Before You Buy IEMs - The SUPER NOOB Guide

Summary

In this beginner's guide to in-ear monitors (IEMs), Tim from Giz Audio offers essential advice for newcomers. He emphasizes the importance of sound signature, distinguishing between 'exciting' and 'normal' options, and advises against relying on brand marketing. Fit and comfort are crucial, with personal ear differences affecting the choice of shell size and nozzle dimensions. Accessory quality, especially ear tips and cables, is highlighted as important for sound and user experience. Lastly, Tim stresses the value of purchasing from reputable sellers and brands for reliable customer service and quality assurance.

Takeaways

• 🎧 The first consideration for a beginner in the IM (In-Ear Monitors) world is the sound signature, which can be either 'exciting' with boosted bass and treble, or 'normal' with a balanced sound profile.
• 🔍 Ignore marketing claims about sound quality and instead research through reviews and personal trials to understand the true sound signature of an IM.
• 👂 Fit and comfort are crucial, with shell size and nozzle dimensions varying greatly among IMs, affecting individual comfort and sound quality.
• 📏 Nozzle size can be a problem for some, especially if it's too wide for smaller ear canals or if the length is unsuitable, causing an uncomfortable or poor fit.
• 🎁 When considering accessories, a good selection of ear tips is essential for achieving an ideal fit and sound, and a decent quality cable that doesn't tangle or retain its shape is also important.
• 🛍️ Look for brands and stores that offer a variety of ear tips and have a reputation for quality assurance to avoid the need for purchasing aftermarket accessories.
• 👀 Quality of the cable can significantly impact the user experience, so pay attention to reviews that discuss cable performance in detail.
• 🛡️ Consider the service and quality assurance provided by the store and the brand, especially for handling potential issues like channel imbalances or faulty units.
• 🚫 Be cautious of purchasing from non-reputable sources, such as unknown used markets or stores without a solid reputation.
• 🏆 Choose brands with a good track record and reputation for quality to ensure a better likelihood of receiving a high-quality IM.
• ❓ For further questions or clarifications, engage with the community through comments on review sites or forums to gain more personalized advice.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script provided?

The main purpose of the video script is to provide a beginner's guide to the IM (In-Mold) world, helping newcomers understand what to consider when choosing an IM and what to avoid.

Why is the sound signature important when choosing an IM?

The sound signature is important because it determines the listening experience. Different IMs have different sound signatures, such as v-shaped, u-shaped, or Harmon, which can affect the bass, mid-range, and treble.

What should a beginner avoid when considering the sound signature of an IM?

A beginner should avoid relying on the brand's marketing claims about the sound signature. Instead, they should research from multiple reviews and try out the IM themselves if possible.

What are the two main sound signature options mentioned in the script?

The two main sound signature options mentioned are 'exciting sound' and 'normal sound'. Exciting sound has extra bass and sparkly highs, while normal sound has a balanced frequency response without significant boosts in any area.

Why is fit and comfort important when choosing an IM?

Fit and comfort are important because they affect how well the IM stays in the ear and how it feels during long-term use. An ill-fitting IM can cause discomfort and may not provide the best sound quality due to poor seal.

What are the two aspects of fit and comfort discussed in the script?

The two aspects discussed are shell size and nozzle size. Shell size refers to the overall dimensions of the IM, while nozzle size refers to the width and length of the part that fits into the ear canal.

Why is it recommended to have a variety of ear tips with an IM?

A variety of ear tips is recommended because they can significantly affect the fit and seal in the ear, which in turn influences the sound quality. Different users may require different sizes or types of ear tips for a comfortable and optimal fit.

What are the key aspects to consider when evaluating the quality of an IM's cable?

Key aspects include the cable's resistance to tangling, its memory (how easily it retains its shape), and overall durability. A good cable should not affect the user experience negatively.

Why is it important to consider the store and brand's service and quality assurance when buying an IM?

It's important because if you encounter issues like channel imbalances or faulty units, you'll need a store and brand that can handle returns or replacements efficiently and without hassle.

What is the advice given for a beginner who is unsure about the quality of an IM's cable?

