We all want the best sound quality possible from our headphones, but that can mean different things depending on who you ask. Unlike earbuds made for the masses, in-ear monitors (IEMs) are a niche line of products.
However, they’ve become increasingly popular in the last few years, given the growing number of audiophiles in the world. But if you’re in the market to buy a pair, the hefty price tags can be a bit off-putting.
Here, we’ll discuss why in-ear monitors are so expensive and if cheaper IEMs are a worthy alternative.
Why Are IEMs So Expensive?
IEMs are expensive because they solve a huge pain point in the music industry: portable audio monitoring. Unlike earbuds that are made for recreational listening and cater to everyone, IEMs are purely designed for audio monitoring (hence the name “monitors”) and cater to live performers, artists, audio engineers, and audiophiles.
In a nutshell, audio monitoring means listening and analyzing audio tracks to mix and master music. You see, in regular consumer-grade headphones, the audio frequencies are often tweaked to a sound signature that feels more fun and upbeat at the cost of losing detail and clarity. That’s fine for casual listeners, but not artists.
When you’re in the studio mixing or performing live on stage, you need the most accurate sound reproduction possible; any coloring might result in the misreading of musical notes. Simply put, the audio should sound just the way it was recorded, and that’s only possible via a flat or balanced sound signature—something most earbuds don’t offer.
Until IEMs came along, artists had trouble while touring because they obviously couldn’t wear big over-ear headphones when performing on stage. They needed something that sounds accurate and isolates noise while being lightweight, portable, and comfortable. IEMs were the perfect solution to this, revolutionizing the music industry.
Unlike earbuds that use dynamic drivers, IEMs use multiple types of headphone drivers. They also have detachable cables and are made from premium materials like resin, metal, and acrylic alongside plastic for added durability. In addition, they require more R&D costs to ensure exceptional sound quality. All this effort combined inflates the price.
Should You Buy Cheap IEMs?
It’s only been a couple of years since IEMs started becoming affordable. Earlier, they were strictly limited to artists and wealthy audiophiles. Professional IEMs still cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, but thanks to the entry of Chinese manufacturers into the market, you can now find budget IEMs for as low as $20–$50. For that price, IEMs are a great purchase—provided that you know what you’re looking for.
Cheaper in-ear monitors usually have a more fun sound signature than their more expensive counterparts but are still flatter than regular earbuds. They tend to appeal to those who are new to the hobby of high-fidelity listening.
As discussed in our detailed comparison of IEMs and earbuds, the former has a significantly better sound quality in terms of overall detail, clarity, and definition. IEMs also have better soundstage and audio imaging for a more immersive music listening or gaming experience.
Also, since most IEMs come with an earmold-like shape, they have better passive noise isolation. In fact, IEMs were originally designed as a tool to cut ambient noise. When performing live, artists couldn’t hear themselves amid all the noise and cheering. Hence, IEMs came into existence as a natural solution.
Some of the best budget IEMs include the BLON BL03, the KZ ZSN Pro X, and the Moondrop SSP.
Join Other Audiophiles With Your First IEM
Today, in-ear monitors are available at every price point, and the cheap ones offer insane value for money (if you’re okay with losing Active Noise Cancellation). No matter your taste, you can find a pair that fits, but be sure to research first.
Watch YouTube reviews about the IEMs you find interesting; you’d be surprised how better they sound. For the price of AirPods, you can buy a pair of professional IEMs like the ones artists use on stage. They offer exceptional clarity, amazing soundstage, superior noise isolation, and bass that feels more accurate and punchy without overpowering other frequencies.
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