In-Ear Monitors at DVinfo.net

John DeLuca · February 11th, 2006, 02:41 PM

I have a mild hearing loss in both ears(high pitch tone loss). I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good pair of duel-driver, in-ear monitors. My audiologist recommends the Ultimate Ears "UE-5 pro" model for monitoring audio recordings, but I wanted to get some opinions from you guys before I decide. I noticed Shure has the E5 with an "in-line" cross over. The UE-5 pros have a "passive crossover". I appreciate any advice.

John

Seth Bloombaum · February 14th, 2006, 12:54 PM

I have a pair of Etymotic ER-6 that I like very much. I think they list for $140, discounts around $100-120 USD.

They do a very effective job of isolation, much more than a closed-style headphone. I use Sony 7506 all the time, I'd guess about 3x improvement in isolation with the in-ear.

Honestly, I don't use them much when recording, but they are very handy on airplanes and such. Why would you need an in-ear to compensate for hi-freq hearing loss? An in-ear is more-or-less as flat as a headphone, no hi-freq boost... unless isolation is somehow the issue?

Laudon Williams · February 14th, 2006, 01:10 PM

I have the Ety ER-4s and love them. They are the big brother of the set Seth mentions. Compared to the Shures, they have a wonderful price/performace ratio.

-Laudon

John DeLuca · February 14th, 2006, 03:03 PM

I have decided to go with the ultimate ears UE-10 Pro w/full soft material and Emmeline SR-71 headphone amp(class A amp). Background noise is a big issue with hearing impaired people, so the -26db isolation, class A amp, true 20hz to 16k freq responce, and tripple drivers help alot.

They will be used for professional sound recording, mixing, and monitoring.

Total cost $1450. Doesnt seem like a alot when you consider the $5200 canta 7 hearing aids I paid for last year.

Thanks for the suggestions.

John

Laudon Williams · February 14th, 2006, 03:58 PM

Let us know how you like them.

One thing I'd add. Most of the high-end in-ear-monitors allow for custom made inserts. You may want to look into them. I find about 4 hours with my stock Etys and I need a break.

-Laudon

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 14th, 2006, 04:15 PM

I've got molds for my ER6's, wish I had them for my 4's. (they came after I had my molds done)
It's WELL worth it. I've near-final mixed several projects now on airplanes with my ER's, and been pleasantly surprised at how long I can wear them, and with the molds, I can lie down and they don't bother me.

John DeLuca · February 14th, 2006, 04:29 PM

Laudon,

I noticed Westone makes good inserts for "universal fit" ear monitors. If it wasn't for the tripple drivers, I would consider retro fitting a pair of Shure/Etymotic's with a westone insert. It makes sence because your ears moldings change every four years or so.

My main focus is the ability to distinguish each layer of sound I am recording(for example; air conditioners, heaters, feedback, hum, interference, dropouts, ect.). I have been told by my audiologist that tripple drivers w/amp is the way to go for accuracy. I have alot of trouble with the Sony MDR-900(50mm driver) cans I am using now.

It would be interesting to see the difference in quality between the shure/etymotic w/westone insert vs custom monitor w tripple drivers.

John

Laudon Williams · February 17th, 2006, 08:54 PM

Douglass, now I'm gonna have to spring for the inserts :-)

John, I did a lot of research before settling on the Etys. They make a version of the ER-4s that is designed to work with a headphone amp (I think it is the 'S' version). Can't comment on the effect of the driver number though.

I'm real curious how the UEs work. Post back when you get them and let us know.

-Laudon

John DeLuca · February 18th, 2006, 10:13 AM

I have an appointment with my audiologist on tuesday to get new ear impressions. I'm not a specialist like Douglass, but as a videographer, I can offer my honest opinion and provide pictures for you guys.

BTW- May go with the "Headroom Micro Amp and Micro DAC." See link below.

http://dansdata.com/microstack.htm

-John

John DeLuca · February 28th, 2006, 12:13 PM

My molds are going out today. Bare with me, it may take a few weeks to review everything listed below.

