IEM Technology

MARKET FOCUS

IN-EAR MONITORS

This month TPi speaks to some of the leading manufacturers of IEMs to talk through some of their latest products and the advantages they bring to those hitting the stage and the crew behind the curtain.

JERRY HARVEY AUDIO

The Roxanne is a 12 driver in-ear monitor, designed with quad low, mid, and quad high balanced armatures. This IEM was designed to provide a realistic but musical sound, with the widest dynamic range and extended headroom of any IEM on the market. The Roxanne cable features a patented 4-pin aluminium locking connector with adjustable bass pod, this gives the user flexibility to vary their bass response from 0dB to +15dB

The Roxanne also features FreqPhase, JH Audio’s patented wave guide

technology, which insures perfect phase and timing across all frequencies. The company recommend Roxanne for any performer on stage, due to its extended headroom and full range. A versatile powerhouse.

Each set of Jerry Harvey Audio IEMs are designed and handcrafted in the United States for your ears and includes a personalised Jerry Harvey Signature Carbon Fiber IEM case.

Since its release in 2013, Roxanne has become one of the most widely used in-ear monitors for professional touring musicians and crew. Artists currently using the Roxanne include: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Smith, alt-J, The xx, Miranda Lambert, Def Leppard, and Sam Hunt.

For more information on the Roxanne and the rest of its products contact an authorised custom IEM company dealer or visit: www.jhaudio.com

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IN EAR MONITORS

ULTIMATE EARS

Ultimate Ears LIVE is the ideal stage performance piece. Perfect for festivals, arenas and stadiums, the company’s flagship custom in-ear monitor uses the brand’s patented hybrid acoustic architecture to offer a perfect solution for touring musicians.

Incorporating the most complex and powerful acoustic systems Ultimate Ears has ever developed, UE LIVE features six balanced armatures, one dynamic driver and the True Tone Plus; an upgraded version of our proprietary True Tone Drivers. Each driver is designed to handle its specific frequency range - giving UE LIVE the purest signal path it has ever created.

UE LIVE IEMs come standard with the upgraded Ultimate Ears Superbax Cable and IPX Connection System - a durable new cable connection system that can withstand the rigors of music touring and minimise the need for service and maintenance.

“Our intention when designing our new flagship model was to create not only the best sound, but also the most reliable monitor possible,” said Philippe Depallens, Vice President and General Manager of Ultimate Ears.

“With UE LIVE, you’re getting our best; pure, raw stage energy. We also needed a sweat-proof and tour-proof cable system, so we co-developed a solution from the ground up with a company that specialises in hearing aid and medical-grade cables. The newly released UE Superbax Cable IPX Connection System was designed to handle everything a musician deals with nightly - sweat, makeup, hairspray, humidity, set up, break down and travel.”

UE LIVE can be found in the ears of musicians and industry professionals including sound engineers for Seal and That’ll Be The Day, the NBC Universal Production team, composer Geoff Westley, Ashley Chappell, Chloe x Halle and Tré Cool of Green Day.

“I have long preferred the sound of the UE range, and the band too have always used them, so it was an obvious move to go with the new UE LIVE for the latest album campaign,” said Dan Ungaretti, Monitor Engineer for Mumford and Sons. “To me, they are simply the best IEM I have ever used - clear and natural, yet powerful at the same time, and they still sound like you are mixing an actual live gig, which I think makes the show enjoyable for the artist and myself too!”

Powerful, clean, crisp and bold, UE LIVE goes all out to make sure you hear everything. It is a perfect balance of detail and musicality. It is our best monitor yet. To demo UE LIVE visit Ultimate Ears UK Dealer Custom IEM company. www.ultimateears.com

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IN EAR MONITORS

EMPIRE EARS

The flagship of the Empire Ears’ X Series, the Legend X takes in-ear monitor performance to the highest possible point. Pushing limits at every turn. The Legend X is a world-class, prestige IEM from a new era of uncompromising design and ground-breaking engineering. Every facet of this IEM has been considered - from its armament of 7 drivers - including twin Weapon IX 9mm subwoofers, to its industry leading, state-of-the-art 10-way synX

Crossover Network. The Legend X is the culmination of everything the company strive for. Energetic and addicting, the smooth treble rides across a deep-reaching, impactful low end. Top-tier transparency and separation dance across one of the largest and most three-dimensional sound stages in the market.

