What is the difference in the Linx2 and the Linx (or Kirkland 6.0)? I bought the Linx2 3 weeks ago, not knowing anything, just taking my audiologist’s recommendation (my first time to wear hearing aids). I went to Costco today for batteries and talked to the hearing aid specialist for a while and started rethinking it all. I have until the end of this week to return my Linx2’s. I was looking at the Trax 42 but I do like the streaming without the extra device around the neck. How does a person decide??? Thank you!!!
From what I have read the difference between the Linx which the Kirkland 6.0 is based on and the Linx2 is minimal. Technical in nature that most users will not notice. And yes with the Kirkland there is no extra device. Here is the thing to ask yourself. I am guessing the difference in cost the Linx2 and the Kirkland 6.0 is around $4,000. I don’t see where there is $4,000 more in performance in the Linx2. and as for the Trax 42 vs the Kirkland 6.0 not having to wear a device around your neck constantly is a world of difference. I really like being able to reach over and tap on the music on my iPhone to listen to the music when working and not bother anyone else.
From what I have read the difference between the Linx which the Kirkland 6.0 is based on and the Linx2 is minimal. Technical in nature that most users will not notice. And yes with the Kirkland there is no extra device. Here is the thing to ask yourself. I am guessing the difference in cost the Linx2 and the Kirkland 6.0 is around $4,000. I don’t see where there is $4,000 more in performance in the Linx2. and as for the Trax 42 vs the Kirkland 6.0 not having to wear a device around your neck constantly is a world of difference. I really like being able to reach over and tap on the music on my iPhone to listen to the music when working and not bother anyone else.
Thanks for making this simple to understand. I think that I am agreeing with you! I am going to go to a different Costco today and talk again. Someone suggested I try the Trax 42 first since I have the Linx2 now and know how they work. I may do that although I have certainly been enjoying the streaming from my iPhone. I have listened to audiobooks more in the past couple of weeks than I have in a long time. I was told the Trax would automatically detect different situations (restaurant, for example) where with the Linx2 I have to select that mode.
no dog in the fight but you stream music from your iphone or any other bt device plus you can answer and talk on your phone hands free with the linx you need to talk into the phone.
Just my 2 cents as a … If my only options were from Resound and Rexton, I would get the Rexton Trax 42. Resound hearing devices use technology that is about 15 years old. They have not made any big improvements in sound quality in that time. Yes, they have made the devices smaller, and they have added wireless programming and bluetooth capability, but the actual programming is still based on an outdated fitting rationale and hardware that is not capable of providing optimum clarity. I am not a huge fan of Siemens-made hearing devices like the Rexton, either, but at least they have moved on to a modern fitting rationale. Unless you are just SO against having a bluetooth reciever around your neck, from a sound quality perspective, the Rexton is the better choice. And depending on how capable your dispenser is at Costco, I would recommend their Phonak Brio product above either the Resound or the Rexton. But if you want optimal sound quality and the best speech recognition, long term, however, I would recommend going elsewhere and invest in a better quality manufacturer.
Thanks for making this simple to understand. I think that I am agreeing with you! I am going to go to a different Costco today and talk again. Someone suggested I try the Trax 42 first since I have the Linx2 now and know how they work. I may do that although I have certainly been enjoying the streaming from my iPhone. I have listened to audiobooks more in the past couple of weeks than I have in a long time. I was told the Trax would automatically detect different situations (restaurant, for example) where with the Linx2 I have to select that mode.
Let me point out that on the Costco web page they are saying that with the Trax 42 you can use the native iPhone app to control your hearing aid and that you can live stream so if that is true then you do not need the neck device. Ask about it during your visit.
Just my 2 cents as a HIS… But if you want optimal sound quality and the best speech recognition, long term, however, I would recommend going elsewhere and invest in a better quality manufacturer.
The top two I recommend are Oticon and Widex. The technology in either of those tend to be more cutting edge. The others all seem to take a few years to come out with competing technology. And it is reflected in statistical patient satisfaction (when the devices are programmed correctly). Oticon has the highest patient satisfaction rate on the market. Widex is back in with the pack, but I think that is ONLY because they are not as big as Phonak and Starkey and Siemens and Resound. If Widex had the market penetration, I suspect they would be up there with Oticon.
Of course they are. And I’m not anti Costco at all. I like Phonak as well and they are in Costco now. Rexton and Resound are not bad FOR THE MONEY Costco charges for them. But you have to keep them in context. There are so many people who have a negative opinion of hearing aids in general. There are two reasons that I see for that. One reason is because there are so many unqualified dispensers, whether Hearing Instrument Specialists or Audiologists. I meet these people all the time at various training events and conferences and product launches. The other problem is misleading advertising, suggesting that $1800 hearing aids are “premium” technology. That’s like saying there is no difference between a $15,000 automobile and a $75,000 automobile. The reality is that there IS a difference. I see it in my practice. Patients that I fit with entry level technology consistently say their satisfaction with hearing devices is low, while patients who wear truly high end technology are the ones who start crying in my office when I fit them. I would much rather people on limited budgets get SOME help at Costco than live with nothing. But I wish Costco would be clear that although a pair of Kirkland Signature 6.0 hearing devices is a decent value at about $2000, they will not provide the same level of clarity, speech understanding, comfort, and automatic responsiveness that high end hearing devices do.
