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UMmm, the NEW Pro in town!
PROS: new transparent shell design with improved ergonomics, next gen mmcx connectors, refined tuning in lieu of the sound path optimization.
CONS: the same set of accessories for the entry and the higher-level models.
The product was provided to me free of charge for the review purpose in exchange for my honest opinion. The review was originally posted on my blog, and now I would like to share it with my readers on Head-fi.
Manufacturer website: Westone.
Since I'm covering all 4 New UM Pro models in this review, I'm combining them in one thread instead of 4 separate reviews in Head Gear section of HF.
Intro.
Usually, the announcement of a new audio product gets a lot of coverage, both from manufacturers promoting it and from consumers generating a buzz in anticipation of the release. On the contrary, a product refresh gets a different type of attention, or in some cases even a lack of attention if the upgrade considered to be small.
When I received the new UM Pro 50 v2 for testing, I quickly realized it was more than just a little update and it deserves more attention. I already shared my first impressions about New vs Old UM Pro 50 in a detailed comparison here, which led to my curiosity about the rest of this UM Pro v2 refresh. Now, with UM Pro 10/20/30/50 v2 on loan in my hands, I can offer a more detailed analysis about each individual model, especially 10 and 20 which I wasn’t familiar with beforehand.
This write up is going to be a little different since I want to focus more on the sound analysis instead of comparison and pair ups. Also, keep in mind that regardless of the refresh, UM Pro series still follows the Westone's original philosophy of this IEM being designed for artists "monitoring" the mix during performance on stage, while W series is a consumer oriented line for audiophiles and audio enthusiasts interested in a more critical listening.
Unboxing.
Looks like in addition to redesigning the “shell” of IEMs, Westone also decided to update the “shell” of the packaging too. It didn’t catch me by surprise since I’m already familiar with AM Pro series which has a very similar packaging box and also introduced the same color-coded theme for different driver configs. The box still has enough of detailed info about the product, and now also features a cutout window to see the actual IEM under the cover.
Inside, you have a plastic tray partitioned in two halves with a secure dense foam cutout for IEMs up top and for mini-monitor vault with accessories at the bottom. It’s a very simple minimalistic approach, probably cost efficient as well, which holds UM Pros secure during shipment. The only comment here, which becomes more apparent when you are looking at all 4 models, they share an identical packaging, regardless of $149 UM Pro 10 or $649 UM Pro 50. It’s just an observation, not really a remark against Westone since a lot of other manufacturers with a series of IEM models share the same packaging. Furthermore, every box is identified with a corresponding model name and color code.
Accessories.
Accessories is another part of unboxing experience where you will find a common selection with a replaceable EPIC cable, five sizes of Patented STAR silicone and five sizes of True-Fit foam assorted ear tips, mini-monitor orange vault, and a cleaning tool. Not an accessory, but still worth mentioning, the original owner gets 2-year warranty which is not transferrable.
The same collection of Westone eartips have been featured in all their universal IEM products, including W, UM Pro, and AM Pro series. As I mentioned in my previous reviews, with their roots in Professional Hearing earpiece design, Westone put years of their research experience into design of these patented Star and True-Fit tips. Included were 5 pairs of Star silicone tips that conform naturally to different ear anatomy, with each pair distinguished by a different core color for an easy pair up. Also, 5 pairs of True-Fit memory foam eartips with a medium recovery property, not too soft or too springy to ensure the maximum seal and comfort when they expand inside of your earcanal. Earwax remover tool comes in handy to clean up narrow bore opening of these eartips.
Pelican style small “vault” storage case is also a part of Westone accessories tradition. It’s a durable, tight locking, small case that can survive a lot of stress, and it’s big enough to fit a pair of IEMs with EPIC cable. A thicker aftermarket cable might not fit, and you should be careful not to pinch the wires when closing it. This case is not exactly pocket friendly for everyday use, but it’s great when traveling on the road, thus musicians will find it quite useful.
The cable.