Emprire Ears are made up of a group of ambitious engineers, musicians, and audiophiles. With over 30 years experience in acoustic engineering and manufacturing, spanning the medical, professional, and consumer markets. The team has the in-depth knowledge and vision to bring you revolutionary in-ear monitors like the award-winning Zeus in 2015 and now the Legend X. Renowned users of the brand include Teyana Taylor, Future and Flo Rida. www.empireears.com

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IN EAR MONITORS

SENSAPHONICS

3D AARO is a state of the art IEM system with patented Active Ambient technology, providing the ability to capture natural ambience and add it to the monitor mix. The system consists of custom ambient earphones and a compact bodypack mixer. Soft silicone earpieces each contain a full-range condenser microphone, creating a binaural pickup system to capture ambient sound with accurate 3D directionality.

Operationally, the binaural (stereo) audio from the microphones is routed to the bodypack mixer, where the user adds it to the monitor mix (typically from a wireless bodypack receiver) as desired, using an 8-step rotary knob. Advanced electronics ensure distortion-free pickup of sound up to 140dB with zero added latency. 3D AARO allows users to hear stage ambience and interact with band mates and the audience, eliminating the issue of being too isolated.

High profile users of 3D AARO include such artists as Radiohead, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Dave Matthews Band, Tal Wilkenfeld, and JAY-Z. This is particularly noteworthy because all were direct artist purchases, as Sensaphonics does not offer “free gear” endorsements.

3D AARO uses proprietary full-range drivers, designed to deliver accurate, studio reference sound quality with no crossover distortion. The system is offered in single and dual-driver configurations, and is also available with universal-fit ambient earphones (3D-U AARO).

Additional features include Full Ambient mode, Bass Boost, a switchable limiter, and a Record Out function. Full Ambient mode delivers the ambient signal at full volume (unity gain) while ducking the monitor mix level for easy communication with band mates and audience interaction, all at the flick of a toggle switch. The bodypack also sports a stereo output for the ambience microphones, making it easy to record a performance

or rehearsal. Internal switches provide access to a +6 dB Bass Boost function and a limiter that provides protection from transients and extreme dynamics.

Sensaphonics is dedicated to helping musicians and engineers to preserve their hearing for longer, healthier careers. Our custom-fit earpieces use soft silicone that flexes with the ear canal, maintaining its seal with maximum isolation and longwearing comfort. This isolation effectively reduces the noise floor, so the monitor mix is heard more clearly at lower volume levels, promoting safer listening.

Sensaphonics is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its products are available through an extensive network of audiologists trained in working with musicians. www.sensaphonics.com

64 AUDIO

Building off 64 Audio’s popular 4-driver design, the A4t is the entry into company’s proprietary tia technology, delivering exceptionally lifelike clarity and musicality. Its balanced sound signature makes it the perfect fit for just about any genre as well for engineers, musicians, and performers alike, making it an ideal addition to plays, concerts and other events where the importance of having everyone utilise the same manufacturer’s

product is vital for consistency throughout the production. Currently, multiple A4t IEMs and other 64 Audio IEMs are being used on GRAMMY Award winning recording artist Lauren Daigle’s 60-city Look Up Child tour. The A4t delivers an immersive listening experience with a lively mid-range and powerful bass. Its sound signature is balanced and neutral, shining forth with a new level of clarity thanks to the tia driver and the tia singlebore that aids in removing unwanted resonance and distortion. Also featured in the A4t is apex, a pneumatically-interactive vent that relieves fatigue-causing sound pressure inherent in other earphone designs. Also featured is LID technology, ensuring the A4t maintains its sound signature regardless of the source - perfect for musicians and music lovers plugging into a variety of equipment, and 3D Fit, 64 Audio’s proprietary 3D printing process that results in a personalised fit not found in any other IEM. The A4t includes four precision balanced armature drivers (transducer configuration: 1 tia high, 1 hi-mid, 1 low-mid, 1 low), a frequency response of 16Hz – 20kHz, 111dB/mW sensitivity, an integrated 4-way passive crossover, and isolation of -20dB w/ m20 module, -15dB w/ m15 module. Like all 64 Audio custom IEMs, the A4t monitors are customisable and are hand built from the customer’s uniquely shaped ear impressions. They are inherently noise isolating and are designed to work with all hard-wired and wireless monitor systems. www.64audio.com

