Cheap vs Expensive In-Ear Monitors - Part 2 of 3 @DaveRat

Uploaded March 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

Part 2 of a 3 part video where I compare a wide assortment of in-ear monitors. Not only will we look at frequency response, transfer function and phase, I also chat about cable types, connectors and setup so that you can listen to the differences between the various units.

In this video I test the Audix A10, Steath Sonics C9, JH Audio Roxanne and begin testing the L-Acoustics Contour XO in-ear monitors.

In part 1 - Describing setup and test methods as well as test and listen to the Ultimate Ears UE18+, Sennheiser IE4, Shure SE215, and Future Sonics MG6PRO in ear monitors. Link to Part 1: youtu.be/bHU5N4HMwmk

In part 3 - Test and listen to the L-Acoustics Contour XO, the low frequency EQ controls on the Contour and the Roxanne as well as listen to and compare to a $38 pair of CCA C10 in ears. Link to Part 3: youtu.be/GLugtH11QQ4

Huge thank you to J.T. O’Neal and Riarosa for the music!

Band : Riarosa
Song: Better Than Nothing
Produced by: J.T. O’Neal
Mixed by : Brian Edwards
Mastered: Voyager Mastering
youtube.com/watch?v=X8YKLwPK3Mg
youtube.com/channel/UCG2K0fG2yXHTKIfqlwWCx1Q
open.spotify.com/track/2GFUihqFfRKvu3QfwX4UV9?si=s7uIF5dZSpK_HIPmmAp_bA
instagram.com/riarosaband?igshid=dandzd67g2mb

Test Software:
Smaart - rationalacoustics.com/smaart/smaart-v8

Measurement Mics:
Audix TM-2 test mics - audixusa.com/products/tm2

In Ear Monitors Tested:
Audix A10 - prosoundweb.com/audix-introduces-a10-line-of-in-ear-monitors
Stealth Sonics stealthsonics.com/pages/custom
JH Audio Roxanne jhaudio.com/all-item-groups/products/custom-fit-products/siren-series-roxanne
L-Acoustics Contour XO - l-acoustics-creations.com/collaborations/contour-xo-by-jhaudio

00:00 Intro
00:46 Audix A10 description and test
02:06 Audix A10 listening and compare to UE18+
03:43 Stealthsonics C9 Hybrid description and test
05:14 Stealthsonics C9 Hybrid listening and compare to UE18+
07:55 JH Audio Roxanne description and test
10:57 JH Audio Roxanne listening and compare to UE18+
12:05 In-ear HF frequency response
13:14 L-Acoustics Contour XO description and test
17:05 Roxanne Low frequency EQ
17:37 L-Acoustics Contour XO low frequency EQ
18:44 Outro

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Cheap vs Expensive In-Ear Monitors - Part 2 of 3

$How Real Do the Drums Sound? In this YouTube video, Dave Rat talks about a method of achieving realism in reproduced sound rather than just fidelity. He discusses the flaws inherent in conventional sound systems and recommends placing the sound source directly in the listeners acoustic environment for a more realistic experience. He then goes on to demonstrate the difference between different speakers and encourages users to acquire the tools that will achieve their desired outcome. Ultimately, he describes a method to create a sound that is realistic and not just a reproduction. 00:00:00 In this section of the video, the speaker demonstrates how conventional sound systems are designed to recreate an audio environment and bring the listener into that space, but its not entirely realistic due to the physical world we live in with regards to distance and time it takes for sound to travel. Instead, the speaker lays out a different approach where the instrument, such as a guitar player, is placed directly in the listeners acoustic environment to create a more realistic scenario. The speaker also notes that audiophile sound systems are not based purely in science but are rather an art form wrapped in science, though there is science involved and audiophile speakers can still sound wonderful. 00:05:00 In this section, the speaker recommends purchasing speakers based on personal preferences for aesthetics, practicality, or sound quality. He suggests buying speakers that were used during the recording or mixing process if one wants a sound system that sounds closest to how it was intended. However, he notes that realism in sound reproduction is not the same as identical recreation or fidelity, and there are many factors that contribute to how we perceive sound. Ultimately, one should acquire the tools that will achieve their desired outcome. 00:10:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of realism in reproduced sound, as opposed to just fidelity. Realism means that a sound source will sound real regardless of where you are in relation to it. The concept of a sweet spot, where the sound is best, is a result of flawed sound reproduction systems. The speaker then goes on to demo a homemade four channel, four signal speaker compared to a pair of vintage speakers using higher quality gear. He cautions listeners that the speaker may not be suitable for their specific application, but that it creates a realistic sound of a drummer in the living room. 00:15:00 In this section, a raw drum recording is played back through different speakers, including the real speaker without the sub, the stereo speakers, and the real speaker with the sub. The goal is to determine which sounds more realistic, not necessarily what sounds better or smoother. The platform from which sound is projected is crucial to creating sonic realism, and speakers that radiate all sound in one direction or a single sound in multiple directions are incapable of reproducing realistic sound. The fundamental platform is what determines the sounds realism, and once that is established, the sound can be refined. 00:20:00 In this section of the video, the speaker expresses their fascination with creating and reproducing realistic sound through instruments. They are impressed with how effective and simple it is to make something sound real, even though the YouTube format can only capture a fraction of the full realism. The speaker notes that the difference between formats can be heard, and signs off with a reference to Spicoli McConaughey. If you like this and other videos I do, please join this channel to get access to more videos, early access to videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_nJM07b0k7C9CvcM-9OH6w/join Also check out: http://www.soundymcsoundface.com https://www.ratsoundsales.com/ https://ratsound.com/daveswordpress/ https://www.ratsound.com/ http://www.soundtools.com$

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