Why do I need in-ear monitors?Ī benefit of using IEMs is that you don't have to play as loudly on stage often, particularly with drummers, musicians find themselves inadvertently competing with each other in order to hear themselves. From here you can then decide if you want a full-band mix in your monitors, or selected parts of it. These comprise a transmitter device, into which you plug the output from the mixing desk, and a receiver pack which takes a radio signal from the transmitter and feeds it into the monitors themselves. Singers, guitarists, keyboard players and anyone else front of stage however would benefit from a wireless solution. For drummers, in their (usually) static positions, it can often make sense to have that pure, wired sound as this provides no risk of audio dropout or interference. Your answer will depend on what instrument you play. (Image credit: Future) Do I need wireless in-ear monitors?Ī good place to start when choosing the best in-ear monitors for you is deciding if you want to go with wired or wireless IEMs. Swap them out for a set of the ATH-E70s and you'll notice a considerable improvement in the performance of your rig. The Audio Technica ATH-E70 (opens in new tab), for example, are a superb set of in-ear monitors for anyone looking to improve on the default sets many wireless kits ship with. That aside, there are a couple of models we'd recommend for reasons not relating to cost. With such a disparity in price between entry-level and high-end in-ears, you'll know for yourself where your choices are likely to lie. If you'd rather just get straight to our product recommendations, then keep on scrolling. If you'd like to read more about the best in-ear monitors, then head to our buying advice at the bottom of this guide. So, whether you're rehearsing with your bandmates, practicing on your own, recording epic vocals at home, or you're gearing up for your next gig or tour, IEMs are an ideal solution for monitoring in any situation. They can outdo standard over-ear or on-ear studio headphones by eliminating the discomfort often felt as a result of ill-fitting cans squashing your ears into your skull. IEMs can also be of benefit in other scenarios, such as the recording studio or rehearsal room. The best in-ear monitors aren't just for live use either.

Onstage systems