• 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.

Right IEM for me?

M

Michael Bradmon

Apr 13, 2020
5
5
#1
Hi! I am a new member here, but have been reading posts for a long time. I recently became interested in IEM. I play with a worship team. We are a little different in that we have not one, but 2 drum kits on a rather small stage...one acoustic and one electric. I am positioned right between them. As you can imagine, it gets pretty loud with my wedge competing with the acoustic set. For this reason, i thought IEM may be the way to go, not only for better sound, but also ear protection. Only about 1/3 of our band uses IEM (both drummers, EG, keys), the others use wedges. We have an x32 board that i can control my wedge with my iPad. I am not looking to get rid of my onstage amp, and because i am plugged in to it, i have no problem staying with wired IEM.

Since i have never used IEM before, i am afraid to buy a really good set up front because i worry i may not like them... if i like them, i have no problem spending the money for a top tier set!

I have done a fair amount of research here via the "search" button! My thought was to go with something like the RollsPM55P and connect it to a set of KZ ZS10 Pro's. These seem to be really cheaply priced and fairly highly recommended for bass from what my research has led me to believe. Then if I like them, upgrade the KZ's to something in the custom IEM realm for some really great bass sound. Am i way off base here? Anything i am missing/forgetting to make this work well? Any better thoughts?

Thank you all for your help and i look forward to all your information!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ethereal Thorn
#2
Michael Bradmon said:
Hi! I am a new member here, but have been reading posts for a long time. I recently became interested in IEM. I play with a worship team. We are a little different in that we have not one, but 2 drum kits on a rather small stage...one acoustic and one electric. I am positioned right between them. As you can imagine, it gets pretty loud with my wedge competing with the acoustic set. For this reason, i thought IEM may be the way to go, not only for better sound, but also ear protection. Only about 1/3 of our band uses IEM (both drummers, EG, keys), the others use wedges. We have an x32 board that i can control my wedge with my iPad. I am not looking to get rid of my onstage amp, and because i am plugged in to it, i have no problem staying with wired IEM.

Since i have never used IEM before, i am afraid to buy a really good set up front because i worry i may not like them... if i like them, i have no problem spending the money for a top tier set!

I have done a fair amount of research here via the "search" button! My thought was to go with something like the RollsPM55P and connect it to a set of KZ ZS10 Pro's. These seem to be really cheaply priced and fairly highly recommended for bass from what my research has led me to believe. Then if I like them, upgrade the KZ's to something in the custom IEM realm for some really great bass sound. Am i way off base here? Anything i am missing/forgetting to make this work well? Any better thoughts?

Thank you all for your help and i look forward to all your information!
Click to expand...

First question - how much are you willing to spend? That will help narrow down most of your options.
 
#4
Michael Bradmon said:
I will say this, the 64 audio ones look really nice, but I dont want to make that investment until im sure i like IEM. for now i was hoping to stay under 200 ish so that if i dont like them, it wont hurt as bad!
Click to expand...

Totally understand that one! There's probably a billion threads on this topic, so what might be smart to do is search for reviews on some of the models that you are interested in. I used Westone AM PRO 30's for a while before I jumped over to UltimateEars 11 Pro's. Night and day difference, but that's not an investment everyone wants to make until you really know you want it. All of them can reproduce bass, but how well they do it for your needs is totally a personal thing. Models with multiple bass drivers (not just multiple drivers) I think make a difference based on my experience, but I'm not sure how hard that is to find under $200.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Michael Bradmon
#6
Yeah those are surprisingly decent sounding for the $. Worth it to buy some additional foam tips to get the best possible fit. This is KEY for low end response & sound isolation / mix clarity.
They feel a little cheap cable / build wise so I’d baby them. I own a pair as backup / spare and I was impressed with how they sounded for the price compared to my expensive ones. A friend has been using a set for a while as primary pair and so far so good with them.


