Best In-Ear Monitor for Electric Guitar
Whether you are a professional musician or an amateur having fun playing gigs with your bandmates at local bars, in-ear monitors are essential. The in-ear monitors or IEMs for short, are a must-have gadget for guitarists who are looking to take their skills to the next level. The IEM will block all unnecessary noises on-stage and therefore, make it easier for the musician to hear all the other instruments and vocals. Even though on-stage monitors are usually available at most gigs, they do not work as well as IEMs. The reason behind this is that the IEMs are directly positioned on your ears.
What’s great about IEMs is that they don’t only allow performers to block unwanted noise, but also enable them to mix their sound. This is a really useful feature to have if you want to play your guitar to perfection. That’s not all. IEMs can also be used for rehearsal without having to blast music throughout the studio. With that said, today we will present the top 5 best in-ear monitors for electric guitar. We’ll also answer the internet’s most asked questions on this topic, so make sure to stick around for the end.
Best In-Ear Monitor for Electric Guitar
Sennheiser IE 40 PRO
We are kicking things off with the top-rated Sennheiser IE 40 PRO. If you are familiar with the music industry, then Sennheiser should ring a bell or two. This company is an industry leader, and its professional audio devices are renowned for their quality. The Sennheiser IE 40 PRO doesn’t make an exception to that rule featuring a classic in-ear monitor design and using a dynamic 10mm broadband transducer to produce a high-res sound.
You will feel the quality right from the first time that you place the in-ear monitors for electric guitar in your ears. They do a fantastic job of reducing acoustic stress and providing the user with dissonance-free audio reproduction. This works even at the highest volume levels. Therefore, you can bring them to all on-stage events.
Since the Sennheiser IE 40 PRO is designed for professional use, it should come as no surprise to find out that it ships with a neutral sound. This allows users to change the equalizer until they find the sound signature that they like the most. Talking about the equalizer, we need to mention that it allows users to remove elements from songs like vocals, for example.
The Sennheiser IE 40 PRO needs to deliver precise sound at both low and high sound pressure levels, and therefore, they feature a compact design that fits snuggly into your ears and blocks unwanted sounds. The last thing that we want to mention is that the cable is replaceable. This is a necessary feature for performers because it allows them to adapt to any stage, no matter the size.
Shure SE215-CL Professional IEMs
Are you looking to take your on-stage performances to the next level? Grabbing a pair of Shure SE215-CL Professional IEMs might be just what you need. Shure is another household name in the professional audio industry and what makes it stand out from the competition is the care and attention that it pays to audio quality.
If we take a look under the “hood” of the Shure SE215-CL Professional IEMs, we will see the in-ear monitors for guitar use 37dB of sound attenuation technology to block all outside noise from interfering with your song. Whether you are using the Shure SE215-CL Professional IEMs while performing on stage or in the studio, you will feel the difference.
Comfort is essential when searching for the best in-ear monitor for electric guitar because you will be wearing the devices for a long time. Fortunately, comfort will never be a problem if you choose to go for the Shure SE215-CL Professional IEMs. The IEMs are bundled in three sizes (small, medium, large).
The Shure SE215-CL Professional IEMs are equipped with a reinforced cable that is built to last. That’s not all. Users can also easily replace the cable if they need a longer one. This is possible because the IEMs feature a gold-plated MMCX connector that is equipped with a lock-snap mechanism that supports 360-degree rotation.
Some people don’t like dealing with cables, and Shure knows that too well. This is why the manufacturer is also offering the Shure SE215-CL Professional IEMs in a wireless version that uses Bluetooth to connect. The Bluetooth version is sold separately. You don’t have to be a professional musician to enjoy the premium listening experience that the in-ear monitors offer. They can also be used as daily earphones that provide you with an immersive listening experience and powerful sound.
MEE Audio M6 Pro
The first thing that you will notice about this pair of in-ear monitors for guitar is that they sport a sleek design. The IEMs look as good, if not better than a normal pair of earbuds, and you will be able to wear them on any occasion.
Whether you are rocking out on the mainstage or simply playing music while jogging, the MEE Audio M6 Pro are always a great choice. After you experience the incredible sound quality provided by these IEMs, you will find it difficult to go back to a regular pair of headphones. The MEE Audio M6 Pro features a universal fit that provides full noise isolation and helps musicians get immersed.
The sound produced by the IEMs is high acclaimed, and it fits into the smooth midrange. As a result, guitarists will have an easy time hearing the other instruments in the song and accompanying them. It’s also worth noting that the MEE Audio M6 Pro ships as a complete kit. This means that it comes with a regular stereo cable, headset cable (with mic), protective carrying case, a ¼ adapter, and six sets of silicone ear-tips.
Since the headset cable features a built-in microphone, you can use the MEE Audio M6 Pro to pick up calls from a connected smartphone or tablet. While this might not be an essential feature to have while performing, it’s still nice to have it. Nonetheless, the MEE Audio M6 Pro is a high-end IEM for electric guitar that doesn’t disappoint.
