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Best IEMs for Sound Engineers — hifisoundgear
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IEMs for Sound Engineers

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    Noble Audio Noble Audio Jade IEM
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    Experience Harmonious Detailed Sound Like Never Before with the Noble Audio Jade Turn your listening sessions into an immersive ...

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Finding the right IEMs for sound engineers is essential - good in-ear monitors give sound engineers the ability to monitor sound sources with great clarity and detail, allowing them to seamlessly enhance and mix sounds into a cohesive and engaging aural package. 

Our collection of the best IEMs for Sound Engineers features the best IEMs you can buy for audio scrutineering work. Browse through our selection of premium in-ear monitors from 64Audio, Empire Ears, and THIEAUDIO, and buy the best IEM for your sound mixing needs. 

What are sound engineers and what do they need from in-ear monitors?

Sound engineers produce, mix, and enhance sounds for TV shows, movies, live concerts, video games, and your favorite pop songs, to name just a few.

All those impactful sound effects you hear from your favorite video games? You can thank sound engineers for that. Hearing instruments moving from left to right or front to back on your favorite rock song? You can bet the sound engineers had a hand in creating those, too. 

Sound engineers combine their understanding of the human ear and how humans perceive sounds with their masterful ability to adjust sound levels from multiple sounds to create an impactful, engaging, and satisfying overall listening experience. 

To do that, sound engineers need an in-ear monitor that produces a clear and detailed sound and one that’s tuned to present bass, midrange, and treble frequencies as flat and balanced as possible. Accurate soundstage and imaging performance is a consideration as well, as these two factors play an important role in how sounds are perceived within a sound plane.

The IEMs featured in this collection boast impressive resolution, detail retrieval, and tuning - all great options for sound engineers. 

Get the best onstage comfort with Custom-Molded IEMs

64 audio a12t iem front view black face plate purple flames background

Custom-molded in-ear monitors offer an unbeatable combination of sound, comfort, and durability, making them a great choice for professional audio work.

Built using an accurate impression of your ear’s unique anatomy, custom-molded IEMs offer a glove-like fit that disappears in your ear, resulting in comfort and fit you won’t get with universal in-ear monitors. Sound is improved as well, thanks to the superior fit and noise isolation, and durability is a step above due to more stringent quality control. 

Premium features come at a premium price, so expect to pay extra for custom-molded in-ear monitors. When it is all said and done, custom in-ear monitors will be well worth your money, as you’re getting unbeatable quality, sound, and comfort by going with custom-molded IEM. 

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 Sound Engineers

64Audio A12t, A18s, A18t, and U18t IEM

64 audio a12t IEM front view with cables

64Audio A12t IEM

Price: $1,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription

VIEW 64AUDIO A12t IEM
64 audio a12t IEM front view with cables

64Audio A18s

Price: $2,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription

VIEW 64AUDIO A18s IEM
64 audio a18t IEM front view with cables

64Audio A18t

Price: $2,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription

VIEW 64AUDIO A18t IEM
64 audio u18t IEM front view with cables

64Audio U18t

Price: $2,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription

VIEW 64AUDIO U18t IEM

Get accurate sound with 64Audio IEMs

64Audio's A and U-series in-ear monitors are exceptional IEMs for personal or professional use. The 64Audio A12t, A18s, A18t, and U18t in-ear monitors offer a warm-neutral reference tuning that works great for music, TV, radio, and film audio work. With the A and U-Series IEMs, you get exceptional soundstage, resolution, and pinpoint imaging - powerful tools that can help elevate your audio mixing experience.

The A and U-series comfort and fit are top-tier. Built from high-quality custom-molded acrylic shells, the A12t, A18s, and A18t offer exceptional fit, noise isolation, and sound in a durable and comfortable package. The U18t's robust aluminum build offers great durability and comfort bolstered by 64Audio's tried-and-true Apex Modules.

Get top-tier fit, comfort, build quality, and sound that you can depend on at home, in the studio, or onstage with 64Audio IEMs.

Best Overall In-Ear Monitor for Sound Engineers

64Audio A18t IEM

64 Audio A18t IEM front view with cables

Price: $2,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Top-tier sound, build, and comfort for the ultimate audio mixing experience.

The 64Audio A18t IEM delivers top-of-the-line sound and comfort - perfect for sound engineers looking for a reliable and capable in-ear monitor for live or studio use. 

The A18t is an 18-driver IEM that employs Balanced Armature drivers to produce bass, midrange, and treble frequencies. The highlight of the A18t’s driver package is its 4-way passive crossover, which brings all of the A18t’s drivers together to produce a cohesive sound. 

Soundwise, the A18t delivers an impressive combination of resolution, detail, and soundstage with an accurate and realistic presentation. The A18t’s most outstanding trait is its ability to split different sound sources and give them their space in the sound plane. This quality is particularly great for sound design, as an IEM that can produce detailed sound from every instrument or sound effect can help sound engineers mix tracks with greater precision. 

Comfort is top-notch with the A18t, thanks to its 3D-printed shells and Apex Modules. Because the A18t is built according to your ear’s dimensions, you can expect great fit, and, by extension, good noise isolation - perfect for sound monitoring at live events or the studio. 

