recommend in ear monitors for bass

shakinbacon · Mar 12, 2010

All,
I have been using in ear monitors and LOVE the protection they give to my ears and the control (Aviom local mixing board) I have when playing live. However, the bass always sounds too trebly and not bassy enough. I am obsessive about making the Bongo sound good in the context of the songs.

I have yet to boost the bass on the Avioms (I'll try that next) as I am biased towards hearing a "natural sound" - like that's ever gonna happen. Perhaps boosting the bass is all I need. Its too simple but it might work.

Barring that, what IEMs are people using that they are happy with? Or, is it too goofy to wear sound isolating headphones live? I've heard headphones will generally sound better but look worse.

For your reference, I'm using Shure SCL3s: Shure - Personal Monitor Systems - SCL3 Sound Isolating Earphones

Thanks in advance everyone

snowbum · Mar 12, 2010

When picking in ears for live performance as a bassist, my first choice is one of the dual or triple driver phones. Back in the days I had the Shure 3's, which are a single driver, and those seemed to really focus on the highs.

I am currently running the dual driver Ultimate Ears... I have the Super-Fi 5 Pros. They have independent treble and woofer drivers. The bass representation of my Sterling sounds almost exactly as it would coming from my amp.

If you are a Shure fan, the dual drivered 5's are real nice too, yet they are a bit more expensive, Ultimate ears has come out with a Triple driver that throws mids into the mix, when mine die, I am gonna shoot for the triple driver Ultimate Ears.

I hope this helps

Kirby · Mar 12, 2010

I have the Ultimate Ears UE7's. They were recommended by the rep at UE due to their bass response and she was dead on. I love these. They are not cheap, but built to last with awesome sound and clarity.

adouglas · Mar 12, 2010

Kirby said:
I have the Ultimate Ears UE7's. They were recommended by the rep at UE due to their bass response and she was dead on. I love these. They are not cheap, but built to last with awesome sound and clarity.

Man, you're not kidding!

$850 for the middle of the line !?!!?!??

And I thought my Bose gear was expensive.

shakinbacon · Mar 12, 2010

adouglas said:
Man, you're not kidding!

$850 for the middle of the line !?!!?!??

And I thought my Bose gear was expensive.

whoa!!! I may have to get headphones as nice ones can be had for $100

I lose the cool factor I guess
EX-29 Headphones

strummer · Mar 12, 2010

Imho and all that The Sennheiser IE8 pretty much kills the competition, and the best feature is that you can tune them physically to give extra bass.

Parm · Mar 12, 2010

I've always had bad luck with stock in-ears (can't get 'em to seal properly, they often fall out if I move too much, etc.), so a couple years ago I started wearing phones. I'm sure it looks goofy to many, but I can live with that. Here's a shot (please forgive the instrument---I didn't own my Bongo at the time or I most certainly would have been playing it):

And these days, I use an even larger set. Haven't had any complaints yet. That said, I have considered a trip to the audiologist to have some customs made...

bizmarckie · Mar 12, 2010

I love my Westone ES2's. Custom fit, great sound (a bit pricey though). I used to use them with Avioms a lot and was able to live comfortably without an onstage cab, if that says anything.

Kesmi · Mar 12, 2010

I've been using dual driver M-Audio IE-20's for a few years now, they have Ultimate Ears components I believe. Of course I'm a guitarist with different sonic needs, but for $250.00 they are a bargain.
M-AUDIO - IE-20 XB - High-Precision Professional Reference Earphones with Enhanced Bass

nicjimbass · Mar 12, 2010

I've been eyeing the Ultimate Ears triple-fi 10's... 3 drivers (high, mid, low), which is apparently the same technology as the high end models, only in a non-custom molded version. Last I checked, a certain online retailer (with a "jungle-like" name) had them for less than 2 bills.

