If you regularly play shows in a band, you may have only used wedge monitors placed at the side of your drums to help you hear yourself and the rest of your band, in order to keep in time with each other. Unfortunately, depending on the size of the venue and quality of the monitor, it can be hard to hear properly resulting in a horrible, off-beat mess - not good!
Fortunately, there is a great fix for this, and it comes in the form of an in-ear monitor (IEM). If you’re a drummer of any skill-level, IEMs are a must-buy, even if just to protect your ears from exposure to loud music on a regular basis. Not to mention keeping you and your band in time for a flawless performance.
With the right pair of IEMs, you’ll be able to isolate what sound you want to hear and what sounds you don’t - no more competing with other instruments to hear the vocals or lead guitar, you’ll have them right in your ears.
With so many similar products on the market, all claiming to be the best, knowing which one to choose can be stressful, and it's easy to be swayed by clever marketing. So, we’ve done all the hard work for you! Keep reading to find our top 5 in-ear monitors for drummers.
We’ve also included a buyer’s guide to talk you through the most important things to consider before making your final decision.
OUR TOP PICK
The KZ ZS10 Pro in-ear monitors are great in terms of sound range. They deliver a rich mix of strong bass and high treble with no risk of distortion when receiving vocals through.
In terms of noise cancellation this pair are strong contenders with a very low noise leak.
They’re also suitable for monitoring and instrument separation enabling you to differentiate each instrument in the mix.
In terms of drivers this model features four balanced armatures, one dynamic driver and a 10 mm double magnetic dynamic driver to deliver a clean and full-bodied sound.
As well as a pair of in-ears, included in the box are three extra different sized eartips, one detachable cable 120 cm long, braided and super flexible. The only downside is it can tangle pretty easily.
Unlike the other products in this review, the KZ ZS10 comes with a microphone included. Using the all-in-one button feature you can even use these headphones for listening to music and answering calls.
Pros
- Comfort - eartips to fit all for optimum fit and comfort
- Sound - 4 balanced armature drivers, one dynamic driver & double magnetic driver
- Accessories - three different-sized eartips, detachable braided cable, microphone & all-in-one button feature
- Noise-cancelling technology - built-in MEMS isolate environment noise, so you can focus on playing
Cons
- Travel case not included
EDITORS CHOICE
The CCA C10 in-ears feature 10 driver hybrid technology. These include five drivers on each side, four armature drivers and one dynamic driver. These are important because they are what converts electrical signals into the sound you hear in your ears.
The combination creates silky highs, detailed mids, and deep bass. Plus, high-intensity resolution and high quality providing you with full vocals.
They have a frequency response rate of up to 7,40000Hz and an impedance of 32ohms. Plus, with the perfect balance of mid and high tones you’ll get an awesome sound without distortion!
These in-ear’s are specifically designed to be ideal for noise cancellation using MEMS noise-cancelling technology. They can cancel noises at 108 dB.
They’re also very comfortable for the wearer. They can be worn for long periods without falling out of hurting your ears.
Detachable cables allow you to go wireless with a Bluetooth adapter. Plus, this feature means you can easily replace, repair, or upgrade the cables if you wish.
Pros
- Comfort - soft material built for comfort and can be worn for long periods
- Sound - 10 drivers hybrid technology: 5 on each side, 1 dynamic, 4 armatures & no distortion and good balance
- Accessories - detachable cables, go wireless
- Noise-cancelling technology - built-in MEMS isolate environment noise, so you can focus on playing
Cons
- No carry case & mic not included (can be purchased separately)
BEST VALUE
The Audio Technica ATH-E70 are awesome in-ears suited to both studio playing and on stage. They deliver a super professional sound that is both rich in bass and treble.
What’s so good about these in-ears is the frequency response. Thanks to its three balanced armature drivers, you won’t detect any distortion or any dips and spikes in the frequency response. So, you can focus on playing without any unwanted distractions.
With a frequency range of 20-19000Hz, a sensitivity of 109dB, and a nominal impedance of 39ohms, it’s super noise isolating and neutral in tone.
The comfort and fit of your IEM's are the most important factor to consider. The last thing you want for one of your headphones to fall out in the middle of a song, right? Luckily, these IEM’s are made from soft silicone and sensitive Comply foam ear tips creates the perfect seal and increases comfort for the user.
