[Joe Bloggs]

am I getting this right--the ety ER4x come with 2 pairs of filters, which can't be used again once they are blocked up--so you have to buy a constant supply of filters??

 

[Vince]

This caused me to pause as well before I got mine (they came yesterday

). I would like to know how often these need to be changed. I know it depends on how much you use them and how clean your ears are, etc.

What's the experience of ety owners here in dealing with this?

 

[FlurkingShnit]

If you keep your ears fairly clean and clean them often, the filters last much longer. I clean my ears everyday after I shower and my first pair of filters lasted me about a year and a half. Of course, your mileage may vary.

You can tell when the filters need replacing by the way the headphone sounds. If it sound dull, lacking in punch or anything like that, it may be a dirty filter (or a bad seal).

As far as needing a constant supply, I would maybe buy a few extra but you don't need to go crazy buying up filters. Unless you want to be able to ride out the apocalypse with some great sounding music.

 

[Vince]

FlurkingShnit - is the sound degradation sudden or more gradual? Also, Can you tell by looking at them - do they change color?

 

[jopi]

Quote:

Originally posted by Vince Also, Can you tell by looking at them - do they change color?

The correct procedure is to suck them. If they taste salty, it's time to replace them.

 

[wacomme]

On my ER6's (I now have ER4P's), the sound went almost completely out when I put them in one day. I changed the filter and they were like new again. You WILL know when you need to change them.

Michael

 

[lextek]

I've had my 4P's for three months. They are used nightly. I have not needed to change the filters.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

how much do the filters cost? The thing is I guess the shipping to HK will cost more than the filters themselves

 

[Vertigo-1]

The filters are not cheap. It's $15 I believe for 6. And I think the interval for changing, if you have spotless ears, would be about 6 months. My ears are absolutely spotless, i.e. the Etys go in and they come out absolutely clean, but I noticed the sound changing myself to a dark, warmish sound after about 6 months. Changed the filters and it cleaned up everything. I guess those things deteriorate over time regardless of how clean your ears are.

People buying international should definitely shell out a bit more and get spares of everything with their Etys...filters, and both types of plugs.

 

[a1leyez0nm3]

Quote:

Originally posted by jopi The correct procedure is to suck them. If they taste salty, it's time to replace them.

LOL

 

[Wes]

Joe, I've had mine for almost a year with use every other day or so, and I've still not changed the filters. I did buy spares of everything as Vertigo_1 suggests, but so far I've used only the original silicon rubber tips and a couple of foam ones for guests. Nevertheless, I wouldn't want to be without my spares because of the peace of mind factor and the savings, as you point out, on shipping.

The filters may be reusable. I remember on Headwize that someone soaked his in vinegar and peroxide and was able to restore them.

 

[katsudon1]

Joe, haven't you got your ETY yet?

If you concern about shipping costs of the filters I suggest we can buy them together to save some shipping costs. What do you think?

 

[Joe Bloggs]

I lost the last ebay auction -_-

 

[FlurkingShnit]

Quote:

Originally posted by Vince FlurkingShnit - is the sound degradation sudden or more gradual? Also, Can you tell by looking at them - do they change color?

The sound change I believe is more gradual.

 

[d_wilson]

You ears produce earwax to remove foreing objects (dirt and bugs) from your ear. Everyone's ears produce a different amount of it. Most users can go quite some time without replacing their filters.

From what I have observed the sound change is normally gradual. Sometimes you notice it happen othertimes it takes a while until the light goes on. The occasions where I have seen colored filters I believe were from new users who hadn't cleaned their ears in a long time.

We provide four extra filters with the ER-4. It might be easier for you in Hong Kong to get spares from the dealer in Japan. In a pinch you might be able to get them from a hearing aid dealer. The filters are also used in hearing aids, especially behind the ear aids. You just need to make sure you get the green ones (in order to get the correct resisitance value).

Don Wilson
Etymotic Research