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Looking for something "easier" to insert repeatedly than the Etymotic ER6i

post #1 of 13
3/9/09 at 12:15am
Thread Starter 
Maybe if you have tried the Etymotic ER6i you know what I mean by "easier"!
I really do enjoy my ER6i; I've gotten fairly adept at getting a quick seal (using the tri-flange tips) and like the sound. Sure, a little more bass and a little warmer would be ok but I enjoy the detail and clarity.
But I hate taking them in and out more than once per sitting. And I get fatigued after a couple hours of listening (particularly if I've already had to take them out). Before the ER6i, I was fairly satisfied with my Sony EX71; now I can't stand them. But unfortunately, the ER6i are enough work to put in and take out that I find myself not listening to music as much as I used to! Music has become more awesome, more of an experience, but also a little less fun.
Are there any earphones that are comfortable for hours, easy to get a seal with, can be taken in and out as needed (phone calls, etc.), or just pop in when you have fifteen minutes without making you feel like its easier not to bother? Right now, I would not put in my ER6i if I didn't have at least a half hour. Of course, I don't want to sacrifice sound quality!
I would appreciate any recommendations! I'm also interested if anyone thinks my only option is earbuds or portable headphones....
Thanks all!
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post #2 of 13
3/9/09 at 12:32am
U need something with more laid back sound and ECH (ear canal phone).

Examples of ECH: RE0,1,2 to IE6,7,8, Monster Turbines, Denon C series, ATH CK series, etc. There's a lot of options. Ety normally deep insertion IEM.
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post #3 of 13
3/9/09 at 1:38am
Try a set of foams with the ER-6i first, maybe Shure black olive foam tips. They'll fit the ER-6i, and should be much more comfortable to use. Does take some practice to get them in quickly, but with practice, it should take less than a couple seconds per ear to get them in.
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post #4 of 13
3/10/09 at 11:27pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the suggestions!
Is it really as simple as needing an ECH instead of something that goes deeper into the ears? Is a seal easier to get with those that were recommended or not as important?
I'd appreciate recommendations from anyone who has found something easier than the ER6is. I'd probably spend up to $150 and am really looking for comfortable, easy and fun (again!). I just don't really want to put the ER6is in again...which I'm sad to say, because I've never enjoyed music so much. (I hope that doesn't sound too ridiculous?!) Is there an ECH that has a similar sound signature to the Etys, maybe with just a little more bass?
(I still may try the shure black olive foams, too. If I'm using the tri-flange, which size would you recommend I buy?)
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post #5 of 13
3/10/09 at 11:46pm
A bit more bass than ER6i? I don't know of any ECH's that do that. Although, I have heard Phonaks are ER6i sound but funner (more bass). I don't Phonaks are ECH's.
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post #6 of 13
3/10/09 at 11:49pm
Thread Starter 
Maybe I'm totally confused about what an ECH is. I think I want something that doesn't go in as far as the Etys do. Is that an ECH like Toughnut said?
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post #7 of 13
3/10/09 at 11:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imackler View Post
Maybe I'm totally confused about what an ECH is. I think I want something that doesn't go in as far as the Etys do. Is that an ECH like Toughnut said?
Yes, ECH is canalphone like CX300. Meaning that it does not go an inch deep into your ear like Ety's (IEM's - In ear monitors).
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post #8 of 13
3/11/09 at 1:00am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Usama!
Is there a lot of confusion around here that the ety's are canalphones? I've done a bunch of searches for canal/canalphones/ech and ety's are recommended more often than anything else...
Yeah, I think I do want a canalphone. I didn't like the sound quality of the Sony EX71 (those were canalphones, right?) but they were more comfortable than the ety's are. I know you lose some sound isolation that the ety's have but I'm totally open to hearing what some of the favorite canalphones are.
If it helps, I listen everything, but lots of older jazz, classical, female vocalists, lighter rock. I'm thinking pfe's or possible monster turbines, but they're both getting a lot of buzz now. I'm totally open to suggestions and personal favorites.
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post #9 of 13
3/11/09 at 11:09am
I find the Ety ER4 to be much easier to get in and out of my ears than the ER6i. They offer great isolation and great detail.
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post #10 of 13
3/11/09 at 12:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Usama View Post
A bit more bass than ER6i? I don't know of any ECH's that do that. Although, I have heard Phonaks are ER6i sound but funner (more bass). I don't Phonaks are ECH's.
The phonaks aren't as deep instertion as the Shure line and I assume the Ety line. The phonaks are the shallowest insertion IEMs I own. Compared to the Jays D-Jay, Shure SCL4. The go about as deep as the Turbine but much more comfortable.
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post #11 of 13
3/11/09 at 4:04pm
Any universal-fit canalphones will require a minimal amount of insertion care to attain the proper seal for intended performance.

So, what u want my friend is a custom-mold IEM. It fits yr ears perfectly so it's shove-in and take-out, NO FUSS. U can spent up to usd$1K or investigate cheaper alternatives like the Livewires. Tell us how it went.
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post #12 of 13
3/11/09 at 4:55pm
Thread Starter 
I think that universals are out of my price range, but thanks for the idea though!
Right now, the Phonaks seem to be the front runner from all I've read for comfort and sound quality in that below $150 price range. Are there any other suggestions?
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post #13 of 13
3/11/09 at 5:53pm
Well I had the PERFECT solution and u start talking money.

It's repeated blue-to-the-face, but since human ears are not identical, comfort/fit for one maybe not be so for next.

The Livewires can be had for usd$250 I think.
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