Headphones Prodipe IEM3

The Prodipe in-ear monitors (IEM 3) have been ergonomically designed for musicians to ensure a complete seal from any external noise and an exceptional sound reproduction on stage, in a studio or on the move. With the IEM 3, the sound is neutral and very balanced from lows through to high notes. Over 20 prototypes were created, tested and evaluated until only the best one was left. The IEM 3 will also give an exceptional sound quality to any of your mobile devices. Supplied with a range of flexible moulds for maximum comfort.

Tested by Nushock Studios

I’ve just tried out a set of IEM 3 in-ear monitors from Prodipe. These are tiny monitors that fit directly into the ear canal, sort of Walkman style. The hardest part of being a sound guy preparing for a concert is trying to hide the wedges and onstage monitors so that there’s as much room as possible left for the performers. These last few years, musicians and singers alike have been switching from onstage monitors to in-ear monitors. When I saw my new pair of IEM 3s, my first thought was: what type of sound is going to come out of these tiny transducers? So I connected the IEM 3s to the headphone output on my deck and started playing a few of my favourite CDs. This is only way I could check out what exactly would be going into my ears. As my hearing is my living, I began listening with the sound turned down very low. The IEM 3s gave me some pleasant listening. After 4 to 5 tracks, increasing the volume each time, the IEM 3s were still playing the music the way I expected it to sound. The slogan ‘Studio sound directly in your ears’ felt pretty right to me.

After a while, I even forgot that I was wearing the IEM 3s. I need my sound quality to be spot on and these monitors are the genuine article; no headache problems either. The volume goes up, but the musical harmony stays accurate and easy on the ear. When I’d finished testing the IEM 3s I decided to use them with a musician who had just recorded the electric guitar part for a single – it was time to work on the track and redo the chorus. My ‘guinea pig’ arrived at 10 on Saturday morning. He set up his equipment, I sorted out the mics and then I popped the IEM 3s into his ears. I had access to the whole sound on my multitrack, including the vocals. We began a new track for the chorus. I reckon the guitarist is a little deaf because the monitoring level was incredibly high, but that’s the way it is sometimes. To set his mind at rest, I checked the level for the IEM 3s, wow! He looked pretty happy to me and the main thing is, he could hear his instrument the way he wanted to hear it. Two hours and six choruses later, the session was over. For this type of situation, the mixing made the chorus a very comfortable listen, but the final mix is a whole different ball game.

As he was leaving, I asked him if the in-ear monitors had been better or worse than headphones. “It didn’t cross my mind”, he answered. “I was putting all my energy into the chorus.” I was really pleased when he said this. He hadn’t even noticed the equipment, so the sound must have been good. The IEM 3s really do give a very balanced, neutral playback. If you haven’t got used to the idea of in-ear monitors yet, now’s the time to give them a try because soon they’ll be everywhere. The monitoring mix is always adapted to the needs of a musician because a musician has to be fine with what he or she hears on stage. With front of house mixing there’s a whole other way of doing things. I’ve enjoyed the IEM 3s – they’re easy to use, powerful, accurate, no obvious colouring. They give an exceptionally clean sound for only 39€. Prodipe have done it again. All that’s left to do is buy a transmitter; they’re available at a wide range of prices. The IEM 3s are perfect for your iPod or Walkman. When I hear what Apple are planning to sell!

User manual