KZ - ZS10 (Original)

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.

Another recommendation for the ZS-10s. Excellent performance for the price, I wouldn't consider spending more after having these in hand to be honest.

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.

I have the Westones. They sound alright, and you can hear a lot of definition in your bass, but I struggled to be able to hear my bass AND the rest of the band, there wasn’t a lot of separation. Also I’ve had 2 westone cables break and replaced them for $60 a pop. Then I tried the KZs and holy they blow Westone out of the water. They have so much low end that even with my amp off it still feels like I’m playing with an amp. There’s much better separation and I can hear vocals and guitar super clear alongside my bass. Add on that they cost less than a Westone replacement cable and I’m sold.

Zs10

If you can afford to get custom molds go for it, if not KZ is the way to go. I would put the ZS10s up against any of the name brand. I've tried the westone, ultimate ears, and sure all in triple driver configurations and the KZ ZS10s keep up with or outpace all of them at a significantly lower price.

Yeah I have the KZ 10s and are amazing for the price. I had the SE425 but i didn’t really like them, especially for what they cost

KZ ZS10 or KZ ZSN works wonders and they're cheap.

As others have suggested, KZ has several models (I recommend ZS10 or ZS12 Pro X) that cost peanuts and they outdo most big brand IEMs up to like.. 500usd price range. You might need to get better foams for them, as depending on model they may not come with any.

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.

Another vote for the same. Try out the different tips that come with it, and if you want more isolation than the stock tips do, try some foam (Comply or generic) tips. They definitely make a difference, but to me, are less comfortable. Still worth it for what I do (on acoustic drums; I use other IEMs that I've got for my ekit at home - not as good, but good enough for practicing).

KZ ZS10, but you absolutely need to replace the silicone tips with comply foam tips. The cheap foam tips suck and are rough on your ear canal.

You need a good seal. Ears can be vastly different in size and shape, so what works for one might not for others. I got a BASN MMCX from amazon, triple drivers sound awesome. I chose it because it's smaller. KZ ZS10 is very popular, but a bit bigger. Many of these Chinese IEMS come with a lot of tips, or you can find extra foam tips (Comply, Dekoni Bulletz). Shure SE215 is popular with musicians, but has only a single driver. IEMS need a good seal for the sound, too. They can sound horrible and tinny if they're not well inside.

I recommend somewhere in-between, something with maybe 3-5 drivers and a big set of different tips, since finding the best fit is the most important. There are many on Amazon. The KZ ZS10 is very popular, but seemed too big for me, so I went with a BASN MMCX during the summer prime sales. There's another prime sale coming on 10/8.

I think this is highly personal and depends on what kind of sound you prefer, as an anecdote, I had the KZ ZSX (Terminator) and loved them, then I lost them during a business trip and I saw many reviews claiming that the ZS10 pro where even better, so I replaced my ZSX with the ZS10 and felt disappointed as those had a less analytical sound and I felt I was missing a lot of detail on the high frequencies, but many people feel that the ZSX are harsh and sibilant on the higher frequencies, so again, depends on your taste.

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.

I use KZ ZS10 fantastic for the price, their even better considering the price $70Cad on Amazon.

I considered those just bc of that as well, but ended up going with the KZ ZS10. Curious, is the case the only anime graphic they have on them?

Mind you, I'm just a stay at home player, I play along with Spotify and MP3 tracks and things like that so I don't really need anything road tested. I'm using KZ-ZS10 in ears and they sound phenomenal! They also feel great too. I only paid $19.95 for them about 2 years ago. Now I think they are in the $35 range but still well worth it. I also bought a pair of the ZSTs and those sound good too but they don't fit in my ears right. They just don't feel as good as the ZS10s do.

KZ ZS10 for me. I’ve never used more expensive ones. They sound great to me and I have zero plans on upgrading/swapping for the foreseeable future

KZ-10’s. I just love them.

I have over the ear cans that I use with my RTOM pads and quiet cymbals. For live drumming, it’s KZ-10 in ears with added rubber isolation. They really work well.

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.

I have both the ZS10 and ZS12 Pro X, also significantly cheaper than the hydro but trust me it’s a significant upgrade over the ZS10, and the ZS12 also has 1 BA driver inside the nozzle, dedicated solely for the mids which even the hydro lacks

I'm tempted to try the ZS12 Pro, I've have the ZS10 Pro 2 and other KZ IEMS (ZS10,PR1,PR2,PR3,Castor Bass,ZAX,Rhapsody,Krila,ZSN 2,AS24) - my favorites are the ZAR like the OP and PR1 balanced version.

Another vote for KZ ZS10's

currently using the KZ zs10, its pretty good for the price

KZ ZS10 (or AS10 if you want more bass) are among the best budget IEMs. Get aftermarket foam tips for them and you're good to go!

iems are completely fine for LAN and non LAN use, IMO you get way more quailty in sound with the KZ ZS 10s than you will with a "gamer" headset like the cloud 2s for example.

alright we officially need a sticky about this. A lot of people are going to come in and say KZ ZS10. I do not want you to buy the KZ ZS10 because if you do, you will be spending 35 too many dollars for absolutely no reason. Buy the KZ ZST for 15 dollars (or buy two of them) and some upgraded tips and start saving up for custom molds which you can buy for under 400 dollars (i recommend alclair dualxb) when they go on sale for black friday in two months.

I've had the wired ones for over 10 years and just recently the wire started giving out. Switched to in ears now and I love them. I can hear my drums way more and my hearing is still protected.

KZ ZS10 with Comply ear tips

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

First, you need some proper ear protection- ANC headphones or earbuds like Air Pods are better than nothing but the general consensus is that they should be used with either protective earbuds or cans. Adding even the cheap little foam buds to your current setup will help protect your hearing. Steps 1 & 2- get yourself some IEMs like Shure 215s or ZS10s (or whatever you find and like) with foam tips- they will provide protection even unplugged for practicing or whatever and you can connect these to your phone to listen to tracks or a click while you're practicing or to a computer or mixing board to monitor yourself while recording. You'll likely need a headphone adapter since phones no longer have headphone jacks. Steps 3 & 4- I have a Behringer P2 which allows you to pull the XLR cable from your stage monitor and put that signal directly into your ears. It has an amplifier in it so you can adjust the volume as you need. I use this for rehearsals and gigs where our usual wireless IEM system is unavailable. There are other models that do the same thing at other price points. Beyond that you're looking at wireless IEM systems which are a way more expensive and complicated bag of worms.

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 have the ZS10 and the Truthear Hexa ( very similar to the reds) and I agree to the point about the volume . Use a dongle DAC/Amp for the reds to get the best out of it. They need some extra power over the ZS10. Also,like everyone here mentioned they are both different sound signatures . It’s subjective. But I’ll tell you my experience, I liked the ZS10 initially like you but after that I got the Hexa and used the Hexa for long time (2-3 months or so ) continuously post that it was difficult to go back to the ZS10. There is a concept called ‘Brain burn in’. Your brain tends to like the sonic profile you feed it and gets used to it . Post which if you go to a new sound signature you’ll just hate it.