IEMusic
Headphoneus Supremus
I’m a fan of Etymotic IEMs, and actually like the deep insertion and great isolation for certain occasions, but the deep insertion is by far the biggest issue most people have with them. Plus, sometimes you just don’t want so much isolation. I’ve been exploring different ear tip options that don’t require you to stick the IEM into your brain. I have a few to share, and anyone else with ideas, please share them with us as well. In general, ear tips for IEMs with narrow nozzles will likely fit the Etymotics. Brands such as Shure and Westone are probably the most widely available. I know Comply makes foam tips specifically for these IEMs as well.
This is a comparison between the Klipsch single BA IEM X10i vs the Etymotic ER2XR. The Klipsch ear tips do fit the Etymotic, but the stem is much longer on the Etymotic, and the Klipsch tips just cover the end of the nozzle, so it’s not as secure, but it works, and the Klipsch ear tips seal really well. The Etymotics will stick out of your ear canal quite a bit with this combo though.
This is what the Klipsch ear tip looks like on the Etymotic. The Shure Olives (foam tips) also fit the Etymotic, and cover most of the nozzle. With the Shure tips, the IEM doesn’t stick out of your ear as much. The fit and seal with the foamies are really good.
This is the Klipsch ear tip and the rubber (I think) Shure tip. These Shure tips fit the IEM better than than the foamies, in that they fully cover the nozzle. They also seal well. It may be beneficial to use a smaller size tip and insert the IEM a little bit deeper for a really good seal.
This is the Final Audio Type E tip with an adapter for Shure/Westone IEMs. It also works with Etymotic IEMs.
When using the Final Type E tips, the end of the Etymotic’s nozzle is right up to the opening of the ear tip.
Of course, as with all IEMs, changing the ear tip changes the sound, and experimentation is necessary. In general, I find using the single flange tips make the overall sound a little bit brighter, likely due to the tip of the IEM nozzle being closer to the opening of the ear tip. Also, many ear tips have wider bores than the really narrow bores of the Etymotic tips. Because the insertion is much more shallow with these other tips, I find the sound stage to be a bit wider, and the music doesn’t sound like it’s in the middle of your head as much. For really critical listening, such as using the ER4SR for mastering recordings, I’d recommend using the Etymotic tips, for accuracy.
What other ideas do you have?
This is a comparison between the Klipsch single BA IEM X10i vs the Etymotic ER2XR. The Klipsch ear tips do fit the Etymotic, but the stem is much longer on the Etymotic, and the Klipsch tips just cover the end of the nozzle, so it’s not as secure, but it works, and the Klipsch ear tips seal really well. The Etymotics will stick out of your ear canal quite a bit with this combo though.
This is what the Klipsch ear tip looks like on the Etymotic. The Shure Olives (foam tips) also fit the Etymotic, and cover most of the nozzle. With the Shure tips, the IEM doesn’t stick out of your ear as much. The fit and seal with the foamies are really good.
This is the Klipsch ear tip and the rubber (I think) Shure tip. These Shure tips fit the IEM better than than the foamies, in that they fully cover the nozzle. They also seal well. It may be beneficial to use a smaller size tip and insert the IEM a little bit deeper for a really good seal.
This is the Final Audio Type E tip with an adapter for Shure/Westone IEMs. It also works with Etymotic IEMs.
When using the Final Type E tips, the end of the Etymotic’s nozzle is right up to the opening of the ear tip.
Of course, as with all IEMs, changing the ear tip changes the sound, and experimentation is necessary. In general, I find using the single flange tips make the overall sound a little bit brighter, likely due to the tip of the IEM nozzle being closer to the opening of the ear tip. Also, many ear tips have wider bores than the really narrow bores of the Etymotic tips. Because the insertion is much more shallow with these other tips, I find the sound stage to be a bit wider, and the music doesn’t sound like it’s in the middle of your head as much. For really critical listening, such as using the ER4SR for mastering recordings, I’d recommend using the Etymotic tips, for accuracy.
What other ideas do you have?
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