[earplug]

I just bought the Etymotic HF5 (Ruby color) direct from Amazon. I had another one that I sold two months ago because I needed the money. I liked it though, so I decided to buy it again since Amazon had it for $99.99.

This new one that I got seems to have a different cable. The plug is angled, and the cable feels different. The old HF5 had a straight plug. I also like the cable on this new HF5 better; the quality seems to be higher than the old cable. It seems similar to the cable on the Ety MC5 cable. I did try out the MC5 late last year, so my memory is a bit fuzzy on that cable. But it does seem the same from what I can remember.
 
Is this a new thing? Anyone else get the same cable?

Here's a pic of the HF5 I got directly from Amazon:
 

 
 

 

[calipilot227]

It wouldn't surprise me if Ety decided to change the cable on the HF5. There were reports of problems with the old cables breaking or shorting out.

 

[earplug]

I really like this new cable. I wasn't expecting it at all, so it was a real pleasant surprise when I opened up the packaging. I think it will hold up better than the old cable. I guess it was good thing that I sold my old HF5, otherwise I would have never bought this new one.

 

[calipilot227]

Quote:

I really like this new cable. I wasn't expecting it at all, so it was a real pleasant surprise when I opened up the packaging. I think it will hold up better than the old cable. I guess it was good thing that I sold my old HF5, otherwise I would have never bought this new one.

Well, Ety might have sent you a new one if your other pair broke under warranty 

 But I'm glad they did something to hopefully fix the cable problems of the older units.
 

 

[zwanchef]

Hi,
I bought mine back in early March and they have the banana jack.
Zwanchef

 

[kmhaynes]

I've had my HF5 for about 6 months now and it has the same cable & strain relief as your new Ruby one pictured.

 

[Spyro]

On the Etymotic website under the features of HF5, it is stating a kevlar re-inforced cable which was NOT what this product started out with.
 
Also, it is saying that the drivers are matched.  This use to be a key difference between ER4 and HF5 so if Ety is matching the HF5, plus with the new cable, this is a damn good product!  For the price I thought they sounded great when I had the original model. 

 

[calipilot227]

Update: Just received the pair of HF2's I ordered, and they have the new cable as well.