Updated: February 18th, 2024
When you are performing on stage, you don’t hear what the audience hears. Singers often can’t hear their voice being amplified over the drums, and drummers often can’t hear the rest of the band over their own beats! This is a major problem for drummers who are responsible for keeping the beat.
In-ear monitors allow you to modify what you hear while on stage. You can feed yourself exactly what the audience hears, or you can put a focus on specific elements of the band.
In-ear monitors can take some getting used to, but this is essential if you want to drum as a professional performer. With that in mind, in this article, we will recommend the best in-ear monitors for both amateur and semi-professional drummers.
- High-definition dual microdivers
- Detachable elements for replacement and personalization
- Lightweight
- Effective sound isolation
- Two-year warranty
A Quick Look At Our Top Picks
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Best of the Best
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Best Professional Monitors
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Best Budget IEMs
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Best IEM for Drummers
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Best In Ear Monitors Under $100
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5 Best In-Ear Monitors For Drummers
1. Shure SE425 Sound Isolating Earphones
- High-definition dual microdivers
- Detachable elements for replacement and personalization
- Lightweight
- Effective sound isolation
- Two-year warranty
- No mic included
This set of IEMs is only one of many excellent options made by Shure, but these are our top picks for the perfect balance between quality and value for money.
The in-ear monitors themselves use high-definition dual microdrivers that provide an accurate and balanced sound perfect for performing live or working in the studio. They have an impedance of 22 ohms, a wide frequency range from 20Hz to 19kHz, and a sensitivity of 109dB SPL at 1 mW.
The earpieces include sound-isolating sleeves that effectively block out noise with a 37bD passive sound-isolating frequency. The wires of the earpieces are detachable and formable, which makes it easy to replace different pieces if you want to personalize your set. The earpieces are also lightweight, weighing just 1.04 oz.
The headphones are wired, and there is no wireless listening option. The cable is a generous 64 inches, and it can be detached and replaced with another cable if you wish. Everything comes in a convenient soft case.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-E70 Dual Symphonic-Driver In-Ear Monitor Headphones
- Has a sleek, flexible memory cable
- Blocks out external and damaging sounds
- Has a storage/carrying case
- No mic included
Perfectly suited for both the studio and stage, these headphones fit right into the ear canal and have a customizable fit for maximum comfort. Weighing about 6.6 ounces, they feature soft silicone and Comply foam ear tips that are sensitive, seal perfectly, and enhance comfort for the user. Made by Audio Technica, the model features a detachable memory cable that is 1.5 meters long to give you space to move. It comes with a carrying case that stores the ear tips together with a 6.3mm stereo adapter plug.
Audio Technica has always been a well-recognized brand, and this model is just exceptional. The ATH-E70 in-ear monitor headphone provides an accurate sound stage and extended frequency response due to its three balanced armature drivers. It is expensive compared to most IEMs, but its excellent sound quality justifies the cost and will make you glad you got it.
Audio Technica ATH-E70 has a full sound that is rich in bass as well as in treble. The tone is neutral and nuanced with a profound response. There is no distortion detected nor any highs and lows in the frequency response. It projects impressive noise-isolating effects with a frequency range of 20-19000 Hz, a sensitivity of 109dB, and a nominal impedance of 39 ohms. You get to focus on your music without distractions.
3. Clear Concept Audio CCA C10 In-Ear Monitor
- Very affordable starter set
- One-year limited warranty
- Isolates noise to an extent
- Clear nuances
- Six color options
- No mic
- No carrying case
- The cable is prone to tangling
As far as comfort goes, Clear Concept Audio’s C10 earphones are great. It is a hi-fi audio outfit available in 6 different finishes. The earphones, housed in a resin and zinc alloy shell with excellent build quality, feature ten hybrid driver designs with five on each earpiece. It is lightweight and effective at canceling noise.
The IEMs feature detachable cables that allow you to go wireless if you purchase a 0.75mm 2-pin Bluetooth adapter. They also come with an extended memory wire cable. It is sized at 4.2” x 2.9” x 1.3” and weighs 3.2 ounces.
Despite the affordable price tag, these IEMs have many of the features of more expensive monitors. These include five drivers on each side, four balanced armature drivers, and one dynamic driver. Additional features include the detachable cables, allowing you to replace, repair, or upgrade.
CCA C10 is designed to cancel noises at 108dB through the in-built MEMS noise-canceling technology. When the silicone tips are included, the seal is good enough to almost completely isolate you from your surroundings. It has an impedance of 32 ohms with a frequency response rate ranging from 7-40000 Hz. The sound is terrific as it produces excellent and balanced mid and high tones without distortions.
4. Audio Technica ATH-IM02 In-Ear Monitor Headphones
- Great noise isolation
- Detachable cable
- Crystal clear sound
- Expensive
The Audio Technica ATH-IM02 is among my favorite IEMs that I use myself. This pair of in-ear monitors are compact and lightweight (4” x 2” x 6.5” and 3.4 ounces), so they are easy to store and travel with. These Audio Technica in-ears come with silicone ear tips to give you a custom fit. You also have the option to use the foam tips that come with the package. Finally, the ear tips feature a seal for ultimate noise isolation, and the earbuds are detachable from the cable to allow you to move freely behind your drum set.
