In ear monitors...

[JamieVU]

So I'm investing in a set of IEMs because of constantly not being able to hear myself, but mainly to save my hearing while still being able to get a good monitor mix.

im not gonna cheap out on the IEMs themselves because... well its just silly, but as for the transmitter/reciever - is it worth buying the shure or senn or would the t.bone, nady etc ones be fine?

what is the difference between them anyway? quality? range?

J

[Space Station]

I use the Shure PSM 400....ultra reliable and good quality...however the ear-buds you get with the system are just OK, so I use Westone UM2's instead with the Shure system..the improvement they give over the Shure ear-buds is huge..the sounds is far, far superior and much more comfortable too.

[Andl]

I tried a t bone system. The quality, both audio and build, was not acceptable. The low end in particular was very undefined.

Not much point getting top quality phones unless you match them with a decent system.

I use ER4-Ps, normally wired, but have good experience with a number of shure systems.

[misterlong]

I have been using the sennheiser G3 for a few years now. Has always been reliable and sound quality etc is very good. I actually still use the generic buds which came with it for my ipod, cos they sound great. useable at a pinch on stage!

I have custom moulded futruresonics buds. Cost about 600 gbp but have been fully worth it! Really saved my ears!

long

[synthoid]

Our band has been using the Shure PSM 600 for the past few years. It hasn't ever let us down. One thing to consider beyond sound quality is the robustness of the transmitter and receiver, because sometimes live venues have really bad interference problems, and sometimes there will be several live transmitters in a place at the same time, so it's good to have the ability to switch frequencies.
-synthoid

[solo-bration]

+1 for the PSM 600, been using it for about 6-7 years now.

[JamieVU]

what sort of range can you get on IEMs? could you have the transmitter at the console or would there have to be a send up to the stage?

J

[misterlong]

I have often worked with the transmitter at the FOH desk when monitors have been running from there (smaller venues) Usually get a pretty good reach. I can normally still hear it if I nip off to the loo so long as there aint too many walls in the way!! That is with a senn G3 unit

I reckon I have had it over at least 40 metres before with no worries. I am sure you could get more. You ould have to check the specs

Long

[solo-bration]

I've pushed it as far as 50+ feet from the FOH board to the stage without issues. I think I've even walked outside of a venue with it still feeding me a clear monitor mix.

I have also stood only 6 feet from it on-stage and caught some interference (swishing noises). It depends what's in the air in that particular area. This venue ALWAYS has some interference.

[Puffer Fish]

Don't go cheap on the transmitter/ receiver. Look for a limiter feature that has some control (on/ off), like the Shure stuff. I have some older Shure E3 and they have been very satisfactory for ear buds... the rest of the money spent on E4 or better I think would be better spent on the best receiver and transmitter you can afford.

The one guy said he uses the cheap iPod earbuds. Don't ignore that comment. In some situations where the IEM mix is lacking, the room-noise bleed you get over the cheap ear buds can be a life saver. As I guess you already know, the ear buds seal up very well so you are isolated--both a wonderful and horrible thing given the right (or wrong) situation. The cheap ear buds in a bag with the rest of the gear can save you if you are unable to hear the performances of your band mates.

[Kingtone]

If you can afford it, get the Sennheiser G series system.
in my opinion and years of IEM use.. they sound the best.
I dont like the Shure PSM stuff.. the limiter sounds like crap.

[sadworld]

i'm looking at the psm 400 system one comes with a little mixer and the other doesn't... is the mixer necessary or important? i have a samson headphone mixer i used in the studio and was wondering if this would somehow work... i could save some cash that way. thanks. matt.

[sadworld]

oops sorry, i found 2 threads by search and asked pretty much the same question. didn't notice they were gonnna come up in the same forum....

[timothyclee]

I've used the PSM600 system since 1998 without any problems ever. It's made like a tank. Some of the cheaper systems have plastic recievers which I like the Shure Metal housing which won't crack of melt.

[sadworld]

Originally Posted by timothyclee

I've used the PSM600 system since 1998 without any problems ever. It's made like a tank. Some of the cheaper systems have plastic recievers which I like the Shure Metal housing which won't crack of melt.

can you elaborate on how you hook this to the board? do you use the personal little mixer too? thanks...

[timothyclee]

never used that 400 series mixer that shure makes...I would suggest a little mackie mixer couple inputs and a mic splitter to send your inputs to the house and put your aux mix from the FOH into the mini mixer.

[Guitfiddle]

If you can afford it, get the Sennheiser G series system.
in my opinion and years of IEM use.. they sound the best.
I dont like the Shure PSM stuff.. the limiter sounds like crap.

Intersting, I have been researching these units. I pretty much narrowed it down to the PSM 900 and the Sennheiser. Then off to researching to find the right buds. I am a singer that drums, so I need a great set of buds.

[M4-10]

Originally Posted by Guitfiddle

Intersting, I have been researching these units. I pretty much narrowed it down to the PSM 900 and the Sennheiser. Then off to researching to find the right buds. I am a singer that drums, so I need a great set of buds.

As a drummer, do you need a wireless system? You can save (and invest in better earbuds) by using a simple headphone amp.

[Guitfiddle]

I have an old set of in ears by shure. Flesh colored cord with rectangular box, not sure what model, and a Furman HDS-6. I do not like the sound of this setup. I much preferred the sound of the Shure PSM200 over this. I need to do some more testing. Then again I was using different buds with the PSM200. What amp do you recommend with what buds? Just curious?