Andiker KZ ZSN-C
While most professional IEMs are priced on the expensive side, the Aniker KZ ZSN-C impresses us with its competitive price. However, this doesn’t mean that the Aniker KZ ZSN-C IEMs are not professional and provide a high-quality listening experience.
In fact, the IEMs stand out with their professional sound quality that is balanced by Dynamic Drivers that provide a richer and more delicate sound than other devices. The Dynamic Drivers feature a frequency response rate of 20-40000Hz. You are guaranteed to notice the difference in your guitar performances after using the Aniker KZ ZSN-C. Moreover, we need to mention that this device uses a balanced armature to deliver professional-grade sound quality at all times.
One of the most impressive features that the Aniker KZ ZSN-C offers is the self-developed titanium film dynamic unit. This feature helps deliver a stronger driving force with a four-layer voice coil. Even if the low frequency is powerful, the sound field width will be extended to make the listening experience more immersive.
The ergonomic design of the IEMs fits all ear sizes comfortably and provides noise reduction. In fact, the manufacturer says that the noise-canceling technology delivers up to 26dB reduction. The lower the volume of unwanted noises, the better the listening experience that you will enjoy. Also, the cable is replaceable. The IEMs use a 0.75mm gold-plated 2PIN plug to make them compatible with various cable models.
Yinyoo KZ ZST Hybrid
Are you looking for an affordable pair of in-ear monitors for guitar? If that is the case, your search ends here. Despite being priced competitively, the Yinyoo KZ ZST Hybrid are some of the best IEMs available on the market. Right from the first glance, you can tell that this device sports a premium build.
The design looks modern and discreet. You can wear the IEMs, and no one in the crowd will be able to tell. However, the cool design is not what makes the Yinyoo KZ ZST Hybrid stand out, and instead, it is the audio technology the IEMs use. The manufacturer equipped the IEMs with an independent sound channel for each driver. As a result, the sound will never get distorted.
The sound quality is crisp, and you will notice the powerful bass right from the first time you wear the Yinyoo KZ ZST Hybrid. The treble is set at midrange, and it has a rich and energetic vibe. Moreover, the IEMs are equipped with a 3.5mm L cable that is compatible with all devices, starting with Android-powered smartphones and ending with Macs.
We also want to note that the Yinyoo KZ ZST Hybrid IEMs are equipped with an HD microphone that can be used for phone calls. Not just that, but the microphone is also equipped with buttons that allow users to play songs or change them. All in all, the Yinyoo KZ ZST Hybrid is shaping up to be a premium in-ear monitor for guitar.
Buying Guide
There are a couple of features that you need to consider when searching for the best in-ear monitors. You can find a buying guide below that contains the features you need to look out for. We also want to highlight that all the devices reviewed by us tick all the boxes. Therefore, there is no such thing as a bad choice.
Sound Quality
Obviously, the most important feature that the best in-ear monitor for electric guitar needs to offer is impressive sound quality. If the sound is bad, you will end up having a bad experience and no one wants that. This is why our advice to all guitarists is to pick an IEM that provides high-res sound. If you are searching for the best, we highly recommend the Sennheiser IE 40 PRO.
- Noise Reduction
One of the main reasons why performers use IEMs is because they want to rid of unwanted noise that could be interfering with their performances. Therefore, you want to make sure that the device you pick can cancel outside noise. Take for example the Aniker KZ ZSN-C that uses a dedicated noise-canceling technology that delivers up to 26dB reduction.
- Comfort
Considering that you will be wearing the IEM for hours on end, you want it to feel comfortable. If the IEM doesn’t have multiple ear-tips to help you find the right size, you will end up having a bad experience whenever you wear them. The MEE Audio M6 Pro offers six sets of ear-tips, and therefore, you are guaranteed to find the right size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are in-ear monitors better than headphones?
IEMs are equipped with tuned drivers that help them deliver as close to the actual sound as possible. That’s not all. These devices also use a dedicated linear driver that creates a rich sound. On the other hand, headphones excel when it comes to bass and volume due to their size. As a result, each device has its pros and cons. We prefer IEMs due to their versatility and rich sound quality.
Are in-ear monitors good for gaming?
IEMs are great for gaming! They provide excellent sound isolation, punchy mids, and deep bass. Gamers who love FPS titles will have a blast using IEMs because they will hear the footsteps of the enemy team easier than usual. Another significant advantage is that gamers who play long sessions won’t end up hurting their ears, which can happen by using a big pair of headphones all day long.
What are the best in-ear monitors for musicians?
Every IEM featured on our list provides immersive sound and noise cancellation. Therefore, they all are best for musicians. If we had to pick one as the ultimate in-ear monitor for electric guitar, we would have to go with the premium Sennheiser IE 40 PRO.
