In Ear Monitor: Weston UM2 or FutureSonics Atrio?

[Bang]

I have Shure E3s. I think they sound kinda mirky and the stereo balance isn't great. I have custom molds for them.

I was going to go for E5s but then was told to go for Weston UM2s. So then I was going for the Westones when someone said Future Sonics. The 800 dollar price of the EAR MONITOR turned me a bit off but then someone said that the ATRIO from Future Sonics is also an amazing monitor. I could also get a custom mold for the Atrio by FutureSonics.

Anyone wanna chime in? I want a nice step up from the Shure.

Also, I have the PSM 400 series, will I get a lot more clarity from the 700 or perhaps the Sennheiser system?

[Jim vanBergen]

Anything that is custom (as you know) and has bi-amplified drivers has a major impact and IMO is a vast improvement. I personally like FutureSonics and the Shures but have not used Westones, but have mixed monitors for people who have and love the Westone customs.

You can demo each thru dealers, but will have to commit to SOME design before you get the custom fitted drivers...so, rolll the dice bro, and good luck!

[Bang]

Just had a great talk with Westone about the E3s.

So I've made the decision to go with the custom more expensive versions, so now that leads me to the

Westone E3
or
FutureSonic Ear Monitor...

Both are 800 bucks... anyone, especially vocalists, wanna chime in?

[cppi]

I have had this pair for over 5 years and use them just about every day. The world wide support is great, you can call up the company and Marty Garcia sometimes will pick up. The mg4plus drivers are awsome, they are also amature free and x-over free. Take a look at their artist list.

[sordeli]

Hi, I allready order this babys, they are awesome, they are a 3 way system instead of 2way with 3 transducers (2 for low freq, and 1 for the Hi freq.)

the price $399, and sound fantastic, check it at

Ultimate Ears triple.fi 10 Pro Metallic Blue Earphones

the review!

Ultimate Ears triple.fi 10 Pro Earphones | iLounge iPod Accessory Reviews

[Bang]

one step ahead, just talked to the Ultimate Ears people, I'm going there tomorrow and gettins the ue-7s molded for my ears and I can't wait!!

[Mitch Manger]

Bang,

How do you like your UE-7 in-ears? Any gripes? I just went to the audiologist today, and though they took a mold for the Westone earplugs, they took an extra mold in case I want to get the Ultimate Ears.

I could still call the audiologist and ask them to put in an order for the Westone ES-2, using the same mold they took for the earplugs

I'm now basically deciding between the UE-7, UE-10, or the Westone ES-2...

[IDOAUDIO]

Hi all,

If I had to get new ears, It would be the Future sonics molds. Their new generics sound great, but molds give you better comfort and better bass response.

I've been mixing ears for tours since early 90's. I used CMCI (they aren't even around any longer), and Garwwod radio stations (bought from Future Sonics). Marty at Future Sonics really had the love of doing ears. He didn't release his first generics until he knew they were right.

The Shure e3's I think sound good to 'normal people" for ipods, computers, and any compressed signal. For us folks that spend more time listening to teh mix than the "music" they just sound dull and lifeless. I love my e5's for a generic unit. I usually have a few of them with me as back up for all touring, as well as myself. I still think there is an issue with dual driver units like the e5's, but they do sound amazing.

When you get molds, it really depends on what you are doing with them. I have 3 molds I use while touring. I again, live by my Futures sonics. I have had them for 10 years, and think they have the best bass response made. I try and get all artists on these. Bass players and drummers really love them. Sometimes Singers think they are a bit dull, but then again, they are the ones that want LOTS of top on there vicals. I have a set of UE5 from Ultimate ears as well. They do have lots of top, and smooth mids, but i think roll off higher than future sonics. Side note- they also make a great generic pair. perfect for rental houses to have, but not what I would use every day on tour. Generics hurt your ear, not your hearing, but the fit hurts your ears, and after a while gets annoying. I also have a soft pair of of molds for around the shure e5's. again, just in case of troubles with my others.

i find I have less troubles with the Future Sonics. Artists don't have the ear fatigue they seem to have with Ultimate ears ue5, 7, or 10's. I think there is too many troubles that can come with a multi driver unit. I guess it gets to what makes you the happiest. sadly, ears are unlike most gear- you can't try it before you buy it. They are a sort of "have faith and buy" item. If you call the guys at Future SOnics, talk to Dave. He will tell you the good and bad of their stuff. They do want your sale, but they want your hearing and safety first.

Just my opinion. No matter what you pick, if you get molds made, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, when they make the mold to the second bend of your ear, as it sets, PLEASE move your jaws, like you are talking and chewing. If not, when you get your molds, they will not fit right. I haev had to haev lots of artists get molds fixed since they didn't do this step. Not all audiologists know this trick, as they don't use the in-ears themselves.

Hope that helps,

Tim

[Mitch Manger]

Thanks Steve and Tim for your responses. I've heard the same thing about the FutureSonics as Tim mentioned: that they cause less fatigue. Steve, thanks for letting me know that your UE-7 experience has been so positive. Because I'm so split on the usage of these (half for travel and mixing, half for playing/tracking), it's still a difficult decision. Throwing the Futuresonics back in the pot does not make it much easier.

[Bang]

Just to let you all know, my UE7s sound so good that it literally makes the stage show a lot more enjoyable for me, and I feel my pitch and intonation has even improved because I can hear all the subtleties of the guitars now (its hard rock music). Great people too at Ultimate Ears, highly recommended.

[Mitch Manger]

Thanks, Steven, for your reply. Do you experience the ear "fatigue" that a few people seem to experience with the acrylic Ultimate Ears? That was one reason why I was considering the Sensaphonics in comparison, because they use soft, supposedly more comfortable silicon material, though more fragile and difficult to clean.

Do you find the UE-7's peaked mids noticeably peaked, or very subtle?

I still can't decide between the UE-10s, UE-7s, and Sensaphonics 2x-s.

[Jazz+]

Hey Mitch,

What did you end up with?

J+

[drybones]

Originally Posted by IDOAUDIO

Marty at Future Sonics really had the love of doing ears. He didn't release his first generics until he knew they were right.

I worked for Marty Garcia as a Monitor Engineer at his company, Crystal Sound, before he started Future Sonics. We did FOH and monitors for tours with Todd Rundgren, Roberta Flack and many others. Should have stayed with him as Marty is truly dedicated to sound reproduction and really taught me that good monitors can make or break a show or recording. If the artist has an awesome mix, they will give an awesome performance. Mediocre mix yields a mediocre performance.

Want to hear something really freaky? Marty started his monitor companies in West Chester, PA. Same town Aviom started its monitor systems. West Chester is also the home of American composer, Samuel Barber. Music is in the water....

Drybones (aka CJ Vincent)