I am very interested in these IEM as they purport to be very flat and thus detailed earphones.  The only question I have, which unfortunately seems to be mired in debate, is the difference in the B, S, and P versions.  As I understand it, the S and P are supposed to be the "same" except for the S having more resistance (~ +70 ohms) than the P.  There also seems to be at least some consensus that all three are actually the same earphone with the B (binaural version) having both the higher resistance and a high frequency boost in the cable.  I have also read conflicting information that the B version is a different animal altogether, in other words, it's a higher impedance earphone with additional components within the driver itself responsible for the high frequency boost (or at least without having anything to do with the cable alone.)
 
Regardless of each version's sound signature, what I would really like to learn is if it is possible to start with, say, the ER4S and then be able to modify the earphone in such a way as to realistically have access to all three versions?  I know that going from the S to the P is simply a matter of adding the appropriate resistor(s,) but how would one account for the increase in the frequency range of the B version?  Adding capacitors to account for the appropriate value, or is this even possible?  I have read conflicting information regarding the issue and was wondering if anyone knew the case definitively?  I have searched for these questions here on head-fi, and to be honest, it's quite confusing to me so I figured I'd be better off starting a new thread.  I am hoping to hear something along the lines of being able to switch between both the S and B versions simply by swapping cables. Thank you!  

1) P, S and B use the same balanced armature unit from Knowles.
 
2) P, S and B do not sound the same
 
3) The main physical difference b/w P and S is on the impedance (using different resistors to tune happens). S sounds more neutral and detail but needs an amp to be its best. Since impedance is the only difference, P can be change to S by adding more resistance (via adapter), but S can not change to P.
 
4) S is the treble tuned down version of B. The difference b/w S and B is B has a pair of capacitors and resistor in the 'cable pod', while S only has the resistors but not the caps. As such, B can not be changed to S or P without changing cable.
 
5) There is a special cable by AW audio ('awwan' on eBay) that can let you changed between P, S, and B within one cable, but it is quite pricey. The way AW audio does it is by making a small selectable circuit board in the 'pod'.
 
6) Ety doesn't sell the cable along.

 
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jbarbier said:

I am very interested in these IEM as they purport to be very flat and thus detailed earphones.  ...

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Thank you ClieOS!  I respect you the most out of everyone here on this forum and I am glad that you had a chance to help me out!
 
I see this cable that has the selectable "pod" on eBay and was wondering, if in your opinion, this would be an actual representation of the true incarnations of the three versions?  Of course the P and S are "easy" to do, but the "B" version, do you think it would be a fair representation?  
 
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clieos said:

1) P, S and B use the same balanced armature unit from Knowles.
 
2) P, S and B do not sound the same
 
3) The main physical difference b/w P and S is on the impedance (using different resistors to tune happens). S sounds more neutral and detail but needs an amp to be its best. Since impedance is the only difference, P can be change to S by adding more resistance (via adapter), but S can not change to P.
 
4) S is the treble tuned down version of B. The difference b/w S and B is B has a pair of capacitors and resistor in the 'cable pod', while S only has the resistors but not the caps. As such, B can not be changed to S or P without changing cable.
 
5) There is a special cable by AW audio ('awwan' on eBay) that can let you changed between P, S, and B within one cable, but it is quite pricey. The way AW audio does it is by making a small selectable circuit board in the 'pod'.
 
6) Ety doesn't sell the cable along.

 

 

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Though I doubt it is a carbon copy (down to identical resistors / caps) of the same internal in Ety cable, I don't think it is far from it. The designs are not a secret actually since Ety patented all three design of ER4 since the 90's. You can actually download a copy of the patent from the U.S. patent office website (which I did), and make a similar cable with identical design on the same spec. I don't think it is something difficult to get right.

 
Quote:

jbarbier said:

Thank you ClieOS!  I respect you the most out of everyone here on this forum and I am glad that you had a chance to help me out!
 
I see this cable that has the selectable "pod" on eBay and was wondering, if in your opinion, this would be an actual representation of the true incarnations of the three versions?  Of course the P and S are "easy" to do, but the "B" version, do you think it would be a fair representation? 

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From the Ety website, here is an overview comparing the three ER4 phones, and here are the technical specs .
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ETYMOTIC-ER4-IN-EARPHONE-UPGRADE-TEFLON-CABLE-3-1-/300416341321?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f2359549
 
Is this what you are talking about? As long as you use the cable with an ER-4P it seems possible. You can add the resistance to make 4P to 4S, and the caps could be in the pod to make it 4S to 4B.
 