The advice is to watch reviews on platforms like YouTube, where you can visually assess the cable's quality and performance, as this can be difficult to determine from text descriptions alone.

What should a beginner do if they are unsure about the sound signature of an IM?

A beginner should use search terms like 'v-shape', 'u-shape', 'Harman', 'jm1 meta' on Google or review sites to find reviews of IMs with those sound signatures and listen to them if possible to understand their characteristics.

Outlines

00:00

🎧 Navigating the IM World: Sound Signatures and Fit

This paragraph introduces the listener to the world of in-ear monitors (IMs), highlighting the overwhelming options and decision fatigue that newcomers may face. The speaker, Tim, from Giz Audio, provides a beginner's guide focusing on the importance of sound signatures, distinguishing between 'exciting' and 'normal' sound options like v-shaped, u-shaped, and Harman targets. He advises against relying on marketing claims and suggests doing personal research or trying out the IMs for the best fit. The paragraph also emphasizes the importance of fit and comfort, discussing shell size and nozzle dimensions, and how they affect individual comfort and sound quality.

05:01

🛍️ IM Accessories and Purchase Considerations

The second paragraph delves into the importance of accessories that come with IMs, such as a variety of ear tips which are crucial for achieving an ideal fit and sound quality. It also touches on the quality of the cable, which can impact the user experience, and the importance of choosing a good cable to avoid tangling and other issues. The paragraph concludes with advice on considering the service and quality assurance of both the store from which you purchase and the brand of the IM. It warns against buying from non-reputable sources and emphasizes the value of a brand with a solid reputation for quality assurance.

Keywords

💡IM World

The 'IM World' refers to the community and market of In-Ear Monitors (IEMs), which are a type of personal audio device. In the context of the video, it represents the vast array of options and information that newcomers encounter when they first delve into the hobby of IEMs. The script mentions getting 'bombarded by so many options on the market,' highlighting the overwhelming nature of the IM World for beginners.

💡Decision Fatigue

Decision fatigue is the state of being mentally exhausted from making decisions. In the script, it is used to describe the overwhelming feeling a newcomer might experience when faced with the multitude of choices in the IM World. The video aims to alleviate this fatigue by providing guidance on what to consider when choosing IEMs.

💡Sound Signatures

Sound signatures refer to the unique tonal characteristics of audio equipment, such as IEMs. The script simplifies this concept by presenting two main options: 'exciting sound' and 'normal sound.' Exciting sound might include boosted bass or treble, while normal sound is more balanced and natural. Understanding a product's sound signature is crucial for matching it to one's personal preferences.

💡V-shaped Signature

A 'V-shaped signature' is a term used in audio to describe a sound profile that emphasizes the bass and treble frequencies, often creating a 'V' when graphed on a frequency response chart. The script uses this term as an example of an 'exciting sound' signature, suggesting that IEMs with this signature might have extra bass and sparkly highs.

💡Meta Tuning

In the context of the script, 'meta tuning' refers to a sound signature that is considered by enthusiasts to be the standard or most desirable tuning, often balanced and neutral. The term is used in contrast to more colored or exaggerated sound signatures, suggesting that some IEMs are designed to appeal to a wide audience by meeting a perceived ideal of sound quality.

💡Fit and Comfort

Fit and comfort are critical factors when choosing IEMs, as they directly affect the user's experience. The script discusses the importance of shell size and nozzle dimensions, which can vary significantly among IEM models. A proper fit ensures not only comfort but also optimal sound quality due to better seal and noise isolation.

💡Nozzle Size

Nozzle size pertains to the dimensions of the part of the IEM that fits into the ear canal. The script mentions that the nozzle's width or girth can affect comfort, especially for those with smaller ear canals. It also touches on nozzle length, which, if too long or too short, can lead to an uncomfortable or suboptimal fit.

💡Accessories

Accessories in the context of IEMs include additional items that come with the product, such as ear tips and cables. The script emphasizes the importance of a 'generous selection of ear tips' for achieving an ideal fit and sound, as well as the quality of the cable, which can impact the user experience and potentially require an aftermarket replacement.

