ZaenilleThey were originally made for artists performing live on stage to protect their hearing, before CIEM artists used stage monitors to hear themselves ( they still do now, since CIEM are very expensive ), and those were set to very loud volumes, yet the sound still wasnt clear. So now with CIEM they can be super detailed, and also be turned down way lower, thus protecting your hearing.
Since IEMs still have awesome sound quality, they started flooding into the audiophile market, so that is why they are so popular now. Since its alot easier to carry around a pair of CIEM then a giant pair of headphones.
Headphones will always be better ( good quality ones) much more sound stage and dynamics then IEMs. But for artists performing live it would look kinda funny and be uncomfortable using headphones. And they would probably fall off constantly. ( Normal universal IEM fall out quite easily as well, thats why CIEM where made)
WinstonnThe stage monitors also create audio feedback when mics are too close to them, not mentioning the fact that stage monitors deteriorate the sound clarity for the audience also (making the sound muddy and with artificial delays). CIEMs solve all these problems, effectively providing much better sound quality for the performers and audience alike.
One of the advantages over other kinds of headphones and earphones are the fact that they isolate ambient noise (because they fit perfectly in your ear). They also won't fall out of your ears accidentally.
I agree that quality, expensive over the ear headphones can have a larger sound stage and maybe better dynamic range but CIEMs are really close in quality and personally I prefer CIEMs over regular headphones.
I'm super excited about the UERM. This is a really impressive drop (-30% off MSRP). I probably wouldn't have bought them at $999.
Thank you MD for this great opportunity!
darabont_orsYa, true, just wanted to let him know the basics, main thing hearing protection/ease of use.
And ya i guess its all personal preference, there are alot of people that dont like objects lodged in their ears, so obviously these arent meant for them. I personally record and mix live sound using CIEM, but always mix(sometimes with CIEM) and master with Studio Monitors.
KoviRobiThese are definitely going to be blocking out sounds of partying. They block out so much sound that with other CIEM you can get an " ambient " port for live performers that want to hear the crowd. So unless your room is in the middle of a stage, these will be more then enough.