Keeping in mind that UM Pro series was originally designed for performing musicians, it makes sense Westone included a pair of audio only EPIC cable.
EPIC cable is thin, braided, lightweight, very flexible, featuring ultra-low resistance tensile wire design reinforced with aramid fiber. For a stock cable, it has a decent audio performance. The headphone connector is a standard 3.5mm gold plated plug with a molded plastic strain relief and a right-angle design that fits any DAP or smartphone even with a bulky case. The cable's y-splitter is molded rubbery plastic part with a strain relief by design of its shape and a nice chin slider. Memory portion of the cable toward the connector is not a rigid wire that needs to be reshaped after each case storage. It’s a pre-shaped flexible heat-shrink tube that fits comfortably over the ears.
Both earpieces have MMCX universal connectors, now featuring the improved next gen MMCX Audio connectors. I found them to have a more secure mating between the cable and the shell, and once connected the cable doesn’t rotate as freely. You do have to keep in mind that despite MMCX connection, Westone EPIC cable will only mate with Westone shells due to a lower profile of the connector. But any other universal MMCX cable will work perfectly with Westone IEMs.
Design.
I have always been a fan of Westone bean-shape shells. Regardless of UM Pro or W series, they are very compact, lightweight, and have a thin nozzle. With a right selection of eartips, these universal shells fit like a custom iem. That's why I think it was a bit of a risky move to change the design in the New UM Pro series, to fix something that wasn’t broken to begin with. But it wasn’t a complete brand-new design, since it was already introduced in AM Pro series. I assume those AM shells received enough of positive feedback to pave the way for Westone to consider implementing it in UM Pro v2 series as well.
After spending some time with it, I actually prefer now the ergonomics of the new shell design over the old one. And not just the design, but a new look with a semi-transparent gray inner side and fully transparent clear outer side. The shells are vertically a little taller, not the same bean shape as before. Instead, it’s slimmer and flatter, sitting flush in my concha area of the ear, with a more comfortable and secure fit. It’s still has a small diameter nozzle and compatible with all of their legacy eartips. Also, it features their next gen "MMCX Audio" type connector, already introduced in W80/ES80, AM Pro, and BT Cable, which enables a more robust and secure attachment of the cable to the connector socket of the shell.
Another design detail, new to UM Pro while actually being already implemented in AM Pro, is a color-coded inner shell plastic piece with orange (UM Pro 10), blue (UM Pro 20), green (UM Pro 30), and gray (UM Pro 50) insert. It’s a nice touch to distinguish the models, giving them some “personality”. Of course, when you have all the shells in front of you, it's easy to see how they vary in size.
New vs Old fit.
Individual Sound Analysis.
While Unboxing, Accessories, and The Cable sections were common across all 4 New UM Pro v2 models, each one has a different driver configuration and a sound tuning which I'm going to describe in details below.
UM Pro 10
Spec:
- Average soundstage expansion with an average imaging and sound positioning, in other words a more intimate soundstage.
- Due to a rolled off treble, the sound has less airiness which affects transparency and results in just an average layering and separation of the sound. It's not necessary congested, and as a matter of fact mids are clear and detailed, but it's just a neutral tuned IEM which is good for listening and monitoring of the sounds with a focus on mids, but not so much for analyzing the details of the sound.
- Very linear tuning with a neutral-warmish smooth tonality and a slightly mid-forward sound presentation.
- For a single BA driver, clarity is rather good. Don't expect micro-detailed level of detail retrieval, but you get a clear coherent tuning all the way from sub-bass to lower treble with a cutout around 10k which still captures a good definition of upper end.
- Bass extends down to sub-bass rumble which has a neutral quantity, and expect an average speed neutral quantity of mid-bass too. Bass is very linear, not super articulate or tight, more on a looser side, not overwhelming or spilling too much into lower mids.
- Lower mids are a little north of neutral, with a full body, not muddy or congested, upper mids are clear, smooth, more on a warmer side of neutral, very linear. As I mentioned before, the sound is not very layered or super detailed, but it's clear and detailed enough for vocals.
