so weird -- when I fiddle with the cable, nothing happens. When I just stand/sit there, it still manages to lose sound.

I don't even know how I'm going to send these back, since it's such a POTA to recreate.

Sorry to hear that on your new purchase. Actually I do prefer the old Westone pins over the new mmcx. Though the 2-prong pins may seem fragile but I haven't encountered any of such cutting off problems with the 2-pins configuration. Think you should send it back for a replacement too.

 

[GamaH]

Yes! I miss the old pin configuration. I hate MMXC connectors with a passion. Seriously, 3 IEMs, 3 replacements is a bit much. Ughhh..
 
I've contacted EarphoneSolutions, what with it being an international order and all.

 

[uelover]

  Yes! I miss the old pin configuration. I hate MMXC connectors with a passion. Seriously, 3 IEMs, 3 replacements is a bit much. Ughhh..
 
I've contacted EarphoneSolutions, what with it being an international order and all.

 
I have had many IEMs with the MMXC connectors and none has given me any issue. What did you do to your IEMs?
 
Hope that you will be able to get the replacement sorted out. The UM Pro 50 is a great IEM and it is a pity that you can't get to enjoy it at the moment.