Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Not-crazy-expensive in-ear montiors
- Thread starter J Gold
- Start date
Need to specify if you are talking about a wireless system, wired system, or just the earphones...
agree with tbird...when someone asks me regarding IEM, i presume system, until they mention earbuds/headphones etc....
I'll say the Shure psm 200 too. They come with decent buds as well. You can always upgrade the buds later if they don't suit you, but the system is good and simple to use.
I just bought a Shure PSM200 system. I'll preface this by saying I haven't even used it at a gig yet - but I have set up a small mixer and am running MP3, vocal, and bass through the system at home. The included single driver SE215 buds are OK - but I went ahead and bought some Westone UM Pro 30 triple driver buds. When compared back to back the difference in sound quality is striking.
s0c9
Supporting Member
Keep in mind that the PSM200 is MONO only, and you'll need to upgrade the transmitter if you EVER want a stereo mix in your ears. Buds are single driver and those tend to have phase cancellation issues.
For less $$ the Carvin EM900 is stereo, has a slightly larger freq range and the buds are fairly close to the e215's.
Either way, you'll need to upgrade the buds before long..
That comes down to universal vs custom... a whole other discussion.
True. The psm 200 have worked great for me for 6 years although I use Westone dual driver buds now. Just throwing out what works for me.
Edit: OP did not specify mono or stereo.
Last edited:
Even if you're not running a stereo mix, the Carvin (and designs like it) allow you to run two separate signals and blend them from the bodypack. So, for example, you might have a band mix in one side and your bass in the other, allowing you to mix to taste from the bodypack. Or you and a bandmate could each have your own mono mix fed from the same transmitter unit.
True - but I want to point out even the mono PSM200 has two inputs on the transmitter (they call it a "transmixer") - you can't control the mix from the body pack, but you can from the transmitter box. I'm running my bass into one input and the monitor feed from the FOH mixer to the other.
^Fair enough. And if the band's running one of the newer wifi mixers, players can tweak all the stems on their own mono mix. In that case, the ability to tweak the balance of two inputs from the bodypack wouldn't be important.
Our regular sound guy is running a Behringer x32 so I can control my mix from my iPhone. I still want to be able to control the level of my bass by just turning a knob on the transmitter box though.
s0c9
Supporting Member
Correct.. I should have been more specific (we have 4 * PSM200's in use) about that.. so yes, two separate inputs with input level controls on the front panel. Those could [theoretically] be L/R feeds from a console or something like you said you. You get NO MIX/PAN capability. So bass is firmly in one ear, the FOH mix in the other.
The Carvin EM900 (I use with my 1964 Quads) lets you mix L/R inputs on the body pack.
PS: We are mixing IEM feeds (mono) on our X32 Producer using the x32-Q app on iPads and iPhone (drummer).
.
Well not exactly - both inputs on the PSM200 box are mixed together and fed mono to BOTH ears.
I just want to say - I'm in no way dissing the Carvin system - I have heard good things about it from several sources. I get the impression that the included buds are so bad they are virtually unusable though (again just what I've heard). I think the Shure Shure SE215 buds included with the PSM200 would be acceptable until one could afford to upgrade.
s0c9
Supporting Member
I'm with you and I certainly do not view "constructive feedback" as dissing, but have and use the EM900 regularly (5 gigs in next 8 days to do with it). Overall, the "system" works VERY WELL !
CONS:
1 - The buds ARE junk.. throw them away, use your iPhone/iTouch buds or buy a cheap set at Walmart. Any of them would be better than the included buds.
2 - The battery pack on the body pack uses plastic locking clips. I've have not experienced it (in 3 yrs of regular use) but it is reported that they break and you cannot lock it to the receiver pack. Carvin does sell the part separately, so you have to buy a new body pack. I put mine in my back jeans pocket (and don't use the belt clip) so that may be why I've not had the problem. Not sure how prevalent an issue it is.
One BIG plus is that the Carvin uses AA and NOT 9V batteries like the PSM200 does. I use rechargeable AA batteries (I also use the L6 G90) so go thru FOUR [2 in each body pack] per 4-hr gig. I rotate 3 sets, charging as needed. The other four in the band are constantly buying 9V's for their PSM's as rechargeable 9V are not cheap and don't work that well.
Overall.. given the price/performance issues (and seeing 4 PSM200's in regular use) I'm not in a hurry to get rid of the Carvin.. yes.. get replacement buds.. you can buy a decent set for the price difference - $399 vs $599 list!
Last edited:
