UE TripleFi 10 or Etymotic ER-4P for Classical/Jazz

Hi, I would like to get some opinions specifically from users who've compared the TripleFi 10 & ER-4 headphones for classical & jazz(vocal & instrumental).

I've been a ER-4P user for more than 10 years(one of the tip broke off a year ago, again, so I can't compare them side by side). Since I'm a musician myself, I'm very sensitive to sound accuracy, especially for classical instrumental music, and that's what I care about in an IEM the most. After few days of use, I've been happy with the TF10, I have a slight impression that the sound stage is slightly wider on the TF10 but the mid-range on the er-4 had more presence and was more expressive, but I'm not completely sure.

So have anyone done similar comparison between the 2 IEMs for classical & jazz specifically? It'll be used w/o an amp from the latest gen iPod Nano or iPhone. Please share your opinions if you have experience in those. thanks!

thanks for the feedback. Seems like I should probably still get the ER-4 fixed.

An OT note, despite I've generally been very impressed with ER-4's sound and it has always been one of my favorites over the years, the build quality(the tip of the earphone) is really not impressive. It has broken off several times already w/o a lot of use and the plastic on the earphones are just terribly brittle in the winter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero 

Can I vote for neither?

 

 

Which one would that be?

Although it wouldn't be useful for me, unless it's under $100, which is the price that would cost me to get ER-4 fixed and the cost of the TripleFi 10. I'm currently not interested in getting another more expensive IEM.

Feel free to vote your preferred one between the 2 for classical & jazz even if neither one is your favorite.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero 

I still say neither. The UE10s sounded quite a bit better to my ears, but the lack of comfort (pain actually) made them quite useless. And the ER-4Ps were just treble happy (with AWOL bass)....comfort was ok, but I just couldn't get over the way they sounded.

 

FWIW, I did own both. Operative word..."did".

 

I actually find the ER-4 extremely accurate in reproducing instrumental sounds(especially 4S, but I don't use amp much anymore). The UE10 is decent, but it's little boomy for some mid-low range yet it's lacking in substance(in the mids) at the same time. Very strange... It is sometimes pleasing for music that does not require such tonal accuracy though.

Although I listen to many genres, I can't really evaluate the accuracy of the headphones from other type of music such as rock, metal, pop, etc...