IEMs for acoustic drums and hearing protection.

[Bacchusoo7]

Hi, I'm looking for a set of IEM that I can use while practicing and recording acoustic drums. I need something that will act as a quality headphone (so I can hear what I'm playing to with clarity), but also as effective hearing protection. I have tinnitus and some hearing degradation and want to protect what I have left against further damage.

I currently use a set of Vic firth Over the ear sound isolation headphones and they are adequate, but barely. They are pretty good at protecting my hearing but don't sound all that good. I have a set of Crinacle Zeros that sound good but do not offer enough hearing protection.

I know they're getting old but are the Etymotic ER2 or 3's good ideas? They're reasonably priced and offer good hearing protection.

What would you all suggest?

Thank you.

 

[staticV3]

Etymotic IEMs make for excellent hearing protection, as does Shure's line of professional IEMs.

ER2XR would be my recommendation, but the ergonomics are certainly unique with Ety's signature deep insertion fit, so you'd have to see how you get on with it.

The TOTL solution would likely be Custom IEMs with earmuffs on top, but the cost is hard to justify unless you're doing it professionally.

Even them, CIEM manufacturers seem to be allergic to publishing frequency response and isolation measurements of their products, so researching them is a pain compared to UIEMs like your Truthear Zeros.

 

[Soandso]

I have etymotic ER2SE model iems and used them with etymotic triple flange tips while being subjected to an extremely noisy, repetitive, abruptly on-off slamming sound medical equipment treatment which lasted about 45 minutes each session over the course of 2 months. They worked fine making the equipment sound minimal and definitely significantly better than the special ear protectors that the medical equipment technician originally provided me.

 

[Redacted]

It surely comes down to how hard you drive any headphones, and the resulting SPL into the ear canal....
With drums, I cannot believe that super-audiophile phones or somewhat less, will affect what you need to hear.

Frankly, try Gate Truthear or Crinkle Zero 2 (?) etc (I have both) for under $20 and if you don't like them, clean the silicone tips with isopropyl and donate them to a friend who might enjoy them.

 

[staticV3]

It surely comes down to how hard you drive any headphones, and the resulting SPL into the ear canal....
With drums, I cannot believe that super-audiophile phones or somewhat less, will affect what you need to hear.

Frankly, try Gate Truthear or Crinkle Zero 2 (?) etc (I have both) for under $20 and if you don't like them, clean the silicone tips with isopropyl and donate them to a friend who might enjoy them.

Try actually reading the first post.

OP already has a pair of Truthear Zeros.
This is about noise isolation, not sound quality.

 

[Bacchusoo7]

Custom options are just too expensive for my use case. I'm a hobbyist and while I would love to be able to do that it just isn't worth it.

I've been trying to read up on the different models and variations, I'm thinking of trying the ER2 or 3, They're currently essentially the same price on Amazon. I'm not sure about SE vs XR. I'm not a "huge bass" kind of a guy but the graphs that I've been seeing regarding the XR doesn't make it look particularly bassy despite the marketing, which makes me wonder if the SE would be too thin. So I think I'm leaning toward the XR but I certainly could be persuaded.

Thanks to everyone for their insight, please keep it coming.

 

[nagster]

Another approach is to address sound isolation and monitoring separately.
High sound quality IEMs with excellent sound isolation, a shape that fits your auricle, and a low price are rare.
Wear earmuffs or noise-canceling headphones over your favorite IEMs.
This may look bulky, but prioritize hearing protection during practice and rehearsals. Hearing loss is irreversible.
Take your IEMs to Home Depot or a gun shop and try out different options.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/ppe/hearing-protection/earmuffs/

 

[waynel]

Another approach is to address sound isolation and monitoring separately.
High sound quality IEMs with excellent sound isolation, a shape that fits your auricle, and a low price are rare.
Wear earmuffs or noise-canceling headphones over your favorite IEMs.
This may look bulky, but prioritize hearing protection during practice and rehearsals. Hearing loss is irreversible.
Take your IEMs to Home Depot or a gun shop and try out different options.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/ppe/hearing-protection/earmuffs/

Agree with this. I play the drums and use in-ears with peltor 30dB ear muffs on top. There is no way to get more isolation than this due to flanking paths through your head. This will protect your hearing and keep the click out of the overhead mics.

When I’m practicing with music but not recording I do the opposite with musicians earplugs (I like eargasm) with closed headphones on top.

 

[Bacchusoo7]

Nagster and Wayne, how do you get around the IEM cable fighting with the seating of the ear cushion? In the (distant) past I've tried similar thing with earbuds and early era Shure IEMs and remember the cable interrupting the seal of the earmuff protection and it being uncomfortable.

My preference is a single solution. If the ERs really get 35-40+ dB, that's as good or better than any over-the-ear earmuff protection I've ever seen.

 

[waynel]

Nagster and Wayne, how do you get around the IEM cable fighting with the seating of the ear cushion? In the (distant) past I've tried similar thing with earbuds and early era Shure IEMs and remember the cable interrupting the seal of the earmuff protection and it being uncomfortable.

My preference is a single solution. If the ERs really get 35-40+ dB, that's as good or better than any over-the-ear earmuff protection I've ever seen.

It's a non issue with my Peltor earmuffs. Just get these and use your current in ears

https://a.co/d/02S1r9Xx

 

[Bacchusoo7]

It's a non issue with my Peltor earmuffs. Just get these and use your current in ears

https://a.co/d/02S1r9Xx

That, to me, sounds a little like the worst of all worlds, the hassle of the in-ears (not easy to take in and out) and the bulk of the over-the-ear hearing protection and having to deal with two things every time instead of one.

I do appreciate the suggestion, though that one probably isn't for me.

 

[Redacted]

I use various 'phones or IEMs when playing guitar. Both my IEMs seal out external sound better than OE 'phones.

OK, I'm probably not following this thread properly (or not reading posts carefully), but to me everything comes down to using correct sized silicone buds and sealing them tightly, right into your ears; the brand of IEMs doesn't matter too much as they all have various sizes included. Don't use memory foam ones - they can't seal properly, and will fall out after 15mins - you'll be pushing them in every 30secs. Don't clean the buds (with isopropyl) too often either, as a bit of grease helps the seal - you know they fit right (airtight-ish) when you have to ease them out carefully so as to not suck out a bit of brain or eardrum by being too sudden.

 

[listener650]

As a drummer, the best results I got were Etymotics + Peltor earmuffs on top. If I were still drumming I'd likely still do the same, but use a Qudelix 5K to EQ the Etymotic to have a less shouty/mid-forward signature.

 

[nagster]

Nagster and Wayne, how do you get around the IEM cable fighting with the seating of the ear cushion? In the (distant) past I've tried similar thing with earbuds and early era Shure IEMs and remember the cable interrupting the seal of the earmuff protection and it being uncomfortable.

My preference is a single solution. If the ERs really get 35-40+ dB, that's as good or better than any over-the-ear earmuff protection I've ever seen.

Yes, as mentioned earlier, you can try them yourself at Amazon, Home Depot, or a gun shop. No one else can know your tolerance level or the shape of your ears.

The IEM cable runs between my head and the pad, but for me, it was clearly within my tolerance level. The sound isolation performance of the earmuffs was overwhelming.

If you are set on using only IEMs, you will have to keep searching until you find a commercially available IEM that seals your ears and produces high-quality sound, or have one custom-made by a reputable manufacturer.
Only you can judge the condition of your own ears. It comes down to whether you invest time or money.

My experience is as follows:
In order of highest sound isolation performance: 3M X5 >> Custom earplugs >>> Etymotic > ZERO 2.
I hope this will be helpful in your research.