Westone, maker of ear molds that are then used for earplugs for musicians and medical devices, also makes headphones--in a very similar business model to that of the venerable headphone/monitor company Ultimate Ears. The good news is that the company's UM1 Single Driver True Fit Earphones, a non-custom-fit in-ear model, are a great headphone set. We have very few gripes concerning the UM1, and none of them fall in the audio realm--listeners of a wide array of music should be pleased with these accurate, comfortable 'phones.
From a design standpoint, the Westone UM1 is an attractive set: A braided black cable that's about 48 inches long meets with transparent plastic for the jack and the earpieces. Not as attractive but plenty comfortable are the orange foam earpieces that expand to make a secure fit when placed in the ear. Unfortunately, the fit is not always completely secure, and listeners might find themselves occasionally fiddling with earpieces to get them to stay in place. Extra ear covers, a cleaning pick, and a sturdy black carrying case are included.
