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Ask any musician about the key to great sound and they’ll tell you it begins with a solid pair of in-ear monitors. Also known as “earpieces” or simply, “in-ears,” these flexible earbuds let musicians hear their tracks more cleanly and accurately, isolating the audio while sealing off outside interference and noise.
A must-have for performers,in-ears are making their way to the mainstream too. For their Vegas residency, “Deuces Are Wild,” rockers Aerosmith offer a VIP experience where fans can use a pair of headphones to — literally — plug into Steven Tyler’s audio feed to hear what the rocker is hearing through his IEMs.
These earbuds work great off the stage as well, especially if you’re looking for something to wear say, while working out, or at your desk to block out annoying co-worker chatter. The noise-cancelling properties of these buds mean they’ll seal out outside noise and let you focus on your music.
For Nathaniel Motte, one-half of electro-pop duo, 3OH3!, finding a solid pair of in-ears is essential to both clearly discern what he’s hearing, and to protect his hearing.
“The tight fit of in-ear monitors allows them to essentially act as earplugs, blocking out noise,” Motte explains. “That’s important for a touring musician, who is often exposed to very loud music. A generic headphone will not provide that comprehensive seal to block out noise.”
It’s that tight seal that also allows you to hear what you need to hear more clearly. “Musicians can dial in their ‘mix’ while on-stage, and hear their own vocals, instruments, etc, rather than having to blast themselves with what they want to hear through floor monitors or wedges on-stage,” Motte says. “When properly using in-ears, you’re preserving your hearing, and you’re hearing better.”
While Motte gets his in-ear monitors custom-made (read: custom-molded to his ear shape), you can find a decent pair of in-ears without having to see a specialist. We’ve found some solid pairs you can buy online, that will work whether you’re performing on stage or just want an upgrade for your current set of cups.
You’ll want to look for a pair that supports the listening experience you want. A fan of big beats and bass? Consider the IEMs from Shure, which makes one of the most finely-tuned pairs on our list. Prefer something warmer and gentler? We’ve got a couple options for that as well.
You’ll also want to look for earbuds that can seal off outside noise — the key to sound isolation and getting the purest, most accurate sound. All of our picks come with adjustable tips, that let you find the right size for your ears. Once you put them in, the earbuds shouldn’t be wiggling, even if you’re running around on stage — or just going for a light jog outside.
“On-stage, we’re mostly concerned with isolation and clarity, and in-ear monitors certainly provide that,” Motte says, though he adds there is another benefit to scooping up a pair of these buds: “I also use my custom in-ears for travel,” he says. “When I fly, I’m always wearing the in-ears – they act to keep the world out, and as a sort of isolation and safely blanket against loud travelers.”
