The IEM (in ear monitors) Bible thread - a guide to help every musician

[JPJ]

So these arrived in the post this morning. ACS Engage Classic custom moulded IEMs. Tried them for fit and they’re perfect. Will try them with my bass later today, but no chance to try them in anger until the new year. 

[wateroftyne]

On 16/12/2025 at 18:08, EBS_freak said:

And there goes all your bass.

 

Just curious (and to repeat what's already been asked) - do we know for sure that these are a bass-killer?

I prefer the idea of the Ambients in principle, but not if they sound like an old-timey radio.

[dave_bass5]

On the back of that question, is the effect the same (more

or less) as having a slightly loose earpiece, or is there more to it? 
i know i lose a lot of low end when one of mine gets a bit unseated. 

[Al Krow]

Interesting to pick up on this. Our singer mentioned on Sat night she only used one ear piece and left the other one out "otherwise she felt disconnected from the band and audience" - which is a classic IEM conundrum.

It doesn't affect me at all in the same way - I enjoy the clarity and comfort of having a tailored IEM mix and no one's complaining about missing out on the experience of a deafening guitar amp - ok maybe the occasional dep guitarist - now we're all going through FoH apart from the acoustic drums.

 

I don't really fancy the additional set-up faff and need to worry about an additional source of feedback from an ambient / overhead mic, just for the sake of one band member, but was wondering if there's decent ambient IEMs on a par with the KZ ZARs we're using, that don't cost the earth, and she can treat herself to a pair?