[Sonic 748i]

I've heard that these speakers last usually around 7 years. Does any have a pair Etymotic ER4S/P's since they were first released that still work? Does anyone have a balanced armature based earphone that has lasted them more than 7 years?

 

[Nebby]

Well I bought my pair of ER-4S in 2004 and they're still running strong. Guess I'll find out next year if they magically die after 7 years

 

[ClieOS]

Where did you hear that BA usually last only 7 years?

 

[Sonic 748i]

Quote:

Where did you hear that BA usually last only 7 years?

Various places, including here. Can't really find the posts.

 

[ethan961]

It's something Jerry Harvey said when he worked for UE.
The ER4P seems to last for very long times if cared for.

 

[koonhua90]

Quote:

It's something Jerry Harvey said when he worked for UE.
The ER4P seems to last for very long times if cared for.

 
Quote:

I've heard that these speakers last usually around 7 years. Does any have a pair Etymotic ER4S/P's since they were first released that still work? Does anyone have a balanced armature based earphone that has lasted them more than 7 years?

 
So with that said, a custom IEM using balanced armature drivers can only last 7yrs? 10 yrs at most?
 

 

[ethan961]

Quote:

 
So with that said, a custom IEM using balanced armature drivers can only last 7yrs? 10 yrs at most?
 

I don't think anyone really knows, or has had an IEM for that long that would be able to tell. I know there are a few people who have had their ER4P/S since release.

 

[Dobber65]

Isn't this also going to be a function of use time and use environment?  BAs came out of the hearing aid industry, so if hearing aides are used 8-16 hours/day, every day in all environments, temperatures, and weather, then 7 years for a hearing aid may be accurate.  If you take the environments in which Jerry Harvey originally intended his IEMs to be used (rock concerts), with again potential weather (indoor and outdoor venues), sweat, and potentially extremes in sound volume, then 7 years for a concert-based IEM may make sense.
 
I've been using my IEMs for almost 5 years, and all sound, work, and look fine.  As ethan961 stated, some Ety owners have had their ER-4xs for many years.  If IEMs used for personal listening average 2-3 hours of use per day, then the life expectancy of the BA transducers should be significantly longer than 7 years.  Other components may fail earlier, but it doesn't seem like BAs are the weak link.

 

[rawrster]

Outside of the ER4 I can't think of any iem that is popular today that has been out for 7-10 years. Either way at the rate a lot of us go through earphones I don't think we have to worry about them not lasting a certain length of time

 

[Nebby]

Also forgot to mention, my pair of er-4s went through a six month stint in Iraq and 140 degree weather. Aside from some swapping of the filters I had no issues.

 

[Dobber65]

^^ That is impressive. It at least demonstrates the build quality of Ety IEMs.

 

[kurtzi]

Quote:

Also forgot to mention, my pair of er-4s went through a six month stint in Iraq and 140 degree weather. Aside from some swapping of the filters I had no issues.

Really, impressive....
 
Cheers
K.

 

[wuwhere]

I had an ER4S that I bought back in 1997 and died in 2008, it met its demise not from old age but from the jaw of my beagle pup.

 

[Sonic 748i]

Quote:

I had an ER4S that I bought back in 1997 and died in 2008, it met its demise not from old age but from the jaw of my beagle pup.

Well that sucks, but at least we know those BA's can last a long time.

 

[vulkarie]

How's everyone BA iem do? 10 years (2020) already passed, can give updates?