- Treble is also clear and well defined, but lacks airiness due to roll off after 10k, if you are looking for crisp sound with more treble energy, these are not it. Here we have a smooth non-fatigue relaxed treble presentation.
UM Pro 20
Spec:
- Now, due to improved treble extension and more treble energy, the perception of soundstage expansion improved. It's still not a match for W-series wide staging, but it's a little wider then Pro 10.
- With twice as many BA drivers, when compared to UM Pro 10, now you have more sound tuning flexibility where you can distinctly hear the slam of mid-bass and the airy high definition sparkle of the treble, making sound to be more v-shaped tuned with an overall brighter tonality where mids presentation is pushed a little more back.
- The sound now has better retrieval of details, improvement in soundstage expansion which also has effect on imaging with better positioning of instruments, and improved layering and separation of the sounds in comparison to Pro 10. At the same time, the sound is not as coherent as Pro 10.
- Here, bass of Pro 20 goes deeper with more rumble and hits a little harder in comparison to Pro 10. Overall, bass is not as fast as you would expect from BA drivers, and instead it sounds more like a dynamic driver, having a slower attack and decay.
- Lower mids are warmer and a little north of neutral, but not by too much. Upper mids are clear and detailed, sounds natural, a little more revealing and better defined in comparison to Pro 10, and still sounds natural.
- Lower treble is where you have now more energy with extra crunch and more graininess. As a result, now you must be more careful about music selection because some poorly recorded songs sound a bit harsh and even a little sibilant.
- The tuning of Pro 20 is a little more fun now, due to its emphasis on bass (which is not overwhelming, just with a deeper extension) and a treble sparkle.
UM Pro 30
Spec:
- W-shaped balanced tuning with emphasis on lows/mids/treble and a smooth natural tonality.
- More transparency and resolution when compared to Pro 10 and 20. Better retrieval of details as well, and overall sound is more dynamic and better layered. Definitely a noticeable step up from Pro 10 and 20, where Pro 30 will appeal to musicians/performers, consumers, and even some audiophiles on the go.
- Soundstage is still typical of UM Pro series, just a little above average, but not too wide. There is some improvement in staging depth, where it doesn't feel like you are sitting right in front of the stage, just a few rows back.
- There is definitely some emphasis on low end with a deep layer of warm sub-bass rumble and a faster mid-bass punch. The bass is faster and more articulate in comparison to Pro 20, and, also it has more control and better separation from lower mids.
- Lower mids are neutral, which creates a nice transitional separation from upper mids, while still contribute to an overall body of the sound. Upper mids have a slightly forward presentation, lots of details, not on a micro-detail level, but with plenty of clarity and natural type of tonality. I also hear some nice layering and separation, with more air between layers. Both male and female vocals sound very natural and realistic.
- Treble has nice extension, good definition, tastefully done sparkle without too much crunch, and also just enough of airiness to make treble less dry, like it was with original Pro 30. Treble improvement is one of the most noticeable differences when comparing UM Pro 30 v2 to its original version. That, and also improved layering and resolution of upper mids.
UM Pro 50
Spec:
- Pro 50 has a balanced sig with a laidback presentation of the sound, and a warmer lusher tonality. In comparison to the original Pro 50, the sound is leaner, more transparent, has more clarity and separation. While Pro 30 was a step up from 10/20, Pro 50 is an upgrade from Pro 30.
- Soundstage is the widest among all UM Pro models, and it also has a nice depth, with a sound being a few rows in front of you.
- The New UM Pro 50 definitely has some resemblance with New UM Pro 30, but the sound is more refined and has a different presentation of frequencies across the spectrum.
- Pro 50 sub-bass has a deep textured extension and an average speed mid-bass attack. Pro 50 bass has a little less quantity when compared to Pro 30, and overall it's more relaxed.