Other to check out would be Westone UM 20 and or 30 and Shure E-2 which I think can be had for around $200 range.

my primary pair are custom mold Westone ‘s with 5 drivers and they sound AMAZING !!! they weren’t cheap but worth every single penny! Highly suggest something like custom molds if / when you decide you like / need IEM’s for the long haul. Then you always have a backup set of something happens or you forget you custom molds etc.

I get it though custom mold’s ain’t cheap.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bfields and Michael Bradmon
#8
A headphone amp is all you need other than IEMs. FOH needs to run you a line. Stereo is better if they will allow it. The X32 should have plenty of outputs.

Most any good set of IEMs will get you where you want to go with EQ. Dynamic for the low end are my preference but your results may vary. As long as you have a good seal you should get enough low end. Foam tips (especially Comply tips) help a lot. I use the Yinyoo ZS10 and Yinyoo ZS6 for my backup pairs and I think they sound great. My main pair are JH16s. They are awesome but they cost a ton. Also, JH Audio is shut down until the COVID crisis is over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Michael Bradmon
#9
I think it is a great idea for you to try the KZ ZS10 Pro. You will be pleasantly surprised. If you’re just trying to find out whether IEM’s will work in your situation - that is a great place to start. The cheaper KZ ZST also get a lot of good reviews from musicians. I actually own the KZ ZST and as long as you don’t abuse them, they’re great. You are not a sound contractor buying them to provide them to a touring band every night, so you don’t need to invest a huge amount to begin with, as long as you don’t get rough with handling them. If they are for your own use and you will be cleaning and putting them away yourself, they should be everything you are looking for. You can always upgrade if you decide to stay with IEM’s.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: musicman7722, Michael Bradmon and JRA
#10
You also have to take into consideration isolation and comfort. I had the opportunity to buy custom IEM. Sound isolation is very good so the bass, we are bass players after all, is optimal. But the main difference is comfort. Customs are a perfect fit and I can wear them without feeling them. I always had to readjust the foam buds with my previous iem because the fit was not optimal. Never tried the comply tips but saw good reviews on them. If you like the KZ, consider having custom tips made. I also use the Rolls pm55p. No problem there. Just make sure your iem amp has a limiter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Michael Bradmon
#11
Michael Bradmon said:
Am i way off base here?
Click to expand...
i don't think so!

i'm with the group: those are fine IEM devices. and as everyone has mentioned: be sure to get a snug fit with the various tips available because the right fit will get the bass response you want.
0000.jpg

kbr said:
As long as you have a good seal you should get enough low end. Foam tips (especially Comply tips) help a lot.
Click to expand...

good luck with you IEM experience! :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Michael Bradmon
#14
You are on the right path with the Rolls and the KZ earphones. Add a set of Comply foams, they sell a box with all sizes S/M/L, a bit more expansive but this will give your the perfect seal (remember to roll the foam in your fingers before inserting and keep them in place with a finger for 30 seconds to give them the time to expand). Strangely I'm using a M in the left ear and a L in the right ear. BTW I'm using KZ ZS6 and prefer them over Shure E2, Shure SE215 and all other earphones targeted to general listening.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Michael Bradmon
#16
I have used and owned several sets of chifi iem's including several kz models and I have had very good luck with them over the big box store brands like shure westone fender mackie ect. I currently own a pair of good 5 driver Bgvp dm6 iems that sound excellent but I just ordered my first pair of custom Anthem Five dual driver hybrid iem's and I should get them by next week sometime. I'll report back on how they are compared to my other universal fit iem's but they where only $158 shipped so for me they where worthy of testing the waters if I really dig custom mold even if they sound inferior to my current set I'll be taking the plunge later on to some higher end ones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Michael Bradmon
#20
Keep in mind that you want a amp with maximum of 2ohm output impedance for zs10.
Rolls has a 10ohm output but I believe it is easily modded to lower and match the 30-32ohm of ZSs.
PS: Beh P2 spec. claims output of ½ohm, which should be excellent, if actually true.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back