Alright, let’s dive into the world of personal in-ear monitoring systems, where sound clarity is king, and personal mix control makes or breaks your live experience. We’ve got offerings from **Allen & Heath**, **KLANG**, **Behringer** (oh, joy), **Aviom**, **Midas**, **Digital Audio Labs**, and **Presonus**. Get ready for a slightly snarky comparison of what they bring to the table—and what they don’t.
—
### 1. **Allen & Heath (ME Personal Mixing System)**
**Pros:**
– **Customizable like a dream:** 40 input channels, so go wild with your mix.
– **Expandable:** You can daisy-chain these things like a Christmas light nightmare, but at least your band will be happy.
– **Tough as nails:** Built for the road, unlike your fragile ego.
– **Seamless integration:** If you’re already in the Allen & Heath ecosystem, this will play nice with your dLive or SQ. No compatibility tantrums here.
**Cons:**
– **Costly:** Yeah, you’re paying for it. But, hey, at least you’ll sound amazing while you cry over your empty wallet.
– **Learning curve:** If you’re the plug-and-play type, good luck. This thing has layers like an onion, and you’re going to cry peeling them back.
—
### 2. **KLANG (3D In-Ear Monitoring Systems)**
**Pros:**
– **3D audio wizardry:** Want to feel like you’re in the middle of a Dolby Atmos movie while on stage? KLANG’s got you covered with spatial magic.
– **Customizable and fancy:** Move instruments around in a 3D space like a sound architect. Why settle for boring ol’ stereo when you can feel like you’re in a virtual reality concert?
– **Mobile control:** Easily tweak your settings via app while pretending you’re checking your Instagram during rehearsal.
**Cons:**
– **Pricey:** Oh, you’re paying for all that fancy audio alchemy, and it’s not cheap. But, hey, quality never is, right?
– **Complexity overload:** If you can barely set your phone’s alarm, this might give you anxiety. 3D sound mixing isn’t for the faint of heart.
– **Latency gremlins:** While minimal, there’s a tiny chance those 3D calculations might delay your sound by a fraction. Not enough to ruin your life, but enough to notice.
—
### 3. **Behringer (P16 Personal Monitor System)**
**Pros:**
– **Dirt cheap:** Let’s be honest, this is why you’re looking at it. You could buy one for the price of lunch for the rest of the band.
– **Simple:** Plug it in, twiddle a few knobs, and boom—you’ve got yourself a monitor mix. Even your bassist could figure it out.
– **Expandable:** Got a big band? Just grab more P16s. At this price, why not?
– **MIDI support:** Because apparently, someone out there still uses MIDI in their live setups.
**Cons:**
– **Flimsy build:** Sure, it works. But drop it once, and it might be game over. You know what they say—you get what you pay for.
– **Sound quality:** Yeah, it’s “good enough,” but if you’ve got ears, you’ll notice the difference. Let’s just say Behringer isn’t winning any awards for clarity here.
– **Channel limitations:** 16 channels might be fine for a small gig, but if you’re running a complex setup, good luck. You’ll be wishing for more inputs faster than you can say “budget option.”
—
### 4. **Aviom (A-320 and A-360 Personal Mixers)**
**Pros:**
– **Audiophile-level sound:** This thing sounds as clean as your conscience after a night of self-reflection. You’ll hear every tiny detail.
– **Efficient networking:** Aviom’s A-Net protocol is fast and solid. No drama, just reliable connections—unlike some bandmates.
– **Customizable presets:** Set up to 16 personal mixes, so you can quickly switch between them while pretending you’re working hard during soundcheck.
– **Rugged:** Built like a tank. Unless you plan to throw it off a building, it’s going to last.
**Cons:**
– **Compatibility snob:** Works best with other Aviom products. If you’re in love with your current setup that’s not Aviom, expect to jump through hoops.
– **Wired, not wireless:** Yeah, you’re tethered. If you were hoping to moonwalk across the stage while adjusting your mix, think again.
– **Costly:** Did I mention it’s not cheap? Because it’s not. But it does sound really, really good, so there’s that.
—
### 5. **Midas (DP48 Personal Monitor System)**
**Pros:**
– **Pristine sound:** This is Midas, so the sound quality is as golden as the brand name implies.
– **Two independent mixes:** You and a bandmate can share a unit without fistfights over the volume knob. Revolutionary.
– **48-channel mixing:** You’ll run out of band members before you run out of channels. For big, complex setups, this thing is a lifesaver.
– **Rugged:** Built to take the kind of abuse your drummer dishes out on stage gear.
**Cons:**
– **Cha-ching:** Prepare to pay for that Midas quality. Worth it? Probably. Affordable? Not so much.
– **Learning curve:** If your brain hurts at the idea of mixing more than 16 channels, this might not be for you.
—
### 6. **Digital Audio Labs (LiveMix Personal Monitor System)**
**Pros:**
– **Loaded with features:** Built-in EQ, compression, and effects per channel. Basically a mini mixing desk in your hands. For those who like to tweak everything (you know who you are), this is heaven.
– **Two-mix system:** Two users can share one unit. Now you can finally bond with your bandmates over shared technology.
– **High-quality sound:** It’s like being wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket of sound. Crystal clear, with plenty of headroom.
– **Recording option:** Want to record the mess you call rehearsal? Go ahead, this thing can do that, too.
**Cons:**
– **Not cheap:** You knew that was coming, didn’t you? With all those bells and whistles, you’re going to pay a premium.
– **Wired-only:** You’ll have to stay plugged in, so no dramatic onstage leaps unless you want to trip over yourself.
—
### 7. **Presonus (EarMix 16M Personal Monitor Mixer)**
**Pros:**
– **Affordable(ish):** For what you get, it’s a decent price. Kind of the middle child of IEM systems.
– **Simple setup:** Presonus keeps it straightforward. You won’t need a degree in audio engineering to get this running.
– **Scalable:** You can connect up to 24 devices, which is probably more than your band will ever need—unless you’re Slipknot.
– **AVB networking:** Networking made easy. For those of you who can’t be bothered with complex setups, this does the job.
**Cons:**
– **Limited channels:** 16 channels might seem like a lot until it isn’t. If you’ve got a big setup, you’ll feel the squeeze.
– **Build quality:** Fine, but it’s not going to win any durability awards. Be nice to it.
– **Basic features:** Not as fancy as something like Digital Audio Labs. But hey, you get what you pay for.
—
### Summary Table
| **Brand** | **Pros** | **Cons** |
|————————-|——————————————————————————————————————————————-|—————————————————————————————————————————————————|
| **Allen & Heath** | 40 channels, expandable, tough, integrates well | Expensive, a little complicated for newbies |
| **KLANG** | 3D audio, customizable, mobile app control | Expensive, complex, slight processing delay |
| **Behringer** | Cheap, easy to use, expandable, MIDI control | Flimsy, average sound, only 16 channels |
| **Aviom** | Top-tier sound, efficient networking, durable | Pricey, compatibility issues, wired-only |
| **Midas** | Amazing sound, 48 channels, dual mixes, rugged | High price, steep learning curve |
| **Digital Audio Labs** | Advanced features, great sound, two-mix system, can record | Expensive, wired-only |
| **Presonus** | Decent price, simple, scalable, AVB networking | Limited channels, not the toughest build, less fancy |
—
So, there you have it. Whether you want the cutting-edge 3D audio experience of **KLANG** or you’re just looking for the affordable, “it does the job” appeal of **Behringer** (just don’t drop it), there’s something for everyone. Happy mixing!