The Westone MACH 50 and Pro X50 are very similar IEMs, differing mostly in tuning.
Both are low-profile in-ear monitors featuring five proprietary balanced-armature drivers. They use a 3-way passive crossover with one large bass driver, two drivers for the midrange, and two for the treble.
Like the rest of the Westone lineup, they have a very small housing and use Estron T2 cable connectors. The Pro X50 has a list price of around 649 USD, while the MACH 50 is currently listed at 819 USD. Prices can vary and sales are not uncommon, so it’s worth looking around a bit.
WESTONE PRO X50 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Low profile IEM
- Drivers: 5 balanced armature drivers
- 1 bass driver
- 2 midrange drivers
- 2 treble drivers
- Crossover: 3-way
- Impedance: 45 Ohms @1kHz
- Sensitivity: 115 dB/mW @1kHz
- Channel balance: +/- 2 dB
- Cable connector: estron T2
- Cable termination: 3.5mm angled
- Cable type: 1.27m Twisted Linum Bax T2 Detachable Cable in clear-white colour
- Nozzle diameter: 3 mm (outside) – Shure compatible
- Silicon and foam tips in 3 sizes each
- Impact resistant case, cloth pouch, cable band and cleaning tool
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Westone Pro X50
WESTONE MACH 50 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Low profile IEM
- Drivers: 5 balanced armature drivers
- 1 bass driver
- 2 midrange drivers
- 2 treble drivers
- Driver configuration: 1 bass, 2 mids, 2 highs
- Impedance: 32 Ohms @1kHz
- Sensitivity: 110dB/mW @1kHz
- Freq Response: 8Hz – 20kHz
- Cable length 127cm / 50 inches
- Cable: Linum® Estron SUPERBaX™
- Cable connectors: estron T2
- Cable termination: 3.5mm jack
- Nozzle diameter: 3 mm (outside) – Shure compatible
- Tips: 5 Pair Foam + 5 Pair Silicone
- Impact resistant Pelican™ Case, cloth pouch, cable band and cleaning tool
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: MACH 50
DESIGN AND BUILD
The MACH 50 and Pro X50 are very similarly built. They basically share the same shape and design principle. The MACH 50 is gray with a metal faceplate, while the Pro X50 is all clear plastic. The MACH 50 has a black cable, while the Pro X50 has a clear-white cable. The accessories differ slightly, but both come with a professional-grade storage and transport case that appears both shockproof and water-resistant. The Pro X50 comes with a smaller red case, while the MACH 50 comes with a larger black case. They both come with a cloth storage bag, a cleaning tool, and assorted tips.
As mentioned, both are very low profile and smaller than most in-ear monitors. Because they are so small, they are a bit fiddly to get into place, but they are very comfortable and extremely light. The Estron T2 connectors are very nice. They are compact and let the cable swivel freely.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Tips: Azla Crystal with adapters
Eye of the Day by Marta del Grandi
The difference is quite big. The MACH 50 is quite neutral and feels leaner and a tad brighter, compared to the Pro X50, which is richer and lusher, especially in the bass and mids.
Dancing in the Dark by Jørgen Dahl Moe
The Pro X50 is warm and lush, sounding very seductive and smooth. The MACH 50 is not quite as lush and warm, but still has a very delicate midrange, with less coloration and a slightly brighter tint.
In The Mountains by Espen Eriksen
The MACH 50 has a relatively modest bass presence and a smooth but clear piano. Nice dynamics, but not mind-blowing. The Pro X50 has markedly richer bass and sounds generally a bit warmer. Technicalities like details and imaging are relatively comparable, but the MACH 50 is better.
Sandermosen by Maridalen
The Pro X50 again has a rich bass and a warm, lush tone. It’s a very enjoyable and musical tuning. The MACH 50 is more neutral; there’s more articulate detail while still retaining a nice, smooth character.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
The MACH 50 sounds snappy and spacious. The vocals are smooth and delicate, but the bass presence is quite polite. The Pro X50 has thicker bass and lusher vocals.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
The Pro X50 isn’t terribly bassy; it’s quite balanced. The percussion isn’t dry and edgy, as it can be. Moving over to the MACH 50, the upper mids and percussion are brighter, and the bass is more polite, but the smoothness remains.
II. Allegro – de la Guerre – Destinées by Sophie de Bardonnèche
Both are smooth and warm leaning, the Pro X50 more so than the MACH 50.
Don’t Stay by Linkin Park
The Pro X50 is warm and lush. The bass isn’t huge but more present than with the MACH 50, which is brighter and crisper in direct comparison, even though by itself it’s quite smooth sounding, although generally neutral.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The Westone MACH 50 and Pro X50 are clearly tuned in different ways, but also clearly sound like they have much in common.
The Pro X50 is more bassy, lusher, and warmer. The bass isn’t extreme, but a bit more than neutral.
The MACH 50 is more neutral, with less bass presence and a relatively crisper tuning, yet still nicely smooth.
Treble
The treble might be the most similar. Both are detailed but also slightly laid-back and smooth.
Midrange
The midrange is smooth and natural sounding with both, but the Pro X50 is significantly lusher and warmer, where the MACH 50 is a bit crisper and brighter, relatively speaking.
Bass
The Pro X50 is not a bass monster, but it has a clear, if not excessive, bass elevation. The MACH 50 aims for neutrality.
Both have nice quality bass, although they are not exceptional for the price compared to certain other IEMs with larger housings and drivers.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage size is somewhat comparable, but the MACH 50 might sound a bit more expansive. It also has better imaging, helped by its more neutral and slightly brighter sound signature.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The MACH 50 comes across as more detailed sounding, probably more because of the tuning than the quality of the drivers. The Pro X50 has a good detail level, but it delivers detail in a much lusher manner. The MACH 50 has a more articulate detail presentation, although it’s still quite smooth in absolute terms.
They are both quite comparable in terms of dynamics.
The timbre is of course a bit different. I think both sound natural, but they’re different. As mentioned, the Pro X50 is consequently warmer and lusher across the board. The MACH 50 is cleaner and brighter, while still being quite smooth in absolute terms.
CONCLUSION
The MACH 50 and Pro X50 are excellent sounding IEMs from Westone that share a similar low-profile design housing. Both are very small, but the Pro X50 is the smallest.
They have distinctly different tunings. The MACH 50 is “smoothly neutral” , while the Pro X50 has more bass and a lusher midrange. If you want neutrality and to more easily pick out detail, the MACH 50 is better. If you want a warmer and richer sound, the Pro X50 is the one.
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- Amazon: MACH 50
- Amazon: Westone Pro X50
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