If you still love Etymotic ER4, this is the thread for you... - Page 11

I don't love the ER4...yet!

I don't have much experience with IEM, I have been using a pair of IE8 in the last couple of years at work and while commuting connected to my iPhone. Unfortunately by baby literally chewed them so I had to find a replacement.

 

I got some ER4S today...first impression: they obviously isolate much better (and this is one of the reason I chose the etymotics) but the sound through my iPhone is a bit dull.

They sound very different, my ears got used to the IE8 signature, so rich and warm, so probably I need some time to "adjust" them.

The 3 flanges tip seems quite comfortable, but, honestly, I have no idea how deep I'll have to push it in the ear canal. So basically I'm not sure I've inserted them properly.

 

I'll be using them at work with a E7..hope will be enough, but tonight I'll give them a try in my main rig, connected to to the WA3 and Havana.

i just want to chime in and confirm that the er-4p and the er-4pt are IDENTICAL. this is coming from etymotic research customer service people.

Edited by ubercaffeinated - 5/25/11 at 3:14pm

My ER4S just arrived! Bought it from Amazon a few days ago.

 

Cut open the box... and I see color coded headphones. Uh oh - was the ER4S line not upgraded? Or is it that this one has been in storage for a million years? The cable isn't even braided!

 

Plug it into my Samsung Galaxy S with Voodoo Sound. Digital sound output to max. I only adjust the analog amplifier. Despite reports saying the S being hard to drive, I still have plenty of room on my phone to drive them higher. No need for an amplifier for this one.

 

The sound is a little disappointing. I guess it's because it's basically an extension of what I've been hearing. The pair of KSC75s I listen to are used without the foam, making them very revealing and flat - just like the ER4S. I picked up a pair of FX67 after seeing it being raved on and I also eq'ed the phones to a similar sound (can't quite make them sound the same though). The ER4S extends the highs and the lows are roughly the same. Are they worth the $200 investment? Hmm, hard to say. Isolation is great, but again, I don't see a braided cable here that supposedly reduced microphonics. Maybe I've been spoiled by the Stax sound?

 

Quick question for you all: How in the world do I use the shirt clip? The hole is massive! (cue dirty jokes)

Edited by Lollipop - 5/25/11 at 12:27pm

It clips only to the pod in the middle.
 

 

I quote myself: the problem wasn't the amp or the iPhone but the tips.

I'm now using the foamie, and the sound is just fine! More extension on both ends, richer midrange, bass is more present.

And isolation is great: it's just me and music. 

I found that when using the triple flange tips depth insertion is critical. Too shallow or too deep of an insertion doesn't sound right, no bass. Between these two extremes there is a sweet spot where the sound opens up from top to bottom. Sometimes I have to push them in further or pull them out ever so slightly to sound their fullest. After a little time with them it becomes much easier. It also helps to moisten the flanges before inserting.

With my nano they sound good but with the J3 fantastic.

Because of the great isolation and sound the er4s is what I've been reaching for first lately. I'm definitely loving them.

Well, I tried ER-4P/S again vs RE262. I tried Ety both with custom silicon tips and glider tips:

 

 

Gliders sound very good, better than any other universal tips I tried, on par with my custom tips. Comparing to my custom tips, gliders are bassier and less bright due to the deeper fit and narrower inner tube. So I like both equally and change them to vary the sound sig.

 

Nevertheless, RE262 beats Ety with the same speed and details, less bass depth, but fuller, smoother and warmer mids. I bet custom tips will improve RE262 bass depth. 

 

 

I'm back to ER4P again after getting my Audinst HUD-mx1.  I'm really enjoying the synergy.  It sounds like my 1964-T.  The sound is amazingly clear without distortions or coloration.

Edited by High_Q - 6/11/11 at 2:56pm

ER-4P has to be the most detailed and accurate IEM.  One BA driver, and that's all it needs.  I think I've reached what I was looking for, I don't think anything can take on ER4P IMO.

Pretty much any custom IEM could and more.

 

 

Not even the JH13 or JH16 sounds as clean as the ER4. I even know one guy locally who upgraded from the Ety to JH13 and finally back to the Ety again! 

Edited by K3cT - 6/14/11 at 3:48am

I remember when I got them about 2 years ago, I was very diappointed

But when you get used to them , you realize how good they are.

The details are amazing ,

thinking of getting the S adapter

but I think the D2 is not very good on these

ER4-P were my first "real" phones and I have yet to find anything that sound as good. Once you get used to the precise and neutral (and very deep) bass extension everything else sounds bloated and fake. I also agree that getting the insertion right is key but doing so is trivial once you get the hang of it. The first time I put these on I was like "so THIS is what I've been missing!" So so good.

 

In addition, the Etymotic customer service is exceptional. Similar to another poster in this thread, I too sent in my out of warranty set for a replacement cable after 6+ years of use and ended up being sent a brand new pair for $50, and it was fast. So refreshing. They also have a trade in program with really big discounts.

 

 

(This is not really my first post. I used to be around a long time ago but can't remember any of my old account info.)

Edited by mrip541 - 6/14/11 at 11:35am

With a sound signature that leaves bass presentation being near non existent the sound should be very clean.
 

 

that is as if to say that iems with bass presentation have... unclean... sound signatures. :P

 

the er-4p are boring imo, but the er-4s amped up are kinda nice - minimal bass, but i wouldn't say nonexistent. it's well suited for vocal, acoustic, and classical genres, but it can give a little bass when needed. it's all goes back to the listener's preference.
 

 

Edited by ubercaffeinated - 6/14/11 at 10:19pm