So Brian thanks that's kinda cool.
I looked into those also, but had concerns using this system in an active environment.
Do the phones stick out of yer ear? Can they be used under helmets and toques?
I like the choices of attenuation.
BUT here's what I'm getting into:
http://www.livewiresforyou.com/So apparently everyone uses the drivers made by Knowles. The fellas (a hearing guy and a music guy) noticed that the most expensive drivers Knowles makes cost $8.50. They figured with the existing pricing models they can slide in much cheaper with essentially the same product and reach a whole other layer of customers (like me) who aren't ready to drop a grand on some phones (but want to).
There's a difference in design: the other companies use a little chamber to mix the sound before piping it to yer ears, where these guys use your uh, ear cavity to do this mixing by piping each driver independently to your uh, ear cavity. They figure this removes some phasing issues the competition has.
Reviewers are comparing them to Sensaphonics from their subjective viewpoints, which suits me fine, as per above review.
I exchanged some emails, and liked what I thought were some candid answers.
Coupla excerpts:
> Growing pains? Good question...really. Like many start-ups, we
> are challenged to project anticipated sales and order an appropriate number of
> components.
<snip>
> Our driver manufacturer, Knowles Acoustics, has a very structured
> manufacturing system in place in Malaysia that does not offer us large swings
> in anticipated needs. We also have started this company pretty much on scotch
> tape and paper clips, so yeah, I guess you could say we've had growing pains.
<snip>
> We do know, however, that we are building as good an in-ear monitor as there is
> available anywhere in the world and we feel our pricing brings into play an
> entire new consumer group that would have never spent 600-800 dollars for a
> custom in-ear product.
<snip>
> we intend to be here for the long run with future offerings that will keep us
> in the forefront of custom in-ear audio products.
bobbygeewow says:
<snip>
you don't mind me quoting you out of context when you stated you
"started this company pretty much on scotch" do you?
John says:
> Did I say 'scotch'
Meant to say Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sorry for the
> confusion.
Regardless, they are bound to sound at least comparable to what I use today, with the benefit of in-earness and attenuation.
I have plenty of patience for a coupla guys working afterhours in a garage to get a cool new thing going, and any foibles they may encounter.
(Not that I know this about them, but I can hack it if it goes that way.)
So for a laugh I'm going for it - and get to beat Nick the Professional Early Adopter to market!!!!