Wireless IEM Monitoring Made Easy: A Demo & Review of the Xvive U4 IEM System

An overview and demo of the Xvive U4 IEM system. The Xvive U4 IEM system is a wireless in-ear monitoring system that is designed for musicians, performers, and other audio professionals. The system includes a transmitter and a receiver, which work together to provide wireless audio transmission. The U4 system is compatible with most professional audio devices, and offers a range of up to 90 feet, making it well-suited for use on stage or in other live performance settings. The system features a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to use and transport.

The video is a demo, overview, and review of the U4 IEM system along with generalized tips for in ear monitoring.
The Xvive U4 doesn't include earpieces/earbuds to allow users to add their own preferred earpieces. I'm using KN ZS10 earbuds for the review and my listening tests. Xvive offers their own T9 earbuds that can be purchased separately now. The Shure SE215 is also a popular earbud option that many use.

Affiliate Links:

Xvive's U4 Amazon Page Link:

Xvive at Sweetwater Sound:

KN ZS10 Pro Earbuds on Amazon:

Foam Eartips I'm using on the KN ZS10 earpieces on Amazon:
(I'm using the Medium size)

Xvive T9 Earpieces on Amazon:

Shure Shure SE215 Pro Earpiecs on Amazon:

Power Strip with 12 AC Outlets and 4 USB Ports (as shown in video) on Amazon:

~
Patreon Page:
~

Other channel videos:
IEM Monitor Rig Tips | Interfacing With a House Sound System

How I Mic Drums for Live Sound:

DI Boxes Explained:

Building an IEM Rig Using the Behringer XR18 / MR18:

Behringer XR18 Midas MR18 Channel Walk-thru:

Cable Management For Live Audio:

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
"I earn from affiliate links, but viewers do not pay extra for linked items"

#iem
#xvive

[AlanHamiltonAudio]

I finally got the opportunity to try the Xvive U4 IEM system. The product was provided, but no requirements were made on the video. As explained in the video, I think they for sure have their place for a lot of performers. I don't know that I would expect to be able to use 6 units all at once and use up all of the 6 channels they have, just because I think you'll need a little bit of 'channel headroom' to find clear channels for the units you are using. I don't think you can count on all 6 channels to always being clear.
Of course, you only need 1 transmitter and 1 wireless channel for any musicians on the same mix. Multiple musicians can have beltpacks on that same channel. Not only does that free up spare wireless channels for musicians that do need to be on their own mix, but it saves money too (only 1 transmitter needed).
And even more than, not all musicians need to be wireless. A drummer or keyboard player can tend to get by on some type of wired pack IEMS (because they are generally tied to their instruments and can't be moving around anyway). With them on wired units they are then effectively freeing channels for musicians that DO need to be wireless and want their own mix on something like these U4's.

Comment, like, and subscribe! It's always appreciated and it helps to get Youtube to put the channel in front of more eyeballs! :)

[waltsyd]

We use three transmitters for four receivers from an xr18 (transmitters plugged directly in to xr18) with sony se215 buds. It's been good. For awhile we were getting dropouts so I first got the modem about ten feet from the transmitters. Still had a few (though fewer) dropouts. I traced it to the wireless 2.4 used by the bass and the mandolin. The bass went back to plugging in and the mandolin got a 5.8 wireless system. Not a single dropout since, even in crowded rooms.

[FormulaOneLeclerc]

We've actually used these quite a bit. Spent almost a year running the xvives exclusivly. Since then upgraded to sennheisers for wireless, but we keep these around as backup. Really a bang for the buck

[MurrayWilliams]

We use these. Generally, they work great. Radio congestion is definitely a thing though. We’ve found that you need to use an XLR cable to keep Transmitters separated from each other. Transmitters on different channels interfere with each other if they are too close to each other.

Also, if members of your band use wireless mics or instruments that are also in the 2.4 GHz band, you are adding congestion.

Most nights we have no problems and if we do, changing to another unused channel generally fixes the problem. We love them and will never do a show with wedges again.

[lonnieabbott]

We use 4 of these in our band with a Behringer XR18. I agree with everything that Murray Williams and Robin How say below. Outside stages and small venues are almost never a problem running 4. We have ran into an issue once in a casino where the 2.4ghz spectrum was highly congested. We ran out of usable channels, and were only able to use 3. I am the drummer, so I just pulled out my Behringer P2 to make it through the night.

