Recording - December 2016 - 34

Technology, currently patent pending. It does use an external vent of sorts, but
the folks at Westone described it to me at last year's NAMM show as being similar to a scale or a seesaw in reverse. Essentially, as one sound grows in volume, be it your in-ear mix or the external stage/audience sounds, the scale tips
gently in the direction of the loudest sound.
The AM Pro Series is based off the same designs as Westone's popular UM
Pro Series (last reviewed March 2014), but where U stands for Universal in that
series, the A stands for Ambience here. Currently there are three models: AM Pro
10, AM Pro 20, and AM Pro 30, with one, two, and three drivers respectively.

Westone AM Pro Series In-Ear Monitors

B Y PA U L V N U K J R .

A new approach to in-ear monitoring offers audience-friendly isolation
Westone has a long history of sticking things
in our ears. The Colorado-based firm got its
start back in 1959 making hearing aids, hearing devices for the military, and more. These
days, Westone is one of the most respected inear monitor companies in the world, with its
products used by touring professionals the
world over. This month we are looking at all 3
models in the new AM Pro Series.
The problem with in-ears
In the church where I work as a Technical
Director, we switched over to in-ear monitoring
vs. traditional floor wedges about 10 years
ago. I work weekly with a rotating cast of
musicians and singers, ranging from beginners
to touring professionals, and the most common
complaint I hear is, "I feel boxed in and disconnected from the other musicians and the
congregation/audience." This is why, when
you go to clubs or concerts, you will often see
singers performing with one in-ear dangling
out-which is very bad for your hearing-or
they will remove one or both in-ears when
interacting with the audience.
To solve that problem, many companies
offer solutions, such as ambience microphones in a separate external box or pack,
or adding onboard vents with or without electronic filtering. While the external microphone solution is similar to mixing in-room
mics, the onboard vent solution can compromise the isolation benefits of the in-ears; it
often leads to a more distant and thinner
sound, causing the user to crank the mix
louder... again courting hearing damage.
Jump on the Sled
To tackle this issue, Westone have come up
with an acoustical solution called SLED
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RECORDING DECEMBER 2016

I will get into more detail below, but first, here is what is common to all three AM
Pro Series models.
Each one is small and compact with bodies similar in size to their UM counterparts,
using the company's True-Fit Technology. They are low-profile and are designed to be
worn for long periods without ear fatigue, not just sonically but physically.
Each model comes with a detachable braided cable fitted with Westone's
MMCX Audio Connection ends. They snap into each in-ear piece and can be
easily replaced if damaged.
Internally the AM Pros use Westone's Balanced Armature Drivers which they
claim "are smaller and more efficient than traditional dynamic drivers." They
also use Acoustic Symmetry, meaning the response of each earpiece is
matched to a ±3 dB tolerance.
Each pair comes in a kit with a sturdy clear/orange plastic storage case, a
cleaning tool, and 10 pairs of earbuds in both rubber and foam tip styles. The
sizes of ear buds/sleeves range in size from petite up to Mongo! There is a
style and size for every ear, and they are color-coded to help find the matched
pairs easier. My favorites are the blue extra-long foam sleeves: they seal
incredibly and are quite comfortable.
AM Pro 10
The AM Pro-10 is the entry model of the line. It uses a single full-range balanced armature driver and is tinted in orange. It is the smallest and lowest profile
of the trio. Some specs: sensitivity 114 dB SPL @ 1 mW, frequency response 20
Hz-16 kHz, impedance 25 ohms @ 1 kHz, passive noise attenuation 12 dB.
Sonically the AM Pro 10 is the punchiest of the three, with a very defined mid
presence. While it is the most bass-shy of the line, it offers a nice punch and
much more midrange clarity than many competing single-driver units.
AM Pro 20
This model features dual balanced armature drivers with a passive crossover
and is tinted in blue. Specs: sensitivity 119 dB SPL @ 1 mW, frequency response
20 Hz-18 kHz, impedance 27 ohms @ 1 kHz, passive noise attenuation 12 dB.
I was instantly impressed by the low-end punch of the AM Pro 20; it may be
the best choice of bass players and keyboardists who like and need low end.
Like the AM Pro 10, it has mids that pop forward nicely, but with even more clarity and definition.
AM Pro 30
This is the current top of the AM Pro line, featuring three balanced armature
drivers with a three-way crossover. It is tinted in green. Specs: sensitivity 124 dB

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - December 2016