M3NTAL
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2006
- Posts
- 2,309
- Likes
- 1,023
I used to own a set of Shure SE500/530, liked them a lot, probably my first "ear gasm" only due to their midrange and bass. The cable broke, Shure gave me a hard time, but ultimately repaired them. As soon as I got them back I sold them so that I wouldn't have to deal with them again.
Fast forward to now. I am going on vacation and wanted something decent, but not TOO expensive to take with me. Everything I heard about the Etymotics were a turn off to me. The "shrill highs" "no bass" "clinical" blah blah blah. Almost gave me flashbacks of my K701 that I sold because there was no bass for the type of music I listened to. It shouldn't matter what type of music I listen to, bass should sound right. In real like - bass has impact! No, it shouldn't cause fatigue, but it should give you some realism.
For some reason, I was on the hunt for the Etymotic though. Wanted to get them out of my "want to try someday" list. I knew I wouldn't be satisfied with the iM716, I had to have the big boy! The ER4!
Amazon.com had them refurbished for 140.00, couldn't pass it up. A week later, they showed up - perfect condition with everything as original and brand new!
No eargasm this time around - and to be honest, I don't think "perfect" should cause an eargasm, it should just be "right" - toe tappin' perfection. I think eargasms are associated with things that stand out different than what you are used to.
Nothing really stands out on the Etymotic, it just IS! Hooked up the the iPod direct, it is a little grainy, looses its ultimate resolving power. With a little Go-Vibe hooked up, it becomes a little monster. Sounds very full - a larger stage than Grados also LOL! Very stout - tight bass, not in your face and not too far out either, just right. Instrument placement is great. Highs are great too. If it is shrill or sibilant - it is the recording!
I decided to take it up another notch, hooked them up to the Cullen DLIII IV and Cullen GCHA... quite liquid - warm - rockin! I am love with something the side of hot tamale (or mike & ike)
I think I am going to HAVE TO try the "S" cable and see what improves or changes, but I am honestly perfectly happy with the sound now and wish I could find a full size to recreate this sonic signature (which is basically no signature, just the music coming right off the source)
My only gripe - is the same gripe I hold with all things that go in my ear.. pain! I have tiny ear canals (yes I have tried every tip because this isn't my first IEM)
In conclusion, these are defiantly keepers - on top of that, they are probably the most correct sounding headphones in my line-up. Kinda funny that we all look for that, but in the end we might just go to something with a "flavor" that fits our tastes - in my case, I really love my SA5000 which isn't as correct IMO as the ER4, but it is way more comfortable and creates a different atmosphere! ER4 - my IEM savior, if it didn't get it right, I would have quit the IEM game for GOOD!
Fast forward to now. I am going on vacation and wanted something decent, but not TOO expensive to take with me. Everything I heard about the Etymotics were a turn off to me. The "shrill highs" "no bass" "clinical" blah blah blah. Almost gave me flashbacks of my K701 that I sold because there was no bass for the type of music I listened to. It shouldn't matter what type of music I listen to, bass should sound right. In real like - bass has impact! No, it shouldn't cause fatigue, but it should give you some realism.
For some reason, I was on the hunt for the Etymotic though. Wanted to get them out of my "want to try someday" list. I knew I wouldn't be satisfied with the iM716, I had to have the big boy! The ER4!
Amazon.com had them refurbished for 140.00, couldn't pass it up. A week later, they showed up - perfect condition with everything as original and brand new!
No eargasm this time around - and to be honest, I don't think "perfect" should cause an eargasm, it should just be "right" - toe tappin' perfection. I think eargasms are associated with things that stand out different than what you are used to.
Nothing really stands out on the Etymotic, it just IS! Hooked up the the iPod direct, it is a little grainy, looses its ultimate resolving power. With a little Go-Vibe hooked up, it becomes a little monster. Sounds very full - a larger stage than Grados also LOL! Very stout - tight bass, not in your face and not too far out either, just right. Instrument placement is great. Highs are great too. If it is shrill or sibilant - it is the recording!
I decided to take it up another notch, hooked them up to the Cullen DLIII IV and Cullen GCHA... quite liquid - warm - rockin! I am love with something the side of hot tamale (or mike & ike)
I think I am going to HAVE TO try the "S" cable and see what improves or changes, but I am honestly perfectly happy with the sound now and wish I could find a full size to recreate this sonic signature (which is basically no signature, just the music coming right off the source)
My only gripe - is the same gripe I hold with all things that go in my ear.. pain! I have tiny ear canals (yes I have tried every tip because this isn't my first IEM)
In conclusion, these are defiantly keepers - on top of that, they are probably the most correct sounding headphones in my line-up. Kinda funny that we all look for that, but in the end we might just go to something with a "flavor" that fits our tastes - in my case, I really love my SA5000 which isn't as correct IMO as the ER4, but it is way more comfortable and creates a different atmosphere! ER4 - my IEM savior, if it didn't get it right, I would have quit the IEM game for GOOD!