I wont argue that as I've never had the pleasure of using "triple" drivers , but either way dual drivers are still light years better than singles though, its really the difference between hearing yourself or not between these 2 IME...
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.
OTE vs. IEM
- Thread starter BassistForJesus
- Start date
I wont argue that as I've never had the pleasure of using "triple" drivers , but either way dual drivers are still light years better than singles though, its really the difference between hearing yourself or not between these 2 IME...
I use 215s... and I would suggest to the OP that if you are going to go with a single driver then save the extra $100 and just go with the 215s.. Either that or spend at least $300 to get a dual driver set.. We use Avioms and while I hate using them period... (I have this thing about stuff in my ear and being cut off... they make me feel too isolated) but it is what it is and this is where we are going so I use them .. but the difference between the 315 and the 215 is IMO not worth the extra $100 .. they both are single driver buds.. and the 215s IMO do an adequate enough job.. My biggest problem initially was just getting used to them and being mindful to not step on them.. At this point if I had to do it again I would probably go with the Pro 30s..
If you don't mind spending $300-$400 then I would suggest:
Shure SE 425 $299
Westone UM Pro 20 $299
Westone UM Pro 30 $399
+1
Be sure to read the reviews on these not only in MF but check out Amazon and Sweetwater as well to give you a better idea on all of them. The reviews on MF are limited. With Sweetwater in particular you are more likely to get reviews from musicians using them the same way you would as opposed to say someone working out and listening to his name on his iPod.
Last edited:
Not that I'd do either unless it was a good paying gig, but I could never rock out live with a set of headphones because it looks horribly dorky, so IEM's would be my only choice.
And yes, I've seen all the pics of famous musicians who use headphones live, and they all look like dorks, so spare me.
And yes, I've seen all the pics of famous musicians who use headphones live, and they all look like dorks, so spare me.
I use IEM at church. If you can get them to stay deep enough in your ear then they are excellent. The trouble occurs when they start slipping....bass is the first thing that you lose. This is why I have a cab on stage.( Im not interested in spending for custom IEMs right now). Plus, a cab does what even super expensive PA's can't seem to do... give immediate, tight punch.
I assume OTE is big old over the ear headphones. I wear them at home and they would work more reliably than non-custom iem, and I strongly considered wearing cans on stage but you really don't want to go on stage with them unless you are such a monster player (and allowed to throw down at church) that people would quit looking at the crap on your head and listen instead. I'm bald, though, maybe if you have nice hair it wouldn't look bad.
Thank you all.
We were fortunate enough to have a company let us demo several manufactures.
A company called Audiofly were fantastic for the money. Might go with those. I agree OTE are bulky and ugly looking...
I actually prefer no IEM versus traditional amplification. However, our church has 5 band mates with 6 singers in a smaller stage, so the stage volume has become a huge problem. Let's put it this way, the sound engineer had the FOH volume almost all the way down and we were still hitting 98 db.
Lastly, some churches are evolving to a modern look (mine is one of them). After surveying visitors, they want to be in a comfortable environment and they don't want to be in a traditional type building. So we have evolved.
Thanks everyone for the advice and opinions. This has helped tremendously.
We were fortunate enough to have a company let us demo several manufactures.
A company called Audiofly were fantastic for the money. Might go with those. I agree OTE are bulky and ugly looking...
I actually prefer no IEM versus traditional amplification. However, our church has 5 band mates with 6 singers in a smaller stage, so the stage volume has become a huge problem. Let's put it this way, the sound engineer had the FOH volume almost all the way down and we were still hitting 98 db.
Lastly, some churches are evolving to a modern look (mine is one of them). After surveying visitors, they want to be in a comfortable environment and they don't want to be in a traditional type building. So we have evolved.
Thanks everyone for the advice and opinions. This has helped tremendously.
Good tip. We have used an ambient mic for gigs on occassion. Sometimes we like it, sometimes we don't.
about the SE215. I've found something that works pretty well to hear bass in them. I use the SHure Transmixer which has two channels of input. I run my bass signal into input 1 and then I run the band mix into Input 2. Each with their own volume/gain control. I have found with this configuration, the bass is very "present" in my ears as well as the band mix. Truthfully, I do not run the IEM very loud as I like the normal volume level. I hear a fair amount of ariculation from all instruments and vocies with the SE215. I recently picked up custom sleeves from Westone that seal perfectly and very happy with them.
I go the idea for using both channels from the Shure manual. Go figure!
s0c9
Supporting Member
FWIW - my drummer showed up to our gig last night with his new set of Alien Ears Quad drivers (similar to the 1964 Quads) to replace the E215's he'd been using for about 10 months. He had received them earlier that day.. his reaction?
"OMFG!!! These things are SO-O-O much cleaner crisper, tighter and have FAR MORE definition than my other buds!!. I can freakin' HEAR EVERYTHING for the first time!!"..
He then proceed to adjust his IEM mix to compensate for what he'd been missing with the E215's.
Hoping that will show the OP that while single drivers will work, and there is a MAJOR difference (satisfaction?) between them and multiple drivers.
