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Real World Gear: In Ear Monitors
Moving Forward with a Hybrid Approach
An expert view on
IEM and hearing
Enrolling in “IEM 101”
Westone Laboratories www.westone.com/music
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Model: UM1
U.S. list price: $99
Sensitivity: 114 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 25 ohms
Driver: Single armature
Color: Beige, brown, black, clear
Features: Replaceable yellow foam tips
Ear fit: Universal
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Model: UM2
U.S. list price: $329
Sensitivity: 119 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 27 ohms
Driver: Dual armatures & passive crossover
Color: Clear
Features: Replaceable foam “Comply Canal” tips, carrying
case
Ear fit: Universal
Model: ES1 Elite
U. S. list price: $375
Sensitivity: 114 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 25 ohms
Driver: Single armature
Color: Clear, beige, brown
Features: Replaceable cable, one year warranty
Ear fit: Custom
Model: ES2 Elite
U.S. list price: $650
Sensitivity: 119 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 27 ohms
Driver: Dual armatures
Color: Clear, beige, brown
Features: Replaceable cable, one year warranty
Ear fit: Custom
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Model: ES2 Ambient
U.S. list price: $700
All specifications same as ES2 except that for hole that allows ambient
noise in on purpose.
Model: ES2b Elite
U.S. list price: $750
Sensitivity: 119 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 27 ohms
Driver: Triple armatures (dual low - single high)
Color: Clear, beige, brown - light, medium, dark
Features: Replaceable cable, one year warranty
Ear fit: Custom
Note: Additional bass driver
Model: ES3 Elite
U.S. list price: $800
Sensitivity: 124 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 25 ohms
Driver: Triple armatures (low - mid - high)
Color: Beige or other skin tones
Features: Only true 3-way earpiece on the market
Ear fit: Custom fit, open mouth impressions past second bend
of ear canal required
Note: The 3-way is designed to add clarity to the mids and to
push the high end a little bit more. New product introduced 12/03.
Mark Herman adds: Westone offers a very cool eye-catching
option from their unique Custom Art Shop. For $75 a pair, the Elite
Series models can be customized from a very wide selection of colors
and wild artwork designs. Due to its longstanding position as a leader
in the hearing aid industry,
Westone has a very large national network of thousands of hearing healthcare
providers that can provide custom molds just about anywhere. Soft plastic
models were released in 2003. The actual components in the new models
are now embedded in an air bubble that gives the earpiece better protection.
Future Sonics www.stagemonitors.com
Model: EM3
U.S. list price: $159 ($143 on-line)
Sensitivity: 118 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 32 ohms
Driver: Dynamic
Color: Medium beige
Features: Foam sleeves in two sizes provided, custom sleeve option
available.
Ear fit: Universal
Notes: Also packaged with Sennheiser Evolution 300 wireless system
Model: Ear Monitors®
U.S. list price: $798
Sensitivity: 118 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 35 ohms
Driver: FSI MG4 dynamic
Colors: Beige, brown, medium brown, black, red, blue; custom
colors and designs available
Features: Tunable bass port, replaceable cable, soft or firm
canals available
Ear fit: Custom
Marty Garcia of Future Sonics says: “We use a dynamic
driver. In our experience, performers tend to turn up their volume to
get more bass response. With armature configurations, the increase in
volume causes more of the high frequencies to get louder and, in our
experience; the bass does not follow in these armature configurations.
This may be ok for some end users but Future Sonics prefers the bass
to be as dynamic as the rest of the frequencies. In addition, it is
easier on the chip amplifiers used in most wireless delivery systems
to cut the bass rather then add it. High frequencies take very little
energy from an amplifier to add where you may need it most.”
Sensaphonics www.sensaphonics.com
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Model: ProPhonic IV
U.S. list price: $650
Sensitivity: 106 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 27 ohms
Driver: Single, wide band armature
Color: Tan / brown
Features: Flat response, completely modular (mold, driver, cable)
Ear fit: Universal and/or modular custom
Notes: The first earpiece to use balanced armature technology
(1992). Frequency response is flat when measured in a Zwislocki (.5cc)
coupler, the normal volume of an ear canal with a mold placed in it.
The flat response curve (20 Hz to 16 kHz) includes a smooth peak at
3.2 kHz to compensate for the lost resonant peak of the ear canal that
results from inserting an ear mold in the canal, i.e., the Pro IV has
a flat response that is an equivalent to a diffuse field response before
sound enters the canal.
Model: ProPhonic 2X-S
U.S. list price: $750
Sensitivity: 109 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 27 ohms
Drivers: Armature (single low – single high)
Color: Clear and multiple colors
Features: Super soft silicone, moisture resistant, highly durable
Teflon cable
Ear fit: Custom
Notes: The ProPhonic 2X-S is the first and only all silicone
earpiece made in the same material as our musician’s earplugs.
The extra soft silicone material is moisture resistant for those who
perspire heavily during shows and the softness of the material allows
for dramatic jaw movement without a break in the acoustic seal. Maximum
bass response by coupling the device to the bony portion of the ear
canal. The Teflon cable, selected for its small but durable properties,
is the same used for NASA and Indy Racing League.
