Help with IEM’s

[s0c9]

Yes, very little luck without it sounding weird. Boosting frequencies the amount I had to boost them is just never a good idea.

Could be there’s something wrong with the 535’s you have (dead LF driver) as I find doubtful - based on physics and driver count - that 215’s have a better bass response..

 

[juancaminos]

I just bought a Behringer P16, next is IEMs. My old band tried IEMs years ago and never found buds that we liked.
Right now I am looking at Westone ProX30. However they are a bit more than my band mates want to spen and I would like us to all have the same type so I can tune mine in then copy/exact for them. With that said which KX buds are you all talking about? or any thing else for that matter.
Note that the plan is to try them out during our duo gigs, then so Bass, guitar and two vocals. Then introduce into the band. Thanks

I have BASN Metalen, KZ ZS10 Pro, Sennheiser 508981 & Shure SE425 PRO in my Amazon shopping cart.

 

[drpepper]

I just bought a Behringer P16, next is IEMs. My old band tried IEMs years ago and never found buds that we liked.
Right now I am looking at Westone ProX30. However they are a bit more than my band mates want to spen and I would like us to all have the same type so I can tune mine in then copy/exact for them. With that said which KX buds are you all talking about? or any thing else for that matter.
Note that the plan is to try them out during our duo gigs, then so Bass, guitar and two vocals. Then introduce into the band. Thanks

I have BASN Metalen, KZ ZS10 Pro, Sennheiser 508981 & Shure SE425 PRO in my Amazon shopping cart.

I think it always bears repeating that this is a realm of personal/individual preference, opinion and even physiology.

We don't all hear the precisely the same. Even if our "internal wiring" was all identical, differences in the physical characteristics of individual ear canals would still impact what is heard. Given that, in my opinion, the goal of having everyone in a band use the same IEM model likely wouldn't have the value it might appear to have.

That said, my opinion, looking more at utility than chasing after various marginal differences, is that most any decent sounding IEM that fits/seals well and provides adequate isolation will be quite satisfactory. And that'd be especially true where they're first/only IEMs or after trying some that don't work well in some way.

In that regard, provided that your bandmates all find that they like the fit and get a good seal, I'd expect that you'd be happy with any of the the IEMs in your list.

However, differences in shell design, shape, nozzle size, nozzle angle and other particulars can affect how one person or another feels about fit and potentially seal. And it doesn't really matter a lick if someone else thinks a given IEM fits well and sounds great if you find it uncomfortable or painful to use.

While it's possible that every member of a band might do well with the same IEM, it's also entirely possible that one or some might have smaller ear canals, in which case, IEMs with large nozzles (the great majority of chi-fi models) may be uncomfortable or even completely unusable for them. Also, not the norm, but people can have larger ear canals which can present a problem finding and getting tips to work just right.

In terms of comfort, which I define for IEMs as the quality of disappearing from my awareness that they're there, in my experience and for my ears, I've found the greatest success with a small nozzle, small shell combined with foam tips (Westones, similar to the Shure models). They don't stick out, they fit entirely in my outer ear and just work well. Some larger nozzle models do okay, some, like the KZ ZS10 Pro, fell bulky and ever-present. Someone else could find the opposite is true for them.

As to which model everyone is referring to, while I'm sure that folks are using different models, I think you'll find that the most popular has been the KZ ZS10 Pro. I believe that's in no small part because popularity breeds greater popularity.

The KZ model that has impressed me the most as sounding warm, rich and natural and having the greatest ability to create the illusion that an amp is there when one isn't has been the PR1 Pro (but since that's been more than a year, they've probably released at least a half dozen subsequent models in the same line).

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Going to band practice in an hour. For most of the past year I've used the DI put of my various amps>Evo 30>Xvive IEM belt unit.
Today I'm gonna try Two Notes Le Bass>Evo 30>Xvive to see if my IEM sound is improved...

