In-Ear Monitors???

[s0c9]

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.

An educated assumption based on specs.. they're single drivers, not BA (balanced armature) and can't compete with Westone UM30's.
That doesn't make your choice bad for the $$.. but it's like comparing a VW Beetle to a Ferrari.

 

[jwilson67]

An educated assumption based on specs.. they're single drivers, not BA (balanced armature) and can't compete with Westone UM30's.
That doesn't make your choice bad for the $$.. but it's like comparing a VW Beetle to a Ferrari.

Well I was using $11 Phillips earbuds before so I'm movin' on up! Talk to me in 5 years and I'll be finally arriving at custom molds.

 

[jwilson67]

OK - I looked up the UM30's and yes - obviously a $50 pair of IEMs aren't going to compete with a $400 pair! I agree, that is ridiculous but if comparing to the Shure se215s it gets a bit more realistic. And the Westones I was referring to are the UM Pro 10s ($149).

 

[Mike Sorr]

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.

Oooooh, that might be the answer right there, at least for now.

UPDATE: bought them on Amazon. We'll see how they work. They can only be an improvement over what I'm using now.

 

[s0c9]

OK - I looked up the UM30's and yes - obviously a $50 pair of IEMs aren't going to compete with a $400 pair! I agree, that is ridiculous but if comparing to the Shure se215s it gets a bit more realistic. And the Westones I was referring to are the UM Pro 10s ($149).

Cool.. that was my only point.. hope your purchase works out for you!

 

[1954bassman]

Isn't there two schools of thought on single vs multiple drivers?

Single driver headphone or multi driver IEM?

 

[jwilson67]

Cool.. that was my only point.. hope your purchase works out for you!

I think it will. Buying a $400 set of IEM's for a Nady PEM1000 is a bit like putting a Porsche body on a VW Beetle chassis! LOL If my band had a Sennheiser system I would look into some of the best ones but for now these will do!

 

[jwilson67]

Oooooh, that might be the answer right there, at least for now.

UPDATE: bought them on Amazon. We'll see how they work. They can only be an improvement over what I'm using now.

Good choice! So far just listening to music with them they seem to have a really natural and not overpowering bass response and a very neutral treble. I will be using them as a monitor in a week so I'll report my impressions after that! I really like how snug they fit in my ear with the memory wire. My biggest gripe about standard buds was that they kept falling out of my ear.

 

[s0c9]

My biggest gripe about standard buds was that they kept falling out of my ear.

This is why I moved to custom molds, and bit the pricing bullet. Constantly losing the seal and having them fall out, pop or move when singing or [even] turning my head was a HUGE DISSATISFIER!

 

[FuturePrimitive]

I think it will. Buying a $400 set of IEM's for a Nady PEM1000 is a bit like putting a Porsche body on a VW Beetle chassis!

To be fair, you don't have to use the $400 IEMs with only the Nady system. I use mine all the time, practice, casual listening, ignoring my boss, etc.

 

[ga_edwards]

I have no input of the original discussion but just thought I'd share. Recently started using IEM and purchased the SoundMagic PL50 phones (pretty much copies of higher end phones). Can be bought for around £45, which considering they are balanced amature design, are massive bang for buck.

Only caveat, the included tips, both silicon and foam are naff. I bought a set of Complyfoam tips which hugely improved the fit and sound quality, and I have a set of eBay triple flange tips sitting on my desk waiting to try.

Some reviews complain about lack of bass, but I think that this is a) lack of understanding of what a 'flat' reference monitor should sound like, and b) using tips that don't fit!

 

[Geri O]

Isn't there two schools of thought on single vs multiple drivers?

Single driver headphone or multi driver IEM?

That's a very generalized discussion. Physics will explain why it's best to have at least 2 drivers, a low driver and a high driver in an audio speaker system. The dynamics to reproduce highs and lows dictate different materials and construction to reproduce them accurately. Of course, you can have a really good single-driver and a really lousy multiple driver, ad nauseam. That doesn't negate the physics involved.

And while I think the folks at head-fi.org are smart folks, I've never seen a discussion on the performance aspect of headphones and IEMs. It's one thing to sit in a comfortable chair and listen to music. It's something else to play music, listen to the rest of the band and singers, and the needs that live playing dictate. I'm not saying that they aren't qualified to speak on headphones, but I din't see where they share our experiences.

I spent nearly $600 on custom-molded IEMs. I've since tried, for various reasons, tried some of the less-expensive models that get discussed here and with varied results. Obviously, custom molds are easier to get a good seal with, so I hesitate to rate less-expensive models on that basis (in fact, the Westone UM30s are VERY impressive and I have a set of those as a spare set of IEMs).

I'll just say that my decision to go with the $600 IEMs (In this case, the 1964 Quads) was a good one and I'll never, ever regret it. I'll never assert that buying anything less is a waste of time, only that the caveat of getting what you pay for applies very much here (and it goes without saying that not everyone needs to drive a Porsche...)

However, by the same token, I'll not tolerate being told that I wasted money on a set of IEMs driven by marketing and snob-appeal from anyone.

 

[s0c9]

GeriO - I just posted this over at prosound.. lab lounge
"+1000%
Doesn't happen anymore, and there's NO way that Apple could possibly test all those apps before rolling it out..
So....
I upgraded my iPad 2 to v9 Sat pm, ran some basic tests and didn't find any issues.
At Sat nights gig I did get a little surprise...
Those of us running X32-Q, LOST the VU metering on the app when 8.0.* was released. B*ringer has NOT updated the app since and I still didn't have VU metering with 8.4.1
The surprise???
The VU meters have returned with iOS 9.!!!
Well for me anyway... they were working fine the entire 4-hr gig last night!
YAY !!"

 

[Geri O]

GeriO - I just posted this over at prosound.. lab lounge
"+1000%
Doesn't happen anymore, and there's NO way that Apple could possibly test all those apps before rolling it out..
So....
I upgraded my iPad 2 to v9 Sat pm, ran some basic tests and didn't find any issues.
At Sat nights gig I did get a little surprise...
Those of use running X32-Q, LOST the VU metering on the app when 8.0.* was released. B*ringer has NOT updated the app since and I still didn't have VU metering with 8.4.1
The surprise???
The VU meters have returned with iOS 9.!!!
Well for me anyway... they were working fine the entire 4-hr gig last night!
YAY !!"

Wow, great find!

I'll be using my iPad for driving monitors from the X32 (a rare luxury of a FOH guy out front on that gig) next weekend. I doubt any of my band guys have updated their phones, if I know that bunch (great players, illiterate phone techs...). I use the full-blown app so I can handle someone else's monitor needs on the fly (and I handle the female star's mix anyway).

Will definitely check it out, thanx!