In-Ear Monitors???

[SanDiegoHarry]

Well, this just gets sillier and siller. Now the BL is telling me they have everything I need EXCEPT earbuds. While that's *good news*, its a tiny bit annoying that he didn't say so in the 1st place... no matter. I have earbuds that I never use (I don't really like earplugs) so I'm good to go. Thanks all!

 

[Sav'nBass]

I have stated this many times in other threads. Single driver buds are the most common reason (based on personal experience, forum posts, etc.) that folks don't like IEM's, especially guitar and bass players.

If you play bass/guitar and use IEM's, you NEED (at a minimum) dual drivers.. single drivers do not have the sound stage, definition or clarity one needs.
For some, universal fit works.. Custom fit (molds) are more expensive, but if you use IEM's, get A DECENT set of MULTI-DRIVER buds.

If not, it's like playing an $30,000 audiophile stereo system thru $10 speakers... you wouldn't do it for that system, why do it in your ears??

It is not the sound quality why I do noty like using IEMs.. it is the whole connected to something other than my bass.. stuff in my ear.. and the isolation I feel when they are sealed up and the lack of bass response in particular that I get when they slip out as they usually do especially if I am working up a sweat. The SE215s sound decent enough for me to hear myself well. I imagine a multi driver set would only sound better...

Well, this just gets sillier and siller. Now the BL is telling me they have everything I need EXCEPT earbuds. While that's *good news*, its a tiny bit annoying that he didn't say so in the 1st place... no matter. I have earbuds that I never use (I don't really like earplugs) so I'm good to go. Thanks all!

Just get those M6 buds Harry.. If I were in your shoes and it was a one time gig that's what I would do. Then just start to stash away some cash to get a better set if you think that may be something to do for the future.... but the SE215s would probably be just fine for this gig hence my suggesting you check out the M6 ones listed earlier in this thread.. just my 2 cents..

 

[Mike Sorr]

Thank you for all the advice and warnings. I would very much like to preserve my hearing, so investing in a better quality headset is on my to do list. To save me from countless hours of comparisons, especially since I know exactly nothing about which are good and which are to be avoided, can anyone recommend a decent quality, inexpensive IEM that isn't going to destroy my hearing yet offers acceptable sound? I've seen $1200 mentioned as a price for good quality IEMs...that isn't going to happen. Neither is $600 and even $200 would be pushing it. Am I being unrealistic?

Mind you, I'm not looking for an entire IEM system, just a headset to use with the system.

 

[Mike Sorr]

View attachment 678448 I use these every week. Skull Candy from wall mart. Decent and cheep. I also have expensive Shure an Senheiser IEMs , but I don't care if the candy's get lost or crushed.

That's pretty much what I have been using. I tried a set of Senheisers and even the buds that the church bought with the system, and everything sounds the same to me...horrible. I have come to accept that no matter what, it is going to sound horrible, I just want a headset that sounds less horrible and isn't going to deafen me.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Okay, I just ordered a set of M6 Pro's - $49+tax. Thanks for all the info guys.

 

[Dogbertday]

If you have a small powered PA speaker you can bring that as a backup in case they have nothing for you. Il about to pickup a Rolls pm55s as a wired iem rig system so I don't have to drop cash immediatelyfor a wireless rig.

 

[s0c9]

That's pretty much what I have been using. I tried a set of Senheisers and even the buds that the church bought with the system, and everything sounds the same to me...horrible. I have come to accept that no matter what, it is going to sound horrible, I just want a headset that sounds less horrible and isn't going to deafen me.

Do you have hearing damage from prior years of live sound that you are unaware of??
Have you had your hearing tested to see where you might have frequency recognition loss?
You really only need decent ears... there's plenty out there.. but
1. You need to set a budget and do some research in that price range.
2. Do universal fit work for you? If so, you can get more bang for the buck! I have small ear canals so that rules universals out.. they don't stay sealed or in my ear for long, even with smallest tips.
3. If going custom molds (audiologist visit required for molds. about $50) you will spend more overall, but will get better seal, fit and thus bass response.

