64 Audio - A2e

I was writing a long comment but tldr:/ is get 64Audio A2e, the cheapest CIEM from 64Audio is the best thing under $1000 you can get for female vocalists specifically, it's $550 but slightly better than $900 A3T for female vocalists which would be my #2 pick, ye A3T is better overall with slightly better clarity but it won't be better for your usecase on a side note UE5 is great for electric guitars but pretty bad for female vocalists

I got the A2e. I would've got the A3t but I'm in Canada and I was worried about the tariffs but it wasn't too bad. The sound is better but it's not a huge difference. Bass response is fuller and smoother, a little bit clearer in the high end. Custom fit is a game changer though. My ears are too small for basically every universal fit IEM so they either don't seal well and fall out, or they're super uncomfortable. As you'd expect, the custom buds are easy to fit, seal perfectly, and don't fall out. Just make sure you follow the impressions guide when you get your impressions done.

I haven't used them with the band yet but I don't see why not. They aren't particularly bass heavy but you might be able to adjust the eq a bit on your ear mix. The isolation is good enough that it shouldn't be a problem.

I used these for 6 years before I got some custom molded IEM’s from 64audio. IEM’s are insane but expensive unfortunately. If someone’s on a budget the 990’s are a solid option too

Just get some CIEMs from 64 Audio and call it a day.

I have a 1964 Ears CIEM, a Sony Z1R but all replaced by FatFreq Scarlet Mini. This tiny IEM brings joy listening countless hours. I revived my Cayin N6II DAP bcoz of it.

That’s 64 audio’s whole thing. They built a port with filters into their iems. Essentially acts like having a molded earplug with set db filters (believe they have 12, 15, 20, and solid) that passes signal through it.

If you don't practice with IEMs, it would be better to not play with them either. The difference in volume perception, cue mix, and dealing with human interactions is pretty significant compared to the relative ease of sliding down your 'phones. Side note: most people see the visual cue of 'headphones on' and hold back on coming up to the booth - not so with IEMs. They just don't see them! I'm fortunate to have universal ear holes ?!!! so my set of 64Audio are great. Tried the Sennheiser HD-25 and they're good, also but actually did hurt my ears after a long gig. They also seemed to be tuned to clip certain frequencies but that could have just been my perception, Found that the bass was almost always too rich, when I really needed the mids to be in my sweet spot. The other gotcha with wearing IEMs, whether you get a custom fit or get away with the universal fits, is that you have to absolutely know, trust and believe in your FOH music management. You obviously don't need a booming booth monitor but if you're also controlling your own FOH on the fly, IEMs are not good for keeping your overall volume balanced. If you have to manage your own sound, I wouldn't trust my IEMs to not get in the way.