Why YOU Should DJ With In-Ear Monitors! | Beatsource Tech 

Just realised that I call the UE 11s, incorrectly, 'IE 11s' a number of times during this video. That will annoy me forever, but I'm sure you know what I mean...

I've been thinking of getting IEMs for a while. Thanks for this Mojaxx, top quality videos as always!

As a dj i have been using traditional headphones for a long time like the sony mdr v700, sennheiser hd 25 and the pioneer cue-1. Then I went to iem world and use a kz zsn pro and shure 215.... The difference it's extremely different the precision you get with iem is in a whole different level and you can easily mix with those without external monitor. But there's a drawback is not easy removable and the feel of crowd and room is hard to read... So i basically use both depending on the venue and circumstances. And is easy to carry both. In the same headphone bag. Hope you like my opinion because i been using iem for many years now

Been waiting since your 2022 recap video to make the plunge into IEMs! Thanks for the vid MoJaxx

Thanks Mojaxx, Yes I went with Vision Ears, since 2015 only custom in-ears, which are more than perfect ! I wont change that anymore, I just love the comfort and the soundquality ;) And: You have done well again :)

Nice review!! Went from cans for over 20 years to a starter set and now swear by UE11’s too. So much that I became an authorized dealer! 😅

For the better part of a decade, I have been rocking IEM's to spin so the booth had been quiet and my hearing is as sharp as ever! Not to mention the accuracy in mixing seeing as how I still spin with vinyl/dvs. Great video!

I've been doing at least a gig a week (except for pandemic times of course) for 10 years, with IEMs, and my ears are in great shape. I love the lack of weight, my ability to move around, and how much of the mixing I can hear.

Just made the switch to using In Ear Monitors as a DJ. Started with headphones and lollipops for 24 years, and now in my 25th year I made the switch. From hearing protection to streamlining what I carry with me into a dj gig (walk in with in ear monitors and usb drives), best decision I have made yet.

why, so you can't hear people asking for Sweat Caroline.

Started djing with iems because im in Japan where speakers are a big no no works out really well. Pro tip, use wireless transmitters with IEMs, enables mobility without unwiring

Great review as usually!! in-ear fan here!!

Another great video! I’m definitely going to move to IEMs. I grew up in the Chicago house scene and lollipops were what the legends used. But I’ve always found them difficult to use while keeping my head and neck neutrally aligned. I’m surprised that they are still in use to this day. My sets go on for hours and they just aren’t an option. Over and on the ear headphones keep my head and neck where they need to be but for long use fatigue is still an issue for me. I use Bluetooth IEMs everyday all day with my phone. And I’m on my phone all day. So switching to IEMs for deejaying is in my immediate future. And in doing so I’ll also be hearing my grandchildren’s laughter in my DISTANT future 😊

I switched at the end of last year, just trying out with a cheap pair but now looking to upgrade, I’m 100% IEM’s now. The ear protection was the first thing I loved but after the adjustment period, just seems a better way to DJ. Thanks again for another great video.

A very in depth review. Much appreciated 🤜🤛🇦🇺

Thank you, good Sir, as always a valuable contribution! Be well & take care of yourself

Great Video! I was thinking about buying Inears and this helps a lot

Great food for thought! Thanks for sharing

The isolation you get from IEMs is on a whole other level. I even wear my Etymotic ER3XR while i'm using a grinder, cutter, chain saw and can easily listen to music with moderate volume.

As someone who can't get on with universal fitting IE headphones, I went for the custom UE pro 6 about 18months ago. They were around 35% cheaper than the pro 11 at the time (albeit still VERY expensive!) but i have seen them since as much as 45-50% cheaper. They are still phenomenal sounding and are also designed for DJ's/Drummers in mind so anyone interested off the back of the video here should give those some consideration. I've always wondered if the UE11's are THAT much better than the 6 pro's! Given the glowing review here, I now have the itch to save/upgrade!! Geeeee, thanks Mojaxx! ;-) I'd love to see a follow up video that focuses on other CIEM for DJ use across multiple brands like Shozy, WestOne CraftEars etc.

