Budget friendly IEMs to start with...

[rogerthat]

Hey everyone - I'm new here and I've done some searching but I just can't seem to find what I'm looking for. :-)

I play in a band that generally keeps the monitor wedges and amps way too loud, both during practice and live. It doesn't help that at either location we play at, the acoustics are horrible and there are no decent EQs in the signal chain. On top of that, a few members have lost some hearing and the stages are small so you can't spread out and have independent mixes.

Okay, that probably describes about 80% of small bands. So, I've started to search for some decent in ear monitors (the actual buds) that I can start experimenting with and letting others play with. I know that if I bring up IEMs people will inevitably complain about the cost, the hassle, the change, but if I start bringing them to practice, experimenting, seeing what works and what doesn't, letting others play with them, it may generate enough interest to have everyone switch over.

So, I'm looking for some good suggestions for universal IEMs in the $100-$150 range - hopefully expensive enough to actually provide a good amount of isolation and quality, but inexpensive enough that I can pass them around, let others take them home, etc. Also, I don't want to get anything so expensive that it will turn others off since everyone will have to buy their own.

So, what do you all recommend? They need to be of good sound quality, but they must be universal and must provide enough isolation to actually protect your hearing on a load stage.

[jaywa]

I bought a factory new set of FutureSonics Atrios online (eBay) for $179, shipped. I love 'em and can't understand why so many people still insist on paying twice that much (or more) for other brands that are not appreciably better. With regards to sound blocking, I play in a relatively loud band and they absolutely provide significant hearing protection especially when they are seated correctly and worn in BOTH EARS.

I know they're a little above your $150 limit but in terms of quality for price they are one of the best purchases I've made my entire musical career. Plus they come with multiple tips in varying sizes so you can give each band member a set of tips that fits them best and then they just slide them off and the next person can slide his or her tips on, which is much more hygenic then everyone sharing one set (gross).

[MNAirHead]

Unsure if I've already replied. Rolls pm351 and used maudio ie10. Then get new foam shure ear pieces

[TimmyP]

You want something with a protective limiter. There's this: Rock On Audio, and this: Shure P4HW Hardwired Bodypack for PSM 400 Systems: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

[steveksux]

Originally Posted by TimmyP

You want something with a protective limiter. There's this: Rock On Audio, and this: Shure P4HW Hardwired Bodypack for PSM 400 Systems: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

+1000 on the limiter. You think you're immune to feedback because you use all IEMs and no wedges? Think again, mains can still feed back with poor acoustics in some clubs.

There's also the person making an announcement wandering directly in front of one of the mains... screeeeeeeeeeee hmmm, that's never happened on a gig before...

Randy

[uhdinator]

Budget and good quality don't really go together when it comes to IEMS.

$600 for one Shure unit. Compare that to buying a decent wedge, amp, cables and it's really about the same or cheaper and less to haul around.

4 members on IEMS requires 4 available pre fader aux sends as well. You won't convince anyone trying to run one mix for everyone.

Cheap headphone amp that has mono Function fed with a monitor send can be used for drummer since he is seated and does not require wireless.