64Audio A18t box and accessories
Pros
  • Top-tier resolution and detail retrieval.
  • Natural tone and timbre.
  • Eye-opening instrument/sound separation.
  • Massive soundstage with accurate positioning.
Cons
  • High price tag.

Best In-Ear Monitor for Audio Engineers (Film)

64Audio U12t IEM

64 audio u12t iem front view with cables

Price: $1,599.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Warm-neutral tuning offers an accurate yet enjoyable sound presentation.

The 64Audio U12t is one of the most popular top-of-the-line IEMs today. Many audiophiles praise the U12t for its ability to produce a studio-reference sound while delivering an enjoyable experience for casual listening sessions. 

Populating the U12t shells are twelve Balanced Armature drivers per side - one Tia high driver for the treble, one for the high-mid, six for the mids, and four for the bass frequencies. All twelve drivers are tuned to produce a bassy-neutral sound with impressive clarity, detail, and soundstage. 

Bass is the U12t best quality. The generous sub-bass extension produces deep rumble in bass-heavy tracks, but there's enough boost in the mid-bass frequencies to add a satisfying punch to percussion instruments like kick drums.

The mids on the U12t are a bit recessed relative to the well-extended bass, but the tuning here delivers accurate tone and impressive clarity and detail to every sound.

The treble on the U12t is equally impressive - capable of producing a sparkly and clear sound that extends well into the highest frequencies - all without any hint of distortion or sharpness. 

Soundstage and imaging capabilities are top-notch on the U12t as well. Hear sounds from every direction with impressive positional accuracy, so you get a good sense of where the sounds are within the sound plane. 

Comfort is another high point for the U12t. The U12t features a high-quality ergonomic aluminum shell design with a brushed aluminum faceplate. The overall build is robust yet lightweight, and the Apex Modules improve comfort by venting out extra air to prevent pressure buildup in your eardrums. 

Overall, the 64Audio U12t offers a fun yet accurate sound coupled with an impressively expansive soundstage and pinpoint imaging that will work great for music, TV, or film audio mixing.

64 audio u12t iem box and accessories exploded view
Pros
  • Impressive bass presentation.
  • Accurate tone and timbre with good detail and clarity.
  • Robust aluminum shells.
  • Comfortable ergonomic shell design.
Cons
  • Industrial look might not appeal to everyone.

Best IEM for Live Sound Engineers

64Audio A12t IEM

64 audio a12t iem front view with cables

Price: $1,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Glove-like fit and top-tier sound for effortless live mixing performance.

Sound engineers working in live environments will want good noise isolation and comfort from their in-ear monitors.

A custom-molded in-ear, like the 64Audio A12t, will work wonders for live sound monitoring and mixing duties. 

The A12t is a 12-driver hybrid custom IEM tuned to produce a warm-neutral sound.

The bass on the A12t is its strongest trait - there’s a lot of energy behind every bass note, but there’s enough speed to give low frequencies texture and detail. 

The midrange and treble on the A12t are tuned to sound as neutral as possible, so they’re pushed back a bit from the mix due to the elevated low-end frequencies.

Despite the recessed presentation, the mids and treble exhibit just the right amount of presence, layering, and separation you would expect from a high-end CIEM.

Detail retrieval is on another level on the A12t - something sound engineers will find very useful for audio mixing work. The A12t's impressive resolution and detail retrieval reveals nuances in tracks you would otherwise miss in less capable IEMs. 

In terms of comfort and fit, the 64Audio A12t shells are molded using 64Audio’s 3D printing technology, which promises more accurate shell shapes than competing solutions. The result is a custom-molded IEM with outstanding noise isolation and great fit that's great for audio work out in the field or in the studio. 

64 audio a12t iem box and accessories
Pros
  • Top-of-the-line bass response.
  • Ultra-detailed and smooth midrange and treble.
  • Comfortable custom-molded acrylic shells.
Cons
  • Expensive.

Best IEM for Studio Sound Engineers

Empire Ears ESR MKII IEM

Empire Ears ESR MKII iem front view with cables

Price: $1,099.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Crystal clear resolution and flat, reference tuning deliver a clean professional sound.

The Empire Ears ESR MKII is Empire Ears’ flattest-sounding in-ear monitor, boasting phenomenal sound accuracy, resolution, and detail retrieval very few IEMs in the same price point can match. 

The ESR MKII is a 5-driver hybrid IEM tuned to deliver balanced, reference sound for professional audio mixing work. Three Balanced Armature drivers drive the bass, midrange, and treble, while two electrostatic drivers handle the high and ultra high frequencies. 

Starting with the bass frequencies, the ESR MKII delivers a precise, accurate, and tight-sounding bass response that aligns with the model’s goal of delivering a neutral sound. There’s enough sub-bass to keep things interesting in the low end, but you also get enough weight in the mid-bass area to give vocals and instruments a satisfyingly realistic presentation. 

As you would expect from a neutral-sounding IEM, the ESR MKII’s midrange sounds accurate and true-to-life. Male vocals are presented with good body and authority, while female vocals sound full-bodied and extend effortlessly towards the higher frequencies. 

