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Need IEM help. Again.

#21
get custom if you're paying that much. the sound quality on most of them is all the same, you're not paying for that. you're paying for custom fit for maximum isolation and outside noise rejection. you can have them barely turned up and it will sound like it's blaring in your ears. this both saves your hearing and prolongs it.

the universal fall out constantly and because of bad fit sonically are terrible. even a cheapo set of customs is worth it. i have Future Sonics and love them (dude invented in ears, single driver) but i think the 1964 audio are the cheapest? give those a shot.
 
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#24
roller said:
Future Sonics' MG6Pros sound ridiculously good. Listening to music and watching movies with them takes those experiences to a whole new level.
Click to expand...

mine are probably 10 years old, still going strong without issues, have only had to replace the cable on them a couple times. not sure which model they are, back then it was just "custom molded model" lol. i met the owner/inventor, he came to our show on tour and brought an audiologist and had us molded and got our info there and a week later he shipped us the ears. i got nothing but love for future sonics.
 
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#25
I've used the Westone UM2 and UM Pro 20 and found them both great for my needs. Full Compass recently had - and may still have - the UM2 for under $200.

There is a small downside to custom fit. Losing or gaining weight can change your ear canal. I had a set of custom noise reduction molds made for shooting; I gained weight over the years and the fit is no longer what it was. I can use them for power equipment, but not so much for why I bought them.
 
#26
First, I'm a Westone artist, so take my recommendation as you will...

I used the old UM2s for many years, until the cable had a problem right at the buds. Unfortunately, the older monitors had fixed cables (new ones are replaceable). I looked around at some other options, but kept coming back to the Westones. While I fully intended to upgrade to custom molded ES50s, I really needed something fast, so I purchased a set of UM Pro 20's. I've use them pretty extensively live and for several studio projects, including upright and fretless basses. They sound GREAT and don't cost all that much at $300.

I'll still order a set of ES50s soon, but the UM Pro 20's are plenty sufficient for me, sound great, and will make a fine backup set of ears when I get my customs.
 
#27
I would go with who has the longer and better warranty and make sure you buy from an authorized dealer. Customs sound like one or two steps up from the OPs price range and universals may just get the job done.
 
#29
When considering customs- Keep in mind that more drivers do not equal better sound quality. More of a bad thing is still a bad thing. Also consider the material the customs are made from. Harder materials, like some of the customs mentioned here, will kill you on longer gigs with physical fatigue. You will be pulling them out of your ears every chance you get. I am biased and work directly for a manufacturer of said technology, so I will keep my biased product endorsement out of the conversation. If you want my opinion as a guy who has done 8 hour gigs, never taking out my customs, with my ears feeling like I could wear them another (100) hours (no joke). PM me.
 
#30
Thanks everyone for the awesome input!

OK, so... I decided I'm not going to go with customs for 3 reasons:

1. It helped my pitch with the band. I'm not going to be using them in any other band, so they can keep them should there ever be a next guy. Or even a sub, which there definitely will be.

2. I'm completely comfortable and happy with the buds I've been using. Just not happy with the sound. I get an excellent seal and have no complaints regarding that.

3. The singer (band guy I discussed this with) said he's not happy with his customs and regrets getting them. Said he liked the buds better. I notice he's always removing one when we're playing. That's something that's not an option for me due to btinnitus - something I have to write a long post about very soon (I no longer believe it's incurable).

And on that last reason, I realize my singers experience isn't typical, but I see no reason to risk that kind of money if I have no complaints with the buds.

Oh yeah, I'm waiting on the "band discussion" results. I emailed them (as requested) a link to the Westones @guy n. cognito originally suggested. Pretty sure they're going to go for it, but we'll see.
 
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#31
The singer removes them because the customs do a better job of sound isolation, and he's not used to hearing his voice so clearly.
Tell him to put up a room mic and turn it up in his mix. Problem solved.
Or he could have gotten customs with holes designed specifically to let in room noise.
His problem isn't with the customs but rather his understanding of what they do and how to find the best ones for him. Don't let his bad decision persuade you.

I wish I knew where to tell you to go, but when I needed ears, I'd already used dual drivers, then triple drivers. The triples were SOOO much better than the duals. Everything was clearer and more even.
There's a lady down here in Texas that deals only in IEMs. She'll come in with a bunch of different models, and let you try 'em, find the pair that work best for you. I ended up choosing a set of Quad drivers from 64. Everything sounds perfect. Monitor flat. Worth every penny.
Maybe she can help you out, even in another state. I'll PM you her info. Just text her and tell her what's up, ask if she knows anybody in NY.
 