- Lower mids are neutral and leaner, creating a better separation and more contrast with a bass. Upper mids are smooth, organic, detailed, a little relaxed, and pushed slightly back. Pro 50 also steps up in quality of mids with more transparency and better layering of the sound.
- Treble has a great extension, sharper definition, plenty of sparkle and airiness, and still being non-fatigued.
- To my ears, the improvement of the New UM Pro 50 v2 over the original Pro 50 is rather noticeable, especially in upper mids and treble, making the new sound more resolving and more transparent.
Conclusion.
I have a feeling that after reading this review some might have a question, which UM Pro model is better? In reality, it would be hard to compare because they are designed and tuned for a different purpose. For example, UM Pro 10 and Pro 20 will probably appeal more to musicians who want the smallest and the most comfortable shells, as well as more coherent tuning for stage performance and monitoring, where Pro 10 has more focus on mids and Pro 20 has more focus on bass and treble with improved retrieval of details.
Pro 30 has a more consumer oriented tuning with a more balanced sound and emphasis on all 3 frequency bands. Plus, many will be happy with its "fun" tuned bass impact. For me personally, Pro 50 hits the sweet spot with a more balanced refined tuning in comparison to Pro 30, the widest soundstage expansion among all UM Pro models, and a more resolving and transparent sound. It won't overtake the W80 flagship, but for those who are on a budget and want audiophile quality performance, Pro 50 v2 blurs the lines between UM Pro and W series.
Either way, it's always nice to have choices, especially when it comes down to the sound signature, the driver configuration, and the price. And it also great to know that Westone will participate in the upcoming Feb 17-18 CanJam NYC where you can preview and audition the entire UM Pro, AM Pro, and W series, so you can hear it for yourself while using your own portable audio source to decide which model hits your sweet spot.
PROS: new transparent shell design with improved ergonomics, next gen mmcx connectors, refined tuning in lieu of the sound path optimization.
CONS: the same set of accessories for the entry and the higher-level models.
The product was provided to me free of charge for the review purpose in exchange for my honest opinion. The review was originally posted on my blog, and now I would like to share it with my readers on Head-fi.
Manufacturer website: Westone.
Since I'm covering all 4 New UM Pro models in this review, I'm combining them in one thread instead of 4 separate reviews in Head Gear section of HF.
Intro.
Usually, the announcement of a new audio product gets a lot of coverage, both from manufacturers promoting it and from consumers generating a buzz in anticipation of the release. On the contrary, a product refresh gets a different type of attention, or in some cases even a lack of attention if the upgrade considered to be small.
When I received the new UM Pro 50 v2 for testing, I quickly realized it was more than just a little update and it deserves more attention. I already shared my first impressions about New vs Old UM Pro 50 in a detailed comparison here, which led to my curiosity about the rest of this UM Pro v2 refresh. Now, with UM Pro 10/20/30/50 v2 on loan in my hands, I can offer a more detailed analysis about each individual model, especially 10 and 20 which I wasn’t familiar with beforehand.
This write up is going to be a little different since I want to focus more on the sound analysis instead of comparison and pair ups. Also, keep in mind that regardless of the refresh, UM Pro series still follows the Westone's original philosophy of this IEM being designed for artists "monitoring" the mix during performance on stage, while W series is a consumer oriented line for audiophiles and audio enthusiasts interested in a more critical listening.
Unboxing.
Looks like in addition to redesigning the “shell” of IEMs, Westone also decided to update the “shell” of the packaging too. It didn’t catch me by surprise since I’m already familiar with AM Pro series which has a very similar packaging box and also introduced the same color-coded theme for different driver configs. The box still has enough of detailed info about the product, and now also features a cutout window to see the actual IEM under the cover.
Inside, you have a plastic tray partitioned in two halves with a secure dense foam cutout for IEMs up top and for mini-monitor vault with accessories at the bottom. It’s a very simple minimalistic approach, probably cost efficient as well, which holds UM Pros secure during shipment. The only comment here, which becomes more apparent when you are looking at all 4 models, they share an identical packaging, regardless of $149 UM Pro 10 or $649 UM Pro 50. It’s just an observation, not really a remark against Westone since a lot of other manufacturers with a series of IEM models share the same packaging. Furthermore, every box is identified with a corresponding model name and color code.
