Talk to me about IEMs

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Basket Case
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Talk to me about IEMs

Post by Basket Case »

Hi all,

I've just (re)joined a band that are all using IEMs, so I need to get a set. I'm pretty convinced that I want to go the custom mold route and I'm currently looking at a set of UE-5 Pros https://acoustixhearing.co.nz/shop-onli ... rs-ue5-pro

Does anyone have experience with IEMs and can offer advice regarding what to get? Where in AKL can I get my ears 3D scanned or whatever I need to do for the custom molding?

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by rickenbackerkid »

Custom molds are worth the silly money - you'll get far better sound quality, comfort and user experience.

I'd highly, highly recommend soft silicone IEM's - in my opinion they are better in every single way, more comfortable, better seal. I don't know if you sing, but I have found silicone to be way better for singing.

https://www.pacificears.co.nz/product-c ... -monitors/ I'm going to get a set for next years' touring.

When you buy online, get a recommendation for an audiologist. Do buy local, for better support - I had one set of IEMs that needed tweaks to the fit and had to make a round trip back to the USA, that wasn't cool. My current set are Sensaphonics and they are really good.

In terms of wireless gear, I think the Sennheiser G4 system is great. I've got a G4 system in one band rack and an older G2 system in the other rack. 3rd band I don't sing apart from a few BV's and just play with no monitors and earplugs in.

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by Basket Case »

rickenbackerkid wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 8:48 am Custom molds are worth the silly money - you'll get far better sound quality, comfort and user experience.

I'd highly, highly recommend soft silicone IEM's - in my opinion they are better in every single way, more comfortable, better seal. I don't know if you sing, but I have found silicone to be way better for singing.

https://www.pacificears.co.nz/product-c ... -monitors/ I'm going to get a set for next years' touring.

When you buy online, get a recommendation for an audiologist. Do buy local, for better support - I had one set of IEMs that needed tweaks to the fit and had to make a round trip back to the USA, that wasn't cool. My current set are Sensaphonics and they are really good.

In terms of wireless gear, I think the Sennheiser G4 system is great. I've got a G4 system in one band rack and an older G2 system in the other rack. 3rd band I don't sing apart from a few BV's and just play with no monitors and earplugs in.
Yeah, I'll be doing BVs and the band has the wireless transmitters so I don't have to worry about that side of it. Is the soft silicone option you mention something that conforms to any ear shape or would I still need to get them custom made?

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by rickenbackerkid »

Custom made, but fucking good. When you sing, the shape of your ear canal flexes and changes. Soft silicon IEMs warp and shift slightly along with your ear. Back when I had hard plastic IEM I'd go for a big note and lose the seal all the time. I really think silicon is superior, but that might just be me as the hard IEMs seem to outsell soft by a long way.

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by robthemac »

Pseudo-custom IEMs can be a good option to test out before spending big bucks. The Shure SE series have fantastic isolation, and I think a modified SE-846 is one of the best IEMs I've ever heard.

I haven't heard the cheaper end of the Ultimate Ears lineup, but the Reference Remastered is easy to love, if not the most exciting out there.

I'm a massive fan of 64 Audio. Came very close to getting the A12t made earlier this year, but then Molly flashed a PRS in my direction. I have the U10 currently, and it's technically the best IEM I've heard. If I were getting customs, I'd go for 64 Audio.
Jops wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:46 am Spring is the comic sans of reverbs anyway.

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by rickenbackerkid »

Shure SE line are really good, even the basic model (215??? I think) fits ok and sounds good. Sensaphonics make custom selves for them and they work and fit really well. they do look slightly goofy though as they stick out a bit.

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by Basket Case »

robthemac wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 9:29 am Pseudo-custom IEMs can be a good option to test out before spending big bucks. The Shure SE series have fantastic isolation, and I think a modified SE-846 is one of the best IEMs I've ever heard.

I haven't heard the cheaper end of the Ultimate Ears lineup, but the Reference Remastered is easy to love, if not the most exciting out there.

I'm a massive fan of 64 Audio. Came very close to getting the A12t made earlier this year, but then Molly flashed a PRS in my direction. I have the U10 currently, and it's technically the best IEM I've heard. If I were getting customs, I'd go for 64 Audio.
I'm completely new to the world of IEMs so this might be me being dumb, but I'm not sure how I could make wireless bluetooth earphones work. We have wireless transmitters sending to receivers which presumably I would need to physically plug into.

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by robthemac »

You could make it work, but there will likely be issues with latency and I doubt that you'll get much noise isolation.

I've got an excessive number if you wanted to try some out.
Jops wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:46 am Spring is the comic sans of reverbs anyway.

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by Basket Case »

rickenbackerkid wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 8:48 am
https://www.pacificears.co.nz/product-c ... -monitors/ I'm going to get a set for next years' touring.
Thanks, I've sent them an email regarding cost and wait times. Any idea how much extra I should expect to pay for having ear impressions made?

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by robthemac »

Basket Case wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:25 am
rickenbackerkid wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 8:48 am
https://www.pacificears.co.nz/product-c ... -monitors/ I'm going to get a set for next years' touring.
Thanks, I've sent them an email regarding cost and wait times. Any idea how much extra I should expect to pay for having ear impressions made?
I think I paid $60 at the audiologist in Kamo.
Jops wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:46 am Spring is the comic sans of reverbs anyway.

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by Basket Case »

robthemac wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:27 am
Basket Case wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:25 am
rickenbackerkid wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 8:48 am
https://www.pacificears.co.nz/product-c ... -monitors/ I'm going to get a set for next years' touring.
Thanks, I've sent them an email regarding cost and wait times. Any idea how much extra I should expect to pay for having ear impressions made?
I think I paid $60 at the audiologist in Kamo.
Great! I was expecting it would cost more.

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Re: Talk to me about IEMs

Post by Basket Case »

It turns out that the price of having the impressions made is included in the price anyway. I've just ordered these: https://www.pacificears.co.nz/product/e ... lour=clear

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