IEM Drivers

[jalevinemd]

Bought a Shure wireless IEM system. I’m looking to get the 64 Audio custom IEM’s. There’re a huge price jump going from dual driver to triple driver. As a guitarist, do I need three drivers?

[lbpesq]

Jonathan,

I have a pair of Westone UM2 IEMs.  Dual drivers.  I picked them up when they were discontinued for a very reasonable price.  They are certainly not "top of the line".   As you know, I both play guitar and do a lot of lead vocals.  I've never tried three driver IEMS, so take this into consideration in weighing my opinion.  (I know there are several here at the club that have a lot more experience with IEMs).
That said, from my view my dual driver IEMs are far superior to floor monitors.  I suspect it is the law of diminishing returns - the jump from floor monitors to dual drivers is far greater than the jump from dual drivers to triple drivers.  More important is getting everything miked and mixed.  And I love that my Mackie DL32R allows everyone to control their own IEM mix independent from anyone else.   Now if I could only get everyone in the band to embrace IEMs!

As a bonus, I always bring my IEMs with me when I fly.  They are very effective at blocking out the airplane drone and, of course, sound great as earphones.

Bill, tgo

[wayne]

A dual driver is likely sufficient - unless you like lots of bass and kick in your mix.

Take a good look at Alclair Audio.  Good product.  Good price.  Good folks.  Lots of info on their site.

C-Ya..............wayne

[edwin]

I have used all kinds. My favorites right now are the single driver Etymotic ER3XR. Head and shoulders above the other's I've tried (and I've spent thousands on custom IEMs from Sensaphonics, Future Sonics, UE, etc.). Excellent isolation and the fidelity is on a whole other league. And, they are are only $180.

[jalevinemd]

Thanks for the input, guys. I’ll probably just go with the dual driver. It’s mostly just to hear myself better on stage. I stand right next to the drummer and his snare kills me! As Bill mentioned, I think the change from stage monitors to IEM’s will be dramatic enough that triple drivers likely will be superfluous.

[JimmyJ]

The differences are very subjective.  Kind of like listening to stereo speakers - different people might like different boxes. 

I'm currently using UE "Reference" 3-ways which I think sound very musical.  But I also still like the UE5 2-way models and can't say 3 drivers is any better than 2.  I've also heard 4-ways with double low drivers but they just struck me as having an uneven frequency response.  I think Bill is right about the diminishing returns with adding more and more drivers.. 

I have a guitar playing pal who loves his Futursonics single-driver models, but the generic versions I heard didn't appeal me.

All that said, if the Etymonics are only $180 you might as well try them!  64audio is asking $2000 for their 12-driver (yes, per ear) models.  Maybe they're amazing.  One would hope so.

Jimmy J

[cozmik_cowboy]

It’s mostly just to hear myself better on stage. I stand right next to the drummer and his snare kills me!

Here's a thought for you, Jonathon; in Blair Jackson's Grateful Dead Gear there's a picture from late in their career of Garcia on stage.  Immediately by his right ear is one of Mickey's cymbals.  Between them is a mic stand on which is mounted......a Harley windshield!
OK, yeah, it probably cost more than the $180 you're talking about spending, but what price can one put on style points??   


Peter

[jalevinemd]

Jimmy...yeah I couldn't believe how much some of those 64 Audio sets were.


Peter...We've talked about a plexiglass shield between him and me. Not many things out there louder than a heavy handed drummer on a snare!

[lbpesq]

I'll bet you could get a Honda Gold Wing windshield for less than a Harley that would work just as well!

hehehehe

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

Ah, but Honda doesn't make quick-detach windshield like the Road King wears, so you'd have to put money & time into mounting hardware.  And besides, the Wing doesn't get the above-named points......

Peter

[David Houck]

... And besides, the Wing doesn't get the above-named points ...

Depends on the crowd.  My dad was a Gold Wing rider; he and my mom attended Gold Wing rallies all over the country.  And he would often sing at the rallies; but no mention of windshields and drummers.

[adriaan]

Not many things out there louder than a heavy handed drummer on a snare!

Chinese cymbals are perhaps not as loud up front, but they sure wash out a lot of other sound. Ah, to be young again, and good of hearing.

[edwin]

Not many things out there louder than a heavy handed drummer on a snare!

Chinese cymbals are perhaps not as loud up front, but they sure wash out a lot of other sound. Ah, to be young again, and good of hearing.

Man, I hated those China-types. The fusion players all loved them in the 80s. A pure blast of white noise.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Not many things out there louder than a heavy handed drummer on a snare!

Chinese cymbals are perhaps not as loud up front, but they sure wash out a lot of other sound. Ah, to be young again, and good of hearing.

Man, I hated those China-types. The fusion players all loved them in the 80s. A pure blast of white noise.

I never liked them either - but, as I was out at the board & not standing with them 2 feet from my ears, they didn't irritate me as bad as all the '80s guitarists with their dimed choruses (chori?).

Peter