In-Ear Monitors

Nemik · Post by **Nemik** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 10:38 am

If anybody used In-Ear Monitors ??
Can someone share experience using this kind of headphone?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... r-monitors
Thanks for any input

analoguekid · Post by **analoguekid** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 2:42 pm

I have a wireless system, it works very well for transferring the mix direct to your ears but as with everything its only as good as the weakest part and this is usually the headphones themselves.

Obviously the best noise cancelling custom fit in ears are the most comfortable to wear but the sound they offer is related to a persons personal preference. Due to this I never bothered with custom fits as they are too expensive to find out they don't match your idea of what quality sound is once they are made.

My in ear buds that came with the system are acceptable but not what I would consider my taste in sound quality. Everyone's ears are different and pick up on various frequencies that others don't, as such what is a nice sound to one may be a terrible sound to someone else. You may buy those and convince yourself that they are acceptable to you because of the money you have spent or you may buy those and they be perfect and worth every penny, good luck in finding the right pair

Nemik · Post by **Nemik** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 3:10 pm

thanks for reply.
The problem is is no way to try and return.

the one I'm thinking to buy has :
Sensitivity: 114 dB SPL @ 1mW
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 16 kHz
Impedance: 25 ohms @ 1 kHz
Passive noise attenuation: 25 dB
Driver: Balanced armature, full-range
Weight: 0.445 ounces/12.7 grams
Cable: EPIC Replaceable Cable
Cable length: 50”/128cm

next level for $300 has :
Sensitivity: 119 dB @ 1 mW
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 18 kHz
Impedance: 27 ohms @ 1 kHz
Passive Noise Attenuation: 25 dB
Driver: Dual balanced armature drivers with passive crossover
Weight: 0.445 ounces / 12.7 grams
Cable: EPIC replaceable cable
Cable Length: 50” / 128 cm

and for $400 has:
Sensitivity: 124 dB @ 1 mW
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 18 kHz
Impedance: 56 ohms @ 1 kHz
Passive Noise Attenuation: 25 dB
Driver: 3 balanced armature drivers with passive 3-way crossover
Weight: 0.445 ounces / 12.7 grams
Cable: EPIC replaceable cable
Cable Length: 50” / 128 cm

I'm not familiar how imported be in headphone Sensitivity, how much make different from 114 dB @ 1mW to 119 dB or 124 dB.
Frequency response on all looks good to me.
Also each one has either 1, 2 or 3 drivers, don't know much about.

All is made by WESTONE, which is top manufacturer for things like this.
I will wait on more info about, don't wanna waste $150, have to be sure I will like it.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 5:55 am

I use in-ears. I've heard good things about Westones in general, though I haven't tried that type myself. For keys, I think it might be wise to invest in something with multiple bass drivers. I have the Shure 535s and having used them for a while I still feel I don't get a lot of sub and that's with three drivers. It works out because it's really not that useful to have too much low end for monitoring, but I sure wouldn't want less than I get now.
Also really important (especially for bass response) is that they close perfectly. So be prepared to spend a while picking the ultimate buds. I really wouldn't worry about the SPL by the way, all of them are waaaayyy too loud when maxed. If I turn up my Shures more than a third of my mixer's hp level my ears start bleeding.

Nemik · Post by **Nemik** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 12:51 pm

SanderXpander wrote:I use in-ears. I've heard good things about Westones in general, though I haven't tried that type myself. For keys, I think it might be wise to invest in something with multiple bass drivers. I have the Shure 535s and having used them for a while I still feel I don't get a lot of sub and that's with three drivers. It works out because it's really not that useful to have too much low end for monitoring, but I sure wouldn't want less than I get now.
Also really important (especially for bass response) is that they close perfectly. So be prepared to spend a while picking the ultimate buds. I really wouldn't worry about the SPL by the way, all of them are waaaayyy too loud when maxed. If I turn up my Shures more than a third of my mixer's hp level my ears start bleeding.

Shure 535 they nice too.
I did call Westone for advice.
After very friendly conversation, they advice for people like we, playing Arrangers, working with wide range of Frequencies, for fully satisfaction we need to go for 5 drivers in-ear-monitors, which is way over my budget

http://www.westoneaudio.com/index.php/p ... ro-50.html

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 1:58 pm

I think my Shures have enough bass when I'm alone but in a loud band situation the low end gets a little bit swallowed by the surrounding drums, bass and guitars. If you're playing an arranger and bass and drums are coming out of your own system I think you would be satisfied with three drivers. They are very detailed sounding.

I do recommend trying some though. Maybe you can go to a shop that carries a few?

Nemik · Post by **Nemik** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 2:08 pm

Problem is, you can't return if is not working for you, you need to be sure.
I don't need for live performance, I'm spending a lot time in my home studio, most time in night time, wearing headphone, after many hours is kinda hurting my head, this is why I looking something more comfortable to wear.
Also I need good quality.

Now I am using PreSonus HD7, sound is OK, but design is not perfect.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 1:54 am

I see! I really wouldn't recommend in-ears for home use to be honest. There is better stuff for less money. I think you should be able to find some really good sounding comfortable shells for 200 to 300 that'll sound better than any in-ears. E.g. the BeyerDynamic DT880 pro (I have the 990 and love it, but the 880 is "flatter" for mixing use). Some of the higher end Sonys are super comfortable too, but I think they go more in the 400/500 range.

But yeah again - try them! Universal ones should be possible to try out, the mold is just more comfortable and keeps better isolation when moving.

Nemik · Post by **Nemik** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 2:14 am

Thanks for reply.
I will try find seller agree for trying period or maybe some day find in store open one and try.
On other hands in future I am planning move to bigger place and set separate room, just for studio, now I'm running of space

then I will definitely buy some good active monitors speakers, but now in place I live, I have to deal with headphone

Also I still try to save money to buy Kronos X, so maybe headphones have to wait

Thanks again for share your expierence

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 1:34 am

I have some Sony MDR-V600 from about 16 years ago, maybe a bit more and they still sound great. Just this year I got some Beyerdynamic DT880 pro which also sound great, a bit more bass then the Sony's I have. I find the DT much more comfortable for long term wearing but I can spend hours in either and be ok, all day I would pick the DT.

Derek Cook · Post by **Derek Cook** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:16 pm

Red 5 Audio in the UK currently have 100 pairs of their RVH90 monitoring headphones for sale for £24 (normally £32). I find these very good for the price for when I need to use headphones in the studio (like when the daughter has gone to bed in her bedroom next door!). Sure, you can pay a lot of money for very good and probably far better headphones, but these give me a good sound for the price, and are very confortable over long periods. I have a pair that my singer uses when recording, and whilst they are on offer, I have just ordered a second pair for myself.

I would not recommend IEMs for monitoring. I have used a Shure system on stage (not sure of the exact model and I am away from home), and it's OK, but I guess I am old fashioned and prefer wedge monitors, more power and an air gap!

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:01 pm

Mixing headphones should be open, tracking headphones should be closed. You shouldn't mix them up for any serious purpose.