Aug 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 16

andrew3199

500+ Head-Fier
Joined
Mar 8, 2003
Posts
953
Likes
13
I already have the Etymotic ER4s and love them, I preferred them over my Senn HD580 (Now sold) but I'm thinking about picking up a pair of Etymotic ER4B. I understand that they will have a little more extention in the top end but if used with a good amp and source the sibilance should be kept to a minimum? I'm a sucker for micro detail, maybe the ER4B will give me what I am looking for? Thoughts and opinions welcome..
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 10:43 PM Post #2 of 16
I have the S and P and of both of them the S offers the most hi-resolution listening, apart from my full sized cans. Though I do feel that the IEM's move you much closer to the detail. I'm not sure if the B needs an amp but the S's definately do while the P does not as the impedance is lowered. If top end extension is what you want I would really suggest the S model. Plus if you purchase the P then you can grab an adapter cable that raises the impedance to 110 ohms, and then you have both the S and P version in one. Hope this helps

colin
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 10:53 PM Post #3 of 16
I have the ER4B and it has an incredible amount of detail. They have a 3db gain in the 10KHz region as compared to the S and P. They will need an amp. I haven't experienced any sibilance issues. BTW, I am selling my ER4B's.
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 11:01 PM Post #4 of 16
"micro detail" you say? ER4B, I say.

I've had a pair for a few years and I think for picking out the detail in a recording, these IEMs have few peers. They tend to be a bit bright sometimes, but I've not experience any sibilance. I feel the brightness is recording dependent.

If you decide to get these, make sure you've got a warm and powerful amp to pair them with. I've liked them with the MPX3 and the EC/01, but really like them a lot out of the RKV. They even sounded pretty darn nice out of a LD II+.

I've had a few ss amps in the past (Canamp, GCHA, Move, Hornet), but don't recall how they sounded with those. I'm assuming not great, or at the least merely okay, as I've absolutely no recollection of those combos.

They will take some getting used to, though. They'll sound a bit anemic at first. But then, once you're used to the sound, you'll wonder if there's anything better out there at detail retrieval. Just realize that, in the end, one person's "crystal clear" is another's "etched and bright."

I think there's one listed in the sales forum. And it's been there a while. I think resale value is pretty non-existent with these, so you might want to consider that before making a purchase.
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 11:15 PM Post #5 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I think there's one listed in the sales forum. And it's been there a while. I think resale value is pretty non-existent with these, so you might want to consider that before making a purchase.


Couldn't the resale value be recovered by getting a P or S cable? It'd be unlikely that the actual drivers are different.

Related, it would be interesting if it were possible to turn a P or S into a B via impedance adjustment.
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 11:31 PM Post #6 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif
"micro detail" you say? ER4B, I say.

I've had a pair for a few years and I think for picking out the detail in a recording, these IEMs have few peers. They tend to be a bit bright sometimes, but I've not experience any sibilance. I feel the brightness is recording dependent.

If you decide to get these, make sure you've got a warm and powerful amp to pair them with. I've liked them with the MPX3 and the EC/01, but really like them a lot out of the RKV. They even sounded pretty darn nice out of a LD II+.

I've had a few ss amps in the past (Canamp, GCHA, Move, Hornet), but don't recall how they sounded with those. I'm assuming not great, or at the least merely okay, as I've absolutely no recollection of those combos.

They will take some getting used to, though. They'll sound a bit anemic at first. But then, once you're used to the sound, you'll wonder if there's anything better out there at detail retrieval. Just realize that, in the end, one person's "crystal clear" is another's "etched and bright."

I think there's one listed in the sales forum. And it's been there a while. I think resale value is pretty non-existent with these, so you might want to consider that before making a purchase.




I have the Mini [size=xx-small]m3,[/size] It's a very good match with the er4's, the detail and soundstage is fantastic. I just want a touch more in the top end without spending Huge $'s on a Stax setup. Actually if you look on the Etymotic web site they have a graph showing the P,S and B together, the B looks like it has the flattest frequency response.
Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER-4 - Which ER•4 is Right for You
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 11:46 PM Post #7 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by 3X0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Couldn't the resale value be recovered by getting a P or S cable? It'd be unlikely that the actual drivers are different.

Related, it would be interesting if it were possible to turn a P or S into a B via impedance adjustment.



You mean if the OP bought a B, and ended up not liking it, and bought another cable so that it'd be easier to sell? I don't think so, as the cables from Etymotic are 65 bucks.

I guess, though, if he didn't like it, then he could get it recabled into either a P or S and keep it. Is that what you meant?
 
