• From: Clearwater, Florida
  • Registered: 2022-05-14
  • Posts: 34

Topic: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in trying out some IEM with my ADI-2 DAC fs with the IEM headphone amp...
I really don't like headphones for whatever reason, mostly I can never get comfortable.
I am interested in getting some really good IEM and trying it out as a secondary mixing and mastering monitor to my speakers. Does anyone do this and if so how do you like it? would you recommend it? and can you suggest some makes and models?
My budget isn't really important but I'd love to not spend more than $1,000 US.
I appreciate your input and help.

Best to you all, Stacy

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-08-31 01:40:23)

  • waedi
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

Hi Stacy
Normal headphones are not comfortable for you, IEM are not better.
I would buy the cheapest ones and try out for getting familiarized with the comfort.
If that doesn't stop you then I would start looking for good sound quality in your budget range.
Shure has a wide product catalog.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

3 Reply by MC

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

Not to mention that the cheapest ones currently sound the best:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru … iew.50534/

Crazy times...

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • From: Milan, Italy
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

I sometimes use Etymotic ER-4 XR for checking masters, along with the ATCs and my HD600s. They work well for this and you can spend some time finding the right tips that give you the most comfort and best sound or isolation.

https://www.etymotic.com/product/er4xr-earphones/

https://musicwall.app/hermetech

Babaluma's Website

  • Registered: 2024-03-15
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

MC wrote:

Not to mention that the cheapest ones currently sound the best:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru … iew.50534/

Crazy times...

I tried them and they sounded Okay without much EQ. Mostly bass response. Unfortunately, I can't stand the inner ear canal pressure of any IEM for more than 45-60 minutes. It causes itchy discomfort and real pain afterwards. So I went back to my old fellas - the HD650 and HD800S over-ear headphones. I can wear them all day long without any problems.

6 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-08-31 08:03:10)

  • waedi
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

Not tp mention
if one buy expensive IEMs or any headphone just to find out for mixing the stereofield positioning is a pain because the clear stereofield is almost missing compared to a pair of loudspeakers.
Thats another reason for buying the cheapest model for beginning.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

7 Reply by bejoro (edited by bejoro 2024-08-31 10:22:28)

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

I wanted to suggest the Fischer Amps IEM

https://www.fischer-amps.de/fischer-amp … -ears.html

Great quality and sound, great service, IEM with different sound characteristics selectable (more or less bass/treble extension depening on model).

I use the Fischer Amps Rapture (a bit warmer characteristic) and FA-666 (very neutral). But they are more on the expensive side, unfortunately.

Fischer Amps is available also from Thomann.

But MC"s suggestion from Audiosciencereview (thank you for that MC) is phantastic, I have ordered one Zero 2 immediately. Maybe I will try the predecessor Zero also.

bejoro's Website

8 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-08-31 15:38:39)

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

If you want to use full size over-ear headphones, I have good results with the
DROP + HIFIMAN HE4XX PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES:
https://drop.com/buy/drop-hifiman-he4xx … headphones

They are reported for not being the sturdiest ‘phones on earth, but at their price point …
I don’t have any problems with them.

The sound is neutral without any hyped regions - perfect for judging mixes made.

KaiS's Website

9 Reply by MC

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

When I follow that link Drop also recommends a stupidly designed and ugly headphone stand for +90$. Beware! Here is something serious that your headphone will like:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/rooms_audi … _stand.htm

Or just go straight to the top model (I did - no regrets):

https://www.thomannmusic.com/rooms_audi … _stand.htm

Just check which 'Radius bracket' you need, model A is 68 mm, B is 76 mm.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • From: Clearwater, Florida
  • Registered: 2022-05-14
  • Posts: 34

Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

waedi wrote:

Hi Stacy
Normal headphones are not comfortable for you, IEM are not better.
I would buy the cheapest ones and try out for getting familiarized with the comfort.
If that doesn't stop you then I would start looking for good sound quality in your budget range.
Shure has a wide product catalog.



