ER4P & the 4S - DIFFERENCES.

[dissembled]

Seems there's a difference according to this comparison sheet:
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/epcomp.aspx

Why is everyone getting the 4P if the 4s is more accurate?

 

[appar111]

I would assume because the 4S is harder to drive, and the 4P's enhanced bass response is actually more desirable with some portable devices, and the 4S's accuracy may show off the flaws of the source material or device.

What's funny is that the ER6 is more accurate than the 4P according to Ety's charts and alot of people don't like the ER6's. The ER6i is the least accurate, and probably sells more than all the others (thanks to the popularity of the "i" phenomenon associated with the Ipod).

 

[exX08]

The only difference in the two is the 4S has 75ohm resistors. They use the same drivers. The 4S is harder to drive you probably will need an amp.

 

[Chef Medeski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by exX08 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The only difference in the two is the 4S has 75ohm resistors. They use the same drivers. The 4S is harder to drive you probably will need an amp.

Not really. I have -S and I never had to use an amp. There are plenty of reviews that compare the two:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37184
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1373

And there are even more if you search Headphones, those are just the official reviews.

To sum it up best:
4p: pushed mid bass, slightly underrepresented low bass, slight high treble roll-off, great for listening on the go, not as rich and revealing as the 4s, conveys more cdp hums if present than 4s.

4s: clearly superior in both neutrality and in conveying musical subtlety, better low bass, no treble roll off (without harshness), great even directly out of portable, better dynamics, more likely to be intruded upon with quiet music, conveys more recording flaws than 4p.

The -S are usually better. More detail, better bass, more clarity, and Ive never had a problem powering them. But the best suggestion is probably to get a -p if you are really unsure and get the convertor cable. Honestly with these headphones you will enjoy either so much, that after a week you wont remeber which one you have. You just have the classic ER-4. Simple.

 

[redshifter]

if i am remembering correctly, all the r&d for the er4 went into the "s", then later the "p" version came out for low powered amps like in dap's. to my ears the er4s sounds correct at 75ohm resistance. the er4p sounds a bit off, even with a good amp.

 

[dissembled]

Dang. Everyone says to buy the 4p. MEH. All I hear. Glad for the info guys.

 

[vYu223]

There is an adapter that can convert the ER-4P into an ER-4S. People opt for the ER-4P for compatibility and flexibility. People who buy the ER-4S are absolutely sure that they will NOT ever need the lower impedance.

EDIT: Whoops, my browser had this page open when there was only one reply. I didn't realize that there were so many other replies in this thread. I should have refreshed my browser page.

 

[redshifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vYu223 /img/forum/go_quote.gif There is an adapter that can convert the ER-4P into an ER-4S. People opt for the ER-4P for compatibility and flexibility. People who buy the ER-4S are absolutely sure that they will NOT ever need the lower impedance.

after owning my er4p for years, and with various top shelf portables, and switching back and forth between "p" and "s" + and amp, i just can't listen to the er4p unamped. even amped, after a few minutes i always attach the p->s adapter and turn the amp up.

sometimes i wish i just bought the er4s.

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vYu223 /img/forum/go_quote.gif There is an adapter that can convert the ER-4P into an ER-4S..

And that's the difference? An adapter will convert the 4P to the 4S. Just like that?

I'm assuming that an 4P with a 4s adapter will sound EXACTLy the same as the 4s, stock?

According to this review: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1373,
there is a distinct sonical difference between the 4s and the 4p. THe 4s seems to be superior; it's clearer and more detailed than the 4p.

But an adapter on the 4p will rectify this? Is that true??

 

[procreate]

Yes. It's really that simple.

 

[vYu223]

The ER-4P and the ER-4S are exactly the same... except for the resistance in the cable. But that's it.

 

[RollsDownWindowsManually]

I have the P with the S convertor, and almost always listen in S mode. The sound is just more balanced and clearer. The 4P sounds quite a bit closer to the 6i.

 

[bellsprout]

basically, s is better than p, but some portable players may not drive the s loud enough (but ipod, zvm, etc all do). u can get adaptor (which costs money unless u diy and it's fiddly), or u can just get the s, cuz u probably won't go back to p after.

 

[sadhanaputra]

I did a search and stumbled upon this thread.

This is probably off-topic, but could we increase other ear/headphones' quality by adding resistance, kind of like what the P->S adapter does?

 

[Gautama]

Congratulations. You bumped a 2 year old thread!

The answer to your question is no.