Accessories.
Accessories is another part of unboxing experience where you will find a common selection with a replaceable EPIC cable, five sizes of Patented STAR silicone and five sizes of True-Fit foam assorted ear tips, mini-monitor orange vault, and a cleaning tool. Not an accessory, but still worth mentioning, the original owner gets 2-year warranty which is not transferrable.
The same collection of Westone eartips have been featured in all their universal IEM products, including W, UM Pro, and AM Pro series. As I mentioned in my previous reviews, with their roots in Professional Hearing earpiece design, Westone put years of their research experience into design of these patented Star and True-Fit tips. Included were 5 pairs of Star silicone tips that conform naturally to different ear anatomy, with each pair distinguished by a different core color for an easy pair up. Also, 5 pairs of True-Fit memory foam eartips with a medium recovery property, not too soft or too springy to ensure the maximum seal and comfort when they expand inside of your earcanal. Earwax remover tool comes in handy to clean up narrow bore opening of these eartips.
Pelican style small “vault” storage case is also a part of Westone accessories tradition. It’s a durable, tight locking, small case that can survive a lot of stress, and it’s big enough to fit a pair of IEMs with EPIC cable. A thicker aftermarket cable might not fit, and you should be careful not to pinch the wires when closing it. This case is not exactly pocket friendly for everyday use, but it’s great when traveling on the road, thus musicians will find it quite useful.
The cable.
Keeping in mind that UM Pro series was originally designed for performing musicians, it makes sense Westone included a pair of audio only EPIC cable.
EPIC cable is thin, braided, lightweight, very flexible, featuring ultra-low resistance tensile wire design reinforced with aramid fiber. For a stock cable, it has a decent audio performance. The headphone connector is a standard 3.5mm gold plated plug with a molded plastic strain relief and a right-angle design that fits any DAP or smartphone even with a bulky case. The cable's y-splitter is molded rubbery plastic part with a strain relief by design of its shape and a nice chin slider. Memory portion of the cable toward the connector is not a rigid wire that needs to be reshaped after each case storage. It’s a pre-shaped flexible heat-shrink tube that fits comfortably over the ears.
Both earpieces have MMCX universal connectors, now featuring the improved next gen MMCX Audio connectors. I found them to have a more secure mating between the cable and the shell, and once connected the cable doesn’t rotate as freely. You do have to keep in mind that despite MMCX connection, Westone EPIC cable will only mate with Westone shells due to a lower profile of the connector. But any other universal MMCX cable will work perfectly with Westone IEMs.
Design.
I have always been a fan of Westone bean-shape shells. Regardless of UM Pro or W series, they are very compact, lightweight, and have a thin nozzle. With a right selection of eartips, these universal shells fit like a custom iem. That's why I think it was a bit of a risky move to change the design in the New UM Pro series, to fix something that wasn’t broken to begin with. But it wasn’t a complete brand-new design, since it was already introduced in AM Pro series. I assume those AM shells received enough of positive feedback to pave the way for Westone to consider implementing it in UM Pro v2 series as well.
After spending some time with it, I actually prefer now the ergonomics of the new shell design over the old one. And not just the design, but a new look with a semi-transparent gray inner side and fully transparent clear outer side. The shells are vertically a little taller, not the same bean shape as before. Instead, it’s slimmer and flatter, sitting flush in my concha area of the ear, with a more comfortable and secure fit. It’s still has a small diameter nozzle and compatible with all of their legacy eartips. Also, it features their next gen "MMCX Audio" type connector, already introduced in W80/ES80, AM Pro, and BT Cable, which enables a more robust and secure attachment of the cable to the connector socket of the shell.
