The Day the Wedge Died and the IEM Market Matured
L-Acoustics makes over 50,000 loudspeakers a year. And today they partnered with JH Audio to launch the Contour XO in-ear monitor.
October 28, 2020

TOPICS OF INTEREST

IN EAR MONITOR EDUCATION

The 7 Questions to Ask before Buying In-Ear Monitors
If you can answer ALL of these 7 questions, then you'll have no regrets with your in-ear purchase.
September 19, 2021
IEMs allow for better front of house mixes
Listen to Pooch talk about why IEMs help him create better front of house mixes.
December 23, 2021
In-Ear Monitors Should be a Must-Have with Any Instrument Purchase
One of the biggest reasons that there is so much misinformation about in-ears is because music store professionals don't understand how to sell them.
August 22, 2021
Here's how to prevent IEM Drop Out
Use a Helical Antenna and an IEM combiner to prevent signal drop out.
December 23, 2021
The Difference Between a Good IEM and a Great IEM
There is a world of difference between a good IEM and a great IEM. If you are considering purchasing an IEM, spend the extra time and money to make it great! The additional value is priceless.
September 19, 2021
Mixing Monitors on a Late Night TV Show
Paul Klimson shares his expertise on the day-to-day portions of mixing a late night TV house band and navigating the role that music plays in reinforcing the comedy portions of the show. He discusses various talkback systems and using IEMs for program feeds.
August 22, 2021
Razones por las Cuales se Debería Usar Audífonos Profesionales
Una entrevista con German Tarazona Llano, el Ingeniero de Sonido de Maluma, habla acerca del uso de los audífonos profesionales.
August 22, 2021
In-Ears Improve the Way you Work as a Team During Live Shows
In-Ear Monitors connect artists, engineers, and backline professionals. By integrating a talkback system into your in-ear mix, you can improve communications and control for all possible situations that arise during the show — without having to interfere with the performance.
September 19, 2021
The Whole Band Does Not Need to Transition at the Same Time
One of the biggest misconceptions about in-ear monitors is that the whole band needs to make the switch at the same time. This isn't true and it's one of the leading causes of missing out on the benefits of IEMS.
September 19, 2021
Transitioning to In-Ears in 4 Easy Steps
The payoff is big but making the leap to in-ear monitors can be a difficult experience. But it doesn't have to be. Here are 4 simple steps to follow to ensure success.
September 19, 2021
Is there a Need to Move from Universal In-Ears to Custom In-Ears?
Nearly all in-ear users start their personal monitoring journey with universal In-Ears. What makes someone want to try custom molded in-ears?
September 19, 2021
Here's How to Sell In-Ear Monitors in Music Retail Shops
Customers are aware of in-ear monitors but always assume that they are only for top-touring pro acts; the standard line being “I’ll get them some day.” And MI sales professionals didn’t have a simple process to follow. That’s why we wrote this article.
August 22, 2021
Why Every MI Retailer Should Double their Stock of Personal Monitoring Systems
The personal monitoring category is a stable growing market for the MI retailer. Does your team understand how to best sell them?
August 22, 2021
Isolation Versus Venting || The New Debate for In-Ear Design
Balvinder Singh, Chief Engineer for Stealth Sonics, discusses the benefits of a pressure release valve for in-ear monitors.
September 19, 2021
Tuning Drums For Your In Ear Mix
With IEM’s, the sound is going straight into your brain! There’s no PA to color the sound, and no distance factor that allows a sound to develop. So for an IEM mix, the key is to limit the amount of excess air in the drum sound and keep the tones warm.
August 22, 2021
How Many Drivers Do You Need?
Worship Musician just recently published a wonderful article by Doug Leavy - Worship & CCM Artist Relations Manager for Jerry Harvey Audio - that focuses on THE BIG question for in-ear monitors. Just how many drivers do you really need?
