Reddit mentions: The best recording in-ear audio monitors

Yes, with some systems you can tune multiple receivers (bodypacks) to the same transmitter but for a band you really don't want to operate that way because the transmitter is only going to be receiving one signal to send out so you'll all be sharing the exact same monitor mix. Your singer is going to want more of his vocals, you're going to want more of your guitar, the bass player is going to want to tune into Banana FM for all the hot chimpanzee beats, and the drummer's going to want way more click than all of you combined. No good.

To set up a whole band with a proper IEM system is going to be really expensive and this is really not the place to cut corners. Each system (transmitter + bodypack) from a solid name brand manufacturer is going to be somewhere around $500-800.

You can save some money by hooking the drummer up to a hard line connection through a cheaper headphone amp as there's no point to spend on wireless gear for someone who's going to be sitting down the whole time.

The headphones that come with those systems tend to be very cheap and, in my experience, directly responsible for people hating IEMs altogether. Cheap headphones will get really muddy in an IEM application where more expensive multi-driver headphones can handle a big messy live-band mix while maintaining the clarity you need to actually hear what the hell is going on. Good headphones are going to run at least an extra hundred dollars all the way up to $1000 for really good custom molded headphones.

All the individual rigs, plus upgraded headphones, plus a rack to transport them safely... you're looking at a few grand here at least for something solid. There are cheaper models of everything I've described and, sure, maybe you'll get lucky and stumble across a reliable set but for something you're trusting your entire show with I don't think you should go cheap chinesium.

And, yes, the in-ear monitor headphones are going to provide noise isolation to protect your hearing which is one of the primary benefits to going IEM in the first place.

Okay, given that I'd recommend the Jaycar Pro Monitors for the headphones. They're very comfortable and isolate quite well. Their sound quality is quite good, and I think it's probably the best over-ear headphone for under $100. They cost around $70 shipped.

For the IEMs, I'd go with these. They're a great budget IEM, and will certainly make commutes more enjoyable.

I bought some AKG in ear back in 2006 or 2007.
Basically, they're the ancestor of these https://www.amazon.ca/AKG-IP2-Headphones/dp/B0018CDM8Q

I still have them and they work perfectly. They're beat up too, the markings are all gone, the filters are gone who knows where and I changed the tips a couple of times but the cables and the earbuds work fine and the sound is great.

Before that, my earbuds lasted a couple of months at best. Whenever those break, I'm going to buy the IP2 and I really hope they have the same build quality

Ok so IEMs first:

Budget - $50-$200. Give me everything.

Source - phone, laptop, PODxt, see below

Requirements for Isolation - I don't want something that blocks too much outside noise. I mostly listen to music in quiet places anyways, but I need to be able to easily hear myself while I am playing.

Preferred Type of Headphone - IEM

Preferred tonal balance - Perfectly balanced

Past headphones - ATH-M50, Apple Earpods, Apple Earbuds

Preferred Music - /blues/rock/hard rock/folk/ambient/metal/prog rock/indie/pop; nothing especially bass-heavy but I enjoy a bit here and there

• I think I have very small ear canals or something because typical in-ear earbuds quickly work their way out of my ear.
  
• This is probably a common complaint, but I have broken a lot of earbuds. So something durable is necessary. Preferably with detachable cables, etc.
  
  Second, I'm looking for a wireless audio system. The sort of thing that musicians use to hear themselves on stage. It basically is a base station and a worn receiver that the musician wears and plugs IEMs into. I don't really know what to buy... this one costs $65, this one costs $200, this one costs $1200, and this one costs $4800. Is the $65 one good? Is there any system like that selling for less than $100 that's any good?

This would exceed your intended budget by a little bit, so if that's not doable for you I understand and you can stop reading now.

Fostex T60rp + VModa BoomPro + Creative G6 would be about what I think of as the peak for an excellent quality headphone setup around that price range with excellent positional imaging for competitive shooters without feeling like the sound is being drilled into your brain, very enjoyable for music listening (if that's even a consideration for you), and works into a streamlined setup that's easy to use with an inexpensive but good sounding mic and a soundcard that has some nice specs, versatility, and features you can play with.

The headphones are a semi-open so you'll get some passive noise isolation from whatever is going on around you, and have an easily replaceable cord and pads. Your can pull mic monitoring from either the G6 or straight from within windows if you're using a windows pc.

I've been impressed by both the Westone UM10 Pro and the Shure SE215 in-ears. I think Shure's eartips are more comfortable, but the Westones sound better. Both can be EQ'd to get decent bass if you like, as well. the soundstage on the Westone is better, I'd say.

You might want in-ear headphones for gym stuff. I swear by my Shure ear monitors like these: https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-CL-Isolating-Earphones-Isolation/dp/B00FYZZ4PW/

The triple-flange helps a lot for ear fit, and the in-ear are very good at passively blocking sound w/out messing with the audio profile. WAY more comfortable than over-ear as well. I've got an older pair that are 16 years old with weekly use & travel time, and they still hold up!!