2 and 3 above are totally depend on budget and whether universals work for you or not.
My only recommendation is don't cheap out on buds.. you're expectations will not be met.

 

[Fishyfishfish]

Just throwing this out-Alien Ears has a good starter kit of Molds and drivers for about $200.00. If you are using buds instead of molds (molds of your ear canal that completely block any sound but the driver) you are only getting half of what IEMs can do-IMO. Pre or post eq from the board also. Makes a huge difference, as well as getting over the "security" of stage volume. At first it was weird to be isolated but after a while I can say I would rather have IEMs than wedges. I can turn off anybody that I do not want to hear, make my own mix, and have the volume I want without my ears ringing for the rest of the night.

 

[s0c9]

It is not the sound quality why I do not like using IEMs.. it is the whole connected to something other than my bass.. stuff in my ear.. and the isolation I feel when they are sealed up and the lack of bass response in particular that I get when they slip out as they usually do especially if I am working up a sweat. The SE215s sound decent enough for me to hear myself well. I imagine a multi driver set would only sound better...

If they slip out on a regular basis, then you need custom molds to prevent that. I have small ear canals, and universals (even with smallest tips) give me the same issues you have outlined. I have no isolation or "stuff in my ears" issues, as I have practiced at home using headphones for many ears and been using IEM's (in one form or another) for about 6 yrs now.

If that is your major challenge better custom mold buds MAY help, but no guarantees.

 

[s0c9]

Just throwing this out-Alien Ears has a good starter kit of Molds and drivers for about $200.00. If you are using buds instead of molds (molds of your ear canal that completely block any sound but the driver) you are only getting half of what IEMs can do-IMO. Pre or post eq from the board also. Makes a huge difference, as well as getting over the "security" of stage volume. At first it was weird to be isolated but after a while I can say I would rather have IEMs than wedges. I can turn off anybody that I do not want to hear, make my own mix, and have the volume I want without my ears ringing for the rest of the night.

I'm completely wireless and can roam the stage and hear the same IEM mix no matter where I am.. with wedges? Not !

 

[1954bassman]

Thank you for all the advice and warnings. I would very much like to preserve my hearing, so investing in a better quality headset is on my to do list. To save me from countless hours of comparisons, especially since I know exactly nothing about which are good and which are to be avoided, can anyone recommend a decent quality, inexpensive IEM that isn't going to destroy my hearing yet offers acceptable sound? I've seen $1200 mentioned as a price for good quality IEMs...that isn't going to happen. Neither is $600 and even $200 would be pushing it. Am I being unrealistic?

Mind you, I'm not looking for an entire IEM system, just a headset to use with the system.

I use Future Sonics. They are about $100.

I would put "not using them correctly" at the top of the list as to why people say IEM's sound terrible.

 

[Mike Sorr]

I use Future Sonics. They are about $100.

I would put "not using them correctly" at the top of the list as to why people say IEM's sound terrible.

I'm probably not using them correctly since all I'm doing is jamming them into my ears and trying to dial in a sound I can use. I'm not sure what other instructions could possibly come with a set of headphones other than: remove from package, locate ears, place in ears, repeat as needed.

By the way, why are these things so damned expensive in the first place? Several hundred dollars for a set of headphones sounds a little ...nay, ridiculously crazy to me. But, as I've already mentioned, I've only just begun to use IEMs. I knew they existed, but I never had a need for them until recently.

 

[s0c9]

By the way, why are these things so damned expensive in the first place? Several hundred dollars for a set of headphones sounds a little ...nay, ridiculously crazy to me. But, as I've already mentioned, I've only just begun to use IEMs. I knew they existed, but I never had a need for them until recently.

Mike,
Expensive because they are miniaturized and components are not cheap.
I made the same mistakes as you appear to be - when I first started about 6 yrs ago.
I've made a lot of wrong turns, learnt a lot on the way, and over that time probably spent THREE times the $$ getting to the system I have now versus buying it first time.
That's why I say.. get multiple driver buds, DUAL at a minimum.

