What Are IEMs?
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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An in-ear monitor, or IEM, is a small wired earphone that sits inside the ear canal. Musicians wear IEMs on stage for monitoring, and listeners use them for music, gaming, and calls. Inside each earpiece, one or more drivers turn the audio signal into sound.
What an in-ear monitor is
An in-ear monitor is an earphone shaped to sit inside the ear canal, with the shell resting in the outer ear. IEMs serve stage monitoring, studio mixing, music listening, and gaming. Unlike a headphone that sits over the ear, an IEM seals the canal with a tip, and the audio signal travels to it through a wired 3.5mm connection.
How the drivers inside an IEM work
Each earpiece holds one or more drivers, the parts that turn the audio signal into sound. A dynamic driver uses a diaphragm to move air, and 10 mm is the dynamic driver size listed for the CLE CLO CC10X, the SIMGOT EW300, and the Moondrop CHU II. The Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro uses two 30095 drivers for highs and two 50060 drivers for mids, paired with one dynamic driver in a 4BA+1DD setup, and the CLE CLO CC10X uses the same 4BA+1DD setup. The SIMGOT EW300 adds a planar driver and a piezoelectric ceramic driver to its single dynamic driver.
Why the eartip seal matters
The tip seals the ear canal, and that seal holds the earpiece in place while keeping outside sound down. The Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro lists noise isolation of 26dB from its fit. Shells are shaped to follow the ear: the Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro pairs a stainless steel faceplate with a resin cavity, and the SIMGOT EW300 uses an alloy body. Try the included tips to find the size that seals without pressure.
Cables, plugs, and microphones
Every IEM here connects through a wired 3.5mm plug, and the cables detach so a worn cable can be replaced without replacing the earpieces. The CLE CLO CC10X and the SIMGOT EW300 use a 0.78mm 2-pin connection. The CLE CLO CC10X and the Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro list an in-line microphone for voice calls. Check the plug on the set you buy, since a 3.5mm jack is the connection these listings share.
What to check before buying a pair
Start with the driver setup and the impedance, both listed in the specs: the four listings here run from 10 ohm to 28 ohm. Then check the cable, the plug, and whether the set includes a microphone. The CLE CLO CC10X carries four tuning switches, and the SIMGOT EW300 and the Moondrop CHU II carry replaceable nozzles, so read the listing for the set you buy before you choose.
What you need
CLE CLO CC10X Tunable IEM
A 4BA+1DD hybrid IEM with four tuning switches for 16 sound combinations, a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable, and a 3.5mm plug with an in-line microphone.
- Detachable cable
- Driver size: 10 mm
- In-line mic
- Impedance: 10 ohm
- Driver setup: 4Ba+1Dd
- 12-month warranty stated
Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro
A 4BA+1DD hybrid IEM with a stainless steel faceplate, a detachable cable, and an in-line microphone, with 24 ohm impedance and a 3.5mm plug.
- Detachable cable
- In-line mic
- Impedance: 24 ohm
- Driver setup: 4Ba+1Dd
- 1-year warranty stated
Linsoul SIMGOT EW300 1DD+1Planar+1PZT Hybrid Driver IEMs
A 1DD+1Planar+1PZT hybrid IEM with two replaceable nozzle sets for two tuning styles, a detachable silver-plated cable, and a 3.5mm plug.
- Detachable cable
- Impedance: 28 ohm
- Driver setup: 1Dd
- 1-year warranty stated
Moondrop CHU II High Performance Dynamic Driver
A single dynamic driver IEM with a replaceable acoustic nozzle and filter, an alloy casting cavity, and a detachable cable with a 3.5mm plug.
- Impedance: 18 ohm
- Driver setup: Dynamic Driver
- 1-year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Iem, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Do IEMs need a separate amplifier?
No. The listings here run from 10 ohm to 28 ohm, and the CLE CLO CC10X lists 10 ohm impedance with 104dB/mW sensitivity for use with smartphones, laptops, and portable DACs.
Are IEMs only for musicians?
No. Musicians use IEMs for stage monitoring, while other sets serve music listening and gaming, and the CLE CLO CC10X and the Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro include in-line microphones for voice calls.
Can I replace the cable on an IEM?
Yes, when the set lists a detachable cable.
Ranked in-ear monitors lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.