"OMFG!!! These things are SO-O-O much cleaner crisper, tighter and have FAR MORE definition than my other buds!!. I can freakin' HEAR EVERYTHING for the first time!!"..
He then proceed to adjust his IEM mix to compensate for what he'd been missing with the E215's.
Hoping that will show the OP that while single drivers will work, and there is a MAJOR difference (satisfaction?) between them and multiple drivers.
OK, so I'm kinda of an idiot when it comes to IEM's. So you have the things in your ears but what do you need to get the signal into the ear pieces? Thanks and sorry for the stupid question. Just post a link if you all don't want to write some lengthy post
s0c9
Supporting Member
Well... and I'll keep it short because there are a lot of choices/options within each of only 2 categories:
1. Wired - meaning you are feeding your IEM's with a hard-wired source (think headphones) and are "tethered" by that wire, or
2. Wireless - meaning you are free to move around and need a battery-powered body pack to receive the transmitted signal.
1 is generally cheaper than 2, and if you are wired to your amp via instrument cable, definitely the cheaper choice.
If - like me - you are already wireless (I use a G90) then going wireless will give you the most flexibility.
There are dozens of choices and workable "wired" configurations.. too many to begin to list.
For wireless, it's similar but entry-level systems like Shure PSM200/300, Carvin EM900, Galaxy AS1100, CAD, AT M2 and others will give you a transmitter, body-pak receiver and buds (single driver) and are mostly mono only (Carvin is actually stereo) with built-in fixed limiters. Further up the $$$ line you get PSM700/900/1000, Mipro series, Senn G3 and so on.
NOTE: Limiters are IMPORTANT so you don't get your ears blown off accidentally... most wired solutions do NOT have them built in.
There's a TON of info on IEM via google.. with a lot of opinions and choices.
Search this forum for IEM's and read up...
Here's some other threads on the topic.
In-ear monitor choices
In ear monitors
New Strategies for Improved Live Sound - In Ear Monitors
Decide on a budget, and whether you want to go wired or wireless... BUY THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD, and SAVE for THEM, or you'll not be happy.
Last edited:
Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but this has been on my mind for a while now.
I have used my UM Pro 30's for 3+ years now even after my right side stopped working (warranty expired as well), I just pop an ear plug in my right ear and rock on. Recently I have been using a borrowed pair of ATH M50x's and honestly I'm really enjoying them more as live monitors than I ever did with my UM Pro 30's. Now I am contemplating getting my own OTE's, am I crazy or what? Besides OTE's looking a bit dorky (whatever, it holds my hair! lol) any other reasons I am overlooking? I understand sound isolation but in my case I actually prefer the openness. Things to point out, stage volume is at a minimal, think bleeding drums and acoustic guitars? Longest sets are 1.5 hrs, comfort has never been a problems for me whether IEM or OTE.
Help me decide my purchase! ATH M70x vs UM Pro 30's
I have used my UM Pro 30's for 3+ years now even after my right side stopped working (warranty expired as well), I just pop an ear plug in my right ear and rock on. Recently I have been using a borrowed pair of ATH M50x's and honestly I'm really enjoying them more as live monitors than I ever did with my UM Pro 30's. Now I am contemplating getting my own OTE's, am I crazy or what? Besides OTE's looking a bit dorky (whatever, it holds my hair! lol) any other reasons I am overlooking? I understand sound isolation but in my case I actually prefer the openness. Things to point out, stage volume is at a minimal, think bleeding drums and acoustic guitars? Longest sets are 1.5 hrs, comfort has never been a problems for me whether IEM or OTE.
Help me decide my purchase! ATH M70x vs UM Pro 30's
I don't see any harm in trying the OTEs, I guess. They seem kind of pricey, but if you have the coin and can find a use for them if it turns out you don't like them for playing, then I can't make a decent case against trying them, other than the dorky look.
Personally, I would not, but I'm way down the rabbit hole with IEMs. I use Sony MDR 7506s at the house or when I set up my little practice rig somewhere. I like that just fine, but I would not take the Sonys on a gig.
Personally, I would not, but I'm way down the rabbit hole with IEMs. I use Sony MDR 7506s at the house or when I set up my little practice rig somewhere. I like that just fine, but I would not take the Sonys on a gig.
Thanks for the responses! Ima go for it, as pointed out if for some reason it doesn't work out it in the longer run I always have use for the OTE as studio monitors.
And for the dollar to dollar sound, that may be the reason im convinced as that is my price range 2-300$.
Thanks TalkBass community.. never fails to make me spend more. (Justification)
so you're saying fully functional sound-isolating headphones sound better than half-busted IEMs with one side not even working...
after several years that happened with my UM3-Xs (which i got grey market, so never under warranty) and i just sent them back to get fixed for like a $100 flat fee.
No, I am saying when they were fully functional they did not sound as good as these headphones (IMO of course). Thanks for the condescending comment. The busted right side is now giving me an oppurtunity to view options.
Westone did not give me a $100 flat fee repair, just told me they could sell me new ones at a discounted price $300 since I am out of warranty. Maybe I'll talk to them again and see if a repair option is available for me as well. Their customer service is suberb, I just got quickly discouraged and started looking for alternatives. Thanks for the tip!
