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, ($149.99, Amazon)

Spec:

• Sensitivity: 114 dB SPL
• Impedance: 19 ohms
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 16 kHz
• Driver: Balanced armature, full-range

– Small shells, great isolation with a right tip selection, features orange theme.

– 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.

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UM Pro 20, ($299.99, Amazon)

Spec:

• Sensitivity: 119 dB SPL
• Impedance: 27 ohms
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 18 kHz
• Driver: Dual balanced armature drivers with passive crossover

– Shells are just a little bit bigger than Pro 10, but still small and very comfortable, features blue theme.

– 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.

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UM Pro 30, ($399.99, Amazon)

Spec:

• Sensitivity: 124 dB SPL
• Impedance: 56 ohms
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 18 kHz
• Driver: Three balanced armature drivers with three-way crossover

– Shell is still compact and ergonomic, but now bigger than Pro 10 and 20, on par with Pro 50. Features a green theme.

– 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.

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UM Pro 50, ($649.99, Amazon)

Spec:

• Sensitivity: 115 dB SPL
• Impedance: 45 ohms
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Driver: Five balanced armature drivers with three-way crossover

– The shell is nearly the same size as Pro 30, being compact and very comfortable, and featuring a grey scheme.

– 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.