September 19, 2021
Here's How In-Ear Monitors Help Production Managers
In-Ears aren't just for the artists. They provide consistency and help streamline shows. They offer the band and crew a means to communicate and they let the FOH engineer have more control over the house mix. No wonder production managers encourage their artists to get onto in-ears; they make managing the tour easier.
August 22, 2021
Prime Time Ready IEMS
If your band is going to play a late night TV show, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to seize your moment. Don't forget the IEMs.
August 22, 2021
Louder Isn't Better || Tips On Mixing In-Ear Monitors
The goal is to protect hearing while giving a balanced, clear mix.
September 19, 2021
In-Ear Monitors for Drummers
What's more important — a good in-ear monitor system or your snare drum?
August 22, 2021
It only takes one performance to experience all of the benefits of in-ear monitors
In-ear monitors provide sound isolation and help performers stay in pitch and hit their cues. And getting started with them is much easier than you might think.
September 19, 2021
What's the difference between an In-Ear Monitor, an Earphone, and a Headphone?
The terms are often thrown around interchangeably but there are significant differences between headphones, earphones, and in-ear monitors.
September 19, 2021
In-ear monitors are for the studio, for the stage, and for the true music lover
The in-ear monitor is the most versatile of all headphones. It is the most compact. The most portable. And the best way to make & listen to music.
September 19, 2021
In-ear Monitors give singers unprecedented control over their voice
In-ear monitors can help vocalists sing with ease and with far less strain. Use these simple mic control practice techniques to master singing with in-ear monitors.
September 19, 2021
64 Audio Winter 2021 Livestream Event
64 Audio introduced new sales and customer service team members as well as offered sneak peaks for the rest of 2021.
February 15, 2021
1 Year Later & I Am Amazed by Our Resilience. Thank you.
I have to be honest. I thought things would be much worse.
January 17, 2021
Audix Launches Integrated Coupler for IEMs for Effective Field Tests
Monitor engineers can now reliably test IEMs in any environment
November 24, 2020
Q&A with Sean Sturge — Monitor Engineer & Senior Account Manager for Eighth Day Sound
Sean Sturge and Kevin Glendinning talk shop and all things in-ear related on the latest episode of JH Audio's weekly Instagram Live feed.
October 27, 2020
Pooch, Tater, and Jerry Harvey talk shop
Tune in and listen to Jerry Harvey guest star on Wrong End Of The Snake
October 19, 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Razer Jumps Into the IEM Space for Gamers and Streamers
Razer ventures into new territory by offering its first universal in-ear monitors to gamers and marathon streamers.
June 29, 2023
In-Ears by Drummers for Drummers || Drumeo Launches Branded Universal In-Ear Monitors for Their Online Drumming Community
Drumeo is the world's largest online drum platform that offers individualized drum lessons for drummers of every skill level. And now they're offering personalized branded in-ear solutions to all their students.
January 18, 2023
Tonal Balance + Dynamics + Sound Image = Yamaha's True Sound Technology
Yamaha's TW-E7B is what happens when a True Wireless earphone manufacturer combines over 100 years of expertise in acoustics and electronics.
July 8, 2022
Sennheiser x Fischer Amps
Sennheiser Enters the Custom In-Ear Space with Help from Fischer Amps
August 18, 2021
Fischer Amps Partners with Sennheiser to Build Custom IEMS
Fischer Amps helps Sennheiser deliver the sound of the IE500 Pro in the comfort and style of a custom in-ear monitor.
August 18, 2021
Audix is Officially In the In-Ear Game
Audix enters the in-ear space by launching studio-quality earphones to compliment their microphone and headphone lines.
June 21, 2021
Sennheiser Launches IE 100 PRO
Sennheiser rounds off its portfolio of universal in-ear monitoring solutions with the IE 100 PRO and IE 100 PRO Wireless
August 19, 2021
JH Audio Launces New Flagship Hybrid In-Ear Monitor
Featuring the new JH Audio patent pending DOME Technology — Dual opposing low and mid dynamic driver configuration
March 5, 2021
Alclair Audio Launches a thirteen driver hybrid electrostatic custom in-ear monitor
With four electrostatic drivers and 9 balanced armature drivers, the ESM offers performing musicians massive amounts of headroom along with a detail and clarity.
