Etymotic ER6 or ER4P?

[J.Y.]

I was really wondering about getting the Etys since I heard SOOOO much great thingz about them. Here is my problem... Is ER4P really worth THAT much of an additional price compared to the performance of ER6?(I know the answer is definitely YES, but still, would that be so much of an issue both driven from a portable?) Should I wait for about an year or so to save up for the ER4p or just jump to the ER6? I currently have Grado SR-80, but I am afraid that they leak a little too much, and I do quite some plane rides too. Maybe I should look around for a pair of used ER4p? But the idea of sharing someone else's canal phone kinda scares me. Any good suggestions. Another thing, since these Etys create such a "seal", I am really afraid that they might pop my eardrums if they get tangled and suddenly gets pulled out. I was thinking of going for the K501 a while ago, but since the sale was over, I am turning towards the Etys.

Sorry for the above mess of me spitting thingz out...

 

[J.Y.]

Another thing, I was wondering what a ER4S to ER4P adaptor does?

 

[pawwh98]

Quote:

Originally posted by J.Y. Maybe I should look around for a pair of used ER4p?

I'm afraid that they're hard to get used, no one seems to sell them

Quote:

Another thing, I was wondering what a ER4S to ER4P adaptor does?[/

The only difference between these two headphones is their impedance. The adapter lowers the 4S's impedance to make them easier to drive by portable sources.

 

[Gluegun]

!!!!!!!

Wait.....

I thought you can change the 4P to 4S, but *not the other way around*!!!!!

 

[dhwilkin]

Quote:

Gluegun said... I thought you can change the 4P to 4S, but *not the other way around*!!!!!

That would be correct, AFAIK. There is a 4P->4S adapter cable (which adds some resistance), but not a 4S->4P adapter cable.

 

[Peddler]

From a sound quality point of view, the adaptor cable adds a little emphasis to the treble (very top end) and actually resolves slightly deeper bass. The differences are not that great and I personally like the 4P just as much as the 4S.

I'm glad I purchased the P - I very nearly went for the S model but I don't use the adaptor cable straight out of a portable because they need a little more power.

 

[dgs]

J.Y.

In my opinion, I would break it down like this. Disagreements from others welcome.

The reasons to get the ER6:

1. more easily portable.
2. If you break/lose them, you do not have to jump off a bridge.
3. They sound about 50% as good (to my ears) as the 4p/s, but they do it for 1/3 the price.
4. They sound way better than every other earbud/canalphone I've heard (besides their big brothers, the 4p/s).

Reasons to get the 4p:

1. Still amazingly portable.
2. Easier to drive than the er6 from a portable source.
3. Sound 50% better than the er6.
4. With the minor investment of a cable, you can have the 4s too.
5. Absolutely killer headphones.

Reasons to get the 4s:

1. You intend to listen ONLY with an amp.
2. Great sound.

Hope this helps.

 

[joelongwood]

I agree with everything you say, dgs........except for the statement that the ER6s give you "50% of the sound" of the 4 series. To my ears, it's more like >90%! They are incredibly close in sound quality.

 

[dgs]

Quote:

Originally posted by joelongwood I agree with everything you say, dgs........except for the statement that the ER6s give you "50% of the sound" of the 4 series. To my ears, it's more like >90%! They are incredibly close in sound quality.

Really? I find the er6 to be pushed in the low treble more, not as rich sounding on the vocals, more visceral but less musical in the bass, and slightly "edgy-sounding," by which I mean that the sound is a little more brash and less refined. I didn't notice it really until I did some side by side comparisons, but I definitely hear a difference. I will give a more detailed comparison between the three soon...But I will say this now, 50% of the sound might be too harsh a statement. Maybe 75%....Clearly excellent headphones, no matter how you slice it.

 

[joelongwood]

Again I agree with what you're saying, dgs. I think it's just a disagreement on the percentage of sound differences. But, to my ears, you're right on with your assessment of the perceived sound differences, ie. more treble....a bit edgier...more visceral bass. It's just that they come closer to the famed Ety sound than any other 'phone I've tried, and that's probably why I said 90%. Let's compromise at 82 1/2 %

 

[J.Y.]

In terms of sonic properties, how would they compare with the Grado SR-80? That is my current favorite and I seem to appreciate the sound most of the time, but not all the time. They sound scary on unaccompaned violin, but sound so great when the strings get plucked.(Makes me wonder if violins were designed to be plucked) I can't stand symphony music from my SR-80, so I am currently keeping my hands off most of my classical CDs. I plan on keeping my Grado for what they do, but want a alternative to make up for the extreme coloration that destroys some music. Since AKG K501 currently falls within this price-range, would that be a good buy?(I know it has bass issues and that indeed hurts w/out good power) So, I guess I can narrow it down to this.
1. Used MS1 (Heard they present music pretty accurately)
2. ER4P
3. ER6
4. ER6 w/ JMT Cmoy
5. AKG K501 w/ JMT Cmoy
Help me make my choices~~

 

[Tim D]

The MS-1 is not going to offer a very different perspective from what you have...made in the same basement, tuned only to be slightly more neutral, and close in price point and materials/design.

The Ety's and AKG's are different animals alltogether, and are just plain more neutral and accurate sounding to start with.

Has anyone confirmed that the rebates and AKG sale is over? I know the tax rebate by AKG is over, but was wondering about the online coupon and price. In anycase, I'm pretty sure the ER6's will always be a very nicely priced item especially for symphony music or the music for which you want a lack of coloration.

If the AKG sale IS over...than maybe you can pray for some people to sell one in a few months if they don't like them. However given the incredible price, and the performance of AKG501, I wouldn't have too high a hope for that, but who knows.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by dgs The reasons to get the ER6: 3. They sound about 50% as good (to my ears) as the 4p/s Reasons to get the 4p: 3. Sound 50% better than the er6

/me tries very hard not to nitpick at the mathematical impossibilities in those statements

 

[dgs]

Quote:

Originally posted by MacDEF /me tries very hard not to nitpick at the mathematical impossibilities in those statements

knew it when i wrote it...didn't care...thought if i said it correctly, it would confuse people anyway...

 

[J.Y.]

I guess I am going for the ER6. AKG has too much leak but good cross feed(That I want

) Don't think I am gonna get any from sealed canal phones. Grados gave me enough taste of real LEAKERs, maybe I should try something new...