IN PROFILE
COSMIC EARS: UNIVERSAL RANGE Founder of Cosmic Ears, Philip Gartell explains how the industry’s enforced hiatus has provided time to develop the Universal Range – generic in-ear monitors boasting the firm’s unique audio signature. TPi’s Stew Hume reports…
“It might seem obvious with the benefit of hindsight, but I remember even back in April last year, I had a feeling that COVID-19 was going to put an end to events for the whole of 2020,” opened Gartell, as we began our chat about how Cosmic Ears had faired in this unprecedented year for live events. Speaking from the company’s Cheadle Hulme HQ, over his shoulder TPi can spot a ‘wall of fame’, with cut-outs and memorabilia from the artists that use Cosmic’s products, including Arctic Monkeys, Stormzy, Freya Ridings, The Streets and Royal Blood. With all these artists that adorn the company wall having to ground any future tour for the foreseeable, the IEM manufacturer also had to change its plans for 2020. However, like so many in the sector, Gartell saw an ideal opportunity to work on some new products: the Universal Range – a
generic IEMs that offer the same audio signature as Comic Ears’ custom mould counterparts. “The Universal Range is something we’ve been working on for a few years,” explained Gartell. “We’ve never had the time to bring them to market because we have always been too busy creating our custom IEMs. With over two years of research and development under our belts, we have implemented new designs taking in premium aesthetics and enhanced functionality, while incorporating our highly renowned and trusted Cosmic Ears sound signature.” Throughout 2020, four different Universal products were made available – the U1, U2, U6 and U8 – with the figure referring to the number of drivers per ear capsule. As we move into 2021, Cosmic will also be 46
