If the OP is still following this thread, I received my custom Westone ES50 IEMs and can report that the isolation is noticeably greater than the Westone X Pro30s universal fit IEMs that I was using previously. I'm really enjoying these 5 balanced armature monitors and the sound quality is better than the previous 3 balanced armature drivers that I used previously. The only other comparison ears I tried are the single driver ones that came with the wireless system and both of the Westone models are far better than those for high end balance and bass detail. The gold 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter did not come with these but there was a nice slot already available to put it in. I only use that to plug onto the cable as a weight to assist in dropping the cable down inside the clothing. Lol. It works great for that but can also be used to plug directly into the mixer's phones or an aux output for testing.
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More IEM questions. But really...
- Thread starter Joe Nerve
- Start date
That’s a great idea! I’m going to put one of those adapters in my IEM case for that reason alone!
Alright, coming back with some more feedback/info for this thread since it was really helpful for me when I was considering IEMs.
Earlier in the year I bought Alclair Spires (6 drivers) based on their recommendation. My main problem on stage was hearing vocals so I wasn't necessarily just looking for something with a ton of bass. The Spires were quoted at 8 weeks production, I received them right around that time frame, maybe a bit earlier. First try they were very uncomfortable to wear. I'd read multiple places that this was normal for IEMs and to keep working with them to get your ears used to them. I tried tweaking the position multiple times, but when gig night rolled around I couldn't keep them in my ears because they were so painful. So I sent them back for a refit which they got done in a week or 2. They were much better, but I still found I was fiddling with them a lot. So on Black Friday I pulled the trigger on some JH11s. They quoted 3 weeks and delivery was pretty much dead on. This was important to me because all the other companies I was considering (Ultimate Ears, 64 Audio) were quoting 6-8 weeks. I also really liked their custom design interface, much more than the other companies.
My first impression when I got my JH11s was that they fit absolutely perfectly in my ears. No pain, and they seal so well that I almost feel like they pop from the suction when I take them out. And because they use 4 drivers rather than 6 they sit in my ears a lot more nicely, the Spires stuck out from the side of my head quite a bit. What I didn't expect was the difference in clarity. I A/Bed the Spires and JH11s and the JH11s are not only louder but seem to have better clarity in sound. I have yet to gig the JH11s but I'm really excited to try them, I could not be happier with them out of the box right now. Early January will be my first opportunity to try them, I'll report back when I have an update.
All that being said, I would still recommend Alclair even though it didn't work out for me. I think they offer a quality product at a really good price. If I could go back and do it again I might have gotten the CMVKs instead, but hindsight is always 20/20. For now count me in as another vote for JH Audio. Great design interface, relatively short build time, killer product right out of the box.
Earlier in the year I bought Alclair Spires (6 drivers) based on their recommendation. My main problem on stage was hearing vocals so I wasn't necessarily just looking for something with a ton of bass. The Spires were quoted at 8 weeks production, I received them right around that time frame, maybe a bit earlier. First try they were very uncomfortable to wear. I'd read multiple places that this was normal for IEMs and to keep working with them to get your ears used to them. I tried tweaking the position multiple times, but when gig night rolled around I couldn't keep them in my ears because they were so painful. So I sent them back for a refit which they got done in a week or 2. They were much better, but I still found I was fiddling with them a lot. So on Black Friday I pulled the trigger on some JH11s. They quoted 3 weeks and delivery was pretty much dead on. This was important to me because all the other companies I was considering (Ultimate Ears, 64 Audio) were quoting 6-8 weeks. I also really liked their custom design interface, much more than the other companies.
My first impression when I got my JH11s was that they fit absolutely perfectly in my ears. No pain, and they seal so well that I almost feel like they pop from the suction when I take them out. And because they use 4 drivers rather than 6 they sit in my ears a lot more nicely, the Spires stuck out from the side of my head quite a bit. What I didn't expect was the difference in clarity. I A/Bed the Spires and JH11s and the JH11s are not only louder but seem to have better clarity in sound. I have yet to gig the JH11s but I'm really excited to try them, I could not be happier with them out of the box right now. Early January will be my first opportunity to try them, I'll report back when I have an update.
