No holding back the fold-back with JH Audio’s IEMs
As any regular gigging drummer will know, not hearing the rest of the band over the kit is one of those bugbears that we all have to try to overcome. Particularly when you’re playing venues of all shapes and sizes, it’s sometimes hard to get a good mix onstage. But that mix, and feeling connected to what’s going on, can make the difference between a good gig and a bad gig. In my own experience, rarely does having a huge speaker or wedge produce an accurate reproduction of the band’s sound (think plenty of fuzzy bass and piercing vocals), and what’s more, you need to have it at a deafening level to hear it. This is where in-ear monitors (referred to as IEMs) come into their own. They can be expensive, such as the range-topping JH16 professional IEMs we road-test here, but JH Audio offer a range of custom IEMs to suit all budgets. The company can boast the likes of Linkin Park, Aerosmith, Alter Bridge … even Lady Gaga herself in their line-up of endorsees. Well, if they are good enough for them …
Custom Fit
All JH Audio’s IEMs are custom fitted. The monitors will be unique to your ears only and will guarantee a comfortable fit, but also better sound reproduction. This requires an impression of your own ear canal to be taken by a professional audiologist. I contacted a local audiologist (thanks to Curtis Alcock at Broom Reid and Harris of Exeter) who promptly took impressions of both ears by inserting into the ear a resin that sets. This wasn’t uncomfortable at all and was a quick process. The impressions were then sent off to JH Audio for the IEMs to be created. The custom IEMs were turned around and arrived with me (from the USA factory) within 10 working days!
In Detail
The JH16s are JH Audio’s flagship model. Ambient noise reduction (known as attenuation) is at -26dB (as are all JH Audio IEMs), which cuts out all of the onstage clutter. JH Audio state that the JH16s are the first IEMs available with eight drivers per ear. Essentially this means that the phones can handle a wider frequency range. In this case the range is 10Hz – 20kHz. Compare this, for example, to a half-decent pair of MP3 headphones which can handle around 19Hz – 21kHz. Double dual low-frequency drivers used within the JH16s produce accurate bass without distortion. The piece that fits into the ear canal has three chambers to channel the sound into your ear. A gold-plated 3.5mm jack connects the JH16s to your monitoring source. The JH16s are clear (custom colours and designs are available), making them discreet while wearing onstage. What’s more, they come supplied with a personalised, very tough hard case complete with carry pouch and cleaning tool.
In Use
Once you get used to popping the IEMs in and out of your ears (it takes a little practice), they soon become familiar. They are comfortable and unobtrusive. Even without anything going through the cans, the level of attenuation (isolation of external noise) is high – it’s even difficult to hear people talking to you. This is a good sign, however, as the higher the attenuation, the more you’ll be able to hear onstage. Behind the kit, the JH16s reproduce sound with incredible clarity. Bass frequencies are faithfully reproduced without distortion or fuzz, thanks to the dual low-frequency drivers. Vocals, guitars and snare are clear as a bell thanks to the excellent mid- and high-range frequencies of the drivers. Hearing the mix over the onstage noise was no problem at all, and you have a sense of connection with the band when using IEMs that you otherwise wouldn’t have.
Conclusion
Using IEMs does take a little getting used to. The temptation is to turn up the volume as perception says you’ll need to. Not so. The attenuation with the custom-fit JH16s was so good that volume could be kept down, thereby protecting your hearing. But it was the reproduction of sound that impressed the most: staggering clarity and faithful sound reproduction are the JH16’s hallmark. Although you are, as ever, at the mercy of a good sound tech for a sweet mix, certainly you feel more a part of what’s going on, which in my experience only helps to make the gig smoother. You’ll also require a wired (cheaper) or wireless (more expensive) monitor device to go with your custom ear monitors. The JH16s are top of the JH Audio range, but the JH5s or JH7s are more affordable and promise a sound introduction (get it?) into the IEM experience. If you truly value your performance and that of your band, and if your activity justifies the outlay, you should invest in a pair of these babies.
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