Westone has launched the latest update of its Elite Series of high performance earphones designed by musicians specifically for music professionals and audiophiles.
Westone’s custom True-Fit technology provides the user with earpieces that are cast, sculpted and polished by hand from actual impressions of the individual’s ears, providing a comfortable fit and acoustic seal.
The E-Series features Westone’s proprietary balanced armature drivers, which the company says are more compact and efficient than traditional dynamic drivers. The ES10 features Westone’s latest single armature driver. The ES20/30/50 feature multiple balanced armature drivers with multistage crossover designs for sonic purity. The ES50 offers five masterfully tuned balanced armature drivers and a three-way crossover.
Other notable features of the E-Series custom fit in-ear monitors include a two material approach to the monitor design. It consists of a flex canal, a body temperature-reactive, semisoft earpiece canal additive that offers the user increased comfort and acoustic seal for incredible noise isolation, along with a cold-pour acrylic earpiece housing for increased durability and enclosure stability.
Westone’s Dual Bore technology allows for the IEM’s high and low frequency sound components to be channeled through separate passages in the sound port and sum within the user’s ear canal instead of the earpiece. This approach results in a more convincing and transparent transition between frequency ranges.
Each E-Series in-ear monitor is supplied with Westone’s EPIC cable constructed of bifurcated, high-flex, ultra-low resistance tinsel wire, reinforced with a special aramid fiber. The new EPIC cable is removable and attached to the IEM by a single connector allowing for use with other premium cables from Westone. Additional cables will include Apple MFI control and Android control cables, available in January. The E-Series faceplates can be customized with thousands of new colors, materials and design combinations through Westone’s online Custom Shop.
Unique options range from real abalone shell to sleek carbon fiber faceplates and personalized graphic designs offer the wearer a chance to express his or her rock-star style. Westone will be introducing additional materials for the new ES including exotic woods, laser engraving and additional carbon fiber selections.
“We’ve taken big steps with the E-Series that will be appreciated by our musician and audiophile fanbase,” said John F. Lowrey, vice president, Audio Group, Westone. “The new audiophile connector makes the cable solution conveniently user-removable, upgradeable and replaceable. We also enhanced the specialized “warm” sound signature Westone is known for. We consider the new ES50 the pinnacle for custom in-ear comfort and sound.”
Westone is also committed to the prevention and cure of hearing loss and will donate a portion of every audio product sold through 2014 to the Hearing Health Foundation.