When it comes to monitoring, there are so many options to choose from. Some live stages will have wedge monitors near your drum set that allow you to hear everything, while others will require you to connect in-ear monitors to a PA system. The latter has become more and more common over the past decade.
So, all drummers should have a reliable pair of in-ear monitors to use whenever needed. If you don’t have a pair yet, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to explore the Sennheiser IE 400 Pro in-ears to see what all the hype surrounding them is all about.
The IE 400 monitors are known for being extremely comfortable. On top of that, they have excellent sound quality that covers a wide array of frequencies.
While they’re not the cheapest in-ears around, they also don’t cost as much as some of the top options. With them sitting somewhere in the middle of the in-ear monitor price range, they’re a good option to consider.
Some notable features include Sennheiser’s SYS 7 drive system and TrueResponse technology. We’ll get to the details of those below, but know that they’re huge selling points for the monitors.
These monitors are perfectly suited for home practice, live stages, and recording studios. They’re an excellent gigging option, thanks to their ability to handle high sound pressure levels.
The Sennheiser IE 400 monitors have great sound quality. The sound you get from them is natural and clean, and there’s a unique emphasis on bass frequencies. In-ear monitors around this price range and a bit lower typically have more focus on mids and highs, so it’s great to hear deep bass sounds when using these.
With Sennheiser’s TrueResponse technology, you get no distortion at all, even when the volume is pushed quite high. While it’s important to protect your ears and keep the volume levels down, it’s good to know that you won’t get any distortion when pushing the volume up on busy stages.
The monitors also give you very accurate stereo imaging, which is something all good in-ear monitors should have.
The main construction feature of the IE 400 monitors is Sennheiser’s SYS 7 drive system. The 7mm drive is quite small, yet it’s very powerful. It’s also one of the biggest contributors to these earphones being so comfortable.
It’s standard procedure for in-ear monitors to include tips of different sizes, but it’s worth mentioning that the tips of these monitors tend to lose their sponginess over time, especially if you constantly change them out. Just be wary of that when using the IE 400 Pros.
The cables are detachable, making it easier to clean them when needed. It also makes it easier to troubleshoot when something is going wrong. Instead of buying an entirely new set of in-ears, you could simply replace the cables.
These in-ear monitors perform very well when using them to play drums. If you’re monitoring your drum mix to your ears, you’ll be able to hear all the parts of your kit evenly. In-ears with less emphasis on bass frequencies tend to lose a bit of impact from the bass drum and floor tom.
They have relatively decent sound isolation. However, it’s not as strong as some of the competitor in-ears on the market. You may want to check those out if you’re looking for complete isolation. It’s sometimes good to hear a bit of the outside sound, so these are a better option for drummers who are looking for that.
Since the IE 400 Pros are quite comfortable, you’ll have no problem performing with them for extended periods.
These in-ears cost between $300 and $400, depending on when and where you buy them. That’s certainly a lot cheaper than the high-end earphones available, but it’s a bit more expensive than many other options that may suit you just as well.
The selling points with these are comfort and balanced frequencies. If that’s what you’re looking for, their price is highly worth their value.
If you’re simply looking for in-ear monitors because you need them to play gigs and you’re not a huge audiophile, you could find a more affordable pair. Just note that more affordable pairs typically don’t emphasize as much on the bass spectrum as these Sennheiser monitors do.
While the Sennheiser IE 400 Pros have great sounds in the bass range, you’ll still be missing a lot of low end compared to if you use can headphones. It’s more ideal to use headphones in recording environments as you’ll have a greater sense of overall sound quality.
Also, if you’re doing long recording sessions, headphones will be more comfortable than in-ear monitors. So, the IE 400s will work, but high-quality headphones will work a lot better.
Live gigs are where the IE 400s thrive. They have amazing playability, their comfortable, and have awesome sound quality. Everything you need for a decent live playing experience is packed into these lightweight monitors.
You could get something more expensive that sounds better and is more comfortable, but these will work well for most drummers.
Overall, the Sennheiser IE 400 Pro in-ear monitors are a great option for drummers to consider. They’re a bit higher-priced than many popular in-ears. However, their emphasis on bass tones is a breath of fresh air compared to many of the competitors.
They’re extremely comfortable to wear, making them great for live gigging. You should consider getting these if you’re looking for a pair. Sennheiser is an amazing company, and their products are all top-notch.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
Find useful lessons, tips and reviews for any drummer. From beginners to professionals there’s always something new to learn and improve. Join our Newsletter for exclusive advice!
11407 SW Amu St Suite #ABM436 Tualatin, OR 97062
There may be affiliate links on this website, which means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to our readers.
© All rights reserved Copyright 2024
Subscribe to our ninja mailing list and get a Free E-book!
Subscribe to our ninja mailing list and get a Free E-book!
