Hear.com Horizon Go IX vs Phonak Sphere Infinio

The Hear.com Horizon Go IX is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $6,500. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.2/5, ranking #14 among 36 prescription hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates strong speech performance in our testing. Speech in quiet scores a strong 4.0/5, sitting 0.57 points above the category average. Speech in noise performance is particularly notable at 0.57 points above average, though the absolute score of 2.7/5 reflects the inherent difficulty of understanding speech in challenging acoustic environments. Feedback handling scores a strong 4.4/5 in absolute terms, though this falls 0.31 points below the category average. Own-voice comfort presents a notable limitation, scoring 1.8/5—a low absolute score that also sits 0.95 points below the category average. Users who are sensitive to how their own voice sounds may want to discuss this with their hearing care provider. Music streaming performance is mixed at 2.7/5, essentially matching the category average. The Horizon Go IX has received HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024. However, shoppers in this premium price tier should note that several competitors offer higher overall scores, including the Oticon Intent (4.75/5) and Phonak Sphere Infinio (4.65/5). Those seeking similar sound quality at a lower price point may want to consider alternatives like the Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco, which scores 4.51/5.

The Phonak Sphere Infinio is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid released in 2024, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.6/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing. Priced at $4,898, it ranks #2 among 36 tested prescription hearing aids, placing it in the top 3% of its category. In our testing, the Sphere Infinio demonstrated exceptional speech performance. Speech in noise scored 4.6/5, a full 3.05 points above the category average of 1.55/5—a standout result that sets this device apart from most competitors. Speech in quiet also excelled at 4.8/5, landing 1.37 points above average. These results suggest the Sphere Infinio may be particularly well-suited for users who prioritize understanding conversation in challenging listening environments like restaurants or group gatherings. Music streaming performance is strong at 4.0/5, sitting 1.36 points above the category average. The device supports both iPhone and Android streaming and features rechargeable batteries. However, own-voice comfort scored 2.3/5, which is mixed in absolute terms and 0.45 points below average. Feedback handling scored a solid 3.6/5 in absolute terms, though this falls 1.11 points below the category average of 4.71/5. The Sphere Infinio competes directly with other premium options like the Oticon Intent (4.75/5) and Signia Active Pro IX (4.61/5). Its exceptional speech-in-noise performance makes it a compelling choice for users who frequently encounter noisy environments, though those sensitive to own-voice quality or feedback stability may want to discuss these tradeoffs with their hearing care provider.