[ClieOS]

Unless GR10 is significantly more detail sounding the e-Q5/e-Q7, I find it hard to believe any IEM can really 'upgrade' the ER4 sound. Then again, an ER4S out of Stepdance is one of those rig I don't find anything needs to be changed

 

[Spyro]

GR10 has 90% of the detail ER4 has but is much more dynamic sounding  and musical and can handle busier passages than the ER4....unless using an amp of course.  I see ER4 best for classical, acoustic or strictly reference listening.

 

[melomaniac]

Quote:

GR10 has 90% of the detail ER4 has but is much more dynamic sounding  and musical and can handle busier passages than the ER4....unless using an amp of course.  I see ER4 best for classical, acoustic or strictly reference listening.

yup, that's right. nice silk shirt, spyro.

 

[Zuqi]

Just got my er4p 3days ago, I was so impressed by this little iem, it has so much details!!! From my memory(I don't have a chance to make a derect copmarison cos I've sold them), its detail is better than any iem I've owned, although its bass is not much as many, but its enough for many music genres. The soundstage is quite a magic, it has a small soundstage but you will never feel congested. Its now become my favourate iem.

 

[Xymordos]

They're still the IEM with most isolation "-42db with foam". Also, they're one of the most detailed IEMs on the market

 

[Yggdrassilious]

If only they would drop below $200 again I'd pick one up in a heart beat. 

 

[Zuqi]

You can get one for $210

 

[AstroTurf]

Great Thread...
 
Etymotic ER-4 for the win !!!

 

[177261]

Are they still relevant today or are there better alternatives for a neutral sound?

 

[mark_h]

Very relevant, I find it difficult to move to another IEM, all sound 'manipulated' in one way or another against the ER4S! There are other factors concerning crossover problems and channel imbalance that you don't have to worry about with the Ety's. The isolation is also unsurpassed. I've had some magical moment with them over the years, more wow moments than any other headphone. Bought and sold a couple of sets, added an aftermarket cable that made the microphonics worse ! I've fallen for the CIEM hype a few times and while they do a lot of things differently I would not place them above the ER4 in a poll, if you consider value for money in the equation. I have recently bought the T1-live hoping it would replace the ety and it has sat unused as I value neutrality over most other things. If I could have any one earphone on a desert island it would most definitely be the ER4S (or maybe B).

 

[lcooksl]

Quote:

Are they still relevant today or are there better alternatives for a neutral sound?

 
Excellent value for money imo - annoying microphonics but good sound and the highs are just straight out amazing with female vocals. 

 

[nipit]

Still going strong

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Still my only reference IEM I can trust. It's amazing what it can pull out of a good system.