imported_dan_a
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2005
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Hi all,
I've had the Shure E2c IEMs for about 2 years now. I like them well enough, I suppose, but I've had some issues with the cabling (keeps cracking) and I've had them replaced by Shure, under warranty, a number of times. Also, they aren't so comfortable, and I think they are a little too heavy on the bass.
I decided it's time to upgrade. My price range is about $150-200 maximum. I'm looking at the Etymotic ER-4Ps. I've read about 20 or 30 reviews of them (most of them on Head-Fi) and I am really just googly-eyed in imagining how awesome these must be. However, I thought it might be wise to ask particularly whether they might be suited to my tastes in sound, music and comfort level.
I listen to a wide variety of things, but I would say the types of music I most listen to is electronic (Daft Punk, Crystal Method), acoustic (from Cat Stevens to John Mayer), female vocal (Imogen Heap, Holly Brook, and just discovered Corinne Bailey Rae), as well as rock and alternative (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Dave Matthews, Oasis, Duncan Sheik, Death Cab for Cutie). Yeah, ok, that's still a pretty wide variety. But I do have specifics on what sort of sound I like:
1) I'm not too big on bass. I mean, I like it, but I don't want too much. I think a lot of cans and stereos nowadays are too heavy on the bass (my E2c's included!). I've heard that the low-end of the ER-4Ps is good but not overdone, which I think is what I'd like.
2) Soundstage? I don't care. There's been a lot of talk about soundstage on IEMs, which really seems incorrect to me. How can there be soundstage? The speakers are right IN your ear! Anyway, I have been using an IEM for 2 years so I know how it's "in your head," so to speak, and I like that.
3) Mids are good, highs are good, hopefully fairly balanced, but I like detail too, I want to hear the details of the instruments, the fingers on the fretboard, etc.
The other thing that's important to me is comfort. That's one of the big downfalls of the Shure E2c, I think. I've heard mixed reviews about the comfort of the ER-4Ps. It's better than the Shures, I hope? I can't wear my Shures for more than about 2 hours before my ears start to hurt.
Oh, also, I have fairly small ears - I started out using the small foamies on the Shures and then switched to the soft flexes when they came out.
I'm sure someone has some great advice for me. I haven't posted much, but I read this form all the time and I love it!
Thanks in advance,
Dan
I've had the Shure E2c IEMs for about 2 years now. I like them well enough, I suppose, but I've had some issues with the cabling (keeps cracking) and I've had them replaced by Shure, under warranty, a number of times. Also, they aren't so comfortable, and I think they are a little too heavy on the bass.
I decided it's time to upgrade. My price range is about $150-200 maximum. I'm looking at the Etymotic ER-4Ps. I've read about 20 or 30 reviews of them (most of them on Head-Fi) and I am really just googly-eyed in imagining how awesome these must be. However, I thought it might be wise to ask particularly whether they might be suited to my tastes in sound, music and comfort level.
I listen to a wide variety of things, but I would say the types of music I most listen to is electronic (Daft Punk, Crystal Method), acoustic (from Cat Stevens to John Mayer), female vocal (Imogen Heap, Holly Brook, and just discovered Corinne Bailey Rae), as well as rock and alternative (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Dave Matthews, Oasis, Duncan Sheik, Death Cab for Cutie). Yeah, ok, that's still a pretty wide variety. But I do have specifics on what sort of sound I like:
1) I'm not too big on bass. I mean, I like it, but I don't want too much. I think a lot of cans and stereos nowadays are too heavy on the bass (my E2c's included!). I've heard that the low-end of the ER-4Ps is good but not overdone, which I think is what I'd like.
2) Soundstage? I don't care. There's been a lot of talk about soundstage on IEMs, which really seems incorrect to me. How can there be soundstage? The speakers are right IN your ear! Anyway, I have been using an IEM for 2 years so I know how it's "in your head," so to speak, and I like that.
3) Mids are good, highs are good, hopefully fairly balanced, but I like detail too, I want to hear the details of the instruments, the fingers on the fretboard, etc.
The other thing that's important to me is comfort. That's one of the big downfalls of the Shure E2c, I think. I've heard mixed reviews about the comfort of the ER-4Ps. It's better than the Shures, I hope? I can't wear my Shures for more than about 2 hours before my ears start to hurt.
Oh, also, I have fairly small ears - I started out using the small foamies on the Shures and then switched to the soft flexes when they came out.
I'm sure someone has some great advice for me. I haven't posted much, but I read this form all the time and I love it!
Thanks in advance,
Dan