My answers would all be YouTube videos and stereo earbuds. :tired_face: Beats are considered very 'high-end' where I'm from and very few people have them. My pair of ER4 are like a rare alien artifact or a piece of medical equipment to anyone I show them to.

I'm in the state of Michigan, haven't noticed any abnormal effects from the cold with ER4XR other than the first morning insert where it feels like ice cubes going into my ears. My DAP & phone operate slower in the cold but no effects on pitch or anything.

Head to the future and bring us back a few pairs of ER5's! ER2XR has bigger bass and a slightly better soundstage than ER4XR, but still small, and not as much 'quickness' and detail. My next would be a nice set of dynamic open-back headphones like Sennheiser HD700. But at that point you'd be...

I find ER2XR easier to drive from an iphone or DAP than its ER4 counterpart. Both need a bit more power though.

That is precisely the reason I bought the ER2XR when it came out! I was already in love with ER4's clean sound BA driver after coming from "Urbeats" earbuds...then when I saw Etymotic was making their own dynamic driver I had to see how they compared. I always thought I was a bass-head but...

I have ER4XR and ER2XR.. the ER4 is my go-to daily driver but I keep them both to compare songs. They both have very good deep bass, while the ER4XR is a bit tighter/faster while the ER2XR is larger, boomier. They both have really good mids and highs, but the ER4's are clearer and more detailed...

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I have a few ideas to try now. I'll follow up with anything that works, in case anyone else has the same problem. Thank you Head-fi'ers for helping on my quest for perfect sound. It's because of this thread I discovered Etymotics in the first place.

I have seen it mentioned to cut off the largest flange, but didn't see if anyone came back and verified that it worked for them. Perhaps I will try it to a pair. Thanks for the suggestions

Any word on bi-flange ear tips for the ER4? Or even smaller tri-flanges? I love these IEMs dearly but I'm nearing my wits end with the tri-flange stock tips. My ears are small enough that the largest flange folds over itself and stabs into my ear. Getting a fit is a hassle (but doable), but by...

Get them!! You won't be dissapointed. They are easily driven by my Iphone 6, and Sony DAP, with the volume a tad higher than normal. I am wondering about custom molds myself. I use tri-flanges as they provide the best fit out of the included tips, and (to me) best sound quality. However I...

I own the ER4XR and ER2XR. The 2XR has a lot of deep bass. Too much for me now. I feel like it overshadows the mids and highs and reduces the "Ety" clarity that I love so much. 2XR feels closer to Beats, which I originally came from. But when I wear them, I miss the detailed highs, vocals and...

@Dealux have you tried the ER2XR? Might be what you're looking for

I have listened to so much electronic music on ER4(XR) and it is very spacious, great separation, and kicks do not get "buried" at all to me. Every criticism you have made about the Ety versus a DD IEM sounds like the symptom of an imperfect fit. Then again, you may just prefer the dynamic...

If one is new to Etymotic sound completely, and ER4's aren't an option, I would try for the ER3's. The ER2's dynamic driver, to me, is far away from the quick, clean, and precise signature that Etymotic is known for. They are experimental and fun IEMs, but don't hold a candle to the ER4 series...

I can't speak for the ER4SR version, but I have ER2XR and ER4XR (like you, ER2 for traveling), and based on what you're looking for I would go with the ER2SE version. Others have said also that because of the dynamic driver the ER2 (both of them) have a bit more low-end. The ER2XR has lots of...