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Best IEMs for Musicians — hifisoundgear
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IEMs for Musicians

64 audio a18t black iem on a wooden table

IEMs for Musicians would have never been a thing if only Stephen Ambrose's dad let him play guitar and sing country freely at home. Forbidden from playing guitar or singing country music, Ambrose sought to create a personal listening device to hear himself while playing the guitar at lower volumes - the in-ear monitor, as we know it, was born.

In-ear monitors have since become a must-have for musicians. These small and portable sound monitoring devices give performers and sound engineers the ability to monitor on-stage instruments without subjecting their ears to abuse at live events.

Concerts, shows, and other music events can get very loud quickly. IEMs provide adequate sound isolation from high volumes produced by large speakers, so musicians can listen to their voices or instruments and get a clear idea of how they sound on stage.

A high-quality IEM is something that many serious musicians should add to their arsenal. Whether you're performing in small pubs or large arenas, a good in-ear monitor can give you comfort, fit, and sound that can elevate your on-stage performance.

We know what musicians need from an IEM. Whether you're a vocalist, guitarist, drummer, or bassist, we have featured the best IEMs for musicians, so you can get the best sound, fit, and noise isolation for your next gig.

What do musicians need from an in-ear monitor?

Musicians spend most of their time rehearsing in the studio or performing on stage, so an IEM that’s comfortable and can provide great sound isolation will be at the top of any musician’s list. There are two types to choose from - Universal IEMs and Custom IEMs. 

A universal IEM is a great option for studio use and for smaller events where you won’t need absolute noise isolation. Universal IEMs are built to fit as many ear types as possible, so fit and noise isolation won’t be perfect, but it will be good enough in most cases. Universal in-ear monitors sound as good as customs and are cheaper as well. 

And then we have custom IEMs. Custom IEMs are custom-built to the exact shape of a musician’s ear. The result is a perfect fit and, by extension, comfort. Sound is better than universal in-ear monitors because of the superior noise isolation. 

In terms of durability, Universal in-ear monitors have great build quality and good after-sales support, but custom in-ear monitors are a step above in build quality. Custom in-ear monitors are built with the kind of precision and care you won’t get with universal IEMs. CIEMs are built to withstand hours of abuse on stage, so you can expect them to last.

While we are on the topic of custom-IEMs, check out our top picks for the best Custom-molded IEMs for musicians below.

Get the best on-stage comfort with Custom-Molded IEMs

manuel-turizo-wearing-an-iem-left-side-view

Any serious performing musician will want the best fit, comfort, and sound from their in-ear monitors. And for that, the best choice is a custom-molded IEM.

Custom-molded IEMs are the last word in terms of comfort and fit. These custom-molded IEMs are made to the exact shape, size, and dimensions of your ears, making them comfortable for extended listening sessions. You also get improved sound, thanks to the enhanced noise isolation.

The only downside of a CIEM is the price. Most custom-IEM manufacturers will put a premium on these custom-made in-ear monitors, making them significantly more expensive than universal options. Still, what you're getting for your money is enhanced comfort, sound, and build quality that you can rely on.

At HiFiSoundGear, getting Custom IEMs has never been easier. Just choose your preferred CIEM, proceed through checkout, and we'll reach out to you with instructions on choosing your custom options. We'll even help find audiologists near you so you can get your impressions done as soon as possible.

Click the button below to explore the wide range of Custom IEMs from HiFiSoundGear. Proceed to checkout with your preferred CIEM model, and we'll handle the rest.

HiFiSoundGear Recommended IEMs for Musicians

64Audio A6t, A12t, A18t, and A18s

64 audio a6t front view orange faceplate

64Audio A6t

Price: $1,299.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription

VIEW 64AUDIO A6t
64audio a12t front view wood faceplate

64audio A12t

Price: $1,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription

VIEW 64AUDIO A12t
64 audio a18t front view carbon fiber faceplate

64Audio A18t

Price: $2,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription

VIEW 64AUDIO A18t
64 audio a18s front view pearl face plate

64Audio A18s

Price: $2,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription

VIEW 64AUDIO A18s

Legendary sound from 64Audio

64Audio's A-series in-ear monitors are some of the best custom IEMs you can get for personal or professional use. Artists such as Alicia Keys, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, and U2 trust 64Audio's IEMs, and you probably should, too.

64Audio's A6t, A12t, A18t, and A18s in-ear monitors are some of the best custom IEMs you can get right now. All four IEMs are custom-made to fit your exact ear dimensions but each model feature unique driver setups and sound characteristics to suit your sonic preferences.

