In Ear Monitor Drivers Explained:
- Miles
- Jul 29, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 12
What are the differences, what driver count means for custom in-ear monitors, and what that actually means in real life.
If you're a musician, audiophile, or simply someone who loves high-quality sound, you’ve probably come across in-ear monitors (IEMs) — and all the chat about drivers, types, and how many you should have.
The world of IEMs is fascinating — but it can get overwhelming fast, especially when jargon starts flying around about drivers and driver counts.
So, let's dive into this topic and see what it's all about!
What Are Custom In Ear Monitor Drivers?
In-ear monitor (IEM) drivers are the tiny speakers inside your monitors that convert electrical signals into sound. They're the heart and soul of your listening experience, determining the quality and clarity of the sound you hear. There are a few different types of drivers commonly used in IEMs:
Dynamic Drivers:
These are like mini versions of the speakers you'd find in a PA system or your living room. They use a circular diaphragm attached to a voice coil, which moves within a magnetic field to produce sound.
Dynamic drivers are great for:
Powerful bass
Warm, natural tone
But they can struggle to produce tight highs and lows at the same time, so they tend to lean more toward the low and midrange.
Balanced Armature Drivers:
These are smaller, more precise, and by far the most common in custom IEMs.
They use a different internal mechanism and are great for:
Crisp, clean high-end
Targeted frequency control
Stacking multiple drivers for full-range detail
A lot of premium IEMs use several different BA drivers — each one tuned for a specific part of the frequency range. It’s all about balance and detail
Electrostatic Drivers:
These are rare but seriously impressive. They use an electrically charged diaphragm vibrating between two plates — like a mini ribbon microphone.
What you get:
Ridiculous detail
Sparkling highs
A real sense of space
You’ll only find these in high-end sets like the FiR Audio Xenon6 and Radon6 — perfect if you're chasing that extra level of clarity and air in the top end.
So... Which One’s Best?
There’s no “best” — only what sounds best to you.
All driver types have their own strengths and weaknesses, which manufacturer's use to get their desired sound!
Common Applications & Examples:
Most IEMs you'll come across will have two or more balanced armature drivers, each handling a different part of the frequency range — thanks to a crossover system that gives each driver its own role.
For example, the ACS Engage uses two BA drivers — one for the lows, and one covering mids and highs. So for example, the ACS Engage has 2 BA Drivers, one for the lows, and one for the mid & high frequencies. On the other end of the scale, you've got the powerhouse that is the 64Audio A18s with it's 4-way system, that has 18 BA drivers, with 8 Low, 8 Low Mid, 1 high-mid and 1 TIA high driver.
But what if you mix driver types?
What are 'Hybrid' Custom In Ear Monitors?
Hybrid IEMs combine different types of drivers within a single earpiece to leverage the strengths of each. For instance, a common hybrid configuration might include a dynamic driver for bass and balanced armature drivers for mids and highs. This allows the IEM to produce a rich, full sound across all frequencies.
The 64Audio A4s is an IEM which does this really well and tends to be a great choice for drummers, bass & keys players!
Hybrid designs aim to deliver the best of both worlds, offering the warmth and power of dynamic drivers alongside the precision and clarity of balanced armatures.
A great example of hybrid IEMs is the FIR Audio Frontier Series.
These IEMs integrate various driver technologies to achieve their trademark immersive sound. By combining multiple driver types, FIR Audio's Frontier Series delivers robust bass, clear mids, and sparkling highs, providing a balanced and immersive audio experience.
Take the FiR Audio Xenon6 for example — it uses:
1 Dynamic Driver for its Kinetic Bass
1 Balanced Armature Low
2 BA Mids
1 BA High
1 Electrostatic High
That makes it one of the most advanced IEMs on the market right now — and it's already being used by a lot of high-profile artists and session players.
You can see the Kinetic Bass port inside the custom in ear monitor shell in the image here!
What Does Driver Count Mean?
When you see an IEM with multiple drivers, it means that the manufacturer has included several tiny speakers inside each monitor, generally with each one handling a different part of the sound spectrum. For example:
Single Driver IEMs:
These use one driver to handle the entire frequency range. They’re simpler and often more cost-effective, but may not offer the same richness or detail as multi-driver setups.
A great example of a single Dynamic Driver IEM that used the IEM shell to enhance the sound are the FiR Audio Electron Series, E10 & E12.
Dual Driver IEMs:
These typically have one driver for the low frequencies and another for the mid and high frequencies, offering better clarity and separation.
Triple and Quad Driver IEMs:
These go a step further by assigning separate drivers to more specific ranges.For example:
Triple-driver setups might have one for bass, one for mids, one for highs.
Quad-driver setups may add even more precision or headroom — great for complex mixes or more demanding monitoring.
Five or More Drivers:
Some high-end models feature five, six, or even more drivers per earpiece — offering incredibly detailed, spacious, and balanced sound. You’ll get seriously high-end performance, but at a higher price point.
What Does All This Mean in Real Life?
In real life, the choice of IEMs and their driver configurations can significantly impact your listening experience. But is more, more? Not necessarily! We always advocated trusting your own ears and the best way to understand what works for you is to try them out yourself.
For professional musicians, having a precise and clear sound is crucial for performance. Combinations of multiple drivers and crossovers in Multi-driver IEMs can help ensure that every note and nuance is heard clearly, even on a noisy stage.
For audiophiles, the choice might come down to personal preference. Some might prefer the warmth of a dynamic driver, while others might crave the clarity and detail offered by multiple balanced armature drivers.
At Dakin Custom Audio, we offer a range of custom IEMs from top brands like 64Audio, FIR Audio, ACS Custom, and Bellos Audio. Come in for a Demo Session and experience the difference for yourself. Our experts will help you find the perfect pair to match your needs and preferences.
Whether you're a seasoned musician, a dedicated audiophile, or someone who simply enjoys great sound, understanding IEM drivers can help you make an informed decision and enhance your listening experience. Visit Dakin Custom Audio today and discover your perfect sound!
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