[SweetLime]

I got my ER4XR in the mail around a week ago. I also ordered the SR for comparison. I honestly thought I'd like the SR more than the XR due to me liking my HD600s over the HD650/Fidelio X2. The XR has a teeny bit more sub bass than the HD600 but has similar beautiful clarity. I'd say if you like the HD600, get the XR. The SR felt like it had 0 bass. I thought people were overreacting since the same complaint is often made about the HD600s, but it's like really a flat line down there.

I'd say the SR would be perfect for people who listen to primarily classical music where the "tinkle" in the detail is more wanted as opposed to richness. XR for anything you want to jam to. They both have the same amount of detail imo.

I also had the Pinnacle P1 on hand to compare them to as well. The XR fixes what I didn't really like about the P1's sound signature while also having a little more detail (there was a little bit of bloom in the bass and something oddly grating about the P1's highs, and treble usually doesn't bother me). The XR doesn't share the same beautiful soundstage as the P1, though. If you can handle the P1's highs, I'd highly recommend you get them to compare, since they have a similar level of detail at a $150 difference in price.

Anyway, I looooove the XRs. If you're scared of no bass, I recommend just getting the XR and don't waste money on return shipping.

The only issue I've had with them so far is a cosmetic issue. There's a small dent right above where the plastic backing connects to the metal casing on the S/N side, on the casing it's self. It's not a scratch, so I'm assuming it's a mistake that was made during the drilling of the little connection divot. Normally this wouldn't bug me, since I'd probably somehow ding it myself over the years, but at $350, I'd expect these to be immaculate.

 

[AnyDave]

Dunno why Ety seems to default to the small blue triflanges these days, but I'll recommend all new Ety user to immediately switch to the larger triflanges first, and only change it to small blue triflanges if you can't get a good fit.
 

 
It's a bit of a psychological reason, actually.  From the feedback I've received, if the larger 3-flange tips are too big for new users, it would sometimes put the user off the product entirely, resulting in a return.  Apparently, if the tip is too small, they are less hesitant to try a larger tip because they don't associate the problem with discomfort.  In the end, we want to encourage people to experiment with the available tips to find the one that works for them.
 
We actually don't ship the blue ones with earphones anymore.  The smaller tips are a frosted grey, but your point holds as they are the same sized tip as the blue ones.

 

[AnyDave]

The only issue I've had with them so far is a cosmetic issue. There's a small dent right above where the plastic backing connects to the metal casing on the S/N side, on the casing it's self. It's not a scratch, so I'm assuming it's a mistake that was made during the drilling of the little connection divot. Normally this wouldn't bug me, since I'd probably somehow ding it myself over the years, but at $350, I'd expect these to be immaculate.

 
Would you be willing to send me a photo of the ding in the metal?  It sounds like something that would annoy me too.

 

[BartSimpson1976]

I really cannot decide whether to get the XR or the ATH-E70....

 

[Happytalk]

If simply switching the SR to XR cable can change the sound from SR to XR or vice versa then Etymotic shouldn't produce both the SR and XR versions. They should just produce a single ER4SXR and just sell different cables to change the sound signature 

I'm repeating info here, but this is an incorrect assessment. Different cables won't make one Into the other. The drivers inside the earphones themselves are what's different. Time to do some more reading.

 

[AnyDave]

I'm repeating info here, but this is an incorrect assessment. Different cables won't make one Into the other. The drivers inside the earphones themselves are what's different. Time to do some more reading.

 
I can confirm this.  The drivers in the SR and XR are different.  The cables are identical.  Unlike the previous versions of the ER4, there isn't a practical way of doing it with different cable options.

 

[SweetLime]

I sent you a PM with pictures!

 

[mark88888]

Before it's lost forever in the shuffle I want to repost this question.  I want to make sure what I described is normal and there's nothing wrong.  Thanks...
 
_____
So I got the ER4XR.  Great sound!
 
Quick question about the connectors.  They don't detach easily, but I can rotate them pretty easily (so in other words, the wire and the part directly connected to the wire stays in place, but the part with the ER4xr logo and flange that goes in your ear can easily spin in a circle)... the notch does keep them in place well enough, so this isnt a problem without intentionally rotating it.  But at the same time, they do rotate past the notch and spin around without much effort, its not as if they are "locked" in place.  So the question is, is this completely normal for this type of connector?  If so, then that isnt a problem on my end.  Just wondering.  Thanks...  and sorry for the extremely non-technical parts description.  

 

 

[WhatToChoose]

Before it's lost forever in the shuffle I want to repost this question.  I want to make sure what I described is normal and there's nothing wrong.  Thanks...

_____
So I got the ER4XR.  Great sound!

Quick question about the connectors.  They don't detach easily, but I can rotate them pretty easily (so in other words, the wire and the part directly connected to the wire stays in place, but the part with the ER4xr logo and flange that goes in your ear can easily spin in a circle)... the notch does keep them in place well enough, so this isnt a problem without intentionally rotating it.  But at the same time, they do rotate past the notch and spin around without much effort, its not as if they are "locked" in place.  So the question is, is this completely normal for this type of connector?  If so, then that isnt a problem on my end.  Just wondering.  Thanks...  and sorry for the extremely non-technical parts description.    

I should have my ER4XR's tomorrow, I'll post about em. But this sounds like normal MMCX behavior, if not a bit loose.

 

[mark88888]

I should have my ER4XR's tomorrow, I'll post about em. But this sounds like normal MMCX behavior, if not a bit loose.

 
 
Ah, that would be great, thank you.
 
If you havent heard them you're in for a treat.  Great sound.

 

[LIVE_EVIL]

  So I got the ER4XR.  Great sound!
 
Quick question about the connectors.  They don't detach easily, but I can rotate them pretty easily (so in other words, the wire and the part directly connected to the worestays in place, but the part with the ER4xr logo and flange that goes in your ear can easily spin in a circle)... the notch does keep them in place well enough, so this isnt a problem without intentionally rotating it.  But at the same time, they do rotate past the notch and spin around without much effort, its not as if they are really "locked" in place.  So the question is, is this completely normal for this type of connector?  If so, then that isnt a problem on my end.  Just wondering.  Thanks...  and sorry for the extremely non-technical parts description.  

If you are committing to these long term you might as well just put a small drop of super glue on joing between connector and driver. This is not for everyone ofcourse.

 

[miceblue]

My cable doesn't easily rotate from the body. The notch on mine is pretty solidly connected.

 

[thefitz]

The notch on mine is good and worn out. This is due to tip rolling, particularly with Shure foam tips were are exceptionally difficult to remove.

 

[AnyDave]

I sent you a PM with pictures!

 
Replied. 

 

[riodgarp]

So the XR should suitable for mostly modern music?