Otofonix Encore vs Signia Active Pro IX

The Otofonix Encore is a budget-priced prescription hearing aid available for $295, earning a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.7/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device ranks #37 of 39 in the Prescription Hearing Aid category, placing it in the bottom tier of its class. In our standardized testing, the Encore demonstrates one clear strength: excellent feedback handling at 4.7/5, which means users are unlikely to experience whistling or squealing during normal use. However, the device shows significant limitations in other areas. Speech intelligibility scores are low in both quiet (1.0/5) and noisy environments (1.0/5), falling 2.40 and 1.11 points below category averages respectively. Music streaming performance scored 0.0/5, indicating this device is not suitable for those who want to stream audio content. The Encore uses disposable batteries and comes in a traditional behind-the-ear style. Notably, our tuned fit testing showed a slight decrease in overall performance compared to the initial fit, with the normalized score dropping from 2.8/5 to 2.4/5. Own-voice comfort also declined substantially when moving to a more occluding coupling. At this price point, consumers may want to consider alternatives. The RxEars Rxi offers substantially better performance at a similar budget price point with a score of 4.07/5. The Otofonix Encore may appeal to buyers seeking a very low-cost entry into prescription hearing aids who prioritize feedback stability, but those needing reliable speech clarity or streaming capabilities should explore other options.

The Signia Active Pro IX is a premium prescription hearing aid with a visible-in-ear design, priced at $3,199. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.6/5, ranking #8 among 39 prescription hearing aids tested. This device delivers strong speech clarity performance. Speech in quiet scores 4.3/5, which is +0.85 points above the category average—a notable strength for everyday conversations. Speech in noise measures 2.9/5, which is +0.74 points above the category average, though the absolute score reflects mixed performance in challenging listening environments. Own-voice comfort scores a solid 3.3/5, sitting +0.60 points above average, suggesting reasonable naturalness for wearers. Music streaming quality is mixed at 2.9/5, only slightly above the category average (+0.14 points). Feedback handling scores 3.4/5—solid in absolute terms but -1.32 points below the category average of 4.72/5, indicating this device may be more prone to feedback than typical prescription aids in our standardized tests. The Active Pro IX features rechargeable batteries and supports both iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free capability. It earned HearAdvisor's 2024 Expert's Choice Award. Buyers in this premium price tier should note that competitors like the Phonak Sphere Infinio and Oticon Intent score higher overall. Those seeking similar performance at lower cost may want to explore options like the Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco.