Topic: Etymotic Research questions

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

I noticed there are different versions.  Looking at the Er4 but notice there are different versions of those.  er4s?  er4p?    Their website doesn't talk about it though.  Can someone break it down for me?  And thoughts on the Er6?  They are cheaper.  But I like the er4.  Also noticed some are all black and some are red and blue?  Thanks folks.

[bhtoque]

The ER-6 are great. I use them in the field all the time. Can hear my rig over the crowd/band no problem.

The 4p is a powered version for use with weaker headphone outs if I remember correctly.

JAson

[Nick's Picks]

that is correct.  the 4p is just the 4 that is easier to drive w/POS consumer headphone jacks.
I've read that it sacrifices a little bit of quality over the straight up er4, but you wouldn't notice.

I've used the 4, the 4p, the 6, the sure e2...
any BY FAR....the most "user freiendly', feature packed, AWESOME sounding, ass kicking isolation was w/the cheapest model M-Audio.  I think its the E-10.  $99.
smokes the er6.  rivals the 4 easily.  has excellent isolation...super comfy...and the fisrt 6 inches of wire coming out of the ear piece is able to be molded around your ear so that they stay on even if not in your ear.

[MattD]

Never would have guessed that. When my 6s kick the bucket, I'll look at the M-Audio earphones. Detachable cable = good idea. I'm always afraid I'm going to yank out the Etymotic's cable because I can't always get a grip on the body.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Thanks for the replies.  I was looking at those M-audios.  So if I was to get the Er's I'd probably want the powered version since the R-4's (as with all Edirol products) headphone out is so week?  And then I've read reviews how some think they are uncomfortable or take some getting used to?  Some said you really need to cram them down your ear canals.  I'm just a little worried forking over the cash if my head can't take it.  I've had  inner ear issues since I was a kid.  Had tubes 4 times.     Did you all get used to them pretty quick?

[joekar]

I have a set of ER-4 P's.....They sound and fit great...... I too have ear issues...Purchased a set of the E5C Shure in ear monitors.....The shure's would not fit my ears and the stiff wire that is suppose to loop around your ears were annoying and very uncomfortable...... Gave  them to my son and he loves them....The ER-4's fit great with the foam isolators....The silicone pieces just never seemed to fit right.....
I've had these for a few years so I'm sure there are new and different models available now....I've heard some good things about the Ultimate Ears EU 10 pro but they are a bit pricey...
The Etymotic site does have a page to help you select which model is right for you:
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er4-wrfy.aspx
Hope this helps...

Hey Nick...thanks for the heads up on the M-Audio headphones...I'll check them out next time I'm in the market for new phones.......but my HD 650's, Sony 7509's and ER-4P are holding up just fine...

[jlykos]

To add to this, I have a pair of the Westone UM-1 in-ear monitors and I love them.  Very flat response and detailed.  Also comfortable; I have had them in my ears for like five hours straight without any problems.  Only issue is the somewhat thin bass response; the UM-2 are supposed to have a much better bass response, but at three times the price.  The UM-1 cost $100 and are a great value for the money.

[Brian Skalinder]

In my book, the ER-6s win hands down for one big reason:  they're the only model that mate with my custom-molded earplugs (see pics).  Talk about comfortable to wear!  And they sound pretty good, too.  Wouldn't surprise me if others sound better, but the others won't even come close to comparing comfort-wise, and for my portable listening I'm only interested in Good Enough sound.  There're so many other obstacles to HQ sound during my portable listening (lossy compression on my player to fit more songs, mediocre DAC and headphone output, external noise and vibrations, mental distractions, etc.), I just don't see the value in slightly better sounding earphones at the expense of comfort (and in some cases my pocketbook).

[Nick's Picks]

the 6s are awesome.  but for $20 more, the Maudios sound better and have more features.
they are thin and have the same tip options as the Etys' too.

[Brian Skalinder]

they are thin and have the same tip options as the Etys' too.

Not if they don't fit custom molded earplugs, they don't! 

[Nick's Picks]

well, the little plastic "barrel" that the tips slide over is the same size as the Ety's, and comes w/the same tips.
so...if your customs fit on the ety's, I bet they fit these as well B.

[Jammin72]

SR-4S and P are essentially the same earphone with a different impedance load, and because of that bass response.


Here's the Differences in a nutshell.

Which ER•4 is Right for You?

ER•4B (Binaural) earphones are for the binaural recording enthusiast. The ER•4B is an ideal earphone for use with material that has not been equalized for loudspeaker playback. It was developed from the ER-1 earphone that is referenced to a flat diffuse field and used primarily for speech reception research, where the goal is to produce the same frequency response at the eardrum as would be produced in the live situation.

ER•4S (Stereo) earphones were designed to compensate for the high frequency emphasis in all CD recordings, in order to provide accurate sound reproduction. Performing musicians often use them as in-ear monitors because the response of the ER•4S matches the response of most typical monitor loudspeakers. The high accuracy and exceptional sound isolation of the ER•4S have made these earphones popular with musicians, recording engineers and audiophiles. ER•4S earphones can be used with a headphone amplifier when using low power portable devices.

ER•4P (Portable) earphones can be used with portable CD, MP3, DVD and other players without requiring an additional amplifier. As compared to the ER•4S, the ER•4P has 10 dB greater output at high frequencies and 13 dB greater output at low frequencies. The higher sensitivity and enhanced bass of the ER•4P have made it the most popular earphone for most uses.

You can actually get a small adapter cable that converts the P to an S.

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er4-acc.aspx

I would go with the P and get the cable later if you want to use it with higher powered sources.

[Brian Skalinder]

well, the little plastic "barrel" that the tips slide over is the same size as the Ety's, and comes w/the same tips.
so...if your customs fit on the ety's, I bet they fit these as well B.

Ah, I didn't realize you meant the very same tips - I thought you meant just the same tip options:  a foam type, a rubber flanged type, etc.  Very cool if the M-Audio's also fit custom plugs.  I hate wearing earphones without my custom molds, now.

[mmmatt]

I have er4p's and when I owned my r4 it was plenty loud to monitor effectively.  I would highly recommend these for live monitoring but for playback they are not so well suited IMO.  The isolation is fantastic and the vocals really pop.

Matt

[Nick's Picks]

you get that same isolation from any of the Ety line.
and if your using them solely for live work, then paying $250 vs $90 is something to ponder.

btw..
Mmmmatt, nice aussie!