ER4-P vs ER4-S

[brospin]

How do the ER4-P sound in comparison to the ER4-S? I own the ER4-S and like them a lot, but when used with low gain amps and music recorded at low levels (classical), they sometimes can sound underpowered. Do the ER4-P have the same sound signature as the ER-4S when used with the same equipment (in my case iMod + Rudistor NKK-01 portable amp)?

 

[vYu223]

From what I've heard: ER-4P + P to S cable = ER-4S.

 

[ProleArtThreat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brospin How do the ER4-P sound in comparison to the ER4-S? I own the ER4-S and like them a lot, but when used with low gain amps and music recorded at low levels (classical), they sometimes can sound underpowered. Do the ER4-P have the same sound signature as the ER-4S when used with the same equipment (in my case iMod + Rudistor NKK-01 portable amp)?

The ER-4P is going to be warmer than the ER-4S, as well as being more efficient and thus significantly louder. Overall I would say that the general sound signture is the same. The P model just has a slight mid-bass hump that makes it sound beefier and the highs are less extended than the S.

Unfortunately, there is no way to turn an S model into a P. If you had a P model you could by the P->S adapter cable and use it when amped.

 

[SiBurning]

I have the P with S adapter. Any reference to S here is using the adapter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProleArtThreat The ER-4P is going to be warmer than the ER-4S...

The S seems warmer to me. Ah, the vagaries of sound, perception, and communication. But then we're thinking of two different things here. The P has very slightly more bass compared to the [How do you say this?] total energy output, adjusted for the 12dB difference. [Is that perfectly clear?

]

Seriously, though... Aside from the 12 dB difference in efficiency, the main thing that strikes me is the midrange. If you compare the frequency graphs, the S has a smoother, rounder transition in the 300-1000 Hz area, while the P has a sort of sharp break and a straighter up slope. The smoother curve of the S translates to a more natural presentation in that range. One of my "test" recordings is Hillary Hahn Bach Concertos. With her squealy violin, it's often hard on some equipment to distinguish the harpsichord accompaniment. The P has this problem, the S does not. I think the difference is that the sharp break in the frequency curve of the P accentuates parts of the complex overtones of these instruments making it difficult to distinguish the timbres clearly. The smoother curve of the S preserves more of the individual instruments' timbre in this sensitive area. [Is that perfectly clear?

]

Sometimes (when I leave the amp at home) I turn my hp140 up to -10dB and need to pull the adapter off because there's just no headroom left in the HP140's amp to drive the S at those levels.

 

[markkr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brospin How do the ER4-P sound in comparison to the ER4-S? I own the ER4-S and like them a lot, but when used with low gain amps and music recorded at low levels (classical), they sometimes can sound underpowered. Do the ER4-P have the same sound signature as the ER-4S when used with the same equipment (in my case iMod + Rudistor NKK-01 portable amp)?

I owned both at the same time for a long time. I always preferred the ER4-S, even with weak sources. The didnt like the bass hump with the P's.

 

[derek8555]

If ER4P+P->S really = ER4S, then I would say ER4P and P->S adaptor. The braided wire on ER4Ps is much much better than the straight ones on ER4S. And out of weak source, ER4P sound much better. so when you don't want to drag your amp around, use ER4P; for more serious listenings, use ER4S (P+ adaptor).

EDIT: ER4P sounded more forward to me, the S were more laid back, P never sound as refined as the S. Don't own an adaptor so I cannot comment on how it actually changes the Ps.

 

[drarthurwells]

The ER 4 P or S sound is the same - exactly the same - since they are the same earphone (just different resistance in the cable).

What makes them sound different is the amp used with them.

It is a matter of impedance matching with an amp.

Portables have low power internal amps that match beter with the lower impedance of the ER 4P.

External amps fed from line outs of a source often match better with the higher impedance of the ER 4S.

My car system features great sound with the ER4S matched to a BLAudio LP-1 MKII battery amp and an iRiver PCDP - great sound for a low cost.

 

[episiarch]

Normally I don't find myself disagreeing with drarthurwells, but this is the rare exception since I really hear quite a lot of difference between the 4P and the 4S. The 4P has a more muted treble end, which sounds wrong to me after a few minutes of listening: I start noticing that voices don't sound quite right, or that instrumental parts I was expecting to hear have become somewhat hidden. I keep wanting to twiddle EQ to 'fix' the problems I hear in the 4P. I don't hear those problems in the first place in the 4S.

Etymotic engineer d_wilson also says they have differing frequency response:

On HeadWize:

The ER-4S and ER-4P use the same transducer. To most people the ER-4P appears to have more bass, but it actually has slightly less highs. It was the price we had to pay in order to get the sensitivity up as much as we did.

On Head-Fi:

Adding resistance to the ER-4P lowers the sensitivity and changes the frequency response.

Perhaps this is what Art meant by "a matter of impedance matching with an amp." But that wouldn't lead me to say the two sound the same. Driven by the same amp and with volume matched (subjectively, as well as it can be between two units with different frequency response), I claim the two sound significantly different.

 

[Spyro]

The "S' version definitely sounds slightly clearer and crisper in the highs and midrange but the bass is less so its a trade off. Plenty of bass with "P" version but I find myself wanting more bass when using "S" version.

 

[GreatDane]

I have ER4P and had been listening to it for many months amping with my PA2v2 and Micro Amp. 5 weeks ago I received my SuperMini and began listening to the ER4P with the added 75 Ohms. I did some extended listening with the Mini and my ER4P>S. After a week or so I compared the "P" to the "S" and to me there is a very noticable difference. I agree with the descriptions that I've read about the "S" being smoother and seemingly more balanced. I use the bass boost on the Mini and there's plenty of bass for my taste in "S" mode.