Ok guys, I have the ER4S Apuresound in my hands. Jan (aka nc8000), another headfier member and a friend, has been so kind to send his pair to me.
They are a beautiful thing to see. I really love the looks of this braided cable. They feel hand-crafted (well, they are). I'm listening to the them now.
One thing you have to keep in mind is I'm playing them unamped. The volume is set at 23/30, the same I used to enjoy my Altec Lansing at.
My very first impressions are sound more digital compared to the Triple fi (this is what I find when going straightly from the triple fi to the Etys).
Another think I find, is that they don't sound more detailed than the Triple fi, and whispers and lip-touches are not so apparent as they were with normal ER4S. This can be a good or bad thing, but it's one of the distinctive characteristic of the ER4S, which is lost (ok, sometimes I used to find disgusting to hear some singers' furred tongue with the stock ER4S). Highs are drier than highs on the Triple fi. The overall feeling is harsh when AB-ing them.
Again, please keep in mind that I'm using them unamped: as much as I find my JVC player good, it might not have enough power.
When I say digital, I mean they don't sound as natural as normal sound should be. I shall receive my iBasso T2 in a matter of days, so we'll see how better things become.
What I can say for now is the Apuresound ER4S don't seem to have "ER4S' detail with a natural tonal balance", as I was expecting. They still sound metallic, thin. I have been told they sound great with the Lisa III and bass knob turned 25%. The bass is better than ER4P, it hits harder, still detailed. I have some compaints about vocals, which sound digital, as said. When I say "digital" I think to a sound signature that comes out of a cheap speaker.
Sorry, I might be too harsh (sorry Jan), but I was really expecting something different. I'll have my ears get more used to this sound, then get back to you folks.
I want to point out I'm not bashing towards them since "they aren't mine, so the triple fi have to win". I've just bought a pair of ER4 in order to recable them (and I have also proposed to nc8000 to sell me his pair and get my Etys + money in exchange), and I'm evaluating carefully what to keep (the Triples, the Etys or both).
Sibilance compared to the ER4P? From memory, I don't find many changes: the ER4P lost their sibilance as soon as I put the Shure black foam tips on them.
Best trait: soundstage is out of the ears, especially vocals. This is the real great thing of these IEMs. Usually the ER4S sounded in my head when unamped. Soundstage is so awesome I might need a pair of these APS Etys just for it.
For now, what I think of the Recabled ER4S is similar to what I used to think about the normal Etys: they are like an empy box, detailed, extend very well. When this box is filled (ie their sound signature is coloured with a GREAT amp), they will sound awesome.
). I had perfect seal with the E500 (thanks to the usual olive foamies), but I didn't like them. Custom molds could be a great idea, especially for convenience. I have been told, though, that IEMs tend to sound different with third party custom molds, not always for the better.
