The birth of IEMs

In-ear monitors (IEMs) were initially introduced to the music world as a tool for musicians and artists to have better control over their sound during performances. Although the idea of personal monitoring existed earlier, the use of IEMs began in the 1980s.

Before in-ear monitors
Before the advent of IEMs, musicians relied on stage monitors, also known as "floor wedges" or "foldbacks". These monitors were speakers that were placed on stage and directed the sound towards the performers so they could hear themselves while performing.

However, the problem with stage monitors was that they were often unable to deliver a clear and balanced sound, especially when the volume on stage increased. Moreover, the sound from the monitors could interfere with the microphones, causing feedback.

The first IEMs - today
In the 1980s, the first IEMs were custom earpieces used by artists such as Stevie Wonder and Van Halen. These earpieces were custom-made and fitted exactly into the artist's ear canal. They were connected to a wireless system that sent audio signals from the mixing desk directly to the earpieces. This allowed artists to listen to their own mix of instruments and vocals without depending on stage monitors.

The use of IEMs expanded in the 1990s and 2000s, with more and more artists and musicians using them. Technological advances provided better sound quality, more reliable wireless systems and a wider variety of fits and models.

Today, IEMs have become standard equipment for many professional artists and are also used in other applications, such as broadcasting, audio engineering and personal listening.

The role of Westone Audio
Westone Audio has played an important role in the development of in-ear monitors and has made several contributions to the evolution of this area of technology.

As you know, we are an American company that has been in the audio business since the 1950s. We started as a hearing aid manufacturer and have used our expertise in hearing protection and acoustics to produce high-quality in-ear monitors.

In the early 1990s, Westone Audio was one of the first companies to market custom-made in-ear monitors. We introduced the concept of taking impressions of the user's ear to produce custom earpieces that fit comfortably and offered a good seal. This provided improved noise isolation and accurate sound reproduction.

In addition, we have contributed to the development of advanced driver technology for in-ear monitors. We have several patents to our name for drivers with multiple balance fixtures, which ensure detailed sound reproduction across the entire frequency range.

Furthermore, we have collaborated with professional musicians and audio engineers to continuously improve our products. For example, we have developed models suitable for use in noisy environments, such as on stage, while providing hearing protection.