 

[s0c9]

Going to band practice in an hour. For most of the past year I've used the DI put of my various amps>Evo 30>Xvive IEM belt unit.
Today I'm gonna try Two Notes Le Bass>Evo 30>Xvive to see if my IEM sound is improved...

Remember that [probably] what you are hearing in your ears is what is going to FOH.
FOH mix is for the venue, not your ears. You are merely monitoring FOH.
That said, on most smaller digital consoles, one can adjust EQ on the output buss. IF wireless IEM, many of those also have EQ capability, so you can change up what's in your ears. It's not always a source issue.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Remember that [probably] what you are hearing in your ears is what is going to FOH.
FOH mix is for the venue, not your ears. You are merely monitoring FOH.
That said, on most smaller digital consoles, one can adjust EQ on the output buss. IF wireless IEM, many of those also have EQ capability, so you can change up what's in your ears. It's not always a source issue.

Well in this case, using the Two Notes Le Bass as a DI was a game changer. It also lets me know that going ampless is in my future. Next time I go to band practice it's bass, cables, pedalboard, mic and stand. I'll leave the amps at home!
Sound was even and pristine. Not all DI's are created equal.

 

[NYgiant]

I ask because it's a somewhat common misconception that wireless IEMs are the only option or that they're inherently superior to wired when it's not necessarily the case that going that route would actually be a benefit on an individual basis.

I think that it can be most helpful to frame the various aspects of IEMs in terms relative advantages (in the value-free sense) and benefits (and their personal value) rather that absolute statements of superiority that usually involve personal preference. When someone is searching for information and hasn't fully considered their needs, wants and preferences or simply doesn't know what they are, it can lead to taking what this person or that person says it "the best" as gospel when it's really an opinion that has equally valid competing opinions.

With wireless versus wired IEMs, the primary advantages of wireless include freedom of movement and ease of setup from gig to gig (assuming rack-mounting). The primary advantages of wired include cost and relative immunity from interference. For someone running their bass wired, there is little to no benefit from the freedom of movement advantage. Obviously if cost is no object, then the cost advantage of wired is of no benefit. The robustness advantage of wired is generally mitigated by spending more money on wireless. Weighing the benefits to make a decision on balance is logical.

Similarly, with stereo vs mono, stereo has the advantage of allowing panning and mono has the advantages of simplicity in setup and use and less use of limited resources (i.e., each stereo mix requires two aux channels). Whether these are benefits (or absolute limitations in the case of number of aux outs) are individual matters.

I've used wireless and wired bass setups, wireless and wired IEMs, and mono and stereo IEM mixes, and I prefer my bass and IEMs wired and, although I have stereo IEM setups, I prefer not to do any panning. I generally only only plug in one aux channel or where I have a stereo mix, I just don't pan.

For me, I'm perfectly happy with wired setups, and on balance, the benefits outweigh the benefits of wireless. In terms of stereo versus mono, I personally am not challenged by trying to locate sound sources or feel that mixes are crowded to begin with, but I also find that panning either does nothing versus centered or I can actually finding distracting in a way where I find the imbalance unpleasant, as if something were wrong with the sound.

Of course, if you're set on going wireless with your bass, it'd be difficult for any weighing to come out on the side of wired IEMs

Here's a video I've shared before

@drpepper I have been researching IEM for the better part of a month, month and a half now. Just couldn’t decide on a brand or model and the price is really bothering me. I read back through these posts and yours really hit home with me. I’ve read it several times and I’ve watched your video several times and I think I’m leaning heavily towards going that route now and making my own cables like you did.

At least for starters, this makes the most sense. Especially since my basic guitar is not wireless and probably won’t be for a while. Unless I make it big and start touring the country! Ha ha, yeah right!

I’ve already found that flexible wire loom in the same headphone amp that’s in your video as well as some shrink tubing. I have a set of IEM’s picked out too. I was considering spending anywhere from 700 to over $1000 on wireless IEM’s. The amount of money I will save doing it this way is astonishing quite frankly.

