Pity the poor earphone user, putting up with enclosed headphones the
size of canned hams, open-air models that rob the music of its dynamic
range, and ear buds that fall out if one so much as glances to the side.
Fortunately, these private mini-speakers are reaching a new stage of
evolution, thanks to companies like Las Vegas-based Ultimate Ears. The company's range of in-ear headphones aren't
cheap (they start at an ear-popping $500), but if you use earphones in
your profession--as a performer, public speaker, or otherwise--they
could be a crucial upgrade to what you have now. You've seen them, or
products like them, if you've been to very many concerts--a number of
singers have the almost-invisible custom-molded earphones in place so
they don't have to rely on stage monitors to hear the band.
The earphones are handcrafted from inner-ear impressions made by an
audiologist. As a result, they fit as snugly as can be, and while
delivering top-notch sound, they block out all extraneous noise.
The secret of Ultimate Ears' great sound is a dual-driver design that
delivers high and low frequencies through the same speaker and letting
them mingle-as opposed to the single midrange frequency that most
earphones provide. The frequency response range of 20Hz to 16kHz, and
the 119dB sensitivity range, means you get hi-fi results at low volumes,
and no distortion when you crank it up--and they go loud.
If you've seen the gyrating dancers in iPod commercials, you know darn
well that earbuds won't stay in place with all that thrashing. But with
a custom-molded set like those made by Ultimate Ears, you can head-bang
to your heart's content with no risk of losing the music.
