KZ - ZS10 (Original)

The Xvive wireless system is currently £180 on Amazon in the UK. £50 for some KZ ZS 10 iem’s and you’re good to go with a reliable system.

IEM’s on a budget Linsoul KZ ZS10’s. 5 drivers with good bass response. They punch well above the price of under $50 on Amazon and are widely used by gigging bassists. Wireless system go for the Xvive U4, again way better than the price would suggest and very popular with gigging musos. For pedals your on your own, it’s a saturated market and your favourite probably doesn’t match the guy in the other band on the bill.

Get the Behringer HP1 and KZ ZS10s. Both are super cheap. When you’re at rehearsal or a gig plug the HP1 into the sound board where you usually get your wedge mix. Now just adjust your mix like you would a wedge. If you really like it then you can spend the money on a wireless transmitter (keep the wired one as a backup). As people have mentioned lots of bands own their own tablet controlled mixed with a split snake, so they can adjust their own mixes. But a half decent setup runs 5-10k and you really need to know how to do your own soldering, metalworking etc. and I don’t recommend spending $8000 and 2 weekends soldering and teaching yourself a new software just to see if you like it or not.

KZ AS10 5BA will offer slightly better isolation than ZS10s. I have some, they are excellent. Still not as good as using noise cancelling Sony XM4s though.

Just an observation, when I see budget IEM rigs by musicians for live performances, they usually use KZ IEMs, particularly the ZS10/ZS10 Pro. Meanwhile, in the audiophile world, they find the smoother/neutral tuning preferable. I just find the difference of preferences interesting. Maybe some musicians might find neutral tuning good if they knew about it? Maybe because KZ is just the default recommendation for IEM normies? Or is the ZS10 better for live monitoring for its tuning? Personally, I find the ZS10 a bit hyped/harsh in several frequencies, and FR graphs confirm that it is, but maybe musicians have a different perspective. What do you guys think? Edit: syntax for clarity. I wrote this while commuting lol, so grammatical mistakes were made

KZ-10’s. I just love them.

KZ10’s all day. Affordable and legit for regular gigging use. I’m on year 2 of mine and they’re great.

Shure’s cut out the highs? What model were they and where did you find a pair of that brand for $100? 🤔 When I looked into getting a set, they were the full ear mold pro models and started at $280. I use the KZ-10’s and they give me the full monty of frequency response as well as hearing protection. All for under $50.

I have a td27. Lots of recs on this sub for KZ ZS10s which made me buy them. No regrets at all and save yourself $150. You’ll probably need an extension as the lead is too short to comfortably reach the module.

Moondrop Chu IIs, KZ ZS10s and Apple earpods..

One: make sure you have a tight seal w your IEM. That is absolutely crucial to best low frequency response. Use different foam/flanges as everyone's ear canal is different Two: Get 5 driver IEM buds...you can get the 5 driver KZ linsoul on amazon for $50 Three: If not already, get your bassist on IEM too so he can turn his amp down. Also, make sure he is not turning up the low end EQ on his amp. One of the biggest mistakes bassists make (especiall in smaller rooms) is goosing their low end. It's already a bass guitar- he doesn't need to add more bass! Four: If using subs w your PA, make sure the bass itsnt too loud in them. Too much low end in subs especially in small rooms can muddy the stage area. Five: Have a big band meeting and make it known that playing loud is not helping your cause. If they won't be flexible, find another band:)

There are two parts. One, you get a transmitter and receiver. You buy them together, I like the XVive system. Plug your transmitter into the monitor send from your board. The receiver you’ll wear on your belt or your strap, and you’ll plug in ear monitors into it. These can be basic wired earbuds but good ones both block noise from other instruments and provide clear sound. I like the KZs you get on Amazon that have 5 drivers, I think they were $50 last time I checked. At that point you’re protecting your hearing and getting a mix you can hear really well.

I disagree that everyone needs to be on IEM to be worthwhile. That would be ideal, but I’m the only one using them in a loud rock band. Even with cheap IEM (KZ ZS10) and Comply foam tips, I get some attenuation of the stage volume and don’t need a loud vocal wedge.