October 29, 2004 Ultimate Ears in-ear monitors are small, bi-amplified multi-armature speakers encased in a custom, comfortable, proprietary ear-mold. The products reduce external noise and preserve the entire frequency range of audio input, unlike off-the-shelf generic earpieces. At US $900 for the top of the line UE-10 Pro model (almost twice the price of a 40GB i-Pod) it may seem expensive for an earpiece, but Ultimate Ears are hand crafted for your ear from an imprint made by an audiologist and offer unparalleled sound quality backed up by a personalized frequency response measurement test.
Developed especially for professional musicians and sound engineers, they are now available to audiophiles and the like for the first time, bringing you the same world class sound quality that musicians and engineers currently enjoy. Their clientele list reads like a Who’s Who of the music industry, with names like U2, the Rolling Stones, the Beastie Boys, Madonna and Herbie Hancock all leading by example. In all, more than 50 Grammy nominees and more than 500 live performers, engineers and performance venues now use the Ultimate Ears product, which has changed the entire way that the music industry monitors sound over the last six years.
Jerry and Mindy Harvey are the founders of the Las Vegas-based Ultimate Ears. Working with a qualified audiologist or hearing aid specialist from their offices, Mindy and Jerry Harvey make an exact imprint of each client's ear and infuse their state-of-the-art audio technology into each mold. Most importantly, Ultimate Ears fit securely in your ears and are more comfortable during use than generic earpieces. A precise fit is a must to deliver excellent sound quality and offer the best possible hearing protection.
Over the last five years, in-ear monitors have all but replaced "wedge monitors" - speakers which sat on stage feeding performers live sound. Jerry Harvey led this trend by creating in ear monitors for Van Halen when he worked as the band's sound engineer. At the time, existing earpieces offered unacceptable sound quality, so Jerry hit the drawing boards to create his first prototype. Soon, their product was being used by the biggest names in the recording industry and today, the company is considered the premier provider of in-ear monitors, enjoying a 70% market share in the ear-monitoring industry.
UE-10 PRO Ear Monitors
Their latest model, the UE-10, offers the widest frequency response of any in-ear monitor on the market. The UE-10 boasts a triple-driver design with a proprietary surface mount crossover to optimise audio performance. Each is shipped with a serialized printout of its individual frequency response.
The UE-10 Pro is the first earpiece to have a 20Hz to 16k (1 or – 3db) truly useable frequency response. The new high frequency driver has extended frequency response out to 16k with no EQ. Sonically the UE-10 Pro is the most accurate earpiece available. That combined with the low frequency headroom of the dual low frequency armatures makes this earpiece a must for any application, especially ear monitor systems that do not offer the high frequency boost options.
While this earpiece is designed for “professional” applications, it is just as well suited for use with an i-Pod, DVD, MP3 players and other devices for use on the stage, in the studio or on the move. The custom fit allows -26db of isolation or “passive noise-cancellation” and the utmost in comfort. Designed to withstand all the rigors of a live performance it performs flawlessly during a workout, jogging or other situations where sweat is a factor.
Model: UE-10 ProU.S. list price: $900Sensitivity: 119 dB @ 1 mWFrequency Response: 20 Hz to 16kHz, +/- 3 dBImpedance: 13.3 ohmsDriver: Triple armature (dual low, single high): UE proprietary low impedance extended high frequency balanced armatureColor: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls at no chargeFeatures: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige, brown or black), engraved carrying caseEar Fit: CustomNotes: Proprietary surface mount crossover network. The first earpiece to have 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.
Model: UE-7 ProU.S. list price: $850Sensitivity: 124 dB @ 1 mW Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 13 kHz, +/- 3 dB (13 kHz to 16 kHz, +/- 7 dB)Impedance: 17.5 ohmsDriver: Triple armature (dual low, single high)Color: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls at no chargeFeatures: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige, brown or black), engraved carrying caseEar Fit: CustomNotes: Available in “full-soft” material.
Model: UE-HybridU.S. list price: $800Sensitivity: 119 dB @ 1 mWFrequency 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 armatureColor: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls at no chargeFeatures: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige, brown or black), engraved carrying caseEar Fit: CustomNotes: 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.
Model: UE-5 AmbientU.S. list price: $800Sensitivity: 122 dB @ 1 mWFrequency Response: 20 Hz to 12 kHz, +/- 3 dB (depending on ambient filter)Impedance: 27 ohmsDriver: Dual armature (single low, single high)Color: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls at no chargeFeatures: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige, brown or black), engraved carrying caseEar Fit: CustomNotes: 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 ProU.S. list price: $700Sensitivity: 122 dB @ 1 mWFrequency Response: 20 Hz to 13 kHz, +/- 3 dB, (13 kHz to 16 kHz, +/- 7 dB)Impedance: 27 ohmsDriver: Dual armature (single low, single high)Color: Clear, skin tone, custom color or two color swirls at no chargeFeatures: Replaceable 46-inch or 64-inch cable (clear, beige, brown or black), engraved carrying caseEar Fit: CustomNotes: The first 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.
