Donner EM1 Portable IEM Amp Review

[leebergtally]

Whats the use case for this thing?
Just asking, monitoring while being "in the field"?

If you are a musician you can use an in ear monitor (earphone) to hear the stage monitor mix of your instrument and or vocals relative to the other players. This device is basically a headphone amp so you can adjust your volume to taste.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Seems like a pointless device to me. Ok, so it could be used in the professional environment as other people have said - ok a niche product, MEH.

Because you do not perform music live doesn't mean this is pointless or niche. Performing with in-ear monitors in place of stage wedges is transformative for playing live, but in the past it's required a very significant investment for a wireless live monitoring rig.

I get the use scenario but can someone please explain how Amirm took stereo measurements on something with a single XLR input?

Pic not related

it's a combo XLR/TRS input, if you use TRS you can get unbalanced stereo.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Definitely a use case I am not familiar with.
As described by several people above it seems absolute fidelity is not needed for it's intended use so I voted fine.

I voted "not terrible" as I can attest that it does indeed do its intended job, I've performed using these several times over the past year and they work, but the clipping from an input signal below 4 volts is a genuine problem, as in a live performance environment you can absolutely get 4+ volts out from the mixing board and while the high noise floor isn't a problem when performing, a clipped signal definitely is.

Personally I'd like to see a version of this for maybe $20 more that's less likely to clip and has a bit better objective performance, though even with these issues, I'd honestly call this a must-have device for gigging musicians at $50. I use it with my Truthear Zero Blues and it has no trouble with them at all.

 

[kemmler3D]

I use it with my Truthear Zero Blues and it has no trouble with them at all.

Out of curiosity, what tips do you use with these to get good enough isolation for stage use? I'd like to upgrade my TEs (gate, red, hexa) but I'm not up to date on the tip scene.

 

[Multicore]

We discussed a similar product here before. No measurements afaik.

'Behringer P2 In-Ear Monitor Amplifier'

Apr 2, 2020

Any experience with it?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...tra-compact-personal-in-ear-monitor-amplifier

• thefsb
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Headphone Amplifier Reviews & Discussion

 

[SuicideSquid]

Out of curiosity, what tips do you use with these to get good enough isolation for stage use? I'd like to upgrade my TEs (gate, red, hexa) but I'm not up to date on the tip scene.

I have some foam tips that block a lot more sound than the typical silicone tips.

 

[beeface]

I get the use scenario but can someone please explain how Amirm took stereo measurements on something with a single XLR input?

Pic not related

there's a stereo/mono switch, so it's definitely a stereo device. I assume a TRS plug is needed for stereo input

 

[Alex_Brouwer]

This is more a mic pre amp i think, like a irig pre

 

[SuicideSquid]

This is more a mic pre amp i think, like a irig pre

It is not a mic preamp. It is a portable headphone amplifier with an XLR in for professional/live use.

 

[Geert]

Personally I'd like to see a version of this for maybe $20 more that's less likely to clip and has a bit better objective performance

Look at Fischer amps. Not made in China, so $20 won't do unfortunately.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Look at Fischer amps. Not made in China, so $20 won't do unfortunately.

If I'm going to spend that kind of money I'm going wireless.

 

[Mojo Warrior]

Is this thing named after the Donner Party ?

Just asking

 

[EERecordist]

OK industrial design, strange form factor.

 

[pieterv1]

If I'm going to spend that kind of money I'm going wireless.

The industry standard Shure P10R+ is going to cost you a whoooole lot more, I'm afraid

And that's without the transmitter

 

[SuicideSquid]

OK industrial design, strange form factor.

It's meant to be clipped to your belt for use during live performances.

 

[3125b]

I guess this is for people who want some more noise with their IEMs. They had one job and failed completely. What a useless product.

 

[RogerSmith]

Why?

 

[ErinPraline]

I've bought some of Donner's cheap guitar pedal clones in the past and can vouch for them on that front, they're decent products for a beginner to play around with. They've also done a collaboration with Jack White. I would pass on this product if I were looking for an IEM amplifier but I doubt in a live setting that these measurements will matter as much

 

[SuicideSquid]

Why?

Why not read the thread first?

 

[RogerSmith]

Why not read the thread first?

Donnerlippchen. I wasn't referring to the use case itself, but to the bad performance (weak amplification, clipping, high noise).