Professional Equipment Review will cover audio monitoring performance ON THE FIELD when used with the Sony PD-170 digital video camcorder, two Sennheiser EW500 Evolution Wireless kits w/omni lavs, ME-66 shot gun and ME-67 long gun microphones. This review will my cover my personal thoughts on sonic quality, reliability, and practicality for professional audio recordings/monitoring on the field when up against the universal fit Shure E3’s and Sony MDR-V900 50mm full cans. A calibrated Beachtek SVU-2 headphone amp/vu meter will be used with all headphones.

Consumer Equipment Review will cover overall listening experience/enjoyment when used with consumer grade electronics. The ultimate ears will be used with a new I-Pod, Sony PSP, Motorola cell phone w/built in mp3 player, THX Select Onkyo 801 AV receiver, and a Dell notebook. They will be up against the universal fit E3’s, Sony MDR-V900 50mm cans, and the following home theater configuration: THX Select Certified Onkyo 801 AV Receiver, Von Schweikert VR-1 bookshelf reference monitors, Denon 1720 DVD player, 4’ THX certified Monster brand coax, 10’X2 High performance Monster brand Speaker cable w/banana jacks. The Emmeline SR-71 headphone amp will be used with all headphones.

John DeLuca · April 21st, 2006, 10:51 AM

Finally nailed a solid fit after three remakes. Check back in a couple days for pics and a more detailed review (downloadable PDF if I can spare enough time from client work).

Seconds after putting them in, I could tell a noticeable difference from the Shure E3's. In comparison the E3's sounded lean (entire range) and required 25-30% more volume to achieve the same listening experience. Voice recordings seemed more detailed and musical as well.

The comfort and seal qualities are about equal. In my opinion, no IEM is comfortable enough to “forget they are in your ear”. You really need an “open” design that allows air to vent the ear canal, a technology used with high end hearing aids that cost ten times more than the UE’s.

-John

Ben Powell · April 21st, 2006, 01:16 PM

I am able to get either for $100 and am wondering what the difference is... I have looked at their site but they just claim that the 6i is made for the ipod and appears to maybe augment lower frequencies, possibly in compensation for the poor power amplifiers in the small devices that probably struggle to generate the lower frequenciess...

Any thoughts on which would be better for video monitors?

Does anyone have experience with both per chance and an opinion to share?

Thanks all.

February 11th, 2006, 02:41 PM	#1
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	In-Ear Monitors I have a mild hearing loss in both ears(high pitch tone loss). I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good pair of duel-driver, in-ear monitors. My audiologist recommends the Ultimate Ears "UE-5 pro" model for monitoring audio recordings, but I wanted to get some opinions from you guys before I decide. I noticed Shure has the E5 with an "in-line" cross over. The UE-5 pros have a "passive crossover". I appreciate any advice. John

February 14th, 2006, 04:15 PM	#6
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I've got molds for my ER6's, wish I had them for my 4's. (they came after I had my molds done) It's WELL worth it. I've near-final mixed several projects now on airplanes with my ER's, and been pleasantly surprised at how long I can wear them, and with the molds, I can lie down and they don't bother me. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

April 21st, 2006, 01:16 PM	#12
Ben Powell New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Redmond WA Posts: 10	6 or 6i? I am able to get either for $100 and am wondering what the difference is... I have looked at their site but they just claim that the 6i is made for the ipod and appears to maybe augment lower frequencies, possibly in compensation for the poor power amplifiers in the small devices that probably struggle to generate the lower frequenciess... Any thoughts on which would be better for video monitors? Does anyone have experience with both per chance and an opinion to share? Thanks all.

February 14th, 2006, 12:54 PM	#2
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	I have a pair of Etymotic ER-6 that I like very much. I think they list for $140, discounts around $100-120 USD. They do a very effective job of isolation, much more than a closed-style headphone. I use Sony 7506 all the time, I'd guess about 3x improvement in isolation with the in-ear. Honestly, I don't use them much when recording, but they are very handy on airplanes and such. Why would you need an in-ear to compensate for hi-freq hearing loss? An in-ear is more-or-less as flat as a headphone, no hi-freq boost... unless isolation is somehow the issue?

