MagicX Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Have any of you ever wondered about those earpieces that Paramore wear when they do performances, whether they be a single song or an entire concert set? I was interested in finding out exactly what Paramore uses, so I decided to look on the internet to try to find out. As it turns out, the type of earpieces that Paramore use are called In-Ear Monitors (IEMs for short). They were designed to block out a ton of outside noise in order to protect the performer's hearing, but they also have amazing sound quality as well. After doing some searching on Google, I found that Paramore uses a brand called Ultimate Ears ( http://www.ultimateears.com ).I found out by two different methods: 1.) If you look on this page: http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/community/clientele.php You'll find a list of artists (both major label and independent) that use Ultimate Ear products. As it turns out, Paramore is on the list! To save you some searching, Paramore is on page 11. While you're there, maybe some of the other artists you like are using these same earpieces! I was surprised when I searched through for some of my other favorite artists, with a number of them showing up on the list. 2.) If you look on this page: http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/products/custom/index.php You'll see that Paramore is highlighted as the artist shown using these earpieces to begin with! (Nice advertising for Paramore on Ultimate Ears' part, BTW ) The ones that Paramore use are custom molded to fit their ears, and I was really interested in getting a pair for myself to test out the sound quality and noise isolation they get every time they perform. Obviously though, there is NO WAY I was able to afford a custom version (for the ones Paramore use, they run $700!!! Way too expensive ). However, they have a universal fit version for consumers, so I got the universal fit version which is equivalent in sound quality to the pairs that Paramore use. If you're wondering which ones I got, they're called the Super.fi 5 Pros. I still thought these were pricey, but I just had to see if they would improve my music experience as much as the site said they would. In one word...WOW. I have never heard music like this before in my life. The sound that comes out of these earphones is astounding!!! Everything is exceptionally clear and balanced, and they're also quite comfortable and isolate a ton of outside noise (once you use the right sized pair of sleeves; 5 different pairs are included to make sure you get a good fit). They even came with a nice metal case, plus the cables on the earpieces are detachable, so you can replace the cables yourself if they ever short out for some reason. I can't honestly see that happening, though; the durability and build quality is outstanding from what I can tell. I thought I would give a heads-up to you guys though, because these earphones have GREATLY improved my listening experience, especially with Paramore! There are whole new parts of their songs that I was never able to hear before. Now I can hear clearer cymbals, clearer background vocals from the guys, whispers, and on their acoustic tracks I've even been able to hear the fingers strumming on the strings! Overall their music just sounds way more enjoyable to me (coming from someone who loves this band to death and never thought Paramore could possibly sound better ). These are also great on an iPod, in case you're wondering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerrie Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 somewhere on LJ I think someone posted their earpieces up close and they have their names written on them and they're gittery, I like em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicX Posted January 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 somewhere on LJ I think someone posted their earpieces up close and they have their names written on them and they're gittery, I like em. Really? That's cool. There's no chance of me being able to find it on their Livejournal now, though....lol. I'd have to go through TONS of pages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrrrr x matey Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 how much are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iOta Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 MagicX, you sound like a real salesman LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrrrr x matey Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 haha yeah he really does. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komomaan Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 how much are they? I was wondering that to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 I've heard a bit about their custom ear peices...Hayley's has 'shoot dangit' written on one of them. Needless to say, I want a pair, but they probably cost an arm and a leg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicX Posted January 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 I've heard a bit about their custom ear peices...Hayley's has 'shoot dangit' written on one of them. Needless to say, I want a pair, but they probably cost an arm and a leg. Unfortunately, you're right. The custom pairs cost a TON of money! The universal fit ones I got (Super.fi 5 Pro) normally cost $250 on Ultimate Ears' site, but I was able to get them on Amazon for $139 with free shipping. That really isn't too bad if you think about all of the other earphones out there that are being marketed around $99 or so (like Shures, Sonys, Bose, etc.). Either way, I'm loving these things. Listening to My Heart is an entirely new experience with them. Here's a link to these earpieces I got on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MS70SK/sr=8-2/qid=1199380185/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1199380185&sr=8-2 The color I got was black, but they're also available in white, red, and clear. As for sounding like a salesman...I'm not trying to, but I just can't help but tell you guys about these! I didn't think Paramore could possibly sound any better. XD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Oh gawd. Think I'll stick with my £12.99 ones from argos for now. xD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komomaan Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 i think i'll stick with the ones I have to, cause that is a hell lot of money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninski Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 how does paramore use them?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 ill stick with my 50$ skullcandy's thank you very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicX Posted January 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 ill stick with my 50$ skullcandy's thank you very much Ah yes, the Skullcandy Full Metal Jackets, right? Those were what I was using before I got these. There's no contest at all between them. It made me wish I had never bought the Skullcandys, to be honest. The Skullcandys DO look great, though, and they're definitely smaller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-parawhore- Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Im pretty sure all bands wear those. not exactly those but They wear what they sometimes call 'ears'. i remember on the last concert i went to that one of the guys in the band's ears werent working so he didnt put them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Ah yes, the Skullcandy Full Metal Jackets, right? Those were what I was using before I got these. There's no contest at all between them. It made me wish I had never bought the Skullcandys, to be honest. The Skullcandys DO look great, though, and they're definitely smaller. actually, ive got the lowriders. i dont like buds. they never stick in my ear, but these look like they would fit quite nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicX Posted January 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 actually, ive got the lowriders. i dont like buds. they never stick in my ear, but these look like they would fit quite nicely Yeah, I think they fit great! You can actually wear them two different ways, too. You can first wear them in a vertical position with the cords pointing up, then use the cord to wrap them around your ears. The first two inches of the cord is 100% flexible to let you make secure hooks on your ears for more stability. The downside is that this position might be a tiny bit uncomfortable for some over the 2nd method. The 2nd method is to switch the cables with the earpieces, then wear the earpieces with the cables pointing downward. I wear them this way, because I seem to get a perfect seal along with perfect comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Yeah, I think they fit great! You can actually wear them two different ways, too. You can first wear them in a vertical position with the cords pointing up, then use the cord to wrap them around your ears. The first two inches of the cord is 100% flexible to let you make secure hooks on your ears for more stability. The downside is that this position might be a tiny bit uncomfortable for some over the 2nd method. The 2nd method is to switch the cables with the earpieces, then wear the earpieces with the cables pointing downward. I wear them this way, because I seem to get a perfect seal along with perfect comfort. yeah they sound great but i just dont have that kind of money to spend on earphones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roxchick93 Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 i have cheap 10$ skullcandy's. i break my earphone all the time so i never figured wat the point of getting really expensive one wen they wouldnt last longer then 2 months with me. (i stick my ipod in my back pack and my books always squish the head phones) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissHannahRAWR Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 you make me soooo jealous. i LOVE my music and hate riding along on the bus hearing everyone talking over the top of Paramore. but i find that i step on my headphones all the time and break them and wouldn't want to break something that expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicX Posted January 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 you make me soooo jealous. i LOVE my music and hate riding along on the bus hearing everyone talking over the top of Paramore. but i find that i step on my headphones all the time and break them and wouldn't want to break something that expensive I was worried about durability too, but these really hold up to pretty much everything. I tend to be super active/busy during the weekdays, so when I use them most of the time I have to throw them into my backpack (college classes demand some free time, haha). They've held up perfectly though. Plus, the cord is really durable, so I never worry about it breaking. If it actually ever DOES break, there's always the peace of mind of being able to buy a new cord on the cheap. :] By the way, I've noticed that the more I use these, the better they seem to sound! It's really neat, because I thought originally that it was going to sound its best from the get-go. As it turns out, they just keep improving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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