Go To Latest Video ReviewsUltimate Ears Begins Affordable Custom Moulds
| Author | Gordon Kelly |
| Published | 25th May 2009 |
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TrustedReviews NewslettersI suspected the Etymotic custom earphones range would signal the start of a - highly welcome - trend...
This month sees Logitech purchase Ultimate Ears also go down the more affordable bespoke route as it has launched a custom store offering moulded earplugs on its ue 4, 5, 7, 10 and 11 lines. Interestingly, a choice of three different plugs will be available with -9dB (ambient noise removal), -15dB (best in balanced environments) and -25bB (for very loud environments) filters all available.
"Custom Earplugs with acoustically tuned filters were developed so that you can be in loud environments yet still listen at a safer, more comfortable level," said the company. "The changeable filters lower the sound levels equally across all frequencies — a sonic equivalent of turning down the total volume level. And since Custom Earplugs reduce all of the frequencies evenly, they avoid the skewed, muffled sound effects common to over the counter earplugs."
Ultimate Ears has long been at the forefront of high end professional monitor moulds but this move does attempt to bring the service to a more mainstream audience. That said, pricing remains comparatively expensive with Ultimate Ears charging $170 (circa £106) a pair which makes it £16 more than the cost charged by Etymotic. Furthermore, Etymotic partner and fellow high end monitor and custom mould specialist ACS charges £90 to produce moulds for any model of earphones you care to name - including Ultimate Ears.
As yet Ultimate Ears hasn't confirmed its mainstream custom service in the UK, but given the pricing - and alternatives - we're not exactly wiping away the tears just yet...
Link:
UE Custom Earplugs
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Oliver Levett said on 25th May 2009
Gordon said on 26th May 2009
@Oliver - you're missing the point. The better fit the filter the more of the outside world that is blocked out and the quieter (and therefore better for yours ears) you can h... more
Gordon said on 26th May 2009
@Oliver - if you didn't follow the link from the story (linked from 'highly welcome') you may find this article an interesting read:
http://www.trustedreviews... more
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Umm... Why bother with the filters? Since it says it has an effect similar to turning down the volume, why not just turn down the volume?