The treble on the ESR MKII is one of its strong points. The electrostatic drivers provide effortless extension into the highest frequencies without any hint of distortion or sharpness. Notes in the higher frequencies sound clear and well-separated with a good amount of clarity and sparkle. 

Like its sound signature, the ESR MKII’s soundstage and imaging are tuned to sound as true-to-life and accurate as possible. The ESR MKII’s soundstage isn’t grand, but it depicts a realistic studio-like presentation where instruments are presented in front of you. Great imaging gives instruments and vocals pinpoint positioning, so you get a good idea of where each musician is standing in the mix. 

Overall, the ESR MKII’s flat-tuning, great resolution, accurate soundstage, and good comfort make it a great choice for sound engineers on studio duty. 

empire ears esr mkii iem back connector nozzle view
Pros
  • Analytical, flat tuning profile offers great clarity and details.
  • Great tonality despite the flat sound signature.
  • High-quality build.
Cons
  • Bass-light presentation will sound boring for some.

Most Comfortable IEM for Sound Engineers

FiR/Bellos Audio X-Series IEM

fir bellos audio x-series iem front view no cables

Price: from $499.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Comfort-focused tech and high-quality build for a fit that disappears in your ears.

To get the best comfort onstage or in the studio, sound engineers will want a custom-molded IEM, and one of the most comfortable in-ears in the market right now is the FiR/Bellos Audio X-Series IEM. 

The FiR/Bellos X-Series IEM offers a combination of fit, comfort, and sound at an affordable price. 

Spearheading the X-Series push for comfort is their In-Air Canals technology, which features a shortened nozzle design for a more comfortable fit. There’s also the precise 3D-printed matte shell design, which offers great looks and comfort. ATOM Venting vents extra air in your ear canals for improved in-ear comfort while expanding the soundstage.

Comfort isn’t the only thing the Bellos X-Series has going for it - it also delivers exceptional sound perfect for onstage or studio use. 

The FiR/Bellos X-Series is tuned to deliver a warm-neutral tonality with slightly relaxed lows, clean and balanced mids, and smooth highs. 

The bass on the FiR/Bellos X-Series sounds organic and natural.There’s good separation between sub-bass and mid-bass frequencies, so bass notes get good texture and detail.

The mids on the Bellos X-Series are well-balanced with a slight tinge of warmth to give vocals and instruments a full-bodied sound.

The Bellos X-Series' treble provides good energy, detail, and air, but it is also tuned to sound as balanced as possible - free from any peaks or unevenness, which leads to a smooth, non-fatiguing sound. 

Comfort is the Bellos X-Series' best quality, but it also delivers a well-tuned studio-reference sound engineers will find great for audio work out in the field or in the studio. 

fir bellos audio x-series iem hanging with cables
Pros
  • Warm-neutral tuning offer a smooth listening experience.
  • Impressively comfortable thanks to In-Air Canals, ATOM, and matte-finish shells.
  • Good price-to-performance.
  • Fast build time.
Cons
  • Proprietary connector limits cable options.

Best In-Ear Monitor for Live Sound Mixing (DJ)

64Audio U18t

64Audio A3t front view with cables

Price: $2,999.00

*comes with 1-Month TIDAL HiFi Plus Subscription*

Analytical set delivers ultra-clean sound for live audio mixing.

DJs rely on great sound from their audio monitoring equipment to get a good idea of the sound they’re pumping out at events. To get the best audio monitoring experience, DJs will want an in-ear monitor that can block off as much noise as possible while delivering a clear and detailed sound. The 64Audio U18t will fill this role effortlessly.

64Audio’s flagship Universal IEM features 18 balanced armature drivers per ear, Apex Module technology, and high-quality aluminum shells - a combination of sound, comfort, and build quality perfect for live mixing duties. 

The U18t delivers a warm-neutral tuning with elevated sub-bass, balanced mids, and elevated upper mids/treble. The overall sound of the U18t is a slightly bass-emphasized, yet still very neutral sound with an astonishing amount of detail and clarity. The U18t sounds intense and engaging, but great tuning from 64Audio ensures you don’t hear any unnecessary sharpness from your favorite music. 

Another great thing about the U18t is its ability to separate sounds in a mix effortlessly. The U18t’s speed and clarity give every instrument space in the sound plane, so the music never sounds congested when tracks get busy. 

Moving on to fit and comfort, the 64Audio U18t offers good levels of comfort, fit, and noise isolation. Noise isolation suffers a bit due to the air venting design, but you get great in-ear comfort thanks to the reduced ear canal pressure afforded by the Apex Modules. 

DJs will find the 64Audio U18t’s great sound, and comfort, and looks great for live mixing sessions onstage, in the club, at home, or in the studio. 

64 audio u18t iem box and accessories
Pros
  • Endgame resolution and detail retrieval.
  • Impressive instrument separation and soundstage.
  • High quality aluminum build.
  • Apex Modules improve comfort.
Cons
  • There might be too much energy in the upper treble for some.
  • Noise isolation is not the best due to the Apex Modules.