Mark Herman adds: Sensaphonics brings more to the table
besides earpiece models. Founder and Audiologist Michael Santucci, provides
expertise on hearing safety and safe use of this technology. A national
network of audiologists who have attended classes on inear monitoring
at the Sensaphonics facility is available for expert ear impressions
and advice on the specific hearing related issues of musicians and engineers.
Sensaphonics and its audiologists use probe mic technology that measures
sound levels in the ear while using the earphone monitor so that clients
can be directed to safe use. The customer service department keeps ear
impressions on file for one year in case of loss or damage while on
the road.
Shure www.shure.com
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Model: E3
U.S. List Price: $179
Sensitivity: 115 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 26 ohms @ 1 kHz
Driver: Single armature
Color: Gray
Ear fit: Universal, foam, rubber flex, triple-flange sleeves
and custom
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Model: E2
U.S. List Price: $159
Sensitivity: 105 dB @ 1 mW
Impedance: 16 ohms @ 1 kHz
Driver: Single dynamic
Color: Clear
Features: Sleeve options for the E2 include foam and rubber-flex
sleeves, each available in three different sizes to accommodate a variety
of users
Ear fit: Custom sleeves available
Notes: Utilizes a resonating chamber behind the driver to accomplish
low frequency response without the need for ports. This chamber accounts
for the somewhat larger size (compared to E1) of the E2, but with the
advantage of a true isolating earpiece at a lower cost.
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Model: E5
U.S. list price: $499
Sensitivity: 122 dB @ 1mW
Impedance: 110 ohms @ 1 kHz
Driver: Dual armature (single low - single high)
Color: Clear
Ear fit: Foam, rubber flex, triple-flange sleeves and custom
ULTIMATE EARS www.ultimateears.com
Ultimate’s frequency response is given because they use a
valid reference point.
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Model: UE-10 Pro
U.S. list price: $900
Sensitivity: 119 dB @ 1 mW
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 16 kHz, +/- 3 dB
Impedance: 13.3 ohms
Driver: Triple (dual low-single high) armature: UE proprietary
low impedance extended high frequency balanced armature
Color: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls
Features: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige,
brown or black), engraved carrying case
Ear fit: Custom
Notes: Proprietary surface mount crossover network. The first
earpiece to have a 20 Hz to 16 kHz (at +/- 3 dB) truly useable frequency
response. The new high-frequency driver has extended response out to
16 kHz. Available in “full-soft” material.
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Model: UE-7 Pro
U.S. list price: $850
Sensitivity: 124 dB @ 1 mW
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 13 kHz, +/- 3 dB (13 kHz to 16 kHz,
+/- 7 dB)
Impedance: 17.5 ohms
Driver: Triple armature (dual low-single high)
Color: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls
Features: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige,
brown or black), engraved carrying case
Ear fit: Custom
Notes: Available in “full-soft” material.
Model: UE-Hybrid
U.S. list price: $800
Sensitivity: 119 dB @ 1 mW
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 800 Hz, 0 dB to + 8 dB (800 Hz to
16 kHz, +/- 3 dB)
Impedance: 25 ohms
Driver: Single low UE diaphragm with tuned enclosure & single
high armature.
Color: Skin tone, custom color or two color swirl at no charge
Features: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige,
brown or black), engraved carrying case
Ear fit: Custom
Notes: The first of its kind earpiece utilizing a dynamic diaphragm
low driver combined with a high frequency armature. With only 10 dB
to 12 dB of isolation this earpiece offers the rich low-frequency response
of the diaphragm speaker combined with the mids and highs of the armature.
Now you can have the best of both worlds.
| Take Care! A few simple guidelines that can greatly increase the life span of IEM earpieces: • Wipe with a soft cloth after each use. • Prevent strong impacts (try not to drop and smash). • Do not use the cord to remove the earpiece from your ear. This may damage the wire. • Do not expose to temperature extremes (don’t store in the fridge or get near a heated-up grill). • Never immerse in water. • Do not use anything to probe into the earpiece except a wax loop-cleaning tool. • To remove excess earwax carefully insert the wax loop into the end of the earpiece, allow the loop to loosen, and then lift the wax out. • Store in the provided case. |
Model: UE-5 Ambient
U.S. list price: $800
Sensitivity: 122 dB @ 1 mW
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 12 kHz, +/- 3 dB (depending on ambient
filter)
Impedance: 27 ohms
Driver: Dual (single high - single low)
Color: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls at
no charge
Features: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige,
brown or black), engraved carrying case
Ear fit: Custom
Notes: Includes -2.5 dB, -5 dB, -12 dB and -26 dB replaceable
and interchangeable filters that allow the user the ability to hear
and control external ambient noise without the typical feeling of isolation
experienced in a traditional sealed earpiece. Available in “full-soft”
material.
Model: UE-5 Pro
U.S. list price: $700
Sensitivity: 122 dB @ 1 mW
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 13 kHz, +/- 3 dB, (13 kHz to 16
kHz, +/- 7 dB)
Impedance: 27 ohms
Driver: Dual (single low - single high)
Color: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls at
no charge
Features: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige,
brown or black), engraved carrying case
Ear fit: Custom
Notes: The original dual driver earpiece on the market. Available
in “full soft” material. Wax removal tool, dehumidifiers,
4-ounce disinfectant spray bottle, engraved carrying case also available.
Moving Forward with a Hybrid Approach
An expert view on IEM and hearing
Enrolling in “IEM 101”
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