💡Ear Tips

Ear tips are the soft, usually silicone or foam covers that attach to the nozzle of an IEM. They play a significant role in the fit and sound isolation of the device. The script suggests that having various sizes and types of ear tips is beneficial, as they can customize the fit and improve the sound quality based on individual ear anatomy.

💡Quality Assurance

Quality assurance in the script refers to the measures taken by a brand or store to ensure the products they sell meet certain standards. It is important for new buyers to consider the reputation of the brand and the store for handling potential issues like channel imbalances or faulty units, as mentioned in the script, to ensure a satisfactory purchase experience.

💡Channel Imbalances

Channel imbalances occur when the left and right audio channels of an IEM do not sound the same, which can be a manufacturing defect. The script warns new buyers to be aware of this possibility and to choose a store with good return or replacement policies to address such issues.

Highlights

A beginner's guide to In-Ear Monitors (IMs) is introduced, focusing on the essentials for new enthusiasts.

The importance of sound signature in choosing IMs is emphasized, with two main options: exciting or normal sound.

Exciting sound signatures include v-shaped, u-shaped, and Harman, while normal sound is akin to the 'meta tuning' of the JM1 Target.

A warning against relying on marketing claims about sound quality, suggesting research through reviews and personal trials.

Fit and comfort are highlighted as crucial factors, with individual ear differences affecting the choice of IMs.

Shell size variations in IMs are discussed, advising against purchasing those that are too large or small for individual ear sizes.

Nozzle size and length are identified as common issues affecting fit, with personal testing recommended to find the right fit.

Accessories are considered an important aspect, with a focus on the variety and quality of ear tips provided with IMs.

The role of ear tips in achieving an ideal fit and sound quality is explained, underscoring the need for a good seal.

Cable quality is highlighted as a factor affecting the overall experience, with a preference for cables that do not tangle easily.

The value of watching video reviews for a visual assessment of cable quality is suggested for those unable to test in person.

Service and quality assurance are identified as the last considerations, with a focus on the reputation of the store and brand.

The potential for receiving a faulty unit is acknowledged, with a recommendation to choose stores with hassle-free return policies.

A caution against purchasing from non-reputable sources or unknown sellers is given to avoid service issues.

The guide concludes with an invitation for questions and a promise to reply, fostering engagement with the audience.