No matter the model you go for, you can expect to get top-tier fit, comfort, build quality and sound that you can depend on at home, in the studio, or on-stage.

Best In-Ear Monitor for Musicians

64Audio Aspire 4 IEM

64 audio aspire 4 iem front view

Price: $899.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Best-in-class sound and ergonomics for musicians and live music professionals

The Aspire 4 IEM is the newest in-ear monitor from 64Audio, featuring a brand-new shell and nozzle design, comfort-enhancing technologies like Apex Core, and an updated cable and connector.

Driving the Aspire 4's sound is a quad-driver setup consisting of a single 9mm dynamic driver and three Balanced Armatures. The highlight of the Aspire 4's sound package is waveguide technology, which helps the Balanced Armature drivers deliver pure sound directly to your ears. The result is a big powerful sound while retaining wonderful clarity and precision.

New for the Aspire 4 is an all-black molded ABS shell mated with a stainless steel nozzle. The ABS shells feature 64Audio's Apex Core technology for unmatched in-ear comfort, while the nozzle flange design and mesh grill guarantee the Aspire 4 stays in your ears even as the action heats up.

Lastly, the 64Audio Aspire 4 features an updated IPX cable connector for improved reliability and connection quality. Never worry about debris or sweat getting into the connectors ever again.

Aspire 4 IEM is a solid IEM for musicians or audio professionals looking for an IEM with a comfortable generic shape for general audio monitoring work.

64 audio aspire 4 iem box and accessories top view
Pros
  • Powerful sound with best-in-class clarity.
  • Lightweight and robust ABS shell with stainless steel nozzles.
  • Improved cable connector implementation (IPX vs 2-pin)
  • Plenty of accessories in the box.
  • Great price-to-performance.
Cons
  • Bland aesthetics.

Best In-Ear Monitor for Musicians - Vocalists

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII IEM front view no cable

Price: $999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Great midrange tuning to bring out powerful vocal performance.

Musicians will want an IEM that pushes their instruments to the forefront so they can hear themselves more easily on stage. For vocalists, an IEM that sounds clear and produces an accurate rendition of voices is the one to have. For that, we recommend the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII. 

The Monarch MKII is one of the best in its class - a great in-ear monitor for vocalists seeking a faithful reproduction of their voice and its nuances on stage.

With the Monarch MKII, you get a mid-range focused tuning that brings male and female vocals to the front of the mix. Vocals on the MKII are well extended on both ends, meaning male vocals get that thick and weighty sound, while female voices get a great extension at the top end.

Instruments like guitars, drums, and keyboards sound accurate and clear on the MKII as well, allowing you to hear other performers on stage with outsanding clarity.

Whether you’re using it to perform on stage or for listening to music or games, you can’t go wrong with the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII.

thieaudio monarch mkii iem top view with coiled cables
Pros
  • Outstanding resolution and details.
  • Mid-range clarity is phenomenal.
  • Interchangeable cable terminations.
  • Affordable for a top-of-the-line IEM.
Cons
  • Shell is on the bigger side.

Best IEM for Musicians - Guitarists

64AUDIO U12t

64Audio U12t IEM front view no cables

Price: $1,599.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Hear every bit of detail with great clarity.

Guitarists need an IEM that not only sounds good but has a natural and accurate timbre as well. For that, we recommend the 64Audio U12t. 

The U12t exhibits excellent bass response, mid-range clarity, and treble extension. The result is a sound that gives electric and acoustic guitars energy, clarity, and tone. Its impressive resolution can bring out micro details like finger slides, taps, and guitar plucks, giving guitarists a clear picture of sounds they're putting out on stage.

Comfort is also a highlight of the U12t. Its small, lightweight shell will fit just about any ear, and the swappable Apex Modules can prevent pressure buildup in your eardrums from long hours of use.

The 64Audio U12t is an all-around IEM for listening to music. Its top-tier build quality, comfort, and sound make it a reliable on-stage workhorse for professional guitarists. 

64Audio U12t IEM back view no cables
Pros
  • Top-tier resolution and details.
  • Smooth tuning profile.
  • Small shells offer a great fit.
Cons
  • Expensive.

Best In-Ear Monitor for Bassists

Noble Audio Ronin

Noble Audio Ronin IEM front view no cables

Price: $3,900.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Exceptional speed and resolution for a detailed listening experience.

The Ronin is a neutral-sounding IEM from Noble Audio. A quick look at the frequency response graph of the Ronin, and you’ll see an almost flat line between the bass and the mid frequencies. The result is a studio reference sound with top-tier detail and clarity for bass guitars. 

An IEM with a well-balanced tuning profile can help bassists hear their instrument more clearly from the rest of the mix. Notes sound natural and detailed, and nuances like slaps, taps, and slides sound clear and accurate. This analytical tuning gives bassists the feedback they need to produce the type of sound they want on stage.

Comfort and durability are high points for the Ronin as well. The Ronin's shell consists of two fused resin shells sealed with clearcoat, which means sweat, dust, and other contaminants are non-issues. Its shell, although a bit on the larger side, is comfortable to wear for hours.

Overall, the Noble Ronin IEM is an excellent choice for any bass guitarist looking for an IEM that can reproduce their instrument sound clearly and with great detail.

Noble Audio Ronin IEM rear bottom view
Pros
  • Linear tuning offers a balanced sound signature.
  • Good bass quality and quantity for a BA set.
  • Great aesthetics.
Cons
  • Eye-watering price tag.

Best IEM for Drummers

64Audio A18t

64Audio A18t IEM front view with cables

Price: $2,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Powerful, tight, and impactful bass response.

Drummers will move their heads a lot while playing the drums, so we put fit and comfort as our top priorities for this next pick. 

There’s just no going around it - a custom-molded option is the only way to get the best fit, comfort, and durability from an IEM. With that in mind, we chose the 64Audio A18t as our recommendation for the IEM to get for drummers. 

The A18t is a high-end custom in-ear monitor with top-tier resolution, tuning, soundstage, and imaging. Everything about the A18t screams quality - from its custom-molded shells to its impeccable sound quality. And because the A18t is custom-made to fit a musician’s exact ear shape, fit and comfort are top-notch.

Drummers can bank on the A18t for the ultimate fit and sound, even as the action heats up on stage. 

64Audio A18t IEM box contents top view
Pros
  • 18-driver monstrosity delivers top-tier resolution, details, soundstage, and imaging.
  • Great fit. (custom-molded)
  • Apex Modules offer enhanced comfort.
Cons
  • Long wait time. (custom-built)
  • High price.

Best In-Ear Monitor for Keyboardists

64Audio Volür

64Audio Volur IEM front view with cable

Price: $1,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Bassy tuning gives body and weight to every sound.

Keyboardists are more than just pianists - their instruments cover a variety of sounds such as bass beats, stringed instruments, and even electronic sound effects.

An IEM that can reproduce the entire frequency range with accuracy and detail is the in-ear monitor to get for these musicians - one of the best for the job is the 64Audio Volür.

The Volür is 64Audio's newest in-ear monitor and the first one to feature two dynamic drivers. The Volür's dynamic drivers are configured in 64Audio's isobaric setup that promises improved bass response. The result is deep rumbling bass that's punchy and powerful.

While the bass is the highlight of the Volür, it handles all the other frequencies equally well, thanks to the well-tuned mid-range Balanced Armatures and Tia tweeter driver. This multi-driver setup delivers a clear and accurate midrange and has great extension without sounding shrill or thin.

The 64Audio Volür's high-quality build and comfortable fit make it a great choice for professional keyboardists and other musicians as well.

64Audio Volur IEM front view no cables
Pros
  • Outstanding bass performance.
  • Great resolution, soundstage, and imaging.
  • Beautiful faceplate design.
  • Top-notch build-quality.
Cons
  • High price.

Best IEM for Stringed Instrument Musicians

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII IEM front view no cables

Price: $999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Faithful sound reproduction in a fun and musical package.

Stringed instruments cover the entire frequency range from the bass to the upper mids and treble.

An IEM that can reproduce sounds between these regions can help instrumentalists hear every note with clarity and detail.

The Monarch MKII handles stringed instruments well, never sounding harsh or fatiguing at the top end while keeping a thick and weighty sound at the bottom. The result is a full-sounding IEM that delivers a musical yet detailed sound - great for Violins, Cello, Double Bass, and guitars.

Fit is going to be a point of contention here. The THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII's shells are pretty big and might pose fitment issues for musicians with smaller ears. Changing ear tips to find the best fit and isolation is a must.

Fit aside, you won't find a better IEM in the same price range than the Monarch MKIII. If you want a musical yet analytical sound with great resolution, the Monarch MKIII is the IEM to get.

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII IEM front and rear view with stamp
Pros
  • Superb clarity.
  • Accurate sound reproduction on all frequencies.
  • Top-of the line sound without the premium price tag.
Cons
  • Large shell might not fit everyone.
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