Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I'm joined by Currawong to discuss whether you should buy closed-back headphones or IEMs. Which product type is right for you and why? Which use cases do each fit better? What are the relative performance ceilings? Where should you start? On the way Currawong also explains some of the history of IEMs. Join us!
Listen to the Audio-Only Version on Major Streaming Platforms (EP04 available at 4am American Central time on 15 October 2025):
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-waves-with-wavetheory/id1838478407
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4QQkxr6TjNs0FeyjQGqPRd
Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/podcasts/9bd0af20-96b2-4381-aaed-51d41b497629/making-waves-with-wavetheory
Podbean: wavetheorysound.podbean.com
My YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@wavetheorysound
My Patreon: patreon.com/wavetheory1
Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E
Currawong's YouTube Channel:
youtube.com/@Currawong
The out-of-commercial music clips and end-of-episode demo track were provided and created Valentiger.
Valentiger homepage: valentigermusic.com/welcome
Valentiger Bandcamp Page: valentigert3.bandcamp.com/music
Listen to Valentiger on streaming platforms:
Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/artists/B001VSXAHK/valentiger
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/valentiger/307719439
Qobuz: open.qobuz.com/artist/7480131
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1YIkMpXKXQPTmYmtbjOQR8?si=Y4pMhUyIQoycsda0P-QpJg
Tidal: tidal.com/artist/5634406/u
The intro track is "All Behind" by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden:
edenberg-shielden.com
Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden
Timestamps...
00:00 Introduction & Featured Music Artist
03:03 The Changes in the IEM Market
18:54 Which Type is More Isolating?
30:05 Break 1 Please Become a Channel Member!
30:29 Which Type Travels Better?
37:26 Which Type is Better for True OTG Use?
46:27 Which Type Has the Higher Performance Ceiling?
57:32 Break 2 Individual Review Videos for Sale on Patreon!
58:37 Building Good Closed-Backs is Difficult
01:13:48 Break 3
01:15:30 At Entry Level, Start with IEM or Closed-Back Headphone?
01:19:50 How to Try Before You Buy
01:35:19 Outro
01:36:14 Featured Artist Demo Track: Oh, To Know! by Valentiger
I'm joined by Currawong to discuss whether you should buy closed-back headphones or IEMs. Which product type is right for you and why? Which use cases do each fit better? What are the relative performance ceilings? Where should you start? On the way Currawong also explains some of the history of IEMs. Join us!
Listen to the Audio-Only Version on Major Streaming Platforms (EP04 available at 4am American Central time on 15 October 2025):
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-waves-with-wavetheory/id1838478407
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4QQkxr6TjNs0FeyjQGqPRd
Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/podcasts/9bd0af20-96b2-4381-aaed-51d41b497629/making-waves-with-wavetheory
Podbean: wavetheorysound.podbean.com
My YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@wavetheorysound
My Patreon: patreon.com/wavetheory1
Make a 1-Time Donation to Support Me on PayPal: paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7N7Z8WRLWQ36E
Currawong's YouTube Channel:
youtube.com/@Currawong
The out-of-commercial music clips and end-of-episode demo track were provided and created Valentiger.
Valentiger homepage: valentigermusic.com/welcome
Valentiger Bandcamp Page: valentigert3.bandcamp.com/music
Listen to Valentiger on streaming platforms:
Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/artists/B001VSXAHK/valentiger
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/valentiger/307719439
Qobuz: open.qobuz.com/artist/7480131
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1YIkMpXKXQPTmYmtbjOQR8?si=Y4pMhUyIQoycsda0P-QpJg
Tidal: tidal.com/artist/5634406/u
The intro track is "All Behind" by Mia Edenberg & Benjamin Shielden:
edenberg-shielden.com
Access Edenberg & Shielden's work on major streaming platforms: hyperfollow.com/edenbergshielden
Timestamps...
00:00 Introduction & Featured Music Artist
03:03 The Changes in the IEM Market
18:54 Which Type is More Isolating?
30:05 Break 1 Please Become a Channel Member!
30:29 Which Type Travels Better?
37:26 Which Type is Better for True OTG Use?
46:27 Which Type Has the Higher Performance Ceiling?
57:32 Break 2 Individual Review Videos for Sale on Patreon!
58:37 Building Good Closed-Backs is Difficult
01:13:48 Break 3
01:15:30 At Entry Level, Start with IEM or Closed-Back Headphone?
01:19:50 How to Try Before You Buy
01:35:19 Outro
01:36:14 Featured Artist Demo Track: Oh, To Know! by Valentiger
