elanma
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2009
- Posts
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I come from a HIfi background and am seeking definition of what an IEM actually is.
To my understanding IEM stands for In Ear Monitor. A monitor (or reference) speaker has a flat response and designed not to colour the sound in any way ie they are designed for monitoring either in a studio or at a live event. IEMs were designed to replace the front monitor speakers at live events for the band and for the guy at the mixer. Monitors are a different type of speaker to ones you find in a home for easy listening with your own personal preferences. Often people dont like the sound of a flat response and prefer bass or mid heavy and often the really high end phones which the manufacturer has spent a lot of effort ensuring a flat and clear output.
Now I see posts like "I would like a bass heavy IEM", how can that be??? Its not a monitor if its bass heavy. I see a universal use of the term IEM when origionally is was for the high end, flat response, serious professional equipment. We should use the term IEM correctly. Things like skullkandys etc are not IEMS there Canalphones. I am actually looking for a good quality IEM but I find everythings called an IEM!
Stop using the term Monitor for a headphone unless its designed as a monitor.
To my understanding IEM stands for In Ear Monitor. A monitor (or reference) speaker has a flat response and designed not to colour the sound in any way ie they are designed for monitoring either in a studio or at a live event. IEMs were designed to replace the front monitor speakers at live events for the band and for the guy at the mixer. Monitors are a different type of speaker to ones you find in a home for easy listening with your own personal preferences. Often people dont like the sound of a flat response and prefer bass or mid heavy and often the really high end phones which the manufacturer has spent a lot of effort ensuring a flat and clear output.
Now I see posts like "I would like a bass heavy IEM", how can that be??? Its not a monitor if its bass heavy. I see a universal use of the term IEM when origionally is was for the high end, flat response, serious professional equipment. We should use the term IEM correctly. Things like skullkandys etc are not IEMS there Canalphones. I am actually looking for a good quality IEM but I find everythings called an IEM!
Stop using the term Monitor for a headphone unless its designed as a monitor.