in ear monitors

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

I have significant hearing loss and use hearing aides. After trying several brands, I've come to the conclusion that these devices are designed to amplify conversation and do a crappy job of amplifying live music All are subject to feedback, zingy artifacts and ghost tones that are not truly representaive of the tone produced by my guitar & amp. The tone quality that I've experienced from the headphone out to studio headphones (sans hearing aides) is much better.

That being the case, I'm considering ditching the hearing aides on stage in favor of using high quality in-ear monitors -either from the headphone output of my Telonics 500c or from the mixing board. Currently, I'm looking at Shure 535s vsx AlienEars G8 or 1964s.

Ahy input would be appreciated.

Ken Morgan · From: Midland, Texas, USA

Iâ€™ve got an older Carvin wireless IEM system. The stock pieces arenâ€™t bad, but I noticed a marked improvement when using a set of Shure 215s...somuch so I can turn everything down.

For the record I wear hearing aids and your assessment on voic3 range only is dead on
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Chris Willingham · From: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hey Tony,

I've had a pair of 1964 A6s for two years and can't say enough good things about them. The fit is perfect, the sound is incredible and the isolation is just right. And with the Apex venting you never get ear fatigue or pressure. They're so comfortable, you hardly notice you have them in after a few songs. Their customer service is top notch too. I had one driver that was loose and bouncing around in one ear, still working, just loose. I sent them back to 64 Audio and got it back repaired in 7 days, no charge for anything. They're pricey but worth every penny.

Our drummer has AlienEars and he loves his.

Prob hard to go wrong with any of the big IEM brands, but go custom fit for sure. One time cost that pays off every time you put them in your ears. Hope that helps!
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Bill A. Moore · From: Silver City, New Mexico, USA

Tony, the VA fitted me with hearing aids last year, and mine, (Signia brand), have the capability of changing the EQ response. You might look into having your's readjusted, and see it there is an optional program that you can access. The doc who fitted me makes you came back after a couple of weeks, and he tweaks them again if necessary.
Mine have the speech EQ, (they actually shift frequencies that you don't hear well into frequencies that you do), and a "Music" setting, that allows for a more natural sound. You can adjust the tone slightly bass/treble, and also emphasis sound from one direction or another. (You use your phone to control them).
What I don't hear well with either setting is high shrill voices, (like grand kids!)

Nathan Guilford · From: Oklahoma City

Tony - Something to consider. The in-ear monitor market has shifted recently. If you're dipping your toe in, check out KZ headphones. High quality chinese in-ears. I've been using Shure 425s and just got these KZ-A10 headphones with 10 drivers (5 in each ear). Clearer and louder than the 425's and at a MUCH cheaper price ($60 for their top of the line KZ-A10 down to $20 for the lower models)
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Eric Philippsen · From: Central Florida USA

I don't want to hijack the subject of this thread but just mention that my experience with hearing aids mirrors Tony's. And the ones I have are top of the line with bells & whistles, Blue Tooth capabilities, custom eq settings, and on and on. But they suck for live music for the same reasons Tony mentions.

Of course I went back twice to the audiologist, even with acoustic guitar in hand, and sat in her office while she tweaked the compression and eq settings of them via her computer. Nope.

After some of my own research I found that the problem is due to the digital conversion circuitry on the front end, the basic design of which most if not all digital hearing aids share. Of course, every manufacturer claims their model doesn't have that problem. Nope.

Ironically, the old analog hearing aids don't have that problem but you can't find good analog ones anymore that aren't either expensive, battery eaters, huge, or all of the above.

Thanks for the info about IEM's.

Carl Mesrobian · From: Salem, Massachusetts, USA

Definitely try the Westone UM Pro 20. I like them better than the Shure 535's. Shure's are too bright for me.
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Bill Burch · From: California, USA

Jim Smerk · From: Ohio, USA

Thanks for the recommendation on the KZ-A10s also Nathan, the 10 driver ones are ordered!

I have been using a set of Parts Express IEM with their wireless headphone amp and have been happy for the most part......everything but the ear foam they are too "scratchy" in the end.

Thanks Again! Cool

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Shure 535's suck for music listening but are great for on-stage in ear monitors. I used them for several years with a system where we each had our own monitor mix - a small 8-channel box mounted on the mic stand.

I doubt I could ever go back to stage "wedge" speakers again.
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Gene Tani · From: Pac NW

I've probably had a dozen pair of IEM over the years, some weren't so durable in the cable department. You'll have to see how they fit and if they're comfortable, that's a really personal thing.

I think most people start with a pair of off the shelf (universal fit) IEM like westone, Ultimate ears, shure. The pair of Alclairs i have now, dual drivers for around $300/pair, work pretty well except for isolation. But since you have the molds for your ears on the shelf, you could go straight to custom

Head-fi.org has a huge number of reviews, and there's a few buying guides i've seen that are pretty unbiased: https://theheadphonelist.com/musicians-in-ear-monitors-buyers-guide/

and https://theheadphonelist.com/musicians-in-ear-monitors-buyers-guide/

Rex Blevins · From: Jenks, Oklahoma USA

Tony;
I just want to offer my experience with about 10 years experience using IEM's. I have always used Future Sonics and have just recently started using their new pair, the mg6 Pro and could not be happier with the tone of my guitar. It is true, they are a little pricier, but the good ones always are. I would suggest you call them, they are located in Bristol,PA and are most helpful. They outfit everyone from U2 to Reba and I could not be happier with the fit or the sound. Good Luck.

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