Audio Technica M2.....now SHURE PSM700's

[rokpunk]

So....I have a show coming up in a few weeks and the rider specifies in ear monitors. I've got a slew of floor wedges, but only one older set of Shure 700 in-ears, so, I need to pick up a few sets in the next week or two.

Have any of you guys used the Audio Technica M2M system? I'm interested in hearing if the build quality is decent, and if they seem like they'd hold up to life on the road. Also, if you have used them and can comment on the audio quality vs. other mid-range systems, that would be helpful. The client is going to ultimately pay the cost for me to buy these, but I don't want to buy junk. The thought of a rack of 4 in ear systems vs. 400lbs of Meyer wedges in bulky road cases is very tempting.

[modulusman]

I have the Audio technica M3 which is the next step up. Good build quality but the ear buds that come stock with these suck bad. Hopefully your client has there own ear buds.

[rokpunk]

I'll look into the M3's as well...thanks for the suggestion. As far as the actual ear buds go, yes, this band has their own buds, they just need the rest of the system. As for the future, I'm thinking I'll buy a dozen or so of the $100 Shure's that are half decent, and offer to sell them to band members if they prefer to use in ears over stage wedges. I have my own custom molds, so I'm set for monitor engineer duty.....but I can see band members not wanting to buy their own in-ear buds, which will mean that we are still hauling out wedges for most shows. It'll be a nice little setup for bands that I work regularly with, who won't mind buying their own buds. I might even be able to make some gigs that are normally "truck" gigs into "van" gigs....a big plus!

[modulusman]

The earbuds I use with mine are shure and they work well. I think they are E3s which are now discontinued.

[bbrunskill]

I've used Shure, Sennheiser and AT IEM systems. I thought the Shure stuff sounds the best. Sennheiser has the best RF.

AT used batteries fast, didn't sound as good as Shure, RF performance was not as good as the Senny, pack was plastic. I wouldn't buy them.

[jrsmiles]

I bought a full outfit of M2s for our band. I wish I'd have either gone with M3s or Sennheiser G3s. Reason being, you don't have any antenna options on the M2 and you're stuck with what it comes with. For some folks that is A OK, for us, we're playing pretty big stages and need more diversity and better reception over longer distances.

Also, the M3 and G3 are both digital and wills scan for the next best available frequency. But, for the price and budget we had the M2s fit the bill at that point.

That being said, I'm about to sell 3 transmitters and 6 packs at a very reasonable price. Contact me if you're interested. They are like brand new.

Good luck!

[rokpunk]

Update....

Got the gig that involves me buying the in-ear systems. The client is paying for me to own these, so it will work out just fine! After some research, and talking to my Shure rep, I've decided to find used PSM700 series to use instead of the new 200 or 900 series systems....or the AT system. The 700's, as long as they aren't in the 700MHz range, seem to be the best bet for my money. I should be able to get each set for about $500/ea. Not bad at all.....

Anyone have any PSM700's they are looking to upgrade or to simply sell off?

[bbrunskill]

Good choice, vastly better than the A-T’s.

[rokpunk]

Yeah, after checking out some of my options, there was no question that last years Shure's blew everything current out of the water. The 700's are a metal box vs. plastic, plus the specs in general were just better on the Shure's. I'd love to buy the new PSM1000's, or even the PSM900's, but I can't justify the price that it would cost me. This way, my client paid for these in a "rental fee" on top of our contract. Can't beat free. So, it seems, with in ear monitors (like everything else pro audio), you have to spend big money to buy new, or buy last years top of the line used, to get anything decent at a price that won't kill you.

[speakerjones]

The 700's should work well for you, and have the added benefit of being rider fillers, unlike the AT's. I would try to buy later model PSM700's. I seem to remember that they changed something in the circuit from the first run to later runs that made them sound better. Maybe the limiter? I'm not sure how to tell the difference though.