In-ear monitor question

**SLUGGO** · 09-06-2008, 08:37 AM

Does anybody out there use in ear monitors?? I just picked a system and love the idea of it. Problem.....there is hardly any bottom end in the ear monitors. I am running the system through one of my DI outs, not through the front of house.(Most soundmen are not interested in messing with them!) But if I crank the bass control on my EQ, then my "delivered" sound is too muddy. Any way to increase the low end in the monitors without messing with the amp output tone??

I hope this topic is ok with the mods....if not, my apologies and please feel free to delete.

THANKS!!

**phat5** · 09-06-2008, 08:44 AM

What kind of IEM system are you using?

**SLUGGO** · 09-06-2008, 09:04 AM

shure psm 200

**oli@bass** · 09-06-2008, 02:00 PM

I know that forum member Psychicpet is using an in ear monitoring at least in one of the bands he plays in.

**phat5** · 09-06-2008, 04:20 PM

Never used the Shure PSM, but I have used the Aviom systems......plenty of low end.

**tadawson** · 09-07-2008, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by SLUGGO

shure psm 200

With what earmolds? I have a Sennheiser 300 with Ultimate UE-10s, and the bass can almost shake your teeth loose.

The moral of the story is typically if you go cheap on the earpieces, you get what you pay for . . .

- Tim

**SLUGGO** · 09-07-2008, 02:34 PM

I will try different earmolds. Currently I am using the hard plastic tips that they came equipped with. they gave a few others with the system as well Thanks for the advise. BTW if these are considered "cheap" I am going back old school!!!

**CElton** · 09-07-2008, 07:14 PM

You want to get a good seal for isolation. I also recommend dual driver type. There are many out there. Westone UM2, Livewire, and I've heard good things about Future Sonics Ear Monitors ®, Atrio ® professional earphones - musician personal monitors by Future Sonics. They are not dual drivers but have new technology that negates the need for dual drivers. The price tag is $199 USD.

I've been using Shure E5's for about 2 years and absolutely love them. I prefer to go IEM whenever possible.

Also, try the triple flange plugs. They adjust to your ear canal and provide excellent isolation...again, that is the key to getting what you need out of the system.

**Dr Stankface** · 09-07-2008, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by SLUGGO

I will try different earmolds. Currently I am using the hard plastic tips that they came equipped with. they gave a few others with the system as well Thanks for the advise. BTW if these are considered "cheap" I am going back old school!!!

Those Shure packs are great. If I may make a suggestion, try the Westone UM2 ears. I've used them with my Shure PSM600 pack for a year and a half now and couldn't be happier with them.

**Colin** · 09-08-2008, 12:29 AM

I've used the Shure ones, pretty isolated for me but the soundguy loved it

**SLUGGO** · 09-08-2008, 05:12 AM

Thanks for all the great advice! I tried a few differnt earpieces. There were some that worked pretty good....or at least good enough for now. I may wind up buying a better set of IEM's later if I decide this is the way to go.

**tadawson** · 09-09-2008, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by SLUGGO

Thanks for all the great advice! I tried a few differnt earpieces. There were some that worked pretty good....or at least good enough for now. I may wind up buying a better set of IEM's later if I decide this is the way to go.

The key is to get an airtight seal, or the bass on an in-ear just dies. For that, the custom molds work the best without doubt, but cost the most as well. Since you describe yours as having replaceable tips, I can only conclude that you are using "generic" earpieces, and the trick is to find the tips that seal the best.

For those that like the Shure systems, try a Sennheiser . . . it leaves the Shure's for dead is just about all ways, and compared to the upper end Shures, they are cheaper too . . . and nothing like having 1200+ frequencies to choose from compared to the 6 or 8 you get with Shure . . . not to mention a pretty much all metal (read: virtually indestructable) pack.

- Tim

**Psychicpet** · 09-09-2008, 12:50 AM

Hi SLUGGO,
yep, like has been said by others and investigated by you, it's all about the buds

right now I'm using a pair of Sennheiser CX300

by no means are they the top of line BUT!! these buds fit my ears really well and the low end out of this single driver unit is nuts... for me.

We also use the Aviom monitoring system (like phat5) and to me, that is the other crucial link in the chain.

anywho, all the best with the quest and yes, it takes a little to get used to but once you do it's awesome!!