How can you call PIAA a first-tier manufacturer? They are a vender, often selling snake oil, and I do not believe they actually own a factory that has ever made even one bulb. Many of their bulbs that have been tested have been demonstrated to put out less light than claimed, to have a shorter lifetime than claimed, and many of their bulbs fail to meet either the EU or DOT definition of "white". Perhaps some of their offerings of late are better, I just don't have the facts to support that conclusion. Their packaging and marketing is, however, first rate, as are their high prices.