More IEM questions. But really...

[Joe Nerve]

I NEED YOUR HELP!

I'm currently using Westone UM PRO30s (triple driver) with Comply (and/or Westone) Noise Isolating tips.

I'm OK with the sound, but my band seems to be getting louder and its become a problem. I have to crank the bass in my IEMs, and I'm having a really rough time because I have hearing problems, plus tinnitus that kicks in once I start pushing the volume.

Everyone in my band is telling me I really need to get ear impressions made and take the plunge for customs. I'm going to get impressions made this week, but then I'm lost.

Talked to everybody in my band and hear things like, "These are heavy in the bass," "These have more high end," "You should go for as many drivers as you can afford," "Mine are great and only cost me $600," bla, bla, bla... HELP!!!!!!!

I don't want crazy highs, nor crazy lows. I want a very clear even mix and I'd like to spend somewhere around $1000.

Can people please help me out with recommendations and maybe links where I can research this and hopefully make this my final IEM purchase?

Thanks in advance.

 

[two fingers]

I'm right there with you, my friend. Roughly the same budget and everything. One rumor I have heard is that several of the more reputable IEM manufacturers have huge sales on Cyber Monday. So if you cam hang in there that long you may get better bang for your buck.

Otherwise I'll sit back and watch.

 

[bikeplate]

JH Audio model 11s. Youll love em

 

[Joe Nerve]

I'm right there with you, my friend. Roughly the same budget and everything. One rumor I have heard is that several of the more reputable IEM manufacturers have huge sales on Cyber Monday. So if you cam hang in there that long you may get better bang for your buck.

I have 19 weddings between now and Cyber Monday. Everyone who got cancelled during Covid is getting married these next 2 months. Would love to wait, but I fear I'll be deaf by then.

JH Audio model 11s. Youll love em

I trust people here and that sounds convincing, lol , but please REALLY convince me. Can you elaborate at all, let me know what you love about them or what you think separates them from the others?

 

[Joe Nerve]

@bikeplate

Just checked them out and like what I read thus far. (For @two fingers [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] ) Especially this:

FREQPHASE WAVEGUIDE
FreqPhase™ Technology creates the most phase accurate IEMs on the market by correcting misalignment caused by low, mid, and high frequencies traveling to your ear at different speeds.

VARIABLE BASS
Variable bass output, adjustable from cable; user controlled low frequency drivers with the adjustable bass (0 to +10db)

Being able to adjust the bass is something that I think might be invaluable to me... not sure if others do that.

And the phase thing is something I only recently learned about. One day when I was getting destroyed my sound guy said, "Let me switch the phase on your monitor, and see what happens?" He did that, and everything changed! The boom that was killing me disappeared. I have to start using a different monitor app so I can do that myself. Not sure what system we use, but I've been using the bare bones mixer because its easier to adjust on the fly.

 

[two fingers]

I have 19 weddings between now and Cyber Monday. Everyone who got cancelled during Covid is getting married these next 2 months. Would love to wait, but I fear I'll be deaf by then.



I trust people here and that sounds convincing, lol , but please REALLY convince me. Can you elaborate at all, let me know what you love about them or what you think separates them from the others?

If this is a derail let me know. But when I was in a wedding band, we often could not be THAT loud. I'm surprised you guys are pounding loud at a wedding reception.

 

[bikeplate]

I have 19 weddings between now and Cyber Monday. Everyone who got cancelled during Covid is getting married these next 2 months. Would love to wait, but I fear I'll be deaf by then.



I trust people here and that sounds convincing, lol , but please REALLY convince me. Can you elaborate at all, let me know what you love about them or what you think separates them from the others?[/QUOTE

Ive been using in ears for over 15 years. Never could get a universal bud tip I liked. They always popped out of my ears when I sang. One night at 3am, eating breakfast at Dennys with my drummer with my ears ringing, I decided enough was enough. We texted my nephew and our old guitarist friend. My nephew was on the road with Dream Theater at that time and our friend was teching for Phil Collen of Def Leppard. We asked both what the bands tour with. Our friend said JH Audio and my nephew said JH audio and Ultimate ears. The guitarist in one of my band has Ultimate Ears and has sent them back more than once for repair so I passed on those. Called JH audio in Florida later that week. They asked me what they were for and he recommended a couple different models. I settled on the middle of the road 11s. Had an audiologist do their part and ordered up. Sound incredible, fit perfect. I can set them so low in volume it’s remarkable. Never come home with ringing ears!! In fact, last night we finished and the DJ instantly started pumping his PA twice as loud as us. I break down all my gear with my molds still in my ears! Peaceful

 

[Joe Nerve]

If this is a derail let me know. But when I was in a wedding band, we often could not be THAT loud. I'm surprised you guys are pounding loud at a wedding reception.