As far as your statement that no one is using 15 year old tech… Besides wireless connectivity, can you tell me something a Resound Linx 9 hearing device does that a Resound Live 9 hearing device does? They have the same number of channels, the same directional mics, they use the same receivers, they have the same amplifiers, the same number of programs, the same calibration utility… They just made it smaller and squished a 2.4 Ghz wireless chip and antennae into it. And they designed an app to interface with it. But the fitting rationale is based on old research. Am I saying it won’t HELP? No. Am I saying it is not the latest tech? Yep. I was excited to see the Linx2 9 added spatial processing. It is about time and it is a step in the right direction. But they would have you believe it is revolutionary, when in fact Oticon devices have had similar technology for the last 10 years or so.
I am not glued to Oticon, either. We just fit 100 Starkey Z-series i110s on patients JUST TO FIND out what their response would be to Starkey’s latest technology. Some were long time users, some were first time users. We were kind of hoping that Starkeys would have a positive response because they are offering us a much better price.
Just my 2 cents as a HIS… If my only options were from Resound and Rexton, I would get the Rexton Trax 42. Resound hearing devices use technology that is about 15 years old. They have not made any big improvements in sound quality in that time. Yes, they have made the devices smaller, and they have added wireless programming and bluetooth capability, but the actual programming is still based on an outdated fitting rationale and hardware that is not capable of providing optimum clarity. I am not a huge fan of Siemens-made hearing devices like the Rexton, either, but at least they have moved on to a modern fitting rationale. Unless you are just SO against having a bluetooth reciever around your neck, from a sound quality perspective, the Rexton is the better choice. And depending on how capable your dispenser is at Costco, I would recommend their Phonak Brio product above either the Resound or the Rexton. But if you want optimal sound quality and the best speech recognition, long term, however, I would recommend going elsewhere and invest in a better quality manufacturer.
Let me point out that on the Costco web page they are saying that with the Trax 42 you can use the native iPhone app to control your hearing aid and that you can live stream so if that is true then you do not need the neck device. Ask about it during your visit.
Excellent points! I bought the Kirland 6.0 $1799 after trying the Resound Linx9 $5800 and Linx2 5 $3200. I talked my 83 year old mother into trying hearing aids again at Costco. The audi at Costco let her try the Rexton and the Kirland. SHE HATED the Kirkland. Too much “noise” and walked out about 10 feet and right back to the audi to order the Rexton. If she can stream using the native hearing aid (tripple click the circle button to access on an iPhone) when we pick hers up on Sunday then I will definitely try out the Rexton ($2600).
. But I wish Costco would be clear that although a pair of Kirkland Signature 6.0 hearing devices is a decent value at about $2000, they will not provide the same level of clarity, speech understanding, comfort, and automatic responsiveness that high end hearing devices do.
I know what you mean. When I purchased my Infiniti G37 the dealer told me it would not provide the same level of comfort, responsiveness and refinement as a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. Man was I disappointed.
But I wish Costco would be clear that although a pair of Kirkland Signature 6.0 hearing devices is a decent value at about $2000, they will not provide the same level of clarity, speech understanding, comfort, and automatic responsiveness that high end hearing devices do.
Justin now you are just being unrealistic. The last time you bought just about anything, car, TV, cell phone did they tell you that the product you purchased did not provide the same level of service as another model costing twice as much? Why would you expect Costco to say that. If people have $4,800 they would be getting Oticons but generally people DON’T. They go to Costco to get the best VALUE they can for their money. If you are not OK with that you should not look down your nose at people for liking them. That car you have, why didn’t you get one that cost twice as much? Why didn’t you purchase a Ferrari?
tried pairing today with my granddaughter’s iPhone 6. Works exactly the same as my iPhone 5. Only streaming to the left HA. I’ll call KS6userportal and see what they say. Now I really think my right HA has a Bluetooth issue. Wonder if they can check that and debug it or do they merely replace it. The right HA works fine except for streaming.
Called Kirkland Tech Support. The tech felt I had a defective right . Had an appointment at Costco today and the Audi also felt it was defective. She took it and said a repair/replacement would be in in about one week. I’ll let you know know results once I try the new one.
O But I wish Costco would be clear that although a pair of Kirkland Signature 6.0 hearing devices is a decent value at about $2000, they will not provide the same level of clarity, speech understanding, comfort, and automatic responsiveness that high end hearing devices do.
