keythe-
New member
Hey all, I am an audiophile and I have seen questions being asked about IEMs. So I shall explain them to the best of my knowledge. Please correct me if I am wrong and add-on. If you have questions, please ask.
Earphones, IEMs, Earpieces, Earbuds, Headphones. What are the differences?
Earpieces and earphones are the universal names for any IEM or Earbud. Headphones are usually called headphones or headsets.
IEMs are either custom or universal fit. Customs are IEMs custom fitted to only YOUR ears. It gives the best natural isolation. Natural isolation meaning, no noise canceling technology. Universal IEMs are earphones with a eartip at the stem of the IEM. They give good isolation. IEMs are placed IN your ears. Thus, the name In-ear monitors.
Custom:
Universal:
Earbuds are just like the earphones you get with your Ipod. It does not have any eartip to be placed in your ears, they are just flat. It doesn't give much/any isolation.
Earbud:
Headphones give okay isolation. Not as much as IEMs but better than earbuds. Headphones are placed on the ears and some cover the whole ear.
Headphone:
Each of these different listening equipment use drivers.
What are drivers?
Drivers are the things that produce the sound on your headphone/earphone.
Headphones normally use Dynamic drivers
Earphones use either Dynamic drivers or Balanced Armature driver.
Learn about drivers here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones#Technology
Dynamic drivers are usually big. Headphones use many different sizes. Earphones that use dynamic drivers are usually the 'cheap and lousy' type like the Ipod Earbuds. But, some dynamic driver IEMs are really good. Some examples are the Future Sonics Atrio or the Sennheiser IE8. But, it's all personal preference. To me, the bass quality and quantity is better on dynamic drivers if they are of good quality. They seem more natural also.
Balanced Armatures are usually smaller and more expensive. Since they are small, an IEM can have multiple BAs. IEMs with 1 BA are the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio, Westone UM1, Klipsh Custom-1. IEMs with 2 BAs are the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro, Westone UM2, Shure SE420. IEMs with 3 BAs are Triple.fi 10 Pro, Westone UM3X, Shure SE530. Since there can be multiple BAs, they would be tuned differently. 1 for the bass, 1 for the mids, 1 for the treble. In my opinion, BAs don't give very good bass, but give good mids and treble. They have better sparkle and detail. But, it is all personal preference.
I know of 1 IEM that is a hybrid; Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 EB(extended bass). It has 1 dynamic for the bass and 1 BA for the mids and highs.
More drivers does not mean it is better. It's what you like.
How do I choose an Earphone/Headphone?
Go with what YOU like. Take recommendations lightly. It depends solely on your ears. A cheaper IEM may be better than a very expensive IEM to you. Earphones/Headphones may sound similar to those of the same brand but different model.
A brand has it's own Sound Signature. Different models sound the same but, different. It's hard to explain. But It's usually like that. Explore and find what you like. Start with a single BA IEM then upgrade. That's my suggestion, but it's up to you.
Personally I like the Ultimate Ears sound signature. I am using the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio and the Future Sonics Atrio which I fell in love with.
Where can I try/find all these?
You can go to Jaben @ the top level of Adelphi which is opposite Funan. Another place would be Stereo Electronics @ Plaza Singapura. I'm not sure what level. They have another branch in Woodlands, I think? But I'm also not sure where.
I will update if I have things to add-on. Till then, ROCK ON GUYS AND GIRLS!
Earphones, IEMs, Earpieces, Earbuds, Headphones. What are the differences?
Earpieces and earphones are the universal names for any IEM or Earbud. Headphones are usually called headphones or headsets.
IEMs are either custom or universal fit. Customs are IEMs custom fitted to only YOUR ears. It gives the best natural isolation. Natural isolation meaning, no noise canceling technology. Universal IEMs are earphones with a eartip at the stem of the IEM. They give good isolation. IEMs are placed IN your ears. Thus, the name In-ear monitors.
Custom:
Universal:
Earbuds are just like the earphones you get with your Ipod. It does not have any eartip to be placed in your ears, they are just flat. It doesn't give much/any isolation.
Earbud:
Headphones give okay isolation. Not as much as IEMs but better than earbuds. Headphones are placed on the ears and some cover the whole ear.
Headphone:
Each of these different listening equipment use drivers.
What are drivers?
Drivers are the things that produce the sound on your headphone/earphone.
Headphones normally use Dynamic drivers
Earphones use either Dynamic drivers or Balanced Armature driver.
Learn about drivers here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones#Technology
Dynamic drivers are usually big. Headphones use many different sizes. Earphones that use dynamic drivers are usually the 'cheap and lousy' type like the Ipod Earbuds. But, some dynamic driver IEMs are really good. Some examples are the Future Sonics Atrio or the Sennheiser IE8. But, it's all personal preference. To me, the bass quality and quantity is better on dynamic drivers if they are of good quality. They seem more natural also.
Balanced Armatures are usually smaller and more expensive. Since they are small, an IEM can have multiple BAs. IEMs with 1 BA are the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio, Westone UM1, Klipsh Custom-1. IEMs with 2 BAs are the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro, Westone UM2, Shure SE420. IEMs with 3 BAs are Triple.fi 10 Pro, Westone UM3X, Shure SE530. Since there can be multiple BAs, they would be tuned differently. 1 for the bass, 1 for the mids, 1 for the treble. In my opinion, BAs don't give very good bass, but give good mids and treble. They have better sparkle and detail. But, it is all personal preference.
I know of 1 IEM that is a hybrid; Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 EB(extended bass). It has 1 dynamic for the bass and 1 BA for the mids and highs.
More drivers does not mean it is better. It's what you like.
How do I choose an Earphone/Headphone?
Go with what YOU like. Take recommendations lightly. It depends solely on your ears. A cheaper IEM may be better than a very expensive IEM to you. Earphones/Headphones may sound similar to those of the same brand but different model.
A brand has it's own Sound Signature. Different models sound the same but, different. It's hard to explain. But It's usually like that. Explore and find what you like. Start with a single BA IEM then upgrade. That's my suggestion, but it's up to you.
Personally I like the Ultimate Ears sound signature. I am using the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio and the Future Sonics Atrio which I fell in love with.
Where can I try/find all these?
You can go to Jaben @ the top level of Adelphi which is opposite Funan. Another place would be Stereo Electronics @ Plaza Singapura. I'm not sure what level. They have another branch in Woodlands, I think? But I'm also not sure where.
I will update if I have things to add-on. Till then, ROCK ON GUYS AND GIRLS!