February 15, 2021
LG True Wireless In-Ears & Meridian Audio
LG TONE Free True Wireless In-Ears feature technology from Meridian Audio, the renowned British audio technology company and LG's trusted partner in delivering superior sound.
January 30, 2021
64 Audio Releases Nio. A Hybrid High-Driver In-Ear Monitor for Audiophiles.
Each ergonomic shell is milled out of a solid piece of aluminum and finished with a striking blue abalone faceplate
January 16, 2021
Direct Personal Monitoring for Vocalists
What if you could hear your vocal feed directly from your microphone?
February 13, 2020
Music Enhancement Explained in Pro Sound News Innovations
Dr. Santucci shares the thought process behind transforming the Sensaphonics 3D Active Ambient system into the 3DME Music Enhancement system.
February 8, 2020
3DME Music Enhancement by ASI Audio x Sensaphonics
Sensaphonics and Think-A-Move combine forces to form ASI Audio, Inc and to introduce 3DME Music Enhancement, a universal-fit IEM system that captures ambient sound with a binaural microphone system embedded in the earphones, sending it to a beltpack mixer that enables custom 7-band EQ and limiting via the ASI Audio smartphone app.
January 7, 2020
Clear Tune Monitors to Launch the CE320 Triple-Driver Earphone at NAMM 2020
CTM incorporates features from their award-nominated premium line at an affordable price point.
December 6, 2019
64 Audio Nominated for the 35th Annual TEC Awards
Nominated in the Headphone/Earpiece Technology Category, the N8 is the result of a close collaboration with Grammy-Nominated Bassist Nathan East.
December 5, 2019
ACS Combines Spatial Awareness with High-Fidelity Sound
Hear your surroundings without affecting sound quality with the new ACS Ambient Series.
December 2, 2019
JH Audio Announces new 7-Pin Cable Design for Upcoming Icon Series
Jimi — the first new IEM in the rock and roll ICON series — is configured with seven balanced armatures and loaded with all of the newest tech, including JH Audio's latest 7-pin cable design and built-in acoustic sound chamber.
November 18, 2019
Here's a simple and professional way to start using in-ear monitors
The Fischer Amps In Ear Stick is an award winning in-ear body pack that delivers big sound while staying lightweight.
November 15, 2019
QDC Announces new IEM for less than $250
This universal in-ear monitor hits the right price point to expand the in-ear market.
November 14, 2019
JH Audio & Astell & Kern Launch the Layla Aion IEM
This is the 3rd generation of an industry classic.
February 14, 2019
64 Audio Launches Limited Edition Fourté Noir Universal In-Ear Monitor
Based upon the foundation of 64 Audio’s acclaimed and award-winning audiophile-grade tia Fourté, the Fourté Noir includes the industry’s first completely tubeless technology taken to the next level with numerous upgrades
October 9, 2019
A New Planar Magnetic In-Ear Monitor from Audeze
The LCD-i3 the successor to the extremely popular iSINE 20 and “little brother” to the LCD-i4.
September 26, 2019
Three more audiologists earn Sensaphonics Gold Circle certification
Sensaphonics Gold Circle Seminar trains musician-specialized audiologists.
September 26, 2019
CTM's Da Vinci X Nominated for NAMM TEC Award
The Da Vinci X is Clear Tune Monitor's flagship universal in-ear monitor.
September 26, 2019
Market Consolidation || Westone Audio Acquired by Lucid Audio
Lucid Audio now holds both Westone & Etymotic
July 12, 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

CTM sound now available in a light, convenient and powerful TWS for only $79.99
Inspired by the idea of taking the brand’s well known professional sound to a more daily lifestyle, Clear Tune Monitors has created a set of True Wireless Earphones delivering excellent sound quality and functionality in a discrete, comfortable, smart package.