All humor aside let me tell you the issue with this belief. People will not like it at all if you remind them they do not have the resources to purchase a $5,000 pair of hearing aids and have to go to Costco for a $1,800 pair of hearing aids. You are basically asking Costco to insult people. Plus you are forgetting human nature. People have budgets, they have limits. People may not have the budget for a $5,000 pair of hearing aids but they do have the budget for $1,800. And reminding them their choices are limited due to their financial situation is not going to go over well. Plus people have “self-image” Some people will perfectly fine wearing a pair of $1,800 hearing aids but will feel uncomfortable spending $5,000 on a pair of hearing aids. In a personal example I have a Nakaya fountain pen. Hand made in Japan, cost $550.00 beautiful pen. Use it at home and office. Another fellow I know purchased one but felt uncomfortable spending that much on a pen and felt uncomfortable using it all. He ended up selling it and getting a pen that cost $150 which he uses all the time. You are dealing with human nature. People are perfectly will to accept a lower level of technology to get a pair of hearing aids both in the budget and in their notion of what they comfortable paying.
The claim that Resound uses 15 year old technology was not substantiated with evidence. Why should I, or anybody, accept an unsubstantiated claim?
Does anybody with a shred of common sense believe that a manufacturer in a technology-driven market like digital hearing aids can survive for five minutes with 15 year old technology? Does it makes sense that a company that is supposedly marketing 15 year old technology would be first to market on Apple’s new technology platform? Does it makes sense that the Mayo Clinic would be selling Resound hearing aids, which they do, right along side the other major premium hearing aids brands, at premium prices? I hardly think so.
For the last four years I have been wearing the Resound Alera model, purchased at Costco for $2800. A few weeks ago I purchased the new KS6, for $900 less. The KS6 provides me with better overall speech recognition, especially in loud environments. The KS6 is also generally improved bringing up what I want to hear and suppressing what I don’t want to hear. The wireless mini-mic is terrific for really loud environments. It is so convenient - set the mic in the middle of the table in a noisy restaurant, and I can clearly hear the people I am with, and there is nothing hanging from my neck or anybody else’s.
The other thing that I like about the KS6 is the ability to control adjustments with my iPhone. I can optimize the hearing aids to the exact environment by manipulating things like volume, muting, bass and treble, balance. The iPhone interface brings out the best in the basic Resound audio technology, and it does it discretely.
The claim that Costco is somehow selling outdated technology, or that that is necessarily true because of Costco’s price on the KS6, is manifestly nonsense. I have had my KS6s for about 6 weeks, and still marvel at how superior they are in speech recognition, and sorting that out of noisy environments.
Also, I am suspicious of such “Costco-bashing” claims as being similar to other “bashing” I’ve read on the Internet. Not sure where this particular post is coming from, but elsewhere I’ve read people who go on with “Costco this-” and “Costco that-” statements who blatantly identify themselves as representative of the traditional retail hearing aid distribution industry. And I therefore regard their anti-Costco statements as stemming from self-interest until I see proof to the contrary.
I remain, truly yours, a big KS6 fan.
Over the past 11 years I’ve tried: Oticon Duals, Starkys (both in the ear, and behind the ear). I cannot fully express just how happy I am since switching to the Costco K6 hearing aids. I switched of course from failing (and lost) older hearing aids… but it was THIS FORUM that pointed me towards the Kirkland K6s. Thank You!!
Far superior to any I’ve ever had. Are they “Chevrolets” and not Lamborghinis? Probably… but they perform far and above anything comparable. Really like the no-cost 2 loss and user damage warranty as this is what normally do to heading aids.
Now… If I could only get the more than robust K6 Bluetooth to seamlessly back off every time I jump into my brand new 2015 Subaru Outback with it’s own . Forced to pull the batteries or tell the iPod to “forget” the K6s
nearly every person have tried the ks6 prior to trying the rexton trax 42 in the following thread. and they always seem to go with the trax 42. this rexton trax 42 is appearing to be actually a rebadge siemens binax Pure 7bx without tinitinutus support. so for the first time you can purchase the very best technology currently available to hear in noise at costco.
nearly every person have tried the ks6 prior to trying the rexton trax 42 in the following thread. and they always seem to go with the trax 42. this rexton trax 42 is appearing to be actually a rebadge siemens binax Pure 7bx without tinitinutus support. so for the first time you can purchase the very best technology currently available to hear in noise at costco.
I took the advice I have seen here and returned my $6000 Linx2’s (lost $300 in fitting fees) and bought the Trax 42’s at Costco. I really loved the streaming through my phone and was listening to audiobooks more than I have in years. But I am going to try these. I think that if I can live with the streamer around my neck I will be happy. I will give them a good try. If I really don’t like that, I will probably go back to the KS6. If I go back to that and then find the quality is not as good, I wonder if Costco will let me go back once again to the Trax 42. Decisions are so hard for me!
I also took the advice I have read here and chose the free remote control rather than the charger. The more I think about it, I don’t really need another thing to plug in and charge. From what I have read here, the normal batteries will last a week anyway (mine lasted 4 days with the Linx2). And if I am using the chargeable, that only last 9 hours, I will be exchanging them out often if I have days that last over 9 hours (and I usually do!) Costco called and reminded me that the streamer is also a remote, but I said yes, please still order the remote. Hope this was a good decision as well!
I so appreciate all of the help in these forums. I don’t know why I didn’t search for a good forum in the first place. Last year I had to do the same thing about CPAP machines – learned the hard way but finally got a good machine from a good provider. I just wanted to do it the easy way and took what the audiologist said without researching first! Learned a lesson again!
