# For musicians: Recommendations for Custom-fitted In Ear Monitors

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-musicians-recommendations-for-custom-fitted-in-ear-monitors/948622>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** music\
**Created:** [August 13, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-musicians-recommendations-for-custom-fitted-in-ear-monitors/948622 "2021-08-13T18:22:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-musicians-recommendations-for-custom-fitted-in-ear-monitors/948622/1 "2021-08-13T18:22:24Z")

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Or, I guess they don’t have to be custom fitted, so long as they provide adequate hearing protection. Ideally, an IEM + transmitter / receiver set that accommodates multiple users, protects hearing, and permits different mixes for each musician (in descending order of importance).

Mainly small-time gigs, bars and outdoor festivals, a variety of venue sizes and conditions, but nothing huge. For frame of reference, most of our gigs I play through a 15-watt tube amp, and it’s plenty loud. We cover classic rock tunes and we do NOT try to rattle the windows.

Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-musicians-recommendations-for-custom-fitted-in-ear-monitors/948622/2 "2021-08-14T02:34:23Z")

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Sweet water has choices:  
[https://www.sweetwater.com/shop/live-sound/in-ear-monitors/](https://www.sweetwater.com/shop/live-sound/in-ear-monitors/)  
I’ve used Shure and been happy but I also hear good things (ha!) about Westone.

If price is no object:

> **[Custom Molded Earphones, Custom Made In Ear Monitors | Ultimate Ears](https://custom.ultimateears.com/pages/custom-made)**
>
> Each pair of UE in-ear monitors and earphones are custom fit to your unique ear shape for unparalleled comfort and noise isolation. We're revolutionizing how earbuds fit

And

> **[In Ear Monitors - Custom Molded In Ear Monitors | Sensaphonics](https://www.sensaphonics.com)**
>
> Custom molded in-ear monitors (IEMs), earplugs, and hearing protection for musicians and sound engineers - both professional & amateur - and their fans, with a focus on hearing health from leading audiologists.

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**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-musicians-recommendations-for-custom-fitted-in-ear-monitors/948622/3 "2021-08-14T03:39:24Z")

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Thanks, I’ll take a look.

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**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2021, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-musicians-recommendations-for-custom-fitted-in-ear-monitors/948622/4 "2021-08-14T17:59:03Z")

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If you’re in a pinch, with no custom ear monitors at hand, take one square of toilet paper, and fold it in half.

Fold it in half again, so you’re left with a strip about a centimetre wide, and then just roll it up like a Swiss roll, and boom - in your ear it goes.

Excellent for cutting out the truly tinnitus-causing noises like cymbals, which I think are the worst. If the plug’s too big for your ear, just tear away a little bit until it does fit.

Did this every time I stepped behind my kit for the 23 years I was involved with super loud, abrasive, harsh noise, and my hearing is better, now, than actually most people I know. {{{_Always_}}} hearing frequencies others don’t. ('tis true, Kenneth.)