Hybrid setup here - earplugs with Etymotic ER15 filters (generic, then moved to custom molded), with HD25 on top turned a bit higher (far from turning the cue level up to 11 to begin with) I get to take the headphones off when I want and keep a properly fitting level of ear protection that I can still hear people through. Never had to care much about the monitors thanks to this and having practised mixing in the headphones with cue/master for years before even getting to play out (which is only a problem on the default config DJR400, booo, hiss). I'm actually practising taking the 'phones off almost completely to be able to handle either technique 😅 I used some shure IEMs on the go with music players, the tri-flange tips were fine (see ER15 from above) but never liked the very amplified ruffling and thumping from the cable being touched in any way ( there's a name for this, I forgot what it's called). Regardless of headphones/IEM choice, I would absolutely recommend getting at least custom molded protection to anyone who cares about both their ears, and amplified music in clubs.

IEM are the way to go especially if you want comfort and incognito look for photos/video

Great review!!

Thanks for sharing this info. I have 2 pair 1 on air and 1 over ear. I never use my Pioneer over ear anymore and stick 100% my HS25, they beat Pioneer all day and are half the veight. After this video i will try to buy a pair of in ear. Thanks again for sharing 🙏

I researched IEM mid August last year and was sold. I never went back now I just have to get a backup pair. If you don’t have a pair you should definitely look into it Awesome video

This was very informative, thank you.

One of the best investments I've ever made. No more ringing in my ears at the end of the night. Split cue is a must for me though.

You've made my mind up, gunna be looking to get some iem's 💪😎💯

Maaad I was literally looking into this the other day! Bought a pair of iPhone earphones as spares incase my HD 25ii’s go down (as only one ear cups works atm so using it as a lollipop headphone). The iPhone headphones offer a raw clarity in mids and highs which has helped me identify things not noticed when I used the one HD’s and have listened back to mixed on them. Personally I like the sound of the booth and even if the stage monitors are not ideal DJ technology such as looking at waveforms and track analysis so you can match bpms are there to help digital format DJs. Usage case for IEMs for me would be mixing recorded sets where I want to really engage with track details and nuances because those listening to the mix would. For live it would have to be over ears and use pro ear protectors. I’d aim for the UE pro ones you mentioned.

I have slightly funny shaped ears and have never been able to keep in ear headphones in. So it would probably have to be the custom ones for me, but there is just no way in this world I could afford those. I've had 2 pairs of the Technics 1210 headphones over 25 years and, like Ralph Lawson, swear by those to this day. However when when the faux leather started peeling off the headband during lockdown I needed to change. In my budget I tested the HD25's & the fairly new at the time Pioneer HDJ-X5. The HDJ-X7's at £175 were out of my price range & although the X5's had the closest sound to the Technics 1210's with a warm bass, the clarity of the HD25's just wowed me and I'm getting much more mid range sound through those and it's bringing all my tracks to life. I would love to try HDJ-X10's & even the top AIAIAI phones too but they are just so beyond my budget. I'll have to use someone else's at a gig if they're using them and given I'm not really an active live DJ this isn't gonna happen...probably ever! So after 20yrs+ I've switched to the HD25's & am happy. Would consider the new Pioneer HDJ-CX but may be 20yrs again before I need some new one's....so who knows where we'll be in terms of headphone technology by then

Thanks for this video. 10/10 break down & information. Shure 535 for me

Another great video Mo. Been using iem for years now. Main reason is comfort when playing in hot/tropical situations.

yooo its been a minute since i've been around here and Mojaxx lost a lot of weight! hope you're staying healthy brother.

I switched 1.5 years back and the same here, never going back - I do 4 Deck Technosets and the details I can hear no matter where I play is exactly what I need.

I guess if you’re not sure if you want IEMs, try mixing without taking off your regular headphones. I personally will occasionally mix with my regular headphones on and set to ‘master cue’ (after regularly cue’ing/beat-mixing the incoming track) if I’m in a less than ideal monitoring situation. I have not gotten used to keeping the headphones on though. The disconnection between the room and what I’m hearing freaks me out. I actually use a small noise attenuator plug on my right (uncupped) ear for a little more protection when playing in loud places.

for those on a very very tight budget i can recommend the BASN Bsinger Inears. The Cost usualy about 45€ and are sufficent for my needs to mix a Liveband (surly will fit Djing as well). They have good isolation and the soft-foam Tips fit great without irritation (at least for my ears).