Is the monitor he's using active (powered) or passive (needs an external amp)? If it's active, and you send signal directly to the monitor via XLR cable, you should use a wired bodypack - I'd recommend the Shure P6HW ($500). It's more expensive than the discontinued P4HW ($279), but it's better quality also. It's literally a bodypack with 2 XLR tails. You can set the bodypack to mono and hook one XLR up to a metronone like the Boss DB-90 and the other XLR would be the aux send from the console.

That's what we do.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B07353M76H?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title these are my favorite.
I am not the biggest of the sound in the new model, but it has Siri/assistant intergration and much longer battery life. So if you don't need great sound, but better battery life, and double tap to wake Siri. The new model is better
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B07R2LX7K3/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile.

I just found the sound was a bit better on the old model.

I just put together an in ear system for my 5 piece band with the cheapest stuff we could find. We use it for rehearsals and definitely could use it for live.

Here’s what we use

TP-WIRELESS 2.4GHz Professional In-ear Digital Wireless Stage audio Monitor System (1 Transmitter and 3 Receivers) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXYEJ9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BXXwCbS5EPH7Y

Pyle-Pro Professional Moving Coil Dynamic Cardioid Unidirectional Vocal Handheld Microphone Includes 15ft XLR Audio Cable to 1/4'' Audio Connection (PDMIC78) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_H0XwCbTB3EB1P

ANY MIXER!! Find one on Craigslist for super cheap!

You’re looking for an IEM system. That stands for In-Ear Monitor system, and it’s what stage musicians are increasingly using instead of monitor speakers. You already have the headphones, so you just need the transmitter station (what you’ll plug into your TV), and the bodypack (the part you plug your headphones into that typically clips onto your belt). The problem is these systems are expensive. $300 to $500 is pretty normal.

I did a bit of looking though, and found a wireless guitar jack that can double as an IEM system too. Watch this video from about 4:45 on: https://youtu.be/uXTZNY5Ta-o Seems like this will only set you back about $60. It might be mono though, rather than stereo.

If you want to keep looking around, this is a pro option that I have a lot of experience with: https://www.amazon.com/Shure-P3TR112GR-Wireless-Personal-Earphones/dp/B00ODU9IJW/ There are tons of knock-offs and other things all over Amazon too for a lot less money. There’s no particular one I can recommend over the others though.

Edit: to answer your actual question though: this is a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KXIKCSI/ You would have to buy two: one to receive and one to transmit. I honestly can’t recommend it though. The audio quality isn’t great, and the volume steps are too gross (you can’t turn it down quiet enough for my taste). Also, there will be noticeable audio delay, as others have mentioned.

>USED IN STAGE PERFORMANCE AND SOUND BROADCASE
>
>WIRELESS RANG AND FREQUENCY RANG
>
>It is the best choice of stage performance monitor product.
>
>Used in stage，it can replace traditional comples sound monitoring equipment,achieve admirable listening effect.

Seems legit.

A system of four Rx packs and a Tx for less than a single PSM300 pack? I suspect you already know the answer.

The #1 rule for Wireless IEM's is do not go cheap. These Sennheisers are generally considered the lowest price point unit that you would want to start your system with, and they are $1000 per person.

In case this is new territory to you, the major caveat with running lots of wireless devices is managing your RF portfolio for the whole system.

At a big picture level, the FCC is fiddling with the spectrum available for wireless devices like these, and IIRC some of the higher frequency channels are at risk of getting axed. Zooming in a bit to your local level, every locality has an FCC guide to what channels are open in this band, and so you would be well advised to check what's open and hope that these are in the lower ranges of the spectrum. Finally, in your church, if the system includes a set of wireless microphones, you need to make sure that the IEMs and the Mics will not interfere with each other. It may be a stretch to expect a team of volunteers to smoothly manage 10+ wireless devices running at the same time.

Overall, wired is going to be way cheaper and easier to manage. You could look at getting wired headphone amps for about $50 per person. Some on this sub will advise strongly against this because these units usually don't have volume limiters which protect your ears from sudden volume spikes caused by feedback or gremlins in the mix. Having cautioned you about the value of limiters, there are many musicians using these setups with out any big problems.

