I want to step up my game earphones wise. Been using my Sennheiser CX-300's which sorta do the job but as I'm venturing more into recording and possibly live video playing I would like to get something better. Also I have a Kemper which I sometimes use headphones for so need something a whole better, and I do those playthrough video things so having a good mix to listen to (as in click and backing track) is quite important. Isolation is pretty important but I presume this would require the custom mould type as opposed to the universal ear bud type ones. And given this current pandemic taking impressions may not be available.
I like the look of the Shure SE series, the 215 or 425' may be adequate? What about Sennheiser?
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For me the aim is not to have the most hi-fi accurate sound but to be able to hear what I need to hear to play my part well. I have used IEMs as a bass player where all I needed was the drums and myself above the rest of the band, and I use them now (right up until lockdowns started) as a drummer, where I have a metronome and the main vocalist - I have tried mixing the whole band but it gets more complicated and simple suits me.
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I got a pair of KZ ZS10s for general listening and which I thought would be ok as backups. They fit better than the Shures, they sound great - the trouble is that, for some reason, they affect my ability to pitch yet I’m fine with the ACS. I have done literally hundreds of tests and the difference is quite marked.
The cheapest ACS monitor is the Evoke 2 classic which is the same sorta price as a Shure SE425 I think.
Whats wrong with non IEM types? Is it the appearance for videos?
Aren't the Shure SE series kinda traditional headphone types?
I think longer term though custom mould is the way to go, but this won't be for a while. Alternatively I think they do the custom mould thing for it too if I get an impression taken for an extra £150 or so.
ACS recommended the Evolve one with the triple driver, for an all round performance, but they're like £400+. Have read about theirs breaking as well.
Have looked at Cosmic Ears too and they seem to get a good rep from many people so may check them out.
I also see the actual monitor has a faceplate to completely cover the ear concha whereas my recently ordered Snugs Pro sleeves don't really do that.
Just trying to decide which driver I want out of the CE3/4/6P. The 6 is meant to be the best of the best, never listened to music with 2 dual drivers for bass/mid/treble before. The 3 driver one is good, but I wonder if the CE4P would be the happy medium without having to spend more than I need? Or should I just go with the 6 and make sure I get the best possible IEM's.
I've read that more drivers don't necessarily mean better sound, so would 6 be necessary? There would be 2 for low/mid/high. I notice alot of the studio musicians and YouTube guitarists use the 6 driver one. Drummers more the 4 one as they need more bass response.
I'd say that if you're going to the trouble of getting custom fit, you might as well get the best you can afford, because you can't just swap them afterwards, so if you can stretch to the 6 I'd go for it. I'm sure the 4 are great too though.
Worth bearing in mind that moulds aren't forever as your ears continue to change shape so you'll have to look at fresh ones in 4-5 years. If you're earning from gigging though (or even if you're not), £200ish a year over the typical time before you need new ones to have both protection from stage noise and clarity of sound is a solid investment.
I've always had the approach of going just one above the recommended one, I can just about afford the 6's, but don't want to be disappointed after pouring so much money into them. If I have to change them after 5 years as well that's another factor.