Westone

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Westone is a leading manufacturer of hearing healthcare products and high-end earphones (sometimes referred to as canalphones), otherwise known as in-ear monitors (IEMs), used by professional musicians and audiophiles. Westone is the world's largest manufacturer of custom-made products for the ear.

Westone logo

1 Background
2 Products
3 Affiliations
4 External links

[edit] Background

Westone Laboratories, Inc. was established in 1959 by Ron Morgan, Sr. in the family cabin outside of Divide, Colorado, USA. Westone gradually grew from a small family business to a market leader in the hearing healthcare industry. Westone is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with satellite manufacturing facilities located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Renton, Washington. Westone's current president is Lynn Kehler.

[edit] Products

Westone manufactures and sells custom earpieces for the hearing healthcare market, hearing protection products, custom communications earpieces, clinical and audiological supplies, musicians hearing protection and in-ear monitors for professional musicians and discriminating audiophiles.

In-Ear Monitors for Pro Musicians / High-end Earphones for Audiophiles

Westone was one of the pioneers in the development of in-ear monitors (IEMs) for professional musicians and earphones for audiophiles (e.g., iPod users). Westone currently has two different ranges of in-ear monitors, the Universal Series (UM1 and UM2) and the Elite Series (ES2 and ES3). The single driver UM1 and dual driver UM2 are targeted toward serious audiophiles and amateur musicians, while the custom fit Elite Series IEMs are targeted mainly toward professional musicians.

A Pair of Westone UM1 earphones with universal-fit Comply eartips.

Currently, the Elite Series has three models, the ES1, ES2 and ES3. The Universal Series has two models, the UM1 and UM2.

[edit] Affiliations

Westone is one of the world's largest manufacturers of custom fit earpieces. The Company's earpieces are used for hearing healthcare, recreation, industrial and military applications. Westone's core business is custom earpieces for hearing healthcare (i.e., used in conjunction with hearing aids), but it has significant market presence in the professional musician and audiophile market. Westone originally designed and manufactured the E1 for Shure, another maker of high-end audio equipment. Westone also co-developed and manufactured the early Ultimate Ears brand in-ear monitors.