I use in ear bluetooth all the time for pleasure and the fit doesn't bother me... I am mainly asking if anyone recommends any particle models... Thank you!

  • From: Clearwater, Florida
  • Registered: 2022-05-14
  • Posts: 34

Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

MC wrote:

Not to mention that the cheapest ones currently sound the best:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru … iew.50534/

Crazy times...


I'll give this a read!

  • From: Clearwater, Florida
  • Registered: 2022-05-14
  • Posts: 34

Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

Thank you! I will check them out!!



bejoro wrote:

I wanted to suggest the Fischer Amps IEM

https://www.fischer-amps.de/fischer-amp … -ears.html

Great quality and sound, great service, IEM with different sound characteristics selectable (more or less bass/treble extension depening on model).

I use the Fischer Amps Rapture (a bit warmer characteristic) and FA-666 (very neutral). But they are more on the expensive side, unfortunately.

Fischer Amps is available also from Thomann.

But MC"s suggestion from Audiosciencereview (thank you for that MC) is phantastic, I have ordered one Zero 2 immediately. Maybe I will try the predecessor Zero also.

  • From: Clearwater, Florida
  • Registered: 2022-05-14
  • Posts: 34

Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

I thought I would ask here as they included the IEM amp and I thought perhaps I would get a lot of feedback and some pros and cons as well as recommendations

14 Reply by hselters (edited by hselters 2024-09-02 14:20:48)

  • Registered: 2018-12-21
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

johny_2000 wrote:

I can't stand the inner ear canal pressure of any IEM for more than 45-60 minutes. It causes itchy discomfort and real pain afterwards. So I went back to my old fellas - the HD650 and HD800S over-ear headphones. I can wear them all day long without any problems.

I feel you, can't wear IEM for long either.

All round shaped headphones I tried, I cannot even wear for an hour.

Quite happy with the comfort of my HD 600, their oval shape really makes them very comfortable for me to wear, but longer than 2h are difficult, too.
Maybe I should try the different headband of the HD 650 on the 600 (I have seen the most recently redesigned version of the HD 600 also comes with that 650 style headband now).

Do you find the 800s more comfortable than the 650?

  • Muffin
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

stacyodellnyc wrote:

I thought I would ask here as they included the IEM amp and I thought perhaps I would get a lot of feedback and some pros and cons as well as recommendations

Your ADI-2 DAC fs have a great IEM amp included and no need for another one.

16 Reply by bejoro (edited by bejoro 2024-09-02 18:39:32)

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

A brief feedback regarding the extremely low priced LINSOUL 7Hz Zero and Zero 2 IEMs (great reviews on Audiosciencereview, around 23 to 25 Euro):

First impression soundwise is very good. Quality is o.k.

The Zero sounds slimmer (is this the correct word for less bass) but rather neutral in my opinion with a little sparkle that could be a tiny bit too much with some recordings. But nothing serious.

The Zero 2 has a warmer sound with a bit less treble and no sparkle and a good bass extension, but not too much, very nice.

The Zero seems to be the more neutral IEM.
The Zero 2 is the more easy going/laid back IEM.

Both deliver a clean and distortion free sound without any harshness, tight bass and good transients.

Both measured with extremely low distortions by Amirm on Audiosciencereview therefore you could use the PEQ of the ADI-2 PRO/DAC (or Qudelix-5K) extensively if you like.

For that price an absolute great bargain.

Thank you Matthias (MC) for your hint.

bejoro's Website

17 Reply by bejoro (edited by bejoro 2024-09-02 20:32:45)

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

If someone stumbled into this thread and  would like to order the LINSOUL 7Hz Zero/Zero 2:

With the Zero/Zero 2 there is no guide included how to attach the included cables correctly.

You can use the manufacturer's photo as orientation:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru … st-1854456

This works great for the Zero and Zero 2.

I hope this helps.

bejoro's Website

18 Reply by MC

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

hselters wrote:

All round shaped headphones I tried, I cannot even wear for an hour.

