Are multiple drivers better?

When people start researching in-ear monitors, one of the first things they want to know is why some in-ear monitors have multiple drivers, what the purpose of this is, and whether the best in-ear monitors have the most drivers time.

Why multiple drivers?
The concept of multiple drivers in in-ear monitors is similar to that of speakers. By distributing the wide range of audio frequencies across multiple drivers, each driver can theoretically be better tuned to a specific frequency range, such as bass, midrange and treble.

In speakers, we intuitively understand that the larger drivers, which can move more air, are used for lower frequencies, while smaller drivers, which can move quickly and precisely, are used for higher frequencies.

Although the drivers in in-ear monitors are naturally limited in size and may differ by only a few millimetres, the basic principle is similar. Certain drivers are tuned to perform better at certain frequencies and are then combined using a crossover.

So multiple drivers is better?
Well, not necessarily! In the 1990s, more expensive in-ear monitors with multiple drivers were used to overcome the limitations of driver technology at the time and were the best on the market. Today, drivers have evolved to such an extent that the use of multiple drivers has become exponentially less important.

So for us, it's not about the number of drivers you can afford, but the right sound for the purpose you want to use the in-ear monitors for. For example, if you want to hear more of the bass, it is useful to use multiple bass drivers. If you want a neutral sound, three proportional drivers may be enough.