IEMs for classical monitoring in the hall

[JonesH]

Hi,
I'm looking for a set of headphones that I can use with an Edirol R-44 to listen in the hall for mic placement and angling. I was first looking at phones like the BeyerDynamic DT770, and then stumpled upon the thought of using a high-end In Ear Monitor (such as the offerings from Shure, Etymotic or Ultimate Ears) wi´hich would also increase my iPhone music experience.

These could possibly be combined with a set of real isolation pads if they don't supply enough on their own.

Do you have any experience with these? I want to be able to use them as headset for my iPhone as well so that limits the discussion a bit...

Thanks.

[klaukholm]

If you get the moulded version of the etymotic, they isolate extremely well.

[JonesH]

Tack, Kjetil!
Do you find they're at least fairly reliable for the kind of music that you do?

[klaukholm]

Varsågod!
I can't speak for reliability, not enough hours to vouch for them.
They do, however, isolate very well.

[fifthcircle]

How is the fidelity in the various IEM options out there? It seems like more and more of the halls I work in require me to monitor inside the space and it really gets in the way of making quality recordings. My Sennheiser 280's isolate relatively well, but have issues with the sonics. The better sounding stuff isolates even worse...

I've thought about dropping the bucks on an earmold, but it isn't worth it if the fidelity isn't there.

--Ben

[videoteque]

There is no perfect speaker/headphone!

I think any good in-ear monitor, if "calibrated" (listened enough hours and comparing it to your "main" monitors) could work. I find hearing well real-time changes must be wonderful.

I am for medium isolation and ear-muffs, I didn't find a nice ear-muff set yet. I want to try to get some hunting stuff...

[MBishopSFX]

Check out the Monster Cable "Turbines." They also have a Pro line coming out. The Turbines have been a great solution for me!

.

[Angus]

I sometimes use a pair of Sensaphonics 2X-S when in-hall monitoring simply cannot be avoided or for mic adjustment when I am working alone. Accuracy-wise they are certainly not competition for a pair of Stax Omega IIs or Sennheiser HD800 but they are pretty good. Isolation is great - certainly way better than that offered by circumaural phones such as HD280s and the like. If you really want to hear just the mic signal, try adding a pair of something like Bilsom earmuffs. Together you won't believe how much ambient sound can be attenuated. It's spooky. The downside to the 2X-S is price - last I checked they were something like $750 + the cost of the molds. Etymotics with custom molds must be considered a relative bargain. The problem with all of these custom IEMs is that the only way to try them is to buy them and having done so who is going to cough up to buy examples of other models so as to compare them directly. It's tough enough to decide to spring for just one pair when it's impossible to audition them.

Angus

[JonesH]

Have anyone tried the Monster Turbine Pro Copper(s)? They claim they're more of the neutral and correct variety. In best case they can even make them with controlTalk so I can use them with my iPhone...

[John Willett]

I have a pair of the top-end Sennheiser IE 8 IEMs - but I can't get on with IEMs myself.

I use my HD 25-1 headphones for this sort of use.