Quite happy with the comfort of my HD 600, their oval shape really makes them very comfortable for me to wear, but longer than 2h are difficult, too.
Maybe I should try the different headband of the HD 650 on the 600 (I have seen the most recently redesigned version of the HD 600 also comes with that 650 style headband now).

Do you find the 800s more comfortable than the 650?

This is getting a bit off-topic, but here is my personal view: I find both HD600 and 800 not perfectly comfortable. The 600 even more as it has a relatively hard ear pad that presses on a sensitive area in front of my ear (this is fully personal and might not be so for others).

The most comfortable headphone in my collection is the Hifiman Edition XS (Hifiman currently sells them for $269.00), with medium weigth, extremely big ear cups, soft ear pads, and low pressure force. But - while many like its sound as well it is definitely not the correct headphone for mixing and mastering...

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

19 Reply by beat8000 (edited by beat8000 2024-09-03 13:26:22)

  • Registered: 2019-05-30
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

To correct the contact pressure of the HD800, I pulled the two halves apart several times until the pressure was more comfortable.

I think this is allowed if there is no better adjustment option. wink

Win10 Pro, ADI-2 Pro, Basis 1, Adam A3X; RL 906; Grace M902B, Glockenklang Bugatti, Strauss SE-NF-3
  • Registered: 2024-03-15
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

hselters wrote:

Do you find the 800s more comfortable than the 650?

The HD800S have the least amount of pressure and weight on my head of any over-ear headphone I've ever owned.
So yeah, they're more comfortable than the HD650s.

  • Registered: 2024-03-15
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

beat8000 wrote:

To correct the contact pressure of the HD800, I pulled the two halves apart several times until the pressure was more comfortable.

I did the same headband "massage" sessions with some headphones I had. I have a relatively large head, so their original headbands were too tight on my cheekbones. After "bending and stretching" they became much more comfortable. This also works in reverse - if it fits too loosely, you can gently bend it in a few successive steps.

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

bejoro wrote:

If someone stumbled into this thread and  would like to order the LINSOUL 7Hz Zero/Zero 2:

With the Zero/Zero 2 there is no guide included how to attach the included cables correctly.

You can use the manufacturer's photo as orientation:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru … st-1854456

This works great for the Zero and Zero 2.

I hope this helps.

Did anyone find a place to buy them in Europe?

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • KaiS
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

vinark wrote:
bejoro wrote:

If someone stumbled into this thread and  would like to order the LINSOUL 7Hz Zero/Zero 2:

With the Zero/Zero 2 there is no guide included how to attach the included cables correctly.

You can use the manufacturer's photo as orientation:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru … st-1854456

This works great for the Zero and Zero 2.

I hope this helps.

Did anyone find a place to buy them in Europe?

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CMZVZPCF/?co … _lig_dp_it

https://f.media-amazon.com/images/I/61yCmfHeZrL._AC_SX679_.jpg

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B76YF5CY/?co … _lig_dp_it

https://f.media-amazon.com/images/I/61pXKTzkt9L._AC_SX679_.jpg

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2018-12-21
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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

Thanks all for sharing the experiences regarding the comfort of HD 600 / 800s and other models.

To come back to topic: I find Zero:2 quite good (and excellent for the price. Thanks for the tip @MC!)
I was quite impressed until I heard Madonna's "Music" on them for reference. Maybe it's the heavy compression on or the IEM being too close as they are sitting directly in the ear canal, but the track sounds quite harsh and almost trashy on the Zero:2 compared to a HD 600, which presents it in a more relaxed way.
Most other tracks I tested sounded quite accurate on the Zero:2 and the bass extension is great.

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Re: IEM for mixing and mastering suggestions

vinark wrote:
KaiS wrote:
vinark wrote:

Did anyone find a place to buy them in Europe?

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CMZVZPCF/?co … _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B76YF5CY/?co … _lig_dp_it

I have my zero2 for 2 days now and like them a lot. Some commercial mixes sound somewhat harsh, but that is how they sound most probably. My own work sounds just as intended. I did find some subbass issues in a few tracks (to much), they are helpfull for that too.
Thanks everybody!

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632