tommixx · Mar 12, 2010

I started using Future Sonics back when they virtually invented the technology. Over the years I have been a monitor engineer for a number of big acts and done a bunch of testing. I have about 2 dozen different sets as a result to choose from. I mostly use Future Sonics custom molds (many big acts use them) but also have most of the Shure line and Ultimate ears as well. I used to think multiple driver models were best but my experience has brought me to the conclusion that most of the products out there are essentially using hearing aid technology. The major difference in Future Sonics and more or less everybody else is that they are using a conical (an actual speaker essentially) that is much warmer and richer sounding than anything else I have ever found. The customs I have are very expensive but they also have a model called Atrio. The Atrio is the best off the shelf set of buds I have ever found....PERIOD. They are very natural and detailed and the bass response is simply unparalleled by anything else I have used for a bassist or drummer. I can not recommend them enough. I think they are still priced at 199.00 to boot which makes them an incredible value considering the price points of the competition. For what its worth they were ear phone of the year last year....check them out.

Future Sonics Inc., Ear Monitors® & Atrio® professional earphones

Peace,

T

EDIT - Fixed spelling! I sent the original from my Droid and HATE the auto type!!!

1kinal · Mar 12, 2010

I also use Future Sonics Atrio. The low end is incredible on those! At this price ($200) nothing comes close.

shakinbacon · Mar 12, 2010

tommixx said:
I started using Future Sonics back when they virtually invented the technology. Over the tears I have been a monitor engineer for a number of big acts and done a bunch of testing. I have about 2 dozen different sets as a result to chhose from. I mostly use Future Sonics custom molds (many big acts use them) but also have most of the Shire line and Ultimate ears as well. I used to think multiple driver models were best but my experience has brought me to the conclusion that most of the products out there are essentially using hearing aid technology. The major difference in Future Sonics and more or less everybody else is that they are using a conical (an actual speaker essentially) that is much warmer.and richer sounding than anything else I have ever found. The customs I have are very expensive but they also have a model called Atrio. The Atrio is the best off the shelf set of buds I have ever found....PERIOD. They are very natural and detailed and the bass response is simply unparalleled by anything else I have used for a bassist or drummer. I can not recommend them enough. I think they are still priced at 199.00 to boot which makes them an incredible value considering the price points of the competition. For what its worth they were ear phone of the year last year....check them out.

Future Sonics Inc., Ear Monitors® & Atrio® professional earphones

Peace,

T

Thanks. I'll have to look into those

CElton · Mar 12, 2010

I bought a set of Shure E5c's a few years ago. I love 'em. Go to an Audioligist and get molds.

If I had to replace them, I would be looking into the Future Sonics. A good friend of mine plays in the Delbert McClinton Band and that's what he uses.

dmarotta · Mar 13, 2010

I also use the Ultimate Ears UE7. At last years Namm I tried the triple driver Ultimate Ears and preferred the dual driver which I then purchased.Been very happy with them in both live and in the studio.

dmarotta · Mar 13, 2010

Forgot to mention the most important thing. Custom molds are a must for good bass response. I 've tried Shures and UE's without the molds and there is no comparison.

isaactmeyer · Mar 13, 2010

I use west tones es3's

they are great

meeder2 · Mar 13, 2010

Live wires dual drivers @ $250 w/moulds, great natural bass response. very sensitive
Attention Clients!!

projectapollo · Mar 14, 2010

Buttkicker!!

I use custom molded triple driver in ears at church. The bass is still not right. So, I bought the church a pair of Buttkicker Concert tactile bass drivers. These floor shakers make a HUGE difference with IEMs. A bit of kick and bass in the buttkicker and you got yourself a really nice monitor solution. I played my stealth bongo with flats today and the bass sounded (felt)thunderous to me, with no stage volume whatsoever. Very cool.

tommixx · Mar 14, 2010

projectapollo said:
I use custom molded triple driver in ears at church. The bass is still not right. So, I bought the church a pair of Buttkicker Concert tactile bass drivers. These floor shakers make a HUGE difference with IEMs. A bit of kick and bass in the buttkicker and you got yourself a really nice monitor solution. I played my stealth bongo with flats today and the bass sounded (felt)thunderous to me, with no stage volume whatsoever. Very cool.

Butt kickers are fabulous especially for drummers! I find that I do not need them with Atrios or the Future Sonics Custom Molds...

Peace,

T

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