Need IEM recommendations

I am looking to forego acoustically treating my small bedroom studio as, even if I did so, it is not soundproof and my upstairs neighbors surely don't want me blasting studio monitors late at night.

As such, I am looking into high quality IEMs

The 3 I am looking at are as follows (however, I am open to hearing your suggestions based on your personal experience with either the three below or the ones you use):

Westone ES80 (the audiologist I am going to for impressions stated that, as she works with Westone, the 3D ear scan would be free):

https://empireears.com/collections/x-line/products/legend-x-custom-in-ear-monitor?type=custom

Empire Ears Legend X (these would require the audiologist to take a physical impression):

https://empireears.com/collections/x-line/products/legend-x-custom-in-ear-monitor?type=custom

JH Audio (these would require the audiologist to take a physical impression):

https://jhaudio.com/p/jimi-custom

I will be using these with an Apogee Element 24 headphone out

As always, thank you in advance for any advice you can provide.

using IEMs for studio seems.. fatiguing.

Why not open-back?

In ears for mixing? Nah, they're best for live playing or if you wanna blast your ears to hear the metronome while playing and recording drums.

Get some decent studio headphones. Don't get them too cheap either.

200-300 bucks is considered good to get started. Amazing probably over a thousand bucks.

I use these for recording:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DT770pro80--beyerdynamic-dt-770-pro-80-ohm-closed-back-studio-mixing-headphones

And these for reference mixing:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HD650--sennheiser-hd-650-open-back-audiophile-and-reference-headphones

using IEMs for studio seems.. fatiguing.

Why not open-back?

Well, I want something I can use late at night and really feel "within the music"

In ears for mixing? Nah, they're best for live playing or if you wanna blast your ears to hear the metronome while playing and recording drums.

 

Get some decent studio headphones. Don't get them too cheap either.

200-300 bucks is considered good to get started. Amazing probably over a thousand bucks.

 

I use these for recording:

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DT770pro80--beyerdynamic-dt-770-pro-80-ohm-closed-back-studio-mixing-headphones

 

And these for reference mixing:

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HD650--sennheiser-hd-650-open-back-audiophile-and-reference-headphones

Hmmmm, maybe I am wrong about IEMs and open to learning

I believed that IEM would give me a great reproduction of all the little "ear candy" I can throw into a composition

I think the problem about IEMs is that it bypasses our ears and goes directly into the ear canal.

So for mixes that translate well you need good monitoring, either with speakers or very good headphones.

i use IEMs only for live.

They're limited and very fatiguing, no matter how good

triplets' suggestions are great, can't go wrong with those.

I have a couple of pairs of these in the studio:

https://www.thomann.de/intl/si/superlux_hd662_f.htm

And for reference, AKG K702 and Focal Spirit Pro.

When i tried HD650 vs AKG K702, the HD 650 didn't sit well on my head. So if you can try them, do so. We have different heads.

i use these IEMS for live:

https://www.thomann.de/intl/si/the_tbone_ep_6.htm

Doing final mixes on any headphones will be difficult tho.

Doing final mixes on any headphones will be difficult tho.

Very true. Sometimes they work to check sub bass frequencies you might not hear on small monitors.

what triplets said; get a really-good pair of closed-back earphones; beyerdynamic, sennheiser, audio-technica. i prefer open-back for mixing as well... even loud, i doubt the sound wil travel into your neighbor's apartment!

you should still check your mixes on monitors during 'reasonable' hours;; even at low volume; it's essential to mix on monitors; at least, important to check that perspective (and not just rely on the headphones). eq-wise, and spatially, it's more accurate than the 'phones.

i have the sennheiser open-backs that triplets had; i do a lot of mixing on those, but always back&forth with my monitors... and it matters.

no earbuds! not for mixing, anyway...

I use Westone custom fit IEMs for live play, but I'd never consider them for mixing; great for hearing yourself (and masking ambient noise) but not what I'd call high fidelity.

For mixing I also prefer open backs... love my old Grados for that purpose. (I use Sennheiser HD-280s (closed) for tracking vocals since they block monitor leakage, but I'm not fond of their sound.)

As above IEM's are just too fatiguing if you're doing hours at a time - plus the slightest movement affects the sound, so you have to make sure you get a very good fit. But at that point, it constantly feels like you're locked in a vacuumed room.

I much prefere an open/semi-open back headphone vs closed, far better for mixing as the sound has more 'air' and natural feel to it, plus you can hear your room which reduces the chances of you making other noises 'unknowingly' when working (Like singing, tapping on desk, tapping foot etc.).

I'd recommend the Superlux HD-681 - they're dirt cheap and excellent quality. They don't spill out a load of noise, have generous cable length and the EVO models come with nice furry ear cups - they'll serve as an excellent backup pair, or reference should you get something more expensive. Don't be put off by the price, i use these over Sennheisers that cost me 12x the price!

Thank you to everyone - this thread has been super informative and I will research all of your suggestions

Glad I posted rather than jumping feet first into custom IEM