Although it is the second Audio Technica product on this list, the ATH-IM02 has earned its spot here. It may be expensive, but it is one of the most popular choices among drummers. Just check out the many positive reviews online!
The Audio Technica ATH-IM02 also comes with exclusive dual-balanced armature drivers that produce clear, crisp, and pure sound. This basically means that the frequencies are generated by two separate drivers that essentially specialize in their particular ranges of frequencies. As such, these in-ear monitors excel in the general sound department, with particular strength at higher sound ranges.
5. Knowledge of Zenith KZ ZS10 Pro IEM Headphone
- One-year warranty
- The overall sound is balanced
- Can be used as a wired or wireless
- Sturdy and inexpensive
- Has no carrying case, no adapters, and no foam tips
- Putting on the ear tips may take time to learn
Included in the package for this product are three pairs of ear tips, one detachable cable, the IEM earphone, a manual, and a warranty card. The headphones are lightweight and great-looking, and the shells are made of resin and stainless steel. You can choose from three color options. They are very comfortable and fit in your ear perfectly once you get the hang of them. The cable is 120cm in length, braided, and flexible, but can tangle easily.
The KZ ZS10 Pro by KINBOOFI Audio features four balanced armatures, one dynamic driver, and a 10mm double magnetic dynamic driver. It has a sensitivity of 111dB, an impedance of 30 ohms, and a frequency range of 7-40000 Hz. The dynamic driver for the mid-frequency is fast and tight.
In terms of sound range, these IEMs offer a rich, improved bass compared to the older model, with clear elevated trebles. The vocals are natural and well-controlled with zero distortion. Noise isolation is good with a very low sound leak. The ZS10 Pro is like a regular earphone with a better sound and fit. It is suitable for monitoring and instrument separation since you can differentiate each instrument in a mix.
Things To Consider When Buying In-Ear Monitors
While these are our top recommended in-ear monitors for drummers, there are hundreds of options on the market that you might be considering. For this reason, we have gathered a list of the most important elements to judge when choosing your best set of in-ear monitors.
Drivers
The number and quality of the drivers in IEMs dictate sound quality, and price! While you can get professional IEMs with up to eight drivers, what you are looking for is a minimum of two, which means one dedicated to low frequencies and one to high frequencies. Look for a hybrid of multiple drivers and balanced armature drivers.
You can double-check the quality of the drivers by checking the impedance (look for around 22 ohms) and sensitivity (109dB is a good measure).
Sound Isolation
IEMs should have sound isolation capacity, or you still won’t be able to hear your desired mix over the sound of what is closest to you on stage. Look for something with around 37dB sound isolation.
Cables
Ideally, IEMs should have removable cables, even if they don’t work wirelessly natively. This allows you to change the cables if they become damaged or if you just want to change to different cables. This also lets you attach third-party Bluetooth connectors if you want to use them wirelessly.
Universal vs. Custom
Most professionals will have custom IEMs that are molded specifically for their ears. Amateurs will usually go for something universal that is designed to be comfortable for most ear types. You will probably only upgrade to something more customized when you have a favorite pair of IEMs and know exactly what you want.
If you are going with universal, consider the body material, which may be something like carbon fiber, resin, or metal. There is usually a balancing act between comfort (resin) and durability (metal). Carbon fiber is the best of both worlds but tends to be more expensive.
Over-Ear vs. Hanging
The earpieces will either be designed to clip over your ears or to hang down more like standard headphones. This all comes down to personal preference. Over-ear tends to be more stable, but it’s not necessarily comfortable for long sessions.
Ear Tips
Of course, these are the bits that sit in your ear. They will usually be made of silicone or foam, and which is best for you also comes down to personal preference.
Silicone works through suction, which means it stays in place better when you are moving around but is less effective when it comes to noise canceling. Foam is denser and cancels more noise, but it tends to not be as stable in the ear canal and can be affected by sweat.
Often kits will come with a variety of different tips so you can experiment until you find something that works for you.
Interested in recording? Find our recording guides here.
FAQs
What is the difference between IEMs and normal headphones?
IEMs in some ways are just more sophisticated headphones. They are designed to be inserted into the ear canal rather than sit over the ear, which allows them to be noise-canceling, and sit more firmly when you are moving around. The technology inside the IEMs are also more sophisticated, as they are specifically designed to isolate sounds and deliver clear musical audio. For this reason, IEMs tend to be significantly more expensive than normal headphones.
Which are the best IEMs for concerts?
The best IEMs for playing live gigs depend on individual preference. But the features you are likely to prioritize include noise canceling capacity, as there will be a lot of loud and direct ambient sound on stage, and the number of drivers, as you will want sound to be properly separated when delivered via the amp.
Do you need to clean in-ear monitors?
Since in-ear monitors go deep into the ear, they can quickly become dirty with earwax and sweat. They can also transfer bacteria into your ears when you insert them. For this reason, you should clean your in-ear monitors before you insert them and after each use.
The Verdict
In-ear monitors are an essential piece of kit for professional musicians. What you hear on stage as part of the band is very different to what the audience hears. But the best in-ear monitors help block stage noise and let you receive the sound output from the mixer so you can hear exactly what the audience hears and make it sound good!
High-quality in-ear monitors need to be powerfully sound canceling, deliver crystal clear sound quality, and be comfortable to wear for hours at a time. Check out our top recommendations to find the right option for you.
Next, read our guide to how to set up your in-ear monitors.