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Perhaps the Shure E5C's?

The E3 is better than the ER-4P for bass. But it's about how you feel is better. It's not in DT770 territory by any means. One of the problems could be that people don't take the time to get a bassy seal, or that they have expectations of a Portapro type experience.


The E5 is the nearest you'll get for maximum bass out of a canalphone. Once again, taking the care to fit them properly applies.

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Funny...I actually find the bass on my e3c and iPod combo to be pretty good. It may not have much "thump" behind it, but I can hear it (and better than the e2), and the clarity of the bass smokes ex71s.

--Ben

That is the catch with the canalphones and the perception of the lack of bass for the Ety ER-4 series. They have bass and it is a very detailed bass. It is not the thumping, hard-hitting visceral bass of a speaker set with subwoofer, nor is it the boomy, muddled mess of bass that the EX71 is known for. If you are interested in actually hearing the bass notes and are less concerned with the perceived impact of the lows then you will appreciate the sound signature of Etys.

Of course, if impactful and detailed bass in a canalphone is of paramount importance to you, your best bet is the Shure e5. It is a fun "can" that uses its dual-driver construction to present the thumps and twangs of the music.

Truthfully speaking, I just don't think the bass in either the E3c is Ety ER-4 is quite enough for their price class. There's a "sacrifice" that you make when using canalphones, and despite many people's unwillingness to admit that they made a sacrifice for size and portability, it is definitely there.

ER-4 is extremely detailed, but completely lacking in a realistic bass. Yes, I understand how the note of the bass is all there, it's just lacking visceral impact. How does that excuse it from not having a realistic bass though? If our full-size headphone had the same type of bass response as the ER-4, we would, without any hesitance, cry out, "Where's my bass?!" So where does this double-standard for the ER-4 come in place?

E3c is a little bit better, but just a little bit. E3c has a mid-bass boost that gives you a more exciting mid-bass with at least some more visceral impact, although once you start reaching in the low bass frequencies, it's very clear that the E3c is unable to reproduce those frequencies with any sort of impact as well. I think when you reach into this deep level of bass, ER-4 does a better "note representation"; meanwhile neither has any visceral impact left to give.

E5c is really the only one that has the bass impact to rival a full size headphone. In fact, out of all the headphones I've tried and own, I would only take my CD3000 over the E5c. If I had to pick between only one to keep, I would still keep the E5c due to its portability and versatility. However, you do pay a very dear amount of money for the E5c... there's a price to pay for miniaturization.

A realistic bass to me, *has* to have visceral impact. I mean, if you were at a concert and the drummer's drum gives you just notes, and no physical vibration whatsoever, what would that feel like? Wouldn't that be a bit odd, a little bit strange? What if you're at a jazz concert and the bass strings give you no physical involvement? Anyway....

Off topic, but--Lindrone, stop talking about the E5c. I've gone from "I'm happy with my etys so I don't need another canal phone" to "hmmmm, I can just try the E5c and send it back if I'm not blown away" (and of course, I'll probably never return them).

LOL!..

It has to be said, for me bass really is a very important aspect of the soundstage. Having heard lots of real percussion and knowing just how much speed, slam and physical impact real instruments have I just cannot live without at least some semblence of this phenomenon. I've never been able to live with bass-shy setups for long before my slam craving returns. I don't like overly full or flabby bass, just strong, deep and with enough attack to make me jump out of my skin when it catches me off guard.

But maybe it's jus me

In truth, the E5 has an overblown bass in headphone terms. However it's a similar feeling to a speaker. Although many of us may consider the DT770 bass monsters for example, for people mixing for speaker applications (that's practically everyone out there) the DT770 provides the same kind of impact available from speakers.


To those coming from speakers and those who used the likes of Portapros, DJ phones, etc regardless of quality the bass may never be enough.


The E3c provides 'just enough' for people who don't have such speaker like cravings. Most phones it has to be said don't reach the bass impact (with issues) of the CD3000 (lumpy bass)/DT770(overblown trebles)/E5(compromised highs).

I think lindrone made some very good points.

There does seem to be a double standard when it comes to canalphones. I don't think it is fair to discount something such as bass and call it a sound signature. Headphones should be judged equally.

The E5's are out of most people's price range. But they are an example that lowerpriced canalphones have room for improvement.

On the whole I think it is judged equally. It could also be argued that those who like the E5 tend to gravitate to bassy headphones in their home set-ups. I tend to be more schizo that way.


The ER-4P has about the same bass presence as the Beyer DT880. The E3c has a bit more. The E5 has bass along the lines of the bassiest phones. For every person who says the 880 is bass-shy, there will be one who says it's fine. It's a matter of perspective and the equipment in use, and not necessarily a double standard.

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That's exactly the sensation i got with my E3's and it's why I traded them in for the E5's. The E5's just have that little extra something that makes for a much more involving and full experience. It just feels more "right" to me.

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Yes. Yes yes yes yes.

Wait.

Nooooooooo!!!!!! Now I can't stop thinking about buying E5s. CURSE ALL OF YOU.

I know. I was warned. "sorry about your wallet."

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That's what happened to me. Best decision I have made since getting into this Head-Fi game.

Well, now I got to get me a pair of E5's too. It's all your fault. My wallet will never forgive me.
(and it doesn't even know yet about the iHP-120 I'm gonna buy...)