In-ear monitors - advice please

[eightron]

Hi,

I was never a fan of in-ear monitors due to concerns about high volume levels and possible discomfort. In recent times however, due to increasing amounts of environmental noise whenever I work I feel an increasing need for a pair.

I'm considering sound-isolation earphones with a budget of about $100-200. For portability I'm only considering earphones and not headphones like the Direct Sound EX-25 / 29. Pretty divided on whether to get noise cancellation ones (more expensive? introduce artifacts in sound?) but I guess if isolation works then I'll stick to that.

I don't require the frequency response to be flat, just an audible bass and robust isolation will do. Heard about the Hippo Shrooms... Any advice or other recommendations please? Thanks!

 

[Oop]

A lot of the popular branded in-ears let you use custom foam tips. Comply, makes some really good foam tips and you can pick them up at Adelphi (Jaben Network or something).

Once the isolation part is sorted out, you can pick something which suits your budget. I highly recommend some of the Shures and the Sennheiser IE series (comes with tunable bass).

The advantage of In-Ears are that, once you isolate ambient noise, you listen to your music at lower SPL levels. Most people blare music to overpower the surrounding noise. So, isolation is the key.

Good Luck.

 

[wei]

I'd be wary of getting the 'in-ear monitors' from consumer brands which you can get at department stores, etc. My wife has a pair and while they do go into the ear, they don't isolate at all!

With a $200 budget, you should be able to get entry-mid level models from more pro brands like Ultimate Ears, Westone, etc. If you don't mind second-hand, you can get pretty good stuff. Personally, I bought a pair of used UE SuperFi5 Pro for $200. Great sound, great isolation.