In Ear Monitors For Bass Players

[jaywa]

If you're not using custom molds you have GOT to get a tight seal and that usually means jamming them WAY up in there. It takes some getting used to but after awhile you can actually "EQ" your IEMs on the fly simply by how far in you put them. Farther in = more bottom and isolation, farther out = less low end and more ambient sound (stage and room noise).

 

[EastCoastThump]

+1 to the seal making an enormous difference in the quality of the bass response.

If you don't want to go all the way to audiologist custom molds, you'll get a better seal and more secure fit w/ earbuds + DIY custom molds using Radians, Sugru, or the like.

 

[jaibeau]

Custom molded UE7's- dual low end drivers with an amp on stage for feel, your set

 

[csanders]

+1 on the Triple Fi 10 with Comply foam tips. I would like to eventually get them reshelled, but they work so well out-of-the-box that I'm no hurry. Plugged into a Rolls amp into a Presonus mixer. I control my mix with my iPhone.

This. This is what I just did. I've used the Triple.Fi 10s for about 8 months, then just got my reshells done to custom 1964 molds. Everything is clearer with the custom molds, but they were a great starting point before hand.

I run mine wirelessly through a Shure PSM200, rather than wired to a headphone amp, though. Not really a huge fan of the PSM200, and I'd love to upgrade it to a Sennheiser ew300 system, but this setup works great for me.

 

[mozilla314]

I tried my first gig with in-ears today, and the Shure 215's I ordered didn't so I used the Sennheiser ones I use on my ipod which seal well and I like the sound. I had real trouble pitching - I don't play that loud, and in the end popped one out and I could hear the pitch again. I had no problems pitthing with the singing, but in one song, I was a semi-tone high, and didn't notice - it was just the faces of the other guys who made me pop the right one out and then was I embarrassed. After the gig I tried again and on the lower notes, the in-ear is much more tricky to determine pitch. Is this just the the in-ear being unable to have enough clarity and will the Shure be better - or is it me?

I've used the Shure 215s for a few months now and I love them. Great isolation
and great bass sound. I'm running my own mixer with only my bass coming
through. I can hear the other instruments fine, just at a reduced level,
and I can hear my own backing vocals because I hear myself in my head.
I did have a problem because I was using the large rubber tips and they would
pop out on their own if I was hot and sweaty, or if I opened my mouth a certain way.
I changed to the medium tips and now they fit perfectly.

 

[Aaron_D]

se215 + psm200 = totally affordable killer IEM setup.

I'm sure the sound quality isn't on par with the systems that cost 10x as much, but I love it.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I use Alien ears 3 way models. I called them and the owner asked me what I played. I told him I play bass and sing lead. He said I'd probably like the same ones he himself uses since he's a drummer who sings and likes lots of bass. They are supposed to approximate the sound of an tri-amped stack consisting of a 1x18 sub+1x15mid + a high end horn. The bass is massive. No complaints.

 

[bobbybass85]

Check out 1964 Ears. I've got a set of their Quads (2 Bass, 1 Mid, 1 High) and they are unreal. Chronicled in detail here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f203/my-experience-going-custom-iems-925781/

 

[dreads311]

I use the Shure PSM200 + SE425 earbuds. I love it. Low B is full and beefy.

 

[mozilla314]

A friend of mine just got the 1964s and he loves them.

 

[Tom F]

I used a PSM 600 system with a pair of Westone UM 1's for a long time - sold the PSM 600 when my band broke up but held onto the UM-1's. Some day I'd like to try multi-driver buds as well as custom-molded earpieces, but I was pretty happy with the balanced armature driver in the UM-1, and the price was reasonable. (Brand new cost was a hair over $100.)

As others have said, seal is key. I went through a bunch of the different tips that came with the westones before I found the ones that sealed the best for me. The comply foams sounded great, but when I moved around too much I could hear the foam moving around in my ear canal, and the seal wasn't perfect. I'm assuming it was user error, but the foam rubber tips I ended up with were perfect for my needs.

 

[scowboy]

Another one in favor of 1964 quads. Mine are the best money I've ever spent.

 

[thehangingmist]

hey last night i used IEM's for the first time and it was beyond amazing to hear everything so clearly! It was all with basic 99$ shure 215 CL in ear phones! very cool!

 

[orsolli]

I use Shure SE215 and SE425, not custom mold but great seal and isolation, thus very good sound for rather cheap IEM

I bought the SE425 recently and used them at a festival. I was not happy about the bass. They weren't much louder at bass than the samsung ear-buds included a Galaxy S II package I was using before.
My drummer tried the SE315 and reported worse bass than his Westone UM 2.
According to Link Removed, the SE215 beats SE425 in low-frequencies.
I am thinking about replacing my SE425 with SE215, but I'm looking around to see if I can find something better

It should be noted that I share monitor mix with the drummer (Westone UM 2), so that might be the only reason for such horrible bass

 

[s0c9]

I bought the SE425 recently and used them at a festival. I was not happy about the bass. They weren't much louder at bass than the samsung ear-buds included a Galaxy S II package I was using before.
My drummer tried the SE315 and reported worse bass than his Westone UM 2.
According to Link Removed, the SE215 beats SE425 in low-frequencies.
I am thinking about replacing my SE425 with SE215, but I'm looking around to see if I can find something better

It should be noted that I share monitor mix with the drummer (Westone UM 2), so that might be the only reason for such horrible bass

It could be the reason, but every IEM has a "profile"...
I didn't like the Se215' - for the same reason you complain about the 425's. I have never used the 425's so really can't compare.
I'd try them with regular music and OTHER audio sources and adjust the bass to determine whether it's the buds, or the mix you had.

PS: Way to resurrect a zombie thread

 

[Medford Bassman]

I use Shure 535s with custom molds. Started on 215s with the same molds. They were good but IMO the 535s gives a better overall sounds good bass as well.

 

[Steve Hamilton]

I use shure SE 215

 

[Jon Mush]

That’s interesting. I always thought the 215 were pretty big and wooly in the low end. Maybe not sub, but pretty big. Kinda like listening to those Dre-phones. For me they lacked in detail and separation, but put out some decent grunt.

Every IEM has a specific use and tone profile. A brighter signature coupled with the DI signal can really make playing bass uninspiring, especially if your sharing EQ with FOH (very different transducers at work). For ears, getting a cab simulation or something to put some hair on the signal has been the winner for me. I also find that ambient mics help to fill in some of the blanks.

 

[BassoSaku]

Anyone using the Westone AmPro20 earphones? I want to replace Shure 315's I now have with them or Shure 535's. I just want to get more definition and bass feel in the IEM setup tha I find 315's lack. How does the ambience work for you?

 

[s0c9]

Anyone using the Westone AmPro20 earphones? I want to replace Shure 315's I now have with them or Shure 535's. I just want to get more definition and bass feel in the IEM setup tha I find 315's lack. How does the ambience work for you?

Never used the Westones, but generally, more drivers = better bass separation.