ER-4P - Huge disappointment (compared to K701)

[glac1er]

I really hope you're getting a good seal or at least try to get used to the ER4 sound sig (it took me 3 days before getting it right). Unamped, I found them to be more detailed than the K701 when I have a good seal.

If you don't like the ER4 for the reasons you stated, I don't think it will be resolved much by any IEM in this price range, including the UM2.

 

[66645]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pataburd /img/forum/go_quote.gif I actually found them more resolving in the upper frequencies than the K701 and, overall, shaded more toward neutral then the AKG.

It is VERY strange... once again, may be I have fakes??

 

[ClieOS]

Maybe you are comparing an apple to a orange? They look different, they grow differently, and they taste different - there is no reason to expect one should be like the other in most (if any) aspect.

The question is, do you actually want to use IEM? Big cans will always have the better price/performance ratio and generally sounds better than IEM in the same price range. Maybe you are just not an IEM person? ...Just a thought.

 

[mark_h]

I bought quite a few IEMs the first were er-4p, hated them, seriously, for every reason you mentioned! got some um2's liked them more then some shure e500, liked them! Then took the time to compare the three because so many people on headfi love the ety's and I thought I have to see why!

Anyway long story shortish, I kept the etys sold the others and am so glad I did. Never regreted it, not even once! Whats my point? I dont know? er...In my opinion, sonically the ety's are unsurpassed!

:etysmilewide:

 

[tk3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lelek45 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It is VERY strange... once again, may be I have fakes??

I don't think the ER4 has fakes around, never seen any thread about it on Head-fi anyway.

Where did you get them?

 

[66645]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif How are the foamies? Those are usually the best when it comes to getting a good fit in my experience. For IEMs the sound does come from the inside (duh) compared to full size headphones, but on some music they can give the illusion of pretty big soundstage in both height and width (depth less so).

Foamies - no difference for me, except that it's quite time consumptive, to put it in.

No soundstage at all for me. K701 - very good soundstage.

 

[66645]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glac1er /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you don't like the ER4 for the reasons you stated, I don't think it will be resolved much by any IEM in this price range, including the UM2.

This is exactly that I'm trying to figure out now. May be I'm looking for nonexistent thing (for that money). So your point, that I don't need to look elswere, if etymotics doesn't work.

 

[gp_hebert]

While I love the ER4P and it's great for portable use, my home setup totally destroys my portable setup. IEMs are good at what they do, which is providing isolation, but I've never heard a pair as good as full-size cans. I've yet to hear highly-priced UE customs, but I really doubt any IEM can match an equally priced full-size can in terms of SQ due to their physical limitations.

 

[66645]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe you are comparing an apple to a orange? They look different, they grow differently, and they taste different - there is no reason to expect one should be like the other in most (if any) aspect. The question is, do you actually want to use IEM? Big cans will always have the better price/performance ratio and generally sounds better than IEM in the same price range. Maybe you are just not an IEM person? ...Just a thought.

No, I'm not. They are both just sound sources, and I compare them by their sound. Why not?

And, no, I don't want to use IEM specifically. Any other option for portable?

 

[YtseJamer]

Be patient with your Etys :

Here are some advices :

1- Buy the ER4P to ER4S cable. ($25 on head-direct.com)
2- Buy an amp. (Meier Corda Headsix = $165)
3- Use the foam eartips.
4- Be patient and enjoy !

With the right amp and the ER4S cable, the Etys are almost as good as my DT880..

Cheers

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lelek45 /img/forum/go_quote.gif No, I'm not. They are both just sound sources, and I compare them by their sound. Why not? And, no, I don't want to use IEM specifically. Any other option for portable?

ESW9
ES7
D1000

From my experience, full size phones are always better than IEMs, with in ears it's always a compromise when you sacrifice something else for portability. ER4 might grow on you though, try them with Shure E3 Soft Flexes, they should warm them up a bit and make more comfortable. But they'll never be on K701 level, that's for sure. Be reasonable with your expectations.

 

[66645]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif EWS9 ES7 D1000 From my experience, full size phones are always better than IEMs, with in ears it's always a compromise when you sacrifice something else for portability. ER4 might grow on you though, try them with Shure E3 Soft Flexes, they should warm them up a bit and make more comfortable. But they'll never be on K701 level, that's for sure. Be reasonable with your expectations.

Thanks for advice!

Now, do you know, will EWS9, ES7, D1000, sound better then ER-4P or not?
According to many, they will not. D1000 actually not really portable(actually they do, sorry)
Where to get these "soft flexes"? Are they sold separately from E3?

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lelek45 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for advice! Now, do you know, will EWS9, ES7, D1000, sound better then ER-4P or not? According to many, they will not. D1000 actually not really portable. Where to get these "soft flexes"? Are they sold separately from E3?

Shure Earphone and Monitor Accessories - Earphone Accessories
Item No: srtipultra758-5-1

I only own ES7, and it is better overall, may be not in the details department, but definitely more enjoyable. ESW9 from what I've collected is a nice step up (they better be for 3x price) and might be a better choice for classical. But sill none of them is in K701 tier.
If you see an amp in your future and enjoying AKG sound, opting for something semi-portable like K271S is probably the best option.

 

[66645]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif Shure Earphone and Monitor Accessories - Earphone Accessories Item No: srtipultra758-5-1 I only own ES7, and it is better overall, may be not in the details department, but definitely more enjoyable. ESW9 from what I've collected is a nice step up (they better be for 3x price) and might be a better choice for classical. But sill none of them is in K701 tier. If you see an amp in your future and enjoying AKG sound, opting for something semi-portable like K271S is probably the best option.

Well, so I did wrong thing. I should get ES7 instead. But, I was absolutely sure that etymotic will be better... never mind. Next time I will compare ER-4P with ES7.

Amp is a problem, but I will try to listen to K271S.

 

[pataburd]

Try the foamies, if you already haven't. I could never get a good seal with the tri-flange tips and, therefore, the sound (w/the tri-flanges) was always tinny and completely sub-par for the ER-4S. With the foamies, I came to really enjoy and appreciate the ER-4.