I decided to make a post on IEM as i dunnoe how to explain to anyone how the hell i spend so much on them... And i guess u all know nuts about them..hehe...
IEM (in-ear monitor) refers to a system of small, usually custom fitted, earpieces and transmitters used to provide foldback that in the past was fed to speakers in front of a performer on a stage. Wireless in-ear monitor systems are increasingly popular with musicians, since they allow more precise monitoring and freer movement on stage than fixed monitor speakers, and can incorporate sound-insulated earbuds to provide hearing protection. For performances that include pre-recorded
backing tracks, IEM let the entire band synchronize with a
click track without wearing cumbersome headphones.
In-ear monitor can also refer to any headphone with sound-insulating earbuds which are placed inside the ear canal.
(taken from wikipedia)
Do NOT confuse IEMs with cheap ear-buds! In-ear-monitor earphones seal within your ear canal utilizing little rubber tips and they will coat your eardrum with precisely-rendered music. Not only do IEMs sound amazingly good, they also provide the best seal from external sound of any other headphone type ---much better than those big-name "noise canceling" headsets! The least expensive of these in-ear earphones is less than $100; the most expensive are custom-fitted by an audiologist, cost about $1000 and are among the very best-sounding audio drivers in existence; they’ll also set you back some major bucks by the time you add getting customized ear molds made---but, wow, they are ever impressive.
The audio image from IEM headphones is more compact and a bit more “inside your head’ than regular headphones due, we suspect, mostly to the fact that you are totally bypassing the outer ear and all its psycho-acoustic position sensing cues. On the other hand, the sound from this type of headphone is truly crystal clear and what is lost in image size is largely gained back in image clarity and audio detail resolution. For most people, the listening experience is akin to having your ears plugged and hearing the musical soundstage appearing, in miniaturized form, perfectly formed within your sound mind.
Some folks worry about fit and comfort issues with these in-ear designs, and rightly so. We might suggest when you buy your IEM headphones that you have a go at a number of them to see what works best for you. Usually, most people can find a reasonably comfortable eartip sleeve size & material to suit their tastes. Of course, the special audiologist-customized IEM ear pieces fit perfectly and feel very comfortable in your ears. You could easily wear them on an entire 14-hr flight!
Here you see Sun Yan Zi using a IEM during one of her recent perfomance
These are the Shure E1 used by Sun as shown above, I found actually they r used by mediacorp. Can see many Singapore Singer use them while they r performing. They are made by Westone, which is also a very old version of my Westone UM1. haha...
Hehe.., sorry for the bad pics la, i used my phone camera to take on my 15inc tv showing Luo Zhi Xiang in his recent Speshow Concert. I think he is using some Westone custom, but dunnoe if it is ES 1,2 or 3. lol... as all the Westone custom use the same shell like my ES2. keke.. Think many Taiwanese uses the Westone ES series, as i also seen Huang Li Cheng using it during one of his concert on tv.
And..here is Mr Goh Kai Seng with his ES2... haha..
My Collection
My CD Collection... Haha.. found tat last yr2006 i brought 12 ablums which is about 1/4 of my entire collection liao. Guess more will come bla...haha.. going into Audiophile is simply crazy...but that the sort of enjoyment u just simply luv it.
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Actually, i does find stupid at some time, but really i just can't stand lousy sound quailty... In the past, i can't stand the stock earbud, thus i got some $39 sony ear clip which i already find abit expensive then... but as i slowly upgade... it just getting more and more exciting. I always enjoy my new upgrade, then i wonder wow how will those of higher quailty will sound like. That made me brought a $79 sony's earphone, my most expensive ever, and i tot i will stop at there. But, it spoilt after a few mths... then...there the devil made in me... more upgrades... and when this is ur's hobby, u just want to ask for more.
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But No worries guys, as nw i had newly found a new earphone which cost only about $25 from a china brand call OVC, it is able to beat many other IEM tat cost up to $200 haha.. And i had order 2 different model from tat brand. Its nt on the market here though...
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Well... I just simply luv my ES2, it just simply sound really great. The best ever! I can hear all the instruments sound exceptionally clear, like you can hear straight through them; I must say it's very intoxicating. The bass is very tight ,well controlled and extend very far. The ES2 have strong and tight bass with great extension, a mid range that is liquid smooth with a warm signature and in your face vocal presentation and a top end that is crisp, detailed and also offers very impressive extension. Add it all together and you have one hell of a fun, engaging and altogether musical custom!
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But it also create another problem for me liao.... as it made me dislike my speaker sound quailty... Ya time to upgrade my Speaker... Haiz.. Speaker is even more expensive and needed more science from the earphone...
