How Do I Choose In Ear Monitors? 

Where can I demo them before buying?

I know it’s years later but figured I’d try lol. How do you like your UE 5’s? I’m torn between that and UE 7. I play lead guitar for a rock/post hardcore band. Also, did you order yours with the ambient feature?

@@johnlawless2365​​⁠​​⁠no worries on the timing! It's actually better now that I can give a solid review. The 5's are definitely for folks that want a balanced mix in their IEM's in a band setting and they are all around amazing for music listening. I personally listen to them almost daily and still hear little production elements in songs that I had missed before and I'm a very critical listener. I had been using Bose QC over ear headphones before (which I thought were great)-I have barely touched my Bose headphones since then except for occasional plane rides-of which the seal of UE's customs is far more than adequate on an airplane. With the 7's or any of the other "specifically tuned" ones, I could see them being beneficial in a live setting if you'd like to hear specific frequencies pop more for your guitar or vocals. However, having tried the 7's specific drivers without the custom molds-they are only great for that-guitarist/vocalist IEM's. For music listening you'd have to use an EQ with a streaming service or whatnot to tame the upper mids. I'd recommend the 5's as most IEM rigs are using one of those digital mixers and you can dial in the frequencies very nicely to still have your guitar/vocals pop. Sure, you could go with a ton more drivers and other companies that are far more expensive, but how good is your hearing really? A triple driver would be awesome with a bass/mids/highs crossover, but I doubt most folks would register the difference (especially musicians with our hearing loss, ha!). It all comes down to taste, but you really can't go wrong with the 5's. My rep even told me a lot of big bands use the 5's because they prefer them over the specifically tuned ones. As far as the $2k model-more drivers=more headroom. However, I feel like that defeats the purpose of using IEM's at lower volume to save our hearing on stage. Happy hunting! Hopefully this was helpful. PS I didn't get the ambient feature as I still feel it's beneficial to have a few mics at the edge of the stage for crowd noise or a talk back mic somewhere near the drummer.

@@nickemacio9794 thanks so much for the detailed response! Yes these would be for live settings with my band in our practice space and the shows we play. I have those same Bose headphones as well for my general listening :) definitely some good stuff to think about for sure!

What do you play. I'm leaning to them but didn't know if it's ideal for bass drums and keys

Yes they do. You can have the volume pretty low if you want.

the Galaxy Audio AS-950 is your best bet if you can't get the Shure PSM300

I tried the u12t and fell in love, but got the a12t because it was on sale. I was a bit disappointed by how much the sound changed going from U to A A12t felt slower, and has much less treble, a bit more bass and can be a bit muddy sometimes

I’m a bass player and I currently use Aclair XB’s and Live Wires. About to invest in either 64 Audio or Ultimate Ears UE6or 11. Looking at Westones too. Edit: Molds are the way to go if you can afford them.

zack you would be surprised how really bad tuned the shure se425 are....i've tried this year the campfire audio andromeda 2020 and the u6t and jesus christ if the difference is noticeable.

@@FedericoSala there is 0 low end even when completely sealed. Very obvious mid hump and a roll off of top end. They aren’t great to listen to. Very flat and good for vocalists. I hate them but found a mix that works for me and it’s been great all summer. But I agree 100% it’s time to upgrade.

@@ZackSeifMusic i mean yeah they are not terrible but holy c**p you feel the difference with high end iems!!! Very muddy so to say...

Sounds like a Behringer of things to come....

Spoken like a true lead singer.

You simply aren't going to find decent CUSTOM IEM in that price range. There are plenty of universal options available in that price range however.

@@BrianSimmons I ended up getting the Shure Aonic 5 , they are not bad , got to see how they do on a live performance

Try 3,000 😂

Just look for those with good mid range frequency and less high end. That goes for any guitar type of playing.

@@EthanRom preciate it

@@CowboyUp1371 I put an order down on some IEMs I’ll let you know if they sound good

@@EthanRom thanks

@@CowboyUp1371 I got the KBEAR KS2s. Had to do some tweaking, but I got it where I like it now. It’s inexpensive so if it’s a bust you won’t feel so bad

🤣🤣🤣 great Carvey reference

@@majesticpbjcat7707 ive been making that reference my whole life. thank you for being literally the first one to ever catch it!

Oh yeah, I've used that one throughout my life as well. So many great Carvey bits. Love it

@@majesticpbjcat7707 have you ever chopped broccoli once and NOT sang it? Me either

@@Ottophil HAHAHAHA not very often! Whenever I do I say to myself "Well isn't that special?!"

It's okay, cus we do play $2000 guitars right ;)

I make my living with them tho.

@@RiffsAndBeards you must make a lot from that living then LOL dude, headphones that cost more than my 5153... I see everything in terms of spotify streams since we're going more and more to a digital world... They cost like 400k Spotify streams.. an entire band wanting in ears around that much.. equivalent of 2m Spotify streams. Not to mention, paying for travel and shelter, food, paying bills, benefits, marketing/promos, merch, etc.. unless I'm racking in a shit ton of streams that pays for the members living, i couldn't see us justifying that cost when that money can be used help grow the band.

@@Papercutdx how many Spotify streams does your guitar or amp cost? Good iems allow you to be comfortable on stage and help you to give your best performance and keep your ears safe, if you are a touring musician it’s a worthwhile investment

@@camtheham13 guitar and amp was the very first initial investment before i even put out music LOL regardless, I NEED IT! but i don't NEED $1.2+ headphones in order for me to be comfortable or do my job, not at all. It's pretty much a flex at that point, when there's TONS of options out there.

@@Papercutdx Tax write off. Plus depreciation every year.

In a good way

Or drive them with a transmitter that at least has a two channel mix capability so you can be in control of some of the elements. It's better than nothing.