Best IEMs for bass?

Discussion in 'Live Sound [BG]' started by squeally dan, Jul 9, 2013.

  1. squeally dan

    squeally dan

    Mar 30, 2008
    I know this probably Gomes up on here a lot but wanted to get opinions on what is currently out there. Soundman wants me to try IEMs instead of wedge for monitor. He suggested Shure or Westone and said make sure they are Dual driver. A local bass player told me the new black ear pieces that came with his shures stay in even better than custom molds. That is all the info I have right now. Help a brother out! Also is Musicians Friend going to have the best deals?
     
  2. bobbybass85

    bobbybass85 Supporting Member

    Dec 19, 2005
    Nashville, TN
    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f203/my-experience-going-custom-iems-925781/

    Check it out.

    I had experience with both Shure and Westone prior to going custom. I slightly preferred the Westones. They seemed a little more clear, and I preferred the way they fit. They sat a little more flush in the ear, where the shures protruded a bit. The Shure's had more bass response IMO, but weren't as clear when the whole band played.
     
  3. Eric Moesle

    Eric Moesle

    Sep 21, 2001
    Columbus OH
    Westone UM3x is the best universal fit in ear monitor for bass, IMO. I've been using them for several months. You do NOT want the extended low end rumble most "normal" earbuds give you - you won't hear any definition. The UM3x is designed specifically for stage use.

    I also recommend ditching the bag of tips that come with them and get the Comply brand memory foam tips that are long and go deep into the ear. The better the seal, the better the bass response.
     
    muzzza likes this.
  4. jaibeau

    jaibeau Backinblack.info Supporting Member

    Nov 12, 2006
    DALLAS
    Endorsing Artist:Ernie Ball / mike lull
    Get ready for a thread of madness, everyone will have the best- I personally use UE7's and never play without them.
     
  5. Ukiah Bass

    Ukiah Bass Supporting Member

    May 10, 2006
    So the soundman wants just you to use IEMs? Or everyone in the band? A mixed-used scenario might trigger some issues. Probably a smoother experience if everyone uses IEMs.
     
  6. zephyr_words

    zephyr_words

    Aug 12, 2009
    Virginia
    I use a pair of EarSonics SM64. They are triple driver. Keep my Shures in my bag as backups.
     
  7. Are you talking about the Shure 535? I am currently shopping for an IEM system...looking at the Shure 900 w/ 535 earphones. Anybody have experoence with them?
     
  8. bobbybass85

    bobbybass85 Supporting Member

    Dec 19, 2005
    Nashville, TN
    Nope, I had experience with the 215s
     
  9. squeally dan

    squeally dan

    Mar 30, 2008
    Actually, the sax player and me are the only ones still using wedges.
     
  10. Ukiah Bass

    Ukiah Bass Supporting Member

    May 10, 2006
    In that case, both of you had better get off the dime! Seriously, the IEM route will allow you to shed a serious quantity of stage gear and get a better monitoring mix.
     
  11. jaywa

    jaywa

    May 5, 2008
    Iowa City, IA
    I LOVE my FutureSonics Atrios... Unfortunately they have been discontinued but you might still be able to find them if you search around the 'Net a bit. Under $200 delivered and IMO sound as good or better than bigger name options going for 3x more.
     
  12. Mad Tango

    Mad Tango

    Apr 18, 2006
    Pearland, Tx.
    I highly suggest you look up Future Sonics one of the original IEM companies. The model is Aterio M5 these are the best for the money for Bass about $160. They use a single real driver like a mini speaker not a transducer that tries to reproduce bass. Look up the comments/reviews!
     
  13. jaywa

    jaywa

    May 5, 2008
    Iowa City, IA
    In fact I like my M5s so much I am seriously considering buying a 2nd set (and maybe a 3rd) before they are all off the market forever. Near as I can tell all of the new FutureSonics offerings are substantially more expensive and for a weekend warrior like me, $600-800 for a set of earbuds doesn't compute.
     
  14. spindoc

    spindoc

    Sep 4, 2011
  15. jaibeau

    jaibeau Backinblack.info Supporting Member

    Nov 12, 2006
    DALLAS
    Endorsing Artist:Ernie Ball / mike lull
    Told ya^^
     
  16. Mad Tango

    Mad Tango

    Apr 18, 2006
    Pearland, Tx.
    Yes, I have two sets one Black and the other Blue.
     
  17. Keithwah

    Keithwah

    Jan 7, 2011
    Milwaukee WI
    You guys are all wrong! My earbuds are the best for the dollar!

    Yeah, I usually suggest a guy checks out the Ultimate Ear Triple Fi 10's for best bass guitar performance, triple drivers, insane clarity and under $200 on eBay or Amazon, but this topic is so beat up that everyone kind of ignores everyone else's advise. And soon enough the IEM opinion battle rages on and on and on.
     
  18. jaywa

    jaywa

    May 5, 2008
    Iowa City, IA
    Meh... Never hurts to get as many opinions out there as possible, IMO. That's kinda the whole point of a chat board and it's what the OP is looking for, near as I can tell.
     
  19. jaibeau

    jaibeau Backinblack.info Supporting Member

    Nov 12, 2006
    DALLAS
    Endorsing Artist:Ernie Ball / mike lull
    Totally agree but when I said this thread will be madness its because everyone will say their iem's are the best man has ever made- it's all the same predictable brands over and over- very competitive market now, UE no longer has a monopoly- I know where to get the best Mexican food...
     
  20. jaywa

    jaywa

    May 5, 2008
    Iowa City, IA
    Yeah... the topic has definitely been hashed through here many times before but sometimes there are new products that have come out since the last thread or new members with insights to contribute.

    On a somewhat related note. The lead guitarist in my current band has a son who is on tour with a big-name artist and he said they have all just recently acquired IEMs with 5-way drivers. I think they're Westones and apparently the sound is out of this world but they are also something like $1,000 and that's with the "pro discount". So there's another option to throw into the mix.