October 19, 2020
CJ Eiriksson — Producer, Mixer, and Monitor Engineer for U2 — on working with in-ear monitors
CJ joins Kevin Glendinning from JH Audio to talk about all things IEM-related.
September 29, 2020
Immersive In-Ear Mixing Courses Offered by KLANG
Mike Dias — Executive Director of IEMITO — to be part of KLANG ongoing 'How Do You Immerse' video series.
August 19, 2020
IEMITO Helps Support Touring Professionals
IEMITO worked with The Clinic and PAMA to help organize donations to those of us most significantly affected by the pandemic.
July 26, 2020
Why In-Ear Monitors Are A Vocal Coach's Best Tool
Join RAab Stevenson and Kevin Glendinning from JH Audio as they talk about how in-ears help their clients find their best sound.
June 22, 2020
Understanding Chi-Fi
The Verge just published a fantastic piece titled The Wonderful World of Chinese Hi-Fi. This is a MUST-READ primer for anyone involved in the in-ear manufacturing world.
December 11, 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Sensaphonics Re-Opens post COVID-19
After nearly three months of required closure, all facilities are back in operation, including the Musicians Hearing Clinic and the adjoining manufacturing lab.
June 11, 2020
Remote Parishioner Are Using In-Ears to Better Hear Worship Bands & Services
As streaming services have become the "new normal," CTM sees a major uptick in sales of their CE320 universal earphones.
June 11, 2020
Brad Galvin — monitor mixer for The Lumineers & Steely Dan — on the benefits of IEMS.
Brad has mixed monitors for top touring artists all over the globe including Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. He joins Kevin Glendinning of JH Audio to talk about all things IEMs.
June 9, 2020
Robert Scovill — Senior Specialist for live sound and recording products for Avid Technologies — on IEMS
Robert has won 6 TEC awards for FOH Mixer of the year and 3 Parnelli Awards for FOH Engineering. He joins Kevin Glendinning with JH Audio for a Q&A about in-ears and live sound.
May 26, 2020
FitEar Uses Production Facilities to Manufacture Face Shields
With the pandemic shutting down live concerts and creating global PPE shortfalls, FitEar switches gear.
May 15, 2020
The Chinese Transformation — From Manufacturing to Design & Innovation
Ninety per cent of the world’s headphones are produced in China, 90 per cent of China’s headphones are produced in Guangdong, and 90 per cent of Guangdong’s headphones are made in Dongguan,
September 17, 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Austin Schroeder — winner of the 19th annual Parnelli Award for Monitor Mixer of the Year — on all things IEM
Austin Schroeder joins JH Audio's Ask An Engineer Anything with host Kevin Glendinning.
May 12, 2020
Shure Donates $79,000 Worth Of Earphones To Chicago Public Schools
Shure provides SE215s to students and teachers for online learning during COVID-19 disruptions.
May 11, 2020
Jazmin Moreno Joins 64 Audio as New Chief Marketing Officer
During unprecedented times of a historic slowdown in live sound reinforcement, 64 Audio doubles down on growth plans by announcing the appointment of Jazmin Moreno as Chief Marketing Officer.
May 5, 2020
Shure names the launch of their SE in-ears as one their most important product innovations
As Shure begins to celebrate its 95th anniversary, they put together a list of their most important achievements citing the SM58 and their SE premium in-ears.
April 23, 2020
Dave "Super” Rupsch & Kevin Glendinning to discuss IEMs and engineering
Top industry engineers to talk about In-Ear Monitors and Audio Engineering as part of JH Audio's IEM Q&A Series.
April 14, 2020
The global headphone market will exceed $20 billion in annual revenue by 2023
With such industry-wide growth, how does the in-ear monitor sector stack up and compare to the headphone market at large?