The ATH-E70 fits perfectly into the ear canal for a customized fit. Featuring a 1.5 m detachable memory cable, they’re ideal for wearing for hours at a time without falling out.
To help keep them safe, they also come with a storage case to keep the ear tips safe and keep the 6.3 mm stereo adapter organized.
Pros
- Fit - flexible memory cable loops over ears for a custom fit & long-wearing comfort
- Comfort - soft silicone and Comply foam ear tips
- Sound - great frequency response, no distortion, balanced/neutral tone
- Accessories - a carrying case, silicone ear tips & Comply foam ear tips
- Affordability - mid-range price means they’re great quality but aimed at a higher budget
Cons
- A mic does not come included
RUNNER UP
These wired in-ears are perfect for drummers. Built and designed specifically for professional drummers the Westone UM Pro10 can deliver professional quality in the most demanding environments from studio performances to arena-size stages.
While these in-ears only use a single balanced-armature driver, they do not compromise on sound quality. Providing a crisp and clearer sound in any frequency range.
They deliver well-rounded bass with the option to add in some powerful treble, perfect for heavy music styles.
The five different sized comfy eartips ensure these in-ears will fit any ear size perfectly and comfortably while providing excellent noise isolation. Plus, they will stay in your ears for hours without falling out due to the over-the-ear design.
You get your money’s worth with the UM Pro10, included with your purchase are five pairs of True-Fit comfort foam eartips, an impact-resistant monitor vault, an MMCX twisted cable and a handy cleaning tool.
Pros
- Comfort - 5 different-sized eartips to fit everyone
- Sound - 1 balanced armature driver provides super professional clean and crisp sound
- Accessories - 5 pairs of True-Fit comfort foam eartips, an impact-resistant monitor vault, an MMCX twisted cable and a handy cleaning tool
- Noise cancelling technology - thanks to perfectly fitting eartips, background noise is isolated
Cons
- Some users have found these IEMs to be quite fragile so take care when travelling
RUNNER UP
Audio Technica is a long-trusted brand. Though we have already mentioned this brand once in this review, the ATH-IM03’s are just too good to miss.
They’re absolutely perfect for drummers, the sound quality is professional-grade, they’re lightweight and designed for travelling musicians with the help of a handy travel case.
Complete with silicone ear tips, you can achieve a personalized fit no matter the size of your inner-ears. You can even add the foam tips for a more comfortable, snug fit.
The tips are also noise-cancelling, so you can focus on the job at hand. Featuring dual balanced armature drivers these IEMs will deliver a pure, crisp sound directly into your ear drums while blocking out any unwanted background noise.
This brand produces super high-quality gear, so the price is a little higher than some other products in this article. But, you get exactly what you pay for with these IEMs and if you’re looking to upgrade your on-stage gear, and you’ve got the money to spend, look no further.
Pros
- Comfort - silicone tips mold to your ears plus, extra foam tips include for a more custom fit
- Sound - dual balanced armature drivers deliver a crisp sound straight to you without distortion
- Accessories - removable ear tips, foam tips for extra comfort, travel case to keep your IEMs safe on route
- Noise isolation - thanks to perfectly fitting eartips, background noise is isolated
Cons
- Not budget-friendly but perfect for professionals looking to upgrade
In-Ear Monitors for Drummers Buying Guide
If you’re a drummer of any skill-level, in-ear monitors are a must-buy, even if just to protect your ears from the constant loud noise.
The two main things you need to look for in a standard pair of in-ear monitors are sound quality and noise cancellation. If you’re playing in a band, you as the drummer are tasked with setting the tempo and keeping the rest of the band on track and in-time. So, good sound quality is super important.
In terms of noise cancellation, you need to be able to focus properly on what you’re playing without any distractions from background noise. This will also protect your ears from the long-term effects of being in a super loud room for long periods of time.
Next: the earbuds. It’s super important that you pick a pair of in-ear monitors that properly fit in your ear canal and feel comfortable enough to leave in for long periods of time.
The wrong earbuds can cause long-lasting damage to your ears as a result of not protecting you properly when exposed to loud music.
Finally, a good protective case will be very handy in safely transporting your in-ears from gig to gig without the risk of losing one or both or dropping them onto dirty gig floors. Plus, you won’t have to worry about them being damaged at the bottom of a drum bag.
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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