All that being said, I would still recommend Alclair even though it didn't work out for me. I think they offer a quality product at a really good price. If I could go back and do it again I might have gotten the CMVKs instead, but hindsight is always 20/20. For now count me in as another vote for JH Audio. Great design interface, relatively short build time, killer product right out of the box.
- Oct 7, 2000
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Its been a while, but I thought I'd update. Not sure what my last post was, but anyhow, I decided to buy myself a pair of Sensaphonics. I went with the 3 Max because I wanted to play it safe. I realized that if the bass was too much for me I could always EQ it out in my monitor mix. Anyhow... Its been a bit of a journey.
The first impressions I had made I was told were no good. I didn't trust the Audiologist from the minute I met her (even though she was on Sensaphonics list) and well... it was a bad experience. I'll skip the details. Spoke with Sensaphonics and they recommended a woman in Manhattan that they said they trusted. She took 2 impressions for each ear, and had me do anything and everything I'd do while performing. The monitors were made in a lot less time than expected. I had them in about 2 weeks, and WOW... but...
1st the wow. They sound amazing! I never heard the band like this, not even with my JH monitors, wrapped. Sound was crystal clear, and the isolation RIDICULOUS. They blotted everything out like nobody's business. I had to put drums in my mix, something I never had to do before.
Now the "but" -- the right monitor wouldn't stay put. The seal was great when it sealed, but it would lose its seal every 30 seconds or so.
Sent em back. They did something, they stayed put a bit longer, but I'd get a pop and they'd unseal when I looked down or smiled to much. Arrrgh....
Got another impression made. Sent them back again. They came back a 2nd time, but now worse. I couldn't really get them to seal at all.
They're back with Sensaphonics for a 3rd round. I explained as best I could what was happening. I hope to have them back within a week or 2.
Bottom line. The left monitor seals like nobody's business and doesn't budge. I LOVE it. If they can get the right one to seal the same, these will be all I ever hoped and could have wished for. The isolation doesn't even compare to my other customs. I will update again. Maybe get into some specifics if anyone seems interested, lol
. Das all for now.
The first impressions I had made I was told were no good. I didn't trust the Audiologist from the minute I met her (even though she was on Sensaphonics list) and well... it was a bad experience. I'll skip the details. Spoke with Sensaphonics and they recommended a woman in Manhattan that they said they trusted. She took 2 impressions for each ear, and had me do anything and everything I'd do while performing. The monitors were made in a lot less time than expected. I had them in about 2 weeks, and WOW... but...
1st the wow. They sound amazing! I never heard the band like this, not even with my JH monitors, wrapped. Sound was crystal clear, and the isolation RIDICULOUS. They blotted everything out like nobody's business. I had to put drums in my mix, something I never had to do before.
Now the "but" -- the right monitor wouldn't stay put. The seal was great when it sealed, but it would lose its seal every 30 seconds or so.
Sent em back. They did something, they stayed put a bit longer, but I'd get a pop and they'd unseal when I looked down or smiled to much. Arrrgh....
Got another impression made. Sent them back again. They came back a 2nd time, but now worse. I couldn't really get them to seal at all.
They're back with Sensaphonics for a 3rd round. I explained as best I could what was happening. I hope to have them back within a week or 2.
Bottom line. The left monitor seals like nobody's business and doesn't budge. I LOVE it. If they can get the right one to seal the same, these will be all I ever hoped and could have wished for. The isolation doesn't even compare to my other customs. I will update again. Maybe get into some specifics if anyone seems interested, lol
. Das all for now.
