Had some ER6i's for a while and loved them, but they disappeared. I can get the HF5s for $20 on amazon after a coupon, but amazon says there is a "new model of this product", referring to the HC5s. Normally I always like to go with the latest stuff, but I can't get the HC5s for as cheap. So how do they compare?
Be a part of the community.
It's free, join today!
Tags
- Etymotic MC5
- Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator Earphones White
- Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In Ear Earphones Black
- Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In Ear Earphones White
- Etymotic Research HF5 Portable In Ear Earphones Black
- Etymotic Research HF5 Portable In Ear Earphones Cobalt
- Etymotic Research HF5 Portable In Ear Earphones Ruby
- In Ear
Related Forum Threads
- Etymotic ER-4P vs ER-6i vs HF5 Last post on 12/1/10 at 5:29am in Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors
- Similar sound to Er6i Last post on 6/11/10 at 12:26pm in Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors
- S4 complement, mid-high IEM's available in Europe Last post on 6/6/10 at 9:12pm in Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors
- wat iemz are gud? $170 or less Last post on 12/15/10 at 1:22am in Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors
- Which ER..? Last post on 12/12/10 at 10:36am in Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors
Related Articles
-
Top Tier Universal Iem Comparison Chart And Information
Edited on 5/7/10 | Contribute to this Article
-
Basic Guide To In Ear Canalphones
Edited on 3/22/12 | Contribute to this Article
Related Head Gear
Recent Reviews
-
I didn't think of TEAC when I began searching for a dedicated CD player. My initial short list included Denon, Cambridge, Marantz, Onkyo. The Teac intrigued me, so I went for it. It is very...
-
short terms: compact, loud, nice sounding, cheap ultraportables. detailed terms: AKG in the house ( fun, smooth, bassy, bright-warm & clear presentation ) cool for mainstream song...
-
Sennheiser HD-598s are the most comfortable headphones I've had the opportunity to use. I recommend these wholeheartedly for any first-time hi-fi buyer because of their excellent soundstage and...
-
I just received my SigPros (bought from a fellow head-fi'er), and now have several hours with them. They are great headphones. Agree with most of what everyone's saying about them. These...
-
Beats out the Bose Triport, the HD 202 and HD 435s, the AT M35 and AT M50. Just try it and see. Extremely comfortable (I wear mine while commuting and studying, for about 5+ hours a day). Bought...
Head-Fi Sponsors
Etymotic HF5 vs MC5 [FIXED TITLE]
Gear mentioned in this thread:
- a11en
- Trader Feedback: 0
-
- offline
- 12 Posts. Joined 10/2007
- Location: Middle of the corn-fields, IL
- Select All Posts By This User
$20? That's insane!!
I too am checking out the HF5's, but not at such a nice price! Is there a secret?
I am aware of an Etymotic MC5 but not HC5.
Today, the black HF5 is on sale at Amazon (fulfilled by Antonline.com) for $64 + $7 S&H, so I just ordered one. Blue and ruby versions are still the normal $115 price.
a11en, if you re-read the OP, he said he had a gift certificate at Amazon -- must have been for $40-50 to get a final price of $20.
- Kunlun
- Trader Feedback: +1
-
- offline
- 2,157 Posts. Joined 1/2010
- Location: USA
- Select All Posts By This User

Today, the black HF5 is on sale at Amazon (fulfilled by Antonline.com) for $64 + $7 S&H, so I just ordered one. Blue and ruby versions are still the normal $115 price.
a11en, if you re-read the OP, he said he had a gift certificate at Amazon -- must have been for $40-50 to get a final price of $20.
Thanks. I'll pick up a pair to complement my dynamic driver iems.
Also, for the ghost of bennyboy71
You are correct I meant MC5 :)
The coupon I got was from signing up for a 1 year commitment to Audible.com (audiobooks). I've been an Audible customer for a long time now and love it so it was a no-brainer. It's only $15/month anyways and you get a $100 coupon for select items, including some pretty sweet headphones. Here's the link:

Had some ER6i's for a while and loved them, but they disappeared. I can get the HF5s for $20 on amazon after a coupon, but amazon says there is a "new model of this product", referring to the HC5s. Normally I always like to go with the latest stuff, but I can't get the HC5s for as cheap. So how do they compare?
That's very odd for Amazon.com to link to the MC5 as a "new version of this [HF5] model." The MC5 is a substantial departure from the Etymotic product line in that it uses a dynamic driver, not a balanced armature like all their other products. I had the MC5 and it shares similar traits to the RE0, in that it SOUNDS more like a BA driver than a dynamic driver, but most HF5 or ER4 users review it as not being able to compete with the HF5/EF4 in terms of clarity and details.
I wonder if the HF5 black going on sale at Antonline.com, combined with Amazon.com saying the MC5 is a newer version of the HF5, is an early notice of the beginning of the end of the HFx model? Etymotic hasn't killed the ER4 model, even after 20+ years of production of essentially the exact same model.


