Etymotic's New Ety-Com Cell Phone Headset

[gradofan]

I just thought fellow head-fiers should know about Ety's new cell phone handset.. it's basically an ER-4 (or ER-6, I'm guessing) canalphone with a noise-canceling mike. I can't wait to get one - no more shoddy-sounding cell calls at concerts or in the car!

From etymotics.com:

"The ETY-COMTM cell phone headset is the most technically advanced cell phone headset of its kind, incorporating technology used in our stereo earphones and hearing aid devices. Improved intelligibility is achieved by combining noise isolation from a high-fidelity receiver and a close-talking (noise-canceling) directional microphone. The advantages are obvious in noisy surroundings.

* The highest sound isolation of any cell phone headset: NRR=24 dB by independent E-A-R-CAL Laboratory measurements (Indianapolis, IN). Actual earphone attenuation averages 37dB at the octave frequency bands from 125 to 8000Hz. The ETY-COM headset allows its user to carry on a conversation in a noisy car, airport, or convention center. Just as important, it allows the speaker to carry on a quiet private cell phone conversation in a public place without annoying others.

* Noise-canceling microphone technology makes it possible for the talker to be heard by the listener without shouting or interference from the talker's surroundings.

* Compatible with most Motorola cell phones and with most other cell phones that have a universal 2.5mm plug. Adapter solutions are available for cell phones that are not currently compatible."

$69 at etymotic.com or 1-888-ETYMOTIC

What do you think??

 

[averydonovan]

Looks like a nice headset. If I actually talked on my cellphone much, it'd be useful. Most headsets I've tried I've had to yell over, and had trouble hearing on.

 

[Oddball]

Hmm...this could be in response to Shure's cell phone headsets.

from Shure.com

QuietSpot Advantages:
Best Sound Compared To Any Other Headset On The Market Today
Secure In Ear Design Blocks Ambient Noise
Noise-Canceling Microphone Delivers Vocal Clarity
Made By Shure, The Leader In Professional Sound Equipment For Over 78 Years

Costs $49.99 and looks similar to the Shure e2c.

Even older is Koss's KSC-35 + regular telephone headset thing

It's on clearance at koss.com for $24.99 and I'm not sure what kind of phone it goes with. Seems very funky.

 

[gradofan]

Side note: A long time ago, I read an article about Shure collaborating with Etymotic, then backing out after gaining proprietary info. Has anybody else read the same thing?

 

[Manveer]

I'm glad that the majority of the population won't be buying this. The last thing we need is idiots with cell phones using two hands to use their phone (one to hold ear, one to insert). The car would then become the hands-free device. Of course, those with common sense wouldn't do this while driving, but common sense isn't so common.

 

[Takashi]

I hate people talking on cellphone at concert.
I hate people talking on cellphone while driving.

It doesn't matter if it's hands-free. You gotta pay attention.

 

[Ronindvm]

Quote:

Originally posted by Takashi I hate people talking on cellphone at concert. I hate people talking on cellphone while driving. It doesn't matter if it's hands-free. You gotta pay attention.

I'm not sure that I understand why you would go to a concert then talk on the phone but I'm not sure it's dangerous. If you don't pay attention the worst thing that's likely to happen is you miss Janet Jackson's Nipple.

 

[Tim D]

The hands-free part is assumed when the person using the device is wearing it for however long they plan on taking calls. Yes someone who buys one and fumbles around to plug it in the phone and in the ear everytime they get a phone call would be an idiot.

Quote:

Originally posted by Manveer I'm glad that the majority of the population won't be buying this. The last thing we need is idiots with cell phones using two hands to use their phone (one to hold ear, one to insert). The car would then become the hands-free device. Of course, those with common sense wouldn't do this while driving, but common sense isn't so common.

 

[Takashi]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ronindvm I'm not sure that I understand why you would go to a concert then talk on the phone but I'm not sure it's dangerous. If you don't pay attention the worst thing that's likely to happen is you miss Janet Jackson's Nipple.

I don't care what you are missing. You are just annoying me.

 

[gradofan]

Ah okay, I should explain... I manage a band, and I have to call people to see if they're going and check in (I still live at home, and I'm usually waaaaay past my 1 o'clock curfew when we gig). There's no way I can hear anything, so I have to leave the bar or club and enter the below-zero Ohio winter. Yay

 

[MarkY]

I'm confused. Wouldn't having that much sound isolation, even in one ear, not be too good if you are driving?

 

[lindrone]

I have the Shure QuietSpot.. and truthfully speaking, I don't think it's such a good idea. I've pretty much stopped using them at all.

I do have great isolation in one ear, but the problem is, unlike normal canalphone listening experiences, it's only one ear. So even though the sound from the one side sounds isolated and clear, my other ear is picking up background noise.

What ends up happening, is psychologically the contrast of the noise I'm picking up with one of my ear is disrupting the totally isolated sound of the other ear.

I ended up trying to crank my phone up as much as I can to compensate for the background noise...

I went back to using the standard headset that came with my headphone.. much easier to put on (since you don't have to fuss with "insertion)... and just more natural.

 

[uoods]

Has anyone else tried the Shure headset or plan on doing a review of the ety headset? I'd very much be interested in how these work out, I'm tired of the cheap hands-free devices that I keep going through.

 

[Prince]

Wondering if anyone ever get the ETY-COM headset? I am planning to get one, any other place to buy it other than the ETY's site it self?

I choose ETY's rather than the shure's simply because on their cans, the sound clarity on ETY is higher than shure on their canal phones. And don't really like shure's design.

 

[Jbroad572]

I was curious about the Shure, but $50 for a sound that's not going to sound any better than the actual cell phone seems a bit much. I really need an earpiece though.