For over 100 years, Beyerdynamic has been making some of the very finest audio gear. Designed and primarily handmade in Heilbronn, Germany, Beyerdynamic invented the dynamic microphone and currently manufactures headphones, earbuds, microphones, headsets, and speakerphones.
New from Beyerdynamic is the DT 30 IE in-ear monitor. The DT 30 IE is engineered as an affordable and versatile IEM for musicians who want a reliable and balanced monitor for any instrument across any stage situation without sacrificing quality. For many musicians, the DT 30 IE will be their first professional in-ear monitoring system, built to support the transition from floor wedges to IEM monitoring.
At $149.99, the DT 30 IE represents a significant step in accessibility compared to the high-end Beyerdynamic DT 70 IE series, which offers premium monitoring with four individual models designed and voiced specifically for mixing and critical listening, drums and bass, vocals and guitar, and classical instrument and keys at the price point of $579.99. The DT 30 IE is voiced to support any onstage need.
The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE uses a three-way balanced-armature driver configuration to handle all frequency ranges within a compact in-ear monitor. Rather than asking a single driver to reproduce the entire audible spectrum, the design divides the workload across a dedicated three-way array, with low-, mid-, and high-frequency drivers. A passive three-way crossover manages those bands, giving the DT 30 IE an all-in-one approach to reproducing vocals, instruments, and playback tracks.
IEM’s have unique requirements. They must sound excellent, be durable under onstage performance conditions, and be comfortable. Beyerdynamic is one of the most qualified transducer companies as well as one of the most experienced, and the DT 30 IE sound great and meet the task. Correct fit is of primary importance. The DT 30 is supplied with multiple eartip options, (3) pairs of silicon and (3) pairs of foam eartips sized large, medium, and small to allow performers to optimize the seal between the earpiece and ear canal. A good fit and consistent seal is important because it affects both isolation and low-frequency response. Loose fit translates to poor isolation and thin bass tone.
The DT 30 IE features two lightweight 11mm dynamic drivers with a full frequency response of 5Hz–20kHz. Distortion is rated at THD <0.09%. Passive noise isolation is rated at 39dB, which is again why you need a perfect fit. The DT IE 30 does feel very secure and stable when worn by this reviewer. A headphone impedance of 18 Ω helps achieve a nominal sound pressure level is rating at 111dB SPL @ 1mW. Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL) achievable is 137 dB, quite louder than healthy for anyone and comparable to the premium DT 70 series.
Wiring is a Kevlar-reinforced, detachable 1.4 m cable with gold plated MMCX connector, firm Y slider, and 3.5 mm 3-pin plug. Integrated memory wire allows you to form the cable above your ear in a steady and repeatable fashion. Also supplied are a pair of Cerumen filters, commonly called wax guards, which are small, replaceable mesh screens placed at the tip of the IEMs to prevent earwax from damaging the IEM drivers.
Made to withstand an intense stage environment, an IP54 protection rating indicates the DT IE 30 enclosure is protected against limited dust ingress and water splashes from any direction. IEMs take a beating onstage and replaceable parts help to ensure that your DT IE 30s will not let you down.
The DT IE 30 represents an entry into the affordable range of IEMs by one of the most trusted names in audio transducers. It’s hard to go wrong with any Beyerdynamic product, and the DT IE 30s are a strong and useful IEM representing a serious workhorse for the working musician. $149.99
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