M-Audio IE Series

M-Audio has released three models of professional buds. Before we tackle the specifics of each, let’s take a look at what comes standard in every box.

STANDARD ACCESSORIES

The shape of your ears is as unique as your fingerprint. Accordingly, every IE model comes with a variety of earpieces. Like Goldilocks, I tried different ones until I found a good fit. There’s also a tiny tool for cleaning the buds every so often.

The IE-20 XB and IE-30 models come with an in-line attenuator/limiter plug to keep loudness peaks under control. You don’t have to use it, but here’s why you should: Ear buds sit closer to your eardrum than cans, so a bit of classical bombast or an electronic climax can produce enough sound pressure to potentially damage your hearing. Kudos to M-Audio for helping to prevent this, as I was able to do at a DJ gig where I had split the signal from my laptop using a Y-cable, and needed the house level much higher than my own monitors. Aside from a touch of distortion due to the high volumes, the attenuator reduced the level enough for me to do a set without blowing my head off. All three IEs also come with a leatherette carrying case.

IE-10

The IE-10s feature a single-driver (one speaker) design like most commercial headphones. While positioned as “entry-level,” they’re much more than upscale replacements for consumer buds. The overall character is wonderfully smooth. They’re a smidgen bright, but not shrill by any means. Lows aren’t lacking, but you may be surprised at how balanced lows really sound at first. Unlike speakers, which can move enough air to vibrate your whole body, in-ears provide strictly cochlear stimulation. If I had to compare the IE-10s to an actual speaker, I’d say they sound similar to a good set of nearfields with 5" or 6" woofers.

IE-20 XB

This middle model offers several upgrades. First, they’re a dual-driver design, which means there are separate treble and bass drivers inside each phone, like most studio monitors. Second, the “woofer” in the XBs has an extended low frequency range. Third, in order to reproduce lows with both clarity and punch, they’re physically larger than either the IE-10s or 30s. Overall, their character reminds me of a popular monitor speaker for hip-hop and dance music: the Mackie HR-824. Big warm lows paired with slick, silky highs are more than enough to offset the inevitable stares as you rock the stereo-fied Lieutenant Uhura look.

IE-30

These dual-driver ear buds are like high-end studio monitors for your head, with sound quality rivaling in-ears costing more than twice as much. Technical editor Stephen Fortner agreed, commenting, “I never thought I could mix with any earphone anywhere near this price, and I’ve also been using them for nitpicky evaluations of keyboard sounds.” Lows are beautifully balanced and full, without being boomy. I’d actually recommend a lower-end model if all you want to do is listen to MP3s, because the highs are so detailed and accurate that the data-compression artifacts in anything less than a full-size AIFF or WAV file glow like radioactive waste. For mission-critical pro use, though, the IE-30s will rock your world.

CONCLUSIONS

I used all three models in every conceivable situation, from mixes in which the IE-20s and 30s translated beautifully to monitor speakers, to DJ sets where I received compliments and questions about the IEs, since they all look hi-tech and sexy in person. Having lived with the IE series for a while, I can honestly say that I will never go back to regular headphones for any of my mobile work, period. Laptop producers, DJs, and anyone who uses headphones regularly, absolutely must check out the IE series in-ears. I was utterly blown away, and everyone at Keyboard agreed they were a clear Key Buy winner.