Some of you may be aware of my street musician recording project. The kit
bag is loaded up with a recorder, mic, batteries, and headphones. There's no
space left. I'd like to reclaim a few ounces and cubic inches by
substituting in-ear phones, if possible.

The phones are used to monitor while recording. Requirements for fidelity
are perhaps not so extreme as for audiophile reproduction, but isolation
from outside noise is. Otherwise, leakage of direct sound from the
performers makes it very difficult to tell what the "mix" sounds like.

Some in-ear phones are actually supposed to have superior low frequency
isolation to the best over-the-ear models. They come in varying price
ranges. Since I have no idea whether I could adapt and feel comfortable with
these things, which amount to earplugs, I'm not keen to spend a huge amount
of money unless necessary.

In the very expensive and reputable category, we have the Shures:
http://www.shurestore.com/earphones/index.html

and, of course, the Etymotics http://www.etymotic.com/

The Sonys are quite a bit cheaper:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...d&De pt=audio

as are the Panasonics, at $20

The Sennheisers are pretty cheap too:
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...-series_500830
at around $52.


The street price range on the above three ranges from $20 for a low end
Panasonic to $300 for a high end Shure. Given that my recording setup really
has only one adjustment, mike position, perhaps I don't need mastering
quality?

Your opinions are appreciated. Any favorites? Any surprises? Anything to be
avoided?

"Robert Morein" wrote in message


Some of you may be aware of my street musician recording
project. The kit bag is loaded up with a recorder, mic,
batteries, and headphones. There's no space left. I'd
like to reclaim a few ounces and cubic inches by
substituting in-ear phones, if possible.

The phones are used to monitor while recording.
Requirements for fidelity are perhaps not so extreme as
for audiophile reproduction, but isolation from outside
noise is. Otherwise, leakage of direct sound from the
performers makes it very difficult to tell what the "mix"
sounds like.


I brought my headphone/IEM collection to a live recording gig a few months
ago. I was sitting not that far from the base of the pole with the NT4 on
it, so comparing the live sound to the monitor sound was not all that
irrational.

Headphones:

Sennheiser HD280 - not comfortable, pretty good isolation, not bad sound
but lack bass and kinda peaked up in the upper midrange.
Sennheiser HD580 - very comfortable, sound very good and like live, but the
lack of isolation limited their usefulness.
Sony MDR 7506 - more comfortable, not bad sound, fair isolation but peaky
at the top and the bottom and therefore unnatural sounding.

My conclusion is that the headphones of my dreams would be like HD 580s with
good isolation.

Earphones:

Etymotic ER-6 - Not natural sounding, poor bass, good isolation
Shure E2 - smooth but obviously rolled off at both ends, good isolation
Shure E3 - smooth, obviously rolled off at both ends but less so than E2,
good isolation
Sony MDR E71 - Colorations reminded me of MDR7506 headphones, but with
better isolation.
Futuresonics - pick of the litter. Good bass and treble, also sold by
Sennheiser for wireless monitors. Good isolation
Koss "The Plug" - lotsa bass but restricted above that. Very cheap, good
isolation
Panasonic RP-HJE50S - Sounded a lot to me like Etymotic ER-6, and in a bad
way, good isolation

I was looking for some I.E.M.'s to use while playing my drums in my
basement home studio. I was looking for something with good sound and
isolation so I didn't have to blow my ears out trying to hear myself
playing.

After doing some research myself I wound up purchasing a pair of Shure
E-3's. From reading tonnes of product reviews, everyone who has
purchased them have been satisfied. I considered the E5's but after
seeing reviews of folks who purchased E5's then went back down to the
E-3's for comfort and even sound reasons. I was skeptical at first
about any "ear bud" type earphone (have yet to hear any that are
decent). The Shures were worth every penny.

I am by no means a "pro" when it comes to this stuff so this is
strictly an opinion. I am happy with them. I even bought an
additional pair!

Hope this helps.

Cheers;
Steve

Robert Morein wrote:
Some of you may be aware of my street musician recording project. The kit
bag is loaded up with a recorder, mic, batteries, and headphones. There's no
space left. I'd like to reclaim a few ounces and cubic inches by
substituting in-ear phones, if possible.

The phones are used to monitor while recording. Requirements for fidelity
are perhaps not so extreme as for audiophile reproduction, but isolation
from outside noise is. Otherwise, leakage of direct sound from the
performers makes it very difficult to tell what the "mix" sounds like.

Some in-ear phones are actually supposed to have superior low frequency
isolation to the best over-the-ear models. They come in varying price
ranges. Since I have no idea whether I could adapt and feel comfortable with
these things, which amount to earplugs, I'm not keen to spend a huge amount
of money unless necessary.

