Hi Guys,
I got a very speed response from the team at Minerva today with quite an encouraging response to my question on specs/drivers etc. It's a very encouraging to get a response with some detail so quickly (not to mention the reply came from someone with MSc after their name!?!?!)
I'm very tempted... although there is something about buying an unknown brand that makes me very nervous. Then again they are exceptional value for money for a full silicone option!
Anyway, I thought I'd share:
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[size=11pt]Thanks for your enquiry.[/size]
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[size=11pt]Sorry about the lack of reviews online, it is something we are working on at the minute but this can take a while. I've attached a pdf with some feedback we've had from previous customers.[/size]
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[size=11pt]The drivers we use are balanced armature transducers that are manufactured by a company called Sonion, one of the two sources of this type of speaker and standard among the IEM industry. You can find spec sheets for the transducers
here. However anyone can pick a few transducers, put them in a custom earpiece and get an “okish” sound; most of our development of the Mi-2 and Mi-3 in the last 2 years has been focused on getting the crossover circuitry for the transducers right, refining the placement of the transducers and smoothing the frequency response with the use of sound dampers. The finished products give very detailed and neutral sounds, with powerful, capabale bass, very detailed high end and smooth mids. This is along with the comfort and noise reduction that comes from a well fitted custom earpiece.[/size]
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[size=11pt]I noticed you have a .nz e-mail address; if you live outside the UK you will need to arrange to have your own impressions taken, although I can help you find a suitable audiologist for this.[/size]
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[size=11pt]I hope this helps, if you need any more information or have any more questions please let me know[/size]
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Attached to the reply was also this lit of references they have from existing customers (the file was names 'references for website' so I guess they just haven't uploaded them yet).
Testimonials
"Hi Lee how's it going? I got my monitors today, and I had to email you to tell you how awesome
they are!
Takes a bit of getting used to, and a little bit of fiddling, but once they've warmed up and you've got
the hang of putting them in and taking them out it's great.
The isolation is fantastic too. Playing the laptop/mp3 at half the volume of what I used to is still
more than loud enough!
Can't thank you enough for helping me out and answering my questions, looking forward to trying
these out at a gig. No doubt I'll be back for a pair of MI-3's in a couple of years."
Chris Murphy - Mi-2
“I can’t tell you how happy I was during and after the gig. The sound was so good. It was a such a joy
to be able to hear everyone and myself at a comfortable level and with the transparent finish I have
on mine they are very discreet.”
“Overall for £190 I feel they are a steal! If they were stolen, lost or broken I would definitely order
another pair.”
Rob, (Mi-1 Customer)
“We recently had a bike trip to Spain and found the earplugs fantastic. When in the bike for so many
hours, every day for a week, having comfortable equipment is a must. The earplugs were so
comfortable I sometimes forgot I was wearing them!”
Mark Davies, Innovation Manager, Department for Economy & Transport (BikePlugs Customer)
“Received my in-ears this morning, they work brilliantly. Just want to say thanks for the great service
and quick turnaround on my order! 5 star service!”
Jack Howson (Mi-1 Customer)
“Having ridden motorcycles now for 19 years I have tried all the earplugs on the market. From foam
ones to do it yourself silicone ones that form to the shape of your ear. After only five minutes I was
kicking myself that I had not ordered this product years ago. They perform faultlessly at high speed
and you hardly know they are in your ears. I have done sixty miles with them today and they have
already become an indispensable part of my kit. An excellent product with excellent customer service.
Mark Jones ( BikePlugs Pro Customer)
“The silicone material doesn't cause soreness, even after long periods. I fly frequently, usually long
distance and I like to be able to listen to good music without the constant, loud drone of the cabin
aircon. Now, for the first time, I can fly for hours in pain-free peace and no sore ears afterwards - for
this alone, your sleeves are worth every penny!”
Stephen Evans (ER 4 Earphone Sleeves Customer)
I've used the plugs about 8 times so far on different jobs, from Stage managing the Calenig gig for
Cardiff city council to concerts with the BBC national orchestra of Wales. The plugs do the Job
extremely well, I can continue to have conversations with artists and players, but find that all the
LOUD noise disappears. The in-ears were awesome, and I kept them in for the duration of the gigs (2
1/2 -3 hours), with no problems at all.
Adrian Evans (WorkPlugs and In-Ear Monitors Customer)
I found that once you had got used to the plugs being in your ears, they felt very comfortable and
you tended not to notice them being there. The second and probably most important plus point was
that I really felt that my ears were being protected from the harmful frequencies as my entire ear
was filled by the plug. I did talk about them to some of my musician friends and will definitely
recommend them to people who are suffering with tinnitus so will do that when I can.
Thanks for all your help with getting them sorted. I felt very valued as a customer and the service
both yourself & everyone at your office provided was excellent.
Adam Hammond (MusicPlugs Customer)
