[Decommo]

  I guess I am one of those weirdos who will miss the ER4B - they are my favorite from the original line. I find them a bit more transparent than the ER4S, which is a better fit for my choice of media (vinyl rips), since I never have to worry about the highs sounding too harsh because I don't listen to CDs or CD-rips.

There's gotta be a way for the new version (ER4SR) to be converted to (something like) a "B". Using a "B" cable from one of the older versions wouldn't work, because the new ER4SR is driven at 45Ohms, so even if you could get the right adapter to fit an old "B" cable onto the new connector, you'd have the wrong resistance.

What was the difference between the ER4S and ER4B, anyway? Someone earlier in the thread mentioned that they were both 100 Ohms, but the B had some kind of capacitor in the cable. Does anyone know anything else about what kind of capacitor the B version had?

What if you put that same kind of capacitor into a DIY cable for the ER4SR? Wouldn't you essentially get a "B"?

Also, EtyDave said that they moved the resistor out of the splitter, but he didn't mention where it was moved. I'm assuming it is now inside the earphones? Meaning, you could use any MMCX cable without needing a resistor in the cable?

Thanks! Very excited about the new sets, I will probably buy one.

I also love ER4B sound. It sounds so good listening Pink Floyd "Money"

 

[HiFiChris]

  i was thinking - what is going to happen if i sell all of my headphones and just buy er4s, i am thinking that for a couple of days now

 
Although the ER-4S is not among my better/best in-ears on the technical side, it is my favourite in-ear tuning- and overall-package-wise and I could quite easily get along with it as my only neutral in-ear.

 

[audio123]

All I can say it that marketing and business strategy are never Ety's strong suit, for better or worst.

yes if only they have Shure' marketing and business strategy

 

[Fungus]

The most annoying aspect of the 4s is the enormous headphone jack. It won't fit through my phone case which is a first. Good one 

I'm also skeptical about the durability of the connectors reason being every time I fit them in my ear, I'm required to give them a twist to ensures a tight fit but at the same time is applying pressure on the connectors since I'm twisting on the connectors and not the actually earphone housing. I can already see the pins showing a bit between the gap and can close it back up if I squeeze the connectors back together.
Not very reassuring. 

 

[H20Fidelity]

  i was thinking - what is going to happen if i sell all of my headphones and just buy er4s, i am thinking that for a couple of days now

 
You will end up with artificially enlarged ear canals, the skin tougher than leather. 
 
The insertion depth is real.

 

[Steel Ninja]

Hey, can any of you fellow etyheads give me hand? My etys just broke and I'm looking for a replacement with a similar signature but slightly more bass. (The ER4XR is looking quite promising, but I want to keep my options open.)
 
Thread here.
 
Thanks!

 

[gnarlsagan]

Hey, can any of you fellow etyheads give me hand? My etys just broke and I'm looking for a replacement with a similar signature but slightly more bass. (The ER4XR is looking quite promising, but I want to keep my options open.)

Thread here.

Thanks!

I'd wait for the XR. Many of us have been looking for an ER4 with more bass for years. Not easily found, and I doubt anything would be closer to fitting that description than Ety's own offering.

 

[jatergb]

  Hey, can any of you fellow etyheads give me hand? My etys just broke and I'm looking for a replacement with a similar signature but slightly more bass. (The ER4XR is looking quite promising, but I want to keep my options open.)
 
Thread here.
 
Thanks!

Do you know you can return the broken pair to etymotic and get a discount voucher? IF not, check out their website. I got 40% voucher that works across any product on their website.

 

[vapman]

They'll also repair them after the warranty's expired if I recall correctly.

 

[Fungus]

Can somebody confirm it it's normal for the connector to separate slightly from the housing after a few tries putting them in and out? 
What do the actually connectors look like? I'm guessing there are just held on my fiction like the old 2 pin westone connectors.  

 

[AnyDave]

  I guess I am one of those weirdos who will miss the ER4B - they are my favorite from the original line. I find them a bit more transparent than the ER4S, which is a better fit for my choice of media (vinyl rips), since I never have to worry about the highs sounding too harsh because I don't listen to CDs or CD-rips.