Awwan is a respected dealer, I think it will work.

Yes, that is that one!  So to be sure, I should start off originally buying the ER4P then?
 
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violinvirtuoso said:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ETYMOTIC-ER4-IN-EARPHONE-UPGRADE-TEFLON-CABLE-3-1-/300416341321?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f2359549
 
Is this what you are talking about? As long as you use the cable with an ER-4P it seems possible. You can add the resistance to make 4P to 4S, and the caps could be in the pod to make it 4S to 4B.
 
Awwan is a respected dealer, I think it will work.

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jbarbier said:

Yes, that is that one!  So to be sure, I should start off originally buying the ER4P then?

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It makes the most sense: you can't reduce the impedance of a headphone. Buy you can increase it, so unless you get a response from Awwan saying you should buy a ER-4S/B, I would stick with the ER-4P.

That cable is actually a really clever idea. I absolutely agree that whatever you do the best base would be the ER4p, because it is better to get something that you can change, even if you preferred, say, the s, over ordering an s when you prefer a p, which would require sending it back (or selling it).

Cool cable but the connectors look kinda goofy to me. Plus for the price, you can almost buy a new pair of ER4's.

P will be a safe choice (which is what I get btw), though technically speaking all the earpiece units on P, S and B are the same and different part is in the cable. So regardless of which version you get, you can still use the earpiece with Awwan's 3-in-1 cable.

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shiaulou said:

Cool cable but the connectors look kinda goofy to me. Plus for the price, you can almost buy a new pair of ER4's.

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x2

Well, to honest the price is of no concern to me since we're talking about a pair of IEMs that is already sub-$200.  
Maybe I am approaching this head-fi thing a bit backward, but if your sound is already being "colored" by components such as your amplifier, amp design, source, ICs -- all especially true with portable gear -- why not use this to your advantage?  I would rather change my amplifier, or amplifier design, or even roll tubes to see what sound "combinations" I can come up with.  This is especially advantageous to me because I am very, very particular about headphone/IEM fit.  If I can change my sound signature through methods already mentioned or even by adding additional EQ and get greater detail, then I am all for it!  I have already established that the ER4 IEMs are comfortable to me, so my first battle has already been fought and I am the victor!  
 
And before I am inundated with a barrage of reasoning as to why my logic is flawed, hear me out:
 
If these headphones are as accurate (flat response) as they purport to be, then this is actually a bargain at ~$300 for the IEM and cable.  I have also grown tired (not really) of trying out different amplifiers and designs only to notice that the synergy changes so much between each and every headphone.  Wouldn't it make sense to get a relatively flat headphone and then let you amplifier and source give you the added coloration that you desire?  Perhaps the ER4 drivers themselves aren't quite as robust (or even as accurate) as some of the more top-of-the-line armatures can be, but if the headphone is relatively flat, I think that it could work.  
 
It seems like an interesting experiment, and I am sure I am not the only person to approach it from this aspect.  Not to mention, as a musician, I love music to be as "uncolored" as can be.  Most of my source material that I listen to 90 per cent of the time is live music (which I understand is never truly flat because EVERYTHING introduces additional EQ curves whether it be the musician's monitor feed that he is hearing, the microphones recording the music, the recorder... there are an infinite amount of variables that influence a final sound.  It is always the audiophile's quest to find the cleanest, and most accurate representation of material possible, but I think that after a certain point the human brain cannot differentiate the extremely miniscule variation in sound we're ultimately talking about.  It has to be about the music at some point. 
 
To be completely honest, I am a fan of music first and foremost!  I can listen to Sgt. Pepper's through a crackly mono 2" toy speaker and it will get my soul groovin' and my foot tappin' like nothing else!!  In the end, that is all that matters, right?   
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anaxilus said:

x2

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shiaulou said:

Cool cable but the connectors look kinda goofy to me. Plus for the price, you can almost buy a new pair of ER4's.

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Sigh, I suppose that if I am after the flattest sound possible then it is a silly thing to spend more money when I can just buy the appropriate version and be done with it.  I constantly find myself coming back to the realization that the actual music is what matters anyway.    This is such a convoluted cycle isn't it?    Perhaps it is the engineer in me?  In any case it surely is fun!  And expensive, no doubt.  

Having heard all 3, IMHO the differences between them is very, very small. And for that reason you might as well get the ER4p which is most easy to drive and saves you the headache. You can always add in the s adapter in the future.