Ety ER4S vs other iems

[Clutz]

Hi all,

I recently bought a used pair of Ety ER4S iems - and I enjoy their sound quite a bit, but I have two different 'complaints' about them, and I was wondering if people could perhaps recommend an alternative.

First of all, I'd like something that's a bit bassier. This isn't an issue of improper insertion. I can get them way in there and I can hear bass, I'd just like some more of it. I'm not looking for DT770-like bass, just a bit more oomph - but maybe that's an unreasonable request. The second issue is comfort - I feel like I'm scratching my ear drums with these things. I do get used to them after they've been inserted for a little while and then they cease being as uncomfortable. Third - I'm just also interested in trying something else. Alternatives I've contemplated are the Shure E4s, and the Westone UM2s. My 'main' cans are Sennheiser HD650s and AKG K701s - which I go back and forth between (and I'm either going to order a pair of RS-2s or Darth Beyers in the next few weeks).

Cheers,
Brad

 

[chouman]

I had similar issues with the ER4s. It could just be that I could not get a good fit , but I tried for a couple of months and they just didn't do it for me. I went ahead and got a pair of UM2s, and while they lack the treble clarity of the etys, I enjoy their comfort and bassier and more fun sound. I usually listen to my iems on the go, so I want to rock out more than analyze my music. G'luck!

 

[Spyro]

While Shure E4 won't have quite as much razor-sharp detail as the ER-4, it is truly the next best thing in a detailed IEM. You will also get a little more bass and the illusion of a little more soundstage and a better comfort (for most people).

 

[geardoc]

For this price range, you can have clarity or bass, but not both.

E4c might be a compromise, but I didn't like them, so can't in good conscience, recommend them.

Superfi5 would be the bass option with a possible comfort improvement if they happen to fit your ears.

Dual or triple driver cans (UM2, triplefi, E5, E500, Westone3) would be the next price brackets.

 

[robm321]

You'd most likely have to spend more to get what you're looking for - or you can get a Xin Supermini amp which has the perfect amount of bass boost for the er4s. It was made for them.

 

[bellsprout]

straight out of an mp3 player, most iem's sound better than er-4s. that's why heaps of people say they lack bass and don't sound fun, etc. stick it into an imod and a smiv and it's a different story - u just won't have it any other way

 

[Clutz]

I've run it out of my Dynalo, and even then I wouldn't say it has heaps of bass - it's just that everything is a bit stronger, more forceful.

I'm starting to think I should just stay with these for a while until I'm ready to get something in the SE530 or UM3 range, if that ever happens - mainly because I want to get a new heart rate monitor, and I think I'd rather spend my money on that.

 

[blessingx]

Admittedly I haven't heard many of the customs, but otherwise I haven't heard an IEM that didn't have more bass when compared to the Etys (so you have many options). I also haven't heard an IEM that didn't have treble roll-off when compared to the Etys. In most cases you get a full-sized presentation at the expense of quality. Course it all depends on what problems are most irritating for you. The Etys have gone in and out of fashion and its nice to see them back.

 

[Trager]

Don't go for the Shure E4c, try the Shure SE310 instead. I didn't care for the E4c rolloff at all, the SE310 isn't quite as detailed and lively in the upper mids as my Etys are, but close. And the bass and soundstaging is quite a bit better. I also prefer the form factor a bit -- the Ety cord is just too long and microphonic. Even though I love those phones and I could get by despite the issues, I have to admit that I enjoy working out with my SE310 phones a lot more.

I do miss the Ety clarity and liveliness, but the SE310 is not far off, and there are some songs where they're significantly better than the Etys.

 

[toric334]

Unless I listen to my ER4P with my PA2V2 it sounds pretty boring. Teh PA2 adds more bass and colours the sound a lil bit. They're pretty cheap, might be worth a go.

 

[bellsprout]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toric334 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Unless I listen to my ER4P with my PA2V2 it sounds pretty boring. Teh PA2 adds more bass and colours the sound a lil bit. They're pretty cheap, might be worth a go.

i've heard er-4s, pa2v2, supermicro iv and ldm+. out of those, i strongly advise the ldm+ over the pa2v2, because ldm+ is not too much more, and sounds much better. pa2v2 makes the sound warmer, but ldm makes it plain better. it stands up very admirably compared to supermicro iv, which costs a lot more (time is money)

but any amplification makes er-4 shine

 

[Clutz]

Does anyone else have any thoughts on the UM2?

How would changing from the tri-flange tips to foamies change the sound?

 

[icantusefizz]

I made custom tips for my etys. It was a really ghetto setup, but i used some disposable earplugs (foam) and just poked a hole thru the middle. Then used the plastic tubes from the foamies that come with the etys. It is a pain to get the foam to expand over the plastic tubes, i suggest using some spit to help.

But it is 100 times more enjoyable to listen to my etys now. Not a huge difference in sound, probably a little bit better bass, not mindblowing. The isolation improved ALOT. Even better than the stock foamies, which claim 42db reduction.

I think the most important thing is just being comfortable. I cant stand the flanges, the sound changes way too much depending on how they sit so i tend to fidget with them, which makes them irritate my ears even more. I'll eventually write a guide to making the ghetto custom tips, it isnt hard at all, the tools i used were: 1 coathanger, 1 pin-needle, 2-disposable foam earplugs, scissors, pliers, 3oz-elbow grease.

-Fizz