Another design detail, new to UM Pro while actually being already implemented in AM Pro, is a color-coded inner shell plastic piece with orange (UM Pro 10), blue (UM Pro 20), green (UM Pro 30), and gray (UM Pro 50) insert. It’s a nice touch to distinguish the models, giving them some “personality”. Of course, when you have all the shells in front of you, it's easy to see how they vary in size.
New vs Old fit.
Individual Sound Analysis.
While Unboxing, Accessories, and The Cable sections were common across all 4 New UM Pro v2 models, each one has a different driver configuration and a sound tuning which I'm going to describe in details below.
UM Pro 10
Spec:
- Sensitivity: 114 dB SPL
- Impedance: 19 ohms
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 16 kHz
- Driver: Balanced armature, full-range
- Average soundstage expansion with an average imaging and sound positioning, in other words a more intimate soundstage.
- Due to a rolled off treble, the sound has less airiness which affects transparency and results in just an average layering and separation of the sound. It's not necessary congested, and as a matter of fact mids are clear and detailed, but it's just a neutral tuned IEM which is good for listening and monitoring of the sounds with a focus on mids, but not so much for analyzing the details of the sound.
- Very linear tuning with a neutral-warmish smooth tonality and a slightly mid-forward sound presentation.
- For a single BA driver, clarity is rather good. Don't expect micro-detailed level of detail retrieval, but you get a clear coherent tuning all the way from sub-bass to lower treble with a cutout around 10k which still captures a good definition of upper end.
- Bass extends down to sub-bass rumble which has a neutral quantity, and expect an average speed neutral quantity of mid-bass too. Bass is very linear, not super articulate or tight, more on a looser side, not overwhelming or spilling too much into lower mids.
- Lower mids are a little north of neutral, with a full body, not muddy or congested, upper mids are clear, smooth, more on a warmer side of neutral, very linear. As I mentioned before, the sound is not very layered or super detailed, but it's clear and detailed enough for vocals.
- Treble is also clear and well defined, but lacks airiness due to roll off after 10k, if you are looking for crisp sound with more treble energy, these are not it. Here we have a smooth non-fatigue relaxed treble presentation.
UM Pro 20
Spec:
- Sensitivity: 119 dB SPL
- Impedance: 27 ohms
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 18 kHz
- Driver: Dual balanced armature drivers with passive crossover
- Now, due to improved treble extension and more treble energy, the perception of soundstage expansion improved. It's still not a match for W-series wide staging, but it's a little wider then Pro 10.
- With twice as many BA drivers, when compared to UM Pro 10, now you have more sound tuning flexibility where you can distinctly hear the slam of mid-bass and the airy high definition sparkle of the treble, making sound to be more v-shaped tuned with an overall brighter tonality where mids presentation is pushed a little more back.
- The sound now has better retrieval of details, improvement in soundstage expansion which also has effect on imaging with better positioning of instruments, and improved layering and separation of the sounds in comparison to Pro 10. At the same time, the sound is not as coherent as Pro 10.
- Here, bass of Pro 20 goes deeper with more rumble and hits a little harder in comparison to Pro 10. Overall, bass is not as fast as you would expect from BA drivers, and instead it sounds more like a dynamic driver, having a slower attack and decay.
- Lower mids are warmer and a little north of neutral, but not by too much. Upper mids are clear and detailed, sounds natural, a little more revealing and better defined in comparison to Pro 10, and still sounds natural.
- Lower treble is where you have now more energy with extra crunch and more graininess. As a result, now you must be more careful about music selection because some poorly recorded songs sound a bit harsh and even a little sibilant.
- The tuning of Pro 20 is a little more fun now, due to its emphasis on bass (which is not overwhelming, just with a deeper extension) and a treble sparkle.
UM Pro 30
Spec:
- Sensitivity: 124 dB SPL
- Impedance: 56 ohms
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 18 kHz
- Driver: Three balanced armature drivers with three-way crossover
- W-shaped balanced tuning with emphasis on lows/mids/treble and a smooth natural tonality.
