If you had $1000 to spend would you get custom molds + a cheaper transmitter (less than $300) or a higher shure/sennheiser system with "universal" ear buds?
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Looks to be three variables in there as far as I can tell rather than just 2 options.
- Universal vs custom
- No. & type of driver
- Wireless system
I get the 'vibe' around here that a lot of people would recommend going custom with fewer drivers rather than universal with more drivers for the same money, but I'd be really interested to hear any opinions on this aspect specifically.
- Universal vs custom
- No. & type of driver
- Wireless system
I get the 'vibe' around here that a lot of people would recommend going custom with fewer drivers rather than universal with more drivers for the same money, but I'd be really interested to hear any opinions on this aspect specifically.
The way I see it: If the sound coming out of the transmitter is crap, you'll hear crap even if you have a great set of custom IEM. It's better to invest first in the audio source, you can always move up to better IEMs later.
Custom molds first. Cheaper ($300) don't sound like crap, they are fine.. and protecting your hearing is vital if you do eventually upgrade your transmitter simply so you can tell the difference.
i can't see the $300 wireless as ever being a good investment, i'd never want to rely on it live. i vote either the better system with universal buds just from a "gig-worthy" standpoint, or get the high-end buds and run them wired until you can get a minimally professional wireless for them.
I recommend just the opposite. The odds are most people will fit universal buds fine in their ears.
s0c9
Supporting Member
If Universal buds work for you.. go with them. They never worked for me, so I HAD little choice but customs.. Bit go with TRIPLE drivers (or more) if you can afford them.
The upper end wireless - like the G3 - is far better than anything in the $300-$400 range.
You CAN find good deals on the G3 (or PSM300) if you take your time and look.. My NIB G3 cost me $720 shipped..
You can get pretty DECENT set of universals and a G3/PSM300 system for your $1000.
The upper end wireless - like the G3 - is far better than anything in the $300-$400 range.
You CAN find good deals on the G3 (or PSM300) if you take your time and look.. My NIB G3 cost me $720 shipped..
You can get pretty DECENT set of universals and a G3/PSM300 system for your $1000.
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Custom (or universal if they fit your ears well) multi-driver IEMs and then go wired if there's not enough $$ left over until you can save up for a good wireless. At least that's what I did (eventually).
Can you start wired IEMs? You can get a headphone amp cheap. We use a 4 channel behringer 1u headphone amp for 2-3 of us and the quality is noticeably better than our Galaxy audio wireless, which is in the same rack. Show by show I choose between wired quality vs wireless freedom. Many small/midsize bars going wired is no issue. I vote to spend $$ on decent in ears with a headphone amp and go wired. Save up for a premium wireless if you have the money or realize you need the freedom. 2c
popgadget
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- Sep 4, 2005
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I'm in the same boat. Universals don't fit or stay in my ears. I went with a 2 driver custom Westone AC20, after using them for a couple of years, I have no regrets that I didn't get a higher end set. The problem is that you can't audition or compare custom molded earbuds, so it's a bit of a leap of faith going into them.
I also use the Sennheiser wireless and heartily recommend it, but I think I would live with a wire and my custom earbuds if the wireless was out of my initial budget. It would not be a good place to cut costs, as any static or dropouts would be a huge distraction.
s0c9
Supporting Member
The inability to audition custom buds is a definite "bummer".. unless you live on either coast and can get to the audio shows where the vendors come in and let you try them... Most WILL let you "try" a set of universals (for a fee), but that isn't quite the same.
When I went from my Westone's to 1964 Qi's, plunking down $550+ S/H was a HUGE leap of faith. But I did my research and luckily a local "mega-church" used them exclusively, so I was able to talk to real-world users. Upgrading to my A8's was a no-brainer after 2 yrs on the Qi's.
As always. .YMMV
I just received a set of $20 KZ ZST earbuds. I can't believe they are only $20. They sound as good as anything I've bought for $100. I highly recommend trying them out if you can't afford the quality but spend your units out there. Even as a backup set they are affordable. I'm amazed by them.
Attachments
Quality transmitter & receiver.
After researching and sending PM's to folks I went with a Mipro 909 transmitter/receiver
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
and a set of universals(Fender A6) AND a set of KZ-ZST's as backups.
After researching and sending PM's to folks I went with a Mipro 909 transmitter/receiver
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
and a set of universals(Fender A6) AND a set of KZ-ZST's as backups.
Really - that looks like a Carvin wanna be. You know for around $500 you can find Sennheiser G2 IEM units on Ebay. I bought one for back up and my lead singer uses it. works as good as my G3.
s0c9
Supporting Member