[brianredmacmillan]

My church uses 5 of these. We usually use 2 or 3 at the same time and we do experience RF dropouts. Changing to another frequency fixes the problem. We occasionally use all 5 and get good results. Everything in your review is accurate. Build quality is exceptional. Battery life is as advertised. Their price point allows for an affordable entry into the wireless IEM market.

[nicothebassdude]

Accurate review based on my experiences with them. I typically drop an XLR at the mic stand base for my singers that use them. Keeping them away from your wifi router if using a remote controlled digital mixer is also highly recommended. As others have said, surprisingly few problems with the 2.4ghz band as long as you've taken the stated precautions.

[capscar]

Here in the UK, the singer in the local band I work with got one of these units before Xmas. The first gig was a dinner and dance with 150 people. No interference, no dropouts. There have been no issues in the other gigs since, but she is the only band member on IEM, so perhaps additional units could be problematic. Our MR18 is connected via an Asus dual band router with the 2.4ghz disabled.

[kurtweber]

We run three with my xr18. I’m the drummer so even though I was first to buy the xvive, I normally just use a p2 and bring my xvive as backup for the others. (And a spare p2 as well). As others have said, I run them on xlr cables to get them away from the rack for several reasons. One, reducing interference. Two, they don’t fit next to one another plugged into the xr18. Three, if the performers need to switch channels or turn them off during breaks I’d rather have them close to each person. They’ve worked great for us. Minimal dropouts. The only issue is if someone forgot to charge their units. Which is why I bring my backup. Someone has to be the adult in the band😂

I should add that it’s easy to just plug it into the line out of a wedge if you’re going into a club with a system in place.

[LazyCloud]

Hey Alan! I used to work concert halls for ensembles and jazz and stage monitoring was all to common for me. However, the band i work for recently switched to xvive u4 this summer and its been really handy! My only gripe was not having two transmitters at first due to monitor warfare of a certain memeber wanting to hear themselves the loudest. But after getting another one everyone has been happy with their iem mix while performing.
I've worked with the u4 iem first on an Yamaha MG10X, small, analog mixer which was nice, but needed another monitor output. Then not to long ago I got my hands on Zoom LiveTrak L20 with 6 monitors outs and its been a blast!
If anyone is thinking about getting a U4 or any kind of iem's i highly recommend a board with more than 1 monitor output to save future headaches from cranky musician's fighting to sound the loudest.
Warm regards from the central valley 😊

[BikerEgg]

I've used 4 at one time, no issues. I have had some interference when using my phone as a hotspot or when too close to a wireless router. It causes a warbling effect.

[joeblo]

Two of us in the band, use them the drummer and myself a mandolin player. They seem to clip and cut out, intermittently no matter where I put the transmitter. When I talked to the company, they said to put it as far away from your Wi-Fi router for the digital mixer so I use an XLR cable and try and put the transmitter right behind me far away from it but it’s still clips.

[RumblefishCoversBand]

we use 5 of these in the band with no problems at all.

[Mark-xyoy]

Good review. We use 3-4 sets of these via XR16 live, and 1 transmitter to 3-4 receivers in rehearsal. We do get drop outs/clip occasionally, but we do all run the transmitters off longish XLR's to keep them away from the router and as close to stage as we can. Would be good if they brought out a 5GHz version. Our overall impression is they are an inexpensive and good start point for moving to IEMs.

[rickwheeler]

I have the Xvive mic transmitter and receiver set, I then plug receiver into Beringer P1 IEM unit. Great a versitile setup. The unit you have can only be used for IEM, my unit can be used in conjunction with IEM or wireless microphone setup

[dgrebin]

If a wifi router is in use it's best to move the transmitter away from that source.
Use an xlr cable as opposed to plugging directly into the mixer. (6 feet is good enough)

[pauljtoth]

We used 5 of these and our biggest issues were the 2.4 GHz interference. We tried everything and often could only use 2 or 3 with issues. The price is good but the consistency of use was not. We've since moved on to the Shure line and we never have a problem.

[Luis-ehdp]

We used 4 in our band but I do get a little bit of interference but nothing serious

[TimmyP]

I've been in several small venues in which a 2.4GHz network was useless owing to so much interference - I could not connect from even 5 feet away.

[sonofaguppy]

I use an XR18 and usually never have WiFi issues with my iPad/laptop. However, every time I’ve used these, even on a very small stage, I have constant connectivity issues with my iPad/laptop and end up having to connect my laptop to my router with an Ethernet cable. Either that, or not use the Xvive’s. We’ve tried multiple channels with no success. Just my experience..