Really spoke to me when you mentioned DJs that lose and break things often

well done Mojaxx. I started on Shure and got the UE 11 Pro later. Not use them too often but they super dope and I totally love using them when monitoring is bad. just the cable is too short in my opinion. Maybe I should get a new one.

Shure headquarters are 2 miles from where I live. I did not know they make headphones.. Edit: I always looking at the nice building they have..😃

I only DJ with IEMs. They work better and for the most part, sound better than your typical over-the-ear headphones. 1 thing I know most DJs will appreciate is you can leave them in when people come to speak to you yelling and spitting in your ear, that's how you get sick... So in-ears can also help keep you healthy.

The 215’s was the best money I’ve spent in a long time 👍👍👌

Thanks For The Heads Up 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

Thank you for such a informative video. But I have to say, Shure 215 is not suitable for vinyl DJing. They do not have that clarity. Now I use Sennheiser IE200. They cost 140€ and are streats ahead from 215. Beatmatching is mutch better and and overall sound is clearer. I absolutely agree with You, DJing with IE monitoring is very comfortable. Thanks. 😊

KZ IEMs for the price. Its beyond excellent IEMs. Good Isolation, Loud enough in loud environments. Pretty Comfortable and Excellent sound. Bass MIds and Highs are well balanced. Its is a steal for people who are looking for IEMs under 50 dollars. Crazy.

I love in ears! But I MC for myself and I find it very difficult to do that with them in! But I adjusted to them quite easily!

I get the benefits, and as someone who regularly mixes with headphones (using the master cue after cueing/tempo matching), get the benefits, but I'm used to wearing my M50s for several hours to produce music, and love the sonic profile. I feel like finding the right IEMs with my preferred sonic profile would be a pretty extended and expensive process.

Hey mojaxx killer vid. Did I miss a vid about techniques for working around the split cue? I have an s7 and find the normal dj cueing way easier

If yiu get any iem you need to get comply foam tips. .they make foam tips for just about every iem. Superb tips

I switched to IEM with the Shure SE215 and I carry my HD25's just in case, some places I just needed to be able to talk to people and the in ears are a pain to take in and out, but for the gigs that don't require me dealing with humans the 215s are in for the night

I've been using in ears for the better part of the last 15 yrs to dj, it undoubtedly has saved my hearing...I have a suggestion, I have used the mp460s and the shure 535s, but my current pair of IEMs are the Etymotic ER4XR, they are amazing at Isolation, Sound Quality is clear and pretty neutral (XR has extended bass response) and also they are very light weight..something that both the Mackie's and shure's were not..I often dj 8-13 hrs a day on Saturdays and for those long days having the shures and mckies in ear got fatiguing.

Great video I have recently moved to the shure 215 from traditional headphones such as vmoda m100 or hd25s etc, my main reason was for the ear protection. Don't get me wrong from time to time I do find myself reaching for the m100s haha but enjoying the journey of using in ear monitors and protecting my hearing in the long run

Awesome video! Which one would you consider to be better? Shure es535 or Mackie MP360? They are in the same price range here. I’m mostly playing deep house, tech house and techno. 😊🙏🏼 EDIT: I did get the Shure’s and wasn’t able to test them before buying. They sound very well balanced and that wasn’t great for my music type. For more bass you have to crank up the volume, which will make the highs and mids pierce my ears. I ended up buying the Fiio FH3 and they are much better for this type of music. And they were here 1/4 of the price. Too bad I can’t return the Shure’s, but sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. 😇 Lastly, I did also order the BLON 03, which were like 20 bucks here. The bass sounds incredible and similar to the Fiio’s, but the highs and mids are a tiny bit less crisp and the biggest downside are the cables, they are super cheap. For the money they are still very incredible!