- More transparency and resolution when compared to Pro 10 and 20. Better retrieval of details as well, and overall sound is more dynamic and better layered. Definitely a noticeable step up from Pro 10 and 20, where Pro 30 will appeal to musicians/performers, consumers, and even some audiophiles on the go.
- Soundstage is still typical of UM Pro series, just a little above average, but not too wide. There is some improvement in staging depth, where it doesn't feel like you are sitting right in front of the stage, just a few rows back.
- There is definitely some emphasis on low end with a deep layer of warm sub-bass rumble and a faster mid-bass punch. The bass is faster and more articulate in comparison to Pro 20, and, also it has more control and better separation from lower mids.
- Lower mids are neutral, which creates a nice transitional separation from upper mids, while still contribute to an overall body of the sound. Upper mids have a slightly forward presentation, lots of details, not on a micro-detail level, but with plenty of clarity and natural type of tonality. I also hear some nice layering and separation, with more air between layers. Both male and female vocals sound very natural and realistic.
- Treble has nice extension, good definition, tastefully done sparkle without too much crunch, and also just enough of airiness to make treble less dry, like it was with original Pro 30. Treble improvement is one of the most noticeable differences when comparing UM Pro 30 v2 to its original version. That, and also improved layering and resolution of upper mids.
UM Pro 50
Spec:
- Sensitivity: 115 dB SPL
- Impedance: 45 ohms
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Driver: Five balanced armature drivers with three-way crossover.
- Pro 50 has a balanced sig with a laidback presentation of the sound, and a warmer lusher tonality. In comparison to the original Pro 50, the sound is leaner, more transparent, has more clarity and separation. While Pro 30 was a step up from 10/20, Pro 50 is an upgrade from Pro 30.
- Soundstage is the widest among all UM Pro models, and it also has a nice depth, with a sound being a few rows in front of you.
- The New UM Pro 50 definitely has some resemblance with New UM Pro 30, but the sound is more refined and has a different presentation of frequencies across the spectrum.
- Pro 50 sub-bass has a deep textured extension and an average speed mid-bass attack. Pro 50 bass has a little less quantity when compared to Pro 30, and overall it's more relaxed.
- Lower mids are neutral and leaner, creating a better separation and more contrast with a bass. Upper mids are smooth, organic, detailed, a little relaxed, and pushed slightly back. Pro 50 also steps up in quality of mids with more transparency and better layering of the sound.
- Treble has a great extension, sharper definition, plenty of sparkle and airiness, and still being non-fatigued.
- To my ears, the improvement of the New UM Pro 50 v2 over the original Pro 50 is rather noticeable, especially in upper mids and treble, making the new sound more resolving and more transparent.
Conclusion.
I have a feeling that after reading this review some might have a question, which UM Pro model is better? In reality, it would be hard to compare because they are designed and tuned for a different purpose. For example, UM Pro 10 and Pro 20 will probably appeal more to musicians who want the smallest and the most comfortable shells, as well as more coherent tuning for stage performance and monitoring, where Pro 10 has more focus on mids and Pro 20 has more focus on bass and treble with improved retrieval of details.
Pro 30 has a more consumer oriented tuning with a more balanced sound and emphasis on all 3 frequency bands. Plus, many will be happy with its "fun" tuned bass impact. For me personally, Pro 50 hits the sweet spot with a more balanced refined tuning in comparison to Pro 30, the widest soundstage expansion among all UM Pro models, and a more resolving and transparent sound. It won't overtake the W80 flagship, but for those who are on a budget and want audiophile quality performance, Pro 50 v2 blurs the lines between UM Pro and W series.
Either way, it's always nice to have choices, especially when it comes down to the sound signature, the driver configuration, and the price. And it also great to know that Westone will participate in the upcoming Feb 17-18 CanJam NYC where you can preview and audition the entire UM Pro, AM Pro, and W series, so you can hear it for yourself while using your own portable audio source to decide which model hits your sweet spot.
aiming to get them in some Pro Music stores soon.