Just thought I’d let you know. Might have to post back with more questions or PM if anything else comes up.

 

[SteveC]

FWIW I am wired at church where I don't move. I use a Rolls PM50s for my IEM's. Sounds great. For my cover band gig I use a Shure GLXD+ for my bass and Sennheiser for my IEM's. It sounds fine, but theres almost always some annoying interference when you face a certain direction or something. I like the freedom and no cables to trip over, but it doesn't sound as good. Sometimes I think about going back to cables for both, but now that I spent $1,500 to go wireless...

 

[erayser]

@drpepper I have been researching IEM for the better part of a month, month and a half now. Just couldn’t decide on a brand or model and the price is really bothering me. I read back through these posts and yours really hit home with me. I’ve read it several times and I’ve watched your video several times and I think I’m leaning heavily towards going that route now and making my own cables like you did.

At least for starters, this makes the most sense. Especially since my basic guitar is not wireless and probably won’t be for a while. Unless I make it big and start touring the country! Ha ha, yeah right!

I’ve already found that flexible wire loom in the same headphone amp that’s in your video as well as some shrink tubing. I have a set of IEM’s picked out too. I was considering spending anywhere from 700 to over $1000 on wireless IEM’s. The amount of money I will save doing it this way is astonishing quite frankly.

Just thought I’d let you know. Might have to post back with more questions or PM if anything else comes up.

The combo cables are the next best thing to wireless. I have 2 combo cables myself. I don't use the them anymore... because I did go with a $1000 wireless IEM system route. It's nice having a cable free playing area on stage.

Not sure if anyone seen the Unveiling the Next Era of Pro Wireless #SPECTERA at IBC | Sennheiser keynotes video yesterday, but after watching it... I'm good with my $1000 IEM wireless system... haha.. I can't lie... I was kind of excited about a Bidirectional wireless system that you can plug your IEM and Mic/Instrument into one body pack. But when I seen the price of just the Sennheiser Spectera SEK UHF Bidirectional Wireless Bodypack alone for $1,999.00... I'm more than happy staying with my Sennheiser G4 IEM and EW-D Cl1 instrument wireless systems.

 

[s0c9]

Not sure if anyone seen the Unveiling the Next Era of Pro Wireless #SPECTERA at IBC | Sennheiser keynotes video yesterday, but after watching it... I'm good with my $1000 IEM wireless system... haha.. I can't lie... I was kind of excited about a Bidirectional wireless system that you can plug your IEM and Mic/Instrument into one body pack. But when I seen the price of just the Sennheiser Spectera SEK UHF Bidirectional Wireless Bodypack alone for $1,999.00... I'm more than happy staying with my Sennheiser G4 IEM and EW-D Cl1 instrument wireless systems.

It's taken what, 15 yrs to get to this point of having a single bi-directional pack available.
Being "new" it WILL be pricey and targeted at pros - who will give it a whirl, and iron out any bugs, long before it hits the MI market.
Give it 5 yrs and price will come down?

 

[erayser]

It's taken what, 15 yrs to get to this point of having a single bi-directional pack available.
Being "new" it WILL be pricey and targeted at pros - who will give it a whirl, and iron out any bugs, long before it hits the MI market.
Give it 5 yrs and price will come down?

If it ever comes down in price to where it's close to the price of an IEM and Instrument wireless system with separate packs, would it really be convenient with one bi-directional pack? I mean... I like leaving the instrument pack on my strap, so I don't have disconnect anything when I put my bass down... and keeping my IEM pack in my front pocket. That seems more convenient to me. Still cool seeing the new bi-directional wireless system. I don't know if this is a digital system... but if it is... .7ms latency is amazing for a a bi-directional body pack.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Did my first show using the Two Notes Le Bass as a DI. Great results! Very clear.i didn't even have the Two Notes on.
So what I was hearing was my bass, pure and simple. pretty well built bass

I can't wait til tomorrow night to hear what the Bongo sounds like through this DI!