I use since 10 Years IEM`s and i love it! With a good DAC it will be the Better Ways to Safe You Ears and immersive Sound Experience. Live on Stage or in the Club, the Switch isnt so Bad, i use their Custom IEMS UE - Capitol Studio with Ambience Hole and i stay connected with the Crowd. :-) My Choice for Twitch and Streaming, is the IE600 good and Comfortable!

I spent $1200 on some custom sensaphonics, and I bought some kz zs10 pros for $70 and they are just as good if not better.. I now have 3 pairs and the silver cable is a upgrade you need.. thier new wireless iem is also really good

i bought those cheap IEMs you recommended to try out last time. they're great for the price, but all my DJ gear (e.g. DDJ-400/1000) has a noise floor that is very annoying on these because they are so sensitive to input volume. for the best experience, i'd need to buy some sort of db-reducing adapter.

Check 🙏 nice work

I sold my shures again because I wasn‘t comfortable with them. Instead I bought custom molded earplugs with built-in filters that are specifically designed to fit my ears and protect my hearing. Good Alternatives to IEMs.

There are some supremely high resolving IEM's and new companies like Moondrop, Truthear, Etymotic..And well tuned too. Some exceptionally detailed ones such as the Planar S12 by Letshuoer. Plus they're reliable and it's easy to keep another set in your pocket. Thanks for these reccos. Checked them out for a few days. Even Shure or Mackie have units that fail. Tech really has progressed now, though. Its not like having a pair of cardboard sounding yamaha NS10's help you mix. Those were to help the mix down. High resolution IEM's help get the music out of the mix.

Mojaxx...I mean this in the most sincere way possible. Get outside and get some sun brother 👊

I switched over from my VMODA M100 to my Sennheiser IE80 IEMs. I really love that my head doesn't have any weight and it feels like I can move around easier. The Sennies are also my favorite sounding pair. So much fun to listen to

Yo MoJaxx! I've partially switched over to IEMs as I did 2 eight hour sets recently right next to a 10K rig and my hearing after that weekend was absolutely shot. I'm just wondering what kind of balance you use with the volumes of the IEMs. Do you have them on down low so you can hear a little bit of outside sound from the PA or do you have them up louder so all you hear is your mix. I have to say I'm loving them so far, will definitely take a few gigs to get used to, but once I switched back to my normal headphones on my last gig I really missed that closeness to the mix that I was getting from the IEMs... Thanks for all that you do! Love from Ireland! DcDj!

I might want to get with this.... great video.. curious if you have issue taking them or out talking with people while on while at a wedding or gig?

i would‘ve loved seeing a demonstration of how to use it properly. split cue etc still a good video tho!

KZ brand iems are legendary in the budget line :3

Isolation is the reason I want In-ear monitors! The most important one! If that isolation is real, then they will also protect your ears from the loud sound outside the headphones. I can't go clubbing without some earplugs to protect my ears.

I also have a couple pairs of the ACS Custom ear filters. I noticed one day that they now offer IEMs that fit into the existing custom filters for $130. There are no specs posted online but I am curious about them. Has anyone tried these?

ive recently converted to IEMs as well for the same reason as Mojaxx that i needed a quiet room for family reasons. even bought the same models he did whilst revewing them. I found the Mackies 120 treble sounded like a crisp packet! they were sold quickly. i found the 240's to have no oompf in the bass, so they were sent back. In the end i went with the shure 535s and the difference was night n day. James Hype mentioned in one of his YT vlogs that he went through (i think) 4 sets of the shures whilst touring the USA and that was due to sweating. I also bought a 50cm extension cable for the Shures because the cable is just too short, which seems a common issue with IEMs. My biggest worry though is if the headphone volume was accidentally turned up, that would be nasty. I always check the volume before inserting them. Maybe an idea for IEMs would be to have a limiter on the cable that would detect a massive jump in volume and cut the audio quickly. That said, i wont go back to normal phones now. Also, all the retail models Mojaxx mantioned are widely available on your favourite auction site. I got my Shure 535 for £150 and no problems 2 years later. Awesome review 🔥🔥🔥

I've tried a long time ago iem's. As I got big ears and apparently big ear holes so I need to push them deep into my ears. Which are hurting after a while. I've got 2 Sennheiser HD25-II hp's who are for more than 20 years my trusty hp's. Tried a lot of other hp's too thru the years. Never beaten by any other hp's except the high end hifi Bowers and Wilkins P7 as in details. Anyhow, I'm so used of a headphone full on my ears for even all night long. With the HD25's never had any pain or fatiguing so I stick to them.