There's gotta be a way for the new version (ER4SR) to be converted to (something like) a "B". Using a "B" cable from one of the older versions wouldn't work, because the new ER4SR is driven at 45Ohms, so even if you could get the right adapter to fit an old "B" cable onto the new connector, you'd have the wrong resistance.

What was the difference between the ER4S and ER4B, anyway? Someone earlier in the thread mentioned that they were both 100 Ohms, but the B had some kind of capacitor in the cable. Does anyone know anything else about what kind of capacitor the B version had?

What if you put that same kind of capacitor into a DIY cable for the ER4SR? Wouldn't you essentially get a "B"?

Also, EtyDave said that they moved the resistor out of the splitter, but he didn't mention where it was moved. I'm assuming it is now inside the earphones? Meaning, you could use any MMCX cable without needing a resistor in the cable?

Thanks! Very excited about the new sets, I will probably buy one.

 
Yep, it's in the earpiece.  You could theoretically use a different MMCX cable as long as it is physically compatible.  We countersunk and keyed the connector in the new ER4 for more stability.

 

[AnyDave]

   
If I was Etymotic, the resistor would still be in the cable.  That way, you'll still need to by one directly from us (Etymotic) should a cable needs replacement.  No different than before, really.

 
I suppose keeping the resistor in the cable would've guaranteed more cable sales, but that's not what we did.  Frankly, I'm happy when people get the earphones and support us.  If putting an aftermarket cable makes somebody happier, it's cool, just as long as the cable doesn't cause damage resulting in a warranty claim (which I doubt most would).
 
People like to experiment.  It's part of what makes the hobby fun.

 

[AnyDave]

  Can somebody confirm it it's normal for the connector to separate slightly from the housing after a few tries putting them in and out? 
What do the actually connectors look like? I'm guessing there are just held on my fiction like the old 2 pin westone connectors.  

 
No, that is definitely not normal.  It should be very tight.  I would recommend dropping a line to customer service and see what they have to say.  I would assume they could get you sorted out.

 

[Fungus]

   
No, that is definitely not normal.  It should be very tight.  I would recommend dropping a line to customer service and see what they have to say.  I would assume they could get you sorted out.

Unfortunately I purchased them used and don't think it's covered my warranty anymore. Plus if the sockets have elongated which is most likely the case, I don't think etymolic will be able to do anything except off a replacement.
 
I think every er4 will eventually suffer from loose sockets due to the location of the connectors being located on the end of the housing.
 
The connectors has to sustain the constant pulling and twisting from the user due to the connectors being the only part the earphones that is physically reachable when inserting and removing from the ear. 
 
Having said that I don't think my er4s connectors are that loose and are probably normal.. It's possible not many people have noticed this issue since it doesn't come out all the way. 

 

[AnyDave]

  Unfortunately I purchased them used and don't think it's covered my warranty anymore. Plus if the sockets have elongated which is most likely the case, I don't think etymolic will be able to do anything except off a replacement.
 
I think every er4 will eventually suffer from loose sockets due to the location of the connectors being located on the end of the housing.
 
The connectors has to sustain the constant pulling and twisting from the user due to the connectors being the only part the earphones that is physically reachable when inserting and removing from the ear. 
 
Having said that I don't think my er4s connectors are that loose and are probably normal.. It's possible not many people have noticed this issue since it doesn't come out all the way. 

 
I think that it might still be worth contacting Customer Service.  Even if it's out of warranty, they may be able to service it.  You'd always have the option of declining.  They are generally a helpful bunch over there.
 
The friction fit connector design is not intended to have the cables changed out by the end user.  It actually isn't all that common for the connectors to become loose like that but I've seen it on occasion, especially if the cable has been replaced/removed a number of times.
 
This isn't an official company repair suggestion, so please don't do this and THEN call customer service, but if you absolutely have no other options, you can probably tighten that up a little bit by *lightly* squeezing the pins and taking them out of round with a pair of precision pliers.  That's the engineer's hack solution of the day (this is why I'm not allowed to answer phones in customer service

).  No warranty on that fix should be expected, I just hate for people to have an earphone they can't use.