Aug 19, 2009 at 11:56 PM Post #8 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif
You mean if the OP bought a B, and ended up not liking it, and bought another cable so that it'd be easier to sell? I don't think so, as the cables from Etymotic are 65 bucks.

I guess, though, if he didn't like it, then he could get it recabled into either a P or S and keep it. Is that what you meant?



Sure, it'd be easy to sell. There's very little demand in the B. Of course, there would be a greater net loss of money involved.

He already has an S, so in this case he could just grab the B cable for $65.
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:02 AM Post #9 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by 3X0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Couldn't the resale value be recovered by getting a P or S cable? It'd be unlikely that the actual drivers are different.


The drivers probably are the same, but the ER4B does have a different sound signature than the ER4S.
The ER4B is actually the ER4S, but with a high frequency boost (5 dB at 10 kHz). So the drivers are tuned in a different way. There's no other difference than the sound signature (so both have an impedance of 100 Ohms, both have the same cable, etc.)

Quote:

Related, it would be interesting if it were possible to turn a P or S into a B via impedance adjustment.


The ER4P is the ER4S with lower impedance (I think it was 27 Ohms).
The ER4B is the ER4S with a different sound signature (tuned to have a 5dB boost at 10 kHz)

Shorter version:
ER4S = ER4P + 75 Ohms
ER4S = ER4B minus 5dB boost at 10 kHz

So a ER4B with the impedance of the ER4P might be an ER4P + 5dB boost. (I'm guessing though
smily_headphones1.gif
)

I just wanted to point that out. Sorry if I didn't explain very well
smily_headphones1.gif


Edit: I was also thinking about this: Wouldn't the ER4S sound the same as the ER4B when using the EQ to get a 5dB boost at 10kHz?
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:10 AM Post #10 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by DeTrun /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The drivers probably are the same, but the ER4B does have a different sound signature than the ER4S.
The ER4B is actually the ER4S, but with a high frequency boost (5 dB at 10 kHz). So the drivers are tuned in a different way. There's no other difference than the sound signature (so both have an impedance of 100 Ohms, both have the same cable, etc.)



The ER4P is the ER4S with lower impedance (I think it was 27 Ohms).
The ER4B is the ER4S with a different sound signature (tuned to have a 5dB boost at 10 kHz)

Shorter version:
ER4S = ER4P + 75 Ohms
ER4S = ER4B minus 5dB boost at 10 kHz

So a ER4B with the impedance of the ER4P might be an ER4P + 5dB boost. (I'm guessing though
smily_headphones1.gif
)

I just wanted to point that out. Sorry if I didn't explain very well
smily_headphones1.gif


Edit: I was also thinking about this: Wouldn't the ER4S sound the same as the ER4B when using the EQ to get a 5dB boost at 10kHz?



This is all very interesting. I'm extremely surprised that it's more than in the cable and that Etymotic actually makes a separate line of barrels for these!
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:15 AM Post #11 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by 3X0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
This is all very interesting. I'm extremely surprised that it's more than in the cable and that Etymotic actually makes a separate line of barrels for these!


They didn't make it seperate just for the ER4B. Actually, the first IEM of the ER4 series was the ER4B, but ppl complained that it was too bright, so they introduced the ER4S (which was just the ER4B minus 5dB at 10kHz to reduce the brightness) They probably didn't want to get rid of the ER4B
smily_headphones1.gif


It's mentioned on the Etymotic website
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:17 AM Post #12 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by DeTrun /img/forum/go_quote.gif
They didn't make it seperate just for the ER4B. Actually, the first IEM of the ER4 series was the ER4B, but ppl complained that it was too bright, so they introduced the ER4S (which was just the ER4B minus 5dB at 10kHz to reduce the brightness) They probably didn't want to get rid of the ER4B
smily_headphones1.gif



I know, I mean it's a different set of barrels still manufactured from the ones the P/S use.
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:20 AM Post #13 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by 3X0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I know, I mean it's a different set of barrels still manufactured from the ones the P/S use.


Oh, I see. Sorry, I just wanted to clarify, in case you didn't know
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 2:43 AM Post #14 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by 3X0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I know, I mean it's a different set of barrels still manufactured from the ones the P/S use.


Correct! With the P you could just get the converter to increase the impedance and turn them in to an S. The B's are a totally diffrent beast.
I think I'm going to give them a go.
 
Aug 20, 2009 at 2:50 AM Post #15 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew3199 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Correct! With the P you could just get the converter to increase the impedance and turn them in to an S. The B's are a totally diffrent beast.
I think I'm going to give them a go.



Will you still own the S while you have the B? If so, please shed some light on whether or not it is possible to equalize the S to something close to the B.
smily_headphones1.gif
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top