Hear.com Horizon Go IX vs Lexie B2 Plus

The Hear.com Horizon Go IX is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $6,500. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #19 among 39 prescription hearing aids tested. Speech performance is a clear strength for the Horizon Go IX. It scores 4.0/5 in speech-in-quiet conditions—0.64 points above the category average—delivering strong audibility in conversational settings. Speech-in-noise performance also exceeds the category average by 0.46 points, though at 2.6/5 the absolute score remains mixed, meaning challenging listening environments may still pose difficulties. Own-voice comfort is the device's most notable weakness, scoring just 1.8/5—a low result that falls 0.90 points below the category average. Users sensitive to how their own voice sounds may find this limiting. Feedback handling scores 4.4/5, which is strong in absolute terms, though slightly below the category average of 4.72/5. Music streaming performance is essentially average at 2.7/5. At this price point, shoppers face stiff competition. Several alternatives in the same premium tier—including the Phonak Sphere Infinio, Oticon Intent, and Widex Allure RIC 440—deliver higher overall scores. Devices like the Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco offer comparable or better sound performance at lower prices. The Horizon Go IX is best suited for users who prioritize speech clarity and have access to this product through hear.com's network, but those flexible on brand should compare alternatives before committing.

The Lexie B2 Plus is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing, ranking #7 among 65 OTC devices. Priced at $899, this behind-the-ear rechargeable device has earned back-to-back Expert's Choice Awards in 2023 and 2024. In our testing, the B2 Plus demonstrates strong speech-in-quiet performance at 4.3/5, which is 1.49 points above the OTC category average. Own-voice comfort is excellent at 4.8/5, measuring 2.29 points above average—a notable strength that may appeal to users who find their own voice bothersome with other devices. Speech-in-noise scores 2.1/5, which is above the category average by 0.58 points but remains mixed in absolute terms, reflecting the broader challenge OTC devices face in noisy environments. The device does show a weakness in feedback handling, scoring 2.8/5—which is 1.74 points below the category average of 4.54/5. Users may encounter occasional whistling during activities that bring objects close to the ear. Music streaming performance is mixed at 2.6/5, though still 0.68 points above the OTC average. The Lexie B2 Plus offers both iPhone and Android streaming compatibility. It's well-suited for users prioritizing clear speech in quieter settings and natural own-voice perception, though those frequently in noisy environments or concerned about feedback stability may want to consider alternatives like the Sony CRE-E10 in this price range.