Transcripts

so you're new here in the IM world and

already on day one you're getting

bombarded by so many options on the

market that you're getting decision

fatigue and since you're so new you

don't know what information is actually

important what's not important what you

should consider and what you shouldn't

consider but fear not in today's video

I'll clear that confusion for you hey

friends Tim here welcome back to another

video on giz audio and today's video is

a super Noob guide to IM The Beginner's

Journey if you will the tutorial stage

to the IM World starting off with the

first thing you should consider is of

course the sound yes surprise now what

you might not know is that IM IMS have

different sound signatures they don't

all sound the same or else we wouldn't

really have a hobby now would we now

this topic itself can be an entire video

on their own but for the sake of this

video I'm going to boil it down to only

two different main options do you want

exciting sound or do you want normal

sound exciting sound are signatures like

BC Signature v-shaped signatures

u-shaped signatures Harmon and normal

sound is something like the jm1 Target

or as we enthusiasts like to call it the

meta tuning now if you don't know what

any of these means don't worry about it

is kind of pretty self-explanatory the

normal sound is normal there's no

significant boost in any area like no

extra base not a lot of extra treble

everything just kind of sounds normal

and the the exciting sound signatures

are signatures that has extra bass extra

sparkly highs and so on and so forth

v-shape u-shape Harman jm1 meta these

are Search terms you can use to search

on Google or on review sites if you will

when you're looking for IMS that you

know have these kind of signatures now

the one thing not to consider that's

relating to sound signature is the

marketing yes whatever the brand says

that the IM IM sounds like is most

likely wrong don't listen to any of it

because of course they're going to say

the bass is amazing the mid-range is

amazing the treble is amazing the sound

is amazing they're never going to say

it's bad all right so whatever the brand

has on their page about the sound or

anything relating to it don't listen to

it research from a lot of reviews out

there on YouTube and on forums or on

some websites or if you have the chance

just try out the IM yourself next thing

you should consider before buying an IM

is the fit and comfort now there are two

things to talk about here first one is

the shell size some IMS are big some are

wide some are tall some are thick and

chunky it really depends on what your

ears can handle because everyone's ears

is different it's really hard for me to

say that hey don't buy IM IM if it's

this big or don't buy IM IM if it's too

small it's not that easy maybe if you

know you have smaller ears don't get an

IM that is obviously massive but again

the best way to to figure this out for

yourself is to try now the second thing

is the nozzle size now where a lot of

people have problems with the nozzles

are in two different areas number one is

the nozzle width or the girth how wide

that nozzle is some people with smaller

ear canals might not be able to handle a

girthy nozzle but again this is

something that you have to test out

personally I don't have a problem with

nozzle size my my ear canal is big

enough to be able to handle pretty much

anything that I've ever put on the one

thing I have problems with sometimes are

the nozzle length now this is a rarer

problem than nozzle size because most

im's nozzle length is perfectly fine

anyone can fit it but there are some

Fringe cases where it's either too long

or Too Short too long resulting in an

uncomfortable fit or Too Short which can

result to a not ideal fit next is the

third point to consider and that is the

accessories now accessories comes in all

ranges of quality depending on theem

that you purchase of course if you buy

an IM at $20 you can't really expect too

many accessories to be in there but in

any case there are some Basics that I

myself look for when buying an IM number

one is a generous selection of ear tips

whether it's in the different sizes of

the same ear tips or various different

types of ear tips and the reason this is

important is because ear tips play a big

role in how an IM am fit in your ear and

an IM im's fitting plays a role in how

it sounds in your ear you want an ideal

fit with a good seal which requires the

previous point like I said with the

shell size nozzle but you also need good

ear tips now if an IM doesn't come with

good options of ear tips and the ones

that it comes with doesn't really fit

you guess what you're going to have to

spend more money buying aftermarket ear

tips so it is nice if an IM has various

different types or at the very least

various different size of ear tips now

most of them do but you know good to

look out for brands that have even more

options than the rest the second piece

of accessories I look for is the cable I

want a relatively decent quality cable

that won't tangle as easily that doesn't

have a lot of memory now I do realize

that since you guys are so new you guys

won't know the context behind like you

know what's good cable what's bad cable

now the easy way to combat this if

you're not near an IM store that you can

go and try these stuff out yourself is

to watch a lot of the reviews that are

available on YouTube now videos is

really good here because you can

actually see how the cable you know is

in visual rather than a description in

text now the reason I care so much about

the cable is because bad cable just give

you bad experiences and you don't enjoy

using the that you just purchased even

if you like the sound even if you like

the fit if the cable sucks it kind of

ruins the experience for you which may

lead you to have to swap out the cable

for an aftermarket cable which cost you

more money and the last thing you should

consider before buying an imem is the

services and quality assurance of the

store you're buying from and the brand

that makes the IM now since you're new

here I'm going to save you the

disappointment that may or may not

happen to you depending on how lucky you

are with IM there are chances those slim

that you will get a unit that has

Channel imbalances which means the left

and right side don't really sound

exactly the same or a unit that is just

faulty and when that happens you want a

store that is able to handle the return

replacement process without any hassle

now all the major stores that you see

being recommended it online tend to do a

pretty good job at this so don't worry

about that this is more to caution you

from buying from non reputable places

like used Market from someone you don't

know or stored that's not really

reputable no one knows it etc etc and on

the brand side of things it's pretty

simple try to pick a brand that has a

good track record or good reputation for

quality assurance all right that is it

for this super new beginner Guide to the

world I hope you guys enjoy all those

information there are a lot more to go

into but since this is the super Noob

guide I'm going to keep it at here for

now and of course if you have any

questions ask that down below I'll try

to reply to as many as I can and with

all that being said I'll see you guys in

the next one peace out and bye