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#32
Joe Nerve said:
I don't understand how the customs work? How do you know your getting good drivers, bass frequency, etc? Can someone explain custom monitors to me, and how they range in price for ones that are great for bassists?
Click to expand...
Sub'd for this.
EDIT:
AAAAAAAnnnnd as I read on . . . . so much good info. Next time a might read a bit ahead first. :thumbsup:
 
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#33
Hey Joe, (where you going with that g...:bag:)
Two things.
#1. Bass Player Mag just did a review on some ridiculously expensive IEMs. Could have been an article, gives some insight into the process of getting fitted, ect.. I think it's worth a read, not necessarily for those IEMs, but for the general info. Here's the link.
Review: Ultimate Ears UE 11 Pro In-ear Monitors
#2. I look forward hopefully to hearing (huh? I'm sorry what did you say?) your tinnitus story. That would be wonderful news indeed.:hyper:
 
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#35
s0c9 said:
+1000%
Click to expand...
I have these. And love the UMpro30. But moved to the W60s. I found it a significant improvement. Well worth the extra $$. I can listen at lower volumes and pick stuff out of mix easily. I did have one earbud intermittently fail after 3 months. Weston was awesome and replaced them no hassle. I'm into these about 3 months and so far no problems. I keep the pro30s as backup.
 
#36
Joe Nerve said:
Been using cheap Samsons (I think) that came with the system. Was told initially that the band was going to hook me up with custom molds but I think they're pulling back on that.

Can you guys make a recommendation that will fall into the $200 - $300 range? I've got a 20% off coupon at musiciansfriend and I think I'm gonna invest. If ya gonna recommend something more expensive, please be convincing as to why they'll outdo the others. Thanks.

Right now Fender FXA2s are looking sweet to me because of their price, but I know nothing about this.
Click to expand...

The young lads in my band settled on the FXA2s and seem to like them just fine. The rest of us are on Shure SE215s which are fine as well and in the same price range. I've done some research and it's inconclusive that dual drivers are any more effective than single drivers in a rock band. I'd be inclined to agree in my experience so far.

What CAN be done to improve cheaper drivers is to get the custom ear moulds done. There's a pretty good Utube vid that shows how to DIY that. I'll try to find a link. Thinking of doing that myself for better isolation.
 
#37
I liked my Shure SE535s, but they're over budget. I say "liked" because I had a set made for me by an audiologist and there really is no comparison. The fit alone makes a huge difference. They are exceptionally comfortable and completely block out all sound from the stage, which allows me to have a mix with crystal clarity. Also, the drivers were tailored to my hearing after an in-depth hearing test. Yes, it's quite pricey. But think about it: many players don't think twice about spending large on an amp. Your IEMs, particularly if you gig regularly, replaces that amp for your personal monitoring, so they should receive the same financial support as your amp. Further, they will save your hearing from the damage inevitable from regular use of a large amp.
 
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#38
Joe Nerve said:
Thanks everyone for the awesome input!

OK, so... I decided I'm not going to go with customs for 3 reasons:

1. It helped my pitch with the band. I'm not going to be using them in any other band, so they can keep them should there ever be a next guy. Or even a sub, which there definitely will be.

2. I'm completely comfortable and happy with the buds I've been using. Just not happy with the sound. I get an excellent seal and have no complaints regarding that.

3. The singer (band guy I discussed this with) said he's not happy with his customs and regrets getting them. Said he liked the buds better. I notice he's always removing one when we're playing. That's something that's not an option for me due to btinnitus - something I have to write a long post about very soon (I no longer believe it's incurable).

And on that last reason, I realize my singers experience isn't typical, but I see no reason to risk that kind of money if I have no complaints with the buds.

Oh yeah, I'm waiting on the "band discussion" results. I emailed them (as requested) a link to the Westones @guy n. cognito originally suggested. Pretty sure they're going to go for it, but we'll see.
Click to expand...


So, let me get this straight, if you ever have a sub one night, that dude is gonna be sticking your earbuds in his ear holes?
:vomit:

Dude, you ARE laid back.
 
#40
Thats good to know....Im sure its probably ok then... I've just always been creeped out by it since having headphones turn fro black to that gross orange-yellow color inside from other people using them, even with the little safety pad/covers on.

but I might just be afraid of IEMs in general and projecting my fears. I will say If I borrowed someones IEMs even with a fresh tip, I'd get my sweat all over the things on stage.
 

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