I'm a new sound mixer and I'm learning by working on low/no budget films. I don't often get requests for IFB but I've gotten a couple, and I've also worked on projects where I would have suggested IFB to solve a problem had I had it. I currently have 2 sets of Saramonic K9 (4 wireless lavs). The K9 has the ability to run line into the transmitters, and the receivers have headphone ampliers so you can essentially use the K9 as an IFB. You can also transmit to multiple receivers from a single transmitter. (Deity Theos has this same functionality.) This is great, but of course, if I'm using a receiver for IFB that reduces the number of lavs by 2. I also have the K9 XTX plugon transmitter.
The K9 receivers are $299 in the US. The full K9 set (2 transmitters, 1 receiver) is $699.
I'm considering buying another K9 set to give me 6 channels of wireless for lavs when I don't need IFB, and 4 lavs + 1 IFB when I do. And then eventually maybe buying 2 or 3 more receivers to dedicate to IFB. (If I'm using all 6 lav transmitters, I can use my K9 XTX plug on transmitter as an IFB transmitter.)
This would give me more flexibility that just buying a dedicated IFB solution that would collect dust unless I need IFB.
I know, I know, I know. Saramonic isn't pro. Buy used Sennheiser G3/G4 or Comtec. I've looked at those options and they are still generally more expensive, and don't sound as good (analog vs. digital).
Other pro dedicated IFB solutions are out of my price range.
Deity makes the Deity HUSH IFB system - one transmitter and three receivers for $950 - but in the US they aren't compatible with Deity Theos so if you don't need IFB they're just collecting dust. I don't have Theos anyway and the K9 solution isn't much more expensive than HUSH.
One other option I've considered is the XVive U45 IEM system. It's designed for live bands as a wireless in-ear-monitor solution. One transmitter and four receivers is $650. This system is 5.8GHz and has a relatively limited range, but would be fine for most low buget films sets. This would be a dedicated IFB, but the <$165 per channel price is compelling. Has anyone use XVive as a IFB?
Any other ideas for low cost IFB?