[gp_hebert]

Hi guys!

I've tried a couple of IEMs so far and I have yet to find one which reproduces rock and metal the way I want.

SF5P were uncomfortable and the treble was nowhere to be found, Shure E4c were too smooth and relaxed and the bass was pretty shy. Right now, I have the E500 which are good with some styles (jazz, classical), but it doesn't do my rock/metal the way I want. The bass is surely there, but not as tight as I'd want, and the treble is deficient, especially with the reproduction of electric guitars. Hell, if I could just find an IEM that sounds like my KSC75, I'd be a happy man.

Since about 80% of my collection is progressive rock and metal, the search for a perfect IEM continues.

That's why I was wondering, what's your take guys on the Etymotic ER-4P for these kinds of music ?

 

[Superbaldguy]

The 4P's are OK for rock, great for just about everything with their nice balance, but don't have much ooomph. You may find these to be a disappointment for what you are seeking.

 

[gp_hebert]

I guess my only hope will be to try the Westone 3 when they come out or go custom...

 

[Jeffreybar]

My musical taste is pretty similar to yours (although perhaps a bit more psychy)...a lot of prog/post rock, especially. For my money, the er4p is pretty terrible for rock. I owned them for about a month and eventually decided that I preferred my E2Cs (!) to them. So uhh yeah.

That being said, everyone's ears are different, and you might find them to be just your cup of tea. They definitely have more treble than either the E4 or E500. I can sympathize a bit with what you say about the E4 and E500s being a bit too laid back...I've worked my way up the Shure line from the E2C, hitting everything on the way to my current E500s, and I feel that the Shure line really loses energy the further up it you go. The E2 is a blast for rock energy, as is the E3 (although not quite as much as the E2). But then you get to the E4, and suddenly they're much more "well-behaved". Unfortunately, they also do sound a lot better...no question that E4s sound about 100x more natural on just about everything (particularly vocals and cymbals) than the E3s, they just don't have the energy that the lower-end Shures have. The E500 is pretty much just an extension of that curve.

Ahh well.

Edit: Reward for the person that finds a "refined" IEM that also actually makes _In the Aeroplane Over the Sea_ rock out.

 

[MRT-Man]

We have the same taste in music. I used the ER-4P for years, but then switched to the E500. The ER4P does do treble better, and the detail is awesome, but I chose to sacrifice a bit of detail in exchange for the better bass of the E500. I don't know why you're not happy with the e500... try different ear tips maybe, that can make a bit of a difference.

 

[gp_hebert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRT-Man /img/forum/go_quote.gif We have the same taste in music. I used the ER-4P for years, but then switched to the E500. The ER4P does do treble better, and the detail is awesome, but I chose to sacrifice a bit of detail in exchange for the better bass of the E500. I don't know why you're not happy with the e500... try different ear tips maybe, that can make a bit of a difference.

Well, the E500 are far from bad, but I'd prefer an IEM with a more Grado-ish sound. Something faster, more energetic and in-your-face than the laid back Shure sound signature. Seriously, I've been on a big Queenryche kick in the last two weeks and I find that they sound better on my KSC75 than on my E500. Sure, the E500 offer more details, but it lacks the punch of the Koss.

 

[ken36]

I am an aficionado with every type of music.

 

[EFN]

I listened to Metal and Industrial with my ER-4S. I enjoyed the succinct resolution of guitar riffs and drum attacks. Provided, you have a warm sounding source, ER-4S will perform very well with Metal. I noticed you have MisterX amp and you loved KSC-75, plugged to the same amp, I have little doubt that you will enjoy ER-4 (in this case I recommend ER-4P)

 

[Hickzheng]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp_hebert /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, the E500 are far from bad, but I'd prefer an IEM with a more Grado-ish sound. Something faster, more energetic and in-your-face than the laid back Shure sound signature. Seriously, I've been on a big Queenryche kick in the last two weeks and I find that they sound better on my KSC75 than on my E500. Sure, the E500 offer more details, but it lacks the punch of the Koss.

Personally, from your state you prefer an IEM with Grado-ish sound. That means westone3 is a better choice for you in non-custom IEM but if I were you I wouldn't do same investments in Non-custom IEM( shure E500/E530 can satisfies my taste as far as I concern), you'd better get feel about custom IEM such as ES3.

That's pretty fit your way.

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

I listen to metal every day with my ER4-P. They lack the bass impact of my CK7 but I prefer them due to their great midrange sound and treble extension.

 

[EFN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs /img/forum/go_quote.gif I listen to metal every day with my ER4-P. They lack the bass impact of my CK7 but I prefer them due to their great midrange sound and treble extension.

With Xin amps, ER-4 will have LOTSA impact and slam. Very Gradoey i'd say

 

[gp_hebert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFN /img/forum/go_quote.gif With Xin amps, ER-4 will have LOTSA impact and slam. Very Gradoey i'd say

Does the Xin SuperMicro IV transforms the ER4 sound that much? I'd be interested to investigate this way as it's still cheaper than going custom.

 

[EFN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp_hebert /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does the Xin SuperMicro IV transforms the ER4 sound that much? I'd be interested to investigate this way as it's still cheaper than going custom.

Dr. Xin designed his amps around ER-4S. He is a known ER-4 fanboy for a very long time. Particularly, Xin SuperMini-IV has that Bass Boost switch that will inject lotsa vibe into ER-4. SuperMicro-IV is more on the tube-like sound so it will be very lively as well.

If you wish to know more, look for 26 amps review by MrArroyo and Vorlon1 in Amps section.