Here's Why Musicians Use Earpieces (And How Much They Cost)

If you've been to a concert or seen any kind of live performance, chances are you've noticed musicians wearing earpieces while on stage. Although they might look similar to those wireless earbuds runners use, they're actually very different. Referred to as in-ear monitors (IEMs), they offer many more benefits than simply staying in your ear during physical activity.

IEMs play concert audio back into the musician's ear so they can clearly hear their performance. They offer a tight, in-ear fit that blocks out external noises like the crowd. They're also beneficial for long-term hearing health. According to a 2104 study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, musicians are four times more likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss, and IEMs help combat this by playing their audio at a lower level. If musicians are part of a band, IEMs also allow each member to hear their individual mix. Similarly, the devices help singers hear themselves over the band, eliminating the need for them to sing louder and, in turn, reducing vocal strain.

Before IEMs, musicians would point speakers toward them to hear their performance. Understandably, this could create unwanted feedback if the microphone picked up the speaker's audio and forced the musician to stay in one place during their set. The shift to IEMs not only eliminates any unwanted feedback, it also lets performers be much more mobile on stage. Plus, they're much easier to travel with on tour than an extra speaker.

In-ear monitors essentially give musicians complete control over the audio they hear during a live performance. We've already gone over their benefits, but in case it wasn't clear, IEMs are an essential tool for any musician, whether aspiring or professional. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean they're cheap. 

Naturally, the price of an IEM depends on the brand and model you want. However, many of the best headphone brands — like Shure, Sennheiser, and Audio-Technica — are all present in the IEM market, so you practically have your pick of the litter. On the high end, the Shure SE846G2 Sound Isolating Earphones cost $899, while the company also offers the Shure SE215 PRO Wired Earbuds for $99. Similarly, the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro is $99.95 on Amazon, or you can get the Sennheiser EW IEM G4-TWIN, an entire IEM system, for $1,499.00. 64 Audio also has some less-affordable ones, including custom-built and universal options, that will run you a couple thousand dollars.

It's important to know that many of the IEMs sold online only include the earpieces. In order to use them for a live performance, you'll also need a receiver, which can easily attach to a belt, pocket, or guitar strap. Sweetwater has plenty of options, even some that come with earpieces, but it'll cost an extra few hundred dollars.