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54 MacDirectory REVIEW The Canfield Family Has a New Member The Pro In-Ear Monitors by Shinola BY THOMAS BENDER Shinola has found success in producing American-inspired watches, bikes, and leather goods. Now it is expanding its line up into prosumer audio equipment including speakers, turntables, headphones, and in ear monitors. Defined by its craftsmanship, quality materials, and attention to detail, the move into personal audio equipment perhaps shouldn't be as surprising as it seems. Following up the launch of their Canfield over-ear and on-ear headphones late last year, Shinola has released a set of Canfield Pro In-Ear Monitors that are about as professional as you can get without custom molding. On the outside, the Canfield Pro In-Ear Monitors come with the trademark Shinola look and feel. Premium materials are used to craft a simple, dignified appeal—an impressive feat given the limited real estate of in-ear monitors for aesthetic beauty. Machined aluminum housings each sport the Shinola lightning bolt logo on their rounded square design. Available in both a stainless steel and glossy black finish, either pair comes equipped with matching cables to round out the premium appearance. The cable itself is a custom designed MMXC cable which is detachable and replaceable as needed (a growing trend with high-end in-ear monitors). The included wires have both in-line controls and a high fidelity microphone on-board. The controls sit lower on the cable and include the standard three- button configuration for volume control and everything else (including Apple-approved Siri control). Higher up on the right- hand cord lives the microphone, which does an admirable job on phone calls and voice memos compared to most in-line microphones. At the end of that cable lays the quad balanced armature that drives the Canfield Pro In-Ear Monitors. The acoustics were tuned by Campfire Audio out of Portland, Oregon—a boutique audio company whose products typically cost well beyond the Canfield's $495 asking price. The collaboration has benefited Shinola's in-ear monitors; while the Over-Ear and On-Ear versions were a strong first showing for Shinola, the Canfield Pro In-Ear Monitors are probably the best sounding headphones out of Detroit so far. Shinola designed the Pro In- Ear Monitors for professional vocalists, and while I haven't met any on-stage performers using these IEMs yet, it's safe to say that their sonic characteristics are very pleasing to the ears of any listener. The vocals are gloriously crisp with enough of a full spectrum to dutifully round out the rest of the range. Bass is faithfully recreated without boost, and the high frequency range excels to a degree that makes genres like jazz and classical really shine. If these monitors are within your budget, you won't be disappointed with the audio experience. It's easy to enjoy the Pro In-Ear Monitors listening experience for hours at a time thanks to their wrap-around design. The long, braided cable runs up over the ear with coated, flexible rims that come over the top to each of the monitors. The machined aluminum housings are very lightweight and rest in the ear easily once you've selected the perfect ear tip. Shinola includes six pairs of ear tips with each set of Pro In-Ear Monitors, including varieties in both silicone and foam. When not in your ear, the Pro In-Ear Monitors reside in the included hard shell, fully zippered carrying case. While sometimes an afterthought, protection for these beauties is paramount, so it's nice to see Shinola not skimp on the case. Critics who are watching Shinola's audio products as they emerge should pay close attention to the Pro In-Ear Monitors, which add to the Canfield legacy. The price point is fairly high, and there may be other affordable options out there, but for a super clean sound in a super clean package, the Shinola Pro In-Ear Monitors deliver. For more information, visit: www.shinola.com/canfield-pro-in-ear-monitors-black.html