Westone: CR1 or RH1?

[caasland]

Once again I am in the market for custom-molded earphones. I am looking at the Westone units, and I was ready to pull the trigger on a couple CR1's before my audiologist pointed out "a disclaimer that they are not recommended for on-road use because there is no ambient noise reduction rating". Instead, she suggested the RH1's https://www.westone.com/hearing-protection-products/recreational-hearing-protection-products which have a 25 db ambient NRR.

Doe the CR1's cut down on noise? Has anyone tried the RH1's ?

[Westone Labs]

Caasland . . . Westone Labs here.  Depending on your application, which is I assume entertainment and communication, the RH1 is not the appropriate unit as it will ONLY be for radio use and has a VERY short 18" cable.  The RH1 is designed for race communications specifically.  Again not fully knowing your application the CR-1 would be a better choice.  Additionally the noise reduction is similar between both units as they both use a vinyl body with acrylic faceplate.  Please feel free to contact us directly for more information to help you with your decision.  The CR-1 are fantastic earphones both on and off the bike.   mkt@westone.com    

[caasland]

Right from the horse's mouth  

The application will be on a motorcycle, under a helmet. They will be required to block ambient (wind) noise to a significant degree while supply quality sound to the ears. I will either be plugging it into the GPS on the handlebars or to a helmet-mounted Sena. If the cord is too short ... extensions are easy to come by.

Do the RH1 and CR1 differ only in the cable length? Or is there a difference in the sound quality too?

[Westone Labs]

The RH-1 is MONO.  So there will be a significant difference in sound.  If used with a typical music source or your GPS you'll ONLY have sound in (1) ear.  

For your application the CR-1 is the correct unit, while we don't have official NRR ratings for CR-1 or RH-1 our experience with these custom earpieces is that they will provide about 25 dB reduction for the average user.

As an avid rider on multiple bikes (BMW R1200GS, Ducati Multistrada, BMW K1200GT) with hundreds of thousands of miles traveled using in-ear type earphones the CR-1 is a fantastic choice.  Again if you'd like any additional information please don't hesitate to email directly.  mkt@westone.com  

[2wTraveler]

My Audiologist just had a set made for me by Stakey Labs they are called Tunz. I got a pair of their duo driver molded in ear monitors. The sound is outstanding, i can ride all day without any irratation, and they block out more outside sound than my earplugs ever did. I would highly recommend them for the price, and if you are near Atlanta I can give you the number to the Audiologist.

[caasland]

RH-1 are mono? Well that rules them out. The CR-1's appear to be the right ones. Thanks for the info ... it is apparently more accurate than what  I get from my audiologist.

2wTraveler - the first time I had custom-molded earphones they were Starkey's (I had them made in Portland). They worked good for about two years, at which point one side stopped working. By then the audiologist had jacked up the price enough to look at alternatives. Thanks though!