How Do I Choose In Ear Monitors?

How do you even choose a set of In Ear Monitors? Well, I can tell you the mistakes I made along the way!

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[Thesierrashow]

It's interesting how difficult finding a good IEM rig is. Still half of the time I see them used is just a singer ripping them out after 5 min of performing.

[JeremyLeech]

I’ve had my 1964Ears 6 driver set since 2013. My plan is to upgrade next year! Which they also have an upgrade discount!

[larzblast]

Keep in mind, it's not just about the IEMs themselves but also the system you use to drive them. If you have a gun of an audio guy who manages your mix beautifully, then you're in luck but that's rarely the case for the vast majority of us.

You'll want your own mixer in your rig and you can make that as simple or as complex as necessary. For the smaller gigs, sound guys rarely give you more than two feeds and on some occasions, I have been stuck with just one (what a dick). Nevertheless, if you get at least two feeds, then you can have something like I do: guitars on one channel and bass+vocals on the other channel.

Feeding that into my Sennheiser EW300 G3 IEM unit, I can then run my beltpack in Focus mode and control the mix of those two feeds myself. Again, just two feeds isn't ideal but it's a helluva lot better than a single feed and I have yet to play a gig with those two feeds alone being problematic. The point being quality IEMs are one thing but getting the right balance of that audio is what really makes it work or break.

[snapascrew]

I too prefer the A6T and N8’s after demoing every single 64 audio product like you did. I prefer the discontinued JH audio JH13v1’s tho. They are also a 6 driver pair. Something about 6 drivers for me just works for me. I am a monitor engineer and love having a band choose their IEMs themselves during a IEM demo session. Makes my life easier if the guy who loves bass has the bass heavy pair, etc etc. but when in doubt if I can’t get the band a demo session I order them each a pair of the discontinued JH 13v1’s.

[jimmyjams]

Great.Video and man I needed this info!

[nickemacio]

I agree on the driver situation. I just ordered my UE 5’s from Ultimate Ears that are only 2 drivers. After testing their lineup, it honestly made more sense to me to get these than the ones with more drives that were also tuned o specific things. I play guitar and sing, but I want an all around good mix with the IEMS, and having ones with boosted low end for bass players or boosted mids for guitars, vocals just didn’t feel right. Great video, sir.

[christian_santangelo]

I’ve been touring with the A6t for a few years and wouldn’t change a thing. They are an incredible set of monitors.

[KMC]

Do these protect your ears as well. I have tinnitus and I'm kind of worried about my guitar in my ear especially when I hit the louder solo channel. I basically have my own floor monitor set louder just for me and use hearos earplugs to protect my hearing. Plus I play dive bars too so there's that lol.

[Parkster]

Could you recommend a pair for a guitarist please, something along the lines of KZ or CCA Or any brand that is not custom and is affordable please, thank you

[mtguitar]

The sound quality only gets so good through an avoim system, I can get my with $5 Walmart buds if I have to but usually use KZs, more than good enough for anything

[ironman]

I play acoustic guitar, sing vocals along with a drum machine in bars and restaurants. My guitar tone is very similar to the classic Neil Young MTV Unplugged gig. I have zero experience working with in ears. I'm looking at the ambient Westone AM 30 & the isolating ProX 30 though I'm totally undecided about which would be better for me, meaning isolating VS ambient. I wanna shut out distractions from guys hooting and hollering at the games on the widescreen BUT I don't wanna feel weird and awkward from total isolation OR maybe I do wanna feel strange in this way. I just don't know..??? Could you tell me which would be the better choice? Great video, thank you!!!

[hawg]

Can't remember how many drivers but I got molded for my Ultimate Ears 18+ Great set of ears but they are expensive.

[CarlosKTCosta]

Hey Fluff, how about the IEM transmitter? I've been really confused with that because, we don't have the budget to go for like Sennheiser or Shure systems but I'm kind of afraid of just getting cheap analog system with batteries on the receivers instead of a nice digital one with rechargeable packs...

[mowhoudin]

What would you recommend for bassists?

[davidjoel]

CIEMs are such a difficult thing to recommend, you can’t test them or return them. I bought the a6 several years ago and I love them, I consider myself lucky.

[tcjensen]

Thx man. Sounds like 3-7 is the sweet spot for electric guitsrs

[FedericoSala]

did you ever tried the a/u12t ? I'm currently looking around for Ciem cause of upcoming live shows next year....and as a drummer i need em

[robspectre]

I was looking for these last night. What are the odds?

[rcleon]

hey what brand are those sound trap the yellow color ones

[calinvama]

Which one would you say is more suited for bass playing? Is the N8 delivering that kick drum punch and bass texture?