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IN EAR MONITORS

WESTONE

Westone has been working with ears since 1959, and has been using its knowledge in the hearing healthcare industry, combined with the passion for music from the Cartwright brothers to create the best sounding, most comfortable earphones in the market today.

The ES60 is the brainchild of Master Designer Karl Cartwright, who sought to create the best performing and most comfortable custom earpiece for professional musicians and music enthusiast alike. The ES60 has been Westone’s flagship for the past five years and there is a reason it hasn’t been bummed from the top of the list.

The Westone ES60 is the ultimate custom in-ear monitor, handcrafted with six balanced armature drivers in each earphone and a multistage crossover design that yields unrivaled sonic purity. The ES60 represents the culmination of everything Westone and the Cartwright’s have learned about in-ear monitor technology since they brought the first custom monitors to market in 1996. Designed for the professional musician or music enthusiast, the Westone proprietary flex-canal gives the user the most comfortable in-ear monitor on the market today.

Many performing musicians choose to have the ES60 in their ears while performing on stage. Today bands relying on the ES60s in their performances range from American rock band, Styx, to members of the Dancing with the Stars TV show in-house band. The ES60 is perfect for on stage and studio use, serious listening, and for anyone wanting the best sound and fit out of an earpiece.

Westone ES60 custom-moulded six-driver earphones features:

• Custom-moulded six-driver earphones for career musicians and serious audiophiles.

• Custom-fit specifically to the contour users ears for maximum comfort.

• Flex Canal tips are easy to insert and conform to your ear canal

• Durable cold-pour acrylic housings block out up to 25dB of noise.

• Six compact balanced-armature drivers deliver unrivaled acoustic definition.

• Dual Bore design isolates low and high-frequencies for maximum clarity.

• High-flexibility, field-replaceable EPIC cable reinforced with aramid fibre.

• Order the exact color configuration, cable, and accessories. www.westone.com

HÖRLUCHS

THE FAVOURITE OF THE PROS The series HL5 impresses with top technology, perfect sound and above all by the individual customisation. Due to the compact design of the Hörluchs Smart Surface, the earphone sits discreetly and inconspicuously in the ear and is therefore very popular with stage musicians. These in-ears are the main product for professionals and for absolute sound lovers.

The one, two, three, or four-way systems offer a high-resolution sound for the individual requirement - bass boost or balanced sound, everything is possible. Additionally available are various cable variants, many colours and exchangeable filters for cerumen protection.

Each ear canal is different and each shape has a different effect on the sound that reaches the eardrum. That‘s why tailor-made and custom-made IEMs are among Hörluchs top sellers. Whether professional musicians on stage, the gamer on his computer, technicians at concerts or lovers of the home hi-fi system: The perfect sound experience arises when the individual taste in individually shaped ear is hit by the sound out of individually crafted in-ears.

DEFINED POSITIONING What it is that gives Hörluchs in-ear monitoring that perfectly clear sound? Defined positioning: an entirely new approach to the positioning of highend components. As specialists in the installation of premium electronics in ear-moulds, its audiologists have succeeded in positioning, fixing and firmly anchoring all electronic components in a defined manner using the latest 3D-laser manufacturing techniques. Vibrations, spurious resonances or disturbing artefacts which can cause light hissing if positioning is not defined, have therefore become passé. Not to be beaten in terms of sound engineering: the Hörluchs in-ear monitors. www.hoerluchs.com

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