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IEMs on a budget

#21
not sure how necessary wireless is for you, but i use a rolls for my rig. it is not wireless but i just run the headphone cable along my instrument cable (ziptied together) and the rolls box itself lives on my pedal board.

advantages are it’s cheaper than wireless and i don’t have to worry about frequency crowding.

so rethinking how important the wireless aspect is could help you save a bit of cheese.
 
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#22
GroovinOnFunk said:
Yeah...... I really believe this is one of those where if you go "budget" (read: cheap) to start with, you'll just end up ultimately spending more money.
I got an Xvive, then a Phenyx, and now I have a Sennheiser G4.
For ears I got a KZ, then Westones, and now I have custom molded Alclairs that are AMAZING.

Stretch the budget as far as you can to get the best quality stuff you possibly can, IMO.
Click to expand...
My IEM and Wireless system journey was exactly that. Went through different universal IEM's... to custom molds. Alclairs is what made me realize that Customs IEM's is works best for me. Made it a lot easier for me to invest in 64 Audio customs because of my experience with Alclairs.

My wireless path was just as expensive. I tried the dongles, to pedal board wireless systems. With the knowledge and advise of those who participate in this sub-forum... I ended up with a Sennheiser EW-D CI1 for my bass, and a Sennheiser G4 for IEM's. I regret the amount of money it took to for me to get me there... but I learned a lot from the path I took. Now that I have the gear that works for me, I wish I did "buy once cry once"... but works for me now... may not work for others.
 
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#23
c151 said:
Hey,
Looking to get our first sets of in ears as a band but we're on a tight budget.
Our drummer currently uses a wired powerplay in ear but we (bassist, guitarist and singer) all need wireless solutions.
Obviously on a budget we're most worried about the monitors cutting out but does anybody have any solutions about how we could use a cheap set up for people who are brand new to these systems and completely green on how they work?
Click to expand...

I would really recommend you reconsider going wired if you are on a budget. Every gig I have with wireless has issues, batteries die and swaps happen during sets, etc.
 
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#24
erayser said:
My IEM and Wireless system journey was exactly that. Went through different universal IEM's... to custom molds. Alclairs is what made me realize that Customs IEM's is works best for me. Made it a lot easier for me to invest in 64 Audio customs because of my experience with Alclairs.

My wireless path was just as expensive. I tried the dongles, to pedal board wireless systems. With the knowledge and advise of those who participate in this sub-forum... I ended up with a Sennheiser EW-D CI1 for my bass, and a Sennheiser G4 for IEM's. I regret the amount of money it took to for me to get me there... but I learned a lot from the path I took. Now that I have the gear that works for me, I wish I did "buy once cry once"... but works for me now... may not work for others.
Click to expand...

Exactly my path as well. Same as many others around Talkbass, I learned the hard way not to cheap out on wireless equipment. I tried several of the cheap instrument wireless units that all play in the 2.4gHz band, and for the gigs that my main band plays (events, weddings, corporate/parties... aka lots of people with lots of cell phones and wifi floating around), they were nothing but trouble. Repeated and constant signal drops at every gig. I still have a couple and don't even use them at home.

I ended up with the Sennheiser EW-D CI1 (R1-R6 band) as well, and the EW-D charging set is also 100% worth it. Now I can be across the venue and not have any issues, and I could've sprung for both if I had avoided the cheap units in the first place.

For in-ears, it's the same deal. Anything in the 2.4GHz range is going to struggle if you get any real amount of people around. We've got older Sennheiser units for our in-ears... I think G3's? But still rock solid, gig after gig.

BaltBass5 said:
Honestly, there is not really any way to go cheap on IEM's and have it work out well.

Many people make the mistake of trying to get into IEM's and go cheap or don't do it the right way and as a result they have a miserable experience and then give up on the idea forever while wasting whatever money they did invest.
Click to expand...

s0c9 said:
After which they blame the equipment and claim IEM's "suck"....
Click to expand...

All of these. "Buy once, cry once" definitely applies to wireless gear. Avoid anything in the 2.4GHz range... you'll be MUCH happier in the long run.

5sg.
 
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#26
Don't cheap out. It's disappointing.

My band got 4 Carvin EM900 systems for the front line (the drummer uses an A&H Zed 6 for his wired send). This is after checking out a ton of Shure, Sennheiser, etc... in a similar to higher price point. They are built well, sound good, operate in the proper frequency range, come with decent buds and rack up nicely. Racking is key for better care, the loose transmitters on cheaper systems get more wear and tear, drops, etc... Plus, your monitor board should be racked, too.
They are usually $400 a unit, but often go on sale. Get a couple extra battery packs for quick swaps at the gig.

Also, if you happen to run a stereo mix out front, you will want a stereo mix in your ears. It's really nice for panning everything out and making your listening experience much nicer--it spreads everything out and sounds cleaner, less congested. The catch is that you will need a board that can support stereo sends or two sends for each member.
 
