I tried the Widex SmartRic for the first time today. The audi set them up for my current audiogram that is almost 2 yrs old, no REM and just a quick sound check to outside of a booth. It was just a free demo. But I loved the first of the SmartRic right off the bat. My Philips 9030’s have a decent sound but the Widex was better and more clear to me. I didn’t get to try with my guitar but music also sounded pretty good from the youtube video we watched and the program did an automatic switch, recognising music. Zero feedback and I can it sometimes with the Philips. No hair noise or any artifact noise either with the Widex.
And the Puresound mode was even better which is what I preferred. I went outside to listen to about 50 construction workers putting in rebar and making a loud racket on a big project and while I could hear them and the traffic, it was not obnoxious and didn’t have to switch to a noise program like my Philips. Have to have the top tier, 440, as that is where you get the better wind noise reduction. Cost is $6900. less my $3k insurance coverage, wow!!! So a lot more than costco so now I have to decide…but I think I already have. The 9050 Philips if they ever get sold at Costco might be a lot like the Oticon Intent and much better at many things than my 9030’s but probably won’t do much better for music. And I have yet to really test out the Widex with music and just day to day stuff and will get 60 days to trial them out. It will take 2 months to get approved and ordered, etc once I say go…which will probably be tomorrow…but man, $4K is much more than Costco. But I think the Widex will be worth it. Wish the Oticon/Philips was just a bit better, less artifact noise and wind noise and really had a strong rep for live music.