Had some ER6i's for a while and loved them, but they disappeared. I can get the HF5s for $20 on amazon after a coupon, but amazon says there is a "new model of this product", referring to the HC5s. Normally I always like to go with the latest stuff, but I can't get the HC5s for as cheap. So how do they compare?
That's very odd for Amazon.com to link to the MC5 as a "new version of this [HF5] model." The MC5 is a substantial departure from the Etymotic product line in that it uses a dynamic driver, not a balanced armature like all their other products. I had the MC5 and it shares similar traits to the RE0, in that it SOUNDS more like a BA driver than a dynamic driver, but most HF5 or ER4 users review it as not being able to compete with the HF5/EF4 in terms of clarity and details.
I wonder if the HF5 black going on sale at Antonline.com, combined with Amazon.com saying the MC5 is a newer version of the HF5, is an early notice of the beginning of the end of the HFx model? Etymotic hasn't killed the ER4 model, even after 20+ years of production of essentially the exact same model.
I think Amazon might just be confused. But if they do discontinue the HF5 they're too late cuz I just ordered mine for 19.99 shipped 

That's very odd for Amazon.com to link to the MC5 as a "new version of this [HF5] model." The MC5 is a substantial departure from the Etymotic product line in that it uses a dynamic driver, not a balanced armature like all their other products. I had the MC5 and it shares similar traits to the RE0, in that it SOUNDS more like a BA driver than a dynamic driver, but most HF5 or ER4 users review it as not being able to compete with the HF5/EF4 in terms of clarity and details.
I wonder if the HF5 black going on sale at Antonline.com, combined with Amazon.com saying the MC5 is a newer version of the HF5, is an early notice of the beginning of the end of the HFx model? Etymotic hasn't killed the ER4 model, even after 20+ years of production of essentially the exact same model.
I think Amazon might just be confused. But if they do discontinue the HF5 they're too late cuz I just ordered mine for 19.99 shipped 
I sent an email to Etymotic customer service about the Amazon.com "newer model" link -- see what they say about it. I also ordered the HF5, but mine was $70 total, which still isn't bad since normal sale price is $120.


That's very odd for Amazon.com to link to the MC5 as a "new version of this [HF5] model." The MC5 is a substantial departure from the Etymotic product line in that it uses a dynamic driver, not a balanced armature like all their other products. I had the MC5 and it shares similar traits to the RE0, in that it SOUNDS more like a BA driver than a dynamic driver, but most HF5 or ER4 users review it as not being able to compete with the HF5/EF4 in terms of clarity and details.
I wonder if the HF5 black going on sale at Antonline.com, combined with Amazon.com saying the MC5 is a newer version of the HF5, is an early notice of the beginning of the end of the HFx model? Etymotic hasn't killed the ER4 model, even after 20+ years of production of essentially the exact same model.
I think Amazon might just be confused. But if they do discontinue the HF5 they're too late cuz I just ordered mine for 19.99 shipped 
I sent an email to Etymotic customer service about the Amazon.com "newer model" link -- see what they say about it. I also ordered the HF5, but mine was $70 total, which still isn't bad since normal sale price is $120.
Yeah that's a great deal too congrats! :) Now that you mention it I remember seeing them for the lower price. They would have been free under the coupon if I would have made up my mind earlier. Oh well...
- Etymotic HF5 vs MC5 [FIXED TITLE]
Recent Discussions
- › Brief Odac impressions 7 seconds ago
- › Alternative to Algorhythm Solo? 9 seconds ago
- › Ultrasone Pro 2900 Appreciation Thread 18 seconds ago
- › Schiit Lyr - The tube rolling thread 1 minute ago
- › Please help me choose HD518 DT990 Xonar DX/DG 1 minute ago
- › Looking for IEMs w/ Lifetime Warranty for Rock/Electronica for $300 2 minutes ago
- › V-MODA M-100: Discussion/Feedback, Reviews, Pics, etc. 3 minutes ago
- › [REVIEW] Brainwavz M4 3 minutes ago
- › Denon Officially Announces Its New Headphones! 4 minutes ago
- › [FS] Audio Technica ATH-W5000 4 minutes ago
Recent Reviews
- › TEAC PD-H600 Reference 600 Series CD Player by gonkulator
- › AKG K403 by eskimoo
- › Sennheiser HD-598 by TK277
- › Ultrasone Signature Pro Headphones by baglunch
- › JVC HA-S600 by pootispow
- › Audez'e LCD-2 Planar Magnetic Headphones by Squuiid
- › Superlux HD-668 B by BlackTea
- › Cowon C2-16BS 16 GB Video Player, Black with Silver by burninmind
- › BRAINWAVZ HM5 Studio Monitor Headphones by Night Crawler
- › Shure SE535LTD RED by sue4
New Articles
- › iBasso DX100 FAQ by DoctorHeadz
- › DIY Cable Info and Resources by Pingupenguins
- › Asr Head-Fi Threads Compendium by Asr
- › Headphone Buying Guide by keanex
- › Fostex T50RP modification summary LINKS - wiki by jgray91
- › Comparisons of the LCD-3 and the LCD-2 Rev. 2 by MacedonianHero
- › Posting Guidelines by Currawong
- › Comparisons of LCD-2 Rev. 1 and Rev. 2 by MacedonianHero
- › Membership Levels, Badges and Custom Titles by Currawong
- › Sennheiser Hd4 8 Modding For Newbies by koolkat
About Head-Fi.org | Join the Community | Advertise
© 2012 Head-Fi.org is powered by Huddler Tech | FAQ | Support | Privacy/TOS | Site Map




















