ER-4S/4P (with Xin mod) -- having second thoughts...

[spinali]

I need your input here.

I have a pair of Ety 4Ps coming in today, and a Xin adapter that changes them to a 4S. But I'm wondering if I made the right decision.

I'm definitely a treble-head, but I listen to everything from Japanese pop to early 60s classics to (lots of) punk. I've heard that the Etys can be restrained in the bass, lacking visceral impact.

Should I return these? Can these canalphones present extra bass with the foamies? Are there cheaper phones that will do the job almost as well, or should I upgrade to something like the Westone UM-2s (which are a whopping $130 more than I paid for the Etys?

Any and all comments/personal experiences are welcome, detailed if you can.

 

[acs236]

The Ety's lack visceral impact, but all headphones do, at least to a degree. The Ety bass is extended, however. You'll hear it fine, you just won't feel it.

 

[Lucidity]

Well, if you are getting them today, your mind and ears will be having their own forum soon

I have not heard the Westones, and my experience with your Beyerdy. cans are limited.
On cheaper cans performing almost as well, soundwise overall I have not heard any, depending of course how you define almost.

To my ears, yes 4s are slightly off in the bass department.
However the bass that is there, is beautiful, clear and detailed.
It is a very balanced and neutral phone.
With foamies, which I tend to listen to 95% of the time, the sound is fuller, and slightly darker, given you have a good seal.

What I love about the Etys are spec how they perform with vocals and the clarity of the sound.
And the wow effect of having a pure flow of sound running into your mind in noisy conditions.
For example, listen to Kraftwerks "The Robots" while watching a busy city street passing you by, and you will find the "true" meaning. Surrealistic.
Or , hear your favorite female vocalist sing and breathe just for you. This imo takes on a new meaning with these cans
You could always wish for a "wetter", more liquid, or musical sound with better note decay, more atmosphere, and lushness, etc.
But for what they do, they sound great and to me deserve all the praise they have gotten here and elsewhere.

Aber, um ehrlich zu sein, to settle down with only these cans or any canalphones would be a mistake.

In the end I think you will be very happy with your 4s if you take them for what they are. Also if you keep them, try to change filters often.
Let them burn in the fire

 

[episiarch]

I think if you're a treble-head the ER-4S's will be very rewarding phones for you. They sound their best with an amp, and the amp will improve the impact of the bass significantly. It still won't be walloping bass, but it'll sound good.

That said, I'll agree with the "lacking visceral impact" accusation. I love the Ety sound, and for me it has plenty of bass, but it's not the visceral kind.

 

[ntsour]

I have my ER4P/S for two weeks now. I had similar worries about the bass when I got them, but now I must say that I am totally satisfied with them.

I totally agree with Lucidity's comments. This has been exactly my experience as well.

With the 3-flanges I never get satisfied with the bass and I understand why people might say that their bass is deficient.

However, with the foamies the bass is very nice. The overall character of the sound is never dominated by the bass but the bass is tight, detailed, well defined and has good extension. I tried to equalize the bass at the begining but I did not like it. They are very nice as the are.

Since you are not a basshead I think you will love the detail, clarity, neutrality of the etys. Vocals are very lifelike as well.

I highly recomend the adapter when using an amp. They increase the overall clarity and detail of the sound. Whithout an amp I prefer the P version.

Of course, this is all IMHO and without having heard any other canalphones. My points of reference are the full sized cans I have owned: MS2i, SR225, A900, PX100, PX200.

I hope you enjoy them.

 

[Sperlsco]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntsour With the 3-flanges I never get satisfied with the bass and I understand why people might say that their bass is deficient.

It's funny, but I have the exact opposite experience with the tri-flanges v. the foamies. I get an exceptional seal with the tri-flanges, and to my ears the bass seems fuller and the music sounds more detailed. That said, the sound from the foamies is actually more natural/warm/balanced to my ears. I've happily owned my ER-4P/S for around 18 months and use both types of plugs.

 

[Little J040]

I have older ER-4s and i agree with most people, the bass isnt hard hitting per say, but its there and sounds very tight. I use some yellow foamies and they Rockxzor my bockxzors. Great isolation too, i work in a factory and i cant even hear the presses or bending machinery right next to me. Youll love them, especially for there transparency \ great extended lows and highs

Enjoy

-jeff

 

[catscratch]

No matter what we say, it will not be a substitute for your own experience. Yes, the UM2's have more bass than the Ety's, so if the latter don't have enough bass for your tastes, go ahead and order the UM2's. If you can't return the Ety's, I'm sure you'll have no problems selling them here.

Are the UM2's uniformly better than the Ety's? No. They're better in some things, and worse in others. They don't have as much detail nor as precise imaging. I would advise that you live with the Ety's for a week and see if you want to keep them. Lastly, try different kinds of tips. You never know what will give you the best seal - and without a good seal, you won't get any bass at all.

 

[bobeau]

Why not the Shure E4s? If you take into account all the latest feedback on this board they seem closest to providing the Ety experience with more bass/impact. Plus the price is about the same.

I've had ER4P/Ss for the past 5 months. Shure E4s for the past 2 weeks. I'll be selling the Etys. There are some things I prefer the Etys for (super fast music needing high accuracy), they are a little more hi-fi sounding, bit more treble, bit more detail, but with most of my stuff I prefer the Shures and find them more musically involving.