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Need Good On-Stage (Worship Music) IEM's, Preferably ~$150

post #1 of 14
2/6/12 at 9:15pm
Thread Starter 

Hello, all.

 

For the longest time, I've been desperately needing some good IEM's for on-stage use. After developing tinnitus in both of my ears, I've finally gotten to the point where I can no longer go on damaging my ears by sitting right next to the drummer or having to crank up the volume on a crappy pair of iPod headphones plugged into a monitor system.

 

I play bass for a worship band at my local church. I have two main venues: one, on a very small platform where I am right next to a very loud drummer. Two, on the main stage where I have to have a set of headphones to be able to hear myself. For the first venue, I've gotten away with putting a single earplug in one ear to dissipate the drummer, but I'm noticing that's starting to bug my other ear...so...no more of that. For the second venue, I'm getting tired of mooching off a spare set of over-the-ear headphones that look rather stupid when I'm playing onstage.

 

I've scouted a few sets in particular.

 

  • UE Triple.Fi 10 ($130)
  • Westone UM2 ($200)
  • Etymotic HF5 ($150)
  • Atrio M5 ($130)

 

I'm wondering if you guys have any other suggestions. I'm really eying the Triple.Fi's, honestly, but I'm wondering if they're a good buy for my needs.

 

Basically, I need some headphones where I can clearly distinguish the vocalists while still being able to hear my bass guitar well. I also need to be able to tell apart the kick drum on the drum set, since that is what I base my picking off of.

 

Cheers,

Danny Lee


Edited by DannyLee - 2/6/12 at 9:31pm
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post #2 of 14
2/6/12 at 9:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyLee View Post

Hello, all.

 

For the longest time, I've been desperately needing some good IEM's for on-stage use. After developing tinnitus in both of my ears, I've finally gotten to the point where I can no longer go on damaging my ears by sitting right next to the drummer or having to crank up the volume on a crappy pair of iPod headphones plugged into a monitor system.

 

I play bass for a worship band at my local church. I have two main venues: one, on a very small platform where I am right next to a very loud drummer. Two, on the main stage where I have to have a set of headphones to be able to hear myself. For the first venue, I've gotten away with putting a single earplug in one ear to dissipate the drummer, but I'm noticing that's starting to bug my other ear...so...no more of that. For the second venue, I'm getting tired of mooching off a spare set of over-the-ear headphones that look rather stupid when I'm playing onstage.

 

I've scouted a few sets in particular.

 

  • UE Triple.Fi 10 ($130)
  • Westone UM2 ($200)
  • Etymotic HF5 ($150)
  • Atrio M5 ($130)

 

I'm wondering if you guys have any other suggestions. I'm really eying the Triple.Fi's, honestly, but I'm wondering if they're a good buy for my needs.

 

Basically, I need some headphones where I can clearly distinguish the vocalists while still being able to hear my bass guitar well. I also need to be able to tell apart the kick drum on the drum set, since that is what I base my picking off of.

 

Cheers,

Danny Lee


From what I've read, the Triple-Fis will not represent vocals as well as they should.  For isolation, Etymotic is the best (I own HF2s which are the same as 5s with a mic).  Although you will get a bass guitar out of it, it my not be as prominent as you want it; vocals will be brilliant and powerful though.  I haven't read too much (nor have I heard) the other two IEMs.

 

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post #3 of 14
2/6/12 at 9:41pm

The Atrio, with their non-fatiguing, accurate mid and treble plus superior bass extension, accuracy and body that will keep you at a safe volume without having to crank anything, is an excellent choice.

 

The Atrio can be upgraded to full-ear custom-fit medical grade silicon sleeves. I have them and they are excellent as well.

 

 

 

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post #4 of 14
2/6/12 at 9:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinyman392 View Post


From what I've read, the Triple-Fis will not represent vocals as well as they should.  For isolation, Etymotic is the best (I own HF2s which are the same as 5s with a mic).  Although you will get a bass guitar out of it, it my not be as prominent as you want it; vocals will be brilliant and powerful though.  I haven't read too much (nor have I heard) the other two IEMs.

 



How much the vocals come through depends more on the sound crew handling the mix that is on an individual's channel, not on the the sound signature of the IEMs. 

 

I have a bunch of musicians in my church using the Triple-Fi because of its attractive price. It's a hassle to insert and remove in the middle of a set, but that should not be a problem for you, OP, as an instrumentalist. 

 

The Triple-Fi will do the job just fine.

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post #5 of 14
2/7/12 at 3:36am

The Vsonic GR07 are a good stage monitor. However their isolation might not be the best compared to more isolating IEMs like Shures and Etymotics


Edited by RealSlimSeto - 2/7/12 at 3:38am
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post #6 of 14
2/7/12 at 10:29am

The atrio with custom sleeves may be the best choice for you , like Kunlun suggested. 

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post #7 of 14
2/7/12 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kunlun View Post

The Atrio, with their non-fatiguing, accurate mid and treble plus superior bass extension, accuracy and body that will keep you at a safe volume without having to crank anything, is an excellent choice.

 

The Atrio can be upgraded to full-ear custom-fit medical grade silicon sleeves. I have them and they are excellent as well.

 

 

 



That's probably the most attractive feature...not having to turn the volume way up to tell where we are in the song.



Quote:
Originally Posted by RealSlimSeto View Post

The Vsonic GR07 are a good stage monitor. However their isolation might not be the best compared to more isolating IEMs like Shures and Etymotics


 

Not too concerned with isolation, as any sounds that bleed through will be sounds I have to hear, anyway.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by eke2k6 View Post

The atrio with custom sleeves may be the best choice for you , like Kunlun suggested. 