#27
CATFISHMcC0Y said:
not sure how necessary wireless is for you, but i use a rolls for my rig. it is not wireless but i just run the headphone cable along my instrument cable (ziptied together) and the rolls box itself lives on my pedal board.

advantages are it’s cheaper than wireless and i don’t have to worry about frequency crowding.

so rethinking how important the wireless aspect is could help you save a bit of cheese.
Click to expand...
This. I am wired and its not different (IMO) than plugging into and amp from your bass. Sure I would like wireless but good systems are pricey. And if you dont have alot of experience with in ears, its a cheap way to get into the game. I didnt like in ears at first and it took a bit to get used to.
 
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#28
GroovinOnFunk said:
Yeah...... I really believe this is one of those where if you go "budget" (read: cheap) to start with, you'll just end up ultimately spending more money.
I got an Xvive, then a Phenyx, and now I have a Sennheiser G4.
For ears I got a KZ, then Westones, and now I have custom molded Alclairs that are AMAZING.

Stretch the budget as far as you can to get the best quality stuff you possibly can, IMO.
Click to expand...
I’m too poor to try and save money. Whenever I go cheap I wind up buying the cheap crap AND what I should have bought in the first place.
 
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#29
pglaser01 said:
We don’t have a truly expensive set of knives at home, but I still find it hilarious when my wife mangles chicken breasts every time she uses the cheap knives to cut it, and then yells asking where I keep buying the chicken from as if it’s ALWAYS the chicken being the problem :roflmao:
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Total tangent but please find a restaurant supply store near you and get a decent quality knife. Dull knives are insanely dangerous. You can normally find a dexter chefs knife for between 25 and 40 dollars
 
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#30
DwaynieAD said:
Total tangent but please find a restaurant supply store near you and get a decent quality knife. Dull knives are insanely dangerous. You can normally find a dexter chefs knife for between 25 and 40 dollars
Click to expand...

We honestly had some but should definitely invest in more for sure. It’s just one of those items on a budget with 3 kids under the age of 10 where it never seems a priority to be fair
 
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#31
I have four of the Xvive wireless IEM systems that I use with two different bands. While there are drawbacks and some shortcomings, they have not failed us at any of the gigs or rehearsals where I've used them in the 18 months I've had them. They did not play well with my G30 guitar system, but I've sold that as it was often susceptible to interference irrespective of the monitor system. They're only mono, but then I only have six aux outputs on my mixer and need to feed four people in each band. They're only rechargeable, but then the batteries have lasted 5+ hours without hiccup. If I paid my mortgage by playing live music, I'd have something else, but I don't, so I don't.
 
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#32
You lost me at "cheap IEM". I'm not saying you have to go with world tour-spec units, but "cheap" is NEVER a good way to go with wireless anything, no matter if it's vocal mic, guitar/bass wireless, or IEM. I think the people responding above have resoundingly made that point, and I am too, for emphasis.

It is good to take note of local bands in your area who use such things. Two birds with one stone: Go see new bands or support local community. Also a nice and honest conversation piece to ask them what they use and build a connection. I'm always happy, and happy to chat when someone says "X sounded great, and I'd like to get one too. What is that?" It's a compliment and connection in one sentence. Plus, it's stuff that is more likely to work properly in exactly the places you perform, if you see other people using those units (successfully!!) as well.
 
#34
halech54 said:
I've used KZ AS10 IEM's for a good while; and I think they're incredibly balanced and at $60 a great bargain set of IEM's. Others have mentioned the dual cable where your instrument and IEM line are tethered together; I just ordered two of those from Caulfield cables and I know it's going to make for an incredibly comfortable wired approach to playing live. That's the cheapest way to do it, and it's as consistent as it gets
Click to expand...
Do you have more info about that cable? I cannot find it on Caulfield website.
I have a TC-Helicon one but it's pretty cheap.
 
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#35
BaltBass5 said:
Honestly, there is not really any way to go cheap on IEM's and have it work out well.

At bare minimum you are going to need multiple IEM Transmitters and Receivers and a way to tie everything together so that you or someone else can mix them. Even if you use the cheapest IEM units with stock buds and a cheap solution for mixing, you're still going to be spending a decent chunk of change. The system will be frustrating and unreliable and you will NOT have a good experience. I hate to say that, but it's the truth.

Most bands that are on IEM systems are making enough money to warrant using them. The process of switching the band to using IEM's doesn't have to be painful but, it WILL be a major adjustment with a learning curve. Many people make the mistake of trying to get into IEM's and go cheap or don't do it the right way and as a result they have a miserable experience and then give up on the idea forever while wasting whatever money they did invest.
Click to expand...

Great advice!
 
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#38
Wireless packs, we use a good Senheiser system with quality antenna on stage.
As for IEM’s these are about as good as I can afford, and with a couple of upgrades they work perfectly fine, nice and clear. I
At that price I have an extra set for a backup.
My KZ IEM’s on a budget list:
www.amazon.com

Check out my list on Amazon

www.amazon.com
 
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#40
Cheap IEM’s? Kz zs10 pro’s or another version from them. @FirewalZ pretty much nailed the combo on his Amazon link for the best IEM’s under, say… a couple hundred bucks. I’ve used them for 5+ years. I have customs now but I still own a couple sets of KZ’s for backups and various things.

Cheap wireless IEM systems? Don’t.

There’s really not a good way to go cheap if y’all have to buy everything.
 
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