I switched to In Ears about a year ago and will not come back. Earing protection is great. took a while to adapt but they are great, precision tools for mixing. I can play long long sets now without any earing 'disconfort'. I can only say I wished I switched before.

I have a pair of the inexpensive (not dirt cheap) Amazon ones that have 2 drivers in them. I mainly play vinyl but sometimes DVS and the isolation and definition has taken me by surprise especially with the effectiveness in beat matching. I normally use hd25s but this has taken me by surprise. I'm going to experiment further with it n see what happens but for now very surprised. Great vid mojaxx.

I have the 215’s and they’re amazing. I’m not sure a more expensive pair is really worth it, as a DJ. I’ve used them with split cue and without and mostly without. Which is why I don’t think a more expensive pair is worth it. A lot of the time you’ll only wear one, like with normal headphones. And while I appreciate quality sound, one earphone isn’t going to provide that when the other ear is being blasted by the house system or stage. Fwiw, I can imagine the comfort of a custom pair would make a big difference but beyond that I can’t imagine you ever needing such quality sound while performing live. I’ve almost never played a song I didn’t hear prior to playing it, which means I already heard it on some very accurate studio speakers when I got the track and I know what parts I want to stand out in the mix. My least favorite part about them so far is removing and replacing them in my ears. They’re not nearly as quick as a normal set of phones around your neck, but not to the point that it’s going to cause anyone to miss a mix imo. I’ve been to probably every club in Vegas and I’ve seen some ratty looking headphones, which is why I believe the price beyond the 215’s is not worth it for me, but may be for you. Good luck with your decisions. I know I’ll never be switching back.

ACS Custom in the UK are a good bet for custom IEMs

I can't change the EQ from the mixer if it's a high freq 🔥 in the ears, with it's V EQ curve. Bit like my V Moda 100 I guess. Can just get the volume right. The new good value Moonpro May IEM have preset EQ's to choose from, so could be good with its one small planar driver and dynamic driver. All though not as much as detail as the big planar S12. I have a few like the CCA 10 balanced armatures, and a few Dynamic drivers units, too, so can swap around for best fit and sonic fit. Not getting custom in the ears or the classic Shure SE 215 or Mackie MP-240 IEM, as they are long in the tooth now, and not even that reliable. So I'll have a back up pair in the pocket and I'm golden (not Ean Golden)

Been DJing with In Ears for 10+ years now. DEF a way better way of playing but there is a learning and use curve you def have to get used too. Suprised that you didn't mention WestOne IEM's by far what I have been using and the only brand I been sticking with, nonetheless great post. - Mr. V

If your gig schedule is seriously busy and lucrative enough to be in the market for custom molded Ultimate Ears, the obvious thing would be to buy several identical pairs at once to ensure you have a redundant backup on hand at all times.

I use the SE215s when I play with a band and they're good for me. Worth saying though that some people's ears just aren't the right shape for them, which likely applies to other universal ones as well. Unlucky for those people because they're unlikely to find a cheap option - could try different brands but if you have small ears it may be ££££ customs or nothing!

As a professional Drummer I hate IEMs and I always request a floor monitor mostly because I jump around a lot, and like to feel the air pressure coming out the speaker... however on my DJ career I have used IEM´s from day 1 and can´t stand using overhead headphones. Having some sort of monitoring as a DJ in Costa Rica is basically a luxury, and most times you are just DJing behind the PA, so the security of having the mix right on my ear at all times is priceless.. usually I leave one ear without to scout the room and feel the people´s vibe.

I really like my Pioneer CX, as they are portable, light and have a nice sound, but I do care about my ears a lot. I do like in-ear phones, but since the CX are brand new I've been thinking about adding something like Loop Experience (music earplugs) under my headphones. This would probably allow me to stay connected with the room, but at lower volumes and keeping easy headphone removal. Any opinions?

