Are higher end IEMs - In Ear Monitors - like Etymotics worth it?

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Zeph

Skullcandy sound as bad as they look, imo.

I put a pair of Klipsch RF82 in my ears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpter

I'm not talking about certain types of music just the difference between live music and compressed recorded music. Equipment intended for live sound reinforcement is built to withstand the dynamics of live music. Try using home stereo equipment to reproduce live sound (vocals, distorted guitar) and you will most likely damage the speakers pretty quickly. Once you let the magic smoke out of them they don't sound so good.

I won't claim a high knowledge in the audio world, but that sounds like bro science to me. If anything, I'd say the album versions are more dynamic than live recordings.

What I do know is that In Ear Monitors are monitors you plug into your ears, and they are not intended for live audio.

Is he referring to the monitors the actual musicians wear while playing? If you're listening to live music why would you need monitors. Ear plugs I can understand if you attend a lot of shows, but monitors? Huh?

[Grumpter]

Originally Posted by Zeph

I won't claim a high knowledge in the audio world, but that sounds like bro science to me. If anything, I'd say the album versions are more dynamic than live recordings.

What I do know is that In Ear Monitors are monitors you plug into your ears, and they are not intended for live audio.

Not Live recordings but live music (uncompressed live instruments not pre-recorded).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-ear_monitor

[nevets88]

Best Earbuds under $30

Are these suggestions any good?

[Zeph]

Not Live recordings but live music (uncompressed live instruments not pre-recorded). [URL=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-ear_monitor]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-ear_monitor[/URL]

Ah, now I understand. This may have been their original use, and there probably are manufacturers and models which are made specifically for stage monitors on concerts, but the term has been picked up and used by the brands mass-producing plugs to everyday use. A "monitor" in the audio world is a speaker or IEM which give feedback to the musicians during their live performance. As mentioned, this term has been used for some time outside the live music stage too. I've got headphones which are labeled "Monitors". They are at some level meant to be used in music production, but also sold to regular customers. The advantage some of them got is the audio quality, which often beats the headphones or plugs designed for the big market. What I enjoy about sets like these is how they recognize and deliver music in a high spectrum. Many sets out there are designed to boost the bass or midrange, which drowns the higher frequencies. Made even more efficient by the record labels increasing the volume of the music during the mastering process. The so called "Loudness war". Headphones and plugs designed for music production obiviously need a good range in order to provide the producer with a clear sound. Audiophiles tend to prefer higher end equipment that give them the best sound experience. Don't be afraid of buying a set of plugs just because they are called In-Ear Monitors. Most IEMs you find on the market are made for everyday listeners.

[Stretch]

Just on the off-chance it may assist somebody someday, here is a nice compact rundown of good choices in the main price classes:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/guide-some-great-sounding-ear-monitors