 

Tempting, but I'm not quite ready to spring the money on custom sleeves quite yet. Maybe when I move up to more "professional" venues, per say. Like the adult service instead of the kids service. rolleyes.gif



Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric_C View Post



How much the vocals come through depends more on the sound crew handling the mix that is on an individual's channel, not on the the sound signature of the IEMs. 

 

I have a bunch of musicians in my church using the Triple-Fi because of its attractive price. It's a hassle to insert and remove in the middle of a set, but that should not be a problem for you, OP, as an instrumentalist. 

 

The Triple-Fi will do the job just fine.



That's good to hear. I'd prefer to have more neutral-sounding IEM's, too. Guess it's between the Triple.Fi's and the Atrio's, hmh?

 

Thank you all for your replies. biggrin.gif

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post #8 of 14
2/7/12 at 4:37pm
Shure SE215? Obviously below other IEM's like the TripleFi in sound quality, but their design seems like it would be a better fit for stage monitors (since they are made with intention). I would think their sound signature would make for a better stage monitor too that a really bright IEM like the HF5. I could be totally wrong, just throwing it out there.
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post #9 of 14
2/7/12 at 6:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyLee View Post




That's good to hear. I'd prefer to have more neutral-sounding IEM's, too. Guess it's between the Triple.Fi's and the Atrio's, hmh?

Thank you all for your replies. biggrin.gif

Haha no not the triple.fi. It's between the Atrios and the GR07. I think the Atrio will represent your bass guitar more faithfully
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post #10 of 14
2/7/12 at 6:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eke2k6 View Post
Haha no not the triple.fi. It's between the Atrios and the GR07. I think the Atrio will represent your bass guitar more faithfully


I think you're right. I hear the Atrios are really good in terms of bass quality, and the 50% code on their website still works. The cost alone might tip me over the edge.

 

Just a quick question, though. The M5's are single-driver...is this going to be an issue? I hear dual-drivers are really the way to go in terms of IEM's if you plan to pay more. I'm not against saving another $50 to get a better pair of earbuds.

 

EDIT: Not to say the more drivers the better, but it seems to help. Like a V8 engine would most likely be better than a V6.


Edited by DannyLee - 2/7/12 at 6:52pm
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post #11 of 14
2/7/12 at 6:55pm

In general, yeah you want dual driver. For on-stage, worship use the triple drivers are honestly a waste--the only reason why the TripleFi gets recommended is because it's cheap and is more than capable for most church musicians. 

Perhaps the Atrio has enough low end, but I don't know as I've never tried it.

 

Here's what I think are your technical priorities (in order of decreasing importance):

1. Isolation

2. Clarity of sound

3. Ability to punch out low end

4. Ease of insertion/removal

 

Isolation is more important than anything else for your purposes, by a country mile. It's the largest benefit that an IEM has over wedges. 

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post #12 of 14
2/7/12 at 7:36pm
The triple.fi's midrange is recessed, which will make certain parts of the musical spectrum sound farther away. Furthermore, it has a metallic sheen over the sound that makes it sound artificial. The dynamic driver of the Atrio will deliver far better bass texture than the triple.fi
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post #13 of 14
2/8/12 at 1:56am

I think that people are missing the point of your post.  When you say you want "good" IEM's for worship service, I suspect you mean in contrast to "evil" IEM's.   Can't help you with that.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyLee View Post

Hello, all.

 

For the longest time, I've been desperately needing some good IEM's for on-stage use. After developing tinnitus in both of my ears, I've finally gotten to the point where I can no longer go on damaging my ears by sitting right next to the drummer or having to crank up the volume on a crappy pair of iPod headphones plugged into a monitor system.

 

I play bass for a worship band at my local church. I have two main venues: one, on a very small platform where I am right next to a very loud drummer. Two, on the main stage where I have to have a set of headphones to be able to hear myself. For the first venue, I've gotten away with putting a single earplug in one ear to dissipate the drummer, but I'm noticing that's starting to bug my other ear...so...no more of that. For the second venue, I'm getting tired of mooching off a spare set of over-the-ear headphones that look rather stupid when I'm playing onstage.

 

I've scouted a few sets in particular.

 

  • UE Triple.Fi 10 ($130)
  • Westone UM2 ($200)
  • Etymotic HF5 ($150)
  • Atrio M5 ($130)

 

I'm wondering if you guys have any other suggestions. I'm really eying the Triple.Fi's, honestly, but I'm wondering if they're a good buy for my needs.

 

Basically, I need some headphones where I can clearly distinguish the vocalists while still being able to hear my bass guitar well. I also need to be able to tell apart the kick drum on the drum set, since that is what I base my picking off of.

 

Cheers,

Danny Lee



 

Reply
post #14 of 14
2/8/12 at 6:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyLee View Post



I think you're right. I hear the Atrios are really good in terms of bass quality, and the 50% code on their website still works. The cost alone might tip me over the edge.

 

Just a quick question, though. The M5's are single-driver...is this going to be an issue? I hear dual-drivers are really the way to go in terms of IEM's if you plan to pay more. I'm not against saving another $50 to get a better pair of earbuds.

 

EDIT: Not to say the more drivers the better, but it seems to help. Like a V8 engine would most likely be better than a V6.

Hi there, no, the driver in the Atrio is a dynamic driver, which is like a small version of the speakers in your stereo system. A single dynamic driver can handle the whole frequency spectrum easily.

 

The drivers in the triple fi and in the etymotic are balanced armatures--they are the drivers in hearing aids and they often can't cover the whole range of sound without being doubled or tripled.

 

I have a earphone with 8 armatures per side, for example, and a custom monitor with 1 dynamic driver. The dynamic sounds as good or better.

 

The "engines" are different. The Atrios will be excellent for your purposes.


 

 

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