IEM choice dilemma

djspecialist

Having struggled with monitoring both at rehearsal and at gigs, my band is planning to switch to IEMs. How do I pick the right model?

In the band, I play guitar and sing. From a monitor mix, I'm looking for good mid-range detail (for my own instrument and voice) plus enough low end to follow the bass line; I don't feel I need really deep lows. I also need to hear the drums (especially snare) for timing; depending on the attenuation I guess I might get that ambiently (our drummer hits pretty hard.)

I'm pretty sure I want to get custom moulds. I generally struggle with getting earbuds to fit well, and for the band I have been happy using a pair of custom moulded plugs (Read Audio.)

So for IEMs I need to choose a vendor (likely either Read again, or Cosmic - unless anyone has another strong recommendation) and a model. The latter is where I'm really stuck.

Each of the above vendors offers a range of products; more money generally seems to buy more (and maybe better quality?) drivers. But is more always better, and what's the right configuration for me?

With Read, the range goes from R100 (single driver, £200), R203 (dual, £600) to R303 (triple, £800).

Cosmic have a huge range from C2S (dual, £400) up to C8A (eight! £1,400!)

I don't really have a budget, but for anything more than £600 I'd want to be very confident with my choice.

Any advice would be gratefully received!

Roland

Things to think about:
1. How good is your hearing? If, like me and many ageing musicians, you’ve lost a lot of the top end, then you don’t need the models with lots of drivers.
2. The purpose of IEMs is that you can hear what you need to hear. Hi-fi quality sound isn’t essential.
3. Do you care whether they are made from silicone or acrylic? https://www.dakincustomaudio.com/post/acrylic-vs-soft-silicone-the-big-debate-which-is-the-right-custom-in-ear-monitor-material-for-you


Personally I use Cosmic Ears, the two driver forerunner to the current C2A. My choice was influenced by this thread. If I were to replace them then I would probably go for the C3A on the basis that I can afford the extra cost.

Rkphilpot

I'd argue to just get a set of Shure SE215's first and get used to playing with IEM's 
I've been using them for 4 years and still haven't found reason to justify that amount of money.
But then I'm in a weekend warrior band, if you're in a professional outfit playing most nights they'd be more worth it I guess.

vasselmeyer

Ditto on the Shure SE215s. I've been using a set for nearly ten years with custom tips taken from an impression of my lugholes. Honestly, in the heat of a live performance where you're playing, singing, pressing pedals etc, what you need is something that's better than wedges. If you can get a personalised mix from your PA then you're 90% of the way there and the basic Shures are very decent headphones to give you the rest.

djspecialist

I tend to have real problems getting earbuds to fit, and not constantly fall out. Perhaps I could find some foam tips that work. However, given that I worry about what live music might be doing to my hearing, and I can afford to spend a bit more, I'd prefer to get some custom moulds.

Based on the thread @Roland linked to (super helpful, thanks - not sure how I'd missed that before!) I'm going for a 3-driver model. So the options are:

• Cosmic C3S: they've confirmed via email that this is identical to the C3A, except that you can't customise the shells (colour and artwork), and the case is plastic rather than metal. With impressions (separate purchase via a third party, 2 hours away from me) this comes to £585.
• Cosmic C3A: £735.
• Read R303: they've offered a deal which would make this £680, including impressions (taken at my house) and a free pair of passive plugs.

I'm leaning towards the C3S, based on the fact that I've seen more reviews of Cosmic than of Read. Plus of course it's cheaper - though spending half a day on getting the impressions is a bit of pain.

Before I take the plunge, does anyone have first-hand impressions (geddit) of the Read R303?

Lestratcaster

I started off with Shure SE535's and they changed the way I listen to music. Much more detail and clarity and better bass response. I then got some custom sleeves made up so it could sit in my ears a bit more comfortably.

I then got myself the Cosmic Ears CE6P's about 3 years ago and they're amazing. Probably overkill on the number of drivers I need (I reckon I could get by on the 3 driver model) but I wanted to get the best I could afford. The woman doing the ear impressions is really nice (Gisele, her name is) and the after-sales support is second-to-none. They've always sorted me out whenever there's been a problem and very quick at doing it too. A great company to deal with and their products are great.

I did think about Read before I went to Cosmic, but never dealt with them so I can't comment.

stickyfiddle

I’m starting to look at this stuff as my latest band is going well and the keyboarder is v keen to use in ears and already has a full wired setup he’s used elsewhere 

I’m trepidatious as I’m aiming quite a bit of lead for the first time and also don’t want to be “wired in”, but also don’t want to spend on wireless kit. My usual setup is a wedge and ACS custom plugs, with a combo amp at chest height so I can get enough of me in my ears without needing it to be mental for everyone else

I’ll give them a run in rehearsal with some SE215s I’ve had for years and see how I feel

djspecialist

stickyfiddle said:

I’m starting to look at this stuff as my latest band is going well and the keyboarder is v keen to use in ears and already has a full wired setup he’s used elsewhere 

I’m trepidatious as I’m aiming quite a bit of lead for the first time and also don’t want to be “wired in”, but also don’t want to spend on wireless kit. My usual setup is a wedge and ACS custom plugs, with a combo amp at chest height so I can get enough of me in my ears without needing it to be mental for everyone else

I’ll give them a run in rehearsal with some SE215s I’ve had for years and see how I feel

I currently have a very similar setup - wedge, combo and custom plugs (Read).