In the very expensive and reputable category, we have the Shures:
http://www.shurestore.com/earphones/index.html

and, of course, the Etymotics http://www.etymotic.com/

The Sonys are quite a bit cheaper:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...d&De pt=audio

as are the Panasonics, at $20

The Sennheisers are pretty cheap too:
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...-series_500830
at around $52.


The street price range on the above three ranges from $20 for a low end
Panasonic to $300 for a high end Shure. Given that my recording setup really
has only one adjustment, mike position, perhaps I don't need mastering
quality?

Your opinions are appreciated. Any favorites? Any surprises? Anything to be
avoided?




Hi Robert -

I like the Sony MDR-EX71S. They come with three sizes of ear tips and
provide good isolation and are comfortable. I think they sound great.
You can get them for around $30.00 usually.

Regards,

-- Doug

"Doug" wrote in message
om...
Robert Morein wrote:
Some of you may be aware of my street musician recording project. The kit
bag is loaded up with a recorder, mic, batteries, and headphones. There's
no space left. I'd like to reclaim a few ounces and cubic inches by
substituting in-ear phones, if possible.

The phones are used to monitor while recording. Requirements for fidelity
are perhaps not so extreme as for audiophile reproduction, but isolation
from outside noise is. Otherwise, leakage of direct sound from the
performers makes it very difficult to tell what the "mix" sounds like.

Some in-ear phones are actually supposed to have superior low frequency
isolation to the best over-the-ear models. They come in varying price
ranges. Since I have no idea whether I could adapt and feel comfortable
with these things, which amount to earplugs, I'm not keen to spend a huge
amount of money unless necessary.

In the very expensive and reputable category, we have the Shures:
http://www.shurestore.com/earphones/index.html

and, of course, the Etymotics http://www.etymotic.com/

The Sonys are quite a bit cheaper:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...d&De pt=audio

as are the Panasonics, at $20

The Sennheisers are pretty cheap too:
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...-series_500830
at around $52.


The street price range on the above three ranges from $20 for a low end
Panasonic to $300 for a high end Shure. Given that my recording setup
really has only one adjustment, mike position, perhaps I don't need
mastering quality?

Your opinions are appreciated. Any favorites? Any surprises? Anything to
be avoided?




Hi Robert -

I like the Sony MDR-EX71S. They come with three sizes of ear tips and
provide good isolation and are comfortable. I think they sound great. You
can get them for around $30.00 usually.

Regards,

-- Doug

Thanks, Doug. I think I'll go for them.

I use the dual driver Ultimate Ears and they are very nice. Good
isolation, very good sensitivity (I find the Etymotics to be poor in
sensitivity and low end, fair in isolation, depending on your ear
shape). I would also look into Future Sonics products. Previous to the
UEs, my in ear of choice was the Westone UM1s. Not as much bass
extension, fairly good isolation, good reproduction of mids.

HTH
Edwin



In article ,
"Robert Morein" wrote:

Some of you may be aware of my street musician recording project. The kit
bag is loaded up with a recorder, mic, batteries, and headphones. There's no
space left. I'd like to reclaim a few ounces and cubic inches by
substituting in-ear phones, if possible.

The phones are used to monitor while recording. Requirements for fidelity
are perhaps not so extreme as for audiophile reproduction, but isolation
from outside noise is. Otherwise, leakage of direct sound from the
performers makes it very difficult to tell what the "mix" sounds like.

Some in-ear phones are actually supposed to have superior low frequency
isolation to the best over-the-ear models. They come in varying price
ranges. Since I have no idea whether I could adapt and feel comfortable with
these things, which amount to earplugs, I'm not keen to spend a huge amount
of money unless necessary.

In the very expensive and reputable category, we have the Shures:
http://www.shurestore.com/earphones/index.html

and, of course, the Etymotics http://www.etymotic.com/

The Sonys are quite a bit cheaper:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...-/USD/SY_Brows
eCatalog-Start?CategoryName=pa_Headphones_FontopiaEarbud&De pt=audio

as are the Panasonics, at $20

The Sennheisers are pretty cheap too:
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...eadphones_stre
etwear_cx-series_500830
at around $52.


The street price range on the above three ranges from $20 for a low end
Panasonic to $300 for a high end Shure. Given that my recording setup really
has only one adjustment, mike position, perhaps I don't need mastering
quality?

Your opinions are appreciated. Any favorites? Any surprises? Anything to be
avoided?

In article , "Edwin
Hurwitz" wrote:
I use the dual driver Ultimate Ears and they are very nice. Good
isolation, very good sensitivity (I find the Etymotics to be poor in
sensitivity and low end, fair in isolation, depending on your ear
shape). I would also look into Future Sonics products.

