In ear monitors vs Traditional DJ headphones

[illstep]

i tried the westone um3 and i didn't like 'em for everyday use, as they where just lacking bass being "studio monitors". i then went with the westone 3 (which is the consumer version), which sound awesome as well but have alot more boom in the low end.

i am not yet happy with plugging stuff in my ear on a gig (makes me feel isolated from the room), but the sound quality is like million times ahead of your average booth monitor.

[mostapha]

i am not yet happy with plugging stuff in my ear on a gig (makes me feel isolated from the room)

You get used to it when you realize that most of the people in a given DJ booth (other than you) are morons and that the sound is so freaking loud that you really only get information about the floor by sight anyway.

Random side note, I saw an elevated booth at one club near here where you can't even see the majority of the dance floor…except for a CCTV monitor. Now, that feels disconnected.

(is it obvious that I read too much dilbert?)

[Garygary1]

(is it obvious that I read too much dilbert?)

I f**king love dilbert

[Yep.]

I have the Shure SE215s and love them. I only use them when I have gigs because the volume is...well super duper high. They're more for protecting my hearing, but they sound amazing. Probably among the best purchases of my life. When I'm practicing I just use one of my many sets of cans. If I were to recommend what you do, I would say get a fairly priced set of cans (Numark Red Waves Are Supposedly Quite Good, or keep the Senns) and a high quality IEM. I'd say any of the Shures above the SE115, prefferably the SE315s or SE425s.

[JonathanBlake]

UE Triple Fi10's (thanks again Dennis). Phenomenal sound, and great to listen/practice with. Using them more and more to gig with. Booth monitors are redundant, there's the noise cancelling bonus (feel it saves my ears) and its kinda 'g33ky/def-con' -ish.
(edit - a good complement to tma-1's)

[Street Knowledge]

I use the monster (hear me out) turbine pro golds. Now as much as their beats series may be gimmicky and overpriced, their turbine line isnt. They have strong bass, clear mids and crisp highs. I use them with the comply foam headphone tips. Strong seal shuts out outside noise too so you dont have to turn them way up.

A suggestion I make to ALL my dj friends is: Learn to mix in your headphones. You have no idea how many gigs I have played where there was no monitor, the monitor was halfway across the room or just a piece of crap.

If the mix is on in the cue, its on in the main mix.

[JonathanBlake]

I use the monster (hear me out) turbine pro golds. Now as much as their beats series may be gimmicky and overpriced, their turbine line isnt. They have strong bass, clear mids and crisp highs. I use them with the comply foam headphone tips. Strong seal shuts out outside noise too so you dont have to turn them way up.

A suggestion I make to ALL my dj friends is: Learn to mix in your headphones. You have no idea how many gigs I have played where there was no monitor, the monitor was halfway across the room or just a piece of crap.

If the mix is on in the cue, its on in the main mix.

Only get the entry-level Turbines in South Africa - I bought them for my wife - she has to hide them away from me! SERIOUSLY underrated IEMs. Not quite the same 'finesse' as the triple-armatured UE's, but a GREAT all-rounder. I would love to hear the Pro Golds. Also check out the Ltd Ed Miles Davis tribute 'Trumpets'. Cooler than an ice cube!

[Street Knowledge]

Only get the entry-level Turbines in South Africa - I bought them for my wife - she has to hide them away from me! SERIOUSLY underrated IEMs. Not quite the same 'finesse' as the triple-armatured UE's, but a GREAT all-rounder. I would love to hear the Pro Golds. Also check out the Ltd Ed Miles Davis tribute 'Trumpets'. Cooler than an ice cube!

I have been lucky enough to try all of them, and for dance music I liked the pro golds the best. The miles davis are better suited for live music and less bass heavy tracks.

[Tornesoul]

Currently im using a pair of Westone 1s for my mp3. There wont be a problem connecting to a traktor kontrol s4 right? I do have a 1/4" to 3.55mm converter. Would u guys recommend an IEM over a headphone? Have read the articles u guys have posted!

[JonathanBlake]

Currently im using a pair of Westone 1s for my mp3. There wont be a problem connecting to a traktor kontrol s4 right? I do ahve a 1/4" to 3.55mm converter. Would u guys recommend an IEM over a headphone? have read the articles u guys have posted!

Tough call TS - I enjoy both - for different reasons. For personal use definitely the IEM's. Using them more and more for gigging - they tend to 'isolate' (no pun intended) from your audience more, but I find that focuses me more. Go to the Ultimate Ear website and read what the musos say about gigging with IEM's. Interesting reading.

[edit - have used both the UE Tfi10's and the Turbines with my S4 - no problem]