[PsiCore]

Hopefully Westone won't go the Shure route with another 1k$ universal IEM. A UM3X successor? Sure, why not - if they add more clarity in the highs this could be a great IEM.

 

[xaddictionx]

Yup. Hopefully it's not a $1k+ but a TOTL IEM that is able to compete well against those $1k IEMs. A successor to the UM3X will be really amazing.

 

[Macgirl]

Press Release this morning announcing the Pro series.
 
UM Pro 10 is available with a MSRP of $179.99, UM Pro 20 for $299.99 and UM Pro 30 for $399.99 through authorized dealers

 

[outmywindow]

Well I just got finished reading through the press release, and to be quite honest I feel like this is a product refresh with a new cable system (the mmcx connector) rather than it being a completely new product in terms of its sound. That said the new colors do look appealing..

 

[xaddictionx]

By Westone Press Release:

Westone Introduces the UM Pro Series IEMs
Westone, the leader in high performance audio and in-ear monitoring technology, announces the availability of the UM Pro Series headphones. The UM Pro Series 10, 20 and 30 are the next generation of the acclaimed Westone UM Series and bring superior sound for the stage or studio. Each unit is individually hand-crafted in Colorado Springs, USA. The UM Pro 10 is ideal for on-stage monitoring for any level of musician, the UM Pro 20 is ideal for on-stage monitoring for drummers, vocalist and bass players, and the UM Pro 30 is the reference product for on-stage monitoring and home or studio recording.

With Westone True-Fit technology, Westone combines 50+ years experience with in-ear applications that has yielded a low-profile, lightweight, universal earpiece which delivers maximum comfort and in-ear coupling for dynamic music monitoring. UM Pros are meticulously built by a staff of dedicated artisans and lab technicians. Westone's USA products exhibit a level of craftsmanship that truly embodies America's rich history of handmade artistry. The UM Pro exemplifies the best in sound and fit available on the market today.



By combining multiple balanced armature drivers with sophisticated crossover networks, UM Pro 20 and 30 monitors provide enhanced sonic detail and frequency range that extend well beyond typical in-ear solutions. All UM Pro Series models feature Westone's robust EPIC replaceable cable, constructed of high-flex, ultra-low resistance tensile wire, reinforced with a special aramid fiber, and braided for ultimate durability, acoustic transparency, and isolation from mechanical cable noise. The new audiophile connector makes this cable solution conveniently user-removable, upgradeable and replaceable.

Westone UM Pro Series features:
EPIC replaceable cable with Up & Over cable routing helps prevent microphonics and keeps the earphone securely in place. The patented STAR and True-Fit Tips come in multiple sizes and give a personalized fit ensuring the best comfort.
UM Pro 10: single balanced armature delivers extraordinary detail and clarity in a compact ergonomic package.
UM Pro 20: a professional tool with a dual driver balanced armature design with passive crossover that has the range and raw output for any stage condition.
UM Pro 30: unmatched sound signature tuned for performing artists by artists, the three-way crossover is matched to individual low, mid, and high frequency drivers to make the sound mix smooth and balanced across all frequencies.
"It's a great time to be a Westone enthusiast, especially with all the new products we will be introducing throughout the year. The UM Pro Series is the latest in high performance earphones, designed & engineered for live music and proudly built in the USA," said John F. Lowrey, Vice President, Audio Group at Westone. "The UM Pro Series represents superior sound performance and fit that showcase the detail and clarity of the music."

Included with Universal UM Pro Series are Westone's patented STAR silicone tips, True-Fit foam tips, wax removal tool and mini-monitor vault. The UM Pro Series are all available in clear and the UM Pro 10 is also available in red, and blue colors.

UM Pro 10 is available with a MSRP of $179.99, UM Pro 20 for $299.99 and UM Pro 30 for $399.99 through authorized dealers.

 

[jelt2359]

Well I just got finished reading through the press release, and to be quite honest I feel like this is a product refresh with a new cable system (the mmcx connector) rather than it being a completely new product in terms of its sound. That said the new colors do look appealing..

Agreed. But is this um3x or w3 refresh? The colors and the shell design look like w3, the name seems to suggest um3x

 

[xaddictionx]

Agreed. But is this um3x or w3 refresh? The colors and the shell design look like w3, the name seems to suggest um3x

Seems like a repackage of the UM series?

 

[jant71]

Quote:

Agreed. But is this um3x or w3 refresh? The colors and the shell design look like w3, the name seems to suggest um3x

The W3 was a personal listening phone. This seems to be the UM's redone so it would be the UM3X.
 
Lot of marketing speak. I like that it is an "new audiophile connector".Yep, everyone knows how the pin connectors just weren't audiophile but Westone has the answer. Or maybe they are implying that Logitech and Shure's are crappy MMCX  but what they use are audiophile
 
Wasn't the UM1 an MSRP $119 or $139 phone. So, this gave them a chance to up the price a bit. Maybe okay if it is worth it. Earsonics SM1 was $149 but at least it is a single output dual. Better be improved sound-wise. Adding a detachable cable isn't enough esp. when Shure and Earsonics lower models already had them.
 
Can't say that it looks any more than a 50/50 shot it is just a repackage/slight tweek. Very much a wait and see for me. The new improved UM3X? I know many people are waiting for just that. I guess we'll see!

 

[Deviltooth]

I'd hope they would take advantage of newly available balanced armatures and retune the monitors.  If the only difference is the cable and colours the release is a lot less interesting.  I'll be curious to read the reviews, especially those written by people who owned the previous iterations.

 

[outmywindow]

I agree with everything you said to be honest. If this product line release does not have any retuning done to the BA drivers used, or if they don't use new iterations of the specific drivers that they use, then its a lost chance to leapfrog Shure and the others who seem to be on the move these days.

 

[iamdacow]

Subbed

 

[jelt2359]

The W3 was a personal listening phone. This seems to be the UM's redone so it would be the UM3X.

Lot of marketing speak. I like that it is an "new audiophile connector".Yep, everyone knows how the pin connectors just weren't audiophile but Westone has the answer. Or maybe they are implying that Logitech and Shure's are crappy MMCX  but what they use are audiophile

Wasn't the UM1 an MSRP $119 or $139 phone. So, this gave them a chance to up the price a bit. Maybe okay if it is worth it. Earsonics SM1 was $149 but at least it is a single output dual. Better be improved sound-wise. Adding a detachable cable isn't enough esp. when Shure and Earsonics lower models already had them.

Can't say that it looks any more than a 50/50 shot it is just a repackage/slight tweek. Very much a wait and see for me. The new improved UM3X? I know many people are waiting for just that. I guess we'll see!

Normally Id say that press releases are the very definition of marketing speak so this is no surprise, but it worries me they've had no real innovation to talk about. Even shure talked about the four years of r&d that went into the 846s.

 

[xaddictionx]

Normally Id say that press releases are the very definition of marketing speak so this is no surprise, but it worries me they've had no real innovation to talk about. Even shure talked about the four years of r&d that went into the 846s.

Ya. Same sentiments here. Seems like they did not mention much on any new innovations or tunings except for the cable change.

 

[fluffyberry]

i wonder what caused the price bump? could it be the new drivers, or the different tuning
sry still a clueless earphone noob

 

[meat01]

Could be to pay for the engineering cost of the new drivers/molds/cable.  It could be building the new tooling for the new cable and molds.