Can't you follow a simple thread? I already made up my mind, I picked the
Sonys. How can you go wrong with Sonys, besides they're only $30.

Too many complicated decisions, I'm recording a CD MY way, and all you
so-called professionals have too many nit-picking ideas.

Bob

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
.. .

In article ,
"Edwin
Hurwitz" wrote:
I use the dual driver Ultimate Ears and they are very nice. Good
isolation, very good sensitivity (I find the Etymotics to be poor in
sensitivity and low end, fair in isolation, depending on your ear
shape). I would also look into Future Sonics products.

Can't you follow a simple thread? I already made up my mind, I picked the
Sonys. How can you go wrong with Sonys, besides they're only $30.

Too many complicated decisions, I'm recording a CD MY way, and all you
so-called professionals have too many nit-picking ideas.

Bob


Forgery by Brian L. McCarty.

"Joseph Ashwood" wrote in message
. ..
[claimed author snipped due to forgery claim]

In article ,
"Edwin
Hurwitz" wrote:
I use the dual driver Ultimate Ears and they are very nice. Good
isolation, very good sensitivity (I find the Etymotics to be poor in
sensitivity and low end, fair in isolation, depending on your ear
shape). I would also look into Future Sonics products.

Can't you follow a simple thread? I already made up my mind, I picked the
Sonys. How can you go wrong with Sonys, besides they're only $30.

Actually it's fairly easy. While the Sonys will offer a good amount of
sound the $30 price tag tells me that they are intended for consumer use
so they will have design decisions/compromises that favor the consumer.
This does not mean they are bad, it just means that there are other
decisions/compromises that are more suitable for a professional level of
accuracy. With any company that produces both professional and consumer
equipment you have to pay attention to which side the particular product
came out of.
Joe
I absolutely agree.

On Fri, 26 May 2006 17:16:51 -0400, Robert Morein wrote:


I like the Sony MDR-EX71S. They come with three sizes of ear tips and
provide good isolation and are comfortable. I think they sound great. You
can get them for around $30.00 usually.

Regards,

-- Doug

Thanks, Doug. I think I'll go for them.

I agree with Doug, go for the Sonys.
I generally don't like the feel of earbud type phones (iPod etc) but these
are very comfortable and like Doug says they do sound great, at least he
and I think so smile!
BTW as a native NY'er I think your project is kool...!

--
flatfish+++
"Why do they call it a flatfish?"

"flatfish+++" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 26 May 2006 17:16:51 -0400, Robert Morein wrote:


I like the Sony MDR-EX71S. They come with three sizes of ear tips and
provide good isolation and are comfortable. I think they sound great.
You
can get them for around $30.00 usually.

Regards,

-- Doug

Thanks, Doug. I think I'll go for them.

I agree with Doug, go for the Sonys.
I generally don't like the feel of earbud type phones (iPod etc) but these
are very comfortable and like Doug says they do sound great, at least he
and I think so smile!
BTW as a native NY'er I think your project is kool...!

Thanks! Today, Memorial Day, I walked another 15 miles in Manhattan looking
for buskers. I got a terrific guitar/bass ensemble down on Spring Street.
Found nothing in Bryant Park, so I recorded the carousel, just for fun. Then
back down to Korea Town for a repast, then into Penn Station where I grabbed
a chocolate mousse cupcake, and back up to 42nd. Musicians like to hang out
in the big open area in front of the S. Met an African drummer in a
corridor, and we bonded, but he wasn't ready to record. He's looking for
some strings, so I may try to hook him up with the Spring Street guys.

When I get enough material, I'll show it to producers, musicologists, etc.
The endpoint is not known.

On Mon, 29 May 2006 23:01:59 -0400, "soundhaspriority"
wrote:


"flatfish+++" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 26 May 2006 17:16:51 -0400, Robert Morein wrote:


I like the Sony MDR-EX71S. They come with three sizes of ear tips and
provide good isolation and are comfortable. I think they sound great.
You
can get them for around $30.00 usually.

Regards,

-- Doug

Thanks, Doug. I think I'll go for them.

I agree with Doug, go for the Sonys.
I generally don't like the feel of earbud type phones (iPod etc) but these
are very comfortable and like Doug says they do sound great, at least he
and I think so smile!
BTW as a native NY'er I think your project is kool...!

