A good in-ear monitor will protect your hearing, allow you to hear every subtle snare strike, and cymbal crash with crystal clarity, from stage to studio no matter where you play.
Best in Ear Monitors can also be used for musicians, stage, and studio recording or rehearsal. Over-ear headphones can often cause some discomfort.
Now, dive into the world of in-ear monitors and find the best products to take your live performances to the next level!
Best in Ear Monitors for Musicians, Stage, and Studio in 2024
1. Shure SE846 2nd generation
The Shure SE846 is slightly more expensive, but its performance is worth it for less than $1,000.
Audiophiles tend to gravitate toward these monitors, and it’s not hard to see why. Because it delivers amazing sound.
Featuring four drivers and a frequency response of 15Hz – 20kHz, the SE846 delivers accurate, clear sound.
They’re also particularly good at blocking noise, making them ideal for musicians performing in more chaotic shows and environments.
2. Shure SE535 Sound Isolating IEM
The Shure’s 535 offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to 3-driver in-ear monitors. And let’s be honest, no one has time for an entry-level setup with just one driver.
The problem with drivers is that their quality decreases exponentially the longer you use them.
For example, if a driver is considering upgrading to more products, the difference between 3 and 6 is much smaller than the difference between 1 and 3.
If you know anything about Shure, you know that their years of reliability won’t lead you astray. They make their own drivers and always bring the heat, no matter the price.
Of course, you could argue that if you want to take it a step further, you could also consider customization. But the Shure 535 will perform very well for us humans.
3. Audio Technica ATH-E70s
These bad boys from Audio Technica are the real deal. Perfect for live in the studio and on stage, these in-ear monitor headphones fit snugly over your ears and are extremely comfortable.
And if you’re going to be wearing these shoes for hours, you’ll want them to be as comfortable as possible.
The ATH-E70 features comfortable silicone and premium foam Comply tips that seal completely to enhance your listening experience. Plus, the detachable memory cable lets you move like a rock star (or wander around nervously before a big performance).
These babies boast three balanced armature drivers, providing an extended frequency response and a nuanced soundstage. translation?
Your band will sound so amazing that you’ll be sure you’re hearing it for the first time.
Of course, you’re probably thinking, “But this is expensive!” And yes, they are expensive compared to most in-ear monitors. But trust me. Clear sound quality is worth every penny.
It also comes with a carrying case and a 6.3mm stereo adapter plug.
With a 20Hz-19kHz frequency range, 109dB sensitivity, and a 39ohm nominal impedance rating, these headphones offer impressive noise isolation so you can focus on your performance without distraction.
4. HiFiGo Dunu Studio SA6
Dunu SA6 is an incredibly dynamic in-ear monitor. All regions of the frequency range are well-tuned and sound very detailed.
The high end is a little further forward than what you see on other sets, but I think this is a positive aspect. It has great balance and is one of the best you can find for under $500.
If you’re looking for a more bass-heavy set, you may want to look elsewhere. However, the SA6 is still one of the best in-ear monitors out there.
5. Simgot EK3
The Simgot EK3 is a solid midrange monitor that offers excellent sound quality and isolation.
It also comes with four tuning models to help change the sound tone to suit the player’s needs and the style of music they play.
With a frequency response of 20Hz – 40kHz, Simgot EK3s boasts sonic accuracy and flexibility. It’s a great choice for drummers, guitarists, bassists, and vocalists alike.
6. Ultimate Ears Premier
If you’re a professional musician or have a big budget, your best bet is the new IEMs from Ultimate Ears’ Premier line.
UE PREMIER is UE Pro’s most powerful, agile, and versatile in-ear monitor to date, and it delivers incredible sound.
Featuring industry-leading 21 drivers per side and a frequency range of 5Hz-40kHz.
UE PREMIER sets a new standard for superior sound quality, whether you’re performing live, recording in the studio, or listening to music.
The Ultimate Ears booth had a premier pair set up with universal tips. I was surprised to hear the driver’s voice. I can only imagine what a custom fit (I also got fitted at the booth) would be like.
