Westone
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- See also: Westone (guitars)
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Westone is a 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.
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[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 under the leadership of Morgan's son, Randy. Westone is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with satellite manufacturing facilities located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Westone's current president is Lynn Kehler, who was appointed to the position after the death of Randy Morgan.
[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 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 (ES1, ES2 and ES3). The single driver UM1 and dual driver UM2 are targeted toward audiophiles and amateur musicians, who use them for on-stage monitoring. The custom fit Elite Series IEMs, namely the ES1, ES2 and ES3, are targeted mainly toward professional musicians. A new universal model, the Westone 3, is in the pipeline and is expected to be released soon. The Westone3 will be the first true 3-way universal fit earphone on the market aimed at the personal listening/audiophile markets.
[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 and E5 for Shure, another maker of high-end audio equipment. Westone also co-developed and manufactured the early Ultimate Ears brand in-ear monitors.