Thanks! Today, Memorial Day, I walked another 15 miles in Manhattan looking
for buskers. I got a terrific guitar/bass ensemble down on Spring Street.
Found nothing in Bryant Park, so I recorded the carousel, just for fun. Then
back down to Korea Town for a repast, then into Penn Station where I grabbed
a chocolate mousse cupcake, and back up to 42nd. Musicians like to hang out
in the big open area in front of the S. Met an African drummer in a
corridor, and we bonded

You sure he'll be right for you, Robert? Sometimes love at first sight
doesn't work in the long term.

"paul packer" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 May 2006 23:01:59 -0400, "soundhaspriority"
wrote:


"flatfish+++" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 26 May 2006 17:16:51 -0400, Robert Morein wrote:


I like the Sony MDR-EX71S. They come with three sizes of ear tips and
provide good isolation and are comfortable. I think they sound great.
You
can get them for around $30.00 usually.

Regards,

-- Doug

Thanks, Doug. I think I'll go for them.

I agree with Doug, go for the Sonys.
I generally don't like the feel of earbud type phones (iPod etc) but
these
are very comfortable and like Doug says they do sound great, at least he
and I think so smile!
BTW as a native NY'er I think your project is kool...!

Thanks! Today, Memorial Day, I walked another 15 miles in Manhattan
looking
for buskers. I got a terrific guitar/bass ensemble down on Spring Street.
Found nothing in Bryant Park, so I recorded the carousel, just for fun.
Then
back down to Korea Town for a repast, then into Penn Station where I
grabbed
a chocolate mousse cupcake, and back up to 42nd. Musicians like to hang
out
in the big open area in front of the S. Met an African drummer in a
corridor, and we bonded

You sure he'll be right for you, Robert? Sometimes love at first sight
doesn't work in the long term.

This is how we bonded: He declined to be recorded, but offered me a free CD.
I replied, "No, I'll buy it." He opened up a bit, told me about his artistic
endeavors in multiple areas, his dedication to his music, and his desire to
create a composite piece with his African drums, and a violin, and other
instruments. I do not dream as a musician, but accepted what he said with
the same hope that he had, and I resolved to try to put some people
together. In this case, I'm acting as a facilitator of art. Being the
recordist gives me the presence at the moment of creation. Some call this
the "best seat in the house."

I once put together a film project walking down Manhattan streets. I never
thought of myself as a salesman, yet I found that under once circumstance, I
could sell. The currency is work, and the product is hope; hope for mutual
advancement by rising far above mediocrity. It is hard to rise high enough,
but for the most part, people understand that.

On Tue, 30 May 2006 04:08:49 -0400, "soundhaspriority"
wrote:


in the big open area in front of the S. Met an African drummer in a
corridor, and we bonded

You sure he'll be right for you, Robert? Sometimes love at first sight
doesn't work in the long term.

This is how we bonded: He declined to be recorded, but offered me a free CD.
I replied, "No, I'll buy it." He opened up a bit, told me about his artistic
endeavors in multiple areas, his dedication to his music, and his desire to
create a composite piece with his African drums, and a violin, and other
instruments. I do not dream as a musician, but accepted what he said with
the same hope that he had, and I resolved to try to put some people
together. In this case, I'm acting as a facilitator of art. Being the
recordist gives me the presence at the moment of creation. Some call this
the "best seat in the house."

I once put together a film project walking down Manhattan streets. I never
thought of myself as a salesman, yet I found that under once circumstance, I
could sell. The currency is work, and the product is hope; hope for mutual
advancement by rising far above mediocrity. It is hard to rise high enough,
but for the most part, people understand that.

Nice story and thoughts. Just not sure what "yet I found that under
once circumstance, I could sell" means.

"paul packer" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 May 2006 04:08:49 -0400, "soundhaspriority"
wrote:


in the big open area in front of the S. Met an African drummer in a
corridor, and we bonded

You sure he'll be right for you, Robert? Sometimes love at first sight
doesn't work in the long term.

This is how we bonded: He declined to be recorded, but offered me a free
CD.
I replied, "No, I'll buy it." He opened up a bit, told me about his
artistic
endeavors in multiple areas, his dedication to his music, and his desire
to
create a composite piece with his African drums, and a violin, and other
instruments. I do not dream as a musician, but accepted what he said with
the same hope that he had, and I resolved to try to put some people
together. In this case, I'm acting as a facilitator of art. Being the
recordist gives me the presence at the moment of creation. Some call this
the "best seat in the house."

I once put together a film project walking down Manhattan streets. I never
thought of myself as a salesman, yet I found that under once circumstance,
I
could sell. The currency is work, and the product is hope; hope for mutual
advancement by rising far above mediocrity. It is hard to rise high
enough,
but for the most part, people understand that.

Nice story and thoughts. Just not sure what "yet I found that under
once circumstance, I could sell" means.

"One circumstance", sorry.