ELI5 - What is the difference between headphones, earphones and IEMs?
ELI5 - What is the difference between headphones, earphones and IEMs?
Hello! I was looking through the sidebar's list of recommended earphones, and after clicking through some of them, I've realized that I actually don't know if that's a list for me, a consumer looking for something to jack into my phone.
I've tried quickly looking for differences between IEMs and headphones, but didn't managed to reach a conclusion. I've vaguely familiar with the term "monitors", since I do help out from time with band shows, but I never actually dealt with audio equipment or audio setup (aside from carrying it to the stage). From what I assume based on what I've seen, monitors are the the speakers that play on stage, so the band can hear what they play. And IEMs are earbud versions of monitors that the band uses instead.
I've always assumed that they are basically headphones/earphones, just connected to some kind of transmitter, and calling them IEMs just makes it easier to find earbuds focused on audio quality, because the term is not as mass-marketed as earbuds are. But judging by the cable connector I've seen on some of the IEMs I've looked at, it's probably not a jack.
So, what are the differences? Is it a different tech all-together, or are they really just a higher quality earphones with better connector? Would looking for IEMs instead of earbuds make it easier to find better earbuds for regular use, or are they meant only for studios and I'll have a hard time even connecting them without aditionall equipment?
Thank you for any reply or explanation. I realize this question may seem pretty basic, and I hope it's not too out of place - I have almost zero experience with audio, but I did start recently DJing (where all I needed so far was to be able to connect RCA into a mixer) and helping out with setting up band shows, so I'm asking this question not because I'm shopping for earbuds, but because I'm honestly interested in learning something new about how different tech around music work and what's the common language around it.
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You are partially right. IEM stands for in-eat monitor and that name comes from the fact that it is like having a monitor (like a stage wedge) in your ear. That is all that means. It doesn't have to be used on stage, it doesn't have to hook up yo ang particular transmitter/receiver, it's just an audio playback device that fits inside your ear canal. It is no longer restricted to musicians, it refers to a huge array of consumer devices, too. Nearly all of them have a standard 3.5 mm plug on the end, though you can probably find some cables with larger balanced plugs.
Headphones are worn on your head, so they have a headband and sit on or around your ears. Ear buds (and probably earphones, though I don't see that term much anymore) are like regular Airpods that go in your ear, but they don't get shoved down into your ear canal and they don't create any sort of seal.
The only difference in tech is that smaller devices require smaller drivers (the "speaker"), so they may or may not use the same kind of drivers. But all of them serve the basic function of moving air to create sound waves.