For vocal mics we use Lekato wireless XLR plugs which work really well. For the IEMs however I'm inclined to stick with wireless, at least until I'm happy with the playing experience. It's one less thing to go wrong, and I use a guitar cable anyway so I'm already "tied down".

bloodandtears

I'm also "tied down", I use one of Danny's guitar/iem cables, much neater, with KZ earphones..    my rationale was that I am stood behind a helix that I will change snapshot on at least twice during most songs... I also do backing vox on some tunes..

So why be wireless?? I rarely play large stages...

Do wireless guitarists still do the walk about during solos or this is deemed cringe or valid showmanship still?

I own wireless options for both guitar and IEMs but I can't seem to justify it... especially when a wire is a better all-round solution in terms of reliability and sound quality...

Interested to hear other opinions...

vasselmeyer

I'm on wireless in ears and guitar and there are a couple of reasons why. Firstly, I mainly play pubs and I really don't trust the wiring in places that have a lot of bands on. I've seen loose sockets, some with gaffer tape over the socket next to it, etc. Even with the portable RCD I take, they worry me. If my guitar is wireless, I'm removing one element of getting shocked. Also, I run the sound for my band, so getting out in front of the PA means I can hear what the audience will hear when we're soundchecking. 

Secondly, I like wireless in ears because I move around a lot when playing and because I'm on wireless guitar, having wireless in ears means another thing that won't get tangled up. Being in the pub gig scene, you need to differentiate yourself. Both me and our bass player are on wireless guitars, and at the end of the gig we're out mixing with the audience and they're playing air guitar along with us. I've gone out into pub nooks, and sometimes behind the bar while playing a solo, and it's so different from other bands who stay behind their monitors, that people remember us. We always get a repeat booking because we put on a decent show. 

bloodandtears

vasselmeyer said:

I'm on wireless in ears and guitar and there are a couple of reasons why. Firstly, I mainly play pubs and I really don't trust the wiring in places that have a lot of bands on. I've seen loose sockets, some with gaffer tape over the socket next to it, etc. Even with the portable RCD I take, they worry me. If my guitar is wireless, I'm removing one element of getting shocked. Also, I run the sound for my band, so getting out in front of the PA means I can hear what the audience will hear when we're soundchecking. 

Secondly, I like wireless in ears because I move around a lot when playing and because I'm on wireless guitar, having wireless in ears means another thing that won't get tangled up. Being in the pub gig scene, you need to differentiate yourself. Both me and our bass player are on wireless guitars, and at the end of the gig we're out mixing with the audience and they're playing air guitar along with us. I've gone out into pub nooks, and sometimes behind the bar while playing a solo, and it's so different from other bands who stay behind their monitors, that people remember us. We always get a repeat booking because we put on a decent show. 

So its still deemed valid showmanship... fair enough... 

Our singer is fully wireless, bass and headset mic..  I do get tempted to follow suit with guitar but I am probably a little too self-aware.. I used to do years ago..

welshboyo

I have the Read Audio 303's - had them for 5 years and been OK, I do sometimes question the fit if I'm honest but all in all they've been good - the cable has given up on them now and its circa £60 for a replacement - our drummer bought a pair at the same time and his went quiet recently, sent them back for a service/sort out and they actually gave him a new pair!! can't fault that.

I found the material they were made out of to be a bit abrasive to start but they soon bedded in ok (or my ears became used to them!!)

They've done a heap of gigs over the years.

mike257

djspecialist said:

I tend to have real problems getting earbuds to fit, and not constantly fall out. Perhaps I could find some foam tips that work. However, given that I worry about what live music might be doing to my hearing, and I can afford to spend a bit more, I'd prefer to get some custom moulds.

Based on the thread @Roland linked to (super helpful, thanks - not sure how I'd missed that before!) I'm going for a 3-driver model. So the options are:

• Cosmic C3S: they've confirmed via email that this is identical to the C3A, except that you can't customise the shells (colour and artwork), and the case is plastic rather than metal. With impressions (separate purchase via a third party, 2 hours away from me) this comes to £585.
• Cosmic C3A: £735.
• Read R303: they've offered a deal which would make this £680, including impressions (taken at my house) and a free pair of passive plugs.

I'm leaning towards the C3S, based on the fact that I've seen more reviews of Cosmic than of Read. Plus of course it's cheaper - though spending half a day on getting the impressions is a bit of pain.

Before I take the plunge, does anyone have first-hand impressions (geddit) of the Read R303?

Big fan of Cosmic Ears, myself. I'm a touring monitor engineer, use a set of C6 for mixing with and I've migrated a number of artists I work with on to their IEMs too. I get great backup from the company, and them being UK based means they're more affordable than the big US names, and much easier to deal with for any repairs/servicing. 

I'm in the north west, so I've used Kinga, their local recommended audiologist for my own moulds and she was great, but if London is closer they'll usually suggest Gisele at Aid2Hearing - she's audiologist to the stars and her CV reads like the "top selling artists" shelf in HMV, so you're in good hands with either.