No joke but I have thought of this…Its been a while, but I thought I'd update. Not sure what my last post was, but anyhow, I decided to buy myself a pair of Sensaphonics. I went with the 3 Max because I wanted to play it safe. I realized that if the bass was too much for me I could always EQ it out in my monitor mix. Anyhow... Its been a bit of a journey.
The first impressions I had made I was told were no good. I didn't trust the Audiologist from the minute I met her (even though she was on Sensaphonics list) and well... it was a bad experience. I'll skip the details. Spoke with Sensaphonics and they recommended a woman in Manhattan that they said they trusted. She took 2 impressions for each ear, and had me do anything and everything I'd do while performing. The monitors were made in a lot less time than expected. I had them in about 2 weeks, and WOW... but...
1st the wow. They sound amazing! I never heard the band like this, not even with my JH monitors, wrapped. Sound was crystal clear, and the isolation RIDICULOUS. They blotted everything out like nobody's business. I had to put drums in my mix, something I never had to do before.
Now the "but" -- the right monitor wouldn't stay put. The seal was great when it sealed, but it would lose its seal every 30 seconds or so.
Sent em back. They did something, they stayed put a bit longer, but I'd get a pop and they'd unseal when I looked down or smiled to much. Arrrgh....
Got another impression made. Sent them back again. They came back a 2nd time, but now worse. I couldn't really get them to seal at all.
They're back with Sensaphonics for a 3rd round. I explained as best I could what was happening. I hope to have them back within a week or 2.
Bottom line. The left monitor seals like nobody's business and doesn't budge. I LOVE it. If they can get the right one to seal the same, these will be all I ever hoped and could have wished for. The isolation doesn't even compare to my other customs. I will update again. Maybe get into some specifics if anyone seems interested, lol
Or something similar. Something to make it sticky to stay in on the one side or something that will flex and keep the seal. Jaw movement is different on that side apparently. Maybe a little sealing wax instead.
Its been a while, but I thought I'd update. Not sure what my last post was, but anyhow, I decided to buy myself a pair of Sensaphonics. I went with the 3 Max because I wanted to play it safe. I realized that if the bass was too much for me I could always EQ it out in my monitor mix. Anyhow... Its been a bit of a journey.
The first impressions I had made I was told were no good. I didn't trust the Audiologist from the minute I met her (even though she was on Sensaphonics list) and well... it was a bad experience. I'll skip the details. Spoke with Sensaphonics and they recommended a woman in Manhattan that they said they trusted. She took 2 impressions for each ear, and had me do anything and everything I'd do while performing. The monitors were made in a lot less time than expected. I had them in about 2 weeks, and WOW... but...
1st the wow. They sound amazing! I never heard the band like this, not even with my JH monitors, wrapped. Sound was crystal clear, and the isolation RIDICULOUS. They blotted everything out like nobody's business. I had to put drums in my mix, something I never had to do before.
Now the "but" -- the right monitor wouldn't stay put. The seal was great when it sealed, but it would lose its seal every 30 seconds or so.
Sent em back. They did something, they stayed put a bit longer, but I'd get a pop and they'd unseal when I looked down or smiled to much. Arrrgh....
Got another impression made. Sent them back again. They came back a 2nd time, but now worse. I couldn't really get them to seal at all.
They're back with Sensaphonics for a 3rd round. I explained as best I could what was happening. I hope to have them back within a week or 2.
Bottom line. The left monitor seals like nobody's business and doesn't budge. I LOVE it. If they can get the right one to seal the same, these will be all I ever hoped and could have wished for. The isolation doesn't even compare to my other customs. I will update again. Maybe get into some specifics if anyone seems interested, lol
I use Westone OTO-EASE on the IEMs if they are breaking the seal, but I only rarely have that issue. I use Westone IEMs and their impression instructions for the Audiologist produced a good result, but I've only done it once. I think the most important part is to have the mouth open to the maximum width used in singing as that is when the seal tends to break if it is going to. At least that has been my experience.