Mine are Invalid Link Removed (quads)... 4 drivers per ear - 2 LF, 1 MF and 1 HF in each ear. I can get silly/stupid amounts of bass in my ears if I need it.. GeriO has the same buds and can concur with that assessment.

You need a good seal and multiple drivers..
Thus, good buds will not be cheap - especially if you go custom molds..
Mine ran around $600 - just for the buds, including the molds from the audiologist.. but were well worth the $$ in retrospect. I also have the Senn G3 wireless system ahead of those buds.

Sure, there are cheaper models/vendors out there.. but I bought mine based on a LOT of research.

Not suggesting you go that specific route, just that you factor in cost/benefit ratios and get good ears!

 

[Mike Sorr]

Where does one get earbuds customized for their ears?

 

[s0c9]

Where does one get earbuds customized for their ears?

Mike,
There are 2 types of buds... custom molds and universal fit.

Both kinds are available with multiple drivers... for example.. mine (1964Ears) are custom fit, but Westone UM30's are universal.

Universals usually come with multiple tips to fit different size ears and give you a basic seal. After market replacement tips are also available - usually by vendor. Example: Comply tips

Custom molds require a visit to an audiologist (roughly $50) where they take impressions of your ears - usually to the second bend in your ear canal - which are then sent to your vendor of choice. The vendor then uses those impression to build a shell (with the drivers built in) that has "tips" that fit your ears and provide maximum seal. Most provide all kinds of colors and faceplate options, number of drivers, ambient ports (lets external sounds in) and other features.. at additional cost.
Even with stock models, due to the seal and fit, you should be able to keep the volumes low and wear them for [literally] hours with any discomfort.

Take a look at this thread for pictures of what they look like. Note this thread is specific to 1964 Ears, but there are many other vendors out there.
1964 Ears Owners Group | Page 21 | TalkBass.com

 

[Mike Sorr]

Two of the people in the church group use the Westone UM30s and swear by them, so I think I'm going to go in that direction. They're pricey and I'd prefer not to have to spend the money, but my hearing is worth it.

 

[s0c9]

Two of the people in the church group use the Westone UM30s and swear by them, so I think I'm going to go in that direction. They're pricey and I'd prefer not to have to spend the money, but my hearing is worth it.

I suggest you try to "borrow" theirs for a "session" before you jump on that kind of outlay.. try them out.. see the difference?

 

[jwilson67]

I suggest you try to "borrow" theirs for a "session" before you jump on that kind of outlay.. try them out.. see the difference?

I just received my Meelectronics M6 Pros today MEElectronics M6 PRO Universal-Fit Noise-Isolating Musician’s In-Ear Monitors with Detachable Cables and so far they seem really, really good just listening to music with them. They have bendable memory wire in the detachable cables and they fit snug in my ear. I got them from Amazon for $49 + tax. I can't see spending more for this type of bud unless I'd be going into the custom molded realm.

 

[s0c9]

I just received my Meelectronics M6 Pros today MEElectronics M6 PRO Universal-Fit Noise-Isolating Musician’s In-Ear Monitors with Detachable Cables and so far they seem really, really good just listening to music with them. They have bendable memory wire in the detachable cables and they fit snug in my ear. I got them from Amazon for $49 + tax. I can't see spending more for this type of bud unless I'd be going into the custom molded realm.

with all due respect, until you've tried the upper levels, you'll not be aware of the differences... there's a reason why those buds are priced like the are!

 

[jwilson67]

with all due respect, until you've tried the upper levels, you'll not be aware of the differences... there's a reason why those buds are priced like the are!

I'm curious - have you actually tried the buds I got or just assuming? I was going from reviews on Head-fi where they were being compared to Shure 215's and Westones. I'd trust those people on that forum. My band is using a Nady PEM1000 so I wasn't after the best-in-class buds anyway as it would be a bit pointless given the quality of the system. I'm not saying they're as good as sets going into the $200+ range but until then I believe the laws of diminishing returns would apply.