I never use Cue and the vinyl butten. I count 1 2 3 4 and go in on 1 at the forst beat. I need to go in there to line my mixing up. Im new to Djing but whays the benefits of using cue ? I knok its all about getting in on the beat so its easier to beat match. But i still never use vinyl mode and have to turn it of all the time when i play b2b with someone.

Loud N Clear 👂

I found on the box of the 215, a label saying Bass Boost, therefore the 215s adjust the bass up , which i am not sure is good for djs if its adjusting the original sound, like cheaper headphones.

If you are a DJ that needs things loud then avoid IEMs, You will be deaf within a year. I like using them in studio situations but still use headphones out Live. The Pioneer mixers lets you split que but it's a bit sensitive I found. Might actually go back to them tho. Great video

Been using IEMs (Shure 215) for years and love it. But you forgot one of the best benefits, no headphone head. :P

okay forgive me if it was mentioned in the review… can any of the models turn off sound isolation mode so you can hear people or the monitors?

On my RX3 I can’t hear the effects in my headphones. Only through speakers. Am I right to assume this would be the case with IEM’s? Or perhaps I’m being a idiot and missed something? That alongside the feeling of not hearing what the crowd are is what’s holding me back.

i got molded earplugs and i use headphones with those

I love my cheap iem from Amazon

Do you still use the club monitors when using IEMs? James Hype seems to use IEMs too but he always seems to complain when the monitor system volume in clubs is too low... How does that exactly work then? I thought you could even 100% disable the booth monitor volume and just rely on the IEMs??

If you use IEM's, do you take them out and do a few sound-checks around the bar/club/venue throughout the night? Otherwise, what is your preference for checking that you aren't blowing out everyone's ears, or if it's not loud enough on the dance floor?

So are these different from normal in ear buds?

What is the difference between in-ear monitors and headphjnes? Can't you do it all in your headohones anyway without monitors? Thanks

I've tried a couple of times but using split cue it's kind of meh as master only comes thru one ear and on stereo mode you are listening to the cued track over the master on both ears which is different to what using speakers and regular headphones, not bad but kind of weird. Also it's more annoying if you have to get away from the decks for anything, that's much more convenient with regular headphones.

Any suggestions of how to make a wired IEM in to a wireless?

One thing I'd warn about IEMs is that more drivers doesn't always equals better as adding extra drivers adds complexity', can be tuned badly and the extra drivers aren't always even necessary. My go-to IEM for DJing is the Audio Technics E70 Pro which has three balanced armature drivers. However, my Samsung Galaxy Buds sound better yet they only have two drivers, and they are probably more accurate because they measure very well. Obviously I won't be using my galaxy buds for DJing, since they are wireless, but just using them as an example!

I switched this year and also will not go back to headphones 👍

using them now and its throwing me off beatmatching going to keep trying to try and get used to them

@DJcityTV I have a question... What about the 2,000 Milivolts that Profesional DJ Mixers send to the IEMS that can only handle 1,000 Milivolts? I absolute love IEMS too, but I dont want to burn them, just wanted to know if you know something about it :)

I've used all the industry standard and popular DJ headphones and they've just never did it for me. I've used the Sennheiser HD25-II, HD280, Sennheiser Amperior and AIAIAI TMA-1 for Djing (Fwiw, The Sennheiser Amperior is the best of that bunch). IEMs/earphones are much more comfortable to me, isolate noise a lot better and the ones I use sound better than the likes of the very popular Sennheiser HD25-II. I've been using the Audio Technics E70 Pro IEMs and they are probably my end-game headphon for DJing. The cable is long, the earphones themselves seem more durable than most IEMs and the sound is accurate. My favourite thing is that the sound isn't very bright or harsh on the top-end so I can use them for hours without any fatigue. I'm surprised more DJs don't use IEMs to be honest. I think people assume that they won't sound as good, and this isn't simply isn't true at all.

Please, use METRIC system... I need to use a calculator to know the size of the cables.

Do you use split cue when wearing IEMs and never take them out? Or take one out sometimes? Would've been nice to hear about that and not just a product comparison