Hi ho, folks.  I've been using a pair of Etymotic ER-4p IEMs for the past few of years and have been gradually losing signal in the left monitor due to cable issues (when I twist the bulgy connection where the cable splits into the two monitors, I can temporarily get my sound back until the plastic rights itself).  So, if anyone's in the mood to help, I have a couple of questions:
 
1.  The drivers themselves are fine.  Can I get these re-cabled (in or shipped from Canada) inexpensively?  I suspect they're long out of warranty.
 
2.  I tend to use these headphones almost exclusively on spoken word podcasts and the like while walking in the city, so isolation and long-term comfort are more important to my equation than sound quality.  If I was replacing them or getting a stand-in while I wait for them to be re-cabled, is there a cheap alternative that speaks to my usage (again easily available in Canada)?
 
Thanks very much, folks.
 
- Danny

You can easily change the cables on the ER4, just like any other iem with removable cable. Replacement cables can be purchased from many different places. 
 
Good luck. 

Thanks very much for the response.  That's heartening!  I didn't realize the cables were removable---is this fairly easy to do?  I don't have much expertise.

Yeah I think there are several videos in youtube on how to change them, i'd search one for you, but at work, youtube is blocked, so just search "how to replace er-4p cable"

It's not too hard to remove the cables from the monitors. Just don't use too much force. You don't want to snap the tubes. They're usually pretty tightly attached, but firm steady pressure should do to pull them out. 

O NO WAIT--some Etys do NOT have removable cables.  The ones I have now do NOT have removable cables, but my older previous ones did.  SO look closely at whre the cable meets the earpieces.  If it's solid, don't even try removing them.
 
On another note, why not send them back to Etymotics for repair?  Have sent mine back several times and they've repaired either for free or for real cheap.  Lots safer than trying to do it yourself and risk damage to the Etys.
 
Or, if you want to upgrade the cabling, ship them to Apuresound for some great recabling solutions
 
Good luck whichever way you go.

My ER-4P cable has cracked open by the strain reliefs on both sides, exposing the wires. I've repaired them with some heatshrink, but a replacement will be required at some point. I checked with Etymotic, and I was told that a new cable is $50. Of course, you can go with Apuresound or others if you prefer.

Again, thanks for everyone's replies.
 
I'm thinking the options at APureSound, while beautiful and exciting, are a bit overkill for my applications (more overkill than a $50 cable replacement, anyway).  From what I've been able to find out, this is where I go.
 
While I wait for this to process, though, do folks have any suggestions for a cheap intermediary that's good for isolation and comfort?
 
(Edit to add: In case anyone's interested, I found someone with a similar issue.  Unfortunately, the price of the adaptors + a replacement cable doesn't look competitive with just sending it back home to Ety.)

Quote:

danny fekete said:

 
 
While I wait for this to process, though, do folks have any suggestions for a cheap intermediary that's good for isolation and comfort?
 
(Edit to add: In case anyone's interested, I found someone with a similar issue.  Unfortunately, the price of the adaptors + a replacement cable doesn't look competitive with just sending it back home to Ety.)

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The advantage of the adapter + westone cable is that it opens up more upgrade possibilities in the future because there are way more after market westone cable than there are er4 cables.Also the wiring is more flexible for day to day usage.
 
cheapest decent in ear meelectronics m9 or m6(don't expect miracles)