Definitely go with BoomPro compatible headphones exclusively, here are the good ones:


$80 Phillips SHP9500 (Legendary at this point. Neutral, budget open backs)
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=shp9500&qid=1563772615&s=electronics&sr=1-1
$150 Phillips X2 are insanely cheap right now (Very fun open-back V, bassy, wide, lots of highs)

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphone/dp/B00O2Y2MZG/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Phillips+x2&qid=1563772390&s=gateway&sr=8-5


$155 Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus (closed, wide and sub bass)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PK2LJ4E/?coliid=I3S3RARRY1S5EG&colid=2SEGBNT3SLW9V&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it


$299 T60RP. Just about the highest end headphones that are BoomPro compatible. Can be Argon modded as well for another $100 (adds even more bass, detail, and wider sound stage)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07995MGX7/?coliid=INUMNQICQATPS&colid=2SEGBNT3SLW9V&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it


Onboard PC audio is fine, but the $150 Sennheiser GSX 1000 is an end game DAC/MIXAMP/audio controller for gaming headsets and really enhances the experience.

Look for some in-ear monitors. They’ll give you a truer mix than any earbuds.

These are a classic choice. I use a pair of these and have been happy with them

Smaller solution: A big amp with a headphone input -- most amps have this. You could use a keyboard amp; most amps are not designed to play a wide range of frequencies well, but keyboard amps are.

Bigger solution: Use a PA system / PA speakers, and plug into the phones/output of that, or from the desk if she's playing somewhere with its own PA.

Either way, I would suggest in-ear monitors, rather than Bluetooth headphones; I understand that there can be a lag/delay when listening to sound through Bluetooth headphones. As an example, I use these in my band. I hear everything, and it allows me to use my preferred headphones.

Yes you have helped, thank you!

What store did you buy the R50s at? Does the picture on this amazon page match your "newer" version?

http://www.amazon.com/Monitor-Balanced-Armature-Earphones-Earbuds/dp/B005XSBNG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371875324&sr=8-1&keywords=R50+iem

This https://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-Dynamic-Monitor-Earphones-Earbuds/dp/B07GNDBJBH/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=tfz+t2&qid=1565599169&s=gateway&sr=8-5 Good Clarity, Bass and Sound Stage.

Little Dot DP_1 and Westone 4. Be sure to ask for the low-impedance amp module when ordering from Little Dot; I don't know if they include both.

EDIT: If big bass is a must for you, either adjust the EQ settings on the DP or swap out the Westone 4's in favor of the UM3X

Top Quality!! Rocket Audio RW2080 In Ear Monitor System 2 Channel 4 Bodypack Monitoring with in earphone wireless SR2050 Type! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVMK4FM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_n2rdAbXVSBQ7P

Most over ears are going to be dissapointing at that price point, that is if they survive a week without breaking so id recommend getting some iems with an inline mic. The KZ ZSX, ZSN Pro or anything else really should be okay with a splitter for your laptop.

With the KZs though if the wire ever dies on you you could just get a replacement

Hm. I just looked these up on Amazon and it shows 250, 32 and 80 Ohm versions of this model. I'm new to this and not sure what the difference would be especially for the cost involved. I'd be plugging these in to a Samson C-que8 headphone amp most of the time.

Hifiman RE400:
http://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAN-RE-400-High-Performance-Headphone/dp/B00AWLEAH6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1371939273&sr=1-1&keywords=re-400

Yamaha EPH-100: http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-EPH-100SL-Inner-Ear-Headphone/dp/B00591GIMY

Rock-it R50: http://www.amazon.com/Monitor-Balanced-Armature-
Earphones-Earbuds/dp/B005XSBNG4

Vsonic GR07: http://www.amazon.com/Dynamic-Isolation-Earphones-Earbuds-multiple/dp/B005FDXZJU

From a technical standpoint, they are all exceptional IEM's. You just need to do reading on head-fi to determine which sound signature you want.

So I run these at the church I volunteer at. You can have two separate mixes and room for expansion on the cheap depending on how many sends your board has limits how many mixes you can have.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVMK4FM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_UgD5AbKXCS3D3

• Brainwavz Beta
  
• DUNU DN-12
  
• DUNU DN-11

I actually did a fair bit of research on this a few months ago, specifically for bass heavy trap music. If you're looking to spend a little bit more and really get quality (although for real audiophiles this price/performance is considered 'midrange' I guess) you should look at the Shure SE215s - https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-CL-Isolating-Earphones-Isolation/dp/B00FYZZ4PW

They are an over the ear type, which was a little hard to get used to for myself, but quickly grew into it. Never looked back

If the mixes are all in mono you could get four dual Sennheiser G3 setups. Those run two packs off each transmitter so you've only got four channels to worry about and one extra pack for backup or to use in engineer mode. The buds that come with them are less than spectacular so use the change to upgrade.

A dual setup costs about $1150 so four of those puts you at about $4600. My people are all on Shure 215 buds, a few have opted to upgrade further.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-EW-300-2IEM-G3-Monitoring/dp/B003ZVSE5O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394634316&sr=8-1&keywords=Sennheiser+G3+IEM

EDIT: Which ever way you go, Full Compass has a real soft spot for HOW folks. Get on the phone with one of their reps and see what kind of a discount they can get you.