6 Best In-Ear Monitors For Singers

Xvive’s U4 wireless in-ear monitoring system is an affordable option that provides reliable results. It’s amongst the easiest systems to operate and is ideally suited to vocalists. 

With an operating range of up to 90 ft, I’d highly recommend this in-ear monitor to singers who predominantly play in small or medium-sized venues. 

The lithium-ion battery provides 5 hours of continuous use on a single full charge, which is adequate for long shows and the inevitable encore! Latency is kept to an absolute minimum, with a barely noticeable delay of 5ms. 

Setting this Xvive in-ear monitor up is very straightforward. All that you need to do is connect it to a laptop, interface, or mixer via the line-level output, and hook up a set of earphones, then use the auto-scan feature to hear your singing in real-time. 

The Shure PSM300 P3TRA215CL is the perfect solution for vocalists who aren’t keen on using wedge monitors. This system works simultaneously to protect your ears, while also delivering crystal-clear audio through the SE215 earphones. 

To ensure straightforward operation, Shure has included a one-touch sync button on the front side of the transmitter. This automatically scans for the best available frequency, so that you don’t need to waste time when setting up your vocal monitors. 

We found the “MixMode” feature to be very useful, as it allows you to control the levels of your vocal monitoring, and any other instruments or backing tracks that you need to hear. 

Shure’s SE215 earphones block out a lot of the background noise, minimizing the spill from other instruments onstage. This leaves you to focus on the mix that you’ve set up in your in-ear monitors with no distractions. 

In typical Sennheiser fashion, the high-end EQ IEM G4 goes above and beyond to deliver outstanding sound quality and performance. This set includes everything a singer could need to hear their vocals onstage. 

The SR IEM G4 transmitter is roadworthy and very easy to operate. It features a rack-mountable design, which could be useful if you’re using the system in the same practice room or venue for the foreseeable future. 

Sennheiser has upgraded the interface in the transmitter, making it even quicker to sync than previous models. Also, there’s no filler in terms of the onboard controls – each one performs a vital purpose. 

Moving onto the included receiver in this in-ear monitor system, Sennheiser has smartly designed it so that the headphone lead doubles up as a secondary antenna. This prevents unexpected cut-outs mid-performance. 

The included earphones are perhaps the weakest link in the set, but they still provide some noise isolation and good sound quality. 

The P3TRA215CL in-ear monitor system provides everything a singer requires to hear their vocals when performing live. 

A standout attribute of this Shure system is its sound quality. The SE215 earphones sound balanced across the frequency spectrum, making them suitable for blending your vocals with guitars or other instruments that need to be audible in the mix. 

I also enjoyed the inclusion of the battery level indicator on the P3RA receiver. This allows you to keep tabs on the remaining power so that you know when it’s time to replace the two AA batteries. 

If you’re looking for in-ear monitors that perform to a high standard but are still reasonably priced, this Shure system is one of the best mid-range options on the market. 

The 300ft operating range means that the P3TRA215CL in-ear monitors can be used in venues of all sizes, and the onboard limiter ensures that your hearing is protected from volume spikes. 

For singers who are accompanied by backing vocalists or other musicians when performing live, the dual-receiver edition of Xvive Audio’s UR42 is the perfect solution to your monitoring needs. 

Setting up this in-ear monitor system couldn’t be easier. All that you need to do is either hook up the return channel from your mixer or another audio device, plug in a set of earphones, and you’re good to go. 

One of the features that stood out to us when analyzing the UR42 was the volume control installed on both receivers. The textured design means that both vocalists using the system can adjust their levels without disrupting their performance. 

Both the transmitter and receiver have inbuilt lithium-ion batteries, which are rechargeable and provide around 5 hours of constant usage before running out of power. This eliminates the need for replacing batteries and reduces future costs. 

If you’re serious about achieving the ultimate clarity of vocal monitoring, I’d suggest considering the EQIEM G4 – A1 Band by Sennheiser. This system minimized stage noise, allowing you to hone in on the desired sounds coming through the earphones. 

Firstly, Sennheiser has designed the SE IEM G4 transmitter to withstand the inevitable rigors of touring and playing live shows. The rack-mount design makes it easy to secure the device so that it stays in place throughout a performance. 

The receiver is also a sophisticated piece of equipment, with features such as a visual battery life indicator, and automatic frequency scanning for ultra-quick setup. 

Another innovative feature that I believe many singers will find useful is the automatic lock included on the transmitter. This prevents the settings from accidentally being changed after sound-check, and gives you peace of mind when performing. 

Finally, IE4 earbuds add the finishing touches to this in-ear monitoring system. They provide a striking sound quality when used for vocals or other instruments.