Buyer’s Guide

In live performance, in-ear monitoring has changed everything. A rock-solid wireless transmitter combined with beltpack IEM receivers and accurate earpieces can significantly improve nearly any show or presentation. Not only can performers hear themselves far better than stage wedge mixes, but IEM use typically results in lowered stage volume. With a great IEM mix, the FOH engineer’s task becomes simpler, the audience get better sound and artists are happy — everybody wins.

While it’s true that large-format, 12- and 15-inch line arrays grab most of the attention among pro audio users, the “little guy” mid-sized boxes are the workhorses of the industry. This month, we turn our attention to line arrays based around double 8-inch and double 10-inch woofers, which are more compact than their 12-inch cousins and larger than the “mini” 4- to 6-inch enclosures. Yet, for a majority of applications, these 8-inch wonders are often “just right” — whether for smaller gigs, club/theater/H.O.W. installs or used as front/down-fills, under-balcony reinforcement, delay lines — the list goes on and on.