February 14th, 2006, 01:10 PM	#3
Laudon Williams New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 15	I have the Ety ER-4s and love them. They are the big brother of the set Seth mentions. Compared to the Shures, they have a wonderful price/performace ratio. -Laudon

February 14th, 2006, 03:03 PM	#4
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	I have decided to go with the ultimate ears UE-10 Pro w/full soft material and Emmeline SR-71 headphone amp(class A amp). Background noise is a big issue with hearing impaired people, so the -26db isolation, class A amp, true 20hz to 16k freq responce, and tripple drivers help alot. They will be used for professional sound recording, mixing, and monitoring. Total cost $1450. Doesnt seem like a alot when you consider the $5200 canta 7 hearing aids I paid for last year. Thanks for the suggestions. John

February 14th, 2006, 03:58 PM	#5
Laudon Williams New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 15	Let us know how you like them. One thing I'd add. Most of the high-end in-ear-monitors allow for custom made inserts. You may want to look into them. I find about 4 hours with my stock Etys and I need a break. -Laudon

February 14th, 2006, 04:29 PM	#7
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	Laudon, I noticed Westone makes good inserts for "universal fit" ear monitors. If it wasn't for the tripple drivers, I would consider retro fitting a pair of Shure/Etymotic's with a westone insert. It makes sence because your ears moldings change every four years or so. My main focus is the ability to distinguish each layer of sound I am recording(for example; air conditioners, heaters, feedback, hum, interference, dropouts, ect.). I have been told by my audiologist that tripple drivers w/amp is the way to go for accuracy. I have alot of trouble with the Sony MDR-900(50mm driver) cans I am using now. It would be interesting to see the difference in quality between the shure/etymotic w/westone insert vs custom monitor w tripple drivers. John

February 17th, 2006, 08:54 PM	#8
Laudon Williams New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 15	Douglass, now I'm gonna have to spring for the inserts :-) John, I did a lot of research before settling on the Etys. They make a version of the ER-4s that is designed to work with a headphone amp (I think it is the 'S' version). Can't comment on the effect of the driver number though. I'm real curious how the UEs work. Post back when you get them and let us know. -Laudon

February 18th, 2006, 10:13 AM	#9
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	I have an appointment with my audiologist on tuesday to get new ear impressions. I'm not a specialist like Douglass, but as a videographer, I can offer my honest opinion and provide pictures for you guys. BTW- May go with the "Headroom Micro Amp and Micro DAC." See link below. http://dansdata.com/microstack.htm -John

February 28th, 2006, 12:13 PM	#10
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	My molds are going out today. Bare with me, it may take a few weeks to review everything listed below. Professional Equipment Review will cover audio monitoring performance ON THE FIELD when used with the Sony PD-170 digital video camcorder, two Sennheiser EW500 Evolution Wireless kits w/omni lavs, ME-66 shot gun and ME-67 long gun microphones. This review will my cover my personal thoughts on sonic quality, reliability, and practicality for professional audio recordings/monitoring on the field when up against the universal fit Shure E3’s and Sony MDR-V900 50mm full cans. A calibrated Beachtek SVU-2 headphone amp/vu meter will be used with all headphones. Consumer Equipment Review will cover overall listening experience/enjoyment when used with consumer grade electronics. The ultimate ears will be used with a new I-Pod, Sony PSP, Motorola cell phone w/built in mp3 player, THX Select Onkyo 801 AV receiver, and a Dell notebook. They will be up against the universal fit E3’s, Sony MDR-V900 50mm cans, and the following home theater configuration: THX Select Certified Onkyo 801 AV Receiver, Von Schweikert VR-1 bookshelf reference monitors, Denon 1720 DVD player, 4’ THX certified Monster brand coax, 10’X2 High performance Monster brand Speaker cable w/banana jacks. The Emmeline SR-71 headphone amp will be used with all headphones.

April 21st, 2006, 10:51 AM	#11
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	Finally nailed a solid fit after three remakes. Check back in a couple days for pics and a more detailed review (downloadable PDF if I can spare enough time from client work). Seconds after putting them in, I could tell a noticeable difference from the Shure E3's. In comparison the E3's sounded lean (entire range) and required 25-30% more volume to achieve the same listening experience. Voice recordings seemed more detailed and musical as well. The comfort and seal qualities are about equal. In my opinion, no IEM is comfortable enough to “forget they are in your ear”. You really need an “open” design that allows air to vent the ear canal, a technology used with high end hearing aids that cost ten times more than the UE’s. -John