In Ear monitoring....advice please!!

cajonezzz · 18th April 2004

I'm interested in investing in some high quality in ear (custom molded) monitors.
One of the church gigs I do has installed an Aviom system (nice!) and I'd like to not use the earbud's they provide.
I'd also use the in ears for ipod/laptop listening, practicing and tracking on occasion.

My last (and only ) experience was with Future Sonics back in the mid 90's. I remember them being VERY expensive, and the production bought for us so I was happy.

I know that huge advancements along with a competitive market has brought the prices down...but who is the benchmark for quality?

I have an audioulogist that can do the molds (I'll get a new set of plugs>er15-25's while I'm at it) but as far as the actuall earbud/element I'm out of the loop.

Also, the Future sonics had built in limiting.....should that be a concern or are most manufactures using external limit/protection.

Thanks guys and gals!

doug_hti · 18th April 2004

My wife has been using Future sonics for about 6 years. they have been great. I just replaced the drivers in them, but they didn't need it, more just for maitenance and to have them looked over. I also know quite a few that have been using future sonics for years happily. But one of my friends(drummer) recently who had been on Future Sonics tried switching over to Etymotics. He has had nothing but good to say about them. They have added a lot of low end back in that the FS take off and are a lot cheaper as well. He doesn't have the need for a bass shaker or a sub wedge at his kit.

http://www.etymotic.com/

And about the limiter, I am not aware of built in limiter on the FSs. That's why we also use Finalizer or a Aphex Dominator II...
Quality Limters are a must in my opinion, unless you have control over EVERYTHING.

But I would check out the ety's. FS will cost ya about $800 to get into I believe.

cajonezzz · 18th April 2004

Just found these guys...impressive client list.

Alot of those folks I know were Future sonics users at one time.

http://www.ultimateears.com/

Cinemafixer · 19th April 2004

I gotta second the etymotics. Cheap, durable, AND they sound great.

jho · 19th April 2004

Thanks for the links. How would you guys say these stack up to the Shure line, say, E2, E3, E5 ?

Thanks.

18th April 2004	#1
cajonezzz Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,765 Thread Starter	In Ear monitoring....advice please!! I'm interested in investing in some high quality in ear (custom molded) monitors. One of the church gigs I do has installed an Aviom system (nice!) and I'd like to not use the earbud's they provide. I'd also use the in ears for ipod/laptop listening, practicing and tracking on occasion. My last (and only ) experience was with Future Sonics back in the mid 90's. I remember them being VERY expensive, and the production bought for us so I was happy. I know that huge advancements along with a competitive market has brought the prices down...but who is the benchmark for quality? I have an audioulogist that can do the molds (I'll get a new set of plugs>er15-25's while I'm at it) but as far as the actuall earbud/element I'm out of the loop. Also, the Future sonics had built in limiting.....should that be a concern or are most manufactures using external limit/protection. Thanks guys and gals! __________________ http://recordingdrummerproducer.com http://socaldrumsociety.com http://ProCraftMedia.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

18th April 2004	#2
doug_hti Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Calabasas, California Posts: 1,142	My wife has been using Future sonics for about 6 years. they have been great. I just replaced the drivers in them, but they didn't need it, more just for maitenance and to have them looked over. I also know quite a few that have been using future sonics for years happily. But one of my friends(drummer) recently who had been on Future Sonics tried switching over to Etymotics. He has had nothing but good to say about them. They have added a lot of low end back in that the FS take off and are a lot cheaper as well. He doesn't have the need for a bass shaker or a sub wedge at his kit. http://www.etymotic.com/ And about the limiter, I am not aware of built in limiter on the FSs. That's why we also use Finalizer or a Aphex Dominator II... Quality Limters are a must in my opinion, unless you have control over EVERYTHING. But I would check out the ety's. FS will cost ya about $800 to get into I believe. __________________ doug

19th April 2004	#5
jho Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2002 Location: The Lowcountry Posts: 1,581	Thanks for the links. How would you guys say these stack up to the Shure line, say, E2, E3, E5 ? Thanks. __________________ Jeff H Charleston Sound

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19th April 2004	#4
Cinemafixer Gear interested Joined: May 2003 Posts: 24	I gotta second the etymotics. Cheap, durable, AND they sound great.