We're not ridiculously loud, but a subwoofer is always right next to and in front of me, as are the horn players - and they don't have IEMs. They use a wedge and sometimes start blowing me out with it. I get front of house, subs, my amp (which I keep low), and the floor monitor - plus my IEMs that are getting too much outside bleed. Gets really tough some nights, especially if we're in a big room. Add in the weird phasing thing mentioned above, and it makes things very un-fun.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I think ya may have gotten me with that . I swear it almost brought tears to my eyes.

Going to try and get the molds done tomorrow. Going to see what else this thread produces, but something tells me I got my answer right out of the gate.

Thanks very much.

 

[bikeplate]

Cool, Joe. Simply what all the pros use. I think Jerry started Ultimate Ears and sold the company to start JH audio. Good luck and save your hearing asap!!!

 

[TheLowDown33]

This sounds like a mix problem. Do you set your own mixes or does a sound person do it?

 

[Joe Nerve]

This sounds like a mix problem. Do you set your own mixes or does a sound person do it?

I do, but I'm getting lots of sound from stage monitors and have a really rough time adjusting. My band never, and I mean NEVER ever stops during a set. I can tweak before and after only. The horn guys are playing with their settings throughout. Its incredibly frustrating, and everyone in my band is telling me that if I get customs, it'll block out a lot of that outside interference.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

Cool, Joe. Simply what all the pros use. I think Jerry started Ultimate Ears and sold the company to start JH audio. Good luck and save your hearing asap!!!

JH are great, but they're a premium IEM brand and they know it. Most of the premium brands are using their 'pro' live music association to sell to audiophiles for big $$ (makes sense - there are more of them and they'll pay more for earbuds).

Plenty of 'pros' using other brands nowadays, there are lots of options and many of them have their high-end models around the $1000 price point, rather than having $1K as their starting price point.

 

[Odinbass]

64 audio A4 - 4 driver - $999 list but they knocked off $100 at checkout when I ordered in August.

I previously had their 'Qi' model which was their earlier 4 driver model. Used them for hundreds of shows, music listening sessions, and rehearsals. Six years of constant abuse. Finally had to get new ones this summer.

'Perfectly balanced' is how I describe both the old Qis and the new A4. Not bass heavy. Not thin. They turned me into an IEM religious zealot.

 

[Rfan]

Don't bet the house on custom molds. I had some made at an audiologist, they attenuated at different levels, very distracting having a nice level in the left and being completely blown out on the right. Not a problem any more since I am now completely deaf in my right ear.

 

[s0c9]

Don't bet the house on custom molds. I had some made at an audiologist, they attenuated at different levels, very distracting having a nice level in the left and being completely blown out on the right. Not a problem any more since I am now completely deaf in my right ear.

IMHO..That was due to a crappy build or bad cable.. not customs per se.
I have experienced exactly that….the brand new cable was bad. The buds (64Audio A8’s) were fine.

 

[Rilence]

Yep defo get customs. You sound ready for them.

 

[quilanthegreat]

I’ve used Shure universals with foam tips and now have 64 Audio A6t’s. As far as noise cancellation, a custom IEM will isolate at roughly the same decibel levels as your current buds. The thing about high end customs is that you’ll get so much more detail and the multiple drivers will allow for you to have a lower in ear volume while hearing the overall mix better. I couldn’t recommend the 64 Audio A6ts enough but they are a bit over your budget. If you look at the frequency spectrum, the A6s are voiced better for bass players than the A4s - if you can somehow manage it, it is sooo worth the extra $200 to make the A6s happen. The Alclair Spires are also a great option in your price range - https://bit.ly/3a2jLRQ.

 

[LowFactor]

Definitely go the custom route. I currently have JH16v2s. Most of the bands I tour with use JH. With customs you get the added benefit of around 26db in noise reduction from outside sources that you don’t get with generics. Currently stage managing for a very well known country group (multiple CMA nominations this year) and end up standing next to a very loud fender twin every night. Without my ears in it is painfully loud off stage left next to the amp. With them in I can keep my mix turned down to a reasonable level and be very comfortable. The ability to adjust the low frequency on the JH models that offer that is really nice.all the way down is a flatter response. All the way up is like having subs in your ears. Can really feel it. Plus with the better seal from custom molds you will get better low frequency response so you won’t have to crank it as loud.
64 Audio makes a good product as well.
Jerry Harvey is essentially the originator of custom IEMs. Not sure on the specifics but he sold Ultimate Ears and started JH audio years ago. They have offices in the manor music centers that you can contact and demo the generic versions of their entire product line. They can even help you get impressions done. Very important to have them done properly with a bite block or they won’t fit right.
JH even keeps your impressions on file so if you need to order custom ear plugs or a backup set of ears later on you can order off the website and don’t have to get new impressions made.
JH, 64, UE are the top three brands. Can’t really go wrong with any of them. But contact the local rep for each one and try them out and see what configuration you like best. Good luck.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

JH even keeps your impressions on file so if you need to order custom ear plugs or a backup set of ears later on you can order off the website and don’t have to get new impressions made.

I think most do this FYI - I had custom earplugs made by Alclair first, then a few months later had custom IEMs made from the impressions on file.