Not only is this great for the stage, but Premiers are also great for checking mixes on the fly.
7. Westone Audio Pro X20
The Westone Audio UM Pro 20 is a solid set of in-ear monitors that tick most of the checkpoints when it comes to comfort and design. However, we found that the sound presentation here can be quite divisive.
It provides a warm yet neutral sound signature but at the expense of musicality.
This is primarily geared towards performance rather than casual listening. Overall it depends on what you want to get out of it.
8. Drumeo EarDrums
Drumeo EarDrums are professional-grade in-ear monitors that provide drummers with a full range of sound while protecting their ears from harmful noise.
EarDrums’ triple driver headphones capture every nuance of the sound of a drum kit, from the deep thud of a kick drum to the dazzling ping of a cymbal.
The tips are a little big for my ears, but the rubber inserts work great.
The ability to capture sound is one of the main features of Drumeo EarDrums. The headphones feature -29dB of external volume reduction, so drummers can play as loud as they want without worrying about hearing damage.
Additionally, the EarDrums come with a variety of tips to ensure an accurate fit every time, making it easy for drummers to take them wherever they go.
For drummers of all skill levels, in-ear monitors are a growing tool. As more drummers rely on electronic drum sets and online training, in-ear monitors have become an important practice tool.
In-ear monitors like the Drumeo EarDrums help protect the hearing of drummers everywhere by reducing background noise and allowing music to be heard at lower volumes.
9. Westone Audio Pro X30 Earphones
These in-ears offer great value at the sub-$300 price point, which isn’t common for in-ear monitors with three drivers. This is one of the main reasons why Westone models are on our must-have list.
If you’re a fan of the Westone sound or a drummer looking to upgrade to triple driver in-ears without breaking the bank, this model is perfect.
It’s impressive that Westone is able to offer as many drivers as possible for less than $300. If you want better performance on a budget, this model is for you.
10. Kinbupy KZ ZS10
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly IEM, KINBOOFI Audio’s KZ ZS10 Pro is a solid choice. Includes 3 pairs of eartips, a detachable cable, and helpful instructions.
KINBOOFI Audio’s KZ ZS10 Pro is an affordable IEM. Includes 3 pairs of eartips and a detachable cable.
It also offers a sleek, lightweight design with a shell made of stainless steel and resin and three style options. Plus, they are incredibly comfortable and fit your ears perfectly.
The 120cm braided cable is flexible but unfortunately prone to tangling easily.
Luckily, these small drawbacks are offset by four armatures and dual magneto-dynamic drivers, providing 30-ohm impedance, 111dB sensitivity, and a very wide frequency range.
You get solid mid-frequency dynamic drivers that deliver solid sound for loud live shows.
Compared to the previous model, the ZS10 Pro delivers much improved, richer, and more transparent bass and treble tones without distortion. It also provides the highest level of isolation with minimal noise leakage.
11. Weston UM-Pro 30s
Westone has been a staple in the custom in-ear business for over 40 years, and if you ask anyone about in-ears, you’ll likely hear the name Westone.
It comes in one, two, three, or five driver options, but the triple armature driver version is one of the most popular among drummers, and for good reason.
Wired or wireless in-ear monitors for Musicians, Stage, and Studio?
Wireless in-ear monitors give you tremendous freedom when performing on stage.
Not only can you run around on stage if you want, but you also have more mobility on your drum set because there are no cables running along your back and elsewhere on the floor.
When we first started, we used wired technology because the cost of setting this up was relatively low. In this example, we’ll connect in-ear monitors (that we just bought) to a small powered mixer (such as a Behringer Xenix) next to it.
The club’s monitor engineer will likely provide us with an XLR line or two from the monitor board that will feed the monitor mix to our ears. Here’s how to set it up:
Conclusion
Finding the best in-ear monitors for Musicians, Stage, and Studio will largely depend on your budget.
Not all monitors are created equal, but there are many worthy choices ranging from under $200 to the $1000 range. The most important thing is that you can hear yourself accurately and it fits.