January 23, 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

In-Ear Monitor Manufacturers Support Musicians & Touring Professionals During Pandemic
Each manufacturer has supported the touring community — as well as their individual employees — in so many different ways. This is what resilience looks like!
April 10, 2020
One Last Standing Ovation for the PSNEurope Writers, Editors, and Advertisers
PSNEurope was always a vocal champion for in-ear monitor manufacturers. The writers and editors always featured the latest advancements and innovations. Their coverage throughout the years helped grow the in-ear monitor industry and for that, we are all deeply grateful.
April 3, 2020
GLOBAL RELIEF FUND FOR LIVE MUSIC CREWS
Crew members are the backbone of the live music industry. Live music would not be possible without the countless crew members working behind the scenes. And in these trying times, Live Nation created Crew Nation to disperse payments to touring professionals who are out of work.
April 1, 2020
Listen, Inc. Releases SoundCheck 18 & Supplies a Test Sequence that Applies the Harman Target Curve for IEMs
Use the Harman Target Curve test sequence & SoundCheck 18 to yield the predicted user preference for the device under test.
March 13, 2020
State of the Industry || NAMM In-Ear Monitor Recap
2020 is the year that the line between console manufacturers and personal monitor mixers fades away. The in-ear market has matured and is no longer a niche category.
January 31, 2020
In-Ears, Augmented Reality, and the 80 Billion Dollar Jackpot
There is a massive convergence happening between the hearing aid industry and the audio industry — and in-ears are at the epicenter of this sea change.
January 29, 2020
Minutes from the 1st Annual IEMITO Meeting
For anyone who missed the meeting, here's a full audio transcript of Dr. Santucci talking about dB Check and Andy Bellavia talking about the Hearable Explosion.
January 25, 2020
Bluetooth LE, True Wireless, and the Coming OTC Shake Up
The biggest news coming out of CES is the new Low Complexity Communications Codec (LC3) and LE Audio's support for hearing assisted devices.
January 13, 2020
Collaboration Benefits the Industry — How Growing the Market is Good for Everyone
Join us for the 1st Annual IEMITO meeting. IEMITO founding members will meet at NAMM 2020 during the AES Academy Educational Series.
January 9, 2020
IEM Opportunities in South Korea
Here's why you should be selling in-ears into South Korea.
January 2, 2020
The Hearables Explosion and What It Means for Voice-First
Andrew Bellavia — Director of Market Development for Knowles Corp — recently sat with RedFox AI at The Artificial Podcast to share his expertise on the future of hearables. This is a must-listen for anyone involved with IEMs.
December 18, 2019
Multi-Driver IEM Transducers & Designs
Learn why multiple BA drivers are used in earphones & IEMs and the design considerations that go into creating them.
December 18, 2019
Sound-induced hearing loss is the world’s leading cause of preventable hearing issues
Over a billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of developing hearing loss because they listen to music too long and too loud.
September 26, 2019

IEM INDUSTRY INTERVIEWS

Noble Audio On Time, Effort, and that Magical Touch
Dr. John Moulton (a.k.a. Wizard) talks about the focus and dedication that it takes to build beautiful handcrafted Custom In-Ear Monitors.
May 5, 2020
FitEar's Founder on inspiration and imagination
Retailers often use FitEar products as a benchmark to compare everything else against in terms of build quality. So we asked Keita Suyama — FitEar's Founder — about design and inspiration and the role of the in-ear monitor.
April 23, 2020
Insights Into Sennheiser's IE Pro Series
Jannik Schentek & Tom Vollmers share key thoughts on the making of the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO and IE 500 PRO.
March 11, 2020
Design Philosophy with 64 Audio
Vitaliy Belonozhko — the founder of 64 Audio — on design, inspiration, and balance.
December 20, 2019
The History of In-Ear Monitoring with Andy Shiach from ACS
Andy Shiach — the founder and managing director at ACS — speaks about his early life as a musician